The Green Familia » Grown Ups

Ethical Fashion Essentials: Goodone Everyday Collection

Jo — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:00:25 +0000

It is sometimes difficult to make ethical fashion choices when looking for wearable, everyday items to add to your wardrobe.

Goodone is an eco-friendly award-winning independent fashion label based in London that takes an intelligent approach to design, specialising in up-cycling and innovatively combining new British and sustainable fabrics with reclaimed textiles. Goodone is known for its use of bold, colour-blocked styles, and by using reclaimed fabrics in every possible part of the design process, they create fashion-forward collections, reinventing the potential of what up-cycled garments can be whilst causing as little damage to the environment as possible.

The Goodone Everyday Collection features a range of wearable and casual wardrobe essentials, all custom-made in the studio. The basics consist of jersey separates, which are all reclaimed or end-of-roll fabrics, with a lower price than the mainline seasonal collections.

We love this casual oversized T-shirt with an adjustable drawstring hem. Wear it tucked in or hanging loose over a pair of jeans.

The cropped sculptural gillet with a curved quilted peplum is made from reclaimed wool jumpers and new British wool made in Huddersfield.

Their oversized T-shirt dress hangs gracefully from seamless shoulders. Wear with or without a belt.

Finally our pick from the Goodone Everyday Collection is the Grey marl jersey cape sweatshirt with a contrast hood and front pocket. Great for a casual cover-up, the main body of the cape is made from loopback sweatshirt jersey from a UK mill, with the hood and pocket details cut from reclaimed sweatshirts and T shirts.

Goodone was founded in 2006 by Nin Castle and Phoebe Emerson, with the aim of designing and making fashion garments with a difference. Their first studio was an old car show room where the pair lived and worked till moving the business to London, and since then Goodone has led the way in sustainable fashion.

Goodone is definitely the place to source your recycled stylish and ethical fashion essentials.

Sustainable Fabrics – Perfect for Summer

Jo — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:07:42 +0000

Sustainable fabrics are better for the environment, but do you take this into account when choosing fashion items, or is it always about style? Did you know that Tencel and Rayon are ethical and sustainable fabrics that are fast becoming more commonplace on the British High Street?

Komodo, the UK’s number 1 organic clothing and ethical fashion wear site for women, has the perfect Spring Summer collection for 2012 featuring these sustainable fabrics that are just the thing to pack in your suitcase for that Summer holiday.

Tencel is an award-winning eco fibre made from tree cellulose farmed on wasteland. Highly economical in its use of energy and resources, Tencel is beautifully light-weight, biodegradable and anti-bacterial making it the perfect fabric for sensitive skin.

Rayon is made from sustainable tree cellulose – it is not synthetic! Clothing items made from Rayon (derived from a word meaning ‘Ray of Light’) are bright and colourful without the need of hard dyes and softeners. The fibres of materials such as Tencel and Rayon have a high absorbency which heightens colour intensity.

Check out the Komodo site for our top picks. We love the Taly tunic, a tribal print rayon tunic which can be worn in 3 different ways, the FLO organic cotton check dress, and EDA,, the short leaf print 3/4 sleeve Tencel dress.

Komodo have been creating beautiful clothing made from ethical fabrics for over 20 years. All of the cotton used in their SS12 collection is organic cotton, which means it’s free from pesticides making it better for the environment and the people that work to produce it. Komodo journeys from the shores of Bali to the streets of London, bringing a tactile collection of eco-friendly fabrics crafted in fair trade factories, creating a relaxed collection for the modern urban traveller.

For stylish, eco-friendly fashion, have a look at Komodo. You will be surprised and delighted at what you can find.

Little Wren Gifts

erica — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:41:27 +0000

Little Wren Gifts are based in Wales and specialise in selling goods made by different artisans. Many of their products have strong eco credentials too.

