For those of you who enjoyed the Peace It Together quotes we shared recently, we’ve put them all in one place for you to enjoy whenever you need to calm & inspire the soul.
Inspiration
Reasons to Love Winter
I have never been much of a winter person. I can get cold on a warm summer’s day, so you can just imagine how I fair during an infamous Minnesotan winter.
Vegan Gift Guide
It’s that time of year again, folks! Time to pause & reflect on the past 12 months, time to remind our friends and family how much they mean to us. If you decide to go the gift route, you’ll likely be pretty busy these next few weeks finding the coolest presents for your peeps. (more…)
Great Gift Ideas for Guys and Gals
With the holidays coming up, it’s fun to search for that awesomely great gift, and this year Soul Flower has a few goodies that are in the running!
One popular favorite is the ever fun & ever useful Freaker Knit Koozies. With five fun prints to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your friend, and by fit I mean it, this little koozie can seriously fit a wide range of bottles, from beer to wine! If you’re one for gifting delicious beverages, the Freaker Knit Koozie will make the perfect drinking mate.
The Adventure Is Now
Every now and then we all get caught up in believing that the adventure is “out there,” while ignoring the fact that the real adventure is now. Without knowing the future, we can never be quite sure of what is around the corner, making every day an entertaining improv adventure.
Twig Dragonfly Craft
Sometimes getting lost inside of Pinterest is way too easy and way too fun! However, once I stumble upon awesomely creative projects like this one, I feel it’s totally worth the wasted time.
Kindness Matters Giveaway for Volunteers
Hi Buds,
In honor of National Volunteer Week, we want to show our appreciation for volunteers everywhere with a Kindness Matters Giveaway! To enter, simply share your volunteer experience with us, (who, what, when and where) with a photo of you volunteering, and we’ll send you a $25 *coupon code to apply to your next order.
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| 250 buds can WIN! 🙂 |
Tell us your stories, send pics, and receive a reward for making a difference!! There is no catch; we just love to hear how everyone can make a positive impact on their world. ♥
Please send your entry to [email protected].
Your story and pictures may be shared on our social medias, such as the Soul Flower blog, Facebook, Google Plus, (and more!) to raise awareness on volunteer opportunities & how they are making a difference.
Thank you so much, volunteers, for all you do!
Your buds at Soul Flower
P.S. Here are some volunteer opportunities & ideas, if you would like to get involved. 🙂
*Please allow 2 business days for submission processing to receive coupon code. One coupon per person. Giveaway closes 5/31/13. Coupon must be used by 6/15/13.
Volunteer: Kindness Matters!
After the long and lazy hibernation of winter, there’s a lot to be done! It’s time for some major spring cleaning to revitalize our communities. Our cities (OUR WORLD!) need a helping hand.
With National Volunteer Week fast approaching (April 21-27), we wanted to brainstorm the numerous ways we can help out and volunteer year round.
Many of the links below are for opportunities in Minnesota, but please don’t hesitate to research your own home town if one of these volunteer positions interest you! 🙂
Volunteer Opportunities:
– Humane Society: help our furry and feathered friends find comfort
– Plant trees, shrubs and flowers in your area: with Earth Day & Arbor Day fast approaching, your community will have plenty of opportunities open! Arbor Day Foundation
– Habitat for Humanity: help create affordable, green shelters for low income families
–Homeless shelter: help sort donations, make/serve food, answer emails & calls, or assist with educational programs
– Protect our waters: help keep our waters clean and free of invasive species. Locals for Lakes
-If you live in Minnesota you could become a Master Naturalist Volunteer!
-Support your local zoo! Minnesota Zoo Volunteer Opportunities
– Foster Care: you don’t need to foster a child to help a child – check in with your local foster care to see what services they might need.
– Library: help out at an event, book drive or read-a-loud. Hennepin County Library Opportunities
– Be a mentor or tutor at your local school and help a struggling student feel more confident
– Nursing home: craft, play games, read, and just chit-chat to bring cheer to someone’s day
– Thrift shop: help sort & shelve items to aid them in a second chance
– Hospital: numerous organizations exist to help ease someone’s pain. Such as Open Arms Minnesota which grows, cooks and delivers food to people struggling with illnesses
– Local farms: so much work to be done, you’re sure to be needed!
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Volunteer your talents, time and joy to make our world a better place!
