Bring On Spring With These Eco-Friendly Brands

Ready For Spring

Here are some of my favorite eco-friendly brands right now! Get some fresh air, vibes and green products as we head into one of my favorite seasons (I kinda love them all).

Real Rose Wood Wanderer Sunglasses by WUDN

Real Rose Wood Wanderer Sunglasses by WUDN

WUDN

Styling WUDN’s real rose wood wanderer sunglasses and #loving the industry-leading polarized lenses with 100% UVA/UVB protection because I like darker lenses with high clarity which these provide along with being scratch resistant.

WUDN has a great collection of eco-friendly, real wood products that are locally sourced and made in Hidden Springs, Idaho for superior quality, durability and sustainability. The sunglasses I’m wearing combined locally sourced, sustainable American Black Walnut wood with eco-friendly acetate frames to make the perfect pair of spring shades. WUDN offers products other than sunglasses like bamboo power banks, phone cases and tech accessories.

Real Rose Wood Wanderer Sunglasses by WUD

Every Pair Plants One Tree

WUDN partnered with One Tree Planted and for each pair of sunglasses sold, WUDN will donate $1 to plant a tree. And yes, it only takes $1 to plant an entire, magnificent tree. One Tree Planted is a nonprofit focused on global reforestation. To donate or see how you can get involved, visit their website https://onetreeplanted.org/. You can use the code ALLISONGAPPA for 20% off at shopwudn.com. Go plant a tree, please.

Recontained

Beautiful bottles, branding and mission, Recontained is a zero waste store specializing in a wide range of personal care & household cleaning products in a refillable format. They offer a wide variety of eco-lifestyle products. Personally, I tried the body wash and loved everything about it! Check them out at recontained.com and get 10% off with the code ALLISONLUVSRECO10.

Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo

MVP Status

Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo is one of the best shampoo and conditioner sets I have ever used and definitely the best smelling products. When you got it, it’s worth the splurge. The best part? It’s vegan and cruelty-free. Purchase at neimanmarcus.com.

Also MVP Status

For a much lower price than Oribe but still awesome & vegan is the Love Beauty and Planet brand. I’ve used the shampoo and conditioner before and I love it. You can pick it up at Target, Walgreens or Walmart as you’re racing through the grocery store to get back outside to the spring sunshine. Be a ray and buy eco-friendly or vegan. Drop your fave green brands in the comments or send me an email with whatever is on your mind!

Cayman Islands: Jet Set To The Trip of A Lifetime

#IslandTime

Photo: Allison Gappa

Ready, Jet, Go!

Planning a trip, especially out of the country, is no small task, Not that it’s not totally worth it, but there is a whole lot that goes into it! That’s why I’m glad I had Cheap Flight Alerts to not only make booking the flight easier and way cheaper than normal fares but also the hotel.

Cheap Flight Alerts just launched an amazing flight and hotel membership where you can receive up to 60-90% off flights and curated hotel offers to amazing destinations worldwide. There are so many cool places with incredible discounts that if you don’t want to pack up and travel the world already, you will after seeing these prices.

And one of those places, is the Cayman Islands.

Photo: Allison Gappa

Life-Changing Views

If you’re looking for a complete guide on what to do in the Cayman Islands, this might not be the blog for it. Except you do have to go kiss the stringrays. They’re the sweetest and it’s seven years good luck, duh.

I became very attached to nature quickly when I was there. I was the girl yelling at the #influencers to put the starfish back in the water because the starfish’s beautiful life is way more important than your funk photo. I told y’all, attached. Just wait til we get to the coral reef. lol.

Photo: Allison Gappa

Photo: Allison Gappa

The Coral Reef

It was cloudy. Almost eery, the day we decided to go snorkeling to see the coral reef. Even before we were far out at sea, I had this feeling that something was coming. And if you’re swimming in the deep blue that feeling isn’t always the one you want to have but your gut is always right.

