Ditch the wrapping paper for something more stylish!

by Naomi

I've already got Christmas fever! And....I've been inspired! Wrapping paper is convenient and pretty cheap but soo wasteful, so why not go for something a little more creative?

Such a simple idea, but done so effectively, the Evergreen Wrap is a resuable wrap that can be used to turn almost any shape prezzie into a fabulously wrapped work of art! There are loads of tutorials on their website that show you exactly how to wrap your gift of choice.

The nordic ski pattern on this special Christmas design is tugging on my heart strings!

Another idea I have used for gifts for girlies is to make a little cotton drawstring bag - they are great as you can recycle fabric (cotton or poly-cotton works well) and add on little decorations to personalise them! They can be reused as gift bags, or to keep shoes or laundry neat when staying away! Perfick!

I use a pattern similar to the wonderful Cherry Menlove's one here. I will try and upload some piccies of Xmas bags soon!

-x-

DIY printing... a new project!

By Lorna

I bought a really cool book last month on ''hand printing techniques and truly original projects.'' Its name alone intrigued me! Finally a book which could help me slowly and confidently get into the messy delights of hand printing. The author, Christine Schmidt, neither treats you as a child nor an artist but instead delivers beautifully concise direction and wonderful illustrations to allow full clarity.  She has been printing for years and offers genuine well practiced advice. The book is a joy to read even if you have not yet put ink to paper (which I guiltily haven't)!

As inspiration to get my printing hobby to get started - I have found the perfect aids. Wandering around Camden in the sun this monday I saw a shop full of ecclectic treasures from India. What attracted my interest immediatly was a bowl of hand carved indian printing blocks. There were £4 each and I imagine most people would buy them as an orniment or decoration. Perfect tools for a first time hand-printer. The timing couldn't be better... 3 months until (dare I say it....) Christmas!! I'm completely ashamed to mention it so early but if you are intending to DIY any lovely presents then now is a good time to start thinking up some projects!

Printing is a brilliantly simple way to re-use charity shop/ vintage fabrics, upcycle old clothing and give long forgotten treasures some new life. I'm going to 'attempt' to make some little make-up bags using vintage fabrics and my new print blocks. If successful I will post full instructions and patterns here so you can make some too!! watch this space for Ecogoddess DIY projects....

Facts: Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt, Upcycled presents, Handmade, DIY, Indian hand carved blocks.

Scribbling some more!

by Naomi

You know how I said I love to scribble? Well only a couple of days after posting I discovered another eco notebook that I think is pretty rad (yes I am totally bringing that word back into fashion!).

These simply elegant notepads and address books are made by Betty & Betts, who work closely with artisans in India. All the books are acid free, biodegradable or made from post-consummer waste, and the fabric is 100% organic. We like!




Betty & Betts books

I think they would make lovely gifts, wrapped in a vintage scarf or even just with a pen and a little ribbon! Single books start at £10 and these gift sets are £22.

Scribble, scribble, scribble!

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

Scribbling to my heart's content

by Naomi

I LOVE notepads. I think it's the feeling of possibility that comes with a fresh page - the idea that I could use it to do anything from starting a novel to writing a shopping list.... (ok that latter is more likely!).

I LOVE to scribble, doodle and make lists. I LOVE to write down recipes, and ideas for gifts or crafts. And I'm a little bit addicted to organising things. Lorna knows this and found me the perfect eco solution: a reecovid notepad.

It's a refillable ring binder - which means I can scrawl to my heart's content. The notepaper is made from acid-free recycled paper and the printing is done with vegetable dye. The covers are protected with a biodegradable coating.

I've got the Joss one (above £14.99) but there are lots of other designs available here.  A donation from each sale also goes toward the reecovid foundation, which is working to assist women in their recovery from sexual violence.

Happy scribbling guys!

-x-

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! 

A handmade Monday treat

by Naomi

As promised last week, this Monday I am bringing you something I made with my own two hands!


Yesterday it was the birthday of my beautiful friend Emma.
I wanted to get her something special, and wasn't sure what...but then I saw this fabric and thought 'Oh Wow!' It's so cute - I knew she would love it!

I was given my first sewing machine (a beautiful shiny red number) for Christmas, and so decided to make a couple of cushion covers. Having passed textiles GCSE by the skin of my teeth, I knew I would need to find an easy-to-follow 'how to' guide. It came courtesy of the wonderful Cherry Menlove, who's blog on cooking, crafting and life in general is completely addictive!

I used her simple cushion cover guide and scaled it to the size of my cushions. I added in the bow detail by stitching two strips of ribbon across the corner of each cushion, before stitching the cushion panels together face-to-face.

Et voila!

I was really pleased with how they turned out and Emma looked very happy with them. The fabric was bought on eBay, but you could easily upcycle sheets and tablecloths found in charity shops. The cushion insides were taken from some old cushions and the zips and ribbon was bought from a local market.

Oh, and because birthdays always require something sweet, I made some scrummy Oreo Cheesecake Truffles (very easy and totally worth it!):

160g sleeve of Oreo cookies

100g full fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
150g cooking chocolate, broken into pieces

Put the Oreos in a food processor and whirl until they're powdered and then mix them with the cream cheese. Put the mixture in the fridge for about two hours to chill. Once cold, remove the mixture and roll it into small balls and place them on greaseproof paper. Once you've made the balls, chill them again for about 20 minutes. Melt the cooking chocolate, then roll the Oreo/cream cheese balls in the melted chocolate and place on clean greaseproof paper to cool.