I do like these cute vintage style coin purses. They are made by hand from colourful, vintage look fabrics and decorated with complementary buttons. You can use them to keep money safe or to hold other small items. They measure 10 cm in height by 12 cm in width. As each one is handmade, they will vary a little. They’re priced at £10.50.

Another favourite of mine is this geometically patterned, handmade, wooden jewellery box. They’re made by a craftsman in Merseyside . The top of the box is Louis cube design using 3 different colours of wood in the veneer and the sides are fashioned from iroko wood. A closed box measures 19 cm width by 10 cm length and 5 cm depth approximately. Inside are six compartments to store all your bits and pieces away neatly. They’re priced at just £26 each.

Jewellery from Becca Williams

erica — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:22:04 +0000

Becca Williams is a West Midlands based designer whose work is, surprisingly for someone working in landlocked Birmingham, influenced by the seaside. She produces handmade contemporary jewellery with a soft, delicate look.

This Black Heart Pendant from the Flotsam range is very simple and very pretty. It’s made from hammered sterling silver and has a dark, blackened finish with a soft, almost floral feel. It measures 2.5cm round, 6mm deep and hangs on a light 0.9cm snake chain. You can choose from a 16″, 18″ or 20″ chain and the price is £60.

Another favourite of mine are these Seaside Stacking Rings. These simple, delicate rings are made from reticulated silver wire with little silver and 9ct red gold pebble details. They’re sold in a group of four to stack on your finger. They have a soft, textured surface and the colours are beautiful muted. This stack comprises: 2 plain sterling silver rings, 1 sterling silver ring with pebble embellishments and a single 9ct red gold ring with silver pebble detail. They’re priced at £120 and are available in ring sizes K to Q.

Bags from Bagladee

erica — Mon, 07 May 2012 08:00:25 +0000

I love buying and using bags. As well as serving a practical purpose, bags can add the finishing touches to an outfit and bring the whole look together. Bagladee bags are handmade and there are some beautiful designs.

This Louisa Shoulder Bag caught my eye. It has a delightful blue/green, modern print on the outside, which co-ordinates with the mint green lining. To keep your bits and bobs secure, there’s a magnetic fastener to close. Inside the bag, there are pouches that are suitable for a mobile phone and personal items. It comes with a detachable, flower brooch adorned with a rhinestone button and crystals. It measures: 40cm(W) x 25cm(H), 55cm(H) from the base to the top of strap. It’s very reasonably priced at £40.

If you’re looking for a fun bag to team up with a summer party frock, this Juicy Clutch may be the one for you? There’s a real vintage feel to this vibrant, lemon slice print, but I think it has a contemporary twist too. It’s a chrome bobble frame clutch bag with co-ordinating black lining. There is a matching, decorative bow detail, with a rhinestone flower and crystals. It’s priced at £45.

Guest Post: Eco Friendly Date Ideas for Couples

Brenda — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:15 +0000

There’s a good chance that if you asked someone, “Where can I take a person on a first date that is eco-friendly?” that they might translate that to mean, “Where can I take a person on a first date that’s cheap?”

No doubt about it, the “go green” movement definitely makes things easier on the wallet. But what a lot of eco-friendly dates may lack in cost, it certainly makes up for in creativity. In other words, “the less you spend, the more imagination you usually have to use.” In many ways, when it comes to making a good first date impression, that can actually work out well into your favor.

So what are some eco-friendly date ideas for couples? How about trying out a few of these?

A picnic. You can never really go wrong with a picnic basket and a bottle of (organic) wine. Sure, it may seem a tad bit predictable, but you can always put your own spin on it. Maybe have a picnic at sunset. Or fill the basket with your date’s favorite things (you can ask them or perhaps connect with one of their relatives on Facebook if you’d like it to be a surprise). Seasonal picnics are pretty special too. For instance, you can have one at winter by bringing along some soup, hot cocoa and a new scarf and pair of gloves. (Etsy.com has some really cute eco-friendly gloves and arm warmers.)

