This is a bag for the mama warrior on the go. You know how “mom” bags look really corny and sedate? I remember browsing diaper bags while I was pregnant and thinking, “No. No. No. None of these will do.” Here’s the thing, you don’t need a “mom” bag to carry all of your mom gear.
The Field of Dreams bag is 10” by 15”, which means it can fit your diapers, your wallet, your phone and keys (there’s a handy inside zippered pocket), a spare onesie, some snacks, and all of those other mysterious things we end up carrying in the bottom of our bags (hey how did this dead beetle and random doll dress get in here?) But when you close up the 100% cotton canvas messenger style flap it all disappears. The straps are made from cotton webbing and the closures are antique brass turnbuckles so this bag is strong and can put up with a lot of abuse, travel, weather, and kid goop.
The best part is, instead of a corny kitten and calico fabric screaming to the world that yes, you are a human napkin and milk wagon, there’s a very cool mandala on an army green background. You can be you. You can be hip and stylish and still carry all of the trappings of parenthood.
The bag name kind of made me giggle. I remember the movie Field of Dreams. And I may have even taken a road trip as a teenager to said field in Iowa just to play a game of catch with my best friend. Those were good times, young and free. But I gotta tell ya, this bag is serving a very different field for me these days. I like to think that the subtle military theme is very appropo for a young parent. Yes, you are in the trenches now. Wear your bag with honor and soldier on. May it serve you well.
I have been thinking a lot lately about my clothes and why I am drawn to wear some things more than others. There are some pieces of clothing in my wardrobe that are old favorites, some may be a hot new trend, or old things that I have repurposed or recycled. On any given day, though, my item of choice is usually a great hoodie.
A versatile sweatshirt is one of my essentials! My hoodies have to be able to handle my busy life as well as make me look and feel good. A great sweatshirt is sometimes like an old friend, always there for you when you need them and they’ve always ‘got your back’! I dont think there is an article of clothing that is more useful than a hoodie, here are a few of the ways I have used a favorite sweatshirt beyond the norm:
This new, wonderful Peacock hoodie from my buds at Soulflower is perfect! It is the most beautiful sky/sea blue color (I am calling it Santorini Sea Blue!) and the slightest bit of a burnout look, like it is already broken in and has been a favirote of yours for a while. The gorgeoulsy deatiled peacock design is lovingly hand drawn and printed on a fantastic blend of organic cotton and recycled soda bottles, right here in the USA! Soda bottles you ask?? Why YES! Those hideous, floating litter makers can be turned into beautiful fabric. Leave it to Soulflower to seek out and find this awesome stuff and turn it into a thing of absolute beauty! I am always noticing small details, so naturally, I love the cute braided tie string, and the small feather print on the front pocket.
So, whether you are hitting the beach, a picnic, the streets, or the hay, bring along this gem of a hoodie, I know you will love it. Wear it proud like a peacock and ruffle some feathers!
The last pic taken before my camera took a tumble! 🙂
In closing I would like to say that these photos were shot at the Arcata Marsh in Arcata, California. It is a wildlife sanctuary as well as an innovative waste water treatment facility, and is a great asset to our community. With over 300 protected acres of land and over 5 miles of walking trails, it benefits many people, animals and the Earth! More info here: arcatamarshfriends.org. A special big thank you to my 5 year-old son for being my go-to photographer and a sad RIP to my camera that took a tumble.
Oh, Soul Flower, you’ve stolen my heart again! I’m in love with your whole yoga/loungewear line, and this yoga tank is a true beauty! It’s a visually striking top that is comfortable to wear. I’m stoked that we’re having such warm weather in the South right now so that I can wear it as much as possible! It’s another Soul Flower item that can go anywhere too—yoga class, out on the town, or lounging in the yard to let the sun’s rays warm your shoulders.
As you slide the tank on, the first thing you will notice is Soul Flower’s signature soft organic cotton that bathes your skin in luxury. The next thing you will notice is the super comfortable fit. It’s loose in the upper body, which allows room for whatever you have to fill it, and plenty of room for movement. You won’t get uncomfortable underarm binding in this tank!
Another wonderful design feature is the long length, which not only provides good coverage, but it helps the top to stay in place as you move into any position.
The design is gorgeous—a female figure sitting serenely, and she is filled with flowers. The design reminds me of the chakras. The root chakra is her legs and the design climbs up and culminates with her hands above her head in the crown chakra, which, on the shirt is at your heart chakra. This reminds me of our interconnectedness and to act with love toward all beings. Even if you don’t get the whole chakra thing, the design on the shirt reminds you to lift up through your body and be filled with energy. It’s like having a yoga class in the shirt! This is one of the things that I respect about Soul Flower—so much thought goes into all of their designs that they seem to resonate somewhere deep in the sub-conscious.
Adding to the beauty is the dark blue color of the tank. The color blue is said to invoke relaxation. It also goes well with the colors of Soul Flower’s yoga pants, capris, and skirts, so you can mix and match your yoga lounge wear. I know I have been!
The cherry on top is that the top is eco-conscious. It’s made in the USA with GMO free organic cotton and dyed with low impact organic dyes. Thanks for keeping it real, Soul Flower!
The Yoga Pose Organic Tank made me want to do arm balances, so I put together a sequence for you on my blog: http://yogaventures.blogspot.com It’s a great way to start warming and strengthening your body as we head into the active time of year!
