The wonder of receiving a letter from Mr Quinley and Annabelle

Do you write or receive letters anymore? Well I don’t know about you but call me a classic girl, I love writing and receiving letters in the good old post mail box. Actually the more I write it to you here the more I am urged to write a few letters to people I love. One of my fondest memories as a child was my penpals…I had a few. One boy I especially remember that lived in east germany and I loved sharing our childhood through pictures and words.

The reason I bring this up is well for one, I would like to inspire you to take pen to paper and write someone a letter! Secondly I want to introduce you to a small business I recently discovered that awakens the magic of receiving letters in young children of today. In the form of beautiful stories.

Mr. Quinley’s Adventures – The letters are written by the adventurous character, Annabelle Button, about her magical adventures with her uncle, Mr. Quinley. He is the keeper of magic in the world and always has a trick up his sleeve…or in his hat, rather. Each story consists of three illustrated pages and one full page illustration. The readers get to follow along the adventure while experiencing the novelty of receiving fun mail and building a sense of wonder and excitement… Not to mention fresh reading material each month. Before you know it, your children will be running to the mailbox awaiting their next letter!

The founders of this magical concept are Eric and Janine, they have been friends since high school! A decade and a half later, they decided to launch Mr. Quinley’s Adventures in hopes of bringing a tangible story experience to children. In a world saturated with technology and
social media, Eric and Janine saw an opportunity to bring back the joys of letters, stories, friendship, and connection all through something as simple as a letter.

We at Eco Couple are always excited when we can support a brand that is bringing something special, heartfelt and beautiful to humanity and especially to the kids of tomorrow. Thank you!

We were able to get you a discount code: ecocouple we do not make any money on these sales nor are we paid by the brand, we simply wanted you to know about them!

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

A Classic Sustainable Backpack to Last a Lifetime

I founded Opus Mind with one simple mission: to empower consumers with sustainable options that ensure the health of our beautiful planet. – Kathleen Kuo

Opus Mind delivers a classic sustainable backpack to last a lifetime. Classy beautiful leather that will be a part of our family for life. It is sleek, intrinsically handcrafted and simply put: a classic. When speaking to Kathleen Kuo I was so impressed in her attention to detail, every aspect of the way she is running this brand has been thought out.

Kathleen used to work at Chanel in her previous life and was so distraught as to how much was actually wasted in production. This inspired her down the path of sustainability. Opus Mind’s bags are handmade in Italy, and the leather used to make them is actually the scraps from a factory that makes gloves. How cool is this?

Recycled from scraps to make these exquisite pieces. I have to say I am already looking forward to owning the Saddle Crossbody when I am back in the city.

I truly cannot emphasise enough the quality of these bags. The detail in the craftsmanship is superb. These bags are functional and match any occasion. A day out in the city or a day at the beach, this bag looks good wherever you take it. The thought that the scraps that are used to make this bag would have ended up in landfills polluting our planet, instead you get to treasure it and pass it down to your kids, just like your grandfathers old classic briefcase!

Mine still looks brand new and I look forward to seeing how it ages. Send us pictures with you and your ¨Opus Mind¨ we would love to share them.

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

The Ultimate Sustainable Laundry Detergent

Eco Couple uses affiliate links. We promote products we have tried ourselves and truly believe in. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running and allows us to keep the content free for our readers.

It has taken me years to find a sustainable laundry detergent I truly aligned with. When it comes to laundry detergent the most important thing is really that it works. For years every single time I bought a plastic container I would get frustrated with myself and try new detergents in a box (which would get moist and sticky and not really clean my clothes) you name it, I tried it. Even trying to make my own, but honestly as eco-friendly as I want to be I am not willing to walk around in stained clothes. So even all these eco conscious brands packaged in plastic was just not cutting it for me.

Then I discovered Tru Earth, they sent me a sample package, to be honest I was a bit sceptical at first. So I did not post about the product until I tried them all and washed my dirty toddler clothes with it. Well to my surprise I have finally found the brand that works for me on every level.

Picture from Tru Earth save with their Bundles!

I now have plenty of room in my laundry room, no sticky gooey laundry spills. It is efficient, works well and when I have finished using the strips I recycle my thin cardboard envelope and voila- zero waste! Also the shipping leaves a minimum carbon footprint. Go ahead purchase a yearly bundle and feel good about your zero waste laundry journey!

For more great tips in greening your home check out 5 ways of living more sustainably

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

5 Amazing Sustainable Conscious Make Up Brands

Eco Couple uses affiliate links. We promote products we have tried ourselves and truly believe in. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running.Allows us to keep the content free for readers.This motivates us to stay on our mission of inspiring conscious consumerism.

Make up is really one of the products we should be paying a good amount of our attention too. For way too long we have been covering our skin, eyes and lips with toxic products to make us look better. Never really stopping to think about what our make up is made of. It is not always easy to find good brands with beautiful pigmentation, that actually work and makes you look good but is also be good for your skin and are made with no artificial ingredients, vegan and as clean as can be. As we age it is ever more so important that we keep our skin hydrated and nourished. These are a few brands that do these things as well as really help you make more responsible, sustainable choices for our make up brands. Please see this post for more Beauty Products.

