People Tree sample sale this weekend!

By Lorna

See the sale here

See you there Eco Goddesses... x

People Tree - Ethical Christmas Gifts made easy! - 40%

By Lorna

It's that time of year again and I'm slightly panicking that all my good intentions of making ethical Christmas Gifts aren't going quite as well as I had hoped! But once again, the lovely people at People Tree have come to the rescue!! Wooop! Sale ends Friday at midnight so get shopping!! xx

Once you've got everyone else sorted, head down to the People Tree Sample Sale next weekend and pick up some last minute presents for yourself! xx

Facts: People Tree, Ethical, Sustainable, Recycled, Fair Trade, Organic and Beautiful. Sample Sale. 16th-17th December 2011, Friday 6-8pm and Sat 11-6pm, Ethical Christmas!! 

Inspired - A very exciting event this Sat!!

By Lorna

Saturday, 15th of October 2011@ The Kensington Roof Gardens

EVENT STARTS AT 7.00PM AT THE KENSINGTON ROOF GARDENS, 99 KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, LONDON W8 5SA

What are your plans for this Saturday eve? No plans yet, or too many to actually commit? Well, here at Ecogoddess HQ, we think we have found you the perfect night out!! At one of the most beautiful venues London has to offer, Kensington Roof Gardens, Mayamiko Trust are hosting a charity night like no other...'Inspired'. In collaboration with Slaves of the Extraordinary, there will be emerging fashion, music, ground breaking performance and dancers. Sounds good to me!

The following ethical designers will be featured: Lauren Solomon for SLAVES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY, MIA by Mia Nisbet, Fair+TRUE, Bestow Elan and Christi Sanders. There will also be music and performances from the following: Listen, feel and taste the wonderful cocktail of emerging musicians, DJs and dancers including E.I.C Dance Theatre, Michelle Cade and Catwalk music by Jakub Gaudasinski.

The event sounds fab but.... what is this REALLY about? The mission statement of the Mayamiko Trust charity is ''Empowering local communities through skills and fairer trade. To help people lift themselves out of poverty and end injustice.'' Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries with well over half the population in extreme poverty and 175 out of 1000 children die before they reach the age of 5 (World Health Statistics). Unsurprisingly then, a charity aiming to lift people out of poverty has started here - The Malawi Cotton project outlines plans to set up a factory (plans below) to produce clothing to sell to both the local and international markets. There will be education, training and childcare available to the local women who work here to allow them to generate a sustainable reliable income. They will have the life changing ability to support themselves and their family and free themselves of extreme poverty.

''We watch, we listen, we learn, we act. Through skills training, education, nutrition, sanitation and fairer trade practices. Mayamiko works to support creative talents and turn them into sustainable activities. Mayamiko loves everyone, but has a special soft spot for the most vulnerable - women and children.'' Mayamito Trust 2011

I will be going to this great event and I would love to meet you so drop us a comment below if you are going. If you know of any other exciting Ethical Fashion event happening in your area - get in touch, we love hearing from you!

To buy tickets and support this inspirational charity click here

To read more about the Malawi Cotton Project click here

A beautiful boutique

by Naomi

I discovered a great ethical find, whilst in the gorgeous city of York (which is really worth a visit!).

I don't think I would have chanced upon it, had I not got completely lost, but I'm glad I did!

Tucked away down a cobbled side street is......

the One Responsibly Gorgeous Ethical Boutique.

It is bursting at the seams with lovely ethical treats. My heart skipped a beat when I spied a stunning cropped bustier by Deborah Lindquist, made from vintage kimono material. It was delicious.

I couldn't find similar online, but the brand does some pretty cool other bits including this sexy Racquel shredded organic cotton t-shirt at $160.

I was also hankering after the jewellery by Kate Hamilton Hunter and Just Trade, and the clothing by Patchouli Fair.

They also have a website here, if you can't get to York anytime soon!

xx

An all-white Monday Treat!

by Naomi

This one is short and sweet - a pretty dress that's perfect for the summer. The Pan Dress is fairly traded, with hand-knotted macrame straps a trade union in Gujarat, north east India. It's £69, available from Ascension.

Have a great week! x

Facts: fairly traded Pan Dress from Ascension.

