Wednesday 29 August 2018

SCHOOL SHIFT | We Don't Need No Unnatural Threads

It's funny that around this time every year, many of us get caught up in that back to school spirit. Even if we ourselves aren't going back to school, or have children who are, it still feels like this time of year marks a bit of a transition. Our summer calendar starts to slow down a little, we start thinking about turning leaves and cooler air. Little by little we shift into the beginnings of Autumn.

The tradition of back to school shopping has been around almost as long as modern retail. When you're young, you're still growing, so it makes sense to have an annual wardrobe update because last year's shirts and shoes are a little tight. As an adult, we don't have that reason, and yet we are still drawn in by the pull of newness.

The tradition of updating wardrobes is music to the ears of those at the top of the Fast Fashion regime that has lead many of our textile trends over the past few years. As proponents of Slow Fashion, we hope that influence will soon slide into the background and make way for more sustainable shopping habits. 

As an adult, when you find yourself caught up in this time of year, we encourage you to take a beat. Consider the seasonal purchases you're being pushed towards and why. Do you really need them? Are you going through a transition that really necessitates these new pieces? Are they good quality items that will last? Are they timeless colours and styles, or trendy shades and cuts that you are going to find difficult to incorporate into a long-term wardrobe?

Back to school shopping will never cease to be, because kids will keep growing and needing new things. Once you have reached your full grown size though, building a timeless and more permanent wardrobe is a challenge you absolutely should rise to. Collecting pieces that will last, coordinating your wardrobe so that everything can mix and match for a long time, having a closet you are excited to dress from every day. If you're looking to purchase something essential, like a cold-weather top layer, steer clear of that mustard yellow statement jacket that is tough to coordinate, and go for something like navy or black, that can go with everything. We're not saying you can't have any fun with colour or patterns, but be smart about it. Do it with the right pieces. 

We have to keep our personal budgets in mind as well. It's not realistic to think we can be dropping hundreds of dollars all at once to build a complete wardrobe. It's much better to save up and build piece by piece over time. It really is an investment. That quality, classic tee that you'll enjoy for years is worth it when you think about how many $10-$15 shirts you'd buy in that time that you'll get tired of or will wear out long before a garment should.

Another obvious benefit is the sustainability angle. The textile industry is really hard on our planet. Those cheap tees that quit on you so quickly? Where are they going? Even if you are donating them, they still aren't going to last long enough to make it past one additional owner. And after that? Did you check their labels? Any kind of polyester, which is essentially plastic, is never going to break down. Meaning, after everyone is done with it, it is going to end up with a final resting place somewhere on the Earth. Yes, sustainable fabrics have a lifespan as well, but they are more durable and more easily recycled into new garments, extending their use. Plus, many of their fibres are bio-degradable! Our landfills are short term solutions to long-term issues, and that term will be up eventually. We have to be more conscious of the impact we are having on them with our clothing. (And with everything!)

photo credit: design to improve life 

It can be tough to break the habits we have grown up with. It can also be incredibly impactful and rewarding. Training ourselves out of a constant need for new things will be one of the best things we can do for our homes, our wallets, and our Earth. 



from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/school-shift

Wednesday 22 August 2018

ZERO WASTE OCEANS | Goldilocks Wraps

 "We are now producing nearly 300 million tons of plastic every year, half of which is for single use. More than 8 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year." - PlasticOceans.org

Let that sink in. Millions. Tons.

If you visit Plastic Oceans' website, be prepared to ingest a number of other upsetting facts about our relationship with plastic and how it is affecting our ecosystems. Organizations like this that focus on education and action are doing so much good in the world. They work hard to inspire the global population to alter their way of life to be more sustainable and to say no to single-use plastics. We have an earnest need for more change makers like this in the world who are passionate about saving our oceans, and in turn our planet.

One such solution orientated entrepreneur is Amy Hall of Goldilocks Wraps. After a devastating experience that brought her up close with the realities of the damage that our waste is doing to our oceans, she promised to help eliminate this problem. We are so excited to have her small batch reuseable beeswax wraps in store in the graciously customized colours she made for SALT, and grateful that she took the time to answer a few questions that give insight into what drives her and her business.

 

Photo Credit: Rachael Alexandra

 

SALT: What inspires your work/products?

AMY HALL: The inspiration for my wraps and passion for all that I do with my business stems from a deep love of the ocean. A few years ago I was volunteering with a shark conservation project in Fiji where I learned and saw first hand the impact plastic pollution was having on marine life. Once you see the waste we as humans are leaving behind in such a personal way, there’s no going back. Out of sight, out of mind was no longer an option and I made it my mission to help educate others who are not as fortunate as I to have had such wonderful diving experiences. I vowed to reduce plastic consumption in my own life which eventually grew into my business of making beeswax wraps. I wanted to give people an accessible, easy swap for a commonly used single use plastic. A tangible action for what at times can seem like an overwhelming process. It’s the small things that add up over time as we all shift our habits and awareness.

 

S: What do you most enjoy about your work?

AH: Picking out the patterns is my absolute favourite. My background is in art history so I love creating visually stunning sets and find it strangely relaxing.

