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Ecophonic
Many stringed, wind or percussion instruments are made of wood and produce an incredible sonority. What if the instruments used to make and listen to music nowadays, smartphones, also relied on wood to amplify their sound? A Madrid-based company called Ecophonic allows us to listen to our favourite Spotify playlists or the most exciting moments of Neftlix series amplified through this material.
Ecophonic is a speaker made of wood without cables or batteries. Thanks to its morphology and design, Ecophonic not only amplifies the sound of the phone, but also improves it, providing sound nuances in the mids and bass that are totally lost in the 1W speakers of mobile phones.
Ecophonic was founded in 2014, when nobody had heard of ecological speakers or ecophones. From the beginning, the company decided to go for native wood from sustainable forests with FSC certification which cares for and maintain the natural environment. They manufacture in Spain in a sustainable way, adding value to their products and differentiating themselves from Asian-made products.
Step by step they found the key promoting their products at trade fairs and design markets. They currently have a catalogue of 8 different models with prices ranging from 15 to 120 euros. Their products are mainly made in chestnut and walnut, but also in cherry, beech and wenge. However, they are constantly researching new materials, designs and concepts. The Uno Universal is their most successful model. It was the first one they launched and is compatible with 99% of smartphones.
Ecophonic speakers offer immediate amplification, without complications, for specific moments, but with sufficient sound quality. You can use them when travelling, having a coffee, a shower or a relaxing bath at home, in situations where it is not worth connecting a Bluetooth speaker. There is no other company that focuses its efforts exclusively on this type of loudspeaker. There are some bamboo models that amplify the sound by chance and, in addition, they are imported from Indonesia and China, leaving a huge CO2 footprint.
Ecophonic speakers do not intend to compete with quality electronic speakers, but rather with those cheap models manufactured in China that last very little, sound bad and end up in landfills generating waste. However, the company has a high-end line called Ecophonic Luthier Series that offers a superior sound and for which they have used luthier techniques.
Codis bath furniture
It is one of the trends coming on strong in 2021. Bathrooms are becoming more and more important at home thanks to these new trends that update them, turning baths into rooms that are as comfortable and beautiful as any other place in the house. Here a hint: natural finishes are in. Within modern bathroom furniture, we can also talk about minimalist style furniture. Style is dominated by white colours, straight lines and austerity in terms of carvings or decoration in the structure of the furniture. In addition, they bring us luminosity and neatness.
There are many possibilities of materials in which Codis bathroom furniture is made: wood, laminates, marble, lacquers… Perhaps everything is familiar to you and, surely, you are wondering what is so new about the subject of materials. Well, there are many novelties. They do not only affect the evolution of those we already know. Better and more durable, more personalised colours, unique finishes… And something that has not received much attention until now: materials combination.
In a bathroom, combining materials can be difficult. It is one of those bets that must be valued with care because in the right choice lies not only success, but also becoming a reference or a trend. It was not so long ago that choosing a bathroom meant deciding between two types of doors and colours. Today, mixture of materials and finishes is key to designing stylish bathrooms as the ones Codis bathroom mades in Spain.
Royo eco sneakers
Royo was born from the creative spirit of Nuria Robleño and Sofía Machin, two young entrepreneurs who love the world of fashion. The main purpose of Royo is to stand out with a sustainable product made in Spain, thus demonstrating that sustainable fashion can be made with the same care for design and the same quality as the best non-sustainable products.
For example, back and tongue of some of Royo shoes are made of vegetable leather made from pineapple fibers. A much more sustainable and environmentally friendly material than traditional leather. It is produced from the fibres of pineapple leaves, which are a by-product of the harvest. Shoes side parts are made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled clothes. All materials are originated with the aim of integrating and promoting social, ecological and cultural development.
Royo inspires a lifestyle for its customers by offering collections that include products such as footwear and accessories, combining a sophisticated streetwear style with a creative and vintage touch. Designed for all those dreamers, full of magic and the desire to take on the world. A philosophy that supports creativity and ambition. A community of big and small dreamers with goals and enthusiasm where we can support each other and share our experiences. Their mission is to inspire people to fulfil their dreams by opening the doors of this new project.
Spanish olive oils
Spain occupies a prominent place as the world’s leading producer and exporter of EVOO (Aceite de Oliva Virgen Extra – Extra Virgin Olive Oil). Our great diversity of olive varieties has given rise to a range of unique olive oils in the world, and this factor, coupled with the latest technologies and most modern development processes, results in the highest quality oils.
Its high content in monounsaturated fatty acids makes olive oil a unique food. Virgin and extra-virgin olive oils also provide natural antioxidants (olive oil polyphenols and vitamin E). For these reasons, it is considered to be the healthiest food by medical science.
Olive oils can be used both raw and cooked, but why are Spanish olive oils the best in the world? Because Spain has spent years working on an accelerated improvement process of its olive groves and working with industry-leading technology. This allows the highest quality olive oils to be obtained. Proof of this is in the many awards that Spanish extra-virgin oils have received. Since Spain is the world’s largest producer (50% of the world’s olive oil production is in Spain), and because more than 260 varieties are grown here, we can offer the widest range of aromas and flavors. According to the ranking made every year on the World’s Best Olive Oils website, which is based on the results of 16 major extra-virgin oil international competitions, 7 of the 10 best olive oils in the world are Spanish.
From the tree to your table, find out about the extraction process of Spanish olive juice, the unique qualities of which have been appreciated by all the Mediterranean cultures for centuries.
Marae Kids
Almost two years after her first inn, Princess Charlotte was once again wearing a coat made in Zamora, Spain. Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge’s daughter dressed a bottle-coloured coat made in Marae Kids factory in Coreses (Zamora) for Amaia London.
