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Hot Shopping: Splish Splash

Not just for kids: the Contexture Designs mobile

Celebrate the annual fall salmon run in British Columbia with an eye-catching redfish mobile by Contexture Designs. Run by two Vancouverites, this local company was recently awarded Western Living’s 2011 Eco Designer of the Year award. Purchase this mesmerizing ode to the sockeye salmon, made from recycled paper and salvaged maps, at Vancouver Special or online at www.contexture.ca.—Jennifer Patterson


More information:

Vancouver Special, 3612 Main St. 604-568-3673.

www.vanspecial.com

Hot Shopping: Editor’s Pick: Top 5 Eco Chic Spots

Since green is the new black, Winnipeg retailers are diversifying to meet their customer’s growing appetite for goods that are easy on the environment:

Five Two Boutique is strictly sustainable. Slick fashions from Canadian and international designers for men, women and kids hang from racks cleverly repurposed from junk yard iron sink braces. 52 Adelaide St, 204-415-5657.

At For Space Sake, brightly coloured iPad cases and desk organizers are made of recycled Italian leather. 1824 Grant Ave, 204-488-2633.

Natural bath and body boutique Heartsease also sells soap nuts (pictured), which have shells packed with saponins. This natural detergent can replace laundry soap. 941 Westminster Ave, 204-474‑0470.

At Tiber River Naturals all body lotions, scrubs and even deodorant are made locally from natural ingredients. Try the lemon poppy seed shower shake that smells good enough to eat. 408 Academy Rd, 204-474-4247; 3-1650 Kenaston Blvd, 204-284-4247.

Hot Shopping: Chic Sandals

Cute, classy and eco-friendly sandals from De la Rue Shoes

Thanks to De la Rue Shoes, recycling has never looked so good. Recycled, you ask? Yup, these stylish designed-in-Vancouver slip-ons have a sturdy base made from reclaimed rubber tires, which makes them long-lasting, eco-friendly and more than just a lil’ unique. Keep it classy in silver (pictured, $120) or have fun with your summer style and take the rainbow-coloured ones for a spin. Purchase a pair at Eugene Choo or The Block, or buy online at www.delarueshoes.com.—Jennifer Patterson

Hot Art: Marine Scenes

Textured fabric art by Kirsten Chursinoff

Look and you shall find. That’s the mantra behind Vancouver textile artist Kirsten Chursinoff’s latest series, Low Tide. Her new pieces are a salute to finding tiny treasures in tidepools and the joy of beachcombing. Chursinoff’s work celebrates the creatures of the open ocean (“Giant Pacific Octopus,” pictured). She uses recycled materials such as clothing, twine and scrap fabric to create a textured look that she says reflects BC’s rugged landscape. Employing both traditional and contemporary quilting and embroidery techniques, she’s created images of shorelines, jellyfish, sea stars and more. See them at Craft Council of British Columbia Gallery (to Jul. 25).—Kristina Urquhart