Eco-coffin...

Hmmm... not just yet...



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Reduce, Reuse & Recycle - Bangle holder???

I love versatility. Versatility incorporates all the elements of the 3R principle.

I have no idea what life this peculiar item use to hold nor did the darling volley ladies at the bric-a-brac store but it did catch my eye and now with new found meaning, it has a new home.

$3 to St Johns Anglicare op-shop and a new bangle holder to me… a win all round!

Orphfund - giving aid a good name

Several months back, I purchased this photo block, which now sits on my dashboard for everyone to see! I fell in love with this image as it sends a powerful message and gives a simple solution to the world’s problems.

This image and many other inspirational images are works from small grass roots charity Orphfund. Orphfund works within remote communities in some of the world's poorest countries. It is run by volunteers with all proceeds going towards helping communities living in poverty.

So if you ever think of giving a charitable gift, consider Orphfund rather than big charities who seem to have forgotten why they came into existence in the first place.

* you can't see it properly but top left corner is an image of the Berlin wall with the quote "the world is too small for walls" graffitied onto it. Luv it.

GORMAN - pioneer for sustainable fashion

I'm not a perfect person and I don't deny that fact. Although I have given up eating meat for environmental reasons, I just can't give up leather goods. Yes, a contradiction and that is my weakness. But if I can make the right purchase decision then I feel I can justify my purchase. For me, when I buy a leather bag/shoes/belt, I know it will last. I like to think of myself as a minimalist, so when I buy a new item I generally will use it til it dies. What died recently? My everyday bag. What did I get to replace it? A leather bag from Australian label GORMAN.

Gorman is a label that takes a strong stance for environmentally friendly practices. Not only has Gorman launched a sustainable Organic Collection made from organic fibers and yarns, the label also focuses on insuring all the business’s practices are as ‘green’ as possible. Everything from the light bulbs to reduced Gorman packaging for products has been given thought.

what gorman has done so far...

1. switched to 100% recycled green power in all gorman stores.
2. reduced our garment packaging by 90% and always looking at ways to reduce it further.
3. switched to recyclable packaging such as LDPE quality polybags, if needed at all.
4. each time a customer rejects a shopping bag we donate the value of the bag to Friends of the Earth.
5. customer shopping bags are made from 100% recycled paper.
6. reduced garment miles by investing in our Vietnam factory and producing more ‘end to end’ clothing within close location.
7. $5 from each green&serene tee sale goes to Friends of the Earth.
8. created eco-friendly christmas window decorations in collaboration with Green & Blacks Organic chocolate.
9. as a team we continue to make an effort to reduce our car and flight kilometres. locally we opt for cycling and walking whenever possible.

Green education via an old news stand pillar

As I was making my way to "Red Fragments (12 out of millons)", the controversial art piece at City Square, I made a pit stop at Eco Innovators Showcase, an old news stand pillar on the corner of Little Collins and Swanston Streets, to pick up at a birthday gift for a friend. Naturally I went for a KeepCup even though I am showered with options from this tiny news stand pillar.


Any item picked up at Eco Innovators, you can rest assure that they are eco-designed and eco-produced locally. This means that the designers have considered the environmental impact of their products from the beginning to the end of its life, so that it has the smallest environmental footprint. What's great is that by purchasing one of these products, you are supporting local art and design and reducing your environmental impact.

Red Fragments (12 out of millions)

Propositions for an uncertain future: five responses, through art, to a fountain without water

- Carl Michael Von Hausswolfe

City of Melbourne

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Organic Hair Care...hair yeah!

Every time I visit the hair salon no matter if it´s for a cut, a color or a trim, I am always introduced to a new product that will make my hair healthy, shiny and oh not grimy. But reality is no matter what product I use my hair will always be unhealthy, so it's time to face facts, a shampoo is a shampoo. But with overly aggressive cleaning products dominating our supermarket shelves, which one do we choose? Should we buy into the celebrity status or should we buy because it's a good product and it does the job? So what went into my shopping basket?

