Fast fashion, slow cotton

I recently provided some input on a story for the Lush Times (yes, connected with the ethical beauty company famous for their delightful bath bombs).  Here's a preview, and a link to the full article:

Amid the designer luxury of the recent Paris Fashion Week, new clothes were paraded down the catwalk, ready for the latest trends to hit the high street. But experts are calling for dedicated followers of fashion to shape a new industry trend: one of sustainable fashion and organic cotton. Stepping away from the world of fast fashion, consumers are being encouraged to think about what lies behind each garment.

The cotton growing and harvesting process may not be the first thing on consumers’ minds when they purchase clothes, but sustainability expert Lisa Heinze is keen for this to change, and for the real ‘value’ of garments to be revealed, from cotton production to the creation of clothing items.

She said: “Once we start looking at garments not just as a garment, but as a collection of stories about people who created that garment, we increase its value.”

This approach could lead to consumers approaching fashion in a more conscientious way, taking an interest in the chain of events leading up to an item’s creation, and whether it has been fair for both people and planet.

Lisa Heinze said: “Learning even a little about garment production can help us gain an appreciation of how much time and effort people put into making the clothes we wear.”

The sustainability expert highlights a number of environmental and social issues related to fashion production, including water use, water pollution, worker safety and garment waste. She said that the issue is exacerbated as the fast fashion cycle becomes faster.

Continue to Lush

d.i.y. gift idea : coconut lime sugar scrub

I don't know about you, but the holidays are in full swing for me, and I am happily listening to Christmas music and doing final preps for the big day.

I came across this cute gift idea online - Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub - from the delightful Idea Room blog - and just had to whip some up for my girlfriends.

Spoiler alert for my girlfriends I haven't seen yet!

I placed the sugar scrub into some used glass jars I had in my cupboard. We keep almost all glass jars that we buy, they can easily be put to good use as vases, storage containers and, now, sugar scrub jars!

The jars just needed a quick 30-minute soak in some soapy
water and I was able to easily scrape the labels right off.

Ingredients

• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil (melted)
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Shredded Coconut
• 6-8 Drops Lime Essential Oil

I was able to use ingredients all from the Manly Food Co-op, which means that these scrubs are all organic and for the most part packaging-free (the essential oil does not come in bulk).

Instructions

1. Melt coconut oil in microwave (if necessary)
2. Mix completely with the sugar - I used my hands to ensure a good mix
3. Add the shredded coconut and lime essential oil
4. Mix thoroughly with your hands
5. Place into glass jars

This recipe makes about 1 Cup of completed scrub, and is super easy to multiply up to make a big batch.

My scrub is not as white as The Idea Room because I used
organic raw sugar - but it works just the same!

Amy from the Idea Room thoughtfully included a downloadable pdf of the Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub name tags on her blog, which I printed out, pasted onto the back of some old cardboard, and tied around the jar with twine.

A delightful, healthy and safe pampering treat made with your own two hands (which by now feel amazingly soft and hydrated thanks to using your own hands to mix the scrub together). Did you come up with any DIY or otherwise 'green' gifts to give your loved ones this year?

* * * *

As another year comes to a close, I want to thank you for your continued readership and support. I wish you all the warmest of season's greetings, and I'll see you all again in the New Year.

xo Lisa

Now if only this rain would clear out of Sydney so we can have a blue (sky) Christmas . . .

natural DIY manicure

I love to take a long lunch break on the days I'm working from home, and try and squeeze in a yoga class or walk along the beach. Today, I'm feeling sore from last night's handstand-filled yoga session and the rain came in just in time for lunch, so I decided a DIY manicure was the next best option!

Do you follow me on Instagram? I post more pictures there about
natural beauty products and sustainable fashion pieces that I come across.
@lisa_heinze

I had the pleasure of meeting with Weleda Australia this week and got the inside scoop that the best way to use their deliciously-hydrating Skin Food moisturiser was to warm it in your hands before rubbing into your skin - it helps soften the natural beeswax contained within so that it soaks in evenly. I've used Weleda facial moisturisers and body deodorants in the past as well - I love their commitment to remaining in balance with nature and seeking to go 'beyond organic' and using biodynamic and other methods.

