BITCHING AND JUNKFOOD.... x

By Lorna
Apologies, Eco goddesses for my recent hiatus from blogging. I'm blaming it on flat hunting/moving house/ no internet and going to far too many weddings this month to count! But fear not, I am back with a vengeance... bringing you some RIDICULOUSLY cool denim shorts from East London label BITCHING AND JUNKFOOD. If you remember 90s grunge with a fondness or you've ever thought Alice Dellah looked cool... you are going to L-O-V-E these 'remade' bad boys!!!!!!

Alice Dellah - Model

Snakeskin Cross Shorts

Studded Ripped Shorts

Facts: Remade, Vintage, Studded, Denim, Snakeskin, Bitching and Junkfood £80 from Urban Outfitters 

Vintage Vixens - get your fill at Tasty Vintage!

by Naomi

If you are a lover of all things vintage and ever have the excuse to visit the lovely city of Lincoln, it's well worth making a stop at Tasty Vintage.

I came across this little jewel of a shop last week and spent a considerable amount of time 'ooohing' and 'aaahhhing' at the beautiful collection that its owner, and official Vintage Vixen Harriet has curated.

It is truly a den of fashion delights, with everything from 50s a-line dresses to lacy 80s gowns and a host of accessories that will make you feel giddy (although that could also have something to do with the climb up Steep Hill!). And after indulging your inner vixen, take your pick of the nearby tea rooms and put your feet up for a while!

And if you can't get to Lincoln - fear not! Tasty Vintage is also online here. Hooray!!

Facts: Lincoln vintage boutique, Tasty Vintage on Steep Hill. Owned by Harriet.

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.

Eco Party Dresses: Prepare to drop jaws in Dazzling Dior!!

By Lorna

A couple of weeks ago I set myself the challenge of finding lots of perfect Christmas party dresses. My intention was to provide you with a multitude of stunning cocktail dresses (all ethically made of course) which you could rock with glowing pride for your work Christmas party’s. I’ll be honest... its not been an easy task. Whilst everyday chic looks are something the ethical fashion pack are great at, proper party dresses seem to get a bit overlooked. Perhaps this is because as we strive to be more ethical in our lives, the idea of buying an expensive dress to wear once and then have it relegated to the back of the wardrobe does seem a tad at odds.

This is why I am super excited to tell you about my first find! It’s an AMAZING resource for eco fashion savvy girls wanting a taste of iconic fashion history. Lucy in Disguise established this summer by Lilly Allen and her sister is a beautiful store, which claims to have  ‘more drop dead gorgeous gowns than you could shake a feather bower at!’  We at EcoGoddess likee!

Lilly and her sister, Sarah Owen share a love of fashion, sourcing and hording vintage finds and have put their talents to excellent use! In Lucy In Disguise you can find everything from whichever decade you choose! Beaded flapped dressed from the 20s, 30s evening gowns, 40’s tea dressed, 50s prom dressed, Ossie Clark and Biba from the 60’s and 70’s, sequins and sparkle from the 70’s and 80’s... this really is a vintage wardrobe from heaven!

Their aim is to make vintage style attainable and to bring the highest quality pieces of iconic fashion history direct to the customer for their special night out. In hiring a piece of fashion history everyone can afford to look a million dollars!!!

There is also a lovely video of girls getting ready for a night out (which we all know is half the fun!) on the website, watch it by clicking here.

Calling all EcoGoddess’s -please email us pictures of your best Vintage looks at ecogoddess@live.co.uk

FACTS: Vintage, Hire, Lilly Allen, Christmas Party, Dresses, Biba, Ossie Clark, Yves Saint Laurent, All Photos by Rankin.

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 

Star-studded pop up shop...Indulge your curiosity!!

by Lorna

Inspired by Mary Queen of Charity Shops (brill program) I have recently begun volunteering at my local Oxfam shop. I expected it to be rewarding, but full of complaining grannies resisting change (like in the show!). What I found instead was lovely forward thinking people and an INCREDIBLE business model. Nothing you donate to Oxfam EVER ends up in a landfill! Seriously... not a single thing!