There aren’t words that can do the coral reef justice. It’s a place that God created that still bursts with this incredible, multi-colored energy of organisms and creatures you didn’t even know existed. I swam with jelly fish that were neon pink and looked at so many different colors of fish that the word color doesn’t seem to be an adequate description and the sea turtles… those beautiful beams of peace.

My heart broke that day. Because as thankful as I am that I experienced this glorious underwater world, it’s destroyed. We’ve destroyed a beauty that only deserved to be obsessed over. It’s bleached and half of the world’s coral reefs have already been killed by climate change and that puts a quarter of all marine life at risk.

And the amazing thing is, there is still this life, this energy with the reef that is so contagious that this ecosystem comforts you, forgives you for incomprehensible reasons. So I cried. And I cried. I cried for the coral reef.

Photo: Allison Gappa

#IslandTime

Ah, I loved the locals. They simply slap you in the face and remind you what’s important in life. They, of course, don’t literally slap you but it is a wake-up call. No rush, no worries, no frowns, no tears, for now. We’re on island time, baby. So slow down, relax and enjoy what we have right now. Because that, is a moment that knows no time. These are moments and memories that will be with you for a lifetime.

Don’t forget to jet away and give yourself some much-deserved island time by checking out Cheap Flight Alerts here.

You can help save the coral reef by donating today here.

Improve Your Life With This 2020 Interior Design Trend

BIOPHILIC DESIGN. NATURE IS CALLING.

Biophilic Design

In 2019, we saw indoor plants, succulents and hanging greenery take center stage. There is no question that plants improve the quality of health in so many different ways but Biophilic Design is much more than a couple cute cacti sitting by your windows. Get ready to go green, really, really, green.

So what is Biophilic Design? It’s bringing the outdoor benefits of nature indoors whether it’s your home, office or child’s school. It’s boasted health, environmental and economic benefits. While Biophilic Design will grow like crazy in 2020, it’s not a new concept.

The term biophilia was first used in 1973 by Erich Fromm and he described it as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive.” Edward O. Wilson wrote a book in 1984 (ironic, I know) titled Biophilia proposing that humans have an innate, biological affinity for the natural world. Fast forward to modern day when humans are spending 90% of their time, their lives indoors and Biophilic Design is naturally, not subtly, bringing the outdoors, indoors.

Research On Research

From physical health, to mental health, to spiritual health, nature is continuing to pack on loads of scientific research of the endless benefits. Reduced stress, improved focus, increased immunity, doubled productivity and fewer mental health problems are just some of those benefits. Companies claim their employees are happier and more creative with Biophilic Design in their offices. If hospitals don’t offer a view a nature, they should, or at least are continuing to implement, plants in patients rooms. Why? Because studies have shown that having access to nature can help patients heal faster. Ready to reap the benefits and get Biophilic Designing?

Bringing Biophilic Design To Your Space

Instead of those beautiful hanging succulents, upgrade to a hanging, vertical interior garden. It will be a stunning design that offers tranquility. Use natural, organic materials, filter in as much sunlight as possible and consider adding a water feature. Put at least one plant in every room of your house or office. Decorate with green, earthy tones and no need to worry if those colors will go out of style because Biophilic Design is the breath of fresh air that’s here to stay.

7 Eco-Innovations for a Sustainable Fashion Industry

#GOGREEN

By: Mandy Law

Did you know that textile is one of the most polluting industries in the world? It may be difficult to understand why, when that outfit you recently bought was simply nice. As with many industries today, environmental sustainability has become a big priority which has led to new innovations – more eco-friendly innovations. With resource-intensive fibers like cotton and the oil-intensive ones such as polyester, acrylic and nylon; entrepreneurs, designers and businesses have started looking for more sustainable alternatives. And so have consumers.

Here we have collected some out-of-the-box innovations in materials that can hopefully change and revolutionize – or at least improve – the fashion industry. These fibers and materials are overall more sustainable, eco-friendly, responsible alternatives to the ones we most commonly see today.