I've also recently been gifted a bottle Sienna Byron Bay nail lacquer - it's completely toxin-free and vegan, and the 'Harmony' colour is the perfect shade of peach to complement my olive skin tone. (I also love how it looks with my turquoise ring!) It's so great to be able to use an Australian-made nail polish that is free from the usual nasties. I can see from the photo I have to tidy up my edges, but I just love this new nail polish colour and texture.

Now . . . back to work for me! Hope you've had an equally delightful lunch break and have a brilliant weekend ahead.

xLisa

changemaker : carla cosgrove

Today I'm delighted to introduce you to changemaker Carla Cosgrove, the clever and stylish woman behind Candour Store, an online store with an alluring collection of non-toxic beauty product alternatives.

Candour Store just celebrated its 1st anniversary - Happy Birthday!!!

This online shop is beautifully curated, and since Carla has worked as a makeup artist you can trust that these products are not only non-toxic, they actually perform.

I recently *sat down* with Carla for a chat about what makes her tick and her dreams for the future, here's some of our conversation:

When did your 'green' journey begin?
My interest in social and environmental issues started quite young, as early as primary school, but like all worthwhile things it is an on-going journey of ideas. By the time I left home I was already doing some simple things like eating a vegetarian diet, recycling, using natural cleaning products, recycled toilet paper and reusable shopping bags; but on the flipside I definitely wasn’t considering things like where my huge wardrobe of clothes came from, the ingredients in my beauty products/makeup kit or the impact of my disposable coffee cups! — When you know better you do better, right?

Once I got better informed, it became easy to commit to connect the dots and start making more consciously “green” choices in all parts of my life and career. It’s really not difficult to be green these days with so much easily-accessible information and so many beautiful alternatives around!

What inspired you to create Candour Store?
I think all life’s good ideas come from a back-catalogue of experiences and smaller ah-ha! moments along the way. However, the thing that really kickstarted the creation of Candour Store was the moment I decided to get serious about creating a life and career that was more strongly aligned with my values; one that focuses on creating good in the world and sharing my skills in a way that helps others live happier, healthier lives.

There were so many experiences that came together to get the idea of Candour Store cooking. It had always made me sad to hear the people sitting in my makeup chair talking smack about their own or others’ physical appearance and, although I tried to ignore it, working in the conventional beauty/fashion industry had often given me the wrong gut feeling. Another big step in the journey was experiencing a face full of blisters as the result of using a product labeled “natural”. That ugly experience lead me to pick up “No More Dirty Looks” by Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt— a book that helped steer my life in an unexpected and exciting new direction.

Your site is so visually appealing, what's the inspiration behind the look?
What a lovely thing to say. Thanks Lisa! I was lucky enough to work with talented Aussie designers Max Duff (brand identity) and Tabitha Emma (website design) to create a look and feel that reflects Candour’s central values. Our starting point was the word “candour”; which means to be frank, open, honest and straightforward (or “candid”).

Another major influence was the look, quality materials and genuine, personal relationships of the small boutiques of days gone by. I went crazy researching old photographs, stories, advertisements and packaging designs; then worked with Max (who also happens to be my little brother) to distill all my madcap ideas into a workable concept.

At its core, Candour’s aesthetic is about honesty, quality and the luxury to be found in simplicity.

Describe your dream day.
Ooooo…So many options! A dream day is always made up of lots of little unexpected happinesses, isn’t it? If I had to select just a handful of ingredients though, they would be: Waking up on foreign soil, a wonderful frock, some bright lipstick, coffee in the morning, exciting new adventures and characters all day and a glass of something delicious at night.

What is your favourite part of running Candour Store?
I am blessed with the loveliest customers, followers and suppliers. Chatting with my “regulars” over email, answering green beauty questions and receiving some beautiful thank you letters is undoubtedly my favourite part of running Candour Store. Getting to try out oodles of beautiful green beauty products isn’t such a bad gig either!

What is the most important lesson you'd like people to take away from visiting your site?
That “Green” doesn’t have to equal “hippie” any more. There are so many genuinely eco-conscious, luxe, toxin-free beauty brands on the market these days. Greenwashing is really prevalent in this industry though; so it’s important to always read your product labels and use the magical powers of the internet to get informed about what kinds of businesses and practices your purchases are supporting.

