Posts Tagged ‘Moss Envy’
2
May
Posted by melaural in Beauty, Moss Envy, Product Information, Product Review. Tagged: 100% Pure, bath and body, conditioner, laura, made in the usa, Moss Envy, Organic, shampoo. Leave a Comment
I have to admit it, I have tried so many shampoos and conditioners along with various styling products and I have yet to find the “perfect” ones that are just right for me and my fine Scandinavian hair. I always want my hair to look full and healthy and it can be a real challenge at times.
Tina (one of the owners of Moss Envy) suggested I try our NEW shampoos and conditioners by one of our companies called 100% Pure and share my experience on our Blog. So I jumped at the opportunity to do so! Since we already carry the 100% Pure Cosmetics at Moss Envy (which are wonderful by the way), I thought the shampoos and conditioners would probably be the same quality.
I started with the Kelp and Mint Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner. I put a nickel size amount of the kelp and mint shampoo on my hand and added water. It made a nice sudsy and creamy lather which I then applied to my hair. The scent of the mint was very fresh and uplifting, not to mention invigorating for my scalp. I then followed with the conditioner and let it set in my hair for about a minute and rinsed.
The end result was that my scalp felt stimulated and my hair looked full and shiny. It also felt hydrated and “not dry”, volumizing shampoos and conditioners can be drying. Two thumbs up from me so far!
The mint in the shampoo and conditioner helps to promote hair growth and prevents dandruff along with being a stress reducing fragrance. The kelp opens the hair roots and gives hair an amazing shine and bounce.
The next 100% Pure hair products that I tried were the Honey and Virgin Coconut Restorative Shampoo and Conditioner. The shampoo lathered up nicely and the smell was absolutely yummy. It smelled like sweet coconuts and an ocean breeze mixed together.
My hair felt restored by the honey because it supplies moisture, vitamins, and minerals to your hair. The virgin coconut oil replenishes vital oils to give your hair shine and bounce, along with strengthening the hair shaft, which helps to reduce split ends and breakage. Another two sudsy thumbs up from me!
100%Pure shampoo and conditioners are free of synthetic chemicals, sulfates, artificial fragrances and are 100% vegetarian just like the accompanying skin care line of 100% Pure.
AND to sweeten the deal even further, we also have a fabulous gift for you when you purchase $50 or more of 100% Pure products!
So stop by, say hi, and give 100% Pure Cosmetics and hair products a try! If you visit, we’ll even squeeze some into a sample container so you can experience it before you make your purchase – or just buy one on the spot and save yourself the trip. Your hair will thank you for it!
Until next time!
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10
Feb
Posted by Moss Envy in Bed & Bath, Moss Envy, Product Information. Tagged: healthy shower curtain, indoor air quality, minneapolis, minnesota, Moss Envy, Natural Cotton Duck Fabric Shower Curtain/Liner, pvc free, st. paul, twin cities. 3 Comments
The smell of vinyl is familiar to me… as I’m sure it is to many. For me, it takes me back to my childhood for some reason. One whiff and images of summertime pool toys dance through my head! It’s not an altogether unpleasant smell, but perhaps that’s just the nostalgia mixing with the VOCs. Yes, this is not just a smell from a time forgotten, but unfortunately one that still commonly pervades the nostrils, bodies, and systems of many.
Vinyl or Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) is the third most widely produced plastic behind polyethylene and polypropylene. It is a versatile plastic (softened and made flexible with the use of phthalates) utilized in many applications including pipes, electrical cords, clothing, furniture, sports, healthcare, and various spots in your home – like your shower curtain.
The aroma that is unleashed when you open that new shower curtain in your home is no run of the mill benign scent – rather a blast of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that seriously impact your indoor air quality and some of which might affect your health for up to a entire month! Don’t believe me? Think I’m just trying to sell you my non-PVC shower curtain with fear? Let’s bring some science into this…
In 2008, the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice commissioned two scientific laboratories to put PVC shower curtains to the test and discovered some bad news. Their study found PVC shower curtains can release as many as 108 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Some of the chemicals were found in the air even 28 days after a PVC shower curtain was unwrapped and hung. Here’s the Executive Summary of the CHEJ’s report.
