Wellness Wednesday: Do Natural Deodorants Stand the Test?

Today on the blog we are getting real... about deodorant.

The warmer months are approaching and having a great product to keep you cool and fresh is essential. 

Not All Deodorants Are Equal

Everyone one is different and pH and genetics rule what will work on you best. Over time your body can get used to the formula of your deodorant and actually become more resistant to it.

Deodorant Vs. Antiperspirant

A key point to keep in mind is that deodorants fight body odor, not wetness. Antiperspirants fight wetness but also can contain extra chemicals. The underarm discoloration you have on clothing is often a chemical reaction to what is in your deodorant/antiperspirant.

Keep It Natural

We prefer to keep it simple. Sweat is orderless, what does smell is the activated bacteria that lives on your skin. Staying with our organic trend in beauty and health, we decided to test our a few all-natural deodorants to see how they stand up to the heat..and smelling like a rose.

Stay Fresh,

M&K

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NATIVE

Made in the USA in small batches, Native is both paraben and aluminum-free. It claims to actively protect against odors for 24 hours, thanks to ingredients like baking soda and arrowroot powder.

PROS: We are both sensitive to strong smells, but Native wasn't overpowering at all. Kimberly LOVED the seasonal Grapefruit Bergamont scent. It felt clean when applied (just wait a bit after shaving) and didn't goop up like other deodorants can. 

CONS: While it provides odor and some wetness protection, it did not last the full 24 hours. It held up to long runs, but needed reapplication midway through the day or before bed. Too much reapplication caused the product to bead up at the end of day. Another sticking point is the size and price. At $11 a stick, we want something that works and is more mobile!

CRYSTAL DEODORANT

One of the longest standing and best selling natural deodorants on the market. Light weight, it contains no harmful chemicals, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, parabens or phthalates. The base of the deodorant is a mineral salt that is odorless.

PROS: Clean application, but the rollerball does need "priming" in the morning. Neutral scent and didn't have build up with reapplication. Needed reapplication at least twice a day.

CONS: It took a while to dry requiring outfit planning in the morning. The staying power was great and the small size made it easy to add to your work bag.

LAVANILA

Known as "The Healthy Deodorant", Lavanila is made with pure essential oils and antioxidants without the use of aluminum, paraben and other commonly used harsh chemicals. 

PROS: The smell is wonderful (we tried the Vanilla Lavender)! It goes on smoothly and leaves a soft powdery finish.

CONS: This product did not stand up to warm or hectic days at all. Reapplication was necessary 2-3 times a day and at $14 a stick if felt more like a solid perfume. Once you got to the end of the stick the product fell out of the holder. We'll save this for no stress or winter days.

Wear It Again: Repeating A Classic Silhouette

"Save the Dates" are in for the summer and we all sat down to review our closets and start outfit planning. Instead of shopping for the perfect dress to wear to our next wedding or formal event, this year we've decided to use what we already have and shop our closets. 

Stay Stylish, 

K&M

Shop Your Closet

Last week Devon shared her "wear now and later" vintage shopping look. This week Megan and I are taking the same cue and reaching for that dress in the back of our closets. We know you have one too--that dress you've held on to for years, love, but for one reason or another never wear. This post is for you friend!

Classic Silhouettes

The pieces that have lasted the longest in my wardrobe have been the classic ones. However, there are a few contradictions with staying power. This floral black slip dress, is one of them. I've kept it part for nostalgia (I brought it to Italy when I was studying there in college) and part because I love the romantic design. With the slip dress silhouette now back in fashion, I decided to bring it out of the archives.

Re-Think & Re-Style

This dress is the perfect thing for an afternoon wedding, but could I wear it on date night? With two quick adjustments the look is easy enough to wear for a night out. For a casual and modern spin on this look, I added my leather moto jacket, a double buckle belt and blush velvet flats. While slip dresses are traditionally famous for their straight lines, I liked adding a little contrast and definition to the silhouette. So, your turn--pull that dress out of the closet and give it some love again!

