Miley Cyrus, daughter of '90s line dancing sensation Billy Ray Cyrus is apparently huge in the States: she's got a TV show, a film in the making and has just released an album. And on that album lurks and 'eco song', which apparently proves that Miley doesn't just want to conquer the world -- she want to save it.

While I can't vouch for the quality of the music, it's good to see such a young pop star laying aside the emo angst and focusing on a topic of greater significance. The song, entitled 'wake up America' includes the lyrics 'it's our home so let's take care of it' and 'wake up it's not a fire drill'. All credit to Miley for showing some concern -- I do hope she recycles.

[Via Ecorazzi]

It's testament to Matt & Nat's success in redifining the leather-free bag market in the past ten years that it now doesn't feel weird using the words 'vegan' and 'chic' in the same sentence anymore. In fact, most of their stuff is way too smart for the likes of me, but I think it's great that they've cornered the less, well, 'hippy' market.

And their latest range, 'Bi-Line' is bound to have wide appeal, designed as it is for men and women. Comprising messenger bags and wallets in 'pebble' vegan leather, these bags really mean business. You can get them in the UK at Ebags, where there's currently a 30% off sale

Related: Matt & Nat launches eco-friendly yoga line | Top 5 ethical handbags (all by Matt & Nat) | Designer vegan handbags

I'm entirely familiar with the idea of blog posts being fuelled by alcohol, but thus far, I've found that PCs and drinks generally don't mix. Particularly not when you're watching YouTube on your laptop after a few too many and give your hardware a dousing...no, they are best kept well apart.

But all that could change now that the technology exists to run a PC on methanol; a substance very close to good old booze. The prototype of this greener laptop from Polyfuel uses a 'direct methanol fuel cell' (DMFC), in which the methanol is converted into an electricity to run the computer.

Sometimes, you've just got to hand it to PETA. Yes, they do a lot of crazy shit, some of it verging on the alarming. But it's nice when it's deserved, and I was amused and impressed to hear they'd sent a note to supermodel Naomi Campbell this week, asking her to have a good think about the connection between her balding hairline and the plight of animals killed for their own hair, which is used for the fur coats she insists on wearing (and no, I don't know what the boot's doing there either).

Follow the jump for a full transcript of the organisation's 'bald' request to Ms. Campbell...

Related: Olsen Twins get the PETA treatment | Gore 'too chicken' to go veggie, says PETA | PETA vs. Burberry

To most of us green types, charity shops are already a way of life: lovely, affordable treasure-troves of eclectic, 'pre-loved' fashion that will occasionally throw up something we treasure forever. To most people, however, they are still seen as stinking dens of dowdiness, selling off moth eaten castoffs, plucked from the wardrobes of dead old ladies.

These preconceptions are, presumably, the reason why Oxfam has just spent megabucks on a major re-brand. It's just designated three of its London stores 'eco fashion headquarters', and given them a slick new boutiquey look that's anything but drab.

[Via Treehugger]

Continuing on my quest for the perfect electric city runaround, I'm quite excited by the latest leccy motor to hit UK streets. The MyCar is made by NICE, and will cost as little as £8.995 when it goes on sale in the autumn.

Looking at the car, you might pick up on a fun, continental sort of vibe. That's because it's the work of Italian design house Guigiaro, who've made it look downright cute. Read on after the jump to find out what's under that perfect little bonnet...

Related: Look out for Pret a Manger's cute little vans! | New electric car from NICE has four seats! | Electric cars given the green light in UK shopping centres

Enthralled by the wave of super-foamy, SLS-free, organic cleansers out there, Abi and I choose two of the most promising to put to the test. We pitched cult beauty favourite Philosophy's Purity High Foaming Cleanser against newcomer Madara's Purifying Floral Foam. Who will win? Read on to find out!

