Reuse Reuse Reuse

I’m always looking for ways to repurpose items to put them to good use. I had an empty wall area above my fireplace, and didn’t have much money to go out and buy a nice picture, so I took some old records I had lying around and pinned up the covers.



Some more repurposed items above my fireplace are the three mason jars sitting on the mantle. I use these three mason jars to showcase different cards or post cards that I received or collected. For an extra little touch, I even tied some twine around the top of the jars.



I was looking for a pot to put my plant in, and instead of buying a new one, I used a can from my recycling bin. I was originally going to paint the can (I’ve seen some painted ones online that look really cute) but ended up liking the shiny silver look.



These are just a few items in my apartment that I have reused to add a decorative touch, I’d love to hear about your ideas of what you’ve reused. Send me your pics with a brief description to Kelly@veganadvantage.ca to have them showcased in another reuse reuse reuse blog post!

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Eco Chic for Him and Her

When it comes to fashion, you don’t have to be a PETA supporting tree-hugger to make some environmentally-conscious and animal-friendly decisions. Many companies offer eco-friendly and/or vegan products, while other companies, like Etnies, are starting to put out full eco-friendly lines.

Etnies currently has a ‘Buy a shoe plant a tree’ line for men and women, in which the company plants a tree in Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest for every pair of shoes sold. The line also includes some vegan/animal-free styles.



The men’s Jameson 2 Eco low-tops are completely vegan, and are made using a recycled rubber outsole, recycled plastic in the shoe laces, and the inner sole is made of cork. Even though these canvas skater-style shoes are eco-friendly, they do not lack quality or style.



The women’s Caprice Eco shoe is also vegan-friendly and uses materials including hemp, and recycled rubber. These shoes come in a verity of colours and designs, and are sure to turn some heads.

Matt and Nat (short for mat(t)erials + nature) is a Montreal-based company making products with eco-friendly, recycled, and upcycled materials.



The women’s Trench messenger bag is 100 per cent eco-friendly and uses a 100 per cent recycled nylon lining. This bag is textured, giving a leather look and feel, without using any animal products.



The men’s Ethan cotton canvas messenger bag is also made of 100 per cent recycled nylon. The simple over the shoulder bag has two compartments, and is perfect for carrying a laptop.

Vancouver-based Elroy Apparel focuses on ethical, innovative, and sustainable fashion. Designer Leanne McElroy spends four months of the year working with their sustainable employment sewing cooperative in Indonesia.



The Jamesia jacket from Elroy is made of 100 per cent upcycled cotton.  This sleek trench-style coat features a wooden toggle button, and a tie waist closure.

Macbeth Footwear is a footwear, apparel and accessory brand from Southern California, which offers a number of vegan and organic products. The company was co-founded by Tom DeLonge from blink-182.



This Vegan Cow T-shirt is made of 100 per cent cotton and allows those who are vegan to show it.

These are just a few of the many options if you’re looking to make some environmental and/or animal friendly choices when it comes to your wardrobe.

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