Bike riding. Some couples enjoy hiking, especially on a first date, because it’s a great way to build communication while getting in some cardio at the same time. You can take it up a notch by going bicycle riding, instead. Either you can bring your individual bikes along as your ride along a promenade or in the park. Or, you can look into renting a tandem (side-by-side) bicycle for the day. A lot of sporting stores offer that as a reasonably priced option.

Take a local road trip. One of the best things you can do for the environment is to cut down on the amount of emissions that goes into the atmosphere. You can do that by opting to carpool or to ride the bus instead of using your car on a daily basis. Along this same theme, a fun date can consist of a similar concept. Simply get a couple of tourist brochures and hop the MTA, Marta, subway, trolley or a taxi for a day. You and your date can stop at all of the places that either you like best in your city or that you’ve never seen before. If you take a long a camera, it’s a wonderful way to preserve some lasting memories.

Cook an organic meal. It still continues to be a really romantic thing when someone cooks for their significant other. So, why not do a bit of research into some great organic recipes? OrganicAuthority.com and OrganicKitchen.com are two websites with loads of them. To go along with the organic theme, decorate the table with some soy candles and gerbera daisies (they’re wonderful for purifying the air) and make sure to serve everything on some eco-friendly dinnerware (everywhere from Crate and Barrel to Amazon carries some).

Go for a walk. From a divorce in Austin to one that’s filed in England, one of the leading causes for divorce is a lack of communication; that usually is due to many couples not developing effective ways of talking with one another. A simple way to remedy that is to go on walks with one another. It could be in your neighborhood, along the beach, window shopping at a mall…anywhere where you both feel comfortable to just be yourselves. You can even sweeten the deal with some gelato from a local eatery or toast one another with some champagne or sparkling cider upon your return (Korbel has an organic champagne that’s available at a really reasonable price.). Besides, a good walk together is pretty symbolic, wouldn’t you say? It represents going somewhere…together.

Jewellery from Amanda Coleman

erica — Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:34 +0000

I’m always drawn to jewellery that reflects the natural world, either in the shapes created, the materials used or the motifs featured. So it’s unsurprising that much of Amanda Coleman’s hand made jewellery collection appeals to me, because many of the jewellery designs are inspired by the natural world. I do like these dangly Seahorse Earrings. The seahorses themselves hang down from a cluster of turquoise, mother of pearl and aventurine beads. They measure approximately 3cm long and come in a choice of either gold vermeil or sterling silver finishes. They’re priced at £42 for a pair. You can also buy charm bracelets and pendants with similar seahorse motifs in the same collection.

Another favourite piece is this charming Owl in a Tree Pendant. The pendant features an owl sitting on a curving branch, with leaves cleverly created from enamel and semi-precious onyx beads. The neck chain measures 45cm long, with the owl and branch measuring 3.5cm in height by 2cm in width. Again it comes in a choice of either gold vermeil or sterling silver finishes. It’s priced at £39 and you can buy matching studs or matching earrings too if you like.

The Natural Choice for Father’s Day

Jo — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:00:13 +0000

Regardless of what they say or how much they protest, men like organic skincare products too! With Father’s Day coming up in June, now is the time to start thinking about what to get the man in your life, whether it be your own Papa or a gift from your kids for their Daddy. There can only be one natural choice for Father’s Day and that comes from the Organic Homme range of certified organic products developed especially for men.

Men who like organic skincare products will love these pure performance products that deliver results the natural way without the chemical nasties that are found in mainstream products.

Choose from:

Father Lather – £19.50
A duo of shower treats which are great for daily use or after sports to keep the skin and hair cleansed and soothed. One powerful wash with the spicy scent of Cypress and Clove to detox the skin and draw out impurities, the other one stimulating, infused with Mint & Eucalyptus to energise the mind and senses. Gift includes a free travel size shampoo.

