Pucker up Eco Goddesses!

by Naomi


No-one wants to spend a season kiss-free so if the onset of Autumn/Winter means cracked and chapped lips then it's time to invest in a good eco lip balm! I've compiled a selection with something for every pocket.


Eco Beauty Bargain has to go to Filberts Lime & Coconut Natural Lip Balm (£3.70) which is made with Devonshire beeswax and oil and a free from synthetic perfumes and mineral oils.

Tempting Eco Beauty Treat is Burt's Bees' range of tinted lip balms (£5.99) perfect for keeping your lips super smooochable!

Eco Beauty Splurge would definitely be Andrea Garland's Lovely Lip Balms (£16 - £24)  - I have total eco envy over her creative use of vintage tins to store yummy balms.

Happy lip locking!

xxx

A holiday must-have Monday treat

by Naomi

So I just got back from an absolutely gorgeous wedding in Sardinia, and wanted to share a little beauty find that has become an essential for holidays...

Being something of a sun-bunny (when I get the chance!) I am always on the look out for good moisturisers to keep my skin peachy on holiday. I do love Body Shop Body Butters - particularly coconut which smells like holidays in a pot! - but sometimes you need something a little lighter as well.

And so on this balmy Monday evening, I bring you Steam Cream!

It is an all-in-one moisturiser that smells yummy, due to the fact that it is made from natural, vegan ingredients like lavender oil, orange flower water, almond oil, rose oil. It is very concentrated - a little goes a long way - but absorbs quickly. It can be used on hands, face and body, and comes in handy 75g reusable tins - which means no more trying to cram loads of different products into your hand luggage allowance!

Oh and did I mention the tins look like this?!

There are also some pretty sexy designer tins by the likes of PPQ and it will only set you back £10 a pot (at time of posting there are some even cheaper on ASOS!).

Stockists include Boots, ASOS, John Lewis, Fenwicks, Selfridges and Oliver Bonas - alternatively a full list of stockists can be found here.

P.S. If you are going abroad on your hols, don't forget there are things you can do to make it a more environmentally-friendly adventure such as offsetting your carbon if you are going somewhere that requires flying.

Have a great week!

x

Facts: Steam Cream: vegan and natural, versatile moisturiser. Designer reusable tins, essential oils.

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 

A 'the-wedding-bells-are-ringing' Monday treat!

by Naomi

It's only a few days until the wedding of the decade, and it is sure to be an occasion that kicks of the wedding season in style!

Finding engagement and wedding gifts with a personal touch and a stylish finish can be tricky, and even more so when you want to pick something with good eco and ethical credentials.
So here at Eco Goddess, we figured that whether you are nipping down to rub shoulders with the Royals, or celebrating the nuptials of some loved ones, some beautiful gift suggestions could come in handy.

NotOnTheHighStreet.com is one of my favourite go-to places for amazing gifts - they support small producers by acting as an online portal and have a huge array of ideas perfect for such occasions.

I think I may have fallen in love with the following:

These Love Pillowcases (£29.75) are perfect for the couple that love to make a bright and funky statement. They are made in Britain.

Love Pillowcases image courtesy of NotOnTheHighStreet.com

This Personalised Hanging Sign (£34) is just the right amount of kitsch and a great way to help a couple remember their special day. They are made in Britain from reclaimed wood.


Hanging Sign image courtesy of NotOnTheHighStreet.com



Continuing on the personalised theme, this I Love You Tile (£18) is one of my favourites as it is romantic yet rugged. You can choose the names, the colour of the heart, and even add a date at the bottom. Made by hand in Britain.

I Love You Tile image courtesy of NotOnTheHighStreet.com



Of course, photo frames are always a popular option, and with good cause - the right one will win its place in the heart of the lucky couple. This Personalised Wooden Heart Frame (£25) is so cute and you can choose the message yourself. Made in Britain.

There were so many other ideas that caught my eye - but not enough space or time to show you them all, so be sure to check out the website. We would really love to hear your ideas for eco and ethical wedding gifts - tweet us at EcoGoddess1!

Enjoy the Royal festivities! -x-

Facts: Eco and ethical wedding gift ideas, NotOnTheHightStreet.com, made in Britain.

Recycled Bijoux.. Diamonds+Pearls+Charms+Chains = LOVE!

By Lorna

In a small market off brick lane I recently stumbled across the most incredible jewelry I have seen for a long long time - Maria Zureta Recycled Bijoux by Roberto Costa. This collection of handmade jewellery is the beautiful product of an ideology of adaptation and re-use. Painstakingly gathered from a variety of sources, each unique piece offers a little re-birth for overlooked, unwanted, or broken materials, lovingly juxtaposed. True Eco-Decadence!! Loving this turquoise lizard piece..

Lust away online at this stockist... or message Roberto Costa on facebook to see what beautiful & unique pieces he is currently creating! 

SSsssshhh - beautiful shoes!

by Naomi

Hi guys, apologies for the break in posting - Christmas was hectic and January has been just as busy! My family and I did manage to have something of an eco-Christmas with lots of handmade presents, from carved candlesticks from wood offcuts and knitted gloves to homemade jam & chocolates, and sewn bags & quilts - I am still yet to manage a wrapping paper-free Christmas though!

Anyway, I'm back on it now and promise to make it up to you with lots of fabulous eco finds and perhaps even some blogs about some of the sewing projects I am attempting!

Here is the first - a little beauty that dropped into my inbox today. Now I never need an excuse to buy new shoes, but Hetty Rose has gone and given us one anyway in the form of a gorgeous ready-to-wear collection.

