Spread Love Signs by local artist Brandon Thrift

We’re so thrilled to have local artist Brandon Thrift’s Spread Love Signs in-stock at Wild Ginger Apothecary! Brandon has become an inspirational force in Sarasota with his cheerful and bright art.

Spread Love

Based in Sarasota has brought some amazing collaborations with businesses, local landmarks, fellow artists and more.

Artist Brandon Thrift

As featured in The Observer, Brandon has been traveling around the United States, leaving his feel-good art wherever he lands!

Brandon Thrift knew his place in the world. 

He liked to make music and share that music with others. The 25-year old drummer would constantly get up on stage with his band and play to cheering crowds in Sarasota. 

That certainty ended along with group events in general when the pandemic arrived. Losing his main source of artistic expression was a blow to Thrift.

“There was a lot of downtime,” he said. "There was a lot of time to overthink and kind of mull in the darkness and, and let all of the negativity consume me … but creative expression will find a way regardless.”

He started exploring new outlets to showcase his creativity. It wasn’t long before he knew painting was the medium for him — he said it felt right.

"It was electric,” he said. “That connection is nonstop. You just want to do it forever and ever and you forget to eat and you forget to drink water.”

 His style of painting — originally abstract expressionism in the vein of Jackson Pollack — began to shift as Thrift explored. 

He realized he wanted to be more expressive with words, and have his art convey a feeling that would help people. The vessel for that came to him in a flash — “Spread Love”.

“It's two syllables, it's enrolled anybody can absorb that subconsciously or consciously,” Thrift said. “It's received theoretically 100% of people that see it.”

Thrift was already planning a nearly three-week road trip across the American Southwest, and decided to bring his message and art along with him, sharing it with as many people as he could.

The new artist has visited countless states across the country, leaving behind painted “Spread Love” signs at landmarks and hotspots. You might have seen his work painted across a tarp hung up in New Orleans, on a piece of wood overlooking the Grand Canyon, or on a surfboard left near a World War II bunker in California. He's left hundreds more.

He’s recently returned home, and says he’s been forever changed by the experience.

“It was a divine intervention of timing and purpose,” he said.

Thrift didn’t have a destination in mind when he set out on his trip on June 1, but he did have a direction. He drove through New Orleans, Texas, New Mexico, California, Oregon and Colorado over the course of more than 12,000 miles. In each city, he would stop at a Michael’s store to pick up paint supplies and find tables, desks, and furniture on Craiglist to break down and use as canvases. 

He preferred those makeshift canvases as a way to recycle things that would be tossed away anyway. Some were small pieces of wood while others were large tarps he would hang in New Orleans. He’d research where he was traveling ahead of time and place them in photographic areas or places with high foot traffic

Thrift would create these works in parking lots and parks all over the Southwest, and was able to get a batch of signs painted and finished in around five hours if the weather permitted. People would often walk up to him to see what he was doing, and they would trade stories. Thrift said that sense of connection was one of his favorite parts of his trip.

"There was this little girl whose father I stayed with and she was you could tell in her eyes," Thrift said. "That she was so inspired by what I was doing. How much was just you could see her beaming at at the thought of what an impact it could potentially make."

He returned home June 23 and feels he's come a long way. His initial trip was just that — the first in additional trips to spread his message to other parts of the country. Thrift is brainstorming a trip up the east coast in the future. 

“I think it’s moved me but it’s also motivated me to do so much more and see what’s out there,” Thrift said. “This is a never ending project.”

Spread Love Signs

Stop in for your own Spread Love sign at Wild Ginger. We have small canvases available for $25! Then follow Brandon’s journey and artistic creations via his Instagram: @artbybrandonthrift!

Wild Ginger Apothecary's CBD Education Video Series

We are excited to announce Wild Ginger Apothecary's CBD Education Series. In these videos, we will explore the benefits and use of CBD for health. At WGA, we are a community for health + wellness. We carry only organic, hemp-derived CBD products, with 3rd party lab testing for purity and strength. We pride ourselves on offering the area's best CBD product selection, with complimentary one-on-one consultation in selecting the best option for you.

Thanks to our CBD Educator, Steve, for sharing his knowledge with the WGA community. You can meet him weekly at CBD Coffee Hour - every Friday from 10am-12pm, as well as at our monthly CBD 101 class.

Enjoy!

An Open Letter to Acure Moroccan Argan Stem Cell + Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner…

Dearest New Love,

I have searched far and wide to find the “right one”; the right product to cleanse and condition my coarse, naturally wavy, color treated (read: dry as dust/damaged) hair. I have been infatuated with others in the past (who shall remain nameless), but they were either chemical laden or simply couldn’t live up to my expectations. Inevitably, each would break my heart and leave my hair unchanged or worse, in shoddier shape.

That all changed when I met you, Acure Moroccan Argan Stem Cell + Argan Oil

Shampoo & Conditioner! Your scent, with a subtle hint of almond, is enthralling without being overpowering. The lather of your shampoo is in that sweet spot between gratifying and “how will I ever rinse all of this foam out of my hair”. Happily, this is not due to sulfates or other chemicals; your heart is pure. The silky caress of your conditioner, infused with CoQ10 and Omega 7, feels velvety and stands up to blow-drying with ease. My hair was so much softer after just two uses that I simply cannot wait to see what our future holds! I find myself making excuses to spend time with you as often as I can.