A slightly delayed Monday treat!

by Naomi

Yes...I know....it's been a while. Unfortunately or fortunately the last few Mondays have been super busy and I haven't had the chance to post! But I am here at last!

So today I am posting about what Ecogoddess did on one of the aforementioned Mondays! In our neck of the woods, the first Bank Holiday Monday in May means one thing: Stilton Cheeserolling!

It's not the high adrenalin break-your-neck-and-legs event that those crazy Gloucester folk partake in. It does involve rolling cheese down a hill (well wood painted like cheese), but as what constitutes for a hill in these flat fens is what other people would look at as a gentle slope, it is much more..... laid back! It does however require fancy dress and is part of an all-round huge fete which the entire village and surrounding villages turn out for.

After a hugely successful trial run last year, raising money for the EJF, this year Lorna and I ran our second charity bake sale. This year, it was to raise much needed funds for The Mustard Seed Project, which works to empower the people of a slum community in Mombasa.

We spent the weekend baking and icing and by the time we had finished, we had 180ish cupcakes, three traybakes, one loaf cake, 8 jars of chutney and lots of vanilla cookies and shortbread! We also sold some jewellery made out in Africa.

The pics here were taken after we had sold most of our cakes, but you can get an idea! We dressed the stand in ribbon and kitsch patterned fabric and tablecloths, and put cupcakes on pretty plates and cake stands.

The sun was shining and the fete-goers were loving cake - we sold out by around 2.30pm (which meant we could go and enjoy a nice cider in the sunshine!) After deducting costs, we raised a wonderful £310!

If you are thinking of doing your own charity bake sale, here are a few of our top tips:

• Presentation is everything - there were plenty of other stands selling cake and cupcakes, but our extra effort in dressing the stand and decorating the cakes attracted a lot of customers.
• Mix it up a bit - flavours should offer the classic favourites, but also something a little unusual. We did classics like Maple & Pecan, Coffee & Walnut and Carrot Cupcake, but also Oreo Cupcakes with a cookie at the bottom, Chocolate & Banana Loaf Cake, Lemon Cheesecake with a lemon curd centre, and Strawberry Cream Cupcakes with a jam centre and cream cheese frosting. Make flavours they can't resist!
• Know your audience - we tailored the cakes to appeal to both children, teenagers and adults. Some of the cupcakes were smaller, and so more manageable for children. We also did a rainbow sponge cupcake with bright glitter icing to appeal to kids and big kids! Not everyone likes chocolate or a huge amount of buttercream icing, so we did more grown-up flavours like Mocha, Lemon Drizzle and Orange Drizzle.
• Price it right! We needed to make a good profit over our costs, and knew that visitors would have varying amounts of money to spend. We sold little cookies at 25p each, then smaller cupcakes and slices of traybake at £1, and large deluxe cupcakes at £1.50.

Overall it was a great success and something we hope to repeat. We would love to hear about your bake sale experiences and any fundraising ideas!

Facts: Bank Holiday bake sale for the Mustard Seed Project. Cakes and cupcakes made from organic, fairtrade and free range ingredients.

This Weekend- Ethical Fashion Sample Sale @ Truman Brewery

By Lorna

Definitely worth a trip to the big smoke! I went to this eco sample sale a couple of years ago and it was brilliant! Got lots of lovely eco bargains (for myself and for presents), supported young brands and got to know some great new ones. See you there!!

Facts: 20th-23rd May 2011, Truman Brewery, Ethical Fashion Sample Sale, Howies, Komodo, Kuyichi, Outsider, Julia Smith, Biblico 

Super cute eco flats!

By Lorna

In true british style, all it took was a few unexpected days of BEAUTIFUL hot sunny weather for the whole nation to get their pasty legs out, flip-flops on and BBQs dusted off. I LOVE it! The British optimism about summer is so contagious - I can't wait to be shed of all the layers of winter and rock sum summery eco threads. I will be documenting all the essential S/S11 trends and my own summer-y purchases here so keep your eyes peeled. I started this weekend by getting re-acquainted with my summer wardrobe and my serious lack of summery shoes... check out these gorgeous African print ballet pumps for a great place to start!