Dome Beauty

conscious beauty products
We created a brand that solidifies our commitment to make beauty more unifying while maintaining the cleanest and greenest standards

I truly love the colours and quality of the Dome products. From brushes to blushes this brand carries it all and not only that they offer an amazing recycling program. So when you have used up your product you can mail back your container for recycling and a credit to wards your next purchase. It sure does sound appealing because I would like to try and never have to throw plastic away uselessly again if possible. This brand is a step toward a better future and we at eco couple fully support their mission.

Gabriel Cosmetics

Gabriel products offer consumers earth conscious and ethical options to their beauty needs.

Another great brand that also offers two other eco-friendly brands on their platform. This is eco-friendy, cruelty free beautiful make up. I love the pressed powder make up as well as the eyebrow pencil. They have absolutely everything for a clean sleek look. They are committed to sustainable natural beauty and earth-conscious practices that keep our ocean blue, our planet green, and our animals safe. I can honestly say that you can feel good about purchasing any of the brands listed and also fall in love with the quality of the products. They also reward recycling your used items, for every 5 you send back to them they send you a lipstick to show their gratitude. What’s not to love?

Josie Maran Store

I personally have been using Josie Maran for over a decade, and her products have just gotten better with time. My absolute must haves is her Argan Oil and I have carried a all purpose Argan color stick in my bag for as long as I can remember. Wether you need to plump up your cheeks or give your lips a little bit of colour. This has been my go to from the day they first launched it. I love how creamy it is and it feels nourishing on my skin. It is an absolute no brainer and I highly recommend you give it a try.

River Organics

I have tried the highlighter, the blush stick and the bare lip balm and I have to say I really like these products. I also really love the packaging and attention to detail that goes into the sustainability aspect of this product. I really love it when a brand goes the extra mile to create something that is as low waste as possible all the while also giving back by planting trees and supporting the ocean project.

You can also purchase River Organics at Earth Hero in the beauty section and use code: Ecocouple for 10% off

Alima Pure

If powdered make up is your style this is the right place for you. What is great here is they have a really awesome sample kit that you can purchase so you know exactly what shade is right for your skin. Once you have found the right shade for you, you can always replace your make up with refillable compacts. They have a beautiful selection of cream blush and gorgeous eye shadows. Another awesome brand we should be supporting!

So just to remind you that you do not have to compromise on quality for your most beautiful looks!! You can also give back to the planet and support amazing causes next time you shop for make up. Making more sustainable choices, creating less waste and protecting our animal kingdom – really its pretty easy to do wha is right for your skin and our planet. I would love to hear from you and learn about new products. So please feel free to share your experiences.

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

4 Amazing Sustainable Pyjamas for All Ages

Eco Couple uses affiliate links. We promote products we have tried ourselves and truly believe in. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running.Allows us to keep the content free for readers.This motivates us to stay on our mission of inspiring conscious consumerism.

We should all own a pair of sustainable pyjamas for every occasion! Wether it be a cosy flannel for a winter night to a light airy pyjama for your island lifestyle. Here on Maui you can definitely use a pyjama for every occasion. There are 24 micro climates on the island. It can even get to be freezing cold if you drive up to the Haleakala crater. I did many hours of research on this subject and found my very favourite brands. Firstly to share them with you but also for ourselves because we spend a third of our life sleeping, should we not be in the most comfortable, organic pyjamas one can get their hands on? We sure think so. Hope you like our selection!

Sudara

flannel sustainable pyjamas

I discovered this brand as I was hunting for an awesome pyjama for Iñaki. He is really one of those traditional Pj wearers. He wears his pj’s on a daily basis and his criteria is pretty high. When discovering Sudara I knew I came to the right place. As soon as his arrived I was so impressed.

I also loved knowing I supporting women in India with my purchase. You can really see and feel these pieces are made with love and a very specific attention to detail. Simply knowing, that by making this purchase I was supporting such an amazing cause, I could not resist from contacting Sudara and asking them how we could help shed the light on their project!

I absolutely love my flannel pyjamas and Iñaki is extremely happy with his cotton ones too.

Every purchase supports living-wage employment and skills training for women in India who are at a high risk or survivors of sex trafficking. -Sudara

Chandra Textiles

You will come to learn our love for India and supporting it’s beautiful gentle people. This Etsy Store straight out of India has so many wonderful things. Among them these vibrant organic cotton handmade Pyjama sets. They also have amazing Quilts, Rugs and scarves. I love being able to support a brand such as this one. Ordering from Chandra textiles you are supporting a small business in India that pays Rural Women to hand make their products. Our package arrived super quickly and the customer service is absolutely on point.

I really love the colours one can choose from at this store. Bright, vibrant and ultimately happy pieces.

If you are spending a day at the beach or simply lounging at home this stunning Kimono brings joy of vibrant colours into your life. You cannot go wrong with a few pieces from this store.

Feel free to support, gift and share these super cute sustainable pyjamas with your loved ones and know that you are truly supporting a good cause by doing so!

