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there’s been a lot of bad press about sunscreens lately and the extreme toxic load they put on your body. but I know most of you aren’t about to stay home or sit under an umbrella all summer — so here’s a buyers guide to some all natural, organic, fragrance free brands currently on the market.
1. the green beaver: this company is canadian, organic and is 100% natural. I used it last summer and loved it. its great for kids, lightweight, and non whitening when applied to the skin. the only downfall I found is the price – its $20 for 90ml which is smaller than a toothpaste tube. visit www.greenbeaver.com for where to buy.
2. aubrey natural sun: this brand has one of the highest SPF’s in the natural sunscreen world with an spf of 45, its made with shea butter and organic aloe to keep skin soft and hydrated. it’s also water resistant and unscented.
www.aubrey-organics.com 4oz approx. $15-$20 depending on where you buy
3. badger balm: this all natural, organic sunscreen base is made up of plant oils, aloe, beeswax and mineral zinc oxide which provide full broad spectrum protection from the sun. the badger balm line has a wide variety of products for everyday use, an active lifestyle, kids and babies. visit www.badgerbalm.com for where to buy. prices are $15-$20 4oz tube.
4. coola: i stumbled upon coola a few years ago when I initially started my hunt for natural sunscreens. I was drawn to the brand not only for its organic properties but also for the clean, pretty packaging it comes in. their products are 97% organic, sustainable and ethically sourced. coola offers a plant UV line, a mineral line and classic collection. visit www.coolasuncare.com, prices range around $36 for 50ml.
if you find yourself wondering about the toxic load in your current sunscreen you can head over to www.ewg.org for a detailed overview. while there check out all your makeup and skin care products as well!
happy summer!
Care
i have this constant little battle in my brain over handmade, diy overload and when too much is too much. i could write an entire post on how i feel the importance in balance between modern and vintage, diy and manufactured is pretty important. for some strange reason, it feels too controversial to get in to all the details. alas, i stumble upon adorable hand made work that i love. myself included, i love to dabble in artisan type activity but particularly enjoy when an artist naturally understands the balance in their creations that lend themselves as artistic and interesting and not cheap looking. when i saw this sweet jewelry line via the design files, i felt exactly that. it was cool, casual, artistic and fun! emeldo, curated by emily dombusch is a great little online shop. her prices are reasonable and there are bundles of great designs to choose from. have a little looksie.
x, m
sweet weekend time, who can resist it? it was a beautiful weekend celebrating the dad’s in my life. a delicious dinner with my dad and his wife and an entire sunday dedicated to the guy who has brought me not one but soon to be, two beautiful little girls. shopping, parks, walks and yummy food were all on the agenda. i am moving very slow these days. my belly is ready to pop and i find myself taking as many opportunities as possible to put my feet up. in between some rest time, i am feverishly doing last minute organizing in closets, drawers and of course washing the sweet little baby digs. my sweet friends at Oleander Floral put together this lovely arrangement of peonies and hydrangea. it makes my entryway look and smell beautiful. i hope that each of you enjoyed your time celebrating the amazing guys who lead the little people in life to become big people with big dreams!
x, m
while perusing the latest lonny mag, i discovered this stylish young family and their creatively comfortable homes in the city and the country. i love the little nuances of quirkiness married with some seriously stylish design. the colour combinations are fantastic in primary blues, greens and oranges. none of it was too over done so you still get a subtle taste of comfort in both homes. enjoy- they are real gems.
x, m
I love seeing all the different nature prints that arise when the warmer weather rolls around. This year, it seems like designers escaped their studios to take in the outdoors – expanding their designs to showcase foliage, floral prints and landscape patterns.
When wearing nature prints, you have to remember that there is a lot going on. A softer silhouette is key, as it will not constrict the fabric to your body and will rather allow it to move freely. If an overly feminine look is not your thing, you can always pair your floral piece with a leather jacket to bring some toughness to your otherwise girly ensemble. Lastly, remember when working with loud prints, jewelry should always be minimal and hair soft is a must.