Good quality clothes, shoes, home wear and books are sorted, priced and sold in store. Rare items are sold on eBay. Fur goes to a charity for helping homeless people keep warm through winter. Bras get shipped to Africa by the ton. Fancy dress and wellies get sold to party loving revelers by Oxfam teams at festivals (I have been a customer many a time!). Even stained or torn clothes get a new life through being sold for rags for printing. Every penny that can be made is made. This is because everyone who works or volunteers for Oxfam has one simple united aim... to raise as much money as possible to end global poverty and suffering.

With that singular aim in mind a selection of A-list stars have joined Oxfam and Selfridges to create, stock and staff Britian’s biggest charity pop up shop. The shop, opening tomorrow, has been curated by an elite team, including Whistles CEO Jane Sheperdson, and will be stocked with affordable handpicked vintage and high-end gems donated by the stylish celebs.

You can check out amazing one-offs, from Livia Firth’s red carpet dresses (above) to Carey Mulligan’s bafta dress. Other celebs donating include the likes of Alexa Chung ( below), Helen Mirren, Will Young and Natalie Imbruglia. There will also be designer contributions from Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Roger Vivier, and many more.

All proceeds from The Oxfam Curiosity Shop will go directly to women’s projects supported by Oxfam. These projects protect and support vulnerable women: campaigning against violence, empowering them to fight HIV and AIDS and offering the chance of education.

Hurry down and bag yourself a gorgeous gold sparkly dress worn by Annie Lennox to accept a glamour award! If you’re very lucky she may even serve you!

Click here to see a brilliant video of Annie Lennox showing some of her gorgeous donations!

 The shop will be in the Selfridges’ Ultralounge (lower ground floor) for one week only from Friday 14 May to Thursday 20. If you can’t make it to London, there is also an online aution on eBay until Thursday 20 May.

Facts: Oxfam Charity pop up shop at Selfridges 14 to 20 May. Donated celebrity clothes. Images: Livia Firth in Green Red Carpet challenge, dress donated for Oxfam sale. Mulberry Suit donated by Alexa Chung for Oxfam eBay auction.

Oooh I think I love you!

by Naomi

I discovered Lie Down I Think I Love You at the Pure fashion exhibition and felt my Eco Goddess fashion heart skip a beat!

The London-based boutique makes handbags (in the UK) that are sweet like ice cream on a hot summer day (wouldn't one of those be nice?!) They are made from locally sourced biodegradable leather and finished off with beautiful vintage silk scarves. The two pictured below are from the Sweetheart Collection. At £165 a pop they will require a little penny-saving, but are gorgeous enough for a roll-around-in-the-hay type love affair.

See www.liedownithinkiloveyou.com

Facts: Lie Down I Think I Love You: Biodegradable leather, locally sourced, vintage scarves.

Calling all pin-ups!

By Naomi

As a fan of all things Hollywood Glamour I don't think I have been this excited about a fashion find since the launch of a Vintage & Retro charity shop in my hometown. UK fashion brand Tara Starlet combines an ethical and environmental attitude with a love of fashion from the 30s, 40s and 50s and its pieces are just delicious; from playsuits, and high-waisted shorts to day dresses and peep-hole blouses. The only difficulty is trying to pick which item I want the most!

As it is still pretty nippy outside I am drawn to this super-cute Cosy Cape (£75), also available in a peach shade perfect for Winter to Spring:

Ooh la la!

I also love these Sailor Slacks (£56), which are a chic alternative to skinny jeans and are also available in tweeds that are great for work!

Ahoy there Sailor!

Duo Tara and her mother design and manufacture in the UK using recycled fabrics and trimmings where possible as well as end of roll fabrics to create limited edition pieces. See http://www.tarastarlet.com/ to buy!

Facts: Tara Starlet; Ethical vintage glamour; UK made; recycled; salvaged fabrics.

Featuring the Best Eco Fashion from the Clothes Show Live 2009....

By Lorna

The Clothes Show Live is the biggest fashion and beauty event worldwide and serves to highlight the latest high street and designer collections in spectacular style.  It is held annually in Birmingham NEC, which boast a 6500 capacity fashion theatre for the live catwalk show. This is the 21^st year of the Clothes Show Live and I went along today to search out the BEST ECO STYLE that was on offer for all of us Eco Goddesses....

