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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
I'm a big fan of shopping local, supporting small businesses, and giving my money to companies that give back to the community and do good. I also have spent my time in quarantine doing a lot of online shopping and needed something to help me justify all my purchases. And so I bring you Monthly Mains, a series where I’ll highlight three things that have made my life better (and will probably make yours better, too).
I decided to try to take a break from buying candles. It didn't work very well, and along with the fantastic few I picked up from Field Kit (which I would highly recommend), I also grabbed some (as in, all three available scents) cone incense - which ended up being a fantastic decision.
The cones are super easy to use and don't require any extra or special equipment (unlike more traditional incense sticks). All you need to do is flip the tin's lid, place the cone on top, light it for about 15 seconds, blow it out, and voila: the room will be filled with a pleasant, light scent for at least a few hours. The cone isn't overly large and doesn't give off a lot of actual smoke, which is an added bonus.
Field Kit is another company that you can feel good about purchasing from, as it gives back to the community in a number of ways. Every Field Kit product sold has an impact, with a certain amount from each good sold being donated to a different community organization. As for the incense cones, 100 per cent of proceeds from each tin sold going to the Calgary Black Empowerment Fund.
I don't think I was the only one who needed a sign/reminder/inspiration from the universe to make it through this year. Luckily for me, the universe seemed to answer often enough, including by ensuring this ring popped up on my Instagram feed at one of my low points.
According to the item description, the STRONG ring is meant to "inspire you to take a few deep breaths, give your amazing self a hug, and remind yourself how STRONG and BEAUTIFUL and LOVED you are!!!!" After buying it a few months ago and wearing it more regularly in December, I can definitely say it reminds me that no matter what challenges come my way, I can handle them.
Jules Sontag, the artist behind this ring and a number of other beautiful pieces of jewelry, is a true gem herself (pun INTENDED). It's very clear how much thought she puts into all of her pieces, along with the time, effort and care. All of her pieces are made to order, and if you follow her on Instagram, you'll get a small glimpse of the behind the scenes work she puts into each item. On top of her great work, she's also a good human, and continually uses her platform to highlight social issues as well as resources to help resolve them. Basically, like the others on this list, Jules is a Calgary-based small business owner you can feel good about supporting. I know I do.
We are so, so, SO close to wrapping up the wild, challenging, eye-opening year that 2020 has been. And while I am part of the majority that is happy to see it end, I also am aware that as we head into 2021, things won't magically change overnight or go "back to normal". We are still going to be in quarantine (at least here in Canada), we are still going to see more stress on our healthcare system, and we are still going to be trying to figure out and adjust to what exactly our "new normal" is.
As cliché as it sounds, I've been doing a lot of reflecting recently, and I really do realize how fortunate I am and have been this year, despite it not going anything at all as planned. There is a lot that I can change personally, and a lot that I feel the world can do better with, but overall, I have been very lucky in 2020 and am grateful for the people in my life and all the opportunities I've received to learn and grow this year.
Another thing I've become very, very thankful for is online shopping, which I may have turned to a little too often this year. But it brought me joy and helped me survive nine months of a global pandemic, so it's fine (right?). Here are three things I found online that helped make the last month of 2020 better for me:
All the extra hand washing and sanitizing I've been doing in 2020 has taken a toll on my hands. Luckily, Calgary-based skincare and makeup brand Ellie Bianca created a hand sanitizer spray that's strong enough to kill bacteria and keep your hands clean, but also contains ingredients that help retain much-needed moisture.
The sanitizer is unscented (although there is a grapefruit scented option available as well) and approved by Health Canada. It contains 62 per cent food grade ethyl alcohol, which is what kills the bacteria, as well as aloe vera leave juice, which helps calm and soften skin rather than leaving it dried out like many other hand sanitizers.
Besides offering great products (the hand sanitizer is part of a larger line of cruelty-free, all-natural, ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable items), Ellie Bianca also aims to create connections and positive change. A major focus for the company is on female empowerment through business and fair trade. Ellie Bianca and even offers a scholarship to single mothers looking to to enroll in and graduate from post-secondary programs.
To order your own hand sanitizer or any other skincare products, or to learn more about how the company gives back to the community, visit Ellie Bianca's website.
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
The sanitizer is unscented (although there is a grapefruit scented option available as well) and approved by Health Canada. It contains 62 per cent food grade ethyl alcohol, which is what kills the bacteria, as well as aloe vera leave juice, which helps calm and soften skin rather than leaving it dried out like many other hand sanitizers.
Besides offering great products (the hand sanitizer is part of a larger line of cruelty-free, all-natural, ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable items), Ellie Bianca also aims to create connections and positive change. A major focus for the company is on female empowerment through business and fair trade. Ellie Bianca and even offers a scholarship to single mothers looking to to enroll in and graduate from post-secondary programs.
To order your own hand sanitizer or any other skincare products, or to learn more about how the company gives back to the community, visit Ellie Bianca's website.
 |
| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
The cones are super easy to use and don't require any extra or special equipment (unlike more traditional incense sticks). All you need to do is flip the tin's lid, place the cone on top, light it for about 15 seconds, blow it out, and voila: the room will be filled with a pleasant, light scent for at least a few hours. The cone isn't overly large and doesn't give off a lot of actual smoke, which is an added bonus.
Field Kit is another company that you can feel good about purchasing from, as it gives back to the community in a number of ways. Every Field Kit product sold has an impact, with a certain amount from each good sold being donated to a different community organization. As for the incense cones, 100 per cent of proceeds from each tin sold going to the Calgary Black Empowerment Fund.
You can find the incense cones, and the full list of wonderfully scented, community supporting products on Field Kit's website.
 |
| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
According to the item description, the STRONG ring is meant to "inspire you to take a few deep breaths, give your amazing self a hug, and remind yourself how STRONG and BEAUTIFUL and LOVED you are!!!!" After buying it a few months ago and wearing it more regularly in December, I can definitely say it reminds me that no matter what challenges come my way, I can handle them.
Jules Sontag, the artist behind this ring and a number of other beautiful pieces of jewelry, is a true gem herself (pun INTENDED). It's very clear how much thought she puts into all of her pieces, along with the time, effort and care. All of her pieces are made to order, and if you follow her on Instagram, you'll get a small glimpse of the behind the scenes work she puts into each item. On top of her great work, she's also a good human, and continually uses her platform to highlight social issues as well as resources to help resolve them. Basically, like the others on this list, Jules is a Calgary-based small business owner you can feel good about supporting. I know I do.
To get your own STRONG ring or other piece of handmade jewelry, visit Jules' website.
Side dishes
Podcast:Quote:
"I am still learning how to go back and reread my own chapters without feeling like I want to set all of my pages on fire."
– E.V. Rogina
– E.V. Rogina
Read:
Song:
FOOL'S GOLD - Aries
FOOL'S GOLD - Aries