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.

A perfectly beautiful Monday treat

by Naomi

After the long, dark and cold winter, which I spent pretty much entirely covered in layer upon layer of clothing, there's nothing like sunny days and the prospect of summer to inspire me to make that little bit more effort with my appearance!

You may remember that a little while back that I reviewed a Bourjois liquid foundation; well after a while I got a tired of using liquid (it seems to come off on everything I come into contact with, although I would still recommend it if you're a fan of liquids) so the search for perfectly beautiful skin was back on!

I spied that Une had an offer on: buy any foundation and get a free Breezy Cheeks Blush worth £8.99. I love a good deal and I have been eyeing up their foundations for a while. I chose Une's 100% Mineral Powder Foundation, £9.99. 

I cannot recommend mineral foundation enough, and this one's a beauty. It gives even coverage and has a kind of dewy, glowing finish to it which makes it great whatever your skin type and will also work as a day-to-night foundation. It doesn't seem to block my pores or look cakey and the colours available are refreshingly non-orange! The pot is quite small, but you don't need a lot on your brush.

As for the blush, it's made from 100% natural ingredients, 10.2% of which are from organic farming, certified by EcoCert. I went for and the B 03 shade which is a sort of vintage dusky rose pink that's very in fashion at the moment, very light and summery, and which combined with the creamy texture gave a really delicate, subtle glow. The front of the case is also a mirror which is very handy if you like to do your make-up on the go!

I'm hoping that next week's Monday treat will be a super-chic crafty one - fingers crossed that it works!

P.S. I can't post without addressing the terrible situation in Japan. Our thoughts are with all of those affected. If you can spare even a few pounds, you can donate to help them here.

-x-

Facts: Une Beauty make up: on offer at Boots; buy any foundation and get a Breezy Cheeks Blush free (subject to availability); natural ingredients, some of which is derived from organic farming.

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.

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

Monsoon launches L.O.V.E collection at LFW!

by Naomi

Monsoon has just launched a new ethical and sustainable collection, called L.O.V.E at London Fashion Week! The sponsors of LFW's eco/ethical exhibition, Esthetica, Monsoon are already kind of up there on their ethical policy and now they have a dedicated collection!

Featuring recycled materials, Indian crafts and organic fabrics the first collection is boho-tastic, here is a little snippet:





Pradesh Dress, organic cotton, traditional hand-crafted woodblock print, £190. Delhi Top, organic cotton, hand-sewn mother of pearl bib, £150.

These floaty numbers have got me fantasising about summer holidays spent on the beach and those lovely warm evenings spent in the pub!

See the rest of the collection here.

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

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.

Free eye liner with Elle magazine

by Naomi

Calling all beauty goddesses! Elle magazine is giving away a free Neal's Yard Remedies black eye liner with the March issue.

The Midnight shade is part of the first range of eye liners to be Soil Association Certified, and is 37% organic. I nabbed one as soon as I saw it and it's great - smooth and quite pigmented, and glides on really easily.

It's made with all natural mineral colours, antioxidant white tea,  sunflower, organic beeswax and organic botanical extracts and packaged in FSC certified wood. 

So it's basically about as eco-goddess-like as an eye liner can get at the moment! Oh and it's worth £9.50 - wahey!

Enjoy! x

Facts: Elle magazine, March 2011: Neal's Yard Remedies eye liner in Midnight. Soil Association Certified, natural ingredients and FSC packaging.

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.

Beat the chill!

by Naomi

I have been keeping my eyes peeled for this spring/summer's eco-fashion must-haves. But there's just one problem...it's so cold I am finding it difficult to even contemplate wearing anything other than knitwear, fur (faux bien sur) and more knitwear!

So until the sun decides to make an appearance I am going to continue wrapping up! I am loving this Alpaca Reversible Hat by Emilime at $55 (around £34).

Doesn't it just look ssoooooooooooo cosy?!

Alpaca wool offers great insulation with breathability, and is known for its durability as well as being a renewable material. Furthermore, all Emilime pieces are handcrafted by artisans in Peru - thumbs up all round! And if your thumbs are cold take care of them with some alpaca gloves! These funky wrist warmers are $50.

Emilime products can be found on Holstee - a fab American initiative that designs and curates some of the best in urban eco style from across the globe, and Emilime's website direct.

Facts: Eco winter warmers: Emilime alpaca hat and gloves, made by artisans in Peru. Sold through Holstee

Compassionate Fashion - Gucci & UNICEF

By Lorna 

Gucci Creative Director, Frida Giannini will be honoured on February 11th 2011 at UNICEF's annual Women of Compassion luncheon. Jennifer Lopez will present the award with honorary chairwomen Rihanna and Mary J Blige.

Under Frida Giannini's direction, Gucci has committed over $9million to UNICEF to support UNICEF orphans and children affected by AIDS in Africa, where over 11 million children have lost one or both parents to the disease. This has been achieved through various special projects and commissioned exclusive design pieces for Gucci to retail. The most recent of these projects was a special edition Sukey bag which has been stocked in Gucci stores in 20 countries with 25% of the retail price donated.

"Gucci's ongoing commitment is helping UNICEF and our partners reach our goal of benefiting 4 million children through the Schools for Africa campaign."

"For most of Africa's children, particularly orphans and children affected by HIV and AIDS, education represents a way out of a life of entrenched poverty,” said Nichole Brown, UNICEF Chief of Corporate and Foundation Fundraising. “By providing children with access to a quality education in a safe and protective environment, we are building better lives for not only these children, but future generations as well."

When you look at the problems people face all over the world, it is easy to feel helpless. That is why these Women of Compassion awards are so important; they are inspiration to the likes of women (and men) in industries everywhere that it is possible to make a difference and improve our world for the better, congratulations Frida!  

Find more info on the Gucci and UNICEF partnership, at Gucci or UNICEF

Attention please!

by Naomi.

I would just like to say....

I LOVE this H&M dress! 100% recycled polyester. £14.99. What else needs to be said?

Only one thing left to decide.....

Cornflower blue...

or sunshine yellow?

Decisions decisions....

Facts: H&M summer ruffle dress, 100% recycled polyester £14.99.