Daisy Green

Kiki by Hetty Rose

Sallyanne Flemons — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:18:40 +0000

Oooh new shoes

Hetty Rose handmakes the most irresistible shoes covered with vintage Kimono fabric.

Kiki (pictured) is the star of the collection. She is a combination of leather and kimono fabric making her a modern court with a twist.

Oh Hetty, how we love you.

Price on application from hettyrose.co.uk

‘We can eat meat, ditch factory farming and save the planet’

Sallyanne Flemons — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:58 +0000

We don’t need to go veggie to feed a booming world population and save the planet from climate change and forest destruction.

And we can produce enough food for everyone without factory farming, new research from Friends of the Earth and Compassion in World farming shows.

‘Eating the planet?‘, published as world leaders prepare for the FAO World Summit on food security, reveals that we can still enjoy meat several times a week whilst feeding the world using planet-friendly and humane farming methods.

Cruel and intensive factory farming practices currently used to mass produce meat for people in rich countries – who eat around six times as much meat as those in the poorest countries – are destroying forests and wildlife as land is cleared to grow animal feed and graze cattle.

The research models future food production against different diets, farming methods and land use, and concludes that enough food can be produced to feed the growing world population with fairer and healthier diets whilst avoiding deforestation and animal cruelty.

Continuing to eat more meat and dairy globally – the production of which already generates more climate-changing emissions than all of the world’s transport – will push the world’s climate and resources over the edge.

Despite pushes from agribusiness to intensify farming to feed a growing global population that is expected to reach over nine billion by 2050, the researchers found that a diet equivalent to eating meat three times a week would allow forests to remain untouched, animals to be farmed in free-range conditions and greener farming methods to be used.

With as many people obese in the West as malnourished in poor countries – roughly a billion of each – distributing protein more fairly is also an opportunity to tackle global health problems, the report points out.

But feeding the world in a planet-friendly way means there will be little room to grow bio-fuel crops for cars. Feeding people must come first. Compassion in World Farming and Friends of the Earth are calling on Ministers to switch support from factory farming to planet-friendly and humane methods.

The groups also want the Government to take action to measure and reduce the impact of the UK’s meat and dairy production and consumption – and to switch subsidies from intensive to planet-friendly and humane farming.

Clare Oxborrow, senior food campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: “It’s amazing news that we can feed a rapidly expanding population without trashing the planet – and still eat meat several times a week…

“…The Government has already backed a major scientific study that calls for a move away from intensive production – it’s time it stopped spending public money on it and got behind planet-friendly farming instead.”

Lasse Bruun, Head of Campaigns at Compassion in World Farming, said: “With 60 billion animals being reared for livestock production every year and the figure set to double by 2050, we really need to re-consider our approach to farming.

“Animals are being reared like factory units to provide us with cheap meat. The true cost of eating too much meat is animal suffering, deforestation and obesity. We have the power to save our planet and be kind to animals. All we need to do is change our diets to a healthier and fairer option.”

Kaya Mawa

Alex Conti — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:58:59 +0000

Voted in the top 10 most romantic places in the world by Conde Nast, Kaya Mawa is all hand built from local materials (rocks from the lake, wood from Mozambique’s forests) and staffed by people from the neighbouring three villages.

There are eleven rooms ranging from standard chalets, with their own private deck over the lake, to more luxurious houses with private plunge pools.

Kaya Mawa is ideally suited for all guests from honeymoon couples to families looking for interesting activities including: walks; sailing; waterskiing; quad bike tours; mountain biking; boat excursions; kayaking and a PADI scuba school all on site.

For more info, visit www.kayamawa.com

Review courtesy of Eco Hotels of the World

Be fair and festive – Trade shopping for swapping

Sallyanne Flemons — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:05:54 +0000

At a Palestinian olive grove Image by Nayef Hashlamoun

With next Fairtrade Fortnight being all about The Big Swap and encouraging people to exchange their usual everyday products for Fairtrade, how about getting some practice in with your Christmas presents?

