Today is Fair Tuesday, a day to support Fair Trade products and the people who make them. With holiday gift buying underway, it’s important to consider not only what items we need to buy, but how those items were made. (more…)
Roseanne, over at the blog, It’s All Yoga, Baby, recently interviewed the owners of Soul Flower, Mike & Peggy, about their line of ethically made yoga wear and why they work hard to support eco-friendly apparel. (more…)
We’ve been receiving your Kindness Matters Giveaway entries and are enjoying all of your heartwarming volunteer stories. So many of you are making our world a positive place to live in every single day. Below is a letter we received from our bud, Anne, sharing her experience with coordinating a garden program at her sons school:
Hello!
I saw your blog post about volunteer week. I am the volunteer coordinator for my son’s elementary school garden program. Our school garden teaches kids about healthy food, climate change, the eco system, sustainability and of course organic gardening. Each grade Pre-K through 5th grade has a lesson in the garden twice a year.
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First Grade planting lettuce in hoop houses in the Annex Garden, April 4th, 2013
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As the coordinator I act as the liaison between the school and the sponsor Growe Foundation who provides garden support. I organize lessons, work with teachers, work with the administration, coordinate with the PTA, I attend all of the lessons and work with the kids.
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This one is actually me, after a long work day with some Girl Scouts. We painted the flower boxes we are a posing with. (I’m on the left, sitting down & that’s my son in the middle)
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My son posing with my “Volunteer Tea” rose (my reward from the school for volunteering, lol) in front of the Annex Garden where the lettuce is planted. We plant the lettuce on the East side of the school because we have such strong winds here in Colorado. The lettuce is harvested by the 2nd graders and eaten as part of Rainbow Day inMay. Last year we had a record harvest of about 90 lbs!
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This is the garden last fall. As you can see, this path is not even very accessible for kids with disabilities.
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This is where the new path is to be laid. (those yucky tiles are being replaced too)
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Additionally, I help organize fundraisers and garden projects. Most recently I initiated the project to build a ADA accessible path through our main garden. We partnered with Justin’s Nut Butter, PACT Apparel and raised funds through an Indigogo campaign. I’m happy to say we reached our goal, and we will be installing the new path this spring as part of two work days, the first in participation with SeLebration as part of Project Yes, and the second my own Garden Work Day in which we have volunteers from Home Depot assisting alongside parents from the school.
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The garden in bloom!
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Btw, this is what it looked like before I took the reigns as the coordinator. There had been no one in charge before me, and the program was in jeopardy of being dismantled. (That’s not going to happen now! =)
In addition to the garden, I also volunteer as part of the Green Team. Basically I oversee the Waste Station during lunch in the school cafeteria one day a week. I help kids sort their recycling trash, and compost. Since this program was initiated, our school has been honored as a Green Star school.
Parents and teachers often thank me for doing what I do, but why I really do it is because I believe that the way to leave a better planet for our youth, is to teach the youth to treat the planet better. Plus, I love being involved in my son’s education by getting to know the teachers and students that are a part of a major part of his life =)
I hope you enjoyed my story!
Sincerely,
Anne Spear
Thank you, Anne, for making our world a happier place! |
We’re LOVING Alisa Burke’s Wrapping with Nature gift ideas. Can you imagine receiving a present like this? So perfect! The best part is that all you need to accomplish such gorgeous gift wrapping is a paper bag and some outdoor goodies such as twigs, pine cones, or leaves – the only potential cost would be for string or paints, other than that, this wrapping project is free. sAweetness!