Oh, I just adore this Aphrodite Abalone Ring and its old world feel! In fact, upon opening my little prized box I immediately imagined the ring having been worn by a Greek sea goddess. Now, many moons later it’s been washed to shore still possessing great mystical powers… for which I haven’t discovered yet. 🙂 hehe I love the ocean and travel there when possible, which isn’t often enough. Seeing this ring on the Soul-flower website reminded me of the many walks I’ve had along the beach. The wrap design of the pewter coils around my finger, representing waves as they fold into one another. They crash to the beach then recede to reveal the treasured shells underneath.
I don’t tend to wear much jewelry but, this ring is different! The creators, (although not sea goddesses), are a group of fair trade female artisans in rural Tecalpulco, Mexico. They, without a doubt have captured the tradition of fine Mexican jewelry beautifully in this piece, making it truly worthy of a great sea goddess. These empowered women make me feel a bit mystical and definitely inspired wearing their work! The fit is smooth and comfortable. I miss my Aphrodite abalone when it’s off, and realized quickly that the thick (somewhat heavy) appearance was quite deceiving because it hugs my finger and fits like a glove. I’d venture to say I might forget I’m wearing it if it weren’t for the fact this ring commands attention (with its striking physique) from everyone it meets!
There are definitely days when I know nothing but a hoodie is on my wardrobe menu. You know those days, right? The days when you don’t have to (or want to) do anything but chillax and enjoy the simple things. That’s my favorite time for a comfy zip up sweatshirt like my newest edition the sustainable slacker! I have a good assortment of hoodies just for these kind of days… yep, I’m a hoodie hoarder in the biggest of ways!
Why the hoodie? What’s the fascination? I’ve thought this through and if I’m being truthful here (and of course I should be), first and foremost it’s just the ease! Yes, one simple teeny tiny itty bitty step makes all the difference. What’s that step? There’s simply no pullin’ over my head!! Oh what a relief! Must be so exhausting! Such a difficult task! Yeah, I know pathetic aye? But on a truest of slacker days, that’s just how it’s gotta be!
Second, a hoodie lets you can be noncommittal. Maybe I’m going to wear this all day and maybe I’m not. Maybe I’ll wrap it around my waist on a whim I might want to wear it later. Whatever the case, zip up hoodies are the best decision for the undecided! Third, you can be recognizable or go incognito! Maybe I’ll sorta hide out under a tree beneath the brim of my hoodie and work on my poetry. The three ultimate slacker reasons for my ultimate slacker days.
Why has this particular sweatshirt become a bestie? What’s not to love? It’s got the most rockin’ vibe! The banded wrists and waistline – shall we say circa 78? I like the sweet color mix, a fierce mustardy yellow sun against a heather gray blue sky! Might I also add that the kangaroo pockets are excellent for carrying my ipod, phone, snacks and especially my Soul-Flower lip balm. 🙂 BTW the sustainable slacker is super duper soft, too! Guessing that’s because of the oh so sustainable fibers – partly recycled polyester (eco-fleece) and organic cotton! So, while I may feel like a complete slacker on my hoodie days, I’m actually making a difference. See! Now we can feel better slackin’ on our slacker day!!
I was born with a gypsy soul. For as long as I can remember my dad has called me his little gypsy girl. I think I’ve done well by that nickname. I’ve seen the sun rise over the Atlantic and set over the Pacific, and the gorgeous land that stretches in between. You know, I really love a good road trip, I think it’s my absolute favorite thing to do. In November 2010, I took the most epic road trip via Route 66. Just me and my friend Steph in a white convertible taking in some of the most amazingly weird sights our country has to offer. Everyone should take that trip once in their lifetime. Just take my word for it…
In true gypsy spirit, I’m gonna share with you my top ten favorite places/sites to see. I’m always up for suggestions myself, so feel free to share some of your favorite places to gypsy off to. Before you go, be sure to get yourself a Gypsy Soul Tee from Soul Flower to wear on your travels. When Soul Flower added this item, I couldn’t believe it. If ever a tee was so apropos for me, it’s surely this one.
Cam’s Top Ten Places For All Gypsies To See In This Amazing Land Of Ours
1.Savannah, Georgia— an eclectic mixture of characters in a truly beautiful & historical setting. Pirates, Spanish Moss, & River Street, oh my! Added bonus: it’s home of the ‘Go Cup’, where else can you walk around downtown with a good adult beverage in your hand? The simply isn’t any other place like it.
2. Nashville, Tennessee— the bouncers downtown wear cowboy hats. True Story. Grab your cowboy boots & guitar and head down to Music Row.
3. San Francisco— standing on the corner of Haight & Ashbury felt like an amazing psychic connection to a time I wish I could have been around to see.
4. The Grand Canyon— a place to just go and be small and take it all in. We are a part of something beautiful here on earth.
5. Las Vegas— because if you’ve been, you know why…for better or worse. And, if you haven’t…there is no way I can properly explain it to you. I saw The Beatles Love Show by Cirque, and it was almost a religious experience.
6. Live Oak, Florida— come for Wanee at the Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park, it’s the Allman Brothers Music Festival held annually in April. Last year, we saw the Bros, Widespread Panic, Robert Plant, Steve Miller Band, Stephen Marley, Ween, …and, so many more talented musicians. This year, the Bros will be back headlining with Further, also among many others are Government Mule and Ray Manzarek of The Doors. As a lifelong Doors fan (credit to my dad), I am beyond psyched to see Ray. You can find me down front when he takes the stage…
7. Yasgur’s Farm— the only place on the list I haven’t been to yet, but it’s on my short list for upcoming road trips. I’m gonna go soak up some hippie vibes, who’s with me?
8. Big Sur, California— where the mountains meet the sea. Watching the sun set into the Pacific ocean was a moment I took in in complete solitude & silence…just blessed to have been a witness.