For more volunteer opportunities & dates check out Spring into Volunteering Hands On Twin Cities, and find what fits right for you. 🙂
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If you know of any other great opportunities, feel free to share them in the comments below!
Three Little Branches to Spring
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| The neon/ pastel colors on a basic grey shirt, is so brilliant |
So all the snow has finally melted, I’m not sure if it is officially spring yet, but it feels like it. For me when all the snow is melted, and the weather is tolerable, then it is officially spring. And once I got my 3 Little Branches Eco T- Shirt in the mail, then I knew I really needed to get out and celebrate this warm weather, and the happiness the sun brings. I love this top, the second I saw it I about died, the neon/ pastel colors on a basic grey shirt, is so brilliant, along with the Henna-like design, it is just so bright and happy. The swirls of the leaves reminded me a bit of Native American dream catchers. After pairing the eco-friendly top with mint green jeans, I knew I had the perfect shoes to wear. I got these striped tribal moccasins thrifted and they finished the look. With my camera in hand and my sunglasses on I knew just where I wanted to spend the afternoon.
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There is this little historical monument I have been to a few times, and have always been inspired by the old western feel and look of things. The spring makes me feel like taking a road trip to Texas or Arizona, I want to go to an old ghost town, or visit a amazing gift shop with beaded necklaces and dream catchers. The texture and color of this little building is amazing, ranging from the old log house with its grainy, weather-worn stained wood, the canvas embellished tee-pees to the adobe house with its curved clay shingles. So much history around us, so much history uncovered in the spring, and so much history awaiting us.
| 3 Little Branches Eco T-Shirt – A Soul Flower Original |
Remember back in the winter, when I talked about snow, and how it blankets and conceals everything? You can easily forget what is buried underneath, like buried treasure or historical relics, it may take time, or a bit of digging to discover what happened in the past, and what was buried there. But eventually spring will come, the leaves with sprout, and things will get better. I am so happy for this weather, this time of year. Be sure to get outside and enjoy it, you waited all winter for today, at least I did!
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Peace,
Heather
Check out more style ideas over at my blog Latter Day Style
Happy International Women’s Day
Happy International Women’s Day! A day to honor women everywhere!
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| MAKE HISTORY AND SUPPORT POSITIVITY ! |
Be sure to tell the inspirational women in your life how much you respect and admire them today, and every day!
Peace,
Your Buds
Hoop Dancing
Check out these amazing hoop dancing moves from Kirbie.
Mushroomy Inspiration
Did you know there’s such a thing as glowing mushrooms?
There are more than 70 known species of bioluminescent fungi growing all around the world. They produce light through chemical reactions, lighting up the forest floor like a starry sky.
How awesome is that?!
How could you not want glowing mushrooms on a t-shirt?! 🙂
Men’s Organic Mushrooms Pocket T-Shirt
Our first print run of this Mushrooms design really looked like those glowing mushrooms. Since then, we’ve translated it to a few other shirt styles so everyone can get a taste of mushroomy goodness.
Another inspiration for this hand-drawn mushroom design was these amazing 19th century mushroom and fungi illustrations, drawn by French pharmacist Guilliame Sicard.
I just love their simplicity, and how they show off all the different mushroom types in a clean, non-muddy way.
When creating this design, I first sketched out a bunch of different styles of mushrooms. Then after digitizing the sketches, I added texture with little bitmapping dots that would be sure to show up on a screen print.
Sweet!
You can also snag some glowing mushrooms on an organic cotton scarf or on a bright purple tank dress. (Note: these dresses are part of a limited print run, so get ’em while you can!)
Mushrooms may seem like lowly plants (literally– they grow low to the ground!), but a second look may be all it takes to realize that pretty much everything in nature is awesome. Especially if they glow!
If you liked this shroomy inspiration, you’ll probably like our Nature Inspiration Pinterest board. Check it out!
New Year, New Vibe Playlist
Hey buds,
Here’s the playlist you helped us build for 2013, including Phish, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead and more!
Rock on & thanks for all the sweet suggestions, you picked some great ones!
☮ your buds at Soul Flower
Rock Your New Year with an Eco-Friendly Resolution!