Any personal favourite products at the moment that we need to know about?
I’ve got so many, but for Summer I am really enjoying Eco Tan’s Organic Coconut Sunscreen. It’s contains skin-nourishing oils, soaks in nicely and is tinted too. It’s become my go-to for a quick moisturiser, light foundation and sunscreen in one.

Are there any products that you really wish someone would create a 'Candour' version of?
A really frothy, luxurious and toxin-free bubble bath would be wonderful!

* * * *

Okay, by *sat down* I mean I sat down at my keyboard and we typed to each other. But I'm certain we will meet 'in person' one day and I'm already looking forward to it - I can reconigise a kindred spirit when I meet one!

I hope you enjoyed meeting the changemaker Carla Cosgrove as much as I enjoyed chatting with her.  Why not head over to Candour Store to read more about her journey into green living and take a peek at the delightful online store? I suspect you'll be glad you did.

a day in the eco life

I consider myself so lucky to spend my days working for the environment. Whether through contract jobs, writing or my PhD project, I get to immerse myself in sustainability everyday. And yesterday, after I introduced myself to someone as an environmentalist (I love saying that!), I reflected on exactly what that means in my day-to-day life.

Here's a glimpse at my schedule from yesterday:

5.50am - alarm goes off, I drag myself out of bed, brush my teeth, splash water on my face, pull on my yoga gear and walk to the local yoga studio.

6.15am - beautiful Hatha yoga session, a wonderful way to wake up. My practice includes using my natural rubber yoga mat by Jade and wearing my fabulous Teeki yoga pants made from recycled plastic.

7.45am - feeling alive and well after yoga, I wander over to Pure Wholefoods and treat myself to an organic breakfast including an Acai bowl with granola and a soy flat white.

8.15am - crack open the books and the journals and immerse myself in environmental activism and fashion theory for my PhD studies.

9.00am - take a minute to put a coat of Butter nail polish on my nails in the adorable shade 'Molly Coddled'. (Lots of time for nails to dry while I'm reading!) Butter is free from Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP, nasty chemicals found in traditional nail polish.

10.30am - walk over to Fairlight to collect a fantastic picnic basket that someone was giving away for free on the new sharing website, TuShare. If you have anything you need to get rid of, pop it on TuShare, and people like me can request to take care of them for you! As an added bonus, I met a fellow American who has recently moved to the area - a new picnic basket, and a new friend!

11.15am - alight the Manly ferry into town, stainless steel water bottle in tow to keep me hydrated throughout the rest of my day.

I cherish my EarthLust bottle I got from
State of Green (I actually left it on the ferry
earlier this week and was thrilled to be reunited
thanks to dedicated ferry staff!)

11.45am - use my weekly travelpass again to catch the train to Redfern - I love these passes that get me around all of Sydney on ferries, buses and trains. Sometimes I feel like I should be the public transport spokesperson . . .

12.00pm - vegetarian lunch in Redfern, accompanied by my books and notes.

1.00pm - the start of a busy afternoon of Uni - a writing seminar, hearing two of my fellow PhD students' work in progress, followed by two hours of library time - more environmental activism research for me!

Ah yes, my wardrobe for the day included:

Organic wool tuxedo jacket from
Melbourne label Sosume

Black tank from ethical label
KissinCussin

My favourite tote, collected from the
Round She Goes markets last year.

I had on some never-been-washed denim, too. Before you get too grossed out, there have been actual studies showing we don't need to wash denim frequently (if at all!). I find hanging them in the sunshine from time to time helps to freshen them up. The eco-impacts of laundry are a whole other post for another day. . .

And of course I was wearing my favourite eco-beauty makeup brands Musq, Korres and Ere Perez.

6.00pm - meet up with my gorgeous hubby for a wander around the Vivid installation on campus before walking over to Glebe for dinner (nothing too eco about this meal - but we did have delicious Mexican food!).

8.00pm - hop on the bus to Circular Quay (the couple who loves public transport together stays to together - isn't that how the phrase goes?) to take in more of the Vivid festival.