VOCs are chemicals that can easily turn into gases and contaminate your air. Some of the chemicals found cause developmental damage as well as damage to the liver and central nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Some can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. The US EPA classifies seven of the chemicals released as hazardous air pollutants.
Your home is supposed to provide you safe shelter from the outside elements, but if your air quality is compromised and polluted, you might as well sleep outside next to a factory!
So, let’s focus on some low hanging organic fruit… back to your shower curtain. Walk into your bathroom, smell your shower curtain. Does it smell like a pool toy from the 1980′s? Get rid of it! It’s time to make a change for the better. A good shower curtain keeps the shower water inside your shower instead of out on your floor. Now, this doesn’t have to be plastic to achieve this.
Natural Cotton Duck Fabric Shower Curtain/Liner
Moss Envy’s Natural Cotton Duck Fabric Shower Curtain/Liner does get wet as you would expect, but the thick nature of duck fabric allows the water to be wicked down into the base of your shower. This keeps the shower spray in and your bathroom floor dry. Use it as a “stand alone” or pair it with your more decorative (non-pvc) shower curtain. Now, before the vegans get mad, ducks (the birds) have nothing to do with duck fabric. The word duck when referring to fabric, comes from the Dutch word doek meaning “linen canvas.” At $39 – our unbleached, body friendly shower curtain is must get. Click on the shower curtain picture and zip over to our website to read more or make your purchase.
What form of payment do we take? We’ll just put it on your bill. Quack.
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7
Feb
Posted by Moss Envy in Moss Envy, Moss Envy Insight. Tagged: branding, fair trade, Green Products, green washing, locally made, minneapolis, minnesota, Moss Envy, Twin Cities Green. Leave a Comment
About three years ago, our small business decided that it was time for a change. We re branded – including a physical move and a name change. Our space on 24th and Hennepin in the Uptown area of Minneapolis was leaky, not convenient and our name, “Twin Cities Green” felt tired and limiting. (On a side note – the Hustler shop that moved into our old space just vacated the premises. I could have saved them the trouble.) We wanted to ditch the “Twin Cities” portion of the name for when we eventually grow beyond Minneapolis or St. Paul and the word “Green” (we felt) had truly lost its magic. Back in 2007, green represented a movement of concerned citizens employing ideas and beliefs aimed at preserving the health of our planet. What green became was a marketing tool for corporations to exploit people’s growing eco-consciousness. Overused and abused, the term green-washing found its way into our lexicon. Green Washing is when marketing or PR is deceptively used to promote the perception that an organization’s aims and policies are environmentally friendly.
We were ready to move on from green. So, if we are to move on from the term green – where are we to go with all of our convictions, ideas, and principles? The answer is, we don’t really go anywhere different. We in fact, hold on to our tenets that guided and inspired our green years and just adjust our focus. Allow it to be pulled along and reshaped with a stronger focus on not only the health of the planet, but the health of those who inhabit it. It’s become more personal and inclusive.
Our current “Moss Envy” branding says, “Come one, come all! It doesn’t matter what shade of green you are or if you’re green at all!” We want everyone to walk in our doors and experience what we have to offer. Quality, good looking, well made, well designed, functional and beautiful products – that just happen to have all of these great eco-benefits like being recycled, reclaimed, natural, organic, sustainable, locally made, vintage, and/or Fair-Trade!
What do YOU think about the term green? Is there still some life in it or should it be put to rest?
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2
Feb
Posted by melaural in Bed & Bath, Moss Envy, Product Information, Product Review. Tagged: better sleeping, buckwheat hull pillow, ground hog's day, heathy sleep, laura, Moss Envy, neck health, pillow, rejuvinating sleep, rhubarb, sleeping, sweet dreams. Leave a Comment
Happy Ground Hog’s Day Everybody! Remember the movie Ground Hog Day? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used it as a reference point in my life. The theme of the movie reminds me of the futility of doing the same thing, over and over again, and “expecting” a different result; which I have found isn’t the most happy way to live.