Are you still struggling to find the perfect resolution? If so, here’s a list of Eco-Friendly New Year Resolutions to help you out. Some are more challenging than others, but it’s best to pick something that is realistic for your lifestyle and personality; changing too much too fast usually doesn’t last longer than, oh…say, January? And, most importantly, don’t hate on yourself and surrender if you falter here and there; it happens! Just restart your resolution the next day, and all will be well with the world. True story. 🙂
So, here’s some potential Earth kind changes you could make in the New Year (w00t w00t!):
-Start a compost
-Buy more organic veggies and fruits; eat in-season foods
-Buy local
-Start a garden
-Go vegetarian, vegan or simply cut back on your meat consumption by doing something like Meatless Mondays
-Always bring your own reusable bags while shopping. Create a plan so you don’t leave them behind when you need them.
-Make your own super safe household cleaners
-Learn to sew
-Use cloth instead of paper towels and napkins.
-Wash your clothes with cold water
-Line dry laundry
-Carpool
-Consolidate errands so you only need to venture out once
-Walk or ride a bike whenever possible
-Purchase a rain barrel for your yard to conserve water
-Landscape your yard so it’s critter friendly
-Rescue an animal from a shelter or the streets
-Volunteer for a good cause
-Make a craft once a month with items you would usually throw away
-Buy organic clothing such as soy, hemp or organic cotton
-Thrift secondhand goods
-Donate items you no longer use
-Upcycle shabby items in your home into something “new”
-Use a reusable coffee cup
-No bottled water! Keep a reusable water bottle with you instead.
-Read more. Educate yourself further on environmental issues and ways you can help.
-Use recycled paper & print on both sides
-Turn off energy sucking devices when they’re not in use
-Become familiar with your local farmers and their farming techniques
-Support your local farmers market
-Cook at home instead of eating out
-Learn to make household staples like butter
-Throw away less food by eating leftovers; use “scraps” to make meals such as soup
-Make small (or large) donations to an eco-friendly cause throughout the year
-Support small businesses instead of big box stores
-Use (or make) earth friendly beauty products and cleansers
-Simply use less
Happy New Year, Everyone! Good luck in all your endeavors!
❤ your bud JacQ
What’s your New Year resolution? 🙂
Favorite Holiday Songs
Hey Buds,
We loved the holiday songs you picked last year so much, we had to post them again. If you dig building playlists with us, keep your eyes on our Facebook page the first week of January, because we’ll be needing some tunes to rock the New Year!
ENJOY!! 🙂
Clothing that Represents Change
This Organic Robin Hoody Tunic is more than just a comfortable tunic in a beautiful color. This piece of clothing represents change, and a step in the right direction taken by people who not only have a desire to make the planet better, but who take initiative and make it happen!
Buds, I’m grateful to have a store like soul-flower.com to provide me with wonderful brands like Earth Creations. This company makes their clothing with sustainable fabrics, such as organic hemp and cotton. Feel better and healthier knowing that your garment is free of any pesticides that could harm you or mother earth’s water sources. When it comes to dyes, no worries here; natural dyes (like clay) and low impact dyes are used instead of the usual toxic dyes and contaminating salt found in “conventional” clothing.
And another bonus is that this company supports made in the USA.
Jammin’ out to Scarlet Begonias – Sublime & Grateful Dead Cover in my Organic Robin Hoody Tunic!
This hemp tunic in particular is lovely. In addition to being guilt free it is so cute and comfortable. It has pockets, a hood, and long sleeves to keep you warm on those cold days (and at the same time, you don’t get overbearingly hot!). The cool buttons and details make it a stylish piece. Go for this tunic and support two awesome companies while looking great!
The Eccentric’s Wishlist
Here’s the 3rd round of Soul Flower’s office wishlists! Bri’s our one-of-a-kind bud. Obviously. It’s not everyday you see fish flakes on a holiday gotta-gets-me list. So if you’re wondering what to get that quirky friend in your life, the one with multiple cats, in want of a juicer, who’s presently gazing out at the milky way, then here you go!
Your gift pondering has ended, because Bri’s wishlist just saved you the pain of trying to think like one of those wishing-for-Dried-Bonito-Flakes-for-my-cat kinda oddballs: 😉
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| Oops, and this denim shirt – Pretend this is floating all pretty up there, instead of all awkward down here 😉 |
Bri’s Winter Wishlist and why she wants them:
– Be Striped Tree Tapestry (Code: BSD013) I need more curtains in my new place.