Most importantly, you are FREE of those dreadful qualities I’ve found in other hair care products such as sulfates, parabens, phthalates or synthetic fragrance. You wont fade or brass my color and, as if you weren’t ideal enough, you are also vegan and cruelty free.

I admit it; I am simply hair over heels in love with you, Acure Moroccan Argan Stem Cell + Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner and am looking forward to a long, devoted relationship. I also look forward to meeting the rest of your Acure Organics family.

Lots of Love,
JJ

Guest post by Joelle Johns, former Wild Ginger Apothecary Yoga Instructor + regular Wild Ginger Apothecary Product Tester.

Day at the beach: Solar Recover

I'll save the facts about the harsh UV rays from Florida's intense sunshine, but we've all experienced it first hand.  These beautiful beaches and salty waters of ours aren't easy on your skin or hair, and even a brief day trip can leave you over-sunned and parched. 

Solar Recover Save Your Skin is a best seller at Wild Ginger Apothecary for good reason:  it's easy to use, powerful yet light, and refreshing.  Even in a hurry, it's my go-to hydration.  It's a favorite trick to touch up when my arms and legs are dry throughout the day, I can spray easily without a greasy residue potentially trashing my outfit.  You can't spray it too much, and trust me, I've tried.

The Save Your Hair spray is the equivalent in a hair rescue.  Spray post sun-scorched beach day and your hair won't feel like straw for long.  You can spray out of the shower as a light de-tangler, too - a favorite solution for my thin straight hair in lieu of a heavier conditioner.  

There's not much you need on a beautiful day besides a beach towel, swimsuit, and SPF... but you'll be grateful once you add this duo to that mix. 

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Powerful Duo: Acure's Brightening Scrub + Argan Oil

There's best-sellers that are hard to understand, and then there are two of Acure's biggest hits: Brightening Facial Scrub and Argan Oil.  Yet another family-owned vendor, Acure remains firm in their commitment to use sustainable and pure ingredients, despite the growth of their brand.  It's hard not to love them.

Maybe there's something about using a seaweed scrub when I live near the beach, but I can't get enough of this brightening scrub.  It's not too harsh to use a few times a week, and it really works as described: leaving your face with an extra-clean, dewy glow. Plus, Acure's exclusive "Chlorella Growth Factor" is amazing for regenerating skin cells.  After so much time in the sun and sea, that's a welcome addition.  It's bright sea-monster green, too, which makes it a lot more exciting to use.  You're never too old to be entertained by the simple things!

Then there is Argan Oil.  You've used it by now, right?  It's appearing in everything - and for good reason.  Harvested by women's cooperatives in Morocco, it's called "liquid gold" because of it's super-healing capabilities.  It's perfect for sensitive facial skin, dry spots on your body, hands and feet, and even dry hair. Argan Oil is my must-have for travel: one little bottle does basically everything I need from removing makeup, to taming my hair, to hydrating my face.  It belongs in every green beauty toolkit. 

As always, I love providing customers at Wild Ginger Apothecary samples of any products they are interested in.  Just be prepared: once you bring either of these items home, you'll be hooked!

xx
Nicole

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

I Love Kombucha (and why you will too)!

I remember my first experience with Kombucha a decade ago.  Kind of like your first beer, you have a hard time determining just what you think about it: is it too tart, too sweet, too fizzy, too acidic? But then you realize it's the perfect combination of all those things, and you wonder why you haven't known about it years earlier.  The 2-for-1 sales on 'booch became my best friend, and I'd pack my refrigerator full every chance I got.  I've been addicted ever since.

What is Kombucha? It's a fermented tea that been revered as an "elixir of life" for 3000 years.  It helps your immune and digestive systems, detoxifies, and gives you energy.  This I can personally vouch for! Plus it's full of probiotics, amino acids, B vitamins and more.  (And did I mention it's the best hangover remedy out there? You're welcome.)

Lucky for those of us in Sarasota, we have an amazing local brand: Kombucha 221BC.  Aneta + Eric make some of the most creative 'booch flavors I've had.  (Lemon Lime Cayenne might even beat out Ginger for my absolute favorite.)  They've been a great friend to Wild Ginger Apothecary, and we've been proud to sample their delicious tea at both our Grand Opening as well as our monthly First Friday parties.  Stop by and see us for a Kombucha Cocktail: they are really fantastic! They are available to buy throughout town and right here at WGA!