Here are some awesome nature-inspired get-ups to get you inspired:
lesley
as a follow up to last weeks “how to build the perfect pantry”, this week I’m talking all about stocking your fridge with the most healthy and useful goodies. the perfect fridge to me is one that’s organized (not always easy to do), has an abundance of freshly washed and chopped veggies, has ingredients for a delicious green juice and also doubles as an arsenal for supplements that require refrigeration.
top 10 fave’s:
1. probiotics: anyone who knows me, knows how much I love good gut bacteria. my opinion on the matter is everyone from kids to seniors should be on a probiotic. its great for those with constipation, poor immune systems, and bloating.
2. fish oil: this brain boosting power house is great for those suffering from mental fatigue, depression, and exhaustion. But not only does it target the mental aspect of your body, it also improves bone health, reduces inflammation, and helps improve fat loss.
3. greens: I love my greens!! from baby kale to bok choi – i just can’t seem to get enough. use them in fresh green juice, salads and smoothies!
4. hemp hearts: this super protein is the perfect add on to salads, smoothies, or top your morning bowl of oatmeal with them. you can also add a cup of hemp seeds to 4 cups of water for the most amazing homemade hemp milk!
5. vegenaise- I love this condiment because its egg free, gluten free, non gmo, and cholesterol free. you can use it anywhere from sandwiches to dips. even gwyneth paltrow touts this as being one of her fave’s!
6. fruit: I love having pears, apples, berries and watermelon (when in season) all washed and ready to eat. it’s also a great way to achieve the 2-3 servings you require of fruit per day. there’s nothing better than biting into a crisp, crunchy apple fresh from the refrigerator.
7. Ezekiel bread- this delicious bread is chalked full of sprouted grains, and whole food ingredients. they also have gluten free, and yeast free bread as well. I like to keep mine in the fridge for optimal freshness.
8. hummus: this go to snack is a must for me. its great with rice crackers and veggie sticks. all you need is a can of chickpeas (I love the brand eden because of its BPA free can), 1 clove of garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice- throw it all into your food processor and blend until smooth. some additional add on’s could be: fresh parsley, cilantro, red peppers, chives… the list is endless. keeps in the fridge for 2 days (if you don’t eat it all at once)
9. medjool dates: I choose to keep my dates in the fridge, keeps them fresh longer. if you’re not familiar with dates, they work as an amazing substitute for anything sweet. I use them in smoothies, chopped up in baked goods, and blended with fresh nut milk for a little added flavor.
10. eggs: this wont apply to those vegan readers, but I absolutely love the simplicity and versatility of eggs. it’s an easy go to meal that’s packed full of protein. next time you find yourself starving, try an egg white, veggie omelet with fresh avocado and salsa on top – you won’t be disappointed!
see you next week!
xo care
earlier this week i shared a post here on some of the threads i was coveting for sloane. something i am hoping to do a little more regularly. in doing so, i knew i couldn’t leave out the littlest (soon to be) little lady in our life. here are a few of my favourites from lines such as mini rodini, petit bateau, wovenplay and nelly stella. all of these adorable lines can be found at one of my favourite baby and kids shop in the city, advice from a caterpillar.
x, m
with every weekend post i write, i am reminded just how fast time is flying. my brain is swimming with the things i want to create and more importantly with how much my life is about to change in the next 5 weeks or so. june 1st today- my favourite month full of birthdays, sunshine and the last little push before summer is officially here.
i am kicking off your saturday morning with some beauty in farmhouse design by wendy posard. i almost died when i originally viewed her work on the inspired room. not a thing i would change! enjoy it in all its glory and happy weekend sweet people.
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x, m
heat waaaaave.. lets all collectively clap our hands in joy for some serious hot hot heat in the city today. i may be 8 months pregnant but i am not complaining about this awesome weather. we live in canada after all. 9 months of the year we are in sweaters and parkas. this is the good stuff!
anyway- it peaked in my mind today that it has been way too long since i posted about the world of fashion and favourites for the little ones. you probably already know that my obsession with dressing sloane is pretty significant and continues to be one of my favourite things to do. thank goodness she embraces her mummas desire for cool digs.
i scouted a few items online that i am coveting right now for sloane’s closet all from seed heritage.
x, m
It’s the perfect season for easy & elegant up-do’s. Wedding season is here and what better way to wear your hair, than in a classy low bun. You can dress up this look by adding a cute pin or wear it slicked back with a middle part. Either way, it’s a perfectly fresh look for your formal events ahead.
Here are some gorgeous looks to get you inspired.
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Les xo