People Tree's handwoven jacquard shirt is a bargain £35 and features nifty eco-friendly details like coconut shell buttons. The shirt is made in Bangladesh where thanks to the Fairtrade principles it has helped create economic stability for women in rural villages.

It comes in blue and yellow or green and brown and has a relaxed but slim fit. Use it to dress down a pair of tailored shorts for a relaxed but smart summer outfit.

What could be more natural, endlessly renewable and beautiful than pebbles on the beach? Pebbles off the beach, of course, as this lovely jewellery by Enibas demonstrates.

Hand made in Ireland, the necklace is said to feel amazing against the skin as the stones warm up -- and if you're ever had the pleasure of a hot stone massage, you'll know just how blissful pebbles on bare flesh can feel! [Via the Bag Lady]

I'm a big fan of electric vehicles. Not only are they better for the environment than the dirty old petrol sort: they tend to look a lot more fun and somehow futuristic, too; looking at an electric car you can finally feel you've arrived in the 21st century.

The dawn of the 'electric age' in motoring is also giving some new players in the industry the chance to compete with the big boys, bringing in fresh ideas and cool new designs without the baggage leftover from more oil obsessed times. One of these new companies is Zap! Which makes all sorts of leccy cars and bikes, from electric bikes and nippy little vans to this batmobile-esque supercar, known as the Alias.

Related: The Ego scooter is a real eco-boost! | Va-va-voom machine for quiet eco supercar

It was very exciting to sit down with Huggy Ragnarsson, as she has created a large number of amazing magazine covers in her time, and has met all the top models, from Naomi Campbell to Eva Herzigova. We talked about how she tries to keep herself green, and what you need to succeed in the fashion world, She's also the face of Duracell Rechargeable batteries, and is offering you guys a fab prize to win.

We've had such a buzz on the site about Trolley Dolly since featuring their clever shopping bags earlier in the year that ZPM have now agreed to offer a special discount for hippyshopper readers!

Between now and the end of August, you'll get 20% off all products on the ZPM site. The offer includes not only the famous 25-bags-in-one bag, but also a wide range of stylish and contemporary bags and accessories for all the family. Simply quote code HIPSHOP20 at the checkout for your discount.

Related: ZPM Trolley Dolly: all the bags you'll ever need

If you're reading this blog, the odds are you care about the environment. But you also like shopping, and let's face it, the two desires don't always gel as nicely as we'd like them to.

Have you ever vowed to switch to organic after your next payrise? Worried about how well your 'hippy' deodorant will survive a yoga class? If so, Kate Lock's book is for you. She's a self-confessed shopaholic who set herself a series of 'eco challenges' to green up her retail habit with some amusing results that I know I can certainly relate to. If you'd like to read about Kate's eco adventures, I have one copy of Confessions of an Eco Shopper to give away.

Follow the jump to find out how to win a copy of this funny and informative new book:

Stomping around in heels isn't the best look in the summer heat, especially when your feet are swollen and sweaty...Yuk!

Terra Plana's Ibo sandals are unbelievably comfortable and manage to look pretty good too. The cool blue colour will complement the merest of tans and the elegant shape is a lot nicer than a pair of flip flops. The eco-friendly shoes have been reduced to £60 and will bring a touch of class to even the most laid-back summer outfit.

Related: Spring into summer with new recycled shoes | Vegan footwear galore at Love Those Shoes

It's hard not to feel cheered up at the sight of a fluttering butterfly as you go about your daily chorse, but this most delicate of nature's pick-me-ups is in danger of disappearence, experts say.

Intensive farming, land use and our old friend climate change are being held responsible for as much as 70% of all UK species declining. Sir David Attenborough commented: "Almost unbelievably, much of Britain's countryside is a no-go area for many favourite butterflies. Anybody who's been for a country walk recently will tell you butterflies are a rarity. Scientists fear that in some areas we're entering a post-butterfly era."

Related: Forestry Commission to help save butterflies and moths | Help butterflies as you barbeque with UK charcoal