Littleearth fashionable purses

Littlearth products from the Littlearth family of brands are starting conversations all over the United States and all over the world. Based in Pittsburgh, Littleearth makes unique and trendsetting purses and belts by reusing and recycling materials that would otherwise be overlooked or thrown away.

Check out Littleearth purses and fashions at http://www.littleearh.com

Top Five list of Fall Fashion Trends

Eco-style diva Summer Rayne Oakes, one of the most widespoken glamorous most glamorous entomologist / environmental scientist on the planet gives us her list of top five fashion trends for this fall:

1. Organic cotton denim

Denims made from organic cotton are big this fall.


2. Sculptural feminine shapes
Slouchy pants and swinging cuts are in favor as are oversized sweaters but all sculptured to fit and flatter a women's body.

3. Vintage & local finds

Old belts and bags at your local vintage are back in vogue.

4. Affordability
More affordable fashions are to hit the market

5. Next wave: Fair trade & socially responsible fashions

Last but not the least, clothing manufactured in shops that observe fair trade & social responsibility abhoring child labor and other inhumane working conditions will be in vogue.

Read more on this article here.

More on eco-friendly cosmetics and skin care

Launched in 2006, Micky Byrd all-natural product line, is committed to providing a healthier skincare alternative for consumers. Viola strongly believes in the concept that what comes naturally from the earth is far healthier for our bodies than what is artificially manufactured. The product ingredients are naturally and organically derived vegetable oils and botanicals with high moisturizing and skin nourishing properties. Micky Byrd�s products do not contain petroleum products, hazardous chemicals, artificial colors or parabens.

Micky Byrd’s products include handmade body soufflés, body butters, body and bath oils, sugar scrubs, bath salts and hand-cut artsy-styled soaps. All products are handmade in small batches and hand packed to maintain product freshness.

Micky Byrd operates as an eco-friendly, cruelty free and socially conscious company. The company's pledge is to: Be Natural, Be Organic, Be Green and to purchase from Fair Trade suppliers throughout the world. Recycled materials are used for their packaging and they focus on doing business with companies who share their philosophy.

To purchase products and for additional information, visit Micky Byrd�s website at: www.mickybyrd.com.

Skin Care Going Organic and Natural

Given the wide use of synthetic chemicals in mainstream cosmetics and the consumer worries about the effect of such chemicals on sensitive skin, consumers are turning towards organic and natural skin care solutions in droves.

According to the latest statistics from Organic Monitor, a British-based business research and consulting company that specializes in global organic and related-product industries, natural and organic cosmetics were expected to account for 3 percent of all cosmetic sales in Europe last year.

While that is a small percentage, the amount has been increasing by 20 percent a year recently. And in some countries, like Germany, the sector's market share is expected to approach 10 percent by 2012.

The European market for natural and organic cosmetics totaled €1.1 billion, or $1.5 billion, in revenue in 2006. That is a small fraction of worldwide cosmetics sales - the top-end makeup segment alone totaled $3.1 billion in the United States last year - but no wonder mainstream and luxury brands want a piece of the action.

Traditional companies such as L'Oreal and Clarins have both added natural brands to their portfolios. L'Oréal bought Sanoflore, the leading French producer of organic cosmetics, while Clarins made an initial investment of €3 million in Kibio, another organic brand from France.
Other popular brands focusing on organic skin care include new eco-conscious labels like Bod from Australia and Taer Icelandic from Iceland. Both companies claim they use pure herbs and high-quality essential oils, in products packaged in recyclable glass.

Read more on this article here.

A "Total" Green Home

More and more people are trying out ways to make their home more eco-friendly. Home are either being remodelled or new eco-friendly houses are being built from scratch that leave less environment footprint or conserve less energy.

In a recent article that appeared in www.firstcoastnews.com, a family in Atlantic Beach, Florida is taking their older home and turning it totally green.

Sarah Boren says they first decided to remodel their 1950's home when they had a second child on the way. "We were expecting a baby so we wanted to add on but we wanted to do it right."

They took their 2-bedroom one-bath beach cottage and turned it into a 3-bedroom home with much more space. The home is still far from being completed but the Borens put a lot of thought in remodeling the home to be green. "The things that come to mind when it comes to green is being environmentally responsible with energy efficiency and water efficiency but also a big part of it was health."

Read more on this here.

Non-Profits go Green!

I just came across this neat news clip about Habitat for Humanity building a home that is completely eco-friendly.

It is the first earth-friendly habitat for humanity house in Virginia. Builders found creative ways to make it good for the environment and also save the owner some cash. The includes carpets made from recycled coke bottles, walls made from layers of insulation that maintains a constant temperature in winter and summer and therefore saving on electricity costs by about a third.

Habitat for Humanity's director says building the earth-friendly home didn't cost any more than building a regular home, so they hope to build more of these "green" houses in Hampton Roads soon.

Read more about this article here.

Eco-friendly Yoga Stick-E Socks

Yoga Stick-eTM Socks is the newest patented product for the fastest growing segment in the health and exercise market. Being made from bamboo fiber, they also appeal to today’s eco-friendly movement. Yoga Stick-eTM Socks, U.S. patent #7107626 was invented by Elizabeth Andrews of Libby’s Luxuries LLC to solve several long-standing problems associated with barefoot exercise.

