LYRA MAG.

There's no bad weather-only bad clothing... Some of the latest multi-tasking items available at online destination Backcountry.com- for the all in outdoors enthusiasts-or casual city strollers...are great gifts to give anyone. Included in the carefully curated assortment we saw at the #BACKCOUNTRYNYC pop-up-is stuff from the top rated brands, including smartly designed-tested/vetted designed apparel-not found elsewhere. Keep Warm: Polar Vortex-or all-day hours outdoors= extra base layers, please! One piece wonders-Ninja Suits (in W, M, kids)-in super soft merino wool  -in fun patterns might hilariously make the fashion police frown (in a good way ha ha)...by Airblaster Mons Royale The Merino Experience one piece is made from the finest New Zealand wool Female made-Norway's Olympic winning  Kari Traa   -serves up tastefully printed super soft merino base layers-that practically have a cult following now. AND COME IN SIZES UP TO 2XL-4XL !!! Figures...

#GIVINGTUESDAY gifts ... to feel good about this holiday season. Buy from a wide range of goods -and price points from companies that are biz members of 1% For The Planet (earmark 1% of gross sales to non-profits). Two companies we love- Patagonia and it sub snack brand Patagonia Provisions, and stunning housewares and portable bottles designed by SOMA  are both members...and offer up loads of items to please anyone on your list. Tasty treats made by non-profit fav Greyston  Bakeries-that trains/employs really anyone with the desire to learn-no barriers to work... (OpenHiring®-with the winning motto EAT BROWNIES TO CHANGE LIVES )... For coffee lovers-"Fuel Your Day With Purpose" CHAPIN COFFEE 's Organic Fair Trade 100% Arabica coffee- (Signature Gift Set) is packaged in a beautiful reusable hand woven sack -donates  school meals to children living in rural Guatemala via a partnership with NGO Pueblo A Pueblo

The 18th Annual Cranksgiving takes place in New York City on November 19 th All donations benefit The Bowery Mission WHA T Cranksgiving is a food drive on two wheels - part charity, part bike ride, and part scavenger hunt. It began in New York City in 1999, and there are now nearly 100 other Cranksgivings taking place around the globe, sharing the unique mission of helping those in need through the joy of riding a bike. The ride will cover most of Manhattan – Harlem to Battery Park – and welcomes everyone looking for a rewarding way to help those in need - from seasoned bike messengers to families out for a casual ride. Last year in New York, 350 riders collected over 1,900 pounds of canned soups & vegetables, cranberry sauce, potatoes, stuffing, corn, pasta, baby food, pies and eleven whole turkeys for The Bowery Mission. "As Cranksgiving continues to grow, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity from the cycling c...

Media Preview Environment Furniture 350-352 Bowery, NYC  Environment Furniture---repurposed wood-stunning design WIN WIN. A new Euro team ( Messe-Stuttgart ) with non profits Green America and Global Exchange is taking the annual Green Festival across America-to even better than ever- (re)acquaint attendees to the benefits of an eco way of life-effortlessly, we might add.  From non-toxic household goods, healthful food (vegan, vegetarian that really has mainstream appeal), organic beer and wines---to Fair Trade accessories/clothing, and skincare/beauty/grooming---the NYC version on April 26-27 at the large Pier 94 (10-6PM)---will have something for everyone.  Violets Are Blue -skin care with pronounceable healing natural ingredients-with liquids smartly packaged in violet reusable/recyclable glass bottles-something common in Europe where BPA in plastic is banned---but not here. Hmm. This NYCer -Cynthia Besteman-cancer survivor developed gentle ...

Outdoor Retailer, SLC Cradle to cradle -documenting garment's lifestyle…from start (seed, petrochemicals) to finish (landfill, repurposed)…is more than just a buncha talking points in the outdoor industry. It is a way of doing business…ensuring continuity---of the outdoors. AFTER ALL. AND alongside the food/cosmetics/beauty industries, apparel ingredients that are being scrutinized by consumers, worldwide ---apparel is meaningfully becoming part of that awareness and concern of what goes into  and on  their bodies... For Instance... IMO: A lot of wearers -including the guys we hike with-would be/are shocked as to how the keep it warm things they attire themselves with-in this instance down/feather insulation- gets sourced/processed/sold…particularly when it bears environmentally aware company label tags dedicated (and advertised)- to keeping it green. Frankly, we were too. Cruel free/ethical practices are seriously in the mission mix- in 2014. And it should be…e...