Pro Tip: To get out of the box, take two opposite items in your closet and pair them together (like a fitted blazer with your flowy maxi). You will begin to see new options!

Wear It Again: Dressing Up and Making it Your Own

Outfit details: Bauble Bar bib necklace, Maude dress (last season), Madden velvet sandals (similar)

A few weekends ago I attended an afternoon wedding at a winery in Paso Robles. Given the hour and venue, I wanted to wear something that was easy and didn't feel too formal. After shopping in San Francisco at my usual go-to spots, I couldn't find anything that I was really excited about. 

Shop Your Closet

Not wanting to spend too much on a dress that I would only wear once, I decided to wear something that my sister had sent me over a year ago. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure this knit dress was totally my style. It's one of those pieces that needs the right accessories to balance out the formality. 

Accessorize To Make It You Own

While shopping online I found an amazing silver piece by Bauble Bar. The necklace added a little glamour and edge to the look that felt more like me. To keep the ensemble soft, I added a pair of faded blue velvet strappy heels.

Pro Tip: Skip the neutral pumps--pair a formal dress with a pop of color for interest.

An Unexpected Casual Piece

In typical San Francisco fashion, the afternoon wind kicked up while we were shooting this story. In what some may call fashion fate, I threw on my grey Uniqlo sweater and white Ked's sneakers. To my surprise, they ended up looking great with the dress. With some encouragement from Kimberly (what would I do without her!), I agreed to take a few shots of the look. We added in my favorite camo bag which I use for EVERYTHING, and voila it's my new favorite summer casual outfit!

Stay Stylish,
M&K

Dance Into The Weekend: Our Spring Soundtrack

It's time to get your dancing shoes on! In celebration of Friday and a weekend full of fun (is anyone doing Bay to Breakers?), we have put together a special Spring soundtrack for you.  Cheers to the weekend and fresh tunes.

Click Here to Start Listening!

Enjoy!
K&M

Wear it Again: Spring Occasion Dresses

Today, our resident NYC -> SF fashion girl and Junior Stylist Devon is dishing on how to get the most out of your Spring occasion dresses.

I have a bad habit of pushing my more feminine clothing to the back of my closet. This spring, I promised myself I would brush the dust off my nice dresses. To my surprise, I’m finding more ways than one to inject these special items into my everyday wardrobe.

Balancing Act

To make a feminine occasion dress feel more ‘me,’ I like to balance with a touch of masculine. For a wedding or special event, throwing on a menswear-inspired blazer is an edgy and unexpected layer.

Less is More

When working with lots of color, it’s best to keep your accessories simple. A nude heel, simple beaded purse and delicate gold jewelry complement but don’t overpower the look.

Trust in Your Staples

Just because you wore it to a wedding doesn’t mean it isn’t perfect for brunch too. A fitted denim jacket and fun flats make your nicest dress cool and casual.

Stay Stylish,
Devon

Outfit Details: Vintage Tibi Dress,  ASOS blazer (similar),  Nine West Heels, Vintage Purse, Warby Parker Sunglasses, Levi’s Denim Jacket, Trotters Woven Loafer, BCBGeneration Panama Hat

Mothers Of Influence: San Franciscian Style Makers

At Canvas we love helping other's tell their style story. For our first "Canvas" Mother's Day, we shared with you stories about the women who most significantly influenced our sense of style from an early age.

This year we wanted to take that idea and ask this same question to a few local San Franciscan bloggers with impeccable taste who inspire us daily. A big THANKS to all who shared and we hope you enjoy their stories as much as we do!  

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Photo Courtesy of sf.stockholm: Aferdita on her wedding day with her elegant mother

Aferdita Södervall
sf.stockholm

Afredita is the lovely face of Instagram's sf.stockholm. A new mom and newer transplant to the Bay Area, she has plenty of style to share. We love following her fresh take on outfitting with a little one and are inspired by her daily snaps around the city.