Lalesso batik prints are made in Kenya under a fair scheme, supporting communities. At £30 a pop we think they are a great way to add some pattern to your wardrobe. You can find them in all sorts of colours and patterns here

Facts: Lalesso batik print shoes: supporting communities in Kenya, £30 a pair, available from Lalesso.

A Fairtrade Monday treat

by Naomi


We all need a little lift on a Monday; something to make the week start well. For me it tends to be chocolate, the latest episode of Glee (yes I am a Gleek!), getting the update from my favourite blogs or a fashion find.


To help all you Eco-Goddesses avoid the post-weekend blues I have decided to make sure that all you have something lovely to look at every Monday!


You may well know, it's the second week of Fairtrade Fortnight so in keeping with this, I bring you a piece of magnificent Fairtrade goodness in the shape of this handwoven Cory Tie Top by People Tree, £48.

The daffodil yellow reassures me that summer is on the way and the tie detail manages to be playful yet chic at the same time. I want it and I want it now! 
I hope you enjoy! -x-


P.S. The folks at the Fairtrade Foundation have lots of fun things going on this week, check out Fairtrade Fortnight here.


Facts: 
Monday treat: Fairtrade Fortnight; People Tree Cory Tie Top, £48, handwoven, Fairtrade.

End the month of luurrvvve with a Livia Firth necklace

by Naomi

It's the last week of February which means there is still both time and good excuse to celebrate the month of romance!

This necklace, designed by Livia Firth (other half of actor Colin) is just delightful: the striking dark soapstone contrasts with the recycled-brass chain to create a piece that is chunky yet romantic and rough yet sexy. Pus it can be worn in lots of different ways, meaning you get more looks for your money!

Livia worked with MADE to create the piece, an initiative which supports the 'trade not aid' ethos and works with disadvantaged communities in Africa to create beautiful, stylish jewellery.

The Livia Firth design is £55 and available from MADE and Livia's own shop Eco-Age.

Enjoy lovebirds! ...x...

Facts: Livia Firth necklace, in partnership with MADE. Necklace: £55, recycled brass, soapstone mined through a co-operative that provides jobs and a better standard of living.

Feeling romantic?

by Naomi

It's Valentine's Day and this has got us all fired up with romance. Seeing as Lorna has so beautifully taken care of the occasion for single ladies ("all the single ladies, all the single ladies"...yes singing this is now compulsory), I thought I would add my two pennies for those of you that are loved up!

So my post today has two parts: I am going to show you what I made for my beau, and also what I came across that got my fashion loins burning!

First things first....an idea for a cost-effective (around £15 shhhh...) and a pretty easy romantic gesture:

I made Red Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes with cream and red maraschino buttercream and little chocolate hearts to decorate (these were a find in the supermarket baking aisle!). While they were baking I made Milk Chocolate Honeycomb Hearts, White Chocolate Orange Hearts which I dyed pink, and White Chocolates with Milk Chocolate Hearts. All with fairtrade, organic and free range ingredients where possible. Yum!

So from bright pink hearts and things to something a little more dark and mysterious! If Valentine's has got you thinking about popping the big question, then take a look at Hattie Rickards' stunning jewellery collection.

She works with a Colombian mine that has high environmental standards, works in partnership with an NGO to ensure traceability, and all gems and stones are sourced from a supplier with strong ethical and environmental policies.

Her designs are contemporary and full of expression. This Raw Crown ring, made from 18ct gold and rough diamonds, is definitely not for your traditional bride-to-be! But there is something magnificently vampish about it; it's almost villain-chic (I'm thinking Cruella De Ville/ Bond baddy/ Miranda Priestly of Devil Wears Prada). It was recently sported by the stunning (and not remotely villainous) eco goddess Livia Firth at the London Film Critics Circle Award.

If your lady likes jewellery pieces that are edgy, unusual and striking this could be perfect! Prices are on request.

Facts: Homemade Valentine's treats. Hattie Rickards Raw Crown ring: ethical gold, rough diamonds.

Happy Valentine's Day from EcoGoddess!!!

By Lorna


This Valentine's Day post goes out to all the single ladies.....(Queue Beyonce) ..."All the Single Ladies, All the Single Ladies"... Treat yourself and your Eco-Goddess friends this evening to a night of self-indulgent luxury! I recommend the following organic and fairtrade treats...