Introducing Organic Hair Care Shampoo & Conditioner... the 'natural miracle'.


I'm not going to tell you what a shampoo and conditioner ought to do as I gather we all pretty much know, but I will give you the fast facts on why it's green.

Fast Facts

• Biodegradeable and compostable plant based packaging (PLA)*
  
• Grey water safe
• No Animal Testing or Ingredients - CCF Accredited
• No Parabens or Petrochemical cleansers
• No Sles, Sls, Ales, Als

*The Organic Care haircare bottle is plant derived from Biopolymer, a plant derived substitute for traditional plastics derived from oil and offers further disposable options compared to petroleum-based plastic. The bottle was actually selected and recognised at the recent Copenhagen Summit in front of world leaders and scientists as a positive solution and contributing partner for climate change around the world. High 5 Organic Haircare!


Now, don't think this product being green that it must be yick cause it ain't. Enriched with bitter orange extract and lathers up as it should, I'm refreshed after my shower!

But only you can be the judge, try it out yourself. Seriously.

Oh what's even great about it, the price. And that's just a bonus!

Retro lights up my life

by night...

I´ve always been mesmerized by the arch-like windows at Panama Dining Room, so I actually never took notice of this fixture. This is so so cool. I love the versatility. A laundry hamper by day, a funky cool light fixture by night.

...by day

Roger´s Bike

This is Roger´s bike. What´s farkin fantastic about his bike is not the tan leather seat nor the shining new pedals nor the fact that the wheels glow in the dark, it´s the farkin amazing customized motorcycle side mirror he´s attached to the handle bar. Chic or vain? Who farkin cares. I farkin love it. How much do I love it? Farkin lots.

* apologies to anyone offended by the crudeness. Thought iĺl add some spice to the blog...maybe I did but then again maybe I didn´t...!

The Green Garmento

It's In The Bag - http://www.rachelzoe.com/the-green-garmento

If we have eco bags, why not eco reusable garment bags to and thro from the wardrobe to the drycleaners and back home. No more single-use plastic garment bags i say!

Thanks busichic for the heads up!

Green Hangers - Aussie and well hung

I needed new hangers. Actually I needed to tidy and clear out my wardrobe as I (i) begin my 30s with new found acceptance, (ii) contribute to the world of recycled fashion by setting up shop at fashion pre-loved market Round She Goes or (iii) shun the corporate world and take back my life, my thoughts, my beliefs... The answer, all of the above plus this cheeky shot didn´t not help the cause either...!

Ok... maybe the picture ain´t so chic...

... so I give you

a Jenny Bannister creation with the help of you guessed it...
Green Hangers.

What´s the green story?

The Green Hanger was born in response to the hundreds upon millions of wire and plastic hangers ending up in landfills around the world each year.

Green Hangers are fully recyclable and biodegradable and are made from 100% recycled material therefore no trees are cut down specifically for the production of the hanger.

Perfect way to hang my clothes. Naturally.

Ethical Clothing Australia

Ethical Clothing Australia logo

While researching for my masters paper, I came across the Ethical Clothing Australia website.

What was previously known as the Homeworkers Code of Practice and the No Sweat Shop label is now simply known as Ethical Clothing Australia.

With funding from the Commonwealth Government, Ethical Clothing Australia have developed an accreditation system that centres on participating businesses ensuring their Australian-based supply chains remain transparent so any instances of exploitation can be identified and addressed. In a nut shell, they make sure Australian workers receive fair wages and decent conditions.

Accredited brands under this scheme are licensed to display the Ethical Clothing Australia logo on their Australian-made garments.

High hopes exist for this logo and for an ethical Australian fashion industry that supports local and ethical manufacturing.