9.30pm - catch the ferry home and collapse after a busy week.

So there you have it - throughout my day from what I wear, to my activities, to my preferred modes of transport (walking and public transportation), I am making positive eco-choices.

There's always room for improvement, of course, but I'm pretty pleased with how normal all these activities feel to me. I'd love to hear from you about how you incorporate sustainable actions into your everyday day, life, too. Leave a comment or drop me a line.

Now, back to my studies!
xxLisa

drumroll please

[insert sound of super cool drumroll here . . .]

My book, Sustainability with Style, is now available as a paperback! And I added a brand new sustainable shopping guide! And you can buy it through Createspace, Amazon or right here on my online shop (best option for my Aussie readers)!

Updated with a fresh, white cover - thanks
Wingrove Design for the love!

I finished the second edition a couple months ago, but amongst all the excitement of the Clean Cut Designer Showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I haven't given this news the attention it deserves. I'm so thrilled to be sharing this news officially with you, my cherished readers.

In case you haven't read the first edition of Sustainability with Style, let me give you a quick snapshot. It was originally published in 2012, and is the story of how I transitioned from a fashion-obsessed shopping fanatic to environmentalist, without losing my personal sense of style. There are highs and lows, a few laughs, and a few cringes, and I'm sharing it with you to give you a head start on your own green-transition.

Since publishing the first edition I have heard from many readers, and the top questions I get are, "What can I buy?" and "Where can I buy it?"

Ask and you shall receive! In the new sustainable shopping guide I'm essentially giving you all a sneak peek into my closet and beauty cabinet. I'm sharing with you my favourite brands, labels and places to shop. I've also included some general guidelines on fabrics, what to look for on clothing tags, and chemicals to avoid in your body products, so you can learn how your favourite brands stack up.

Special thanks to Eco-fashion photographer
Alicia Fox - you were a delight to work with
and helped me get a great book cover photo!

The book was originally eBook only, but with the addition of the shopping guide (and knowing how many people just love holding a book in their hands), I thought now was a good time to offer a paperback edition as well. Thankfully I don't have to worry about the environmental impact, because the books are produced print-on-demand. This means only the books that get ordered get printed, and I'm not wasting precious resources on potentially unsold books. The paper is FSC-certified, too, made from recycled paper that is at least 30% post-consumer waste.

Thank you all for joining me on this amazing journey so far. I hope you enjoy the second edition of the book and find the shopping guide useful in helping you look and feel like yourself, only greener. If you are interested in arranging a reading, book signing or shopping-tip session with me, please get in touch!

xxLisa

sustainable Australia Day style

While some people choose to express their Australia Day style by wearing flags as capes, painting their faces green and gold, or tugging around an inflatable kangaroo, I stuck with a classic 'Red, White and Blue' theme.

I was thankful for the unseasonable chill in the air -
any excuse to break out the poncho!

Poncho : vintage, from Hunter Gatherer in Melbourne
Dress : organic cotton and modal blend, Made in the USA, by a new fave, Amour Vert
Lipstick : Red Sinner by Poppy King, the Lipstick Queen (not strictly natural, but no nasties and the best red I've found)
Boots : old faves, have been resoled at least twice

What did your Aussie Day style look like? Let me know on twitter!

summer makeup essentials

Waking up on this steamy morning the last thing I want to do is cover my skin with makeup. Thank goodness for my summertime makeup essentials!

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more quick pics like this one.

My absolute favourite mascara by Musq, Ere Perez rosehip oil lipbar in 'Life', and a little magical cover-up (and blemish zapper) by Dr. Hauschka.

Stay cool out there today!

xxLisa

I can create that style sustainably : Taylor Swift

Since I recently visited Nashville, I thought the next style I recreated sustainably should be a lovely lady with country roots and unique style - enter the whimsical Taylor Swift.

I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of her music, but I definitely have a girl crush on her after researching her style all day! Here's a glimpse at some of my favourite looks of hers and how to create them, sustainably.

Lips & Eyes
I just love the red lip that Taylor's been rocking for the past year or so and on her Red tour, and the wayfarer glasses help her own the vintage chic look she's been embracing of late.