1. Environmental Justice Foundation

THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION had a brilliant stall, which served as a sneak previous showcase for their new range of ‘Best of British’ designer collaboration t-shirts, featuring the designs of Alice Temperley, Richard Nicoll, Jenny Packham and Ciel. The stand succeeded in tempting even the most fashion conscious of girls in to find out more and buy a pre-release EJF t-shirt. I’m sure it had absolutely nothing to do with the posters of one of the male models from the catwalk show posing in an EJF t-shirt... no nothing at all! Ahem!

 I caught up with eco fashionistas Laura and India who were buying T-shirts and learning more from expert Larissa (from EJF), about the life changing pros of buying organic cotton... pictured below.

EJF believes children should not be forced to work in cotton fields and that cotton should be grown organically without pesticides, which poison the land and the farmers, which work on it. The proceeds from each of these designer collaborated t-shirts sold goes to support EJF in their work. To find out more about EJF's previous designer collection read Naomi's christmas wish-list post by clicking here.

2. Junk Jewels 

JUNK JEWELS were an amazing ethical find... as they design and make a veritable feast of gorgeous romantic, dreamy vintage-inspired jewellery! I met with Zoe Jones, founder of Junk Jewels who told me that they LOVE vintage and although some pieces are new they try and use as much vintage and recycled jewels as possible. There were literally swarms of girls trying on these beautiful trinkets and rightly so... as these one-off pieces are simple charming!

If you order online you can choose from two different chain lengths and bracelet sizes for you chosen vintage charm and the prices are unbelievably reasonable starting at just £6 for a bracelet and £8 for a necklace! 

If you’re a London dweller, check out the new Junk Jewels collection every Saturday at Portobello market, Notting Hill. You can even use their pick’n’mix service to create your own custom jewellery!

3.Komodo 

Unlike Junk Jewels, KOMODO are clothes show veterans and are an ethical brand, which has become massively well known worldwide.  Komodo have been in business 20 years, working with eco-friendly materials and following a philosophy of ethical business and social responsibility.

Although komodo are definitely worth checking out for their organic cotton shirts and range of winter warmers, which come in a variety of rich dark blues and warm earthy tones, I think their real strength lies in the beautiful organic cotton summer dresses they produce. Now it may sound odd, that I write that statement in December, when it is OFFICALLY FREEZING (at least in the UK it is!) but I do have a good reason!... If you check out the Komodo website they have an amazing sale on, featuring lots of beautiful summer dresses. If was you Eco Goddesses, I would show of my pre-planning skills, think well ahead and snap up a chic summery ethical bargain!!

Also ethically exhibiting at the clothes show live 2009 were The North Circular, Life's Not Fair But My Knickers Are and Terra Plana.

To find out more about EJF read our previous post by Naomi here or check out the EJF website http://www.ejfoundation.org/

Junk Jewels are available at http://www.junkjewels.co.uk/

Komodo clothing is available at www.komodo.co.uk 

You're hired!

By Naomi

For those who haven't already heard, Topshop is running a fabulous designer dress hire service at its Oxford Street store! The perfect solution to the problem of finding something chic for those festive celebrations!

Take a strut on down to Dress Me Up! between now and the 6th of December, and let out your inner glam kitten with a piece of fashion history. Designer dresses have been donated by celebrities from Freida Pinto (Burberry) to Jourdan Dunn (Herve Leger) as well as pieces from Christopher Kane, Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbanna.

So this Christmas you could be hitting the dancefloor sporting a frock worn by Naomi Cambell for a mere £40! What's more, all the proceeds are being donated to Age Concern and Help the Aged, which means you will be doing your good deed for the week whilst looking flipping fabulous!

Below are a selection of shots from the Dress Me Up! boutique. My fave is the black beaded flapper-style number by Antik Batik, and donated by Kimberley Stewart, which looks effortlessly glam.

Photography by Bella Howard for Topshop.

If you find that after a night of hot fashion lust with one of these beauties you have fallen head over heels in love, fear not; they are all being auctioned off after Christmas!

Find out more at www.topshop.com

Facts: designer dress hire, Cavalli, Antik Batik, Dolce & Gabbanna, vintage dresses, Help the Aged, Age Concern, fashion for charity.

