Get your helmuffs! Yes, Helmuffs.

Yes, I did say helmuffs. And we discovered them just in time for the cooler weather! They are cozy earmuffs to wear with your bike helmet during the winter months. TfP team member, Kendra Chatburn was at the scene with creator and designer, Gigi.

Gigi started making helmuffs in 2008 when she recognized a need for ear-warmers geared to bicyclists. What started out as making them for friends and her husband's co-workers soon turned into a full-fledged business.

Gigi upcycles cloth from old wool sweaters found at local thrift shops. There are some pretty sweet designs and patterns on old wool sweaters, so why waste money on new ones? These are 100% wool sweaters that she "felts"; a process to make them machine-washable and non-shrinkable to customers. And wool is a great fabric for Portland - it resists rain and odor - perfect for sweaty cyclists!

The helmuffs shield from wind cutting across ears and can be enhanced with reflective adorments to enhance visibility for all you nighttime riders. So ride warm! And be trendy while reusing materials! You can take a look at more designs on Gigi's website, gigishandywork.com or at Bikeasaurus and Pedal Bike Tours bike shops. We support upcycling!

Trashion Exhibit: Awareness through Art

Junk to Funk, a local company dedicated to trash fashion, has recently set up an installation in the heart of downtown Portland. When I heard the theme of the exhibition, Single Use Disposables: Convenience or Conundrum, my inner TfP soul just had to learn more! The display focuses on three of the most thrown away packaging products in the world: plastic bags, coffee cups and plastic beverage bottles. I decided to finally check it out on my lunch break today and it is stunning! If you are any bit interested in fashion, recycling, costumes, upcycling, art installations or curbing wastefulness, this is the exhibit for you. Here's a sneak peak:

Please go check it out! You can see more outfits, how they made the costumes and the facts on the wastefulness of the three products. The show will be displayed through October on the corner of SW 9th and Morrison. Take a look for yourself!

You can find more info here. And JunktoFunk's website here.