To get Taylor's red lip naturally, try the new shade by Vapour Organics, Courage, described as classic cherry red.

Made with 70 percent certified organic ingredients, chemical free,
produced with windpower and comes in biodegradable packaging.
In addition, 30 percent of proceeds from this shade go to the
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, benefiting veterans,
something I'm sure this all-American girl would celebrate.

Lucky for us, there are plenty of eco-sunglasses on the market these days, like the below by Proof.

These glasses are made of plant-based plastic, which is renewable and
biodegradable, and a portion of sales go toward charities
  in India providing cataract surgery to people in need.

Swift Stripes
Stripes are the perfect way to create a timeless look, and Taylor wears them perfectly onstage and on the street.

Here are some labels to help you earn your stripes, sustainably.

Chinti & Parker

Available for sale online at Chinti & Parker and Browns London, definitely a new favourite of mine!

Honest By

Made with GOTS certified organic cotton.
Purchase online at Honest By (another new fave!).

People Tree

Both items made of 100% organic Fairtrade jersey cotton. Buy on PeopleTree.co.uk

Kuyichi

80% Tencel, 20% Linen, a Made By label, improving ethics
of the label year by year. This shirt is made in Turkey
under fair working conditions. Available online at Ethics Girls.

Flirty Feminine Frocks
Taylor wears a lot of skirts and dresses, and I love her look all the more for it.

To copy this part of Taylor's style, head to a vintage or secondhand shop and go wild! So many dresses and skirts have designs to last the ages, and my best vintage finds have undoubtedly been dresses. My tip: buy larger if necessary, and make sure you have a fabulous tailor to help with any nipping and tucking.

Oxford shoes
It's no surprise that Taylor's footwear is right on trend; she's been spotted wearing oxfords with everything from dresses to denim to short shorts.

I was given some fabulous oxfords by a friend, and I think if you had a good rummage through your local vintage shop you could probably locate a pair. If you can't find any secondhand, here's the next best thing:

Nisolo

Handmade in Peru through a social-entrepreneurship label.
Buy online at Nisolo Shoes.

Osborn

I just love these stripey oxfords by Osborn. 100% cotton uppers,
recycled tire heel cap,  and signed by the artisan! Buy online, and
check out some of the other colourful options for sale, too.

Neuaura

Loving these vegan shoes! Also loving the strong sustainability story
of the factory in Brazil.

Nancy Bird

I was so excited to see this Aussie label branch into footwear! Available
in a range of colours, these vegetable tanned, ethically created shoes are
on my wishlist - buy online at Nancy Bird.

Summer style
This past weekend the lovely lithe lady was spotted enjoying one of my favourite summer activities, stand up paddle boarding, in one of her favourite beach looks, the high waisted bikini.

 
To get this look sustainably, try either of these adorable high waist loving labels.

Pierogi Picnic

Pierogi Picnic makes suits from repurposed t-shirt cotton.
Each suit is made to the exact buyer's measurements,
and has a stretchy swim lining. The site also has great
vintage finds!

Fables by Barrie

Fables by Barrie creates wonderful retro pieces to make
women feel good - made in the San Diego offices,
guaranteed sweatshop free. A number of top and bottom
styles perfect for mixing and matching - FUN!

Well, thanks Taylor! I had fun immersing myself in your virtual wardrobe today. Keep rocking those fabulous looks, and give me a shout if you're ever in need of a sustainable shopping pal.

xxLisa

a green walmart fling

You read that correctly. Walmart.

You see, I'm currently in small-town USA. You know that song by John Cougar Mellencamp, "I was born in a small town"? Well, I'm in that exact small town (Seymour, Indiana), hanging out with my in-laws and enjoying the heartland. The only problem with the heartland is that the nearest Whole Foods is over an hour away, and I've just run out of shampoo and mascara.

I love Whole Foods - it's on the list of 'pros' for the continuing US vs Australia debate - but, like me this week, most Americans don't have access to this natural products wonderland. On the other hand, 90% of Americans live within 15 miles of a Walmart, so Walmart, here I come!

 For the record, if I was in Oz I'd quickly replace with my favourite Sukin Organics and Musq, respectively. I still love them both!