9. Seligman, Az— my favorite Route 66 destination. A small map dot (but, you’re gonna love the scenery on the way there!) serving as a lasting tribute to the Mother Road. Be sure to stay at the Route 66 Motel, eat at the Road Kill Cafe, and pop in at the Snow Cap for a real treat. On the menu? Dead Chicken. That’s what it says 🙂
10. The Rockies & The Appalachian Mountains…for compare & contrast. Okay, I definitely cheated a little on that. But, you really do have to see both.
I haven’t spent much time in the northeast, but my gypsy husband, Berg has and he says NYC is another place to check out. Also, someday I’d like to see the Mall in Washington DC.
Don’t forget to share your travels with me in the comments, buds. And, grab your Gypsy Soul Tee from Soul Flower before you take some trips this summer. Maybe we’ll see you on the road 🙂
Before this Instant Karma bag, I shudder to think what transpired daily my dears. From my mouth I uttered “where’s my darn phone?!”, too many times to count. My friends’ response was always the same “Check your bag!” My response to their response would be “Already looked there!” And their response to my second response would be, “Check again!” Meanwhile, (in complete frustration) I had frantically torn my place apart. Then after having called out search teams in a 200 miles radius, I would decide to look in my bag just one more time. Low and behold there my phone would be, exactly where it had been the whole time, at the bottom on my enormously huge shapeless, compartment-less bag.
So, it is due to this daily saga that I finally realized it was time for a new bag, a different kind of bag. One with a more functional inside, a zipped area for odds & ends, a cell phone compartment and a better shaped form so that I don’t have to use x-ray vision to see what’s lurking way, way down in the hidden crevasses! Now, I do far less stuffing, tossing & searching and much more putting, placing & finding. 🙂
Although this could be my sole reason for wanting the Karma bag, with one look you’ll know that its pretties grabbed my attention just as much! With an adorable patterned lining and beautiful embellishments, this canvas bag was made for a gypsy queen! A great look for any day and tons (TONS I say) of roominess when you need it in a cubed kind of way! Why just the other day I put a sweatshirt, a hat, four recycling grocery bags, three books, a wallet, a phone, a makeup bag, sunglasses and still had room for more! Yet to my surprise there was an even bigger, better, more amazing quality to this bag then I had known. The Instant Karma bag is giving back in a big way. A portion of the profits from selling these bags go to organizations like Oceana, Sea Shepherds, Trees for the Future and the Environmental Defense Fund. So, buying this bag is helping to clean up beaches and help animals affected by environmental disasters. Here I thought I’d be elated just for getting a cell phone pouch in a beautiful one of a kind purse!
It is said that elephants never forget. Is this true? A better question may be: How would we know?? Did some perky pachyderm spill the beans one day? I don’t know, but that saying has stuck with me my whole life.
My love for elephants began early in life, my mom and I used to visit Packy (a longtime resident) at the Portland Zoo when I was young. I remember eating a slice of a giant sized cake on Packy’s birthday in the early 80’s.
Another great time was when my dad took me on a camping tour of Oregon when I was about 7. On that trip I had the opportunity, at a wildlife park, to take a ride on an elephant. Being that up-close with such a magnificent creature really touched me. Feeling its rough, dry skin and gazing into those big, soulful eyes…well, I fell in love right then. I have had an ever-growing collection of elephant things since then. Everyone knows I love them and I get many as gifts.
That trip and those times with my parents are some of the greatest memories of my life. To me that’s what “elephants never forget” means – it reminds me to never forget the special times in life. I hold on tight to remembrances of my past. I can taste my Grandma Rosie’s famous strawberry jam and can still feel the wind from riding with my Grandpa Jack in his ’64 Mustang convertible to the old country store for ice cream. Many long summer afternoons were spent with my cousins running around the hills of Astoria, building forts in the woods of my grandparents’ property, and hitting the arcade & beach in Seaside.
One summer I drove cross-country with my grandparents and met many of my distant relatives in the tiniest town of Birchtree, Missouri. I got to see the cabin my Grandfather was born in and the schoolhouse he attended. I remember how hot it was that summer and the endless hours of AM country radio as my Grandma sang along. Another great trip was when my family moved from Oregon to Michigan the summer I was twelve; many fun memories were made on that long drive, the best being when we took old-timey photos in Wyoming.
For me these memories are magical, a glimpse into the happiest and most carefree days of my life. They keep me focused on my family and remind me that the most important things surround me every day…my home, husband, children, family and community. Now that I’m a parent I am very aware that every day we are creating these same sacred memories for my children. Extraordinary moments in an ordinary day can be the most special times of all. I remind myself often that “elephants never forget” and neither will I. I keep my life and heart open to accept the gifts offered to us every day.
Wearing my wonderful clothes from Soul Flower keeps me in a positive, grounded state of mind and reminds me to live comfortably, naturally and with a conscience. These are the days that will stick with me forever. I choose to live with moxie and style and make the most of every day!
As the seasons are changing and the sun is warming the Earth, I encourage everyone to pause for a moment each day and appreciate the memories you are making. Share a moment with someone special – dance in the rain, splash in a puddle, take joy in the small moments in life and by all means, live like an elephant and Never Forget!
