Inspired Living - Busy Bee Candle Co.

We have fun news!!! Erin Monett, PGM's Photographer has launched a great little side biz called Busy Bee Candle Co.  More than just a candle - they are molded inside perfect vintage mason jars and are right up our alley. Supporting and growing the beekeeping industry is paramount to helping keep bee populations healthy and plentiful. We rely on those little insects more than you realize. (For a quick update on the health of the bee population check out our latest issue - see Eco-Logical by Dr. Charles Nock on p. 102-103). Here's a little more about what Busy Bee is all about:

"Caledon, Ontario honeybees are busy collecting nectar from approximately two million flowers to make one pound of our beeswax, and we are busy creating more candles for you to enjoy!
All natural beeswax is a renewable resource and burns clean. When you burn your Busy Bee Candle Co candle it emits negative ions. These ions act as a “cleanser” for the surrounding air because toxins, such as dust, pollen, germs and mildew, are positive ions. When the two meet the air is purified.
Unlike soy and paraffin waxes, beeswax is used in its original state. There is no bleaching or hydrogenating. Beeswax is the purest and most natural of all waxes (including vegetable waxes such as soy) with the least processing and no additives.
Beeswax is non-allergenic and is best for those with allergies or sensitivities to scents.
Busy Bee Candle Co. is bee friendly and we support the beekeeping industry."

Visit Erin's Etsy shop to get your own!!

Inspired Living: The Burning House



Laura Pritchett, Artist



You know how every so often you feel yourself going through a bit of an evolution? Style, personality, likes/dislikes, food, music, fashion.... whatever it may be, every so often you just have to re-invent yourself! Well besides the fact that this is currently happening to me, when I came across this site - The Burning House via one of my FAVOURITE new to me blogs called The Wonderlust Journal, it brought that sense of examining what defines you. I immediately zoned in and felt I needed to explore more thoroughly The Burning House site. The premise of the site is centered on the possesions you would take should your home be in flames. While, as Elizabeth at Wanderlust points out, the following images are partially an exercise in styling, they are also a unique window into the life of someone you don't know. A hint of voyeurism and a sense of intimacy fell over me as I examined each photo, mulling over in my mind what significance these particular objects have and the stories they tell. I also love that it's a tribute to what you already own, rather than a constant barrage of what's new & must have. Maybe this inspires you. It did me. (You may recognize a few of the faces...)

Hannah Queen of Honey & Jam

Henning Heide, German Photographer

Louie McPherson, Graphic Design Student

 

Tara O'Brady of SevenSpoons



Many more to see via The Burning House.

Destination: The Folly Bar, UK

We’re back with our regular Friday DESTINATION posts! If you ever find yourself in London, UK, a visit to The Folly Bar seems essential. A mixture of garden-centric store and concept eatery/bar, I fell instantly in love for the eclectic and boho-chic feel of the eatery.  The pickled floors and pattern play, paired with neutral earth tones is a winning combination in our minds.  Even better, the restaurant is a member of London’s Sustainable Restaurants Association.

Nicole Bridger

As a longtime fan of Nicole Bridger’s line of sustainable clothing I am excited to see that she has opened a new flagship store in Vancouver on 2151 W4th Ave.  Bright, modern and fresh, the store allows the clothes to speak for themselves, popping off the wall in bursts of irresistable colour!

“Nicole Bridger is a line of socially conscious clothing that’s effortless, luxurious and makes people feel sexy and special in their every day. Our philosophy is to Do what is right for the Earth, its People and Spirit.”

Thanks KristinAnn for the pics!!

Highlights from Issue 5

I am on cloud nine right now!! The response to issue 5 from our readers and peers has been wonderful. I am so grateful and PROUD of the group of people who worked on Pure Green and helped make it what it is. I've collected a few of my personal favourites from Issue 5, although there were way too many to feature here... of course, I'm a little biased!!

If you haven't seen the whole thing yet, please take a peek: http://www.puregreenmag.com/, or scroll down to the post below.

Happy Weekend everyone!

On Monday we'll be back to our regular posting. And perhaps a new website.......!!!

NOTE: Feel free to share these images but we ask that you kindly please credit Pure Green Magazine!

It's finally here - presenting Issue Five

Open publication - Free publishing - More design

After all the hard work and late nights. It's here. Many, many thanks to all who were part of this amazing project!

Re-Launch Reader Giveaway 3! Win a FLOR rug!!!