Mightly

Such a great find for toddler pyjamas, all the way up to age 12. It is not that easy to find a brand that uses organic cotton for our little ones sleepwear. Mightly has far more than just sustainable pyjamas. Hoodies, dresses, comfy durable clothes, for kids that love to get dirty and play. This company is ran by two fantastic moms and one of their daughters Eloise. They are all about transparency, sustainability, durability and just the cutest style. We plan on being customers for many years to come!

Mightly has a completely transparent supply chain. We know our factories, their suppliers and
where our cotton is grown.- Mightly

It was by no means intentional for India to be such a presence in this post but this brand is designed and california and made in India yet again supporting a fair trade factory in India that has been certified since 2010. We look forward to sharing many more pictures with you in the future.

Kyte Baby

We have been an extreme fan of this brand ever since our little one was born! We named them the ¨Softes Pyjamas Ever¨ clic on the link to read the whole post. Another family run business that uses the sustainable fabric bamboo. Since we discovered the brand they now also make super cozy pyjamas for adults and the most incredible blankets. I highly reccomend you check them out.

Bamboo is the best choice for your baby, and for the planet’s future.- Kyte baby

We are very proud of this list and can promise that it does not get more sustainable than these brands. So get yourself and your family a comfy outfit for these ¨stay at home¨ days and feel like you are making a difference, because you are!!!!

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

Top 4 Sustainable brands for Fall 2020: Av-Norden, AllBirds, Soul Flower & Jackalo

Eco Couple uses affiliate links. We promote products we have tried ourselves and truly believe in. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, and allows us to keep the content free for readers.This motivates us to stay on our mission of inspiring conscious consumerism.

It is an absolute pleasure for us to introduce you to these brands and online stores that are all aligned with a more ethical, eco-friendly, fair trade sustainable lifestyle. We very much hope you like and enjoy them as much as we do. We always love to hear your feedback too…. so read on and comment below if you feel inclined.

Av_Norden

¨Av Norden was the result of founder Jenny Jackson’s long time pursuit to launch a venture that would contribute to a healthier, more responsible, and more collaborative fashion industry.¨ and that is exactly what Jenny is doing. We got to virtually meet Jenny recently and I am so blessed to get to know people as wonderful as her. Not only does she have a great eye for amazing products but all of the brands she works with are some of the best products on the sustainable market. I guarantee you will feel the same when you touch these fabrics and see the attention to detail these brands put in their clothing. This neck protector/mask/headband is really a great accessory to have, and it is quite comfortable to breathe through for those that have trouble with regular face masks. So wether you are looking for yourself or your little ones this platform Has some really special unique pieces.

Who doesn’t like to run through the woods like a fairy in a beautifully flowing skirt! We had so much fun taking these pictures and in these trying times isn’t that what its all about! This skirt is wonderful because you can wear it while lounging around the house or dress it up for the holidays with a pair of heels and the beauty of it is it is a timeless piece that can fit into anyones capsule wardrobe.

As simple as this sounds, how many times have you bought your kids pants with little draw strings, that for some reason do not actually work as drawstrings? Never made sense to me… Our son is lean and lanky and if he is not in diapers most pants will fall right off. Not these! The design of this particular outfit speaks for itself, so freaking cute right? But it is also functional, I can tighten the pants around his waist and the pants as well as the t-shirt have pockets. If you have a toddler you probably know how much they like to stow away their treasures. Any time I try and put other pants on him now he frowns and says ¨Mom!!! No pockets.¨ Not only does the adorable hat protect my toddler from the sun but we are constantly asked where we got it. I hope he does not grow out of it too soon!

Daddy is so special to our little one, while I thought I would be able to have the Mommy and son look going, He specifically said ¨No Mom!¨This is Daddy’s and my hat. Needless to say they both look way to cute in them for me to disagree.

Please stop by Av_Norden’s online store and support this project, Jenny has some fun new projects coming soon. Stay tuned!

AllBirds

AllBirds did something very innovative and uses merino wool as well as other natural fibers, like sugar cane and trees in the making of their shoes. They even came up with their own fabric ¨Trino¨ Trees and Merino. This makes for a durable and sleek looking fabric for their shoes. I love that AllBirds has no logos and really fits into the basics of what one requires from a shoe.

Not only does this store have an incredible selection of eco-friendly shoes for your every day sustainable lifestyle but they also have actual stores located all over the world. So if you are ever curious and feel inclined to try a pair you can probably source a store near you, but if that isn’t enough you can also order a pair online and if you are not satisfied can return them within 30 days no questions asked. That to me is some good customer service.

Shoes that tread light on the planet – All Birds

This brand also really prides itself on reducing its carbon footprint. ¨Our ambition is to be like a tree, leaving the environment cleaner than we found it.¨ It is so inspiring to see how they are working towars bringing those numbers to neutrality.

Everybody needs a good staple cardigan in their closet! I love the simplicity of this one and I really support brands that use merino wool, it has so many great qualities. It is a breathable fabric, anti bacterial, sustainable, temperature regulating and feels really pleasant against the skin. So for me a nice oversized cardigan gets a lot of use.

Photos sourced at All Birds

I really love the puffer jacket but it doesn’t make much sense for us here on Hawaii. However it will be a go to for upcoming winters in Germany, when we get to go back for Christmas, hopefully next year.