– River Tiered Skirt (Code: MAT003) to pretend I’m girly.
– L.A. Lady Blue Jean Shirt (Code: JAK003) because I’m actually more tomboy.
– Juicer Fountain: kale and apple juice 4eva
– Table Top Camera Dolly because I’m a nerd
– Painted Elephant Organic Tank Top (Code: SOL333) for layering!
– Painted Elephant Organic Tank Top (Code: SOL333) for layering!
– Constellation Pillows because I’m a girl nerd with an awesome couch.
-Year supply of Fish Flakes because my cat’s actually rule the apartment.
What’s on your wishlist this year?
Falling Leaves & Cherry Blossoms
I grew up in the beautiful state of Michigan, I have moved various times since then, but for me Michigan will always remind me of growing up, and the simple beauty of nature. My afternoons were spent with my best friend, exploring the woods in her back yard, on camp-outs we would collect leafs, twigs, and acorns and build tiny “fairy” homes.
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| Organic, fleece lined Cherry Blossom Tunic |
Lazy summer days we would sprawl out in our backyard reading under our cherry tree. This wasn’t any ordinary cherry tree, it was a mix between a weeping willow and a cherry tree, so the long branches would almost create a pink, flowery curtain encircling us, and on windy days tiny petals would rain down like confetti, sprinkling the ground with papery pink pieces.
When I saw the Mod Cherry Tunic I was instantly reminded of those happy days. Even the design is so childlike, the large pockets, the jumper style and the wide collar, reminds me of something a cute little girl with pig-tails and ribbons would wear, it is so youthful and fun. The moment I got it I knew it would be a perfect outfit to wear while exploring and playing in the fall leaves.
My backyard now reminds me of my childhood memories, our house is older and tiny, and we have a few old trees that practically take over our yard, there branches create a green golden canopy and if it is windy, you might find a few leaves swirling around, almost like my cherry blossom days as a child.
There is something beautiful about the simplicity of nature, the colors of fall leaves, a whole rainbow of hues a gift from nature. I guess this little trip outside reminded me how beautiful fall can be, how amazing it is that I can find a million different shades of green in my own backyard, and to remember the happiness you can experience in little things.
| Beautiful embroidery! |
Maybe it is the rainy weather, maybe it is a dogs sloppy kiss, or maybe it is a warm cozy sweater, whatever it is, breathe it in, let it remind you of the good and help you forgive the bad. Because there is nothing better than feeling like a child again.
For further info check out my blog Latter Day Style where I have a video review of the Cherry Blossom Tunic and my latest Soul Flower wishlist! 🙂
Happy fall,
Heather
Inspirational Nature Quotes
With the flame-like beauty of fall taking over the land, our souls have been warmed with nature’s inspiration. Here are a few nature quotes we like to keep in mind throughout the year:
<3 Your Buds at Soul Flower & remember to let nature be your guide!
Walkin’ On Sunshine & Feeling Good
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| Walkin on Sunshine Eco Hoody |
When the air starts to get crisp and the warmth of the sun begins to fade, its a Soul-Flower hoody I reach for! This past weekend I put my newest member to the test. It’s great to have a free day and my meandering Saturday landed me in a touristy area full of shops, an old train and way cool outdoor art! Of course my Walkin’ on Sunshine hoody accompanied me. I started the morning with it wrapped around my waste, by afternoon I was delighted to put it on and by sunset I was zipped up and hooded! Perfect fall day progression! 🙂
I ordered the small, it’s a great fit with room for a t-shirt or two underneath. It’s a great cut, a little more length in the torso (a plus) and a good (not too long not to short) length to the sleeves. I love the purpley, fuchsia color to pieces! Ya know, whatever goes into these sweatshirt creations, (the particular way they are designed/made), I hope that mold never breaks! The sweatshirt hoodies from SF are truly some of the cutest, softest, greatest fitting hoodies I’ve found. I’m in total comfort wearing one and as far as I can see, (in a world according to hoodies), nothing else fits quite to a T!
Now about that sun!! I really dig the design of the large orangey/yellow sun decal on back and the awesome saying. It got me thinking about great sun inspired saying and lyrics and just then, I came across a John Lennon painted wall i.e. ” Here Comes the Sun.” It was Kismet! Can we ever get enough of that glorious 4.6 billion year old, life giving fire ball? Not a chance!