Green & Black's Valentine Dark Chocolate collection £10

Co-op Fairtrade wine from £4 The Co-op’s Fairtrade wine range has scooped an amazing four out of eight awards at the Fairtrade Wine Committee’s annual wine tasting event so its bound to be a good tipple! Now all you need is a good/ ironically bad film, maybe a natural face mask and some Eco nail polish as featured in our earlier post here! Enjoy!!

Facts: Green& Black Organic Chocolate £10 from Green&Black online
Co-operative Fairtrade wine from £4 available at Co-op stores across the UK

Nubar Nail Polish free of DBP (phthalate), formaldehyde and toluene, and are vegan and cruelty free. Available here 

Men listen up.. we've got your Valentine sorted!!

By Lorna

Stuck for gift ideas for the Eco Goddess in your life!? We've got a few ideas to help you out...

Your EcoGoddess will LOVE LOVE LOVE these super cute vegan flats! They were designed exclusively for Melissa by Vivienne Westwood and with the studded heart detail you are bound to win a kiss!

Put your heart on the line for £11 with Manumit's Gold brass fair trade made heart pendant with jade green glass beads on a delicate chain.

If your girl is pretty in pink try impressing her with your fashion savee and get her a cute Annie Greenabelle heart print organic cotton dress/skirt/top. Plus there is 20% off all heart print items until valentines days! Just enter the code LOVEANNIE at the checkout. Have a LOVE-ly day!!! x

Facts:

Melissa & Vivienne Westwood Zen Girl Heart Flats £70 from Coggles 

Manumit heart necklace £11 from Fashion Conscious
Organic cotton heart print items £20 - £61 from Annie Greenabelle

She Died Of Beauty.

By Lorna

At Eco Goddess, we love it when we see famous models using their positions on global beauty pedestals to promote chic ethical fashion. Erin O’Connor has always been a model that supports smaller brands and issues she believes in but she has now taken it one step further... London Fashion Week 2010 saw the launch of a new brand designed by Erin and her long-standing friend, stylist Kate Halfpenny – She Died Of Beauty.

The range is a simple and concise collection of monochrome organic cotton typographic t-shirts and bags which play on the brand’s name. The inspiration behind the collection comes from the desire to make “a teasing yet affectionate tickle_ at the fashion industry we continue to love, honor and serve”.

The signature style of She Died Of Beauty is witty, purposeful and un-apologetic – in their own words,

“the very visual nature of fashion is to manipulate and exaggerate almost everything. We loved the idea of twisting a polite sentiment into a naughty yet, frivolously funny statement that we hope will appeal to all.”

The core brand philosophy is based upon ethically and organically sourced materials important to both Erin & Kate. All products are manufactured solely using sustainable energy generated from wind and solar power. “after all, there’s no reason why style and conscience can’t co-exist!”, say the design duo. Amen to that girls!!

From £20 per bag and £40 per t-shirt, you can check out all the styles here.

Facts: She Died Of Beauty, Erin O’Connor, Kate Halfpenny, Organic Cotton, T-shirt & Bags, LFW 2010.

Number 7 is chocolate heaven

by Naomi

An ode to Green & Blacks.
 How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love your velvety Ice Cream on a warm summer's eve,
devoured with friends, too moreish to leave,
I love to savour each piece of your Caramel bar,
eaten in hiding, too good to share,
I love your creamy Raisin & Hazelnut milk,
nothing compares to that texture like silk,
Your Butterscotch choc with just enough crunch,
is simply the perfect thing to munch,
I love that you care for your people and beans,
and I especially love what all this means:
chocolate delights that taste so sublime,
they instantly make me busrt out in rhyme!

Yes, at number 7 in our Top 10 Organic Finds is the wonderful Green & Blacks organic chocolate heaven. Organically grown cocoa, fairly farmed and wrapped in recycled packaging, available in stores nationwide.
Buy it. Devour it. Give it to your friends and family.

Facts: Green & Blacks chocolate: organic, fairly traded, recycled packaging, bl**dy yummy!

