Inspired by June’s Marie Claire Special on Eco Chic goes Glam and Fashion with heart I decided to contribute by writing a post about Eco chic products you can buy in Dublin.
It’s with enormous delight that I welcome this Eco-chic trend as you know from previous blogs how passionate I feel about the environment conservation and preservation. I agree with the magazine’s editor when she says we know how easy it is to feel defeated by the scale of the problems of global warming and how consumer behaviour is damaging the planet. That is why my approach is to tackle this from a positive, nice and easy perspective . Being green and gorgeous can be done and it is fun.
Log on to www.marieclaire.co.uk and pledge what you are going to change today.
Be Green and Gorgeous with your accessories:
Andino Crafts from Chile & South America brings colourful, beautiful crafts that are fairly traded, hand made using eco-friendly materials. Spiced up any outfit with Andino’s Colourful butterflies and hair leaves ornaments. You can find Andino at Designer Mart at Cow’s Lane on Saturdays in Temple Bar ; Sesi, 11 Fownes St, Temple Bar and in the coolest Summer Festivals around Ireland.
To be stylish when doing your Grocery Shopping a reusable bag is a must- The latest I fall in love with was by M&S made with Organic Cotton . Visit their Food Store for the most gorgeous day to day shopping bags. Remember to store them somewhere easy to hand so you don’t leave home without them.
Be Green and Gorgeous in your household:
The Eco-chic qualities of Lilly’s Eco Clean are superb. Years ago I purchased my first Lilly’s washing-up liquid in Cultivate centre, Temple Bar. I am so proud of this West Cork company. Lilly’s Eco clean is the story of a small environmental company, which never lost the ethos of their initial inception. If you like beautiful and simple things you will love this brand designs. Finally a household cleaning range that looks good in your kitchen!
visit www.lillysecoluv.com ; visit www.cultivate.ie
For further suggestions on alternatives to toxic cleaners see www.ecocycle.org, www.eartheasy.com
Be Green and Gorgeous with your Toiletries and Cosmetics:
You might be adventurous enough to make your own. To find out more take a course with The Organic Centre, Tel: 0719854338 Website: www.theorganiccentre.ie, or have a look at a number of useful books and websites.
Good books include: Recipes for Natural Beauty by Neal’s Yard; The Natural Soap Book by Susan Miller Cavitch.
Some useful websites are: www.soapcrafters.com
Be Green and ’make a difference’ with your presents:
For a birthday present with a twist , why not give your kids a membership to The Irish Seal Sanctuary? June is the beginning of puppy season. How cute is that ! and children will love to get near these gorgeous animals. Memberships are only €35 a year and you will be informed of all the seal releases and have the chance to participate in fun and educational activities around your area . Great way to help preserving the Irish marine environment. Visit www.irishsealsanctuary.ie
Be Green with words:
If you are confused with the terminology around here is some help:
Eco: It takes into account the environment, health of consumers and working conditions of the producers . it is not necessary fair trade or organic.
Ethical: Companies that follow the Ethical Trading Standards subscribe to the following: no forced labour,safe working conditions, no child labour, living wages amongst others.
Fair Trade: Pays fair prices to producers reflecting true cost of production, promotes gender quality, commits to long-term relationships to provide stability and invests in social and environmental projects.
Organic: Not sprayed with pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or chemical fertilisers, which is better for the environment and workers .
Lots of love and positive energy to you,
xx
Maria