S: What is the most challenging part of running a small business?

AH: Running your own business feels like there’s a never ending to do list (because in fact, there is) so making sure not to get overwhelmed with all the tasks at hand can be a challenge sometimes. Things never go as you plan, but my former life as a wedding coordinator has definitely helped me be able to go with the flow and tackle challenges on the fly! 

 

S: What is your favourite part of running a small business?

AH: I’ve met some of the most inspiring people I know through Goldilocks, a lot of whom have become close personal friends who I can’t imagine my life without. It’s those connections that are my favourite. 

 

S: What do you think is the most important thing for consumers to know about your products?

AH: That my wraps replace plastic wrap, are all natural, re-usable and keep your food fresh for longer! Each one is made by hand with local wax here in Victoria. 

S: What is one goal you have for you and/or your business in the next year? 

AH: I want to be able to design my own patterns and work with local artists more. I’m really excited about the potential of having my own Goldilocks line of designs and being able to do custom orders!

 

S: What is your favourite thing(s) about the ocean?

AH: The sense of calm it seems to provide, whether I’m near it or in it, it always seems to be able to put me into a more relaxed state. It’s vastness continually leaves me in awe - there is so much we don’t know about the ocean, and that unknown leaves me so fascinated. This is why we need to preserve it. I really do believe it will be our downfall for so many reasons if we don’t.

 

There's no denying it - humans are hard on the Earth. In the past 100 years or so, we have seen some fantastic developments in how we live, but also seen an overwhelming amount of negative consequences as a result of this growth. Our hope is that as we move forward now, we prioritize a shift towards valuing our natural spaces and learning to design our life around how they exist, not how we can take advantage of them. 

With leaders like Amy at the helm, hopefully we can steer the ship in a direction that will see our oceans cleaner and our future generations full of aware, responsible people who want to keep our home green and blue.



from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/04-aug-goldilocks-wraps

Wednesday 15 August 2018

SUMMER SELF-CARE | Skin to the Sun

You walk out of the shade into a brilliant patch of sunlight. You pause. Your eyes close. You feel the warmth embrace you. You sparkle with the glow of this golden aura. You are present to the moment. 

It's a nice feeling to imagine, isn't it? As much as we welcome basking in that healing warmth, too much time spent in it can be dangerous to our skin.

Doesn't it seem like the sun brings out all the plans we've been harbouring for months? We burst free from the confines that the walls of our homes make and spend as much time as we can playing, working the land, and breathing the fresh outdoor air. We might end up with less balance in our lives than the winter without even realizing it. In between those sunshiny excursions, it is important to take a beat to slow down long enough to take care of ourselves.  

Being out in the heat more means more consistent exposure to the elements that can damage our outer layer. We will be sweating more, which means our oil glands are going to be going into overdrive as well, increasing our risk of more frequent breakouts. On the flip side, if the heat we are spending time in is a dry heat, we may start to find dry patches that feel a little more like crepe paper than hydrated, elastic skin.

Of course we need to be drinking lots of water, but sometimes for our skin it's not enough. On top of what we are putting into our body we need to take care with what we are putting on our body. We should welcome the help of natural products that are going to moisturize and protect our epidermis.

Artifact Skin Co masques have become a year round favourite treatment of ours, especially so in the summer months. They make a wide line to combat a range of needs and their natural ingredients feel indulgently luxurious. A few stand out from the rest with a focus on what our skin really needs this time of year. 

Moroccan Tangerine Clay Masque 

Focus | Nourishing and Rejuvenating - Deep Cleanse

Nourishes and Protects | Argan Oil and Shea Butter help seal moisture and heal dry rough skin.

Rejuvenating and Firming | The natural caffeine and antioxidant power of Cacao and Green Tea Extracts combine to help tighten and stimulate the skin

 

Tahitian Monoï Masque

Focus | Softening and Repairing - Gentle Cleanse

Softens and Smoothes | The softening benefits of Coconut Milk and Mango Butter help revive skin’s elasticity, while mild Kaolin Clay gently exfoliates and cleanses the skin.

Repairs Dry Damaged Skin | Noni Fruit and Marshmallow Root Extracts help restore the skin’s natural moisture level and reduce redness caused by dryness.

 

Be sure to store all your skin products in a cool place to keep the natural ingredients safe and prevent bacteria from growing in the container. Always apply masques with clean hands or a clean masque brush

After the masque is washed away leaving you with fresh skin, you may follow it up with a Skin Tonique to tone and tighten skin, and the Skin Booster to help retain moisture and brighten your complexion.

On days in between masques, we still need to cleanse our skin carefully to reduce a build up of oils and remove any sunscreen or makeup used throughout the day. Using a Konjac Sponge with or without a cleanser, more efficiently cleanses skin with a soft exfoliation.

As the heat makes it from our top layer to our cores, we need to find ways to cool off from head to toe. SALT is so happy to share with you our brand new bathing suits! After tackling intimates, swim seemed a natural direction for us to go. Learning from the cut of our Hydra Bralette and Haven Hipsters, we have two versions of our newest line addition.