We were touched by Afredita's candid sharing of living so far from her own mom as she discovers motherhood in San Francisco. 

"My mother has always been very certain of her style and that has given me confidence to trust my own sense of style. She also taught me that one should not try to be someone else when dressing, but rather emphasize their true personality through her clothes. "

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Photo Courtesy of Allergic To Vanilla: Carlina rocking our favorite feminine cool look.

Carlina Harris
Allergic to Vanilla

There are trends and there are trend setters. Carlina Harris certainly falls into the latter bunch.

We love the sophistication and ease of her style that always has a dash of the unexpected. Perhaps it's her genuinely grounded personality that makes everything work. How does she walk the line so well, maybe it's genetic? 

"My mom has always inspired me from how she used to dress when I was a little girl, to when she'd dress my sister and I in the same getups she would sew herself. Fashion was always something I looked up to with her. I loved her boho glam style in the 70's."

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Devon with her fun loving mama traveling

Devon Bert is our new Junior Stylist. Don't let her sweet smile fool you, she is one fierce stylist and bargain shopper! We love Devon's fresh take on local fashion as she settles into west coast living.

Where did she hone her style skills? Her mom has been a great style influencer. Devon balances her creativity with practicality.

"Growing up shopping with my mom, she taught me the importance of classic silhouettes. The staple pieces in my wardrobe that I mix with my funkier vintage items are definitely inspired by her advice. "

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Photo Courtesy of Chasing Kendal: Kendall in one of her casual-cool outfits.

Kendall Chase
Chasing Kendall

One of the things that we love about Kendall is that when it comes to fashion and life, she is having FUN! Whether she's showing off her fearless fashion or where to get a great cocktail, Kendall's blog is full of infectious energy. Plus, she is as nice as she is stylish!

When we saw her Insta stories last weekend about her early Mother's Day trip to Napa, we knew these two had a serious bond and couldn't wait to hear more!

"My mom influenced my style because she was always very receptive to anything I felt like putting on. She embraced my individuality, and didn't stifle it. Constantly encouraging me to “express my individuality” (even if that meant wearing gross baggy sweats to high school or a full leopard bodysuit to elementary school for a whole month straight - no lie!) allowed me to be different and cultivate my unique style… not to mention her closet full of sartorial treasures. Anything she didn’t want anymore or outgrew I snagged! Some of these pieces are staples in my wardrobe today, which I then mix with my own new flavor."

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Photo Courtesy of The Tropicanyon: Ryan and His Gorgeous Mama

Ryan Castañeda
The Tropicanyon

Ryan is our daily dose of inspiration walking through Union Square. You likely have seen his genius creations gracing the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue.

Ryan shares a special bond with his mama that we heard about as soon as we met. His eye for color and vintage mixing is on point. Check out his Tumblr feed here to see more. How does Ryan's mom influence his sense of style?

"Her free spirited personality and love of combining decades past with the present heavily inspired my style, it's very much alive within me when I style each and every morning. She's also always worn her beautiful blonde hair long and ever flowing which very much inspired why I wear mine long as well. As a child I always wanted to have the cascading effect she achieved so effortlessly and glow brighter than anyone in a room. I'd say that's how she's influenced my style and why she continues to be a light in my life."

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Stay Stylish,
K&M

White Shoes To Buy Now

Nothing screams summer like a white shoe. Worn dressed up or down, it adds a crisp, clean element to any outfit.

How to Wear White Shoes

White can be a good anchor for a colorful outfit and also brightens up darker outfits. Pair white with jeans for a classic vibe, a floral maxi for a boho look or with a straw hat and shorts on beach days.

ProTip: Because white can be SO bright on sunny days we prefer a little cut out or detailing to cut down on the reflection.

White In Every Style

Are you ready to jump into the season?
Shop some of our favorites below. And read our post for tips on how to keep white shoes clean.

