Green your routine and reduce your carbon footprint

There are many ways to celebrate the observance of Earth Day — which is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Today I’m bringing to you a few beauty and sustainable clothing options to support demonstrate support for environmental protection. Let’s keep our Mother Nature healthy.

Arvin Goods| Sustainable, basic apparel for men and women. Its mission to champion affordability with its $8-$25 price range, believing that sustainable fashion should be accessible to everyone. In the past year they’ve scaled from one material story – 100% reclaimed cotton that enables each pair of socks and underwear to save 50+ gallons of water – to three, also working with ECONYL® regenerated nylon in an active line of men’s boxer briefs, and Polylana® fiber (the only alternative to 100% acrylic and wool) in their newest collection of beanies. Fun fact: Their beanies are MADE IN CANADA!
My top picks? Sudio socks ($12), Bikini Bottoms ($18), Bralet ($18)

I’ve noticed and happy to see a rise in both natural skincare and beauty products using clean natural organic ingredients coming out to the market. Many good options out there right now for not irritating my already sensitive hive-prone skin.

100% Pure| Their mission is to make clean beauty/skincare accessible while being 100% cruelty-free, non-toxic chemicals, all while supporting animal-based charities. Starting on Earth Day, for every product purchased, the brand will donate one tree through the Trees For The Future organization (customers can choose between this or donating one bowl of dog food to shelter dogs in need). And on another note, the entire month of April, customers can bring 5 empty products to stores in exchange for 15% off their next product order as part of the in-store recycling program.
My top picks? The Cocoa pigmented bronzer ($38), and the Fruit Pigmented® pot rouge blush ($27)

Puristry| This is a brand I’m excited to try out more, and a new-to-me brand. They’re cruelty-free, vegan, gluten free and non-toxic. From now until April 30 11:59 PM PST,  purchase 2 products and save 10% on your entire order with code BUY2SAVE10; Purchase 3 products and save 20% on your entire order with code BUY3SAVE20; Purchase 4 products and save 40% on your entire order with code BUY4SAVE40 (Note: I’m just sharing the coupon codes, I do not have any affiliation with this brand other than receiving PR for this post)
My top picks? Vine Therapy Serum ($65), Yerba Mate Eye Cream ($48)

Boody Eco Wear| Clothing that is made using viscose derived from bamboo is always going to be incredibly soft and comfortable. It’s also moisture-wicking and thermo-regulating. The original bamboo used requires no pesticides, fertilizers or artificial irrigation to grow. The entire production process is closed loop so no water is wasted and is all recycled. Most of the garments are computer knitted so there is no fabric waste. The packaging is recyclable and printed with vegetable based inks.
My top picks? Full length leggings ($27), Padded Shaper Bra ($19.95), Racerback Active Tank ($36.95)

OSEA| Dare I say I’m saving my favourite for last? California made, family owned, 100% plant based and never tested on animals. Check out to see what’s not in their products. OSEA has been a leader in sustainable, clean beauty for over 23 years. OSEA is helping to balance our delicate marine ecosystem by hand-harvesting Undaria Pinnatifida Algae, which is classified as an invasive species. Over 94% of OSEA products are in glass. Those that aren’t, are in recycled plastic for safety reasons.
My top picks? Essential Hydrating Oil ($36) Anti-Aging Hand Cream ($38), White Algae Mask ($48), Anti-Aging Body Balm ($48)

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Vegan treats and sleeping at IKEA

So how the heck was your weekend everyone?

I was so glad to finally meet up with my friend Steph (who blogs over at Lunges and Lunch) on Saturday.

I picked her up at her place and we went on a road trip to Burlington! Steph had told me about Kind Food, which is this Vegan and Gluten Free (am I supposed to be capitalizing those words?) restaurant and she had me intrigued. So off we went.

The first things I noticed when walking inside the door were the insane amount of cupcakes available.

Dee-rrrrishiousssss.

I ordered the B.L.A.T (Vegan bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato) only because I wanted to say BLAT as many times as possible inside the restaurant, and giggle uncontrollably like an immature child. Nobody else found it as funny as I did however. Shame.

My teenage self is astounded at my palette changes throughout the years. Everything is gluten free dude. Even the bread!

Stephanie ordered a roasted red pepper soup with some other fancy stuff in it too. The floaties are sweet potato. I think.

Of course we couldn’t leave without trying the amazing desserts Stephanie was raving about. I ended up grabbing the Mile High Brownie. Apparently the sweet treats weren’t made from any refined sugars. I know nothing about Gluten Free/Vegan eating, so this was pretty neat to me.

Oh dear, documenting my first taste at the dessert.

SUCCESS! I loved it.

It was so light, but so good. It tasted like a real brownie would. I ate half since it was fairly large, and saved the rest until I got home and devoured it immediately. Oops.

Stephanie ate a snowball for dessert. Er, I mean a coconut cupcake.

She asked if she had anything on her mouth. No. Not at all I replied, with a straight face.

Then it was time to leave, and do a bit of shopping at Ikea. But first, a photo op outside Kind Food!

Of course whenever I head into IKEA, I’m like an American inside a Target. I can’t leave without spending like a hundred bucks. Am I right? It’s okay, I knew it was bound to happen. I only had planned on getting a lamp, since mine caught on fire. No biggie. We won’t get into that.

We tested out so many (of the exact same) couches. Hey. They were pretty comfortable at least. As they should be for six hundred smackaroos.

Many…

Many couches..

And even taking naps in the IKEA beds. I always smile in my sleep. Don’t you?

Wow, was I really asleep that long? 

Who are these people? Why are they in my bedroom? I mean..the IKEA showroom…

But wait, we must blog about our adventures. There’s always time for blogging, right Steph?

She’s gettin’ on it!

Look at her playing those games. She’s so smart at “Memory”.

It’s never a dull moment when I’m around Stephanie. I need to remind myself to wear waterproof mascara when I’m out in public with her. She always makes me laugh til I cry.

I ended up buying just four things. What  I went in for, a lamp…which of course didn’t come with any bulbs. How could I have forgotten. Silly IKEA.

A rolling pin, straws, and another laundry hamper. Love their $5 laundry bins!

What did you do this weekend?

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