Tis the season for stylish giving!

by Naomi

After my recent post all about the treasures that I am lusting after for Christmas, I thought I should redress the balance by offering up ideas for some lovely things to give others, because did you know that Christmas is also about giving?! Nope?...Me either! :D

Gifts for your sister or girlfriends:

Lush do some srummy body and beauty products and always indulge in some festive cheer! The EggSnog lip balm (£5) - made from walnut oil, hazelnut oil and shea butter - will have lips prepped for cheering in the New Year in no time. Oh and its vegan friendly too!

For friends that have flown the parental nest, charity shops are a mine of kitsch and retro housewares such as vintage cake stands, dessert dishes, dainty tea sets, decanters (which I think are due a comeback!) and casserole dishes. Create a mix-and-match dinner set or seek out a stylish vase. Just make sure you have a good idea of your friend's taste otherwise your present may end up adorning the shelves of the cupboard under the stairs! They are also great for weird and wonderful books; for one friend's present I sourced books featuring heroines of the same name.

If you are feeling crafty, perhaps make some cushion covers, an apron or some napkins. For an apron pattern, simply draw round an existing apron, add extra width for hemming and hey presto! I used wide ribbon to make the waist and neck ties and am going to use the excess material to make some pockets.

Gifts for your Mummy dearest (or aunty for that matter!):
Marks & Spencer has a good selection of fairtrade flowers online, many with a free box of chocolates if you order before the 21st November. If you want a more sustainable option, then a rose plant or orchid will last longer; team with some fairtrade chocolate and job is a good'un! Alternatively, The Body Shop is often a great place to find something to pamper her with. For something a little different, why not organise a nice girly day out at an eco-friendly spa? There are a few to choose from including the Yu SPA, Dundee, the Monart Destination Spa, Ireland, and the Bedruthan Hotel and Spa in Cornwall.

For your Dad:
When it comes to buying for dads it is often easy to just pick up the latest gadget or novelty toy (another comedy bottle-opener anyone?) This Christmas I am going to make a real effort to find something that my dad will appreciate and enjoy. I think a nice food hamper always goes down well. You could make your own chutney or jam, bake biscuits or make chocolate truffles. For dads that like to cook, you could make some infused oils and salts. There are lots of recipes online. I am going for some nice wine, such as an organic Bodegas Palacio Rioja as well as some cheese, gingerbread and dark fairtrade chocolate.

For your boyfriend:
If your man is anything like mine, the topic of him wearing eco-friendly clothes etc is not even worth broaching. Its not that mine is against the ideas behind it, but as someone that only buys new clothes when the old ones literally fall off his body, (he is probably more eco-friendly than I am without even trying!) any new clothes have to be meticulously chosen and are bought purely based on their looks.

The only way I think I can get my very fussy boyfriend into planet-friendly threads is if they are even more appealing than what is already out there. Fortunately I have found one brand. Spunky's range of organic clothes feature some pretty wonderful off-the-wall designs from independent artists. I particularly like this Cat Zapp design, available on a t-shirt (£24.99) or a hoody (£49.99). Spunky's green credentials are second-to-none, from only using organic cotton to manufacture the t-shirts and hoodies, to banking with Tridos and cycling to work!

Crafty ideas:
Why not make your friends and family personalised Santa stockings? Use some felt, velvet or perhaps thick cotton and finish along the top with something white a fluffy! You could opt for a country stocking with a check pattern and lace trim, or something modern in an unconventional print. You could add a further personal touch by embroidering or gluing the recipient's name on. Fill clean old jam jars with layers of their favourite penny sweets or chocolates and top with some cute fabric and an elastic band.

Instead of giving cards to my colleagues this Christmas I am instead going to save on the paper (which generally just gets binned or am I being cynical?) and make Christmas cupcakes. If cupcakes don't appeal, you could make cookies, mince pies, gingerbread men or chocolates!

For more information visit:

http://www.lush.co.uk/

http://www.marksandspencer.com/

http://yuspa.apexhotels.co.uk/

http://www.monart.ie/

http://myecohotel.com/spa

http://www.organic-wines.co.uk/

http://www.spunky.co.uk/

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/