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| I really dig the design! |
Adding Walkin’ on Sunshine to my hoody roster has been fun and even entertaining! You’ll find yourself singing Katrina and The Waves lyrics every time you wear it! Strangely, it seems to inspire people around you to do the same. Which is pretty cool, really. Like spreading a little cheer and sunshine every where you go! I think maybe this Walkin’ on Sunshine SF hoody has been cleverly engineered to impact the world positively by that very thing…bringing smile and song to everyone! An uplifting message like “Walkin’ on Sunshine”, the use of recycled plastic and organic cotton...heck we are well on our way to making this world an even brighter, sing-a-long kind of place! YAY!
Sing! Sing out loud!
~ Woo
Love Love Love Dirty Feet!
There’s just something about walking around barefoot all summer long. 🙂
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❤ How have you been getting your feet dirty?❤
Let’s Go Take a Hike!
Up to the Highest Height’s
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| Take a Hike Recycled T-Shirt! |
Oh the places a shirt will take you! When I saw this eco-friendly shirt I knew it had to be mine. I love to hike, and when I have it on it inspires me to see knew places and find new hikes! Today I found myself in Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii; hiking the “Z” trail to the Queen’s Bath. It is a long and beautiful hike, walking along the edge of a steep mountain side you get higher above the ocean as you reach the first turn of the “Z”. We don’t see anyone else on the hike the entire time and its as if we are in our own magical wonderland, passing fresh fruits and beautiful flowers in full bloom. We stop every so often to take in the beauty that surrounded us and to try to not let it take our breath away.
Hiking makes me really appreciate the world and its magnificent point of view, I am the person I want to be in moments like this. We make our way out of the sun and into the bamboo forest where we can’t help but climb around for a bit and slide down the huge bamboo stalks to the cool forest floor. We finally reach the Queen’s Bath and slide in for a quick dip, the water is freezing; but that doesn’t stop us from pretending to be Hawaiian royalty in our own private Utopia. As the sun starts to set, we start the hike down; its much quicker, but just as beautiful! We even see some wild horses on the way out of the forest to the beach, a mother and her blonde haired baby! Oh the places Taking A Hike can bring you!
<3 Hannah!
Hannah reviewed the Take a Hike Women’s Recycled T-Shirt
All Karma Krewe posts | All of Hannah’s posts
Road Trip Songs To Jam & Drive To
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We asked for your favorite travlin’ songs and got some rockin’ replies! Below is the result of your answers. Next week I’ll be taking a 6 hour drive on home to WI, and I’ll certainly have this playlist as my companion. So thanks for that, buds! Until then, I’ll enjoy this road trip right at my desk. 🙂
Organic Dresses, Adventure Wear
Last summer I gushed about the Organic Milkshake Maxi Dress and it’s bike-ability. Truth be told – I’m still wearing that dress. But to mix it up, I rock the Saltwater Seas Organic Maxi Dress. I can get from Uptown to the north loop in three shakes of a lambs tail and I’m racing those shirtless mohawk guys on fixed gears. Last weekend I even had one get out of my way. (HA!)
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| Rockin the Drive-in movie with a BBQ and a maxi dress Photo By Cole Koehler |
Last night I wore the organic maxi dress to the drive-in. Three movies for $8? Awesome. Mosquitoes? Ew. Luckily my legs were safe and I hosed my arms down with bug dope.
Check out a video review I did on this dress!
When I’m not mowing down bike boys I’m on set making movies. Last weekend my team participated in the local 48 Hour Film Project. We shot outside on a cloudless Saturday landing us in the direct sun for about 12 hours. I wore Soul Flower’s organic On Horizon Hoody Dress. The light cotton dress breathed with me and air dried quickly.
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| SO SWEATY. This dress moved with me, through swamps, horse pens and tennis courts. Photo By Colette Ricci |
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| SUNBLOCK: The hood kept the sun off my scalp and neck! |
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| Ahem. The on set photog really liked the detail of the dress… Photo By Colette Ricci |
I couldn’t recommend these dresses more. If something can keep up with me, it’s quality. Add in organic and fair trade, and these are must haves!
Have fun out there, buds. Drink water, wear sunblock, be awesome and recycle!
~Bri