THE TREND YOU NEVER REGRET: DOING THE RIGHT THING

Our number one goal this year at the Spring 2017 NY NOW Show was to source stylish and sustainable brands that were well-made, well-priced and naturally... Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. People before things, my mother would say, and this year’s trend-setters did not disappoint. While gliding through stalls of amazing innovations and sumptuous home accessories, we met some super cool eco-woke makers behind all those beautiful things. Here’s a few of our absolute favs:

SMOLDERING BEAUTIES

Eco-woke husband and wife jewelry designers, Ashley Lowengrub & Dara Gerson, create gorgeous, illustrative, 100% reclaimed metal accessories through their company, Alkemie Designs. Their products have been featured in nearly every high-style fashion magazine, such as Vogue, Marie Claire and Elle Decor and featured on the casts of popular movies, including The Hunger Games. While each piece is absolutely killer, knowing your accessories aren’t decimating their inspirations (or your wallet, as pieces start at about $100 retail) is a concept more companies should aspire to.

RESCUE MISSION

Soy Candles Made From Rescued Wine Bottles

How about a company, who recycles wine bottles, makes 100% clean-burning, high quality candles AND rescues animals in the process? Enter California based soy candle company, Rescued Wine who resuscitates used wine bottles into beauitiful soy candles and donates a portion of their profits to help at risk dogs and rescue shelters. Not to mention, soy candles burn 30% -- 50% longer, contain no pollutants and are made from soy grown right here in the U.S.!

LASER CUTE

Makers of Laser Cut Bowls Votives and Ornament

A story as old as art and commerce itself, Baltic by Design founder, Robert E. Jones talked with us about the process he and his family use to create these spiraling, laser-cut bowls, votives and more. Engineered with little waste, from a solitary piece of birch plywood (the salvage edge is burned as fuel), Jones and his family twist and glue each piece by hand in their Maine home. Jones' work has been featured in galleries and art museums across the country, and available for purchase by clicking the link!

GARDENS DESIGNED FOR KITCHENS

Equal parts DIY garden kit and quirky-cool accessory, Nick and Sara, began Modern Sprout out of a common desire to grow fresh herbs in their yard-less urban home. The seed money they earned on the Kickstarter platform blossomed into a full line of unique, hydroponic herb and flower kits which come fully stocked in a variety of clean-lined, well-made boxes and bags; just add water. They even connected with Chi-town’s native confectionary, to develop a line of Push-Pop style seed starters formulated to supports local pollinators—how awesome is that?

PERSONAL CARE

Of course eco-conscience female- operated business models, like Spinster Sisters Co., will always have a place in our hearts. Owner, Kelly Perkins created the brand as an alternative to the harsh, chemical-based products on the market and began selling her hand-made soaps at local craft shows in Colorado over 20 years ago! Today, the company boasts a full line of personal care products for men and women, made in small batches inside a retrofitted warehouse in Golden, CO, which serves both as headquarters and production facility. Their products are lovingly made with recognizable ingredients such as, shea butter, coconut and olive oil, acquired locally or through fair-trade with women in Ghana. What would we ever do without our sisters <3 ?

Feel free to feel good supporting these amazing companies and others who think globally and hire and source local. For more incredible encounters and even more breath-taking things, stay woke and have a stylish day ;)