Posted by bethany on Sep 30, 2009 in
Guest Writers One of the best things in life has got to be crawling into a bed that is dressed in luxurious sheets. I’m moderately picky with what kinds of sheets I choose (must be high thread count and all cotton) but after reading this guest post it is apparent that clearly I need to be MORE picky; Organic Cotton sheets will be making their way into my home very shortly. Cortney and Rebecca from The Green Room are here today to fill us in on Organic Cotton in the home. Enjoy!
One of the first things we treated ourselves to when we opened shop was a set of certified organic cotton sheets. We thought this was a good investment considering how much time was spent wrapped up in our bedding each night. Since then, organic cotton has made its way into our kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms- with everything from, bed linens and accessories, to table linens, towels, clothes and baby products- the possibilities are endless.
This extremely soft, luxurious and beautiful fabric sets itself apart from conventional cotton in that it has not been treated with any chemicals in the growing or manufacturing process. According to The Organic Trade Association “Cotton uses 25% of the world’s insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides.” When used, pesticides can end up in the local groundwater and in turn can create a number of health risks for both the workers and wildlife- not something we want hanging on our conscience. Once the pesticide laden cotton is picked, it gets sent to a factory where it is then bleached with chlorine, soaked in toxic chemical dyes and sprayed down with a wrinkle-resistant, permanent-press chemical finish (likely formaldehyde). Yikes! That bedding isn’t sounding so cozy and inviting anymore is it?
Organic cotton is looking like a winning option – but how do we go about choosing a quality organic cotton product? Follow these three steps:
1. Ensure 100% organic cotton
2. Ensure Certification
3. Have fun!
First of all, make sure that the product is 100% certified organic cotton and that it is not blended with conventional cotton. Many companies can advertise their product as organic cotton but may only have a small percentage of actual organic content. Check that your organic cotton product has a certification such as Fair-Trade, SKAL or Oeko-Tex which means that the product has been strictly monitored from the time the seed is put in the ground until the time the product is packaged for resale. Don’t fret about finding a company that is certified, as there are many reputable companies to choose from.
Lastly, Have FUN choosing your organic cotton products, as there is no need to compromise on comfort or style.
Posted by kari on Sep 29, 2009 in
Home Tours 
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of spending a lovely afternoon with the owner of Blueberry Cottage, Maureen Crowder, who gave me a tour of her quaint home on 3rd street in downtown Courtenay. This adorable heritage cottage won my heart with it’s charming collection of treasures from the past that took me back to a place in time where simple living was at its best. Maureen has done a wonderful job decorating the home with carefully chosen vintage pieces that reflect the period in which the home was built.
Read more…
Posted by bethany on Sep 25, 2009 in
Guest Writers From the very beginning stages ofComox Valley Dwellings, Kari and I have wanted to incorporate life in the kitchen into our weekly features – similar to how Canadian Home and Home has their lovely foodie feature near the end of the magazine.
Our challenge was to find someone with great taste in food, an ability to capture delicious dishes with a camera, and a soul that matched the heart of a website run by two passionate women.
Today we’re beyond pleased to announce that we have found just the right woman to have us all inspired for a weekend of DIY kitchen magic and mindful food choices.
May we please introduce you to Jackie Connelly…
Jackie is a leading Vancouver food photographer who’s garden boots are covered in the rich soil of the Comox Valley.
Jackie is professionally trained in Graphic Design, Fine Art and Business. She has built up a winning photographic portfolio featuring mouth-watering images that would make any foodie’s knees weak. Numerous businesses have been blessed by the artistic talent that Jackie possesses and judging from the portfolio on her website, it’s easy to see why they keep calling her back.
Along with a solid background and stunning portfolio, Jackie has won the hearts of people (including us) with her sincere passion for sustainability. This photographer puts heart and soul into her efforts to connect people with food in a healthy, sustainable, and joyful way.
Just recently, Jackie was selected to be the photographer for a locally created book which you may have seen or heard about. Island Inspirations is a book with local Comox Valley content for recipes and tailored cooking tips. Laden with Jackie’s stunning photographs, this one-of-a-kind cookbook has become a must-have for residents of the Comox Valley and beyond.
Jackie will be here on Comox Valley Dwellings every friday. She will bless us with some of her amazing photography, and share a hand-picked recipe as well.
Kari and I will continue to bring you additional DIY content on Friday to compliment Jackie’s feature. Our goal is to provide you with enough inspiration to put your creative impulses to good use over each weekend.
Thank you, Jackie, for joining us :)
GIVEAWAY ALERT- In honour of this lovely news, we’d like to give one lucky commenter a copy of Island Inspirations with photography by Jackie Connelly Photography.
Please leave a comment on this post and we’ll draw a name next Friday (September 2nd). The book will be available for pick-up from the ComoxValleyDwellings.com crew at the Comox Valley Home Expo that weekend.
We’re going to do a little “research” at the same time. Your question is:
“Why kinds of DIY features would you like to see in the future on ComoxValleyDwellings.com?”
Have a Great Weekend! See you on Monday…
Some Fine Print – The images in this post belong to Jackie Connelly Photography. They are the artistic property of Jackie Connelly and may not be copied or reused without permisson. Thanks!
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