Buckwheat Hulls
That being said, I have found that making small changes in my daily routine has brought me a lot of unexpected joy. My latest addition to my list of feel goods is a Buckwheat Pillow from Moss Envy. The strength and support found in a Buckwheat pillow means relaxation of tight muscles and less snoring for a back sleeper. The buckwheat husks allow air circulation because of their irregular shape. For me, it’s like breathing a breath of fresh air, very calming, I must say.
My neck also thanks me when I hunker down to watch TV at night with my buckwheat pillow. I wonder if on the news tonight,which I don’t watch much of, the ground-hog will have indeed seen his shadow? Sweet dreams…….Everybody.
ps. Did you know that Buckwheat is actually a fruit that belongs to the rhubarb family?
Laura, from Moss Envy
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4
Dec
Posted by deettamiller in Moss Envy. Tagged: buy local, DeEtta Miller, eco-friendly, gift shopping, holiday, holiday shopping, Moss Envy, Store Mom. Leave a Comment
The Holiday season is upon us all as the weather gets colder and the nights grow longer. But that doesn’t dampen the spirits of the staff at Moss Envy. In fact, on most days, it’s a good excuse to put the coffee pot on, and eagerly wait to greet our customers with enthusiasm for the gifting season most of us are heading into. We appreciate, as Holiday shoppers ourselves that finding the perfect gift for that special person can be daunting at best. But just like the cheerleaders on a playing field; at Moss Envy we are the cheerleaders of shopping!
As familiar faces and new friends pour through the door, we welcome you and the opportunity to be your Moss Envy “personal shopper.” Our team has Grandmothers, and a Great-grandmother, an Uncle, and Aunts, parents, wives, a husband, in-laws, Bosses, co-workers and several friends. We specialize in gifts for everyone. So if you don’t have a gift idea written next to that name on your Holiday list, let us show you our favorites and the top gift choices our other customers have enjoyed sharing. Or make yourself a wishlist… here’s a little info on starting a Moss Envy Wishlist:
Your wishlist allows you to save products that you might want to buy in the future. Simply click the “Add to WishList” button on a product details page, and the product will be added to your wishlist. Your wishlist can be viewed at anytime by visiting this page. Whenever you’re ready to purchase an item in your wishlist, simply click the product’s “Add to cart” button on this page. Best Wishes!
Don’t like the bitter cold? Just want to rest your weary back from shoveling snow, or maybe catch that Viking game? It’s as easy as mailing your wish list to Santa. Maybe easier! Just pick up the phone, or pull your chair up to the computer, and like a team of Caffeinated Elves, we will pull your gifts from the shelves, ring them up and either send them out (sorry, no sleigh involved, but fast none the less.) or your package will be waiting to be picked-up. But don’t wait! The best of the best always goes first…
Hope to see you soon! May your holiday shopping experiences be filled with smiling faces, warm greetings, fun filled conversations and great gift ideas. Put that next to our name on your list… I know we have that at Moss Envy.
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21
Aug
Posted by Moss Envy in Bed & Bath, Moss Envy. Tagged: chemical sensitivities, eco-friendly, flame retardants, Latex Mattresses, mattresses, minnesota, Moss Envy, natural rubber, non toxic mattresses, non-toxic, organic bedding, organic latex, toxicity. Leave a Comment
A few days ago while Googling “Moss Envy,” I came across the compelling story of one “Caroline Lunger” and her struggle with a toxic mattress. Many people have sensitivities (some not as severe, some more) to the chemical flame retardants and synthetic materials utilized in today’s mainstream mattress manufacturing. Caroline’s story, thankfully, has a happy ending because of Moss Envy! Here is her story.
A mattress. What do you think of when I mention that word? Soft, fluffy, sleepy, comfy, warm, safety, and bedtime stories. I used to correlate these words with a mattress too, but not anymore. Do you know what I think of when I hear the word mattress? TOXIC!