They really go above and beyond for their natural resources from the all new chitosan fibre for their t-shirts, a fabric is a natural odor fighter, to using recycled polyester for the fillings of the jacket.

Even the detail of the packaging has been thoroughly thought out, using 90% post-consumer recycled cardboard that serves as a shoebox, shopping bag, and mailer all in one. Now that is what I call efficient and who knows what else you can use the box for once it is at your house.

This is really a great place to get your every day basics, from shoes, underwear to colourful socks and feel really good about supporting a brand that is striving towards bettering our planet.

Soul Flower

Sometimes a name can say so much…. Soul Flower is exactly that. A free spirited, comfortable, fun, family oriented brand with such attention to detail. Our order came with a hand written note, and a bag of awesome stickers and you could really feel the love. It was truly appreciated on this end. Soul Flower even has their own eco-friendly screen printing facility in house. They have so many wonderful uplifting prints. They have a huge selection of products from yoga wear to headbands to boho hippie chic jewellery, bags and accessories.

¨We seek inspiration in the simplicity of everyday life – in nature and in music, in free-spirited adventures and in like-minded souls. We create clothing in a way that supports our planet, spreads a positive message, and most importantly — helps you express yourself. You can make a difference with what you wear, so share the vibe and let your Soul Flower in our natural fiber clothing!¨- Soul Flower this is so eloquently put that I couldn’t really say it better.

¨Soul Flower is a natural clothing brand for kind souls and free spirits.¨ If you want to be uplifted and feel the positivity of a brand this is the one for you.

Jackalo

This is an absolute favourite for us! A really sturdy pair of pants, reinforced at the knees, all sustainable, durable and more importantly one that can grow with your toddler. These pants have a functional draw string (I have already mentioned the importance of that for me), pockets and you can fold them up, so your child can grow into them and have them for a few years.

We will be posting more pics periodically as he grows with them. If that is not enough they have a ¨Trade Up¨ program where you can send back your pants when your child grows out of them and they will give you a $15 store credit, repair your old pants and resell them at a cheaper price on their Pre- Loved section of their web, you have to be a subscriber to shop this page. I think that is a pretty amazing deal and truly sustainable. We are already looking into buying our second pair (I really like the light ones).

¨Strong enough for active kids, gentle on the environment- Jackalo

So no matter what your budget is this purchase is well worth your while. These pants are perfect for the child that skates, climbs trees, plays in the dirt and loves the outdoors! I highly recommend you stop by the Jackalo store for a truly sustainable, durable, awesome shopping experience for you and your little ones.

I always like to remind you, the reader, that supporting these brands really does help our environment and makes a difference, you can help by purchasing these brands or sharing this article with family and friends. Thank you for stopping by and being a part of the Eco Couple family!

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

The 5 Best Online Stores for Sustainable, Ethical and Eco-friendly brands

Eco Couple uses affiliate links. We promote products we have tried ourselves and truly believe in. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, and allows us to keep the content free for readers. This motivates us to stay on our mission of inspiring conscious consumerism.

Want to be a conscious consumer but not sure where to shop? Well then this may be the most valuable list for you to start living a more conscious and eco-friendly life. We have all recently learned more about the importance of taking care of mother earth while still getting our needs met for our daily necessities. We researched and found some beautifully curated online stores carrying sustainable goods. So browse around, enjoy…and tell us about the products you have tried and love.

We at Eco Couple truly believe that we ALL have to support each other . The more stores, brands and options we have for living a more eco-conscious lifestyle the closer we are coming to truly beneficially impacting our environment. We always try to remind you that every step you take, every dollar you spend supporting sustainable eco conscious brands gets us closer to a better future. These are some stores that are truly a one stop shop for some incredible brands and their initiatives.

Eartheasy

Sourced from Eartheasy

This website is designed mostly for the outdoor enthusiast, from gardening to camping, although there are some great cleaning products as well as non toxic pest control options. It is well worth a visit and has a really great selection of eco friendly products, from home to garden to lighting to dehydrators.

Categories: Outdoor, Lifestyle, Gardening

Our favourite: Raised Garden Beds

Also check our post for more info on ¨Gardening Tips¨

The Ultimate Green Store

This store has an especially wonderful selection of bedding as well as, honestly, a little bit of everything you may need for the home, the site is really easy to navigate. If you want a beautiful array of cookware or some eco friendly storage cubes. Browse through a wonderful selection and make your home just a touch more eco friendly one purchase at a time.

Categories: Men, Womens fashion, toys ,etc etc

Our favourite items: Eco Friendly Backpacks

Aequem

Sourced from http://www.aequem.com

For all things fashion this store has over 70 brands to choose from, and each and every brand has been hand selected for its values, the quality of their clothes and of course it’s beautiful appearance. Aequem recently did an interview with us, you can find it on their Journal page.

We truly love the selection and style of this store, from your every day necessities to some really far out haute couture pieces.

Our favourite items: Jumpsuits

They plant 10 trees for every purchase…. thanks Aequem…. we love what you do.