I have been trying, really trying to take some good pics of this shirt. My buds at Soul Flower sent it to me to review, and I had a tidy little write up on my computer, but no photos. The problem? The shirt was constantly in the dirty laundry bin because it’s constantly getting worn! I kept saying to myself, today will be the day. This will be the day I put on the shirt, go out in the winter sun, and take some cool shots. But being a mom of two little ones the reality is more like this… put on the shirt, baby smears food on it, I manage to drool on it while brushing my teeth, my older son leaves a goopy glitter glue filled art project somewhere and I manage to brush against it, and so on. So by the time I have a rare free minute to whip out the camera I am a mess. And so is the shirt. And it goes back in the laundry bin, and it comes out looking awesome again, and we start over.
What’s not to love… it’s 50% organic cotton and 50% recycled PET. It’s soft and wears well. Of course the “Forever Young” theme with the kid on the swing is classic and joyful. But my favorite thing? It’s purple! I love purple and this is the perfect purple. It makes me smile and always brightens up my frumpy mommy look. And it hides kid goop. So excuse my photos, I just took a close up as the shirt was drying on the line and a quick camera photo. This shirt is way too busy for the paparazzi.
I love to be able to move around: dance, do yoga, play, sit on the floor at a dinner party… and I don’t want my clothes to hinder me. At the same time, I don’t want clothes that are so loose as to get in the way or are boxy; besides, my husband will complain if my clothes are too baggy. These pants are the perfect combination of loose, fun, and free, while accentuating the female figure. They hug the butt and hips just a bit without being too tight, and then the legs of the pants flow and dance around with freedom and sass. Wearing these pants feels like wearing a flowy skirt that twirls and a pair of pants at the same time!
The tiers of heavy-duty 100% cotton fabric wave over each other to create a cool effect that’s fun to look at and to experience. Instead of the pants feeling big and clumsy, the pants are put together just right so that the fabric never gets in the way. The cotton is also somewhat stretchy, so that the pants will stretch a bit if they are a little snug in the butt and hips. However, it’s not super stretchy, so choose your size accordingly. I am 5’3″-5’4″, have 35.5″ hips, 32″ low waist, and a 29″ inseam, and the smalls fit just right with no extra room. I am thrilled about the length since I have trouble finding pants that aren’t too long for me. I have been tying them around the tops of my hipbones; and I probably could wear a medium too, and then I’d tie them up higher.
Since the cotton is heavy duty, the pants are nice and warm, but not too much so. I wore them outside on a cold winter day and inside at a dinner party and was comfortable both times. I’ve also added long johns underneath. Since cotton is breathable, they’d also be great on a cool summer day or evening as well.
You can’t go wrong with the earthy color choices that the pants come in. I got the brown and they go with almost anything. You can match them with other earth colors or wear something bright for contrast, and it still looks good. These pants do steal the show though, so be sure and let them have center stage!
Another wonderful thing about these pants is that you can go anywhere in them. They look great dressed up for a show or a party. They’re super fun and comfortable to dance in! They have this cute little hip hugger tie that ties around the hips and make me feel like a belly dancer, which encourages me to shake those hips! They’re also great if you have an office job where you need to look kinda dressy, but you want to maintain your funkiness and feel comfortable. They’d also be great for going to class since they’re so comfortable; and then they transition well to the pub after. They’re also super fun and easy to do yoga in and they’d be great for belly dancing and hooping as well.
One of the many reasons that I love Soulflower is that it is a company run with consciousness—of the environment, of human relations, and of art. The Waves of Freedom pants are fair trade from Nepal, and they are a true work of art that will accentuate the artistry of every wearer.
The Nothing But Nature Belt is nothing but the best! The bright colors are so delightful, it’s by far the prettiest belt I’ve ever had! The hand sewn flowers look like they’ve just been picked from a garden, (a garden in Peru to be exact), then delicately braided together for me to wrap around my waist. How many belts do you have like that? A belt you actually notice and better yet, love looking at?
This got me thinkerin’ about belts. For the most part belts seem to sadly get overlooked in the world of clothing. I mean, I can’t honestly say I’ve had a lot of belt excitement in my past. But why? For starters they are sometimes hidden and this reason alone could cause them to lag in funky/coolness. And yes, they serve a purpose (we need them to function correctly) and function means durability and durability doesn’t always mean good times. But who says function & purpose can’t be fun, colorful and mean good times? NOT SOUL-FLOWER!
Let’s look at some belt bennies (benefits):
1. Belts just make pants look better… and butts, too! But, it’s not about the butt…it’s about the belt, The Nothing But Nature Belt!
2. Belts ARE like a piece of jewelry for your jeans…a headband for your waist, a necklace for the navel! The Nothing But Nature Belt stands out in a sea of waist jewelry.
3. Belts are really starting to come into their own these days (partly due to the 1980’s return). So, show’em how it’s done Nothin’ But Nature style!
So, who says we can’t have a party ON our pants? ((I said on, just to clarify)). 🙂 I say be colorful! Be fun! Be vivacious belts and let’s see where that takes us, shall we? Yes, we shall! I’m on board with this party and another reason I picked this belt was because it’s a great piece of art…walking art. I appreciate the colorful embroidered work, the craftsmanship and the quality of the Peruvian wool. So far, I’m impressed with it’s durability (belts do get a bit of a workout) and the hardware is very sturdy, too! The uniquely shaped buckle is made of heavy duty metal (no flimsy flam here) and has a rustic brass look with a funky carved pattern. Oh! And it has that little extra free floating loop that holds any extra fabric (the extra belt fabric after you’ve buckled) against your pants. Not all belts have that feature, so yay!
The Nothing But Nature Belt proves that belts can be colorful, functional, durable and still party like it’s 1999! You go NBNB! Me likey, me likey… and me likey!
The Burnout Tee makes me feel anything but burned out! When I put on this silky soft tee, my mind and body feel totally revived and alive.