That’s right, my mattress is toxic. It literally made my brain go into a toxic mess for a few weeks. Let me explain my scary story…
My Toxic Story
My mattress is passed down from my grandma’s old guest room to my room. Who knows how old that thing is? It squeaks every time you touch it, and it gets really annoying. So, my parents think it would be nice to buy me a new mattress. They take me to the mattress store and I jump from bed to bed laying down on each one trying to figure out the best fit for me. Now that I look back, I can’t believe I even did this! Good thing my dad said that the memory foam mattresses are too expensive. I later find out that they are filled with the most toxins compared to regular mattresses.
Blurred vision
We bring home the mattress that day and I sleep on it for 12 days. On the 12th day, I am driving home from a GAPS class at my local chiropractors office. My vision starts to get blurry, so much so, I thought my eyes were watering. It is dark and all the car lights keep blurring out. I just keep driving telling myself 2 more minutes. This was a bad idea; next time I am calling my mom to pick me up!
The crash
No, thank goodness I did not get into a car crash, but it does get pretty bad from here on out.
Read the rest of this paragraph and click the link at the bottom of this article to continue reading Caroline’s amazing story on the original blog page from “Kelly the Kitchen Kop.” Also, make sure to read the comments below the article. There is a lot of great information there as well. Thank you Kelly and Caroline for allowing Moss Envy to re-blog your story. Caroline also has a great blog called ww.mygutsy.com - check it out. Then check out the mattress that Caroline’s dad bought from Moss Envy. Actually, I should say mattresses. Moss Envy’s knowledgeable, friendly (and real) staff is ready to answer your questions when it comes to a healthier mattress. Along with carrying the largest selection of healthier mattresses in the upper Midwest, we consider ourselves the utmost authority when it comes to these products. Please, let us help you! E-mail us or call Moss Envy at 612-374-4581.
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7
Jul
Posted by Moss Envy in Bed & Bath, Gifts, Home, Moss Envy. Tagged: bedding, comforter, duvet, eco-friendly, made in minnesota, made in the usa, Moss Envy, pillow, sustainable, sustainable bedroom, temperature regulation, topper. Leave a Comment
Do you remember when you were little and it was sometime near Christmas… everyone was getting gussied up to go to Aunt Belinda’s and someone made you wear a wool sweater? “You march upstairs and put that sweater on!” It seems many people share this memory. Good Lord, it was hot and worst of all, terribly itchy and it made you hate your parents and their sadistic sense of fashion and to this day you cringe at concept of having wool anywhere near your skin!
Moss Envy’s woolen bedding products are NOTHING like this… and nothing like your horrible wool nightmares. Quite the opposite actually. Our wool and cotton pillows, comforters, and toppers are so popular, we can barely keep them on the shelves! Why are our wool products nothing like your bad wool memories? And why should you consider adding wool based bedding to your boudoir? Several reasons…
1. No itchiness! The wool never comes in contact with your skin; thanks to a layer of good old fashion US sourced natural cotton that completely surrounds these products. When you look at a wool fiber up close (look over there), you’ll see little scales. Those scales and the length and coarseness of the particular kind of wool can be the culprit of that itchiness… and this is not to be confused with a wool allergy. There are very few people who have an actual allergic reaction to wool. A lot of wool out there (especially wool that is turned into yarn for sweaters) has gone through a process called carbonization. This is a cleaning process utilizing a diluted sulphuric acid solution. During this process, it kind of wrecks the wool fiber, breaking and crinkling it – resulting in a fiber that feels “not so good” against your skin. The wool utilized in our bedding is cleaned with the friendlier aqueous (water based) process. So, because the wool in our products is not rubbing directly on your skin, you get all of the pros and none of the cons.
