These look interesting for younger kids (my six year old would love them). Called Shains they're eco-friendly accessories made out of 100 per cent recycled and recyclable materials. The idea is that you can customise them with whatever message/statement you want by pressing different elements into the bracelets and cuffs.
Up to 60 different elements (letters/icons) are available and the bracelet cuffs come in 12 different colours. You can also add a Shains brooch or keyring to your bag or whatever you want to accessorise. Prices vary from £1.50 for the accessories to £9.50 for the cuff starter kit. www.ticktocktrading.com
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO SEE GALLERY OF SHAINS PRODUCTS
Looking for an alternative to leather? Green Shoes uses Lorica which they claim is durable, soft, lightweight, and water-repellent. It looks and breathes like natural leather and comes in a wide range of colours; red, purple, navy blue, dark green, brown and black. Nor is it just the vegan leather that is 100 per cent animal-free; the glues, soles and threads are too.
They even offer a vegan alternative for kids' shoes. Vegan Lorisuede, a soft vegan suede, is available on most of the footwear and a few of the accessories. These are what the Sweetpea baby booties are made of.
All products are handmade and boots, shoes and sandals come in a range of leg and foot width fittings and are even available in half sizes. Children's shoes too can be customised with a range colourful appliqués. Prices range from £20 for the kids' booties to over £200 for some of the women's boots.
Unfortunately it's too late to order shoes for Xmas now, but there is still time to post out accessories providing you get your order in by December 21st (they have some nice Vegan satchel and shoulder bags)
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE SOME OF THE LATEST SHOES FROM GREENSHOES
Stuck for Christmas gift ideas for your environmentally conscious friends? Vegan and eco-friendly fashion and accessories boutique Alternative Outfitters has a range of innovative gifts for women and men, from faux wool coats to faux suede boots. They also ship to the UK. Here's a sneak preview of what they have to choose for the festive season.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO CHECK OUT THE PRODUCT GALLERY
Last week we featured Jo Wood's splendid Mrs Paisley's Lashings, a 'pop up restaurant' project which encourages people to eat in a more eco-conscious way . This time we're highlighting another environmental project she's involved with in conjunction with her daughter Leah (pictured right) called Global Cool.
Together they have shot a video to raise awareness of the benefits of turning your central heating down to 18 degrees - including saving money, saving your skin and also helping to save the environment.
Apparently heating within the home accounts for 30 per cent of the average Brit's carbon footprint, which is even more than cars produce at 26.1 per cent. Figures show that for every one degree you turn your heating down, you could save up to £40 a year and go from burning 20 calories an hour to 80 calories an hour - all while you're sleeping.
Other celebrities who have shot video include EastEnders' Adam Crossdale and models Laura Bailey and Stella Tennant. You can see their videos here:
Global Cool's Facebook fans can also win a new winter wardrobe in association with ASOS.com - simply upload a picture of yourself wearing your most stylish winter knits, get your friends to vote for you, and you could win £500 worth of vouchers! Go to www.facebook.com/globalcool
See below for video of Jo and Leah Wood, highlighting Global Cool campaign:
However, another week brings with it another rumour, this time that Stella is teaming up with Morrissey to launch a range of leather free footwear.
We think this partnership is nearly as good as the Leona one, after all Morrissey has a track record of saying no to meat. Not only was his 1985 album entitled Meat Is Murder, but he also bans any food that 'used to have a face' from his tours.
In fact he feels so strongly about the cause that earlier this year he also stormed off stage at a music festival because he was so disgusted by the smell of cooking meat from a nearby burger stand.
And it seems this collaboration really is going ahead with Stella telling the Daily Mail last week: "I'm working with Morrissey on a line of leather-free shoes which I'm really excited about."
The range is still is its early stages but Stella also added it could be ready for next year. We're going to start saving from now.
Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Fifteen Cornwall, has launched its first organic clothing range in conjunction with another Cornwall-based company, Frugi.
It is the first time Frugi has designed menswear, and the designers are delighted with the Campervan and Vespa T-shirts that they have created. Other t-shirts in the range include appliqué lobsters and flowery designs for children and women. It has been designed to appeal to those who love their beach-based family holidays and the outdoors inspired lifestyle.
Says Lucy Jewson, Frugi Founder: "When we were initially approached by Fifteen to create their clothing range, we were delighted to accept - it's been an amazing experience for both companies. Cornwall has become such a popular destination for a truly wholesome family holiday and it's great to produce unique, quality clothing for a well respected company."
Launced five years ago, the organic clothing company offers a range of baby clothing made to fit over reusable nappies and a Frugi Kids range for children aged 2 to 6. Frugi Mother, a collection of frump free organic cotton breastfeeding wear, recently won Gold for "Best Feeding Bra/Top" in Practical Parenting and Pregnancy Magazine's 2009/10 Awards
We can't get enough of eco conscious clothing and it seems we aren't the only ones, with many websites launching and offering this type of clothing, writes Andrea Petrou.
Hot off the eco press is Fashion-conscience, which has a range of clothes and accessories from a range of different eco companies. This includes Enamore Lingerie, which is made from bamboo jersey with silk detailing and is 100% organic.
Uncommonly Beautiful Recycled Jewellery, which uses waste materials such as scrap leather, clock parts and suitcases and transforms them into imaginative, beautiful and wearable jewellery. Each individual piece is handmade and completely unique. Earrings, bracelets and necklaces from £15.
Amongst the many other's the website also stocks Tamasyn Gambell's recycled paperback notebooks and Use UK's Bow bags, which are made from rescued leather from the furniture industry and have cute polka-dot lining.
With so many eco gifts and things for ourselves we know we're not going to have to look very far for Christmas presents this year.
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