OUR COMMON PLACE

Here we have another truly inspiring store. It is kind of liberating to let these websites to do the research and you can just feel good about what you are buying. All the while knowing that the companies have been thoroughly investigated from production right through to the end consumer. This store has a really impressive shoe collection, as well as beautiful clothes and

Categories: Fashion, Beauty and Home

Our favourite items: Coats

Use ECOCOUPLE for 10% discount

sourced from our Common place

Earth Hero

sourced from Earth Hero

This store has a little bit of everything as well. From eco-friendly pet products to kids toys, to kitchen products and clothes for kids and sportswear for parents. Another worthy store to put in your favourites list.

¨Living a lifestyle you’re proud of, that supports a planet you’re proud for, should be simple.¨-Earth Hero

Categories: Clothing, Shop by Age, Zero Waste products and Accessories

Our favourite: The Toy Selection

Use ECOCOUPLE for 10% discount

Eco Couple’s Amazon Storefront

We personally have created a favourite eco friendly products list on our Storefront on amazon. It is comprised of a few categories we have gathered over the years. All the products we have personally tried ourselves and believe in. We hope you enjoy the selection. If you ever have a question feel free to reach out.

Hope this list is useful to you feel free to share this post with your eco conscious friends. We are always interested in hearing about the pages and shops that inspire you the most… please let us know in the comments. Thank you.

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

Best sustainable brands of summer 2020

I had so much fun discovering these fun, eco-friendly, super fashionable sustainable brands of summer 2020. We are so impressed with how many brands are making eco-friendly, sustainable choices in their businesses. We thank you so much for making these amazing products and sharing them with the world. Always keeping our environment in mind.

For the Dreamers

wearing a bikini made from recycled fishing nets one of my top sustainable brands of summer 2020
¨FOR THE DREAMERS is proud to be a brand built from the ground up with sustainability at its heart. Our swimwear is made from regenerated nylon fiber from fishnets and other nylon waste found in the sea. Not only does this eco-friendly swimwear help reduce waste and landfill, but it also helps save the lives of animals we share the oceans with.¨
 

It is such a pleasure for us to share these very special brands that we have come across after many hours of research and truly finding companies that are aligned with our values as well as being, trendy fashionable and for me (one of the most important features) comfortable! This particular swimsuit brand For the Dreamers is the most luxurious bikini I have ever owned, it is so soft and silky yet sturdy enough for me to go surfing in it. I am obsessed, and it is reversible which I love even more. Honestly I have my eye on the on a few more from this brand because I am so impressed with the fabrics and not to mention the super classy packaging. I feel like I am wearing sexy lingerie but really its a bikini!

This is all the same bikini worn different ways and I still have not even gotten around to trying the different ways of wearing the straps. We truly hope you get to experience the luxury of owning one of these suits and at the same time feel good about purchasing from a brand that is fully sustainable and eco-friendly.

Maria Malo

Wearing an organic red dress by www.mariamalo.com

I have been a huge fan of this brand for years now, and I am not going to lie my wardrobe is probably about 30% Maria Malo, not only because I love the fabrics, designs and comfort of her timeless pieces, but also because I love the woman behind this brand and everything she stands for. Just like her collections, she is a woman with passions, sensibilities, embracing life fully and along with that she really can outfit you for any occasion. Weddings, beach parties, the Cannes film festival or simply an epic surf session, she has it all. Her love for nature and the ocean reflects in her brand and that is one of the many reasons why I love her. If you are ever in Bali go check out her amazing new flagship store.

I have not traveled to a beach without these shorts since I discovered them (I need more 🙂
Dress by Maria Malo and stroller made from recycled bottles Bumble Ride for more on the stroller see HERE

Swell Vision

Light weight, classy and sustainably made with bamboo, you can barely feel you are even wearing glasses. They are polarized and look just as good on him than they do on her, if I may say so myself 🙂 What we most love about this brand is their dedication to our future generations, Swell Vision is a sponsor for the Green School in Bali, supporting our future green change-makers. So we highly recommend them for their products as well as their support to our green community.

With each product sold we are working together to leave this place better than we found it, by creating and promoting a sustainable consumer culture. Thank you for standing with Swell and voting with your dollar to make a positive impact on the future of our planet. – Swell Vision

We recommend people to wear polarized sunglasses because they protect the eyes from U/V Rays. So next time you are shopping for glasses find the sustainable way and feel good about what you paid.

Mirame Swim

Mirame is a direct translation from Spanish.  It is a command statement that means “Look at Me.”  Melinda chose this name because it is confident, powerful, and sexy.  When a woman walks down the beach wearing a Mirame suit, people won’t be able to help but look.
 

We discovered Mirame Swim very recently but they have already earned a place in our hearts. The collection is super original and she also uses fabrics that she rescues from ending up in a landfill. I spend so much time in the sun that I really like a little coverage, especially if I am at the beach in the middle of the day.

I love the feel of this piece and I have to be honest, every single time I have worn it someone on the beach asks me where I got it! Which we love, because that leads us into the conversation of supporting brands such as these. What is really great about these suits, is that you can also throw on a cute skirt or shorts and you are ready for a fancy dinner! Especially with some of her very fancy swim tops, check her site to see what we are talking about.

So wether you are sipping on a glass of white wine at the cote d´azure or jumping in the ocean for a quick session, Mirame has the right suit for you!

