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

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

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

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

SALT VICTORIA NOW OPEN | 813 Fort St

It's finally here! SALT 2.0

For those of you who have ever started a business, you know how insane it can be to tackle the big milestones. And how rewarding! For anyone who hasn't, let us tell you, it is quite the ride! 

There are a thousand and one decisions to be made, and they all seem to culminate at the same time. There are so many balls in the air all the time and keeping them floating is like running a circus. Our brave leader Jessica has had her life dedicated to this project non-stop for months. 

“Coming to Victoria is a big deal for SALT. I wanted to do everything I could to ensure that my brand makes a big impact in it’s new home. This store is my vision come to life.”

As a designer, Jessica is used to the feeling of trying to explain her ideas to people who have trouble grasping them. That makes seeing them coming together in real life all the more satisfying. The new space has undergone a huge transition and Jess’ signature stamp is shining through. She didn’t put any limitations on what she wanted for the store and didn’t compromise the parts that she felt were integral to the feel of the interior. There are lots of clean lines and geometrically inspired features. We particularly enjoyed working with welder Lindsay Mitchell from Biophilia, the previous tenant of the space, and our hardworking friend Tristan Fetherston of Fetherston Fabrication. They created some of the more intricate and unique parts of our space.

So many great local trades helped bring this store together. A big thank you to them all!

Vic City Painting

Tony the Drywaller

Ken from Houle Electric

Henry, who made our concrete counter top in a rush! 

Kenwood Design, for our shelving

Philco Construction + their guys for our framing

Tristan from Fetherston Fabrication for our welded structures

Lindsay from Biophilia  also for some of our welded structures

As SALT has grown as a brand, so has it’s team. With the upstairs loft we will finally have a proper shipping and stock area, as well as an office space where we can have staff meetings, training sessions, and a communal work space where we can collaborate with other business owners and dream our big dreams together. The staff area was designed to be plastic free, in conjunction with our 2018 commitment to be plastic-free in our daily operations. Piled in the cabinets are our new 100% cotton labels and paper hangtags. We tried to compromise as little as possible to make our space eco-friendly, and built our design around natural materials like wood, metal, and concrete.

Jessica is excited to become a part of a new community and bring another sustainable shopping option to the Fort St area. We are all looking forward to connecting and collaborating with our neighbouring entrepreneurs. And to sample from all the nearby restaurants and cafes. Our spot is surrounded with so many delicious establishments like Discovery Coffee, La Taquisa, and Fishook; we will certainly never go hungry!

As the proprietors of these businesses, and any business surely know, building a company from scratch isn’t easy. Taking on expanding it to be more, to go beyond what is required is an even bigger undertaking. There isn’t time to slow down and focus on one thing in any given moment. You still have to keep everything else running, and Jessica has been running till most people would drop, and getting up every day to do it again.

“Being your own boss can be tough. You could always be working. Managing production schedules and orders, leading a team, plus all the added work that goes into opening a second store – it has been a lot. But I still choose to make time for myself to achieve balance and make sure I am enjoying the process and sticking to my values. I am so grateful for everyone on my team and everyone I have worked with to make this new location happen.”



We could go on about every screw and drop of sweat that went into this process, or you could come down and check it out for yourself. We are very proud of this new space and super excited to share it with you and all the strangers who will become friends in Victoria. 

Our doors are open and for the next few weeks we will be working out any kinks that arise. Our Grand Opening Party is set for August 9th. It will be held in the beautiful outdoor Fort Commons space behind the store, and will be an evening of food, music, fun, and touring the new space. Stay tuned for details!

Address | 813 Fort St, Victoria

Store Hours | 

Monday-Thursday 10-6

Friday- Saturday 10-7

Sunday 11-5

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/victoria-opening

FALCON ENAMEL | Inside and Out

To so many of us, summer means getting back to things we’ve been longing for after many grey months. Back to a connection with nature. With dewey mornings, vitamin-D enriching rays, and more time outdoors. 

We were meant to live amongst nature. The way we are now, stacked atop one another in so many places, it is a natural solution to being over-crowded, and yet such an unnatural way to live. Humans are social beings yes, but we need to run through open spaces, marvel at wide skies, and feel Earth beneath our toes. It's programmed right in. There is a reason so many campsites book up months in advance. We are waiting until we can drive away from our desks, kick off our shoes, and sleep out in the fresh night air.

Camping is an odd tradition if we really think about it. We leave our perfectly functional homes to escape into the woods and set up a temporary lodging, only to take it down again in a few days. Yet we all understand why we do it. If you live in an urban environment, it may be the only time you get to smell the forest, see the stars, hear the quiet. 