 

Have a great week!

 

-x-


Facts: handmade cushion covers using recycled cushions and locally bought accessories.

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.

London Fashion Week! Vivienne Westwood sees RED...

By Lorna

If you ask any fashion student/designer (myself included) which designers they are most inspired by and Vivienne Westwood is sure to come pretty high up the list. An extravaganza of colour, volume and textural experimentation is evident but behind the showmanship of the collections lie Westwood's anarchistic punk roots.

Even now, with international acclaim, Westwood uses her skills and notoriety to continually highlight and protest ethical issues. For A/W 2008 a model walked with a placard protesting for the rights of Guantánamo Bay prisoners and Westwood took her bow in a blouse covered in protest badges. Also in the collection was a famous pair of orange pants (reminiscent of the fluorescent orange jumpsuits worn by detainees at the U.S. prison camp) with the slogan 'FAIR TRIAL - MY ARSE' 

For SS/11 Westwood worked with the International Trade Centre's Ethical Fashion Program of the United Nations to make oversized recycled eco tote bags. Handmade in Nairobi, these bags are made from recycled materials by marginalized communities of women. The Ethical Fashion Program supports the work of over 7000 women who live in conditions of extreme poverty but who have a strong desire to improve their lives.

Also for S/S11 Westwood has designed a stunning heart necklace for the charity Reprieve - who use the law to enforce the human rights of prisoners, from death row to Guantanamo Bay, they provide frontline investigation and legal representation to prisoners held outside the rule of law around the world. 

This week at London Fashion Week is no exception; Westwood has teamed up with Red Nose Day to design a range of 100 per cent Fairtrade organic cotton charity t-shirts to raise money. The t-shirts feature classic prints with bright red noses and are now available at TK Maxx from £9.99. Whilst not all her garments are organic/fairtrade, Westwood is certainly a fiesty woman who stands up for what she believes in and ensures her collections do the same. Bravo Dame Viv!!

Facts: Vivienne Westwood is a legend! 2011 Westwood Red nose organic cotton T-shirts £9.99
Learn more about International Trade Centre's Ethical Fashion Program here
Buy a Westwood Red Nose Tee here 
Buy a Westwood Eco tote or Reprieve necklace here

Eco snow bunnies.. your ski wardrobe wrapped up!!

By Lorna

If you're off to the slopes any times soon, we've got you covered... head to toe!

The more I researched this post, the more I found that Patagonia are leaps and bounds ahead of the game with Eco Ski/ Snowboard wear! This 'Snowbelle' ski jacket is super cool and is insulated with Thermogreen® polyester (90% recycled) that stays warm even when wet... 

It features everything I would look for in a snowboarding jacket -waterproof/breathable, removable hood that accommodates a helmet, articulated sleeves with pit zips for venting heat, a fleece neck gasket, chamois-lined collar for spindrift, and an adjustable powder skirt- PERFECT! 

Having spent enough time sitting on ski lifts (getting cold) I can highly recommend getting a decent base layer sorted. You can't get much better that these- Patagonia Capilene Bottoms made from Polartec 65% recycled polyester knit and Capilene Midweight Crew -brushed for warmth, softness and compressibility.... all very impressive!

All slope loving girls know that support is key! Check out this High Impact Bra (also by Patagonia) made from lightweight highly breathable recycled polyester.

Pants for Poverty are an ace choice for ski pants especially as £1 per pair sold online is donated to a new child labour free programme in India.

Finally, after a hard day on the slopes, bathe your aching muscles with Jack Black's Scrub & muscle Soak. This Eucalyptus-infused scrub gently warms as you rub, to loosen knots. Arnica and Sea & Epsom Salts relive tension and soothe tired muscles and get you ready for apres ski.... Enjoy the slopes!!! 

Facts:

Patagonia - 'Snowbelle' ski jacket £230, High Impact Bra, Patagonia Capilene® 3 Midweight Bottoms £42, Women's Capilene® 3 Midweight Bottoms £42.

Pants to Poverty - Made from beautiful Fairtrade and Organic cotton with 3% lycra to give stretch and keep shape. £7-£15.

Jack Black's Scrub & Muscle Soak– Healing botanicals, vitamins and certified organic ingredients with no parabens, sulfates, fragrance or colorants. All products are cruelty-free, vegan and dermatologist-tested. £28.

H&M to launch new eco collection!

by Naomi

Just a very quick one to report the super-exciting news that H&M is set to launch a long-term sustainable range. Yippee!

It will be called Conscious Collection (a follow-up to the Garden Collection of last year which Lorna and I loved) and will include materials such as Tencel, recycled polyester and organic cotton. The womenswear range will be romantic, with blouses and tunics, and oodles of Broderie Anglaise and frills, whilst the menswear will feature a preppy look with blazers and collarless shirts. 

Judging by the pics (all courtesy of H&M), it is not a range for those clumsy with the red wine - but then white clothes are just a good excuse to stick to Champagne!

Conscious Collection will be up for grabs in EVERY H&M store from April 14.

H&M head of design Ann-Sofie Johansson commented on the launch:

“It’s not just about organic cotton any more, the possibilities for creating a complete fashion statement with eco smarter materials are huge now. By designing recurring Conscious Collections we have the opportunity to show in a variety of ways what’s possible using more sustainable fabrics.”

Looks and sounds HOT. I am excited. And that rarely happens on a Thursday.

 Facts: H&M, new sustainable range 2011, Conscious Collection: Tencel, organic cotton, recycled polyester.