For those of you who think no further than wine, coffee and bananas when you hear this, there may be a few treats in store.

Wine is of course a safe and palatable option for someone of whose tastes you are unsure but if you want to go for something a bit more unusual, then olive oil is also a special product that most people need for their kitchen cupboard.

Zaytoun’s organic Fairtrade olive oil, sourced through Canaan Fair Trade in Palestine, was the first olive oil to be given Fairtrade status earlier this year and is pressed from the fruit of ancient trees, which have been tended by hand through generations of family farmers.

The olive oil is derived from two types of trees: the Nabali, which is the indigenous olive tree of Palestine; it is found predominately in the western region and yields a medium to light olive oil with a fruity flavour. Meanwhile, the Rumi olive tree has been cultivated in Palestine since the era of the Roman Empire and it produces a robust and pungent oil.

Thanks to a loan from Shared Interest, Canaan was able to part finance their new storage and bottling plant so they are now able to complete the entire production process on site from harvesting the olives, through to pressing them, to bottling the finished product.

So when you buy this beautifully presented olive oil for a loved one, not only can you be assured that trees are harvested by hand, with olives reaching the presses within 24 hours, but you can also be sure that you are helping to alleviate poverty in another part of the world.

Canaan also produces olives, couscous, almonds and sundried tomatoes alongside za’atar (thyme), honey and olive oil soap. All are made from native plants, picked and processed in the naturally organic Palestinian traditional way for generations. Check out www.canaanfairtrade.com to peruse and purchase the products for yourself.

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But the choices don’t end with farmers’ produce; the fair trade market has a wealth of handicraft makers and daisygreenmagazine.co.uk featured one just last month in the shape of Namayiana.

This all-female group creates traditional Maasai beaded items like walking sticks, necklaces, and bracelets as well as Christmas ornaments, purses, baskets, and bags. You can buy these from Ten Thousand Villages, via their website at www.tenthousandvillages.com. Shared Interest will pre-finance their order with this USA buyer to ensure that Namayiana is not left without funds until their goods are sold.

But it is not just Africa that boasts a range of homegrown and handcrafted goods. For those diehard coffee connoisseurs, who you know will not be happy without their festive fix of beans, then Peruvian cooperatives such as COCLA may be worth a look. Made up of 8,500 farmers, COCLA has a major economic and social impact on the Quillabamba region.

Over the last 10 years its technical expertise and marketing knowledge have grown as a direct result of working with fair trade partners. It uses part of the Fairtrade premium to run a technology transfer programme to ensure that the techniques for producing and marketing top quality coffee are communicated to the people behind the products.

Based in the Peruvian Andes amidst lush tropical valleys, the Peruvian growers have the best possible climate in which to grow their superb quality arabica beans.

An organic coffee called Machu Picchu Organic, with a delicate aroma, makes the perfect Christmas gourmet gift. But for every coffee drinker out there, there has to be at least one chocolate addict and COCLA doesn’t disappoint here either.

Back in 2005, Shared Interest lent COCLA some funds to work on their diversification into cocoa. Unfortunately the chocolate bars themselves are only available to buy in Peru so unless you are planning an overseas trip, you will have to settle for a cup of the hot stuff. Try Cocodirect Drinking Chocolate for an instant hit of home comfort. You can get your mitts on this and a variety of Fairtrade coffees and teas from the Cafe Direct website at www.cafedirect.co.uk.

Even by sampling all of these products, you will only be dipping your toe in ethical waters. There is a wealth of products available from across the developing world that make unusual and authentic festive treats.

The only drawback with all of this Fairtrade finery is that you may want to pop it in your own stocking but if this is the case, just remember: it’s good to swap but even better to share. And with that, may all your Christmases be green….

The next Fairtrade Fortnight will be held between 22 February and 2 March 2010. Find out more about Shared Interest

‘Tis the season to be crafty….