Sporting Hero – £29.50
Treat dad to three great sellers from the Organic Homme Range; high performance products that deliver results to the skin naturally. This charming gift contains a deep cleansing facial wash and scrub which prepares the skin for shaving or moisturising, plus Skin Guard, a daily moisturiser with SPF15 protection, armed with a natural Cell rejuvenator to fight wrinkles (or laughter lines as we like to call them!) and a Cool Style Shower Wash to instantly revive the skin and senses!

Good to Go Kit – includes a designer wash bag by Junky Styling with every Kit – £34.50
Dad’s essential travel kit, whether on the go with work, play or sport these handy travel sizes are super concentrated so last and last. This limited edition gift includes our natural and organic Scrub It Exfoliator 50ml, Shave Now Wash & Shave 50ml, Cool Style Shower Wash 50ml and Itch Away Shampoo 50ml. This special purchase for Father’s Day includes a designer wash bag with every Kit!

You can find the Organic Homme range at Green People here.

Organic Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Florascent

Jo — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:17 +0000

Are you wondering what to get your Dad this Father’s Day? Maybe the kids are stuck for ideas and don’t want to get the same old boring box of chocolates, or perhaps your Pa is into natural, organic, green living. Look no further because the new men’s Organic Eau de Toilette from Florascent is an ideal choice as a Father’s Day gift.

Their Aqua Colonia organic fragrances come in 5 different luxury scents, and one feature that we really like here at TGF are the gorgeous glass bottles and the rich, handsome packaging. All the fragrances in the collection are made from natural and organic ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals. Kind to the earth and gentle on the skin, just the perfect ethical gift for the eco-friendly man!

The collection contains:

Du Soleil - Mediterranean memories, a stroll along the shore, an incandescent summer’s day, light yet spicy and alluring with notes of wild tarragon, sage and rockwood.

Habanna - Cuban feel, classic elegance, a gentleman’s lounge, woody with a mellow finish, exquisite luxury, soft leather, with notes of pimento, cardamom and rosewood.

Patchouly - A nostalgic 1960’s vintage scent, individual, warm and comforting, manly, cosy wintery spice, a romantic evening, with notes of ginger, patchouli, fresh bergamot and sage.

Vetyver - Stylish and modern, an afternoon on the tennis court, cheeky and fruity, young of heart and mind, fresh and energetic, with notes of juicy grapefruit and geranium.

Santal - Think about extravagance, heady and rich, plush dark velvet, mysterious, intelligent, ambitious and successful, with notes of davana, sandalwood and jasmine.

For the younger members of the family on a budget, the Aqua Collection is the answer. Each gift set contains a selection of natural seductive fragrances from the Aqua Colonia range.

By the way, Father’s Day this year is on Sunday 17^th June.

Available from www.pravera.co.uk and at all good independent health and beauty stores nationwide.

- Aqua Colonia in Du Soleil, Habanna, Patchouly and Vetyver retail at £60 for 60ml.

- Aqua Colonia in Santal retails at £70 for 60ml.

- Aqua Collection set retails at £12 for 4 x 5ml.

Jewellery from Abbott and Ellwood

erica — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:05 +0000

I’m always on the look out for jewellery that’s a bit different, so I was pleased to come across Abbott and Ellwood’s brooches and necklaces. Their quirky pieces certainly have an individual style. All their jewellery is hand made in Cornwall.

This dog and bone brooch is one such example, it’s a brooch with a sense of humour. First it’s hand printed onto stainless steel, and then it’s fired in a kiln to create a durable and lasting finish. The brooch comes with a printed rubber stand for display, when it is not being worn so it becomes a room ornament. There are 3 colours available: duck egg blue, taupe and red. It’s priced at £42. They have loads more designs to choose from too, so you’re bound to find one that appeals to you.

If you’re looking for a necklace instead, how about this bird necklace? It’s a beautiful flowing shape and I love the muted colours. Again it’s hand printed onto stainless steel before firing. It’s available in 2 colour schemes: duck egg blue and green. The price is £48.