This is yet another item from the Soul Flower line that I have trouble changing out of. When I wake up in the morning, I love pulling this soft shirt against my skin with a layer over the top. Then, for my afternoon yoga practice, I keep the shirt on because it’s yoga ready! Then as the evening chill set in, I can add a vest and a warm hat, grab a porter, and I am in bliss.
The fit of this T is what I am always looking for in a long sleeve yoga top. I actually am always looking for a long sleeve T that fits to my body while I practice, yet is not binding or constrictive. This T is like a second pair of skin that moves with me—the only time I notice it is in a moment of pure bliss as I notice the softness. The T also keeps me warmer than I thought it would, being a burnout fabric. I am very pleased with how it keeps me warm at the beginning of my practice, yet isn’t too hot as my body heats up. I also love how the lotus chakra pattern reminds me of the alignment of my charkas throughout my practice. It’s a good indicator of how my body is aligned and reminds me to feel the openness and flow throughout the charkas.
This shirt is also good for other activities, such as hiking, walking around in town, or just hanging out and looking good in the office and at home. As I’ve gotten older, I don’t go out nearly as much. I spend most of my time in my office and hanging out at home with my husband. Soul Flower’s clothes are comfortable enough that I want to wear them day-to-day, but instead of making me fell frumpy, the simplest clothes can make me feel gorgeous. I imagine it would be good for students because of this reason too. When you have so much to do, you don’t want to have to think about your clothes—you want to just put on something comfortable that you can wear all day; and with Soul Flower, you can be assured that you’ll look good wearing it.
These pictures were taken near Summersville, West Virginia on a reclaimed mountaintop removal site. For more info about mountaintop removal and the work being done, visit ilovemountains.org
Crazy past couple of months with school starting, getting back to Hawaii, trying to find a place to live, moving in, starting a new job, realizing my roommates and I aren’t a good fit, trying to get out of the lease, finding a new place and settling in again DURING MIDTERMS!!! Whew…glad that’s over with…
There’s always a silver lining to every cloud, though. I have met some truly awesome people this semester and thank the universe every day for making our paths cross. It’s crazy how during the hardest of times you see people’s true colors, which could be bad, but also can be incredibly bright. One of the people who I consider an angel, along with her boyfriend, have helped me more times than I can count and asked nothing in return. They are simply happy to have my company, or at least they say they are ;). Another friend reminds what it means to be strong and stand on your own even though the road is rocky at times, she teaches me with her actions every day. Of course, there is the crazy radical (puts me to shame!) who is there to challenge authority and challenge me to get to that next level of understanding. Of course, my family has been there every step of the way! My dad flew out here a few days after I called home to help me get out of that awful living situation, I don’t know what I would do without him or my mom who helped from the sidelines and held the fort down while he was gone.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you can’t dwell on the negatives in life. Of course bad things happen and goodness knows I’ve punched a wall or two in frustration, however, I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason. That’s why I like my Mandala Burnout Tee, the design reminds me that the universe is cyclical and our lives are just part of its cycle.
This tunic is a great length, I love shirts that can act as a cover up at the beach (like I said in my Headdress article). It works great for a yoga session, or just lounging around in your yoga pants. I can wear it to a nice dinner with the right skirt or I could wear it to class with some jeans. It’s not a snug fit but it isn’t lose either, it fits like a shirt you’ve washed a bit but is still relatively new, which makes it snug in all the right place and loose in the places you need some extra wiggle room. The fabric is thin and lightweight and very soft, however it could be a bit see through. It’s fine if you don’t wear a neon pink or green bra with it ;p
Mahalo buds!
And let someone know that you’re grateful for having them in your life, yeah?
Soul Flower has the perfect tapestry to fit beautifully in with any home decor or festival… The World Tree Tapestry! My first thoughts were “omg it’s huge!!” I love that it’s big, it can cover plenty of empty wall space or be folded to cover a bed or couch. It measures 80 x 100 inches and is available in Sky blue or natural, I had to have the sky blue!
It’s gorgeous!!! The amount of detail put into this tapestry is amazing! You can find everything from deer to wild monkeys and flowers, and of course an enormous tree! If you are like me you can never have enough trees around you so this is a wonderful addition!!! This can be used for so many different things. Just to name a few: A bed cover, couch cover, hang on the wall, hang in the middle of dorm room for a divider, hang up while camping at a festival to mark your campsite, sit on at a festival/fireworks, and so much more!
We used this outside during a party! It was such a unique and cool decoration that I will keep it up year round! I love how light this tapestry is, it made it super easy to hang up! We hung it off the side of the deck to the underneath sitting area and it was too cool! I absolutely love this tapestry and I know it will be in our family for a long time!
Mehndi, Mehndi so good to me…Mehndi, Mehndi it was all I hoped it would be!! Yep, find myself singing a little Mammas and Pappas whenever I wear my mehndi. Along with being particularly songstress on the occasion it’s got me thinking about my childhood, my father (who consequently sang this tune quite often himself) and my old favorite tee.
When I was a kid my father traveled quite often for his job. Although I was always sad to see him go, I knew he’d be home soon with stories to tell of his adventure. Along with these stories and photos my father would bring us home a postcard like t-shirt that we would (proudly) wear to represent his travels and feel that we too were part of the story. Upon his return from one such trip he brought home a heather blue West Virginia ringer t-shirt. This became THE TEE for an entire summer. I remember it had a super soft lived in feel from all the washing and wearing. I went everywhere in that thing until I wore it out completely and then when it was no longer wearable, parting with it was like losing an old friend. Its funny to talk about clothes that way but have you had that experience? This treasured piece of my past eventually got forgotten until I happened across the mehndi sweatshirt and it’s brought back that past, like finding a little piece of…home.
