Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, the sour and astringent nature of joyful hibiscus does wonders in cooling the body, while being supportive to the immune system.
A bit of jasmine green tea adds to the floral notes, while giving a minimal jolt of caffeine, if you wish.
I'm turning to this delicious, heart lifting recipe over and over this year, whilst enjoying the patio on a hot summer day.
INGREDIENTS
-2 TBSP dried hibiscus flowers
-2 TBSP dried rose petals
-1 TBSP jasmine green tea (optional)
-3 TBSP honey
-1/4 cup of frozen berries
-Sparkling water
— Optional to make it a float with some strawberry sorbet! —
DIRECTIONS
-Brew tea for 3 minutes in an aero-press
-Fill pitcher 3/4 of the way with ice cubes and frozen berries
-Pour hot tea over the ice cubes in the pitcher
-Top off with sparkling water
-Serve each glass with a dollop of sorbet if you so desire
Voila <3
Comment, and let me know what you thought!
]]>After the darkness of winter, as spring begins to rise, we remember the sun inside of ourselves. This is a moment of beauty.
I've come to think of beauty as a remembering.
It is not what we are taught from the mainstream.
It is what's in the windows of the eyes, the innermost of the heart.
It is how we are when we are in the depths of our humanness. Our human emotions; sadness, anger, grief. It is when we're joyful; dancing, swimming, or singing. {Feeling is beauty}
Beauty is in the way we care for our loved ones.
It is in the ever unfolding of who we are. An opening, petal by petal, thorny stem and all.
We don't need to be dressed up for any of that. Yet the desire to dress up for the celebration of life is perfectly natural, too.
It has nothing to do with appearance, yet we have every right to feel beautiful in our appearance, no matter who.
Beauty is when we smile from the inside, and pass it along.
It is in the way a baby bird cracks open its egg shell.
It is in the way a seed opens, roots, sprouts, blooms, and unfurls.
May you come to know all the beauty in and around you <3
My process used to be as such: an idea floats into mind... I head to the cutting table. I sew, until satisfied. No pattern. No samples. I just make what's dying to be made, full-send. I've missed this process dearly, and am beginning to see it come again in a new way.
Not all the dresses in the photos below are practical. And they aren't curated, because you can't curate a wild force. They weren't all made for me, but they had their purpose at the time, and I had so much fun creating them.
I want to start showing more of my sewing skills to those that don't yet know I have them. Recently, I began noticing that to some people, I'm known to sell bras + undies under a brand, and to others, a rogue clothing designer. I started Earth and Elle because I made clothes for myself. Through that, I roped myself into doing runway contests and magazines. This kind of fashion world is not where I come from, nor who I am in any way, though it was fun to visit. Definitely a fun fantasy to play in, but not real life to me. After some excitement and success, I realized I could, and should have a business.
Since I wanted a business, I went with bras and undies — something everyone needs. I love the bras and undies business dearly. Though almost everything about them is for others. The colours, the design process, the photos, is all based on the needs of the customer. Which is both fundamentally necessary, and fulfilling in its own way. They've also attributed to major growth in my experience, knowledge, aspirations, and have actualized my business. It warms me up knowing so many people wear and love them now. And I need to feed my artist soul, too.
The evolution I see tangibly coming is:
Bras, undies, and dresses to wear on top. A few self care things, too.
Bras, undies, and self care items are always accessibly priced, and ready to ship.
Dresses are made-to-order, working closely with the client for fit.
With the resources I have, I can't foresee the possibility of a clothing collection made with our manufacturing partner in the near future - so I'm loving this idea. I make a dress for myself, on my own timeline, because I want it. I offer the design in a small batch of 4 or 5, made to order, custom fit to the client. This is how clothing was made in the old days — so I love this aspect.
I'm catching myself wondering how I'll pull this off. But then I think about how quickly I made some of these complicated designs in such a short time — a mix of excitement, commitment, and not a gram of pressure for specific outcomes, and definitely not an ounce of care in the world about what others would think.
I believe that as we collectively move into a new era, we move into new versions of ourselves. We can jump freely, or drag our asses. For me, I feel strongly that I no longer want to play small, and that my creative work in the coming years will be a reflection of that.
We'll see what comes.There will be no calendar or schedule for this evolution of my work.
2015
2015
Above & below, 2016 — Story of Fashion Magazine (Toronto)
]]>A thought overcame me today, well more of a feeling - whilst a rest moment after a long, tough few weeks. It is a truth I know, and agree with always. Even try to live by. But it feels different, and amazing, when it overcomes the body and becomes the greatest living force of knowing within. Somatic comprehension, a knowing in the body... I love this feeling, I chase it. Perhaps because the outcome leads to an ecstatic state of inspiration. Perhaps that's what it is to be a witch, and a beauty walker.
