I love the concept. Available in four sizes from XS, which fits a jewellery box or gift card, to L for big items like board games and winter jackets, Lyziwraps are not only attractive, but they’re easy too. All you need to do is put the item in the Lyziwrap, fold the ends and cinch it closed. The pulls even look like decorative ribbons. They come in a variety of colours, including a festive red and white. You can even fill them up with smaller items and use them for Christmas crackers.

At $30 for a pack of four, the cost might seem a bit steep, especially since you’re giving them away with a gift, but it’s not that different from paying $5 for a gift bag. And if you use them among your family members, you can pass them between you – and you won’t feel tacky about doing it (if you’re sensitive about that kind of thing).

Cost aside, there’s also of course the environmental impact. If all of us Canadians wrapped three gifts in reused gift paper or bags, we’d save enough paper to cover 45,000 hockey rinks!

The Friends Uniting for Nature (FUN) Society was created to promote environmental education, leadership and collaborative skills to young Canadians. Their FUN Camps are summer day camps for 6 to 16 year olds, taking place this year from July 5 to August 27.

Camp themes include energy conservation, eco-footprint, water conservation, food, sustainable transportation, nature and community. Other activities include gardening, exploring nature, outdoor games, sports, swimming, art, drama and hiking, and bike maintenance workshops.

“We are at a time of crisis when it comes to the environment and I believe that education plays a huge role as part of the solution,” said FUN Society founder Maia Green, who holds a Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies and worked as an environmental consultant and an after-school leader for elementary school children. “Summer camps are a great way for kids to not only spend more time outside in nature, but also to learn how to be more sustainable in a fun, interactive and experiential way.”

“Our programs also provide leadership training, as it is important to empower the next generation, not simply educate them,” she continued. “At a time when kids are spending less time outside, becoming more sedentary and losing their connection to nature and our relationship to it, it seemed absolutely necessary to start a fun summer camp that could address some of these issues.”

The award-winning FUN Society also conducts a peer leader program, scholarship program, social change projects, and the FUN Ambassadors Youth Board. The Society hopes to inspire young Canadians into action by:

1. Focusing on sustainable and healthy living through a re-connection to nature that is fun, educational, experiential and hands-on.
2. Using a collaborative approach, fostering cooperation between camp participants.
3. Nurturing leadership by providing skills and resources as well as mentorship opportunities.

“We hire leaders who are very passionate about working with young people and who have experience in this field as well as the field of sustainability,” said Green. “The people who work for us do so because they believe in our mission and are dedicated to our values and vision.”

The FUN details

What: FUN Camps run by Friends Uniting for Nature (FUN) Society, a charitable non-profit organization

When: July 5 to August 27, Monday to Friday, 9 am – 4 pm

How much: $195 per week (except Aug 3-6 — a 4 day week — for $160). The schedule and fees can be found on their website.

For more information:

www.funcamps.ca
info@funcamps.ca
Twitter @FUNSocietyBC
Facebook FUN Society

Vancouver Mom had the chance to chat with Stephanie Ostler, owner, designer and girl Friday of Devil May Wear, a wonderfully inspiring boutique located at 3957 Main st. (at 23rd Ave.) and whose focus is on creating ethically responsible fashion from sustainable materials.

I still can’t get over how absolutely sumptuous Stephanie’s collection is – and the raw talent this mid-twenties gal has in both her design and technical skills. Ninety percent of the items in her store are handmade by Stephanie herself – from her fun collection of brightly coloured undies to purses and handbags made from reclaimed vintage fabrics to her elegant jewellery. Her hand-knit items are to die for – gauntlets (fingerless gloves) made from hand-spun yarn, gorgeous shawls and ponchos. And almost everything is available at wickedly affordable prices. I could not believe that her hand-knit shawls were going for a mere $95! (You must go right now and pick one up!)

But items aside, the most lovely thing about Devil May Wear is Stephanie herself, who seems to have be the guardian angel of all things simple, hand-made and fashionable. She is devoted to creating wearable functional art and you can see her tremendous optimism in everything she makes. There is a certain beauty in the production of such handmade objects in the face of a tough economic climate and a world of mass production.

What inspired you to start Devil May Wear?

I was once told I have a print makers mind, which has always sat nicely with me. It was in regards to my question of why do I like making more than one of something. Maybe not many of the same thing but I find it thrilling to make a practical piece of art, perfect it and then make many. I also think that fashion is one of the most detrimental and one of the most demanding industries I’ve ever heard of so I feel like it’s a place I can elicit the most change. I decided that I would always do my best to express myself and never sacrifice fashion for function or for ethics. I also don’t think that clothing designers can change the industry without competing with China so my biggest overall personal challenge is how do I hand make sustainable clothing ethically and reasonably price it against China. That’s a lot of problems to solve right there.

How would you describe your store and your brand?

I can’t take myself seriously and I think that is greatly reflected in my company. Everything’s got character, color, texture, and excitement. I also have a great appreciation for early century style and quality. Without any effort my clothing often reflects times past even featuring vintage, reworked supplies. I’ve given our store the atmosphere of a retro living room or smoking room (sans smoke) fully equipped with a warm fireplace and Etta James crooning.

My brand is all about making ethical, affordable, adorable clothing that fits real women. Our store is about being friends. I have the friendliest staff in the city and we just want to help everyone who walks through the door. Weather it be a story, a laugh, a discussion or the right outfit. We love all our visitors!

What do you think moms would like best about Devil May Wear?

We have a large volume of young moms coming through our doors. To start with, we are just in the right neighborhood to meet them all and I am glad for that. Moms need comfortable clothing that moves and stretches with their movements plus they often need room to grow or shrink. For a new mom it can be hard to find the right fit that gives the flexibility they need without sacrifice of style. In our challenge for real women fits, we usually accomplish just that. And if our gals just can’t find the right fit, since we make everything on site we also do many alterations.

Where can we get your products?

Though the best place to find us may be our store on Main St. We have many other stores across Canada and the states as well as online. Please see our website for more details since there really are so many wonderful options.

Devil May Wear

3957 Main St., Vancouver
www.devil-may-wear.com | Twitter: @DevilMayWear | 604-216-2515

Once it’s plotted your route, you’ll find out your route length, estimated time, calories burned, elevation gain and how green your route is. You’ll also find out how much green house gas you’d prevent by cycling that path.

Totally cool!

Cycling Metro Vancouver - http://www.cyclevancouver.ubc.ca/