Inspired Living | Summer Picnic with Acme Party Box

Loving these picnic accessories from Acme Party Box! A little inspiration just in time for Canada Day OR the 4th of July, depending where you are! I personally am heading out on the water tomorrow with some friends - we'll be grabbing some icecream and cuddling up with a blanket to watch the fireworks, floating in the bay! I also plan to tackle some serious DIY's around the house with my rare and treasured 3-day weekend!! I have a special event I'm planning, which will be very fun to decorate for, and I've got some painting to do. Our kitchen cabinets are begging to become a gorgeous shade of white, and I'm planning a bedroom makeover too! What are your plans for the holiday weekend?

ACME Party Box’s philosophy of throwing chic, sustainable parties extends beyond birthdays and showers. Their picnic basket includes everything you need for an eco-friendly picnic – Weck carafes and storage jars, bamboo cutlery and tableware, a mango wood cheese board, picnic knife, cloth napkins, and your choice of wine glasses or Mason drinking jars with straws, all reusable or compostable and all packaged in a large tote. The only thing missing are some sandwiches and a sunny spot to enjoy them!

Inspired Living - Atelier 688

I have a mild vintage map obsession, which is why these beauties from Atelier 688 in Toronto caught my eye. A surefire coversation starter, these are created using vintage maps printed on balloon silk and carried by military air crews to navigate enemy territory, and were inspired by owner Alex Jowett's late uncle, a pilot in WW II. {Atelier 688, $185}

Montreal Editorial Meeting

Last week I got a chance to travel to Montreal to visit with the other half of our FABULOUS editorial team! Such a dynamic group, we all bring something so special to the table! Our Montreal trip was fruitful and energizing, and we have so much to share with you in the upcoming issues, including some great Montreal features in Issue 6! I couldn't resist sharing this shot, which is a by-product over much oooohing and aaahhhing about our new business cards! Hooray PGM!!!!

Canadian Design Bloggers Event

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Canadian Design Blogger's Meet-up. I have to say, reading about blogger events that are always so far away have had me craving an opportunity here in Toronto, and I have to give a big thanks to Vie (of Verdigris Vie) and Daniella (of Dress, Design & Decor) for delivering.  They did an amazing job organizing and it was a pleasure to attend and meet many of Toronto fabulous bloggers! For more pics from the event, check out the official blog.

Vie & Daniella

Myself (right) and Carolyn of My Designer Muse

Guest Speaker Tommy Smythe

Of course no event would be complete without delicious food!

All photos are courtesy of Leah Kirin

Woodlot Bakery

I'm really intrigued to try this Toronto restaurant, a bakery | sit down resto hybrid named Woodlot which my husband will be very grateful for (we always eat at the same place, the famed and adored Teroni's on Queen W). The wood fired oven lends a rustic feel and a too tempting to resist comfort feel to the food. Watch the video, featuring Woodlot baker Jeff Connell - you'll see what I mean. Almost unbelievably, the restaurant has no website, at least that I can find! The video was shot by the Toronto Standard, one of my favourite sites to keep a pulse on Toronto culture. Find Woodlot at 293 Palmerston Avenue (just off of College St) Toronto, ON M6J 2J3, (647) 342-6307.


For more about Woodlot read this great review by another Toronto institution, NOW Magazine

Marie Veronique Organic's Promo & Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Joanna of A Clear Cut sign who won our draw! The winner was chosen via random.org.

As the weather heats up and the day's get longer, you won't want to get caught without sunscreen on. Eco chic gals know that they best way to stay looking good is to protect their skin! We wanted to let you know that the Environmental Working Group’s 2011 Sunscreen Guide was released last week and our good friends Marie Veronique Organics’ Moisturizing Face Screen and Anti-Aging Day Serum were again listed in the top 25 picks! Check out the list here.

They were all so thrilled over at MVO that they would like to celebrate by offering a Moisturizing Face Screen as a giveaway for one of our readers, as well as a promo code for EVERYONE!! Purchase a Moisturizing Face Screen or Anti-Aging Day Serum, and receive a ¼ oz Anti-Aging Oil ($20 value) for free (ENTER CODE PGMagEWG)! Offer stands until June 30. The giveaway is open for one week - enter by leaving a comment here on the blog. Winner will be chosen at random. Visit the MVO shop here: mvorganics.com/

Practically Eco: Cubit's Seeds

Wish I'd known about these guys before the last issue went out!! Although we're getting closer to the deadline for planting seeds, if you're still in need you should check Cubit's Organic Seeds out! A Toronto based, family run business, they have great selection of heirloom veggies. I'm hoping to plant some carrots, beets and beans in the next week or so. Visit their etsy shop to see the whole selection - they're running a great 5 for $25 promotion. (Love their seed packet design too!)

Garden Inspiration

Couldn't resist this little bit of garden themed eye candy by one of our all time favourite photographers. You could easily get this look with vintage pieces as well. Pics are from the April issue of Swedish Elle Interiör. Photography by Petra Bindel and styling by Tina Hellberg.

 

Inspired Living - Red Cruiser

garden journal 

Onwards with the garden theme! I couldn't resist these when they landed in my inbox from illustrator Heidi Schweigert, known on etsy as Redcruiser. Printed on FSC certified paper, the jaunty illustrations in cheerful colours are a neat garden accessory. I especially love the garden journal (I can NEVER remember which tomatoes I like from year to year) and the seed saver envelopes - much cuter than a bunch of diry, half-torn open seed envelopes spilling seeds all over the place!

Thanks Heidi for the submission!

 

seed saver envelopes

 hello spring poster

Potted Tomato Plants from The Rake

Continuing our garden theme from the Summer issue of Pure Green Mag, I couldn't resist posting this adorable and very well-done video on raising vegetables in potted plants from Cloud Raker, a Montreal ad agency. The first in the series is the potted tomato, featuring a good friend of PGM, Marie-Eve Best of Lake Jane! Here's what they had to say on the matter (I loved the download too - it includes a little trick using eggshells I didn't know!!)

“We Rakers were certainly convinced of the benefits [of gardening] so we started The Potted Farm. What can we say, we love a challenge – and fresh tomatoes. First we enlisted the help of Charles Nock (also a contributor to Pure Green Mag!), local tree doctor, balcony garden guru and plant whisperer, who gave us the full scoop on the perplexities of growing and maintaining tomato plants. Turns out, there’s absolutely nothing mysterious about it. In fact, planting tomatoes is incredibly simple and it’s a great weekend project. There’s no reason why everyone can’t enjoy the tastiest summer salads or green up their outdoor spaces, even in the middle of downtown Montreal. Check out our little how-to video, download this handy little tip sheet and shopping list and turn your balcony into your very own potted farm. ”

Source: The Rake

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!!