The blue in this hoody is a really pretty color and the heathering is full of awesomeness (just like my old tshirt)! I’ve always felt heathering gives a softer look to any clothing and this feels like I’ve had it for years (thanks to the recycled materials). Soul-Flower clothing always seems that way, like something I’ll wear until it disintegrates into the air. Something I’ll always remember enjoying. This mehndi is that for me and I love wearing it when I want to be warm and comfortable…like when I’m painting. Believe it or not I haven’t got paint on it …yet!
This hoody is made for Soul-Flower right here in the USA using low impact dyes (which puts less dye into the water when washed & uses less water to rinse) and an eco blend of 55% organic cotton and 45% recycled polyester. The uniqueness of this sweatshirt shows in the beautiful mehndi flower designs growing all about. “Mehndi” (the application of henna to the surface of the skin) dates back to twelfth century. The temporary decoration which uses dried ground henna leaves usually lasts one to three weeks, luckily for us these mehndi flowers are for keeps!
AND maybe you’re thinkin’ these bloomin’ flowers look familiar. If so, you’d be right! Their roots have spread all over Soul-Flower land, growing and blooming throughout the catalog, blog and website. But just how did these designs come to be? Read about it here.
Well, I’m zipped up and ready to paint the long winter away with scenes of travel and places I hope to one day be… before my mehndi blooms go to seed!
First, I’m a purple lover! If it contains even the slightest hint of it, tastes grapey, smells like lilacs, is a tune by the great purple Prince or resembles a big kid lovin’ dinosaur, it’s safe to say imma be like’n it! That was my first pull toward the Astral Skies Patchwork Dress. Purple variations o-plenty going on here! Vivid violet, mild maroon and night sky blue to (nick) name a few and all with a slightly muted pre-wash fade. Gorgeous colors and a nice weight for the cooler months!
The second gotta-have-me was the patchwork! Sewn together with neat-o exposed stitching gives this dress really great texture! I’ve been an admirer of patchwork since the days of my grandmothers hand sewn blankets. Using left over fabric from various projects she would carefully pick just the right collection of pieces to create each blanket. I acquired many of them through the years but every Christmas I looked forward to the next just to see the designs and color pallet she had chosen.
Third, the Astral Skies unique look! I like seeing the variations in each patch and beyond that, knowing every Astral Skies dress out there is doin’ its own thing! The little bleached spots sprinkled throughout this dress remind me of snowflakes and stars. As if I’m looking up while they fall towards me from a pretty purpley patchwork sky.And just as no two snowflakes or stars or grandmothers blankets were ever the same, the Astral Skies dress can claim that too! It’s in these variations, the way each piece is chosen, cut and placed that brings theone of a kindcreation together. How very far out of each Astral Skies Dress to have its own vibe. We all have ours, seems fitting that our clothes should too.
Peace to you all! May your new year be filled with love and kindness.
~Woo
P.S. I’m looking forward to wearing this soft-n-comfy dress for the holidays! Maybe my nephew can count the snowflakes and stars? At three, I bet he’d be up for that!
I recently was bombarded by life issues, and I found that my energy was depleted. I really didn’t have time to do much besides deal, and my body felt run down and tired. In times like these, I like to turn to cuddly clothes, resting at home, and restorative yoga.
Good thing I had Soulflower’s Take It Easy Fleece Pullover to put on to keep me cozy as I tried my best to take it easy as life threw it’s swings. When you put on this sweatshirt, get ready for some serious downtime! Put on some soothing music, grab a glass of wine or a hot cocoa, and take some time for you. You’ll confront life’s difficulties much better if you are well rested and calm.
As you’d expect, this Soulflower label sweatshirt is super soft. The cotton and rayon are soft on your skin, and the polyester locks in that warmth from your body. I love how the wide neck reveals the collarbone making the sweatshirt feel sexy. I love this about all of Soulflower’s designs—I can feel comfortable and sexy—why settle for frumpy? I love all of these features, but perhaps my favorite is the warm fuzzy little hand pouch on the front of the sweatshirt. I have cold hands, and this makes it so convenient to warm them up! Plus you can put stuff in there, like say, tissue for when you get the inevitable winter colds and flu; or maybe some lip balm to soothe dry lips from winter’s fury. Even more, as the long, dark, days of winter envelope you, the warm, sunny design on the sweatshirt will remind you to enjoy taking it easy.
For yoga, this sweatshirt is the bomb. You can wear it over a short sleeve or yoga tank until your body heats up and then put it back on to cozy up for savasana. You don’t have to worry about it flopping around on you either—it has a band around the bottom and around the wrists to help it stay put. As you slide in and out of poses, the soft elastic fabric is non-binding.
The best part of owning these Soy Coy pants is feeling like a kid again! Yes, it’s true! Something about wearing a pair of pants under a skirt brought my mind right back to grade school just like the description says. I had to laugh remembering many days gearing up for recess by throwing on a pair of sweats under my skirt. Such an empowering feeling! I’m indestructible! I can do anything and wear a skirt, too! — I could climb any mountain ( or jungle gym), swing from the highest branch (or monkey bar) and play kickball with the best of them all while maintaining a “you go girl” attitude!! All these years later and I still want to do that as much as possible. 🙂
What I love most is that the skirt is a completely separate piece from the pants. Of course, together they are an amazingly dynamic duo but one never knows when an urge to go skirt-less (and sport the nifty nomad pants alone) could in fact happen. I think they are just way cute and ridiculously rad! The fit is extremely body friendly, creating very nice lines and a comfy but flattering fit. The feel is pretty unreal, they are luxuriously soft, move well with the body and nicely constructed.
