FASHION | Five Minutes With Audrey Kitching
XO Magazine had the pleasure of catcing up with model, journalist and entrepreneur, Audrey Kitching hot off the relaunch of her new natural, holistic online store Crystal Cactus. Crystal Cactus sells an array of incense, bath salts and killer crystal necklaces. Here we chat about inspiration for the store, some of her favourite pieces and Audrey’s summer essentials.
What inspired you to start Crystal Cactus, and more specifically branch into crystals?
I have been living a conscious life style for about five years now! I try to only use holistic beauty products, I eat organic when possible and Vegan and try to do yoga, hiking and outdoor activities as much as possible. I recently got rid of Cable ( only use my Apple Tv now, to watch inspiring programs and avoid all the crap ) and I’m extremely earth conscious on a daily basis. All these things have become so important to me. Im so lucky to have the great reach I do so I try t use it to inspire as many people as possible. I got really into crystals a few years ago after realizing they can raise the human vibration to a point where happiness and healing is easier for the body to create. It’s extremely interesting and it kinda all just made sense. I love fashion and I always will and I think having a conscious lifestyle has so many negative connotations. A lot of people think of weird hippie granola ladies who are clueless and fashionless haha.. My goal is in merging fashion with conscious lifestyle that more people will be willing to give it a try or look into it, to better their own lives by nurturing their mind body and spirit on daily basis! Everything we put into our existence will create our future.
How do you go about finding inspiration for the pieces, do you approach it as a collection or do you approach it by the crystal's properties and what would best compliment them?
A little bit of both! I try to relaunch with new items every few weeks. A lot of my crystal supplies are all over the country and it’s hard to get the same crystals all the time. Due to this a lot of my items are limited and when possible I try to bring the ones back with high demand. I am always leaning more towards the Amethyst, Jade, Onyx, and Rose Quartz… as these are my personal favorites.
Do you have any favourite pieces?
Yes, I’m obsessed with the clear quartz XL gold pendant necklace. It’s huge about 2 inches and it’s just so magical. It’s definitely not an every day necklace. It’s pretty heavy but it’s worth it!
Along with selling jewelry and crystals you sell other items as well such as bath salts and incense can you tell us a bit about your creative process with creating / sourcing these?
I’m a huge bath fan, it’s my relaxation ritual. Some people have a glass of wine or beer after a long day.. I light candles take a bath with herbal sea salts! I get Himalayan pink salts and dead sea salts from all over the country and I mix them with my own special blend of holistic essential oils and herbs. Quality is super important to me so I always use the best salts possible. They come in huge white woven sacks and I have to have my boyfriend carry them up to my studio for me.
What are some of your summer essentials?
Really cool baseball hats ( I like to keep my face out of the sun, recently got one from Nasty Gal that is clear pink vinyl) oversized rainbow reflective sunglasses, homemade frozen fruit pops, overloaded bracelets and stacked up rings!
To purchase any of the necklaces above or any other rad goodies head over to http://crystalcactus.com
Follow Audrey on twitter: @audreykitching & Instagram : @akitching
Words | Le’Keisha Sims
Photos | All photos courtesy of Audrey Kitching