Being made from bamboo fiber, Yoga Stick-eTM Socks are in touch with today’s eco friendly consumer. Bamboo is nature’s most sustainable resource. It is grown without pesticides or chemicals, is 100% biodegradable, and is naturally regenerative. Bamboo is actually a tropical grass with an extensive root system that sends out an average of four to six new shoots per year, naturally replenishing itself and growing to heights of 60 feet or more. Some bamboo species grow up to 4 feet per day.

more on this article here.

Eco-news: Why green is the new black

Why green is the new black

Sep 13 2007

WE are all being urged to do our bit to save the world these days - whether it's turning off the TV standby or opting for Fairtrade produce.

There has never been more ways to ease your consumer conscience, and fashion is no exception.

The eco-clothing market is booming and suddenly not only is green fashion worthy it's also desirable. Karen Hambridge reports.

WHILE everyone loves a bargain and throwaway fashion is the bread and butter of the high street there's a growing group of shoppers who are aspiring to more ethical ideals.

As consumers seek to spend their "green pounds" the style savvy are increasingly turning to eco-fashion.


Buying organic, eco-friendly and Fairtrade clothing is no longer the preserve of the new-age brigade.

High street store New Look has enrolled TV presenter Fearne Cotton to front an organic campaign and this month Estethica - a space dedicated to eco-sustainable high fashion - celebrates its first anniversary at London Fashion Week.

"Because more and more of us are asking questions - and demanding answers - the ethical clothing movement is gaining momentum," explains Tamsin Blanchard, author of new book Green is the New Black.

"Companies like Marks & Spencer are going full speed ahead to change the way they work, with the target of being carbon neutral by 2012.

"The rest of the British high street is racing to catch up."

One of the biggest changes is the transformation of eco-clothing from kaftans and baggy pants to funky T-shirts and sexy lingerie.

It's fashion people want to wear, not only because it's worthy but equally importantly because it looks good.

There are now eco-friend-ly lines which would give designer togs a run for their money and they are easier to find.

Many companies run successful internet shopping sites and more stores are stocking ethically sourced, Fairtrade and organic fashion.

One such store is Exclusive Roots at Hatton Country World, Warwick.

A retail offshoot of the Tabeisa project the shop offers womenswear, childrenswear, home goods, jewellery, gifts and bags.

Tabeisa is a not-for-profit consortium of four South African and two British higher education institutions including, Coventry University.

It supports trading opportunities for people in disadvantaged communities overseas and helps them start their own businesses.

Last year a Tabeisa backed international competition, Design4Life resulted in two dress designs being made up by workers within the Women in Progress co-operative in Ghana.

The two dresses, under the brand name Global Mamas, then went on sale in Topshop and singer Natalie Imbrughlia was spotted wearing one.


Jane Conlon, chief executive of Tabeisa, seconded from Coventry University, said at last eco-fashion was appealing, not just on moral grounds but because it was attractive.

"I think for a long time Fairtrade had this dusty 'back-of-the-church' image but now goods are very well designed and people want them because they look good."

The shop, Tabeisa's pilot store in Europe, has been open for almost three months and has already attracted a following.

In the longer term she said they hoped to expand the business and develop more outlets.

Jane said: "Exclusive Roots is our trading arm so now we are not only supporting disadvantaged communities in Africa to set up businesses but also helping them to sell their products.

"So we have a lot of organic goods, recycled goods and the Design4Life dresses.

"We have bags which are made from recycled magazines and water packets and jewellery made by women in Kenya."

She added more and more consumers were keen to ensure their hard-earned money not only bought them something nice but offered a better quality of life to its producers.

"People are becoming a lot more aware and are asking where the goods they buy are made and under what conditions.

"I think that can only be a positive thing.

"It can be difficult to enjoy something if you know there has been suffering involved in making it."

Article published at Coventry Telegraph, U.K

Fashionable & Eco-Friendly Clothes

Eco-friendly clothing is now deemed not only fashionable but also a luxury according to Barbara Cavanaugh, Managing Director of Under The Canopy, a Boca Raton company that designs organic items for the home and for your closet. Their new fashion line includes certified organic t-shirts, linen jeans and silk dresses all made from organic cotton.

Under The Canopy, in business in Boca Raton for over a decade, is part of a growing trend towards organic fibers. As more and more shoppers embrace the "going green" trend, Nationwide sales of organic cotton have nearly tripled since 2003.

Large retailers such as Perry Ellis International have also recently launched an eco-friendly line of outdoor wear. Stores from Macys to Zara also sell organic clothes and items for the home too.

WHY YOU SHOULD GO ORGANIC

Not so long ago, eco-clothing was synonymous with hippies and hemp, but those who still believe that yarn are in for a stylish shock - because eco-clothing has never been more fashionable. Well-known designers are getting in on the eco act and some even managed to secure themselves a spot at the prestigious London Fashion Week this month.

Unconvinced about going green on the fashion front?

The Soil Association in the UK gives these reasons for cottoning on to organic clothing:

• Non-organic cotton farming uses one quarter of the world's pesticides - causing damage to the environment, sinking farmers into debt, causing illness and even death, they claim.

• Organic cotton farmers in developing countries report higher incomes plus using viable alternatives to chemicals protects their health.

• GM cotton is grown commercially in many countries so choosing organic cotton is the best way to avoid buying GM cotton.

• You'll avoid hazardous chemicals - over 8,000 chemicals can be used to turn cotton into a T-shirt or duvet cover.

• Stylish organic clothing and household textiles are now widely available so there's no longer a compromise between style and organic integrity.