Fashion & accessories
Bagzontherun is a brand new Brighton-based company specialising in eco-friendly and ethically produced bags.
Browse the site for messenger bags, satchels, wallets, laptop bags and more. The designs are tough and smart-looking, often made from recycled materials such as inner tubing.
All bags in the range are designed and made in Columbia, where workers throughout the supply chain receive above minimum wages. Among Bagzontherun's aims is 'to challenge perceptions of Colombian products and to unite Colombia and the UK through fashion and culture'. Either buy online or visit one of many UK stores already stocking the bags.
Green News
After B&Q's surprise decision last week to stop selling patio heaters, Curry's has become the second big UK chain to banish the polluting lamps from its shelves.
I'm kind of intrigued as to why this one particular item has become the target of so many wishing to go (or appear) green all of a sudden. There is no doubt that the heaters consume one hell of a lot of energy (the statistic being quoted today is that using one for two hours will produce the same amount of carbon dioxide as a car will provide in the average day). But patio heaters are not the only un-green product out there. Yet the patio heater is so controversial that the UK's leading DIY and now electrical store have both shrunk away from selling it.
The pressure has, perhaps, come from above: a vote in Brussels today is expected to call for an EU-wide ban on the heaters which have become popular with pub owners since the smoking ban was introduced.
Fashion & accessories
The edging on the pillowcase makes a wonderful hemline for this sweet re-fashioned girls' smock.
It's just one of a wide range of innovative clothing for toddlers, children and adults at Witherine's shop. These adorable garments are hand-made out of vintage napkins and dishcloths, tablecloths, pillowcases and scarves. All items are in pristine condition and unique. A great way to recycle, sold at great prices.
If you're inspired by the pillowcase dress and would like to make your own, there's a great pattern for one at Red Instead.
Green News
We can all give ourselves a (small) pat on the back today as research has shown the the UK's greenhouse gas emissions fell by 0.5% in 2007.
It's a modest figure, and not worth getting complacent about, but I like hearing news like this. To me, it's far easier to keep up the hard work when I know it's having an effect, however small, and in a world where everything's getting bigger all the time, I can't help feeling encouraged that there's a downward trend here at all.
And it's all down to us as individuals, not big businesses according to the report, which showed the biggest decrease in C02 emissions had taken place in the residential sector, with a fall of 4% on 2005 levels, along with a decrease of 1.6% in the business sector. Tellingly, other sectors increased, including energy supply (up by 1.5%) and transport (up by 1.3%). So, I'd say that warrants a big pat on the back to UK citizens who've been doing their bit to recycle, switch off appliances, change their energy suppliers and generally make the effort, and a warning to businesses to pull their socks up.
Continue reading >>
Home & Garden
Serve tea in style with this fabulous apple-print tray made from sustainable Scandinavian forest wood, stylishly shaped and big enough for two. I can see myself loading this with goodies for a valentine's breakfast in bed treat, or packing it on picnic trips in the summer.
£15 from The Green Apple store
Transport & travel
If you're looking to avoid the carbon cost of flying this year, there are more 'green' holiday destinations than ever, right here in the UK. Conscious of the limitations placed on UK holidaymakers by the weather, many of these are laying on lots of activities to take care of rainy days, and one exciting development is the opening of Bluestone; an eco friendly holiday village set in the ancient woodland of Pembrokeshire Coast.
Due to open in July, Bluestone bills itself as a 'luxurious retreat away from it all' and will comprise of 355 sustainably-built lodges, cottages and studios for self-catering guests. The park is run according to ecologically sound principles, with energy for its attractions coming from an on-site Biomass plant.
Continue reading >>
Health & beauty
At the moment, I have what feels like a jumping bean in my right ear. Whatever it is wants to get out, and is making a lot of noise about it. I'm tempted just to shove a cotton bud up there, but I know there's a law against that, so I won't.
Having talked to a few friends, it seems that there's an epidemic of head colds and excess ear wax at the moment, so I suspect this is the culprit. I could ask the doctor to zap it, but a natural solution to problematic ear wax is Hopi Ear Candles.
I'm loathe to try this method again, as the last time I attempted it, I very nearly set fire to my hair -- I had no idea there'd be such huge flames involved, and found the whole experience rather alarming. But should I pay a professional to do it? If you've had ear candle treatment and found it helpful (or not) please comment below on this time-honoured tradition.
Want to do it yourself? Biosan Ear Candles cost £5.29 from Something for the Wickend
digg this | del.icio.us this
| 
Stumble It!