Stay Stylish,

M&K

Saludos x ASHKAHN, $75

Vince Georgia Sandal, $195

Jeffrey Campbell Barnett Studded Loafer, $130

Stay Stylish,
K&M

The Jumpsuit: A Summer Staple

I have to be honest, I've never really embraced the jumpsuit trend. Mostly because I've never been able to find one that fit well, was easy to wear and comfortable. But when I found this simple black wide-legged one-piece at Uniqlo on sale for $6.99 (YES! $6.99!!), I had to give it a try.

Finding The Right Fit

For me, finding the right jumpsuit has always been about the fit. I like to be comfortable in my clothes and able to run around all day. Made of 100% cotton, this one doesn't wrinkle and also doesn't cling at my waist. Length is another big factor. Again, this one scored points because it hit above the ankle, so I can wear it with flats or dress it up with heels.

It's All About the Details

When adding a basic staple to your closet, look for one that has subtle details that make it special. What I loved about this romper is that it cinches and crosses in the front, then has a banded waist and goes into a wide leg. I can't begin to express how easy it is to wear. 

Confession Time

And now, I have to confess something. I loved this jumpsut so much that I went back the next day and bought another one! Sometimes when you find the perfect piece, you just have to buy a backup!

Outfit details: Uniqlo jumpsuit, Gap denim jacket, Quay Australia sunglasses, Banana Republic velvet shoes (last season).

Stay stylish,
M&K

Gingham & Green: Mixing it up with Spring Trends

Megan and I have both been feeling the need to add something fresh to our wardrobes. We want a piece that works for spring, can last all summer, and doesn't have sticker shock. While we both try to limit adding fast fashion pieces, we have picked up some great staples over the years at surprising places. One shop that we regularly keep tabs on is Uniqlo. We love this Japanese brand for its minimal basics and modern trend pieces.

When To Trade Down

I chose a new full tie waist spring skirt. It has been is making a come back in stores this season (Max Mara, Gap, J.Crew all have had versions).  How do you know when to invest in a piece or trade it for a lower price point? Ask yourself how often you'll wear it and be honest. If you are unsure, don't invest, but test it at a lower price.

 Look At The Details

Uniqlo had the winning combination for me (wrinkle resistance, pockets, color, price). When trading down you often lose out on construction, fabric quality, and fit. Look closely in the dressing room at the construction and fabric. Save sweaters, jackets/Blazer and everyday shoes for investments. 

Hold Your Horses

We've all been there and bought a piece on a whim.  Fight the urge for newness and make sure your new purchase is a workhorse. Wearing a bow waist can be tricky--but I knew that that I had plenty of tops that I could pair with it. I also like the fact that the bow is removeable so I can add a belt for a different look.

Stay Stylish, 

K&M

Get the Look: J.Crew Check Shirt, Uniqlo High Waist Belted Flare Green Skirt, Jigsaw London Wedges (similar), Vintage Necklace

Spring's Most Covetable (and accessible) Bags

The change in season is aways a good time to add a new purse to your rotation (as if you needed an excuse!). After the dark blacks, blues and browns of winter, it's nice to lighten things up.

We've put together our favorite "It" bags of the season, in a range of prices that are accessible to everyone.

1. Small & Stylish
Keep it compact and chic with this Sole Society Lowell Clutch ($54.95). This fun trend piece is also functional with a zipper closure and attachable shoulder strap.

Photo by Kelsey Johnson

2.  A Pop of Color
The Lululemon All Day Tote ($118) in purple. It has a cross-body strap, removable pouch and plenty of space for your office and after gear.

3. Texture & Stripes
Mix in print with this Soeur Vendredi Woven Raffia Tote ($150). It's great for a day at the beach, the farmer's market or brunching with friends.

4. Budget-Friendly
Stay classic with this neutral Buxton Shopper Tote ($40). Don't let the price tag fool you, Kimberly and I each own one and they are as durable as they are stylish. Plus they fit everything!

Stay Stylish,
M&K