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| Twigs and branches can easily be altered and used in gift wrapping with paint or thread- |
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| 1. Use embroidery floss and wrap it around a branch. 2. Wrap driftwood with colorful twine. 3. Pair sticks and branches with feathers and wrap together with thread or ribbon. 4. Paint twigs with stripes and dots. 5. Paint branches an unexpected color. |
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| Paint Leaves! |
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| Top left: Jewelry, Pippi Over the Knee Socks, Patch it Up Mini Bag, Crazy Daisy Headband or Ragin’ Reggae Sunglasses |
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| Top left: Fraggle Fingerless Gloves, Glowing Mushrooms Organic Scarf, Heart of Iowa Handmade Soap, Oversized Beanie or a T-shirt like our Camp Give a Hoot |
If you mix and matched these items just right, you could even send 2 or 3 items and still qualify for the 13 ounces or less shipping! For even more gifting inspiration check out our Winter Lookbook: Give Light Give Love!
❤ your bud JacQ
The other day I was at the beach and a little girl of about 3 was tiptoeing quickly along the hot sand, she came to a sudden stop, squatted down and picked up a piece of garbage, “Trash, mommy!” she exclaimed, as she handed it over to be placed in the garbage where it rightfully belonged. I smiled at the cuteness of it, but as the thought settled in I began to realize how many people were at the beach; how many of us had just kept walking on by that very piece of garbage? Sitting nearby, I hadn’t even noticed it.
As a cancer sign, I have a soul that is drawn to water. It gives me a sense of peace and rejuvenation. So it bothers me to know that this problem of garbage in and on our earth’s beaches extends beyond that little piece of garbage at my local beach. Overall our oceans are in pretty bad shape.
I recently discovered a couple, Richard and Judith Lang, that walk their local Kehoe Beach collecting plastic; a lot of it. Since 1999 they have been taking these pieces of plastic, cleaning them, and turning them into a myriad of creative art from murals to jewelry. Their main goal: to draw attention to the problem of water pollution, and the misuse of plastic, and push people toward cleaning up their beaches.
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Richard and Judith Lang prove that every “little bit” of garbage we pick up can make a difference. It’s one less piece of plastic for a bird or fish to swallow, and one more step towards making our waters clean again. Our world’s limited water supply has given us a lot of peace and sustenance, the least we can do is return the favor.
Let’s make our oceans, lakes and rivers a cleaner work of art. |
With all the heat going on here lately, we feel like we’ve become professionals at keeping things cooool! We’ve learned from experience that there’s no need to get your new threads all sweaty – you don’t even need AC!
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| Here’s our top 50 ways to beat the heat! |
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| Tapestries and T-shirts turned pillows – oh my! |
It started out with a simple daydream of an amazing indoor fort with tons of pillows sprawled about. Once we had that in our heads, there was no turning back…you just can’t forget an idea that cozy! So at first we were asking each other to bring whatever couch pillows we have at home, but then Karly pipped in with an even better idea – she could turn our old T-shirts into pillows!
One winner will receive our one-of-a-kind Take a Hike pillow, and the second winner will snag our handmade Be Yourself Pillow with butterflies.
For a chance to win, simply leave a friendly comment below sharing which pillow you would like & why. We’ll randomly select 2 lucky winners on Thursday June 14, 2012! 🙂
This week, June 4-10, is Hemp History Week! Hemp is an environmentally sustainable plant that can be used in a multitude of earth-friendly ways. Here at Soul Flower we believe this miracle plant Industrial Hemp is something that should be legalized to be grown in the USA. It can do so much, including Hemp Clothing, Hemp Accessories, Hemp Food and Medicine!
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| Via: Dispelling Myths About Hemp |
Hemp clothing, such as these stylish pieces, are a smart, eco-friendly choice. Hemp uses less resources, such as land and water, and unlike many other plants, hemp actually revitalizes the soil as it grows. It’s also insanely durable, and is known to have three times the strength of cotton fibers! And, did you know, hemp is UV and mold resistant? Yeah, it’s a pretty versatile, beneficial and amazing plant! The environmental benefits of hemp go far beyond what I’ve listed above…if I get into it all now, this blog post would never end! 😉
If you are unfamiliar with hemp, the official Hemp History site is a great place to read up. They have info on the many ways hemp can be used, why it’s beneficial, and clears up the misconception about hemp and cannabis being one and the same; hemp is NOT a drug.