After British royalty dressed little Princess Charlotte on her first day of school with a garment made of garnet colored wool from Zamora, their majesties have chosen again the Spanish firms to celebrate their first Christmas mass.
Marae Kids is a brand born after the founders’ soul search for individuality, and their passion for quality and timeless, yet classy outwear. The founders were raised between knitting machines, yarns and their parents drive to produce top quality boiled wool outwear in the market.
This philosophy, alongside a tradition of more than 30 years, blended into a kidswear collection that is well recognized in UK market. Marae Kids offers a full range of wool outwear pieces for kids who love to feel smart in a natural and non-conventional style.
Sensitive CBD cosmetics
Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Unlike other cannabinoids, CBD does not generate any psychoactive effects, so it can be consumed by all types of users without any undesirable side effects. Various medical and scientific studies point to the advantages of regular consumption of CBD and its use by celebrities is often for medical and therapeutic reasons as well as for cosmetic and aesthetic reasons.
The promises of CBD are many and include reducing the sensation of pain, migraines and inflammation, it acts as a powerful anxiolytic, antioxidant and neuroprotective. The cosmetic industry is also following in the footsteps of the health and wellness market and is increasingly launching hemp-based products and using CBD as a raw material. Facial creams, serums, body lotions, shampoos, bath pumps and a growing range of beauty products are introducing CBD into the cosmetic routine of celebrities.
Sensitive CBD was the first shop in Spain specialized in CBD and Cannabis cosmetic products. The Sensitive CBD project was born in Barcelona at the beginning of 2018, with a great vocation to educate about Cannabis Sativa plant and the enormous benefits of its components, especially Cannabidiol (CBD). Sensitive CBD is a reference in the hemp and CBD market being a pioneer in CBD cosmetics in Spain under their Hemp Lovers brand.
Monai’s upcycling
Monai‘s family business was born not only to give an outlet to their creativity but also to be aware of recycling, respect for the environment and look for alternatives to the the amount of textile waste generated today. Textile industry worldwide is the second most polluting on the planet after oil. Fashion world sells 80 billion garments worldwide every year and generates 20% of the toxins discharged into water.
And this fast fashion, why is it possible? These garments are made in Asia, where most of the world’s 250,000 factories are located, producing under exploitative conditions many times. Current model of linear economy is obsolete, but fortunately more and more brands and companies are betting on a circular economy basis to reduce the use of new raw materials, reuse existing ones and recycle.
They make sustainable fashion accessories that respect environment, without any kind of exploitation and providing social awareness. The recycled fabrics Monai use are surplus from textile factories, also work with organic wool without dyes or chemicals in its manufacture and with certified organic cotton yarns. With ICEA certifications (Institute for Ethical Environmental Certification) according to GOTS standards (Global Organic Textile Standard).
Monai project was born in 2014, but it was not until 2016 when their online store opened its doors. Formed by two sisters, actually the name of the company is the union of their names Monica and Aida (Monai Bags). All products are handmade, unique models, manufactured 100% in Spain in their workshop in Valladolid, without intermediaries, in a traditional way.
They also make custom designs, so if you do not find your model in the store you can always contact them and ask for your own design.
Sopak octopus soup
Get inside Manuela’s fish market is to enter the essence of Cantabrian Sea spirit and also in the heart of Basque Country: Getaria. Great ambassadors of the Basque spirit were born here, such as Juan Sebastián Elcano or famous couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga. And that passion spreads to all surroundings of this fishing village and its way of life merged with the Atlantic ocean winds.
Sopak Primicia de Mar instant octopus soup mix was created with the intention of preserving a great gastronomic tradition in the Basque Country. Olagarru zopa (octopus soup) is one of the most characteristic meals of the region, but whose traditional preparation by dehydration has been lost over time. This instant octopus soup is based in the tradition of different ways of elaboration historically used in the area. Although the traditional recipe for the elaboration of this soup requires a lot of time, Sopak instant soup has adapted it to the new consumer’s lifestyle to offer a healthy, quality and tasty product, but also really easy to prepare. To make this soup, all you do is add water and soup mix in a saucepan, then whisk and slowly heat it up some minutes. Simple as that!
This instant octopus soup mix can be enjoyed on its own, or it can be added to different dishes such as stews, dips and casseroles. Mix comes in a 2 portion pack and it’s perfect for meals, suppers or those hangover days when it is necessary an energetic and nutritious contribution. Or just for people who really love a traditional, powerful and tasty octopus soup in seconds.
All your Books
It was planned to be launched at the end of 2020, but the pandemic accelerated the process and it seemed that it could be released in summer with the literary rentrée. But finally it arrived: the new platform Todostuslibros.com (All your Books.com) has brought together a collective catalog of nearly 800 independent bookstores associated with CEGAL – Spanish Confederation of Bookstores – and since October it is also a unified sales platform. Through it, the reader can find any title in their search engine, purchase and get it delivered at home between 24 / 48 hours. It is not the only one, but it is the most ambitious initiative launched by Spanish bookstores to face their biggest competitor, the one they are even reluctant to name: the giant Amazon, which has been taking down a good part of the online book sales last years.
“We’re doing very well, very well”, celebrates Jesús Trueba, bookseller at La Buena Vida, a bookstore in Madrid, member of the board of directors of CEGAL and promoter of Todostuslibros.com platform. They are in the process of filming, promoting the initiative among bookshops and readers. Although they still don’t have data on the transactions made, they have observed that visits to the web, which was at 2 million hits per month, have increased by 25% after activation of purchase option. “We have everything,” celebrates Trueba, “all that’s left is that readers know about us”.
Find them at Todostuslibros.com