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered!! Congratulations to Kristina Julie, who entered via the Pure Green blog. (Winners are randomly chosen using random.org)

Reoriented



Soft Spoken

Suit Yourself

Yes, you read right!!! As I'm sure you know, the new issue of Pure Green Magazine is coming in just a few short days... 7 to be exact!!! We are so excited, I can barely sit in this chair to type! To celebrate our new issue we've hosted a little giveaway series here on the PGM blog. Readers have taken home a complete anti-aging skin care kit from Marie Veronique Organics, a modular living wall from Woolly Pocket, and finally, one lucky reader will take home a 5x7 rug by FLOR from their new summer collection!!

FLOR makes modular carpet tiles using recycled content, and the tiles themselves are recyclable too! Their patterns are bright or muted, edgy or soft, modern or traditional - something to suit any taste.  We fell for their new Summer Collection, and have selected three of our favourite patterns for you to choose from: Reoriented, Soft Spoken or Suit Yourself. To see more visit their site, FLOR.com or call 13866.281.3567 to speak to a representative.

To enter: You can either

1. Leave a comment here on the PGM Blog

2. Enter via twitter. Tell @puregreenmag you want to win.

3. Leave a comment on our Facebook page.

The contest will be open for 7 days. The winner will be chosen and announced Tuesday, May 24. Good luck!

Monday Pick Me Up!

"WE HAVE TO STOP CUTTING TREES. THIS IS GETTING SERIOUS."

Got this in an email today... and I couldn't resist sharing.

Get to Know Pure Green! Kate Black

We took a little break, but we're back with another PGM team member. Meet Kate Black, the fashion editor at Pure Green Mag, who's little black dress is, well, green!

1. Please introduce yourself.
Hello Eco-fashionistas! My name is Kate Black and I am the Fashion Editor for Pure Green Magazine. Besides sharing eco-fashion finds with you, I write a daily eco-fashion blog called Magnifeco.com. I started the blog in 2008, when I first became interested not just in what I eat (local, organic and vegetarian food) but in what I wore. I started researching sustainable and organic designers and realized that although many fantastic (or magnifeco) designers were making efforts to provide 'slow fashion' they were hard to find. So I started finding them and featuring them on my blog. With the unique purpose - that all great finds had to be able to be purchased online, so wherever readers are in the world (I live in Tokyo) they can buy eco, sustainable and ethical fashion.

2. How do you green your wardrobe?
Reduce consumption. The easiest, greenest thing you can do is stay with what you have. Generally, people have been buying more and more clothing but wearing them less and less. This season, I pulled out all of my spring/summer clothes- all of them and made my own 'capsule collection'. Pulling together ten essential pieces, that are the mainstays of my SS11 wardrobe. This re-introduced me to a pair of white flare pants that have been sitting in the back of my closet (that are so a 'go-to' piece for this season), sending a dress to the tailors to become a tunic, and mending a blouse that I love but, due to it's missing button, was almost in the 'donation' pile.

3. Favorite fashion icon you would love to meet?

I would love to meet Safia Minney. She's one of the pioneers of fairtrade fashion and started PeopleTree over a decade ago. She was also one of the pioneers of matching designers (like Boru Aksu) and their designs with workshops and artisans in developing countries to build viable businesses that can sustain communities.

4. Can eco-fashion be trendy? 
Of course!! Big trends this season include 'white' - anything white, which is so summer! And you probably already have this essential;  they might be skinny jeans from past seasons that you can get shortened to capris, or an old white t-shirt that can be re-made into a 'flashdance'-style top - also so 'in'. And don't stay in your own closet - check your mother's, your sisters', your boyfriend's  - white is everywhere.

5. What does green fashion mean to you?
We've been conditioned to think that who we are is reflected in what we wear. And so eco-fashion should be an extension of that! Fast, cheap and super-trendy is just that. However, a piece of clothing - one that you know the story of the source (organic or sustainable fabric), the artisan or designer (ethical or fair) and/ or the history behind the piece (something vintage or re-found) is probably a greater reflection of the person you are.

Sources:

1. Tencel Jersey Dress by Thieves (can be worn 5 different ways!)

2. Marie-Veronique Skin Care

3. Funkis Clogs responsibly hand-made in Sweden

Vintage Collection 3

A collection of vintage objets - in this photo, a hundred year old Limoges plate and an antique mother of pearl silverware set.