The Hydra Bikini top is modelled after our first bralette. Thin straps in the front meet a thicker racer-back cut in the back to offer the right amount of support and style. It is coming soon!

Our Hali Bikini top has an over the shoulder strap to match straight cut tanks. A solid band under the bust keeps the top in place whether you're scampering through white wash or paddling down a wave. 

Our Marin Bikini bottoms match either top and have an athletic cut with slightly more coverage to keep your focus on playing in the water, not on your suit. A slight ruche on either side of the hip adds a fun detail and keeps the waist wider so they stay in place. All styles come in 3 colours: Kelp, Stone, and Onyx

Wherever your time in the sun is spent this summer, be conscious of how you're treating skin that is exposed often. And get splashing in that cool salty water!



from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/summer-self-care

Monday 6 August 2018

SALT VICTORIA OPENING PARTY | August 9th, 813 Fort St., 6pm-10pm

We've been open for a few weeks now, and we're hitting our YYJ stride. We appreciate everyone who has walked through our doors to check us out and say hello. Our new team is finding their groove and learning together as they tackle the challenges that come with opening a new space.

We are so excited to be part of the Fort Prop community and have really enjoyed starting what we hope are long friendships and working relationships with the other tenants around us. All our neighbouring businesses have been so kind and welcoming. There have been deliveries of flowers and hugs and congratulations. The small business community here is thriving and so supportive of each other. We are jazzed that so many people are excited about what our brand stands for and our mission to help the ocean. We see collaboration in our future!

Now that we've had a little time to get all the kinks worked out, we want to celebrate! 

To kick-off the opening of our second location, we invite one and all to join us in our new backyard for an evening of celebration. The Fort Street Commons area is a beautiful brick courtyard that you can access right through our back door. We are so grateful to have access to such an amazing outdoor space to bring people together, something we hope to do a lot of in the future!

Join us on Thursday August 9th as we take over the Fort Street Commons from 6pm-10pm. It will be a fresh summer evening of:

Sustainable Shopping
Live Music - by Vince Vaccaro
Local Beer - by Salt Spring Island Ales
A few fun surprises...


Proceeds from the evening will go towards Sea Legacy, a Vancouver Island based collective of some of the most experienced and renowned photographers, filmmakers and storytellers working on behalf of our oceans.


We are so proud of our new space and we can't wait for you to see it. Don't miss this Thursday, it is going to be a blast!



from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/grand-opening-party-august-9th-6pm-10pm

Wednesday 1 August 2018

SUMMER STYLE UPDATE | Crop, Jump, Spin!

We are lovers of slow fashion, and don't tie ourselves to a seasonal fashion calendar to update our styles. So when we do add a new style in, it's sort of a big deal. It's like adding another member to our growing family. A lot of time, research, and attention to detail goes into every one of our styles, and we are really excited to share with you the latest items we have been working on.

Each style name we choose is inspired by the Ocean. Our first ever jumpsuit is sporting one of our favourite ones yet – Mizuko. It means Water Child. It makes us think of children and adults alike splashing through the waves, running along the sand, and diving in and out of blue waters. It’s playful, like the style who took the name.

This fun piece was inspired by one of Jessica’s best friends Caitlin. She visited SALT one day wearing a cozy long legged cotton jumpsuit that Jess was immediately drawn to. As a curvy girl herself, she has always wanted to rock a jumpsuit she would love, so she made one. The Mizuko Jumpsuit is made of soft 100% cotton with a waffley, mesh inspired finish. This style will relax with wear, but will tighten back up after a wash. It’s neckline is long in the front and the back, high enough to still cover the chest but designed to be worn with a top underneath. It is loose through the hips and tapers to cuffed ankles. Two long lines run the length of the front, creating pockets on each side. With a belt, rolled hems, and some fancy sandals or heels, you’ve got your summer going-out outfit sorted.

Raising the hems of most things seems to be the go to choice these days, and with that, comes crop tops. Our Marine Crop Top is made of bamboo jersey, designed to be fitted instead of flowy, achieved by the slight stretch the fabric has. A great match for high waists, or to be worn under overalls or jumpsuits (like the Mizuko!). In black or charcoal, we think this is going to be a staple in many wardrobes.

 

Inspired by our Yara Tank’s v-shaped neckline and delicate straps, we think our Delta Dress is headed to become just as much the favourite. The design lines follow that of the tank to create an a-line silhouette suited for casual lounging or for dressing up for an evening out when topped with a denim jacket or cardigan. Two tencel options give the style a flowy finish, in basic black and in the first sign of our colour for the season, Blush (we are loving how it turned out!). The third option changes up the fabric to an organic hemp and silk blend in a black and white option that we are affectionately calling Pepper. These are both new fibres to the SALT line and we are excited to bring in a new plastic-free fabric. It wears with more structure than the tencel, giving the style a slightly more profrssional look. Whether you throw it on to make dinner at home, or to dance the night away, this lightweight dress is up to the task both in style and comfort.

 

We are excited to hear what you think of these new items, and even more excited to see them on. Come into either store to try them in person and have a chat!



from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/jumpsuit-delta-dress