Check below to see if your brands have made it on the list...
...phew I see CUE (Veronika Maine) & Jets, high 5!

credit to Cult of Clothes for Veronika Maine store shot

Accredited Brands
Businesses that are Accredited and licensed to display the ´Ethical Clothing Australia´ Trade Mark on their Australian-made garments. (As of 5 March 2010).

• ADA
• Bardot
• Beauteston
• Blue Gum
• Can't Tear Em
• Classic Sportwear
• Collette Dinnigan
• CUE
• Dayoub Clothing
• Dina Corporate
• Dowd
• Fabri Cell
• Qualitops
• Harmony Fashions
• Jets
• King Gee
• Lifestyle Australia
• Monkey & the Brown Man
• Mr K
• New Model Beauty Queen
• NNT
• Pinnacle
• Poppets
• Puma
• Rayona Frock Manufacturing
• Redbox7
• Snugglerite
• Surrey Clothing
• The Social Studio
• Totally Corporate
• Tuffa
• Yakka

Mineralogie Makeup - paraben free

Surprisingly, I am frequently told I have lovely skin. Now yes people tend to be polite in amongst my circles but really?? I seriously do not have that greatest of skin. All I can conclude is that it must be Mineralogie's Pressed Mineral Foundation which I use that gives me such glowing comments!

When mineral makeup hit the markets early 2000s, we were inundated with mineral this and mineral that. But it soon hit a wall when companies such as Loreal were found to be marketing their products as mineral makeup when only a small amount of minerals were used. This was disappointing but at least I knew where not to put my money. So began the hunt for "real" mineral makeup. And yes it does exist. I first started out with Bare ID minerals but they as with most others only came in powder form. Now this green chick is not a fan of the powder as it just scatters everywhere and I mean everywhere. On my clothes, on my dresser, on the floor, on the bed... get the picture...everywhere. So the hunt continued until I came across Mineralogie Pressed Mineral Foundation - the benefits of loose mineral foundation but in a convenient pressed compact. High 5!

So how is this "green"?

Mineralogie uses pure minerals to create its makeup. Minerals that are pure are free of talc, starch, perfumes, and other unhealthy substances found in traditional cosmetics.

My pressed foundation in particular is made with natural ingredients and pressed with sweet almond oil rather than paraben. Being paraben free is crucial to me.

Organica Prahran - high 5

546 Malvern Road (enter from Errol Street)
Hawksburn Village Prahran

Perfect.
Perfect fit, perfect coffee (fair-trade) just perfect all round.
What´s good for Orlando Bloom is also good for me!

Earth Greetings

So I finally hit the big 3-0. Although I was bestowed with many great gifts , it was this card from my friend Mia that got me instantly blogging!


This card is made by Earth Greetings, whose mission is to use the most Earth friendly paper & printing alternatives available to design unique paper gift products which are a celebration of nature. With their products printed carbon neutral in Australia with vegetable based ink on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, I am won over.

Yes, the oh so pretty colors did catch my attention but it was the fact that the card was made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper that lured me in. Although green paper should be 100% recycled, have a high post-consumer waste content and not contain any native forest fibre, this is rarely the case since most paper products labelled ¨recycled¨ often contain both pre and post consumer waste content.

Why 100% post-consumer recycled paper?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ (EPA) found that recycling causes 35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution than making virgin paper. Thus, doesn´t it makes sense to produce, use and buy 100% recycled paper?

¨We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.¨ - Albert Einstein. So so true.

Human Powered Cycles

Spot the difference...

The one on the right is road worthy, the one on the left is not.

I met this girl Anna in my sustainability class and she mentioned her bf worked at Human Powered Cycles, Melbourne's finest city bikes, bike repairs & other bits n bobs. So I decided to pay them a visit. With a new bell, reflector, adjusted front and rear hubs and a service, I'm ready to hit the road.

With the slogan "Give a bike a home", this bike joint is well equipped with all your modern bike needs and with the coolest of peeps and a cafe attached, I will be back. Maybe my bike calls for a basket??