Soloeyewear

Solo eyewear is also on our list, with amazing polarized lenses that make the world look a whole lot nicer when you look through them. They work with repurposed wood, repurposed bamboo and Cellulose Acetate (Cellulose acetate is an eco-friendly material made from cellulose obtained from wood produced in sustainably managed forests . After disposal, it returns to nature through the activity of water and microorganisms.)

At SOLO Eyewear, we create environmentally responsible sunglasses that restore vision for people in need. We strongly believe in living a life of adventure and inspiring individuals to change the world – Solo eyewear

So as you can see they are not only doing the right thing but they are giving back to the world, helping people in need. Can you imagine a world where we all did that? We can make that happen by supporting these amazing brands that are truly making a difference, and casting our vote where we spend our money.

I really want to remind people how important each and every one of our actions is, and the impact it has. We have been researching the sustainable world for almost a decade now and it is so wonderful to see all these amazing brands, and the people behind them, supporting each other and the mission to give back to our earth! Thank you!!!! For if you are reading this you are a part of my soul family… thank you for taking the time to research for the better option.

Solo has also developed a pair of glasses that protects your eyes from blue rays, with a clip on sunglasses part. They have also shared with us a secret new product and we very much look forward to sharing it with you as soon as they are ready!

Barzee Swim

These beautiful beach towels speak for themselves. The story behind why Barzee was created is also really touching, thank you for sharing your story with us Barzee.

I am a mom and going to the beach with a toddler can be a bit of a mission. I was not aware that there were towels in the world, that dried quickly, don’t collect sand and are light to carry. Sound like a dream come true? These towels really do all that, and aesthetically they are absolutely beautiful. You can use them at the beach, by the pool or even as cozy blanket when the sun starts setting.

Atlantis new favourite sentence is ¨Breast in towel Mommy¨ that means he wants to be wrapped up in the Barzee and breastfeed on the beach! So I guess my Barzee was just stolen from me. I am alright with that, we will be sure to get a few more so we don’t have to fight about them. Not only is the story of Barzee a beautiful one but 15% of ALL profits go to providing clean drinking water and restoring eyesight in developing countries.

After using these towels for the last few weeks and learning more about the mission of this brand we 100% approve and recommend you try a Barzee towel.

Here at Barzee, in Nicholas’ memory,  we are committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of the less fortunate. After careful consideration, we have partnered with several highly rated, accountable and transparent charities with proven records in developing countries.- Barzee

 

Wool and Prince and Wool and

These photos are not retouched! I know I know the water is a really nice color, but seriously how about the T-shirt! Iñaki absolutely loves it, he is even teaching yoga in it! This brand was a really fun find for us, as you can imagine living on an island you really don’t think about wearing merino wool.

To our surprise Merino wool is actually great, its quick drying, temperature regulating, breathable and odor resistant. So to top it off you don’t have to wash it that much, an all in all super find for our capsule wardrobes. It feels super soft to the touch and has a certain weight in it which I really like in a t-shirt. I have been looking for the right black tank top, the one you can wear to any occasion. This one is extra convenient because you can wear it back to front and change the neck line. They also carry it in off white and I think that is a good place to start using less clothing.

So I have to say the pockets are the best part of this dress but I am also excited to take it with me to colder climates. I could see myself in Berlin on a winter day in tights, a scarf and a big oversized jacket slurping on a hot chocolate too! We are really grateful about the merino wool discovery and are already looking for Atlantis to get onboard the island wool crew! Less washing, less resources, and better options.

Somebody said to me today ¨I am buying all these products and I feel really good about my purchases- Thank you!¨that made my day because that is our mission here at @ecocouple to make people feel good about when they do need to purchase something and to raise awareness about how things are made, how, and where it goes when we are done with it. We also always encourage second hand purchases, and swapping with friends.

A small way we can really help all these brands is by following them, each other, on social media channels, liking and commenting on their products, sharing it with friends. This way we will always expand our eco conscious family a little more. If you liked this post you also may really love ¨Support sustainable brands on Hawaii¨

Thank you for reading.

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

Support beautiful sustainable brands of Hawaii

Hello all you wonderful conscious readers, thanks for dropping by and helping me support sustainable brands of Hawaii…. Due to closing of the islands to tourism, small business are suffering all over the world, especially here on Hawaii! We wanted to take a moment to introduce you to some amazing brands that are located here on the islands, and make beautiful products.By purchasing from brands such as these, your are helping their economy but most importantly you are contributing to purchasing from a brand that is taking the best interest of our earth at heart. Supporting Eco-friendly brands on Hawaii. In these times I believe more than ever we are coming to realise that the world needs our nurturing right now. It is by our choices and how and where we spend our money that we can help, making changes for a better future and fulfilling our responsibilities for the generations to come.

Lani Shades

Simple, sleek and sustainable sunglasses are a must in this day and age. Why not support this sustainable brand from Hawai’i. Using bamboo, refurbished skateboard wood these stylish sunglasses are a wonderful addition to your sustainable collection. And because they are made by ocean lovers they even float- just incase they fall in the water.

