By
Heather Lochner
| Image:
Beansprouts blog |
Published: April 23, 2010
Main Street's Beansprouts offers eco-friendly toys and clothing for discerning parents and fashion-forward kids
Shopping for your children can sometimes be an exercise in frustration. Hefty prices combined with mass-produced clothes can deter even the most determined of shoppers.
And then there are the stores that offer something unique. Something personal. Maybe something slightly used, but still in top shape. A store that sells quality consignment alongside eco-friendly and locally made clothes. Toys together with shoes. Organic cotton beside waterproof wear. A store that offers change tables just in case your wee one needs a new diaper. Welcome to Beansprouts.
Located on Main Street since 2003, Beansprouts is owned and operated by Angie Heinz. Decorated in earthy tones creating an inviting atmosphere, it has become a community staple.
“I love walking over to Beansprouts,” says local resident Jackie Howard. “It feels like my kids are constantly growing and always in need of some new item. At Beansprouts, I can find what I need and not pay a fortune for it.”
As you walk along the west side of Main St, you will know you have reached Beansprouts before you read the signage—the fancy window bars gives it away: They're shaped like bean sprouts!
By Davinia Yip
| Image: iStock |
Published: April 09, 2010
Truly sustainable fashion—hard to find and harder to define?
What, exactly, is sustainable fashion? This may seem obvious at first glance, as words like
organic,
recycled and
local rush to mind. But as we delve into the myriad aspects encompassed by the industry, from material sourcing all the way to storefront sales, a unified definition seems less and less attainable.
By
Marjolyn Ustaris
| Image:
Dace |
Published: March 04, 2010
Candied delights, Parisian dreams and worldly flair—Vancouver designers bring in spring 2010
This winter hasn’t been as harsh as in the past. And I must admit, once or twice I’ve even gotten away with wearing a light jacket. Despite the mild temperatures, I know we’re all still itching for that day when we can free ourselves from our winter wardrobe and run around in our light-as-air spring wear and summer shoes! Here are my choice picks for coveted styles from local designers this season.
By Hilary Henegar
| Image: Flora & Fauna Spring-Summer 2010 |
Published: February 18, 2010
Vancouver designer of ecofashion label Flora & Fauna dedicates her collection to orphaned dogs and cats
By Davinia Yip
| Image: Nicole Bridger Design |
Published: February 15, 2010
Embrace spring with fresh looks from Vancouver designer Nicole Bridger
While it's probably not quite time yet to shed the winter layers, it's definitely time for some spring-time dreamin'.
citizen style |
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By Davinia Yip
| Image: Nicole Bridger Design |
Published: February 15, 2010
The Nicole Bridger Spring 2010 collection is made in Vancouver using sustainable, natural fabrics. And it's all about understated charm and comfortable chic.
By Davinia Yip
| Image: Nixxi / Angela Fama |
Published: January 27, 2010
Fundraiser for Vancouver Eco Fashion Week to debut during the Olympics
Myriam Laroche has always loved fashion, and until about two years ago, one may even say to excess.
By Janet Gyenes
| Image: Brenndan Laird |
Published: December 22, 2009
Kulus Design's fashion-forward blouses emblazoned with aboriginal artwork bring myth to the modern day
There’s a legend in the Kwagulth culture that Kulus, a mythological bird, emerged from the flood and lifted the logs used to build the first big house, says Amanda Anderson of Vancouver’s Kulus Designs, describing her family crest and company namesake.
“I’ve seen native art on a daily basis for my whole life,” says Anderson, who grew up in Victoria watching her mother create regalia—blankets bedecked with buttons and aprons—used in traditional potlatch ceremonies.
As a teenager, she fell in love with fashion and did a stint in Montreal working in fashion production. When she came back to the West Coast and was once again exposed to the beauty of aboriginal artwork, she “really wanted to blend those two worlds,” and Kulus Designs was created.
Emulating one of the latest trends in fashion—future imperfect (and harem pants!)—Anderson takes classic designs and exaggerates an element. Case in point: the voluminous sleeves on the Seagull dress. Deep blue, red and black tones embody tradition, and the fabrics are a modern blend of organic cotton and bamboo.
The stunning aboriginal designs are the work of Anderson’s stepfather, master carver John Livingstone, and her cousin Rande Cook.
Anderson’s goal is as much education as fashion; each hangtag tells the piece’s story, such as how the butterfly that bedecks a blouse helped guide the Kwagulth people back to dry land after the flood.
By
Jennifer Koning, JK Models
| Image:
Patrick Parenteau / DVPix |
Published: November 19, 2009
Vancouver fashion designer Kim Cathers of kdon and Our Social Fabric talks with JK Models’s Jennifer Koning
By
Nicole Bridger
| Image:
surlygirl |
Published: October 02, 2009
Simple guidelines to help you find safe teethers and soothers
Baby toys are so cute and colourful, who would think that they could be harmful for our little ones?
With so much buzz and info on phthalates and toxins in baby toys, finding baby-safe toys can feel a bit overwhelming. Best not to stress, so I’ve put together a few simple guidelines to help you out.
Phthalates are a group of hazardous chemicals used in the making of plastics and are found in soft plastic toys like rubber duckies. In 1999, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) did restrict the use of phthalates in soft rattles, teethers and soothers. But many other toys may still contain them.
So throw away or recycle any soft plastic toys that were made before 1999 or that you’re not sure are phthalate-free. And from now on, buy ones that state “phthalate-free” or “BPA-free.” Or choose toys that are made of silicone or natural rubber.
My son has a little mushroom that he loves to chew on made by Vulli (a French company that also manufactures Sophie the Giraffe, pictured at top), and it is great for teething. Natursutten makes apple- or fish-shaped teething rings that are BPA-free, and RaZ-Berry makes a great silicone teether.
Natural wooden toys and teethers are also a great way to go. Plan and HABA have a wide selection of rattles, rings, blocks and more.
If you are buying a brand that you aren’t familiar with, make sure that they are using non-toxic paint. Lead paint is cheaper than lead-free, and because China does not have very strict regulations for manufacturing baby toys, best to go for toys made in Europe, USA or Canada.
Yoyomama.com
For more tips on finding safe baby toys, along with a whole heck of a lot of great region-specific parenting info, check out the Vancouver-based mommy website
Yoyomama.com.
For soft and plush toys, try to buy organic cotton when possible. Synthetic fibres are petroleum based and not great for baby to be sucking on. miYim and Under The Nile make great stuffed animals and blankies. My son’s absolute favourite is his Blabla monkey made of cotton and knit in Peru.
My personal favourite stores in Vancouver for these kinds of green baby toys are Hip Baby on 4th Ave., Dandelion Kids on Commercial Drive and Pebble on Arbutus; even Babies Are Us carries some green baby toys.
We are fortunate to have the knowledge that we do and the access to great green baby toys. Buying these kinds of toys isn’t just good for baby, its also better for the earth.
And if you want to be super green, try to buy used toys from craigslist or share toys within a circle of friends.