While we're out there, we need the right supplies to keep us fed as we embark on our adventures. Falcon Enamel is a 1920s established enamelware company that we have been carrying for just under a year now. Enamelware, for those unfamiliar with it, is a type of dishware that is created by fusing porcelain onto metal, usually steel, iron, or aluminum. The result is a (usually) glossy finish that can withstand high heats and is very easy to clean, being the second most stick resistant material used in cooking (Source).

Falcon uses a heavy-gauge steel for extra durability, smoothness, and chemical-resistance. All their enamelware is oven safe and can be used on both electric and gas burners. Plus, if you drop them, they may chip, but very rarely would they break. Meaning, these dishes could be used for a very, very long time, and in very diverse ways.

Enamelware is perfectly suited for use both indoors and out. Whether it is in classic white or black, or a more modern choice like Pigeon Grey, a table set with Falcon dishes will always be presentable, and easy to pair with whatever meal you may be serving. And everything can be served hot, as anything ready ahead can simply be popped into the oven right in their dish.

We would be less inclined to take our regular dishes camping if they were made of porcelain, for fear of breaking them. But with enamelware’s durability, that is no longer an issue. Say goodbye to needing a separate bin of dishes for camping or picnics. Simply open your cupboards and pack out what you need. Long-lasting, multi-use; beautiful and functional. It ticks all the boxes! And once it truly does meet the end of it’s lifecycle, the enamel doesn’t effect the recyclable nature of the material that it covers. 

We love the idea of everything in our homes having the same life cycle as we do, or beyond. There truly is peace in knowing you are living a de-cluttered life and what possessions you do require, will be forever useful, even after they are re-purposed. 

Shop Falcon Enamel here.

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/falcon-enamel

MULTI-USE LIFESTYLE | Purchasing with Purpose

We all know that single-use plastics are bad. That is unless we have been living in deep denial or deep in the woods somewhere. Plastics are getting the most attention right now, as they should, they are poisoning our Earth. Realistically though, we should be deterring the production and consumption of any item that is single-use, or even designed for short-term use, no matter what it is made of. 

The discussion of lifestyles takes place so much these days, that the word has reached buzz worthy status. We don't want to forget what the core of that discussion is though. Whether you think about a lifestyle as being a set of virtues or principles, or more activity based, our chosen lifestyles guide how we impact our surroundings. With so many advancements in the way we can produce basically anything, we have to consciously choose options that prioritize sustainability over convenience. 

There are things in our modern society that are too difficult to obtain any way other than in some sort of container, like most beverages, or sauces, most non-solid food items. And in most places getting a fully prepared meal to go, even one that is healthy and filling, is all too easy. But those bottles and containers stack up, and even if they can go in our blue or green bins, the energy it takes to produce them can't be reversed. That should encourage us to be cooking more at home, purchasing whole ingredients that don't need packaging that we can turn into something healthy and delicious ourselves. Some things need to be specialized, but eating out less, focusing on a diet that incorporates whole foods and less processed items will decrease how much waste we create. 

Using recyclable items is great, we want all the materials we use to fit into a closed loop system, but something that can be used over and over again before it moves on is even better. And as we have learned lately, a large percentage of Canadians are not recycling properly, which results in more landfill waste. 

An item that we can re-purpose or use multiple times in different ways, has a longer life, potentially an infinitely useful one. Glass jars for example. Mason jars specifically are a very trendy item. And we love that! There are innumerable uses for a glass jar with a lid. Serving and transporting food/drinks, crafts, decor, and storage of anything that will fit. It is one of the most useful things you can have on hand, and something that can be used again and again. (And if they do get damaged in some way, they are recyclable.) We suggest buying a few and keeping them in your car, your home, at work, anywhere, just in case. We take on this practice as part of our #nocupnocoffee commitment. 

We want this mentality to spread to designers of all industries. Think about planned obsolescence - all the focus is on sales, not on the impact to the bottom line of our ecosystem. This is an issue in the tech sector especially. Some technology does need to be upgraded, but if we could say goodbye to the desire to have the newest thing, the most up to date item, we could likely get a lot more use out of our items. 

The same goes for fashion. We all want a few exciting, more out there pieces for fancy occasions. Our every day wear though, should be as versatile as our life is. SALT styles are designed with longevity in mind. Their quality, eco-friendly fabrics are friend to the environment, the palette we choose from is timeless and goes together with everything, so you can keep the items you purchase longer and wear them more.

We want everything from our store to be both beautiful and useful. From the Uashmama paper bags, to Falcon Enamelware, to beautiful handmade serving boards, we try to carry items that can be used over and over for all kinds of different things. We are excited to bring in a few new re-purposeable items, like Goldilocks cotton beeswax wraps, and our own line of SALT candles, that melt away to leave you with a cocktail glass. 

In the end, it really comes down to choices, options, and being conscious of our decisions. Purchasing with purpose can decrease the amount of waste going into our oceans and landfills and help make our Earth happier and healthier. What items do you find the most useful in your home?

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/multi-use-items