Sallyanne Flemons — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:04:17 +0000

Tools at the ready

Whether you are an experienced crafter or someone just starting out, Christmas is the ideal time of year to spread a little handmade happiness and bestow your beautiful creations upon your dearest friends and family.

The pleasures of making gifts for loved ones far outweigh those of the purchased item. Why? Well…

It’s usually cheaper (unless you are tempted by a one-off equipment purchase)
It’s a whole lot more satisfying to design and make your gifts than nip into the nearest high street and rack up a nasty credit card bill for 2010 ( there are usually less crowds, too)
It can do great things for your carbon footprint. Choose your materials carefully and handmake as much as you can. A couple of hours embroidering or knitting at home will make airmile mincemeat of a mass-produced gift flown from China.
Each item you make will be unique.

However for crafters, experienced and new, there are a few situations to avoid:

Enthusiasm + quantity of recipients + ambitious time-munching projects + a job/family/social life = lots of late nights, crafter’s cramp and a potential visit to the opticians
Resolving to make a similar gift for each giftee is a good idea until you realise you need to knit 12 cable scarves, in three weeks
Some of your recipients will be expecting high street and will not appreciate your efforts, no matter what you do. Result? One less friend or maybe a gentle nudge in the direction of handmade by buying a Fairtrade or environmentally friendly gift
Almost every craft supply on sale in the run up to Christmas is green, gold or red. Get your material list organised as soon as you can

What is a festively challenged crafter to do?

Boring as it sounds….know your limits and plan your Christmas craft campaign with military precision:

Decide how much time you have between now and 19 December (the last weekend before Christmas day this year) to devote to your crafting marathon
Reduce that time available by about a third and put potential sessions in your diary/planner/Blackberry…Do not forget any shopping time that may be required
Divide your list of giftees according to age, gender, pro-craftiness, any other preferences
Delete any anti-homemade giftees from your list and resign yourself to choosing something else for them (I like to use Oxfam Unwrapped gifts so that, at least, someone, somewhere gets something more useful than a box of scented drawer liners)
Review your existing supplies to see what you could incorporate into this year’s gifts. You might find you have some useful items already
Make a list of exactly what you are going to make, how many you are going to make and when you need to have completed them by
Choose simple but impressive items, e.g. corsage brooches made with vintage fabrics and pretty buttons, crocheted or knitted scarves with chunky yarn, simple sewing projects such as needle cases or book covers and don’t forget handmade food gifts such as toffee, preserves and chutneys
Get googling or head off to your local library, there are 1,000s of free patterns available for everything from advent calendars to crocheted reindeers. Try www.craftzine.com or www.craftster.org as a starting point
Choose things that you like to make and processes that you enjoy. If you choose to make jewellery but your ‘thing’ is making felt, you will feel resentful and frustrated as you try to learn a new skill at a busy time of year
Pace yourself. If you can, try to make similar items so that you can put together a mini-production line. It will save you time and you will feel you are making bigger steps
Pay attention to your presentation: wrap your gifts beautifully and use your design talents to make gift tags and wrapping that looks just as good as what’s inside. Try to use recycled paper or recyclable paper. I like to use brown paper and vintage ribbons, or woven paper strips to make boxes and envelopes.

Handmade (almost):

If you love knitting or sewing or making models, treat your nearest and dearest to a handmade kit and lesson. That way, you can share your enjoyment and pass your skills on. You could put together small packs of vintage fabrics, buttons, needles and thread for your girlfriends and book a cozy night in for January where you all make something unique but as a group. Resolutions permitting, a bottle or two of organic wine would help the creative juices flow…
If you want to give handmade but don’t feel confident enough in your skills or simply do not have the time, go to MISI (www.misi.com) or Folksy (www.folksy.com), both UK-based sites hosting thousands of independent artists, craftspeople and makers just waiting for your Christmas orders.