2. Superior temperature and moisture regulation. This is all about science! Wool actually keeps you cool when it’s warm and warmer when it’s cool. I know this sounds like black magic, but it’s true. And here’s how that happens according to The American Sleep Industry Association. Wool is a hygroscopic fiber – taking up moisture in vapor form. Tiny pores make the fiber semi-permeable, allowing vapor to pass through the heart of the fiber. Wool can easily absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp or clammy… and because most people can perspire up to a liter of moisture under a typical duvet throughout a night of sleep, this is a good thing! The capacity to absorb makes wool a ‘temperature regulator’. Wool absorbs perspiration and keeps a layer of dry air next to the skin, which in turn helps to hold in body heat. Furthermore, as wool absorbs moisture, it reacts with molecules and generates heat. On the other hand, wool helps keep the body cool by absorbing perspiration.
A study conducted by the Ergonomics Unit at the Polytechnic Institute of Wales confirmed that a wool filled comforter is more comfortable than the equivalent in weight and construction of synthetic comforters. The physiological data showed that:
- The heat rate under the wool filled comforter was significantly lower 100% of the time.
- The humidity next to the skin under the wool comforter was significantly lower 71% of the time.
- The temperature rise of the skin above 91 degrees, which is considered to be the optimum level for sleep comfort, was significantly higher under synthetic filled comforters 80% of the time.
3. Practically eliminates pressure points! Wool fibers have a natural crimp in them, which gives them a springy support that cradles your body. It has even been used in hospitals to relieve pressure points. In tests, wool recovered 95% of its original springiness when it was compressed; synthetics only recovered 67 to 79%. Synthetics also lose their resiliency with age. Wool can bend itself 20,000 times without breaking. It lasts for years without losing its resilience. While wool can compact, the individual fibers will retain their loft for a very long time.
4. Amazing overall comfort! Ample softness, durability, and temperature regulation come together to create a collection of superior performing, sustainable bedding products. Simply
visit Moss Envy to try out our wool and cotton pillows, toppers, and comforters or
check them out here on our website. They are truly amazing… and for our local customers, they’re made right here in Minnesota! We truly don’t have to “SELL” these to our customers. They sell themselves!
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10
Apr
Posted by deettamiller in Baby & Kids, Beauty, Bed & Bath, Moss Envy. Tagged: alima, DeEtta Miller, Jewelry, Latex Mattresses, Make Up, Moss Envy, Organic Mattresses, Store Mom. Leave a Comment
As a “blogger,” I love reading “blogs.” Especially the blogs that flow so eloquently from the person who got me started blogging. My Boss, my mentor and my son-in-law. His January blog was filled with his favorite picks from the store. I have to admit I share his love for Eco-Armour’s Shaving Foam and Body Wash, Snack Taxis, Sunleaf Natural’s Reed Diffuser, and of course, our yummy, “Ubber” soft Latex mattresses! As the oldest employee (by decades), a good nights sleep is a deal breaker to getting to work on time these days… So it’s latex beds for everyone!
However, good buddy and boss Ryan, I want to add a few favorites to the list, if I may? From a little different perspective, I would like to suggest including some “girlie girl and grandma” items. First and foremost, is anything from our gentle and pure cosmetic line, Alima. I applied and then sold my first eyeshadow to a customer in 1969. I knew I was hooked. To this day cosmetics is my secret pleasure, and Alima is the best for my critical eye and limited budget. The colors are rich yet soft, wear well, and stay true throughout our busy, busy days. What more can a girl ask for when she is caught between meetings or family and dinner out on the town.
Ahhh, then there is another favorite of mine, jewelry! Your never too old for a great bracelet. Moss Envy not only has the most diverse and exciting jewelry pieces, but the artists who create these delightful adornment choices continue to surprise us on a regular basis with new and stunning collections. If I didn’t already work and shop at Moss Envy, I would be here on a regular basis, just to check out the jewelry. The best part is there seems to be a style for everyone’s taste. That makes gift giving a whole lot easier when you need the perfect gift.