I was so drained and exhausted today though. I wanted nothing but to crawl in bed, rest, and shut the world out. And while doing that, this came forth, adding to my rest, and peace of mind.
"Love, and earth, denounce all constructs of the human mind. Love, and earth, shatter illusion. Transcend all. Reveal the only truth that exists - to exist."
See if you can spot the teeny spider and its delicate web in the picture. You can barely see them because they're so small, though they're the whole premises behind the photo. I was basically on my tippy toes, bent backwards to tilt the camera at the right angle, to capture them. [On an oddly hot early morning. Climate change is real, and as humans we are at odds with only ourselves.]
I suppose that could become a metaphor. The small truths we barely see in our daily lives are actually massive when we can no longer un-see them. They grow, and make the whole picture clear as this day. And clear days are certainly the best days for movement and momentum, towards more cosmic and earthly love, in a brittle human world.
We're children of the earth, sky, and love.
Mom of three, (twins + 1) model, blogger, and influencer of ethical and sustainable fashion.
Jen and I became pals on social media around the time that I was posting my own wardrobe photos on Instagram, sometime around May 2019, as a way to introduce myself further to the niche of ethical and sustainable fashion. She followed me. I followed back. Such is the way "Instagram friendships" begin. I was inspired by her practical approach to ethical and sustainable fashion. An approach that is honest, and let me tell you, honest is what we need right now. Her approach is also casual and cute. Practical, but embodied and authentic.
Often, I find that the land of social media that is full of talented, beautiful people, to be intimidating. And don't we all? Let's say I'm an introvert-extrovert. So as little as this sounds, it felt good that this wonderful influencer responded to the fragment of me I was putting out there on social media to promote the beginning of my endeavor.
Because in reality, no matter what we're up to on social media, what lighting we use, how we portray ourselves, or rather, what other people make of us— we are all real people behind the little squares of our phones and computers. We are animate and dynamic. And reaching through the walls of technology to meet someone inspires me.
[Above: Jennifer wears The Comfort Bra and The High Undies]
When I reached my goal of producing the collection of bras and undies at a local factory, I knew it was time to reach out to Jen for a collaboration.
So, dear friends, I'm elated to introduce you to Jen. A body-positive model, blogger, and curator of jenpistor.com, where she writes about motherhood and style, making the ordinary things in life beautiful, inspiring and relatable.
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"My goal is to offer you approachable inspiration for your everyday style in the body and season of life you’re in."
-Jennifer Pistor
See what Jen has to say about Earth and Elle here
Follow Jen on Instagram here
{Where you can also find a discount code to use on our website!}
Erin Templeton
Erin Templeton is known for handcrafted leather bags and goods that they make at their own atelier, though they also have serious racks of vintage clothing. Think overall dresses, silk shirts, and dresses from many eras. Linen lovers beware -they've got a great eye for vintage linen.
Location:
511 Carrall Street at Pender
Vancouver, BC V6B 2J8
Hours:
mon - tue 11 - 5pm
wed - sat 11 - 6pm
Used House of Vintage
Think vintage printed tees, mountains of denim, big sweaters, wool coats and eclectic dresses from all eras. I found one of my favourite over-coats here while shopping with some friends. Once I found a shirt that looks like it was hand sewed and dyed in the 60's when I visited the store with Martin, who introduced me to this store!
Location:
1008 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC
Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 11:00 - 8:00
Sunday: 11:00 - 8:00
Lady Madonna Vintage
This place is stacked high with clothes. If you go here, make sure you've got a bit of time! Each time I've gone here with my friends Audrey and Sarah, we've each found something good. We found Lady Madonna Vintage as we were originally drawn to Maclean's Books on the Richards and West Pender block, a Harry Potter like book store you must visit if you're a book worm too. As an out-of-towner, I could spend an entire day on this one block. Nearby there is also a vegan bistro, Indigo Age Cafe, and a sweet lunch spot for sandwiches, soups, and really good chai lattes, called Finch's Tea House.
Location:
432 Homer Street
Vancouver BC, V6B 1T1
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 12:00 - 6:00
Sunday Closed
Just in case you need more, here is a link to an overwhelmingly awesome guide, because vintage shopping in Vancouver is endless.
Check out The Definite Guide to Thrift and Vintage Shopping in Vancouver written thoughtfully and meticulously by Vancouver journalist Lucy Lau on the Georgia Straight. Thank you Lucy for this essential resource!