If you don't already know about the fabulous Green Shoes, the main aim of this cool company is to make sustainable, long-lasting shoes that are the comfiest you'll ever wear. When you order a pair, not only can you send your basic measurements; you can also draw around your own feet and send in the drawing to get the sizing absolutely spot-on. And now, Green Shoes is planning to open up the doors of its workshop so you can have a go at making your own. Follow the jump for details on this fabulous event!
Our very own Katie Lee returned from this weekend's Green Man festival brimming with excitement about what she'd seen at the folky three-day event. But it wasn't the charming surroundings or even the bands that had won her heart: it was a tent full of stuffed toys made from wholesome materials like vintage fabric and lentils by the mysterious Bobby Dazzler...
Related: Daemon or Doppleganger? You decide, in clay.
[Via The Mousehunter]
It's Innocent Village fet time this weekend, so if you've already got tickets, I'm sure you'll be looking forward to some good clean fun in the park. I certainly had a lovely time last year.
But if you're not ticketed up, don't despair: Liberation Nuts, the first and only 100% fair trade nuts company, will be rocking up at the fete, as a part of its on-the-road campaign to drive awareness for fair trade -- and they promise to whizz over the tickets to winning entrants before tomorrow the fun starts. For instructions on how to enter this fabulous last minute competition, read on over the jump.
By the time you read this, I'll already be "rocking out" at Latitude, the music and arts event that's doing a ruddy good job of being the UK's greenest festival ever. And with over 30,000 people in attendance, that's no mean feat.
Most excitingly, Latitude is playing host to the world's first fuel cell powered festival stage with state of the art LED lighting. But the smaller details are often the most important, and these are being taken care of too. Read on after the jump to find out how you make a festival the size of a small town as green as possible...
Related: Top 5 tips for a greener festival experience | Top green and ethical festival footwear picks | Get 'glamping' eco style with Millets
Stuck for something to do this weekend? If you're in or around London, there's a mega swapping session scheduled for 12-7pm on Sunday 13th at the ultra-hip 93 Feet East. You'll be sure to find some fun and arty items at this event, where punters will be swapping unwanted CDs, DVDs, vinyl and books as well as clothes.
So why not make Saturday your designated clearout day and head to the East End for a spot of brunch in nearby Brick Lane (mmm, bagels!) then rock up at the Brewery to get swapping: remix your clothes - sew, mend, and customise; or just enjoy the music and get yourself a drink. It's all in the name of fun (and reducing the amount of junk we send to landfill, of course!)
Fancy a camping trip with a difference? In September, howies will be holding a series of lectures on the company's farm, campsite and hq in Cardigan, West Wales -- and is looking for people with causes they're passionate about to attend.
The 'Do' lectures are all about not putting up with stuff, feeling like you're doing something with your life, and making a difference. So how do you get into this seemingly life changing experience? Read on to hear what you need to do to take part in howies' own words.
Since I've had my Wedge card, I've discovered a whole new dimension to shopping that has led me beyond the generic, high street chains to all manner of unique, independent shops selling everything from funky jewellery to occult books. You really would be surprised at how many traders have now entered into the scheme, which offers discounts on products sold in local stores.
And to raise awareness of this little card and the adventures it will send you on, Wedge is holding local shopping day tomorrow, in Waterloo
Last year, I got the chance to experience a (frankly terrifying) trip in a scissor lift, taking me up to the very top of the trees at Kew Gardens, which as I came to appreciate all too well is home to some very tall trees.
This was during the construction of the treetop walkway, which has now been opened to the public. Designed by the architectural team behind the London Eye, the new attraction lets visitors bond with nature as they walk 18 metres above the ground. Why not check it out this weekend and get involved with some seriously high-altitude tree hugging?
The Eden Project has played host to lots of music acts over the years, from Goldfrapp to the Verve. But now, the lush green venue is to focus on comedy acts, starting with a gig from surreal musician and comedian Bill Bailey.
