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

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

Our favorite Eco friendly Stroller

Traveling with a baby is no joke! Most parents know exactly what I am talking about. However you buy your first stroller before you have had these experiences….and then learn about all the annoying non useful things about it when you already own it! Instead of focusing on the strollers we didn’t like we want to focus on our very favourite stroller on the market: The Bumbleride

Anyhow so here we are as a family traveling through airports, on trains and automobiles…. Curving through cold city streets in snowy white Hamburg, to strolling the beaches of Tarifa in the south of Spain or simply taking a walk through Los Angeles…. what do we need to look out for when purchasing a stroller before we can even think about how green it is?

Is it versatile? Does it have small or big wheels? Does it fold up easily? How heavy is it? Is it comfortable for the little one to take his naps in? Will it work when he is a little older? Can I go for a run with it? Does it have storage space? This strollers has all these features as well as being able to get a car seat adapter and drinks holder if you so please.

You never really think about that if you spend some time in a city with cobble streets, your baby might wake up ten times when you try to put him down for a nap… Or you may want to take a stroll on the beach spontaneously and not get stuck in the sand. Or you may want to go to a music festival and take your little one with you! If you are an adventurer and like to be spontaneous all of these factors are important. So we made it a mission to find the most versatile, eco-friendly stroller on the market. It has plenty of storage, a front lock wheel and big tires with great suspension (our first stroller had zero suspension) which means you can take a sleeping baby anywhere! This is a huge plus for us, especially while Iñaki is out searching for the perfect wave.

What we love most, is not only that Bumbleride has created the perfect stroller for us and our adventures, but most importantly they have done it keeping our planet in mind….and that is why we consider the Bumbleride the best stroller on the market today and are absolutely exstatic to be collaborating with them.

Quote from www.bumbleride.com website
A stroller made from recycled milk bottles

Eco Couple uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, helps us pay our growing core team and allows us to keep the content free for readers and keeps us on our mission to inspire conscious consumerism.