The Middle East is the kind of venue that becomes a haven. The basement venue is probably two-and-a-half times bigger than Larimer Lounge, but has the same low ceilinged, neighborhood dive bar feel, with the added amenities of a coat check and a bar on each side of the room. Despite being on the opposite […]
Pacifica Portland, OR-based company Pacifica was started by co-founders Brook Harvey and Billy Taylor, offering phthalate-free candles and body products. In 2007, Pacifica became carbon neutral by reducing carbon pollution wherever possible, planting trees to counteract unavoidable emissions. They also use soy, which is a clean-burning substance, and embrace the 4 R’s as much as […]
Florida-based Aubrey Organics, founded by Mr. Aubrey Hampton in 1969, has been producing all-natural, organic skincare products for over 33 years. The company has been listing ingredients on their labels since 1967; ten years before any laws requiring companies to do so were enacted. Even though they already use organic and all-natural ingredients, the company […]
Sacred geometry itself has been used throughout history in art and architecture, and secular and non-secular representations. Gregory Hoag’s objective is to educate people about the strength of intention by using sacred geometry to channel positive and productive energy. In 1985, this Lyons, CO resident created his jewelry company, Metaforms, to meet this objective, which […]
The Dr. Hauschka skin care line was developed in 1967 by Dr. Rudolph Hauschka, an Austrian-born chemist, who became involved in the Anthroposophy movement in the 1920’s. Anthroposophy, you will (or perhaps won’t) remember from my previous Weleda article, is a Greek word meaning “human wisdom,” that supports a spiritually scientific approach to improving the […]
Weleda is a Swiss-based company that was founded in 1921, whose products are all free of any synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colors and parabens. The word “Weleda” itself refers to Celtic wise women that were healers and taught their followers to better understand nature. The company was inspired by the concept of Anthroposophy, a Greek word […]
The Rosebud Perfume Company was founded by Dr. George F. Smith in 1895 in Woodsboro, Maryland. Smith had originally been a teacher, but changed career paths and became a druggist in 1902. After friends and family members requested a salve for minor skin irritations, Smith concocted a “Balsam of Rosebuds,” which eventually became the famed […]
Dogeared Jewels & Gifts, based out of Venice, CA was founded by Marcia Maizel-Clarke in 1991. Clarke was a buyer for Macy’s while she started creating her own line of simple, inspired jewelry. Before long, she was selling her own line to several Macy’s stores and swap meets. Dogeared features a wide variety of inspirational […]
Alba was founded in 1989 under the parent company of Avalon Natural Products. Avalon has created their product lines (Alba Botanica, Unpetroleum, and Avalon Organics) based on what they call the “Five Elements of Consciousness.” The first element is purity and safety. Alba Botanica products contain no parabens, chemical preservatives that increase a product’s shelf […]
Beauty, performance, and sustainability are the three concepts that drive Portland, Oregon-based retailer Nau to create hip, functional, and environmentally conscious clothing. The mission statement of this company, whose namesake is a native Maori (the native New Zealand language) word for “welcome,” is “to combine the generosity of the human spirit and the power of […]