Made from vintage kimono fabric and leather they are totally delectable, and perfect for all things spring and summer (at around £200 a pair you may have to save up until spring to afford them - or buy them now and sneak them past your partner/ parents/ children!) The antique fabric means each pair is unique - so no spotting someone with the same pair on!

These are my favourite - so chic and unusual....sigh.

Prices are between £180 and £205 - find them all at Hetty Rose.

Facts: Hetty Rose ready to wear shoes, antique kimono fabric, made in the UK.

Bbbrrrrrrr....wrap up this Christmas with gorgeous knitwear

by Naomi

In my opinion sexy boots and scrumptious knitwear are two of the most important fashion saviours in the cold weather, and as Lorna has so wonderfully covered the former below, I am here to bring you a delightful selection of the latter. Warning: you will want to purchase and wrap up in all of these!

There is something eternally girly about bows - I can't get enough of them! 

Hand-Knitted Bow Scarf by Emmadime, £30 from Miki Organic.

Camilla Norrback Trompe L'Oeil Bow Jumper Dress,  £60 from Fashion Conscience.

Alpine prints are really hot...and these will keep you warm! Plus, they can't help but make you feel festive (and want a cameo in Wham's Last Christmas video...or is that just me?!)

Nordic Vintage Tunic by Lowie, £210.

Nordic Vintage Fingerless gloves by Lowie, £38.

Nordic Vintage earmuffs by Lowie, £38.

People Tree Fairisle Fair Trade Cardigan £92.

Last but by no means least, no-one can feel the winter blues whilst wearing a cape - it defies the laws of science...or at least the laws of wonderful knitwear.

Hooded Cable Cape by Lowie, £178.

Faux Fur Collar Cape by Tara Starlet

Facts: gorgeous organic, eco and ethical knitwear by Emmadime, Camilla Norrback, Lowie, People Tree and Tara Starlet. Perfect for winter!

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.

Andrea Garland at ASOS

by Naomi

Calling all beauty goddesses: delicious beauty products by Andrea Garland are now available on ASOS !

Featured a little while ago, Andrea Garland is a boutique sustainable beauty brand offering delectable natural beauty products all handmade in London. The pretty packaging ranges from vintage tins pill boxes and compacts, within the vintage range, to glass jars decorated with whimsical illustrations by Will Bourton.

The products include beauty balms, body balms, oils, hand cream, facial scrubs and many more. They are infused with scents such as lemon, violent, mandarin and lavender: the quest to be an eco goddess has never smelt so good! Here is a selection of just some of the treats available:

I love the look of the Boudoir Evening Body Oil (£14) with geranium, lavender and bergamot.

Get smooth with the Palma Rosa & Lemon Facial Scrub (£12).

Make the most of your beauty sleep with Jasmine Beautifying Night Cream (£24).

Facts: Andrea Garland beauty: natural and organic ingredients, vintage packaging, artwork by Will Bourton. Available on ASOS.com 

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.

Sequel London: Bags better than the original!

by Lorna 

SEQUEL London is a gorgeous new online haven for those in need of lust-worthy ethical leather bags!!

Inspired by a desire to reduce waste and encourage sustainable fashion, cousins Laura Queening and Claire Baigen set up Sequel London. The brand, launched this month, gives new life to carefully selected unwanted clothing from Oxfam Wastesaver. Recycled leather jackets, discarded silk ties and high quality unwanted curtains are cleaned, cut and remade to create a range of stylish, affordable and contemporary accessories.

Queening said: “Fashion can change so quickly, and often we see clothing that is in excellent condition, but wouldn’t be worn by the more fashion conscious among us! We only choose the best quality material, even if the clothing itself has long since passed its fashion sell-by date, and from that we make a new product, reducing waste and offering something different in today’s disposable lifestyle.”

The Spring Summer 2010 collection consists of a range of six designs, which are priced from £39 to £79, and offer bespoke, durable styles at high-street prices. Here at EcoGoddess we are loving the leather covered button detailing and the unique linings, all helping to make each bag completely unique! The removable silk tie handles are super cute and add a splash of colour. We likee!  

All Sequel London accessories are made in London...of course!!

For more info visit www.sequellondon.co.uk 

Facts: Sequel London. Recycled, Leather, Silk, Made in England, Sustainable

Candy colours to tempt your sweet tooth!

by Naomi

Over-indulged on Easter eggs? Satisfy your craving for sugar with some classic pieces in pastel shades. Lilac, lavender, spearmint green, lemon yellow, cream and baby pink are all hot shades for summer so team these nail varnishes with some of the latest eco and ethical fashion creations.

This Jackpot pointelle pullover available from Ascension is a wonderful shade of apricot and made from organic cotton (£50).

Also from Ascension is this cutesy dress by one of its new brands, Slowmotion: made from organic cotton (£54).

Article 23's pale blue organic cotton Polo Dress (£25) is perfect for summer; team with white plimsolls and a spot of tennis if you're feeling energetic!

For a beautiful and versatile investment, this lace blazer by Tara Starlet will take you from work to cocktail bar and from beer garden to wedding. Available in pink (pictured), white, nude and blue/grey (£56).

Last but not least, team your pastel purchases with these strappy numbers from Terra Plana (£95).

Enjoy! x

Ascension: organic cotton Pullover by Jackpot, organic cotton Dress by Slowmotion. Article 23: organic cotton Polo Dress. Tara Starlet: Lace Blazer made in the UK. Terra Plana: Audrey Nude strappy sandals.