I still love you!

You too!

Typically I avoid the superstore at all costs because of its support of overconsumption and a number of other questionable social and economic factors (see this scathing article on the giant for details). And call me crazy, but I just don't think those stars-and-stripes ball caps marked down to $2 could have possibly been made ethically. But, considering the accessibility for nearly all Americans, and the aspirational (if vague) sustainability page on Walmart's website, I was willing to give it a go. I remain determined to show that it is easy to go green once you're armed with information!

I went to the hair care aisle first, and spent about 45 minutes looking at every brand that looked even remotely natural. I compared the ingredients to my 'Ingredients to Avoid' list, noted the greenwashers in the group (there were plenty!), and put Aveeno Active Naturals in my basket. It was sulfate-free* and paraben-free** and had a relatively short ingredients list. It wasn't as great as Sukin Organics, but was an acceptable replacement outside of a health food store.

Next I wandered over to the makeup department to look for any natural brands, and after walking down all 4 aisles of cosmetics came across an 8-foot wide eco-oasis called 'Natural Products' in the last aisle. This section was stocked with familiar natural brands including:

• Yes to Carrots
• Giovanni
• Avalon Organics
• Burt's Bees
• Ecotools

So, Aveeno Active Naturals went back on the shelf and I came home with Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender shampoo, containing 70% certified organic content and vegetarian ingredients and not containing synthetic fragrances, sulfates, phthalates or parabens. As an added bonus the bottle is made of 100% recycled content.

I also found a mascara to replace my beloved Aussie Musq mascara - Organic Wear by Physicians Formula. It has EcoCert approval, the first ever US line to be recognised by this well-established European certification group, 100% natural ingredients, 47% organic ingredients, and all the 'expected' things excluded, not to mention a recyclable wand.

My one complaint is the overpackaging, both in terms of the large size of the tube and handle as well as the plastic shell inside the carboard box. Upon first swipe it seems good! Physicians Formula also makes a mineral powder that was very healthy - without Talc (found in most mineral makeup products but a synthetic, irritating, clog-poring nightmare!) and naturally SPF 30.

So, there you have it, successful eco-beauty shopping at Walmart!

Any other great drugstore brands available in the US that I should know about? I'd love to hear about them and try them for myself.

xxLisa

PS - I have a list of ingredients to avoid compiled from from Gorgeously Green and Musq, but this is a super-short list on Ecouterre that is easier to remember when you find yourself in a pinch.

* Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are both known irritants and cause other problems when combined with other chemicals, but are very common in body products because they produce excellent bubbles.
** Parabens are known carcinogens, and I really don't know why these are still allowed in personal care products.

a green freshie fling

Who would've thought that one of the city's greenest arcades would be found in Freshwater? Well it is, I suggest those of you on the south side hop on the ferry and have a fabulous green day in Manly tomorrow. The Manly Fair Trade Markets will be on, and then it's a lovely 30-minute stroll to Freshie. Lovely!

I spent the morning in this eco-friendly alley (officially 12-14 Lawrence Street).  I had a hair appointment at the fabulously-eco salon Atsi for a lovely touch up of Original & Mineral colour.

Across the way is Wild Ginger Beauty, offering holistic beauty treatments. I haven't tried the salon myself, but I know they use Butter London nail polish, a leader in eco-polish due to the lack of Formaldehyde or Toluene. The salon uses Anna Lotan skin products, which claim to be free from animal cruelty and use natural ingredients, though I haven't seen a full ingredients list.

I then spent a good hour hanging out with Carlie from Indigo Bazaar at Darley Collective - the pop-up store was wildly popular in Manly this summer and the team has joined up again to bring us ethical and local fashion.

Darley Collective is the team of sustainable fashion online retailer Indigo Bazaar and local designers Linda Smyth of Betty Browne, Holly Turnbull of Masinissa and Linda Tahija of Linda Tahija Jewellery.

I'm always talking about Indigo Bazaar, and it's because their sourcing criteria are some of the most stringent out there, earning the company a Highly Commended Ethical Fashion Forum Source award for best practice in curation, marketing and sale of sustainable fashion.  Well, that and owner Carlie Ballard has amazing taste, so I know I'm in good hands.