My last choice has a special spot in our store and my Grandma’s heart. The baby and children department is a hit with anyone who has a baby, knows a child or just believes everyone deserves safe products in their lives. The soft textures and whimsical colors of our baby clothes makes them irresistible. Bamboo fabric maintains it’s softness throughout the life of those little socks, bibs, hooded towels or baby sized washcloths. And what about toys? Toys have gotten to be a bit scary lately. Who wants to find out after months or years of playing with your favorite toy, it has lead or toxins infused in those beautiful colors?. No need to worry, when you purchase one of the many toy options that fill our shelves and the starry eyes of your little shopper. We have done our “homework,” so you don’t have to. Just come and play…
Well, Ryan, I have to admit, it is harder than I thought to pick just a few “favorites” from a store that only sells “our favorites.”
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9
Mar
Posted by Moss Envy in Moss Envy. Tagged: boneshaker books, cash mob, cashmobmpls, facebook poll, minneapolis, minnesota, Moss Envy, regla de oro gallery, shop local, small business. Leave a Comment
Just a quick follow up to our last post – Moss Envy won the Cash Mob!!! We are humbled by the show of support from our customers, friends, and family! We would like to recognize the other businesses who competed… especially Regla De Oro Gallery and Boneshaker Books! Both small businesses also had an impressive showing of support. Please consider showing up at Moss Envy and continuing to support this great idea by LIKING CashMobMPLS’s Facebook Page. The Cash Mob is happening at Moss Envy. Here is the link to the event page on Facebook. Please RSVP so we know how many folks to expect! Thanks again to CashMobMpls for bringing Cash Mobs to the Twin Cities!
RSVP on CashMobMPLS Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/194700417301298/
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6
Mar
Posted by Moss Envy in Moss Envy. Tagged: buy local, cash mobs, cashmobs, current-events, eco-friendly, Green Products, local economy, minneapolis, Moss Envy, shop local, small business, small businesses, special event, st. paul, twin cities. Leave a Comment
Most people have heard of “Flash Mobs” where something wacky like a sudden dance or an seemingly impromtu musical number breaks out in the middle of a food court, library, or train station. I get the entertainment value and they usually make me laugh… I have not however been on the planning or receiving end. So what happens when you take this entertaining idea of getting people together to produce a spectacle and put a local and social spin on it? You get – instead of a Flash Mob – a Cash Mob! They are becoming a national phenomenon… so much so in fact that they have their own day. Yes, you too can celebrate National Cash Mob Day on March 24th. Here is the general idea of a Cash Mob: encourage people to go into small, local independently owned businesses and spend their money (usually $20), en masse, to give the business owner a little bit of economic stimulus! Typically, there is drinking to follow at a nearby watering hole!
The origins of concept trace back to Buffalo, NY in August of 2011 – organized by blogger Christopher Smith. Other independent waves of organization sprouted up later in the year led by Andrew Samtoy, an attorney at Dworken & Bernstein in Cleveland, OH. Since then, Cash Mobs have been popping up all across the U.S., Canada, and around the world. While organized by many different groups of people, all appear to have the same goal in mind: to support the local businesses that they love! Here’s a quote from Christopher Smith:
“It’s not just about the money that comes in that day, It’s about a real small business that doesn’t have a lot of money and a marketing budget. They get a little earned media coverage they wouldn’t normally get that allows them to establish themselves a little bit more.”
And wouldn’t you know it… yah, sure, you betcha… Cash Mobs have arrived in the Twin Cities! Moss Envy is currently in the running to be mobbed… if you would like to cast your vote for our shop (you must have a Facebook account) then CLICK HERE TO VOTE. This particular cash mob happens this Sunday, March 11th in the afternoon. The Twin Cities Cash Mob effort can be found at their Facebook page. And while their Facebook group is called CashMobMPLS – they do hope to reach out past Minneapolis into the surrounding areas. Despite whether we win or not this round, we hope to continue to support this concept. Because really, it’s not good enough to have a great idea. You have to actually act on it. As of earlier today there were near 200 votes from people supporting their favorite local shop, but only 6 people RSVPed on the Facebook Event Page. What this really needs is to be picked up by a local news outlet… anyone?
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