Coffee

If you thought that you couldn’t love coffee more, you were wrong! After you’ve ground and drunk your coffee, you can actually utilize the leftover coffee grounds; which is exactly what a particular Taiwanese company has done. The usually thrown out coffee ground can serve as a raw material for coffee ground fibre, which when processed with polymer, can be spun into yarn! This fibre-making process requires less energy, thus making it more earth-friendly when compared to traditional, conventional fabrics. The resulting yarn is multi-functional and can be used for sports and outdoor wear which is not surprising since big names such as Puma, North Face and Timberland are already using.

Lotus

Lotus fibers have been used for centuries in countries like Thailand and Myanmar. Due to its luxurious feel of silk and raw linen and the time it takes to hand spin and weave, it is used only to make special garments. The manufacturing process is lengthy and complicated (and most likely pricey), which is probably why those in the Western world haven’t jumped on this material; with its lightweight, soft, silky and breathable qualities.

Pineapple Leaves

Who would have thought you could make vegan leather! Piñatex is a natural, sustainably-sourced, cruelty-free material. From the leftover leaves from pineapple trees, you can make a bio-degradable, fossil fuel free leather alternative. It is also strong, lightweight and easy to print and stitch. Fibers are extracted from the leaves and then turned into textile. The fibers then go through an industrial process to become a non-woven textile, which is the base of Piñatex. Another amazing aspect about this innovative material is that it has a closed loop production. Apparently, the biomass created during the process can be converted into organic fertilizer! Meaning that it goes back into the ground, thereby closing the loop.

Eucalyptus Trees

A yarn made from sustainably sourced eucalyptus trees has been launched by a knitting company called ‘Wool & the Gang’. This yarn is 100% vegan, made from renewable energy and free from harmful chemicals. This is a form lyocell which means the fibre is manufactured from wood pulp and the processes are closed loop. After the fibers are harvested, they’re pulped and turned into yarn.

Banana Stems

Another tropical fruit that has multiple purposes is the banana, or more specifically the stems of the banana tree. Banana fibre is said to be one of the world’s strongest natural fibers and is durable and biodegradable. The fabric is soft and supple and tend to have shine to them, which has been compared to silk. Thus, making banana fibre a good sustainable alternative. It can also be used to make different textiles of different weight and thicknesses, making it a very versatile, product.

Cork Leather

Unlike other leather alternatives that are usually made from plastics, cork leather does not need hundreds of years to degrade. As a matter of fact, cork has many amazing features. This material is derived from the cork oak tree bark; making it 100% sustainable, eco-friendly, natural and not to mention, fashionable. Cork is a good sustainable alternative in bags, accessories and footwear. Cork leather is also waterproof, light-weight, tear resistant and comes in different colors and patterns. It also feels amazing!

Bamboo

Bamboo is a very sustainable crop which also grows really fast, making bamboo lyocell a good sustainable option. But note the asterisk; since the most common bamboo fabric available at the moment is bamboo viscose, it is best to avoid it. This is because making viscose still uses harmful solvents and chemicals. That being said, there is definitely a lot of potential in bamboo material innovation in the future, as it is a great renewable resource for making textiles.

So there you have it! Some eco-friendly alternatives that can change and revolutionize the fashion industry and your wardrobe, in which high-quality products meet sustainability. 

Have you discovered another material worth mentioning? Please comment below!

How to Make Your Home More Green

#GoGreen

Going Green

Going green is a concept that has continued to build up steam over the past decade. 

This critical concept is based on living an ecologically friendly lifestyle. While this concept is loosely thrown around, there are not a lot of people that understand what this going green entails. There are a variety of adjustments that can be made in the home to make it more energy efficient. Here we will show you some of the primary ways to make your home greener.

Smart Meter

Smart meters are devices that monitor the energy used in the home. They operate in the same manner as traditional energy meters, except they collect the data and instantly share the information gathered with the energy providers in real time. There are also software programs that the homeowner can use to monitor energy usage in real time.