Here's a peek at my new sustainable pieces.

KissinCussin black tank

Patterned pants by Indigo Bazaar

Lalesso skirt

Betty Browne organic cotton singlet

I'll be attending the Sustainable  Brands conference this June in San Diego, what better excuse to stock up on fabulous ethical fashion? Drop me a line if you'll be at the conference, I'd love to connect!

You can also see Indigo Bazaar at the Manly Fair Trade markets - tell Carlie I say hello and pick up a pair of the limited edition patterned trousers!

a green pretty-in-pink fling

Happy 100th post! 

It's only fitting that my 100th post coincides with me writing about a fabulous sustainable ensemble I created for . . . myself!

Last weekend I went to the wedding of a couple of dear friends in a lovely natural setting in Royal National Park.  The invite called for guests to dress in 'garden formal'. I was thrilled with the brief and in love with the look I pulled together. I can definitely see myself wearing this again for another wedding, a girls outing or even the races.

The image on the left is shows the colour of the dress accurately - this was me
waiting at the bus stop to get a lift to the Manly ferry. I love public transport!
On the right is a full length image taken at the wedding. I had the hemline taken up
slightly, and the skirt tapered in. I also had the top of the dress altered to fit
my measurements - a good tailor is worth a million bucks!

The dress: Dear Gladys (with some help from Lucy's Alterations in Sydney's CBD - perfection!) I nearly shrieked with glee when I saw this vintage dress with peplum - sustainable and on trend! An eco-fashionista's dream come true!

The shoes: From my wardrobe (incidentally my own wedding shoes)

The earrings: Vintage, from my husband's grandmother Anne who passed away last year. She loved a party, so I know she'd be thrilled to have me wearing these to a wedding.

The clutch: From my wardrobe

The cardigan: Not pictured,  borrowed from a friend

The makeup: Combination of Musq, Korres and Ere Perez

The hair: Karpati hair spray held my sock bun in place (I'm amazed that I have a style blog and only just learned about this fabulous technique!)

Although attending formal events may seem like the perfect opportunity to splurge on a new outfit, I find it's so easy to make these looks sustainable because there's just so much opportunity for creative reuse and borrowing.

Anyway, enough about me. The most important thing about the event was celebrating the bride and groom.

xx Congratulations Annie & Shane xx

a green coiffure fling

Last night I spent a delightful evening with some of Sydney's sustainable fashion mavens - watch this space for what we're working on - and I was reminded of Original & Mineral, a haircare range I recently tried and meant to write about. Oops!

In the past I've been a champion of Aveda hair colour due to the strength of the company's sustainability policy, the high-percentage of plant-derived ingredients, and the fact that I could still enjoy a salon experience.

Well, the love affair is over.

It turns out Aveda colour includes both Ammonia, a known allergen, and p-phenylenediamine (PPD), another known allergen and likely carcinogen. Neither are ingredients I want on my scalp, nor do I want stylists putting themselves at risk for the sake of my beauty. Even we so-called experts get things wrong, and so I had to break it off with Aveda.

But what to do about my silver sparklers? I'm not ready to accept my greys at the ripe old age of 33.

Enter Original & Mineral, developers of Clean Colour Technology, designed right here in Sydney. This professional hair colour range is free from Ammonia, PPD and Resorcinol (another toxin commonly found in hair colour), and still achieves amazing, professional results. It's used in salons across Australia and at select salons in the US, New Zealand and Singapore.

I had the colour applied at the charming Atsi hair salon in Freshwater. My silver sparklers were fully covered, the scent of the haircolour was delicious and fresh, and after a few weeks of the harsh summer sun I still haven't experienced fading.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with the coverage, the colour and the experience.  For those of you in Sydney, and especially the northern beaches, I recommend Atsi. It's a small salon with a very friendly and casual vibe (as you'd expect in this part of the world!), and I had a wonderful sustainability discussion with the co-owner Angelo. He and his wife Tanya really understand sustainability and natural hair care, and they even have their own organic hair care range in the salon. I will definitely be back!

Have you tried any other professional-quality hair colour brands? What is your experience?