Checking their genetic makeup, the tag says more then 50% soy material. I didn’t know much about soy in clothing but found that these fibers are stronger then cotton (or wool) and have pretty awesome absorbency and better ventilation then cotton. It’s also light, resists perspiration & wrinkles and dries quickly. Soy has the most lavish appearance among plant fibers (kinda the cashmere of the plant world). The fibers are even said to have antibacterial qualities and to be sunlight/UV resistant. Soy’s may even possess a super power – it’s natural amino acids – which are said to have a positive vibe effect on the wearers skin. Cool, we like vibes, right buds?
So now that we know soy makes these little coys extra strong, cool, dry and health helping, I want to talk about details. Yeah, definitely not coy in that area with all the beautifully detailed stitching throughout. A slight flare in comfortable pants is always welcome! The ruched pockets on the sides of the pant and skirt add great style. The color is neat-o too! The slate grey sometimes looks more brown and seems to change with whatever I’m wearing – love that! All in all, a whole lotta pzazz!
So, I say go jump on that swing in your soy coys and remember the joy you had as a child, everyday of your life! Everyday a new story begins… look at it with wonder and curiosity.
Owning a Volkwagen bus, the iconic ‘hippie bus’, is a blast, buds! I own four, a ’79 Bay & a ’67 Kombi will be the ones I keep, but I also have another Bay & another Kombi as parts buses. Basically, I operate on a happy hippie bus vibe. It’s a good place to be.
One thing I can tell you about having a Vw bus… everybody has a story to share of a bus they owned, or someone they know owned, and those stories are usually a hoot to hear. Mainly because Vw buses are finicky little creatures with distinct personalities and particulars. It’s always an adventure in a Vw bus! Another thing is that Vw owners are one eclectic group of peeps. I’ve been introduced to some really flipped-out characters along the way. There’s a strong possibility I’m a flipped-out character myself 😉
If owning a bus is a labor of love, restoring one is a test of endurance. I’ve been working on my ’79 Bay for almost two years. I wanted to be part of the entire restoration. My hands have sanded every square inch of my bus. I was part of the engine removal from my parts Bay. See, that sounds easy enough, but what it really means is that I was crawling all around underneath it and even jumping up and down on a crowbar at one point! I’ve been greasy and I’ve been tired, but I am still in love with that bus.
That’s why the Travel Happy Bus tee is perfect for me! When it popped up on the New! tab, I just laughed out loud. Soul Flower, you just get me….you really do. The tee is made from organic cotton, which makes me happy. It is a soft tee and feels great when you’re wearing it. The color is natural, not a bright white. And, just like the real thing, the Happy (hippie) Bus tee is a conversation starter. People smile when they see you wearing it and they want to know where you got it!
If you’ve caught the bus vibe and just have to have one of your own, my advice to you is to check out Craigslist and the mecca of all things Vw…thesamba.com. Come on and take a free ride, buds! Peace!!
My husband and I are a good pair, even though truthfully we’re very different. We don’t agree about politics, religion, food, or music. But we both have a deep bite from that old travel bug. We wander the world together debating the merits of social policy and eggplant and kombucha and never really come to an agreement. But that’s because we both realize and savor the journey, literally and figuratively. So when I saw this hat, I knew he had to have it.
“All who wander are not lost,” is a phrase that gets tossed around in many contexts. But J.R.R. Tolkien fans will know it’s from the The Fellowship Of The Ring. My husband is a big fan of these books so I knew that would hook him in. He’s usually not a fan of hats or t-shirts with messages, so I was a little tentative that this hat would get nowhere with him. But he went for it – Score!
Of course he wears it on all kinds of wandering journeys from kayaking to sailing to geo-caching with our 7 year old son. Here he is in the cockpit of our boat checking the GPS. Are we wandering honey or are we really lost?
It’s made from organic cotton and recycled poly mesh which is all good earth loving stuff to me. He loves that it keeps his eyes shaded and his hair hidden on those big hair, roll out of bed days. And we both love the sentiment. If there is one thing we can agree on it’s that wandering it good. And if you can find good threads like these to wander in, well who can argue with that?
The Kid’s Patchwork Pants should be renamed “Mom’s Favorite Pants”. Here’s the lowdown on these threads. First, they are stinking cute! They are the perfect combination of unique enough for mom to fall in love with and cool enough for the little guys to want to wear. The patches are done in fun forest colors that work in any season or setting.
Next, these pants are “sooooo comfy mommy!” That’s a direct quote from a 7-year old who rarely notices IF he’s wearing clothes when he walks out the door, let alone how they feel. Made of cotton and hemp they’re airy, but still sturdy enough to stand up to kid play. So far he’s worn these at the beach, in the woods, at the park, to a birthday party, out to lunch, to the museum, they work in every occasion.
Finally, these pants are awesome because they hide dirt. Yes, the pants have magical powers to make kid goop disappear. Ok, maybe it’s not magic, maybe it’s the wonderful color and pattern combination that manages to keep your kid looking decent even after a romp in the great outdoors. Oh, and they have pockets to hold stones, shells, dead bugs, and toy cars.
If you are going to buy this dress you better be a people person. Everyone, and I mean everyone from old ladies to burly dudes to squeaky tweens, will stop you and tell you just how cute this dress is and how adorable your daughter looks in it. You will do a lot of chatting, so be ready to meet and greet and share the love for the Little Flowers Dress.