AO Organics Hawaii

I absolutely love this local brand. They’re products smell incredible and are made for even the most sensitive skin. Ao stands for ‘āina (land) and the O stands for (wai (ocean). Ao Organics Hawaii formulates high-quality skincare and sun care products with ethically sourced ingredients. All the while staying true to their values: Eco-friendly, reef safe, locally sourced ingredients and cruelty free.

If you want to feel instantly tele transported to the beaches of Hawai’i I highly recommend this bronzing oil. I promise you will never go to another beach without it. Support this brand and the beautiful family that stands behind it!

Kaiona Swimwear

Mālama ʻāina is a traditional Hawaiian concept and way of life, it essentially means that if we take care of the earth, the earth will provide and take care of us in return. This is the concept and heart behind this brand. From eco-friendly ink to recycled materials for their swimwear. Kaiona is trying to do just that, even their beautiful recycled packaging is in alaignment with Mālama ʻāina!

I have worn this suit for a few months now and it is of excellent quality. I have used it for a normal day at the beach to deep diving with it to surfing. It is really well made and for surfing it is perfect as everything stays in its place and I can focus on ths sport as opposed to fiddling around with my bikini. I absolutely love the shape of this bikini and the back is just beautiful.

The colour is also as vivid as the ocean. We hope you like the brand as much as I do and support this wonderful small business out of Hawai’i.

Indigo Wild

We are so thrilled to introduce you to this brand…. Hawaii’s first biodegradable swimsuit brand. Yes, you heard right! A swimsuit that biodegrades in the landfill to 0 when you discard it. That is truly zero waste. Thank you for introducing the world to this amazing fabric with such style and elegance! Actually there are less than a handful of brands using this incredible fabric in the USA today. We are so thrilled to be some of the first to experiment with this fabric. It is beyond soft and fairs really well in the water. I surfed in both of the suits and it felt great! We met Shelby (founder) through social media pretty recently and are so impressed with this hard working Mama’s repetoire. Hand dyed unique pieces, made right here on Maui… we look forward to watching this brand sky rocket into the world and hope to be collaborating with her for years to come. I have little more to say other than these pictures speak for themselves. Absolutley LOVE Indigo Wild and I am sure YOU will too!

One Love Body Soul

Ecofriendly sustainable sunscreen

This local brand has reef safe sun screen, that spreads really evenly on the skin and does not leave any white residue. I also absolutely love their lip balm, and biodegradable deodorant. Erin the founder has taken her brand to the next level, even some of her packaging is biodegradable. Definitely an inspiring local brand we should be supporting.

Sail Bags Maui

Sustainable brands of hawaii Bag made from recycled sails

This young mother of three had an idea and made it a reality. Creating beautifully crafted bags. Their mission is to save as many kitesurfing fabrics as possible from ending up in landfills.  The bags are super durable and water resistant. They are fun colours and are a really innovative way of up cycling kite sails. You can also donate your old kite to them! @sailbags_maui

Ti and Coco

For me personally comfort is key, and it is really nice to have a few items that just make you feel that little extra special when you wear them. With Ti and Coco you can be elegant or casual and enjoy these pieces for special occasions or as I am finding on a daily basis. From organic cotton, to linen to tencel there is something for every occasion. We are thrilled with this find, and I am thinking I may have to add their little black dress to my island wardrobe.

Eco friendly sustainable linen by Ti and Coco
Ti & CoCo, comes from the Ti Leaf and the Coconut, two plants that are sacred in Polynesian culture. The Ti Leaf is a symbol of the companies mission to be green, while the Coconut signifies clean water, which is vital for an everlasting planet
¨We are inspired to protect and preserve this beautiful, nourishing planet that we call home. Ti & CoCo is the manifestation of our mission and wish for sustainability, ethical, eco-friendly and conscious fashion – the way of the future!¨  – Ti and Coco

Ako Wear

organic cotton t-shirt by Akowear

For simple, beautiful organic t-shirts, designed by artists and inspired by nature, this is the place for you! The fabrics are so very soft but have enough weight to really allow the t-shirt to drape off of your body. Ethically, sustainably made from every detail including eco friendly dyes.

Sourced from www.akowearhawaii.com

For a day at the beach or a classic look with a blazer, this little white T is a perfect staple for anyones sustainable wardrobe.

Manakai Swimwear

Bikini made from recycled plastic by manakai

Manakai has a beautiful little shop in Lahaina, on maui, as you step inside you instantly feel that you are taken on a journey, of passion, sustainability and beauty. Every bathing suit has the ability to make you feel just a little more special. The best of all is you can feel confident by purchasing this swimwear you are making a small difference towards a more sustainable future.

Manakai Swimwear’s Eco~Conscious Collection is made of sustainable fabric created from regenerated nylon. The designs are beautiful yet the pieces are functional, wether you want to just hang out at the beach or jump on a board and catch some waves, Manakai has the sustainable option for you. I have had my bikini for a few years, and with some love and care it still looks brand new!

Blue Bottle Love

I can only say it is exactly as the name describes it, blue bottle love. The bottle is absolutely gorgeous and imprints love onto every sip you drink from it. After extensive research my favourite water is taken from a natural spring, filtered through our Berkey system and then last but not least placed into our beautiful cobalt bottles! This makes the most delicious water you could ever drink.