Drinking so much 'booch you want to venture making your own? I've got the answer for you for that, too.  I postponed brewing my own for years because I thought it'd be impossible to get a Scoby.  When I came across this super-easy Kombucha Starter Kit, it was the perfect solution.  Easy to follow directions and less than $1 a serving for your first batch: well worth trying it!  We have numerous herbal teas you can infuse your batch with at Wild Ginger Apothecary; one personal favorite was the Evening Spa for a calming, lavender flavored tea.  I have to admit, though, original black tea is my go-to.  It's a crowd favorite with it's cider-like finish. 
If you're looking for an energizing and refreshing beverage that's far healthier than soda, give Kombucha a try!  You can impress your friends with what Scoby means (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) and feel good about indulging. Cheers!
 

xx
Nicole

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Fresh as a Daisy with Schmidt's Deodorant

There were two items I waited until the very end to go natural for: eyeliner and aluminum-free deodorant.  I was convinced there were just some items that couldn't compare on the chemical-free circuit!  During the last decade of natural retail I have tried dozens of natural deodorants, and never once did I find one that actually worked for longer than a few hours.  The thought of using one once I moved back to the tropical, steamy south during the middle of summer was sheer horror.

I had to believe the massive buzz for Schmidt's Deodorant, so it became one of the very first products I evaluated in the months before Wild Ginger Apothecary opened.  Trust me: if this all-natural, nontoxic, aluminum-free deodorant kept me odor-free during 95 degree days (and the chaos of setting up a store), it works.  Who knew The Today Show would be so spot-on with the natural market?

It is an adjustment to apply a paste deodorant, and that's the initial shock.  But beyond that, it's amazingly effective.  I love to sample it out to customers (and friends) so they'll be equally impressed.  Every customer that drives an hour or two to purchase it confirms that this really is the best all-natural deodorant available on the market (and certainly in Sarasota).

With 5 scent options to choose from (Cedarwood + Juniper, Calendula + Ylang Ylang, Bergamot + Lime, Fragrance-Free, and Lavender + Sage) you'll have a hard time choosing one.  But you'll smell so fresh that you won't mind keeping a variety around!

xx
Nicole

Schmidt's all-natural aluminum-free deodorant is available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

Skinny & Co. Coconut Love and a Brighter Smile

Anyone who knows me can vouch for my love of coconut - especially coconut oil.  For face, body, hair, cooking.  Coconut scented lotions, potions, and everything in between.  So you can imagine my excitement finding one of the purest coconut oils on the planet!

Skinny & Co. has a patented process for their ultra-smooth coconut oil that allows it to remain 100% raw!  It was a unpleasant adjustment at first: I love the intense coconut flavor of the "Extra Virgin Organic" brands I'd used before and the Skinny doesn't have that.  But then research confirmed: the more heat the oil is exposed to, the stronger the coconut taste.  Now I have a logical explanation for the taste of the fresh, raw coconut oil I was shocked by living in Costa Rica.

By now, you've likely heard thousands of testimonials on the wonders of coconut oil.  It's the natural health + beauty favorite across the board.  You've probably heard it helps with metabolism, strengthening your immune system, and even balancing your blood sugar.

But have you heard about oil pulling?  Swishing coconut oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes a day can result in AMAZING oral health benefits.  I have at least a customer a day ask how my teeth got so white - and it's thanks to oil pulling. (Definitely not the red wine, coffee, or dark chocolate I still indulge in occasionally.)  Your teeth and gums will never feel better - especially if you follow with a tooth powder instead of a chemical-filled toothpaste.  The combination is by far the best thing I've ever done for my teeth.  Stay tuned for more on our tooth powder soon!

Set your timer, start with 5 minutes, and watch for the results.  At the very least you'll be amazed with a fresher-than-ever mouth.  Here's to a brighter smile!

xx
Nicole

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.  Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY! 

New blog, new favorite items! Meet Kensington Apothecary!

 I'm long overdue to create a Wild Ginger Apothecary blog, so better late than never!  Now to just catch up on the last 5 months of excitement...

There are hundreds of items I love in the store, with new and exciting products arriving weekly.  Yet there is one particular new line that deserves extra press: Kensington Apothecary.  At first I was simply excited to find a skincare product including my beloved Kombucha.  But there's so much more!  So many of my absolute favorite ingredients for food come through in a facial care line so complete I wonder how I lived without it.  Coconut, Blackcurrant, Pumpkin, Sake, and so many more.  (And 'booch.  Seriously, how perfect for Wild Ginger?)

 One big goal at Wild Ginger Apothecary is to have amazingly effective products that everyone can afford.  I have many skincare items that will blow your mind and not your wallet (and will give noticeable results, I promise).  This product line does the same, but has specific items available for 4 major skin type/lifestyle categories:  Blemish Prone, Graceful Aging, The Cocktail Circuit, and Surf/Ski/Sun.  You can mix-and-match any of the four steps: Cleanser, Tonic, Serum, and Facial Oil.  I like to get really crafty and mix my cocktail-recovery with my post-sun treatment.  Find what works for you, and you'll be hooked in no time too.   

At first I was sad I missed out on this amazing line during my indulgent 20's... but then I realized there's not a better place or time for antioxidant sun-damage support.  Welcome to Sarasota, Kensington.  We're so happy you're here.

xx
Nicole

Available online at www.wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store at 6557 Superior Avenue in the Gulf Gate Shopping Village.   Feel free to email or call anytime at 941.312.5630.  ENJOY!