They also have great information on the history of hemp (of course!) which includes a helpful timeline. Did you know that in 1942 Henry Ford made an experimental car door using hemp fibers, which turned out to be ten times stronger than steel! I didn’t. Learning something new everyday here! 🙂
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“She taught me that beauty can be taken from the fridge and cupboard. All that fancy spa stuff is already in my house. I hated the egg whites mask she’d make me wear; I’d have to wait till it dried and it would pull at my skin…Uck! Lol…but she insisted it would make my skin great! Now that I’m older, I’m happy to know that things such as honey, olive oil, sugar and then some can achieve just as much as all those cosmetic chemicals we’re told we need.” –Jacqueline
“She ate a lot out of her very own garden. Freezing and canning to make things last, and sharing with us so we weren’t eating a tomato off some truck from far off locations. I remember going through the garden, picking and trying everything…it was all so good and we grew it!” – Brit
“My grandma has a garden and is all about home cookin’ – no fast food at her house! Her idea of vacation is close to home, usually camping or horseback riding, no cruises or long flights. Hey, you remember that one poster that said something about reusing and making do? That makes me think of her.” –Joe
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| Yes, I do, Joe! And now I realize there were many posters like this, especially during the war. |
See, our ideas of green being the new black, and all that, they aren’t new. Our grandmother’s were doing all of these things before we ever decided to call it cool. And they did it with that brand of hard work and dedication we should all strive for. This Mother’s Day, we just want our Grandma’s to know, we appreciate all you’ve done to keep Mother Earth beautiful, and we’re thankful you’ve taught us what amazing things the earth can give us.
May your smile be gritted with dirt! 😉
Your buds at Soul Flower
Are you a Hippie Tapestry lover? Well we are! And we love finding inspiration on how to use hippie tapestry decor in rooms and otherwise, so read on to find out more about how to decorate with a hippie tapestry and Free Your Room!
I never wake up and decide to spring clean. When a flower blooms, I do not get an inclination to run inside and dust…I just tend to recline outside and, well, stare aimlessly at the flowers. Not that I’m messy….not that I’m a neat freak, neither; I just don’t pencil in a spring cleaning, I guess.
Spring does, however, get me thinking about – Possibilities.
Sometimes our surroundings no longer feel like “us” and we need to spruce them up, and add that this-is-me flair to our places & spaces. Soul Flower’s hippie tapestries always get me thinking about alllll the possibilities my lil one bedroom apartment really has. Because tapestries have a way of adding freedom to the smallest of rooms…they just do; it’s in their bohemian spirit. Check out this hippie tapestry decor:
And while this living room doesn’t have a Soul Flower tapestry in it, I love!! the idea of FRAMING a tapestry! How boho-tastic is this room?? That print there does look a lot like our Mandala Tapestry, so it wouldn’t be too difficult to snag this look after all by taking a Soul Flower Mandala Tapestry and cutting the center of it to frame!
Decorating a dorm room or bedroom with a variety of tapestries is even a really fun look!
Our dorm has: Into the Mystic as a curtain, Sanganeer as a couch cover, and canopied on the ceiling is our World Tree Tapestry.
I’ve even had customers write me and say they’ve sewn their hippie tapestry into a shower curtain! I haven’t been sent a picture of this, yet, but if any of you have decorated your home with one (or some) of our Soul Flower tapestries, I’d loooove to see it! Feel free to share your pics on our Facebook wall!
And, maybe your awesome hippie tapestry decor will convince me to do a little more spring cleaning than usual…Mmm…maybe. If anything, I’ll for sure add a tapestry to my mess! *high-five* to that. 😉
Start with 2 of your fav headbands:
Lay them out in oval shapes:
Overlap those ovals so it looks like red, purple, red, purple:
Pick up both sides of the bottom headband (purple):
Start lifting that purple one:
Grab the red in one hand, purple in the other:
Pull them apart & you’re ready to wear!