The Eden project has admitted that it coveted the Part Troll star for some time before he finally agreed to kick off their first comedy season: "We've been trying to get Bill Bailey to kick off our Comedy Sessions for the past five years. It's a dream come true and will be well worth the wait when this great, family-friendly show comes to Eden", said Head of Events Jane Montague.
If you're looking to get your hands on some affordable fairtrade fashion from the biggest industry names, here's a big date for your diary.
Fashion Made Fair is holding its first big sale of the year at London's Truman Brewery, from 15th - 18th May. Featuring ethical, sustainable, fair trade and eco brands, you'll find some amazing bargains here with up to 80% off retail prices. The event is well timed for kitting out your summer wardrobe -- I spent most of last year's warmer months in my beloved People Tree shorts, which I'd picked up for a cool 20 quid at the last May sale!
As an incorrigible foodie, I'm hugely excited about the Real Food Festival at Earl's Court in London, where I'll be heading this weekend.
The event, which kicked off yesterday, is a great opportunity for people who care about where their food comes from to sample the best in simply made and exceptional quality food from not just Britain's, but the world's finest small and independent producers. 500 of them will be in attendance, so you can expect to see (and taste!) an awful lot of veg, posh tea, meat and fish and much more besides. As well as sampling the goods, you can take part in a timely debate: Is cheap food costing the earth?
Hi there, hippyshoppers! I hope you're all enjoying a relaxing day off with plenty of tasty treats. I'm certainly looking forward to tucking into this mountain of chocolate, courtesy of ethical superstore, who sent me this stash of Divine fairtrade easter eggs. It'll keep me going till lunchtime, at least...
Bit if you're still on the lookout for Easter goodies that are as natural and ecologically produced as they are tasty, then do take a look at our Good Egg Guide, with a clutch of organic and fairtrade eggs to keep kids and adults of all ages sated. Think you're going to get cabin fever? Follow the jump for some green things to do this long weekend.
If you've ever wanted to get friendly with an alpaca, this could be your chance. Toft, makers of super soft, sustainable clothes and accessories from happy, hand-reared alpacas are running a series of 'alpaca fun days' this summer. From £10; details on the site.
It may seem a long way till June, but Toft want to keep groups small so book early to avoid disappointment! Activities will include farm walk and tour amongst the alpacas, herding and feeding, petting and handling, halter training and leading, fleece sorting and includes a picnic amongst the alpacas! Adults and children are both welcome, but must be booked seperately due to difference in price. Adults £30 and Childen £10. The days will run on Saturday 7th June and Saturday 16th August 2008 from 10am- 4pm
Related: Chocolate on an organic farm this easter | Alpaca baby hats from Entertaining Elephants | Men's and unisex alpaca accessories from Traidcraft
If you're planning on a rural adventure this Easter weekend, the Soil Association have teamed up with some of Britain's organic farms to run fun events that will give you an insight into where our food comes from as well as making for a great day out.
There'll be farm walks and tours, the promise of "ample opportunities to see gambolling lambs in the fields" - and even the chance to learn about lambing firsthand. If that all sounds a bit messy to you city types, fear not: Green and Blacks have also got involved, and are running Easter Egg hunts at several of the farms. Follow the jump for a list of participating farms, with activity details...
Hot on the heels of their Green Christmas Fair in December, our mates over at GreenFinder are planning to hold a second green fair in Leamington Spa, to be held in April.
Along with tempting eco friendly, organic and fair trade stalls there'll be information points where you can seek advice about energy saving, recycling and reducing your carbon footprint. There will also be a mini farmers market within the fair and face painting and educational activities for children.
If you're not too far away, why not try and bike it to the fair? You'll be rewarded with a free "Dr Bike" service from Action 21's team of bike experts.
Greenfinder's Green Fair: Saturday 12th April at the Dale Street Methodist Church from 11-3
From: BEST OF 2008: Eco-friendy and sustainable shoes