Smart Outlets and Plugs

The term internet of things (IoT) is used to describe a new era of gadget, appliances, and fixtures that can be used interactively using wireless technology (wi-fi and Bluetooth). These devices can be monitored and controlled using smartphones, tablets, and computers.  

Among these smart devices are smart plugs and smart outlets. These devices are used to control any appliance that is plugged into them. Using a smartphone, the user can monitor the energy use and also turn anything connected into it on or off at will.

Low Emission Windows

Low-emissivity (Low-E) windows are made from a particular type of glass that is designed to reduce the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes into your home. This is accomplished by the use of a film that is thinner than a follicle of human hair. This coating keeps the temperature in the home consistent by reflecting interior heat back outside the house.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are probably the most popular eco-friendly home conversion that can be made. Solar panels collect the light from the sun and convert it to electricity that can be used to power the home. California is the first state to create definitive laws surrounding alternative energy use in 2006, leading the way for the nation in this regard. In fact, it is not uncommon to see Los Angeles real estate that is built with solar panels as part of the original design.

Wind Turbine

Wind turbines work to supply electricity to the home in the same fashion that solar panels do, except turbines use the wind to accomplish this task. When the wind blows the fan-like propellers of the wind turbine, it powers an internal generator that converts the movement into actual electricity that can be used to power the home.

Eco-Friendly Home

If you want to make your home eco-friendlier, these tips will give you a head start. There are a vast number of things that can be done to make your home greener. This includes, but is not limited to, energy efficient appliances and ecologically friendly building materials. There are advancements in this field being made all of the time.

Your Complete Guide to Vegan Skincare Clarify Cosmetics

photo by clarify cosmetics

Clarify Cosmetics

100% Natural Ingredients
Vegan
Cruelty Free
Gluten-Free
Paraben-Free
Phthalate-Free

It’s a trend that is continuing to grow and for a good cause. Not only do vegan products obviously save animals and the environment, they are good for your skin. It’s a win-win. The great thing about skincare lines with truly natural and luxury products at an affordable price is that you can try it out on your skin type and feel good about making the purchase.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum : Photo Courtesy of Clarify Cosmetics

All Clarify Cosmetics products are made in the beautiful state of Oregon and the ingredients are responsibly and locally sourced which means super fresh! They avoid using water as the base of their products when possible. Clarify Cosmetics uses aloe leaf juice which means high quality concentrated formula and saving water!

Hyaluronic Acid Serum

This product has rose flower water and organic aloe leaf juice and is packed with Hyaluronic Acid. It softens and tones your skin delivering quick results because of the high-concentrated ingredients. I use it as directed, after I cleanse my face in the morning and night, and I apply their Daily Moisturizer right after.

Daily Moisturizer : Photo Courtesy of Clarify Cosmetics

Clarify Cosmetics’ Daily Moisturizer is light which is perfect for summer and oily/combo skin types. The first two ingredients are organic aloe juice and organic coconut oil so you can expect that glowing plump look that is so in style right now. Like I mentioned above, I put this on right after the serum.

Antioxidant Facial Cleanser : Photo Courtesy of Clarify Cosmetics

We’ve been talking about a clean face and here is what gets the job done. The Antioxidant Cleanser has ingredients like organic aloe leaf juice, organic olive fruit oil, organic rooibos leaf extract, organic green tea leaf extract, organic white tea leaf extract and sunflower seed oil. Those ingredients make the cleanser truly feel like a lotion and doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry.

Hydrating Toner : Photo Courtesy of Clarify Cosmetics

Last but definitely not least, is the Hydrating Toner. If you live somewhere hot or just feel like cooling off this summer, you need to try this. You spray it on your face, neck or hair for instant hydrating relief.

It has organic calendula flower, poppy seed oil, water, coconut water powder and more to hydrate and cleanse your skin and hair. Seriously, gotta try.

I really believe this company is honestly making a skincare line that is good for your skin, animals and the earth.

XOXO,

AOK