Wear it as a headband:
Or use it as a necklace:
Wear it off to the side:
You can pull apart the fabric to better show off the print:
I’d like to make a note that while 2 headbands knotted together in this way looks sweet, it does cause the headband(s) to fit more snugly against your head. Definitely tighter than one headband on its own. Be cautious and don’t squish your pretty little head! 🙂
Here at Soul Flower we try our very best to keep Mother Earth in mind…not just for Earth Day, but Every day. We keep the Kenyan proverb, “Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.” close to heart. After all, what we make of our world today, is the world we must live in tomorrow.
Every Earth Day I end up having memories of grade school. That day I’d bring my tin can to class, play in the dirt, and plant some seeds. As I gave my seed its first watering, I truly believed my life was about to become a reenactment of Jack and the Beanstalk. I had the name covered, I snagged the seeds without trading a cow, and now this baby was going to grow into something my parents would be proud of. I’d check on my little tin can numerous times a day, hovering over it with a watchful and curious eye, expecting that it would burst through the dirt into a leafy explosion of awesomeness… any. moment. now. Even though it was never quick or theatrical, I was always thrilled the second I saw that itty-bitty bud poking through the dirt. Honestly, I still am. Checking out creative tin planters like these definitely get the green thumb itching: 🙂
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| Recycle thick paper for a funky, fun look . |
I was born with a gypsy soul. For as long as I can remember my dad has called me his little gypsy girl. I think I’ve done well by that nickname. I’ve seen the sun rise over the Atlantic and set over the Pacific, and the gorgeous land that stretches in between. You know, I really love a good road trip, I think it’s my absolute favorite thing to do. In November 2010, I took the most epic road trip via Route 66. Just me and my friend Steph in a white convertible taking in some of the most amazingly weird sights our country has to offer. Everyone should take that trip once in their lifetime. Just take my word for it…
In true gypsy spirit, I’m gonna share with you my top ten favorite places/sites to see. I’m always up for suggestions myself, so feel free to share some of your favorite places to gypsy off to. Before you go, be sure to get yourself a Gypsy Soul Tee from Soul Flower to wear on your travels. When Soul Flower added this item, I couldn’t believe it. If ever a tee was so apropos for me, it’s surely this one.
1. Savannah, Georgia— an eclectic mixture of characters in a truly beautiful & historical setting. Pirates, Spanish Moss, & River Street, oh my! Added bonus: it’s home of the ‘Go Cup’, where else can you walk around downtown with a good adult beverage in your hand? The simply isn’t any other place like it.
2. Nashville, Tennessee— the bouncers downtown wear cowboy hats. True Story. Grab your cowboy boots & guitar and head down to Music Row.
3. San Francisco— standing on the corner of Haight & Ashbury felt like an amazing psychic connection to a time I wish I could have been around to see.
4. The Grand Canyon— a place to just go and be small and take it all in. We are a part of something beautiful here on earth.
5. Las Vegas— because if you’ve been, you know why…for better or worse. And, if you haven’t…there is no way I can properly explain it to you. I saw The Beatles Love Show by Cirque, and it was almost a religious experience.
6. Live Oak, Florida— come for Wanee at the Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park, it’s the Allman Brothers Music Festival held annually in April. Last year, we saw the Bros, Widespread Panic, Robert Plant, Steve Miller Band, Stephen Marley, Ween, …and, so many more talented musicians. This year, the Bros will be back headlining with Further, also among many others are Government Mule and Ray Manzarek of The Doors. As a lifelong Doors fan (credit to my dad), I am beyond psyched to see Ray. You can find me down front when he takes the stage…
7. Yasgur’s Farm— the only place on the list I haven’t been to yet, but it’s on my short list for upcoming road trips. I’m gonna go soak up some hippie vibes, who’s with me?
8. Big Sur, California— where the mountains meet the sea. Watching the sun set into the Pacific ocean was a moment I took in in complete solitude & silence…just blessed to have been a witness.
