Handmade with Love: Sublime Leather Bags by Erin Templeton

Born and bred just outside of Vancouver, BC, Erin Templeton takes pride in creating exquisite leather bags and accessories by hand. With her namesake shop located in the heart of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown district, her dream of having a vintage clothing studio coupled with her own one-of-a-kind designs has been realized.

A lifelong love for vintage informs Erin’s designs, and their presence in her studio serves to inspire her. Her beautiful leather handbags and accessories are the focal point of the shop, with several hand-picked vintage clothes and jewelry serving as the backdrop that dictates her design sensibilities.

Using new and recycled leathers, all of Erin’s pieces are lovingly created with minimal hardware and sturdy construction. It is her hope that each piece can be modified and adjusted to the taste of each person and can therefore be a lifelong companion in their wardrobe.

Along with her shop in Vancouver, Erin’s designs are featured at many boutiques throughout Canada. You can also purchase her beautiful designs online, directly from her!

Erin Templeton - 511 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC (On the corner of Pender and Carrall St.)
Phone: 604-682-2451
http://erintempleton.com/

Jasmin is a freelance writer currently based in Kingston, ON. 

Eco Beauty

At the AoF Designer Boutique, Green Beauty, a full-service spa and hair studio in Toronto, gave an excellent presentation on Eco Beauty. According to Green Beauty, women use an average of 12 products per day, which comes down to almost 168 different ingredients. Beauty product labels can hide things like impurities and ‘unintentional byproducts’, what's more – most cosmetic marketing claims are unregulated.

Eco Beauty refers to beauty products made with natural ingredients. Here are the Top 5 Eco Beauty Myths as presented by Green Beauty:

Myth #1: Eco or green beauty products smell like patchouli and work like crap. Or you have to make them yourself.

Myth #2: There are no sophisticated anti-aging products.

Myth #3: I will never find a good red lipstick.

Myth #4: My hair will feel like straw and never be styled again.

Myth #5: If I wear eco sunscreen I will look pasty

For more information on Eco Beauty products or its benefits, contact Donna at  donna@greenbeauty.ca

Green Beauty is located at 3471 Yonge St. Upper Suite, a ten minute walks north of Lawrence Subway.