Soft and smooth... it's no 8!

by Lorna

Wandering London’s Broadway Market today I found an absolute gem! Number 8 in our Top 10 Organic Finds is Shea Alchemy- a small natural beauty products company who LOVE shea butter and make lots of luscious creams and potions from it. It comes from the nut of the Karite tree which grows wild in Africa. In its unrefined, pure form it is a brilliant skin moisturizer and healer- excellent for dry skin, wrinkles and eczema.

The butter is bought from a Fairtrade women’s co-operative in Ghana and mixed up with lots of gorgeous organic and natural ingredients: Acwellsyke spring water which they get direct from the founder Sally's cousin’s farm in Rockingham Forest, organic cocoa butter, aloe vera, calendula, blackseed oil, horse chestnut extract and apricot kernel oil, as well as vitamins E & A! It naturally contains no parabens, no sulphates, no petroleum products, and there is no animal testing. As they are a small company (and plan to stay that way), all the products are cooked up by experimenting in kitchens and this means there is no middle man and no store mark-ups! With products from £6.50- £25 we likee!

And with a glowing write up in Marie Claire this week, who are we to disagree?! "We’re a little bit smitten with Shea Alchemy’s dinky little pots, especially its organic geranium Intense Hand Cream. Family-run with lots of heart, every product in the small range gets our thumbs-up – and we reckon no handbag is complete without one of these hand creams hidden inside."

Buy online or at various farmers and green markets around the UK. Check out their website here.

Facts: Shea Alchemy: natural, organic, shea butter, beauty creams, no parabens, no sulphates, no petroleum products, no animal testing.

Sale time!

by Naomi

Nothing makes a slightly damp and grey week seem brighter than a great sale!

Prompted by my recent holiday, I have picked out some Cote D'Azur inspired finds: think French riviera chic, sophisticated and versatile but with a playful summer vibe.

This dress and cardi combo by Lowie is perfect for cool summer and autumn days. Made from finely knitted organic cotton, the elasticated waist and striped collar on the dress are flattering and feminine (£158 to £79). The cardi (£95) is the perfect partner!

I love this stripy tie top (£98 to £49), also by Lowie, which can be teamed with these beautiful sandals by vegan brand Beyond Skin (£135 to £71) for a look that epitomises eco cool summer-casual.

OK, so it's not on sale, but it is gorgeous! My lust-have item of the season is this beautiful silk blue band panama by Pachacuti. At £122 it may make your purse cower in fear, but it is rollable (comes with instructions and the optional extra of a box) meaning you will never again have to suffer the how-the-heck-do-I-pack-this-hat holiday dilemma!

Furthermore, Pachacuti works with women's cooperatives in Ecuador, ensuring Fair Trade and supporting pensions, developments, education and healthcare initiatives. It uses sustainable raw materials, minimises waste, and doesn't use harmful chemicals in the production process. What more could you ask for?!

Facts: organic cotton by Lowie, vegan sandals by Beyond Skin, Fair Trade panama hat by Pachacuti.

Sample sales ahoy!

by Naomi

There's nothing to get the fashion juices pumping like the prospect of a sample sale and there are two (yes two!) coming up!

The Foundation Agency and Fashion Made Fair have teamed up and bring you an ethical sample sale from Thursday 20th - Sunday 23rd May. It promises to be a feast of ethical designers, with brands including Kuyichi, Monkee Genes, Howies, Komodo, Bibico, Julia Smith, Outsider, Lowie, Equa Boutique and Where shoes.

Bring cash though as there won't be card machines and you wouldn't want to miss out on a bargain!

Upcycling specialist Goodone is also hosting a sample sale on Friday May 21st, with prices starting from a bargainous £10. The brand predicts big discounts on spring/summer designs, so could be a great place to pick up some sustainable pieces for the season!

The sample sale will take place from 4pm to 9pm at the Goodone studio, Studio 1b, 2-4 Southgate Road, London, N1 3JJ. Log on to www.goodone.co.uk to find out more.

Facts: Sample sale, Foundation Agency and Fashion Made Fair: Kuyichi, Monkee Genes, Howies, Lowie, Outsider, Julia Smtih, Komodo, Where shoes, Bibico, Equa Boutique. 20th - 23rd May, Truman Brewery, Brick Lane.
Sample sale, Goodone: upcycled clothes from £10, Southgate Road, London.