9. Seligman, Az— my favorite Route 66 destination. A small map dot (but, you’re gonna love the scenery on the way there!) serving as a lasting tribute to the Mother Road. Be sure to stay at the Route 66 Motel, eat at the Road Kill Cafe, and pop in at the Snow Cap for a real treat. On the menu? Dead Chicken. That’s what it says 🙂
10. The Rockies & The Appalachian Mountains…for compare & contrast. Okay, I definitely cheated a little on that. But, you really do have to see both.
I haven’t spent much time in the northeast, but my gypsy husband, Berg has and he says NYC is another place to check out. Also, someday I’d like to see the Mall in Washington DC.
Don’t forget to share your travels with me in the comments, buds. And, grab your Gypsy Soul Tee from Soul Flower before you take some trips this summer. Maybe we’ll see you on the road 🙂
When decorating for the holidays, it takes just a few simple touches to pull everything together. A touch of lights and some homemade décor can really pull a room together. These projects (all of which we used in our Lookbook setting) are great not only for the winter solstice, but for birthdays, weddings, and celebrations in general!
We have several stylish scarves here at Soul Flower, and they can be super fun and versatile once you know more than one way to wear them. So, we compiled a video of some of our favorite ways to keep those scarves looking sassy no matter what you’re wearing! 🙂
A few simple ways to accomplish this over-the-top enthusiasm:
One of our favorite Do It Yourself crafts this holiday season is the Magazine Wreath. Not only is it easy, but it looks really freakin’ cool! Trust me; none of us are Martha Stewart here, so if we can manage to make this wreath, anyone can. 😉
Owning a Volkwagen bus, the iconic ‘hippie bus’, is a blast, buds! I own four, a ’79 Bay & a ’67 Kombi will be the ones I keep, but I also have another Bay & another Kombi as parts buses. Basically, I operate on a happy hippie bus vibe. It’s a good place to be.
One thing I can tell you about having a Vw bus… everybody has a story to share of a bus they owned, or someone they know owned, and those stories are usually a hoot to hear. Mainly because Vw buses are finicky little creatures with distinct personalities and particulars. It’s always an adventure in a Vw bus! Another thing is that Vw owners are one eclectic group of peeps. I’ve been introduced to some really flipped-out characters along the way. There’s a strong possibility I’m a flipped-out character myself 😉
If owning a bus is a labor of love, restoring one is a test of endurance. I’ve been working on my ’79 Bay for almost two years. I wanted to be part of the entire restoration. My hands have sanded every square inch of my bus. I was part of the engine removal from my parts Bay. See, that sounds easy enough, but what it really means is that I was crawling all around underneath it and even jumping up and down on a crowbar at one point! I’ve been greasy and I’ve been tired, but I am still in love with that bus.
That’s why the Travel Happy Bus tee is perfect for me! When it popped up on the New! tab, I just laughed out loud. Soul Flower, you just get me….you really do. The tee is made from organic cotton, which makes me happy. It is a soft tee and feels great when you’re wearing it. The color is natural, not a bright white. And, just like the real thing, the Happy (hippie) Bus tee is a conversation starter. People smile when they see you wearing it and they want to know where you got it!
If you’ve caught the bus vibe and just have to have one of your own, my advice to you is to check out Craigslist and the mecca of all things Vw…thesamba.com. Come on and take a free ride, buds! Peace!!
My love for these little onesies runs deep. Of course the messages on them are right up my peacenik alley. As a dyed-in-the-wool pacifist who wants her kiddos to spread love not war, I am proud to have my baby wear her “Pick Flowers, Not Fights” message. And that’s saying a lot for me because in general I am not a fan of clothing with words, but this is an exception indeed. And the “Let It Grow” onesie is just too sweet. If there is one thing babies do like crazy (aside from poop) it’s GROW!
Sometime baby onesies are paper thin or rough and poorly sewn. I guess people figure because your kiddo will grow out of it so quickly, why bother? Not these though! The fabric is thick and soft and it’s very well made overall. It’s the sort of onesie that will take a lot of abuse as my baby scooches around the floor and will still have plenty of life left to pass the love on to the next little bud.
~Cindy
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