Blue bottle by bluebottle love sustainable
Here at Blue Bottle love we have a Mission to spread the healing vibrations of Love, Peace, Harmony and Gratitude, and to weave a crystalline grid of Unity consciousness anchored in the wisdom, beauty and power of water! – Blue Bottle Love

Mamanu Kids

We highly recommend the many beautiful hats of Mamanu, they are mostly reversible which we also really love….. We discovered them a little over a year ago and still Atlantis loves wearing his shirts and sun hats. The prints are dreamy and the fabric is sturdy yet soft to the touch. And everytime he wears them someone comments on how lovely he looks…

Hand made on Hawaii, with sustainable organic fabrics, Anna brings these beautiful creations to life.

Thank you for stopping by our blog and supporting these amazing sustainable brands of Hawaii!

With love,

Eco Couple

5 Awesome Eco friendly Sustainable shoe brands

I am so excited to have found these amazing sustainable shoe brands, I hope you like our selection and we always look forward to hearing from you. So please share your finds and suggestions.

SAOLA (USA)

misty blue sequoia shoes perched on a log
“Because we know that sixty to seventy percent of the environmental footprint of a pair of shoes is a result of the product’s materials, we’ve made eco construction the central pillar of our shoe development” – Soala

Saola is privy to the extent the shoe industry has been polluting our planet and are doing everything they can to #makeanimpact to change this. We got the sequoia in misty blue and are absolutely in love with them. However I must say there are so many beautiful styles and colours to choose from. It is so important to not have to compromise style when supporting and buying sustainable shoe brands and that is exactly the case with Saola, comfort, style and sustainability all in one.

Thank you and we look forward to owning more Soala shoes as the years go by. So take a step into a more ethical footprint and feel good about your next pair of shoes!

Verdura shoes (Italy)

This shoe comes in at number one for us….. not only is it stylish, vegan and just simply beautifully crafted. Not a day goes by that I do not get stopped on the street when I wear them. The shoe fits your feet like a glove, especially after wearing them in for a few days….. it is super comfortable and most importantly, eco conscious. From vegan leather to recycled fishing nets, this shoe exceeds every expectation from a vegan friendly shoe.

Beautifully handcrafted italian shoe made with recycled fishing nets one of the most beautiful sustainable shoe brands
Every detail is hand made and sourced locally in Tuscany

Hand crafted in Tuscany, Italy. With every detail sourced locally even using natural dyes, making each and every pair unique. Wether it is out and about with a pair of summer shorts or a fancy dress these shoes make their mark wherever they go…..and we are beyond ecstatic to have found them!!!!!

Love for the planet is in the heart of Verdura as well as love for beauty and for the aesthetics” -Verdura

Beyond Skin (UK)

Every girl needs a good pair of high heels in her closet, so why not make it a vegan pair. This high heel is an all time classic style and by far one of my favourites, I absolutely love the peek a boo toe. This is a classic, timeless design that can always be worn. Dress them down with a pair of jeans, wear them on a red carpet or to a wedding. The shoe fits for every special occasion.

Their sustainable and leather-free footwear is all ethically and beautifully handmade in Spain. They have a beautiful selection of vegan shoes

Quoting Beyond Skin and a very interesting fact we did not know: ¨On average, one cow hide will provide 18 pairs of leather shoes and each pair of shoes is accountable for the use of over 1.4 million litres of water! This figure includes the water used to rear and slaughter the cow, and to process the hide in to leather.
Put simply, each time you purchase a new pair of leather shoes you are responsible for using as much water as having a bath everyday for over 40 years! In terms of disposal you’d think that leather products would be biodegradable, but the tanning agent renders it non biodegradable.¨

To me this is enough reason to look for a more sustainable option!

Simple Shoes (USA)

For a classic comfortable sneaker for men and women we have landed on these super comfy shoes. ¨Simple innovation in the form of an organic cotton canvas sneaker. A timeless style that will become a wardrobe staple. The textile lined memory foam insoles support and cushion your every step for maximum comfort.

simple shoes and skateboard made from recycled fishing nets
Even the skateboard is made from recycled fishing nets (carver)

There are no harmful dyes used and the materials are held together with eco-friendly water based glues. The flat cotton laces are made from 100% recycled cotton; and yes, it is a vegan shoe.  A classic organic cotton canvas sneaker that goes well with whatever music is playing.¨ Now how would you chose any other sneaker over this one….¨memory sole insoles are absolutely something worth a try!

GUMBIES (USA,UK, AUSTRALIA)

These may be the most comfortable flip flops we have ever owned, Iñaki loves them just as much as I do! Inspired by tires and mad e from recycled rubber these flip flops have their own unique look and are truly a great price. We hope to own many more of them, and there are so many wonderful colours to choose from, we have yet to try the cork flip flops but do not doubt that they will probably be amazing too.

Gumbies Islander flip flops

The Outback Slipper is made using 8 recycled plastic bottles, how amazing is that. For more info read up on it on their website. There is nothing greater than a good surf session and then slipping into a nice warm slipper, no matter what part of the world you happen to be in.

After a good surf session at hookipa, Hawaii

So all in all we have introduced you to our favourite eco conscious shoe brands for every and any occassion and look forward to hearing from you to discover more brands you would love to share with us!

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