This has been our go-to dress for summer time because it’s so light and cool made from gauze cotton and a beautiful crocheted top. But with the weather cooling we can not bear to say goodbye to this little beauty for the season just yet. So we pair it with leggings and a cardigan and voila! We can still go out and and chat with strangers in the cooler fall weather.
I love that this dress is Fair Trade, which is hard to find in baby dresses! A little further reading revealed that some families of Inca descent make these dresses in South America. Hey cool, we are from Inca descent too.
The best part is, this dress is not just for babies. It goes all the way up to size 6! You can bet I will be getting the next size up. And the next one. And the next one. Afterall, we like meeting new people, and my little girl loves her beautiful dress!
The Dharma Allium pants first caught my attention with the word Dharma in the title description. Yes, I must confess I was a LOST TV show enthusiast (dharma initiative). So, yes indeed these cozy pants had me at “dharma” however the name has a much deeper meaning then that of a television show. The term Dharma is of central importance in Indian religion/philosophy. It is essentially the notion of upholding the natural order of things. Interpretation of India’s ancient text reveals a divinely instituted natural order of things and
that justice, social harmony and happiness require humans to exist in a manner appropriate to the requirements of that order. In various Indian religions (i.e. Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism), living according to ones dharma will move them more rapidly toward personal liberation – nirvana.
Giving even more meaning to these pants is the sweet Allium flower growing up the right leg. According to the book “Garlic and Other Alliums” by E. Block, the flowers name comes from the Latin word for union, unio or unity. Pretty cool! I will happily carry unio on my pant leg and wish for a seed to blow off into the world and create more unity! 🙂 If that isn’t enough inspiration, I’ve got a hunch the adorable ruffle at the hemline, and the super soft, light, airy organic cotton might be! I especially dig the fold over waist band that allows you to adjust the rise. They are superb for days when I feel like curling up with a good book, but just as great for running a few errands or heading to yoga class. A true go anywhere kind of pant, something I’ve been looking for for a long time. They are super duper comfy wear that will carry you though the day in a whimsical, zenful way.
These Dharma darlin’s were also custom made for Soul-Flower by Earth Creations, (a front runner in creating environmentally friendly clothing). I wanted to know more about this company so I did a little research. The Earth Creations story begins with a bike ride. Joy (co founder) went off roading one day and ended up covered in Alabama red dirt. No matter how many times she washed it the color was there to stay. Years later, still intrigued by the strength of that clay, her partner (Martin) saw it’s potential and began experimenting with the clay as a dye for T-shirts. That was 17 years ago and the clothing is still colored using Martins original process. Earth Creations has grown into a full line of organic tees and casual wear (made with sustainable fibers like cotton and hemp and non-PVC ink) dyed in a plethora of colors! They, like Soul-Flower, believe in protecting the earth, giving back to the community and supporting environmental efforts. They are indeed worthy of their tagline, Eco. Pure. Simple.
New school year, new apartment, new classes, all opportunities to reinvent myself; who will I be this year? Do I even want to create a new persona? Everyone at some point in their lives has used different circumstances to create a new version of themselves, yet, do any of us truly have a grasp on who we are?
Let’s take my love affair with fashion, for example. Since middle school I’ve been flipping through pages of Vogue getting ideas for the next day’s outfit. I wore some crazy-wild-things trying to translate what I saw on the runway to my school’s hallway. Sure, I got some stares and snickers but most of the time I got compliments, some for the outfit and some for the guts to where it when anyone who wasn’t wearing jeans and a tee was fair game to poke fun at. I even saw some girls wearing the same outfit I had worn the day before. I used each day as an opportunity to experiment and reinvent the way people saw me through bold attire. Through the years, I’ve kept the boldness and tried to translate it into every aspect of my life.
In high school, it was very…hmm, how should I say this…interesting going to a private school in South Orange County, California. I pride myself on being Latina and of Native American descent, and I never expected to be in an environment where diversity was at an all-time low. My freshman year some seniors decided it would be funny to yell across the PE field that all I would ever amount to was a maid, given my background, and that their rooms had better be clean before they got home. I didn’t care that these “young men” (who had a lot of growing up to do) were at the top of the social ladder, I gave them a piece of my mind and confronted the Dean of Students. “Is this really the perspective you’re allowing your students to graduate with?” Apologies and conferences ensued, but all I wanted to do is show my peers that I wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed of who I am or where I came from.
It wasn’t until college that I learned that I didn’t have to create a new persona every day, like in middle school, and that being myself – an insane mix of qualities – could be attractive. I owned up to my craziness, or as I like to call it eccentricity, and the more I acknowledged my little quirks the more confident I became.
Now, I take pride in my Latina curves and my insatiable appetite for clothes. I know that I learn through creative processes and doodling next to my notes, making songs, and listening to classical music help me do better on my tests. I know that I love learning and I’ll never satisfy my need to ask Why. I know that I love Elvis and John Lennon, even though those two did not see eye to eye. I know my values include peace, respect, and an overall love for our small fragile planet and those living on it. I believe that individually we can make a huge impact and together we can change the world.
And I know that having the strength to “be yourself” gives you strength to stand up for what you believe.
This shirt is a little reminder that there are a lot of phonies out there and if everyone’s acting fake the real one’s are the individuals. So put on those colorful tights, wear your “Save Japan Dolphins” tee, write that controversial article, and sign that petition. Yeah, people will smirk and snicker but more importantly people will see you as an example, strong and confident, and no one can take that away from you.
Cindy reviewed the
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