And finally:

If you enjoy it this year, start a little earlier next year
Keep a list of what you gave this year
Make your own Christmas list of craft-related items for your delighted friends and family to help your supplies and inspiration for 2010

You can read more from Janice Botterill on her blog at www.projectforty.blogspot.com

Read our step by step guide to making a cloth shopping bag

Island designs come to Soho

Elizabeth Johnson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:07:44 +0000

When you think of where to find cutting edge fashion, New York, London and Paris may come to mind. But perhaps not a small group of islands in the middle of the North Atlantic.

Midway between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands have a coastline of over 680 miles and a population of around 45,000. And some great designers.

On the 19 and 20 November, Faroese design will take centre stage at the Digitaria Boutique in Soho. The showcase will introduce seven handpicked designers to the UK, each with a unique vision and citing their life on the Islands as a major influence on their work. But the collections have so much more to offer than this small group of islands would suggest. Each label has a unique take on contemporary womenswear.

Guðrun and Guðrun produce exquisite knitwear produced solely from Faroese wool and made by Faroese and Jordanian women. The wool is from the sheep that live on the islands who graze on unfertilized grass. Their new collection of accessories is produced from fish skin leather, a by-product of the fishing industry.

Sirri produce a range of up to date designs using traditional methods and made from material sourced on the Faroe Islands. As the wool is not dyed the range is available in the natural five colours of Faroese wool.

Both of these labels have produced ranges that work with the environment in which they are created in and have helped ensure that traditional methods of clothing production, developed over a thousand years, will continue.

The good news is that these beautiful clothes will be for the first time available in the UK, as Digitaria will be stocking selected pieces from the Autumn/Winter 09 collections.

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Digitaria is at 60 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1F 8SU. For more go to www.sirri.fo and gudrungudrun.com

Come in out of the blue

Nicola Alexander — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:51:02 +0000

People tree dress available from PurityStyle.com

Blue clothes are everywhere right now, and, unlike those neons, it’s really wearable.

There’s a blue to suit every girl’s hue and it’s a colour that’s never really out of fashion.

Here’s our gallery of the best blue pieces the ethical fashion world has to offer.

Main image

Pleat front dress
Simple and pretty People Tree dress made from pleasingly weighty jersey with poplin trim. Stylish scoop neckline with pleated front detail, removable tie waist belt and bracelet length sleeves. Organic cotton and fairtrade.
£57 from Puritystyle.com

Left to right top row

Komodo Charlie Beeny
Available in blue or grey made from 100% wool. Heart wool detail to front and black/indigo stripe.
£10 from Bochica.co.uk

Frill front dress
Made from vintage satin by designer Betty B, in the UK. Looks great with black tights and ballet flats for day and peep toe heels for evening. Wear with a long pendant necklace, and if you’re feeling adventurous, team with bright heels to contrast with the dress colour. This item is proudly eco.
£210 from Fashion-conscience.com

Wensleydale Boyfriend Cardigan
A longer length garter stitch cardigan with full length sleeves and asymmetrical pocket. Buttons run down the front – can be worn open, fully buttoned or part open to the bottom. Hand knitted in Britain.
£267 from Izzylane.com

Click the images to see the whole picture

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Komodo Ellis Navy Dress
Made from 100% organic cotton voile with contrasting paisley print on sleeve cuff and neckline. Finished off with button detailing on the front and contrasting piping.
£70 from bochica.co.uk

Pure Shoes Up-turned pointed toe and concealed cushioned platforms in Sapphire blue, this season’s true ‘it’ colour. They will revamp everything else in your wardrobe. From New York’s vegan design label, Olsen Haus.
£134 from NeonCollective.com Fabulous party dress
Made from parachute silk. Empire line dress with rouching at bust and thin adjustable straps and build in bra. Knee length full skirt with a separate net petticoat for fullness and body. Currently available in Ink Blue and worn by Daisy Low.
£299 from Equaclothing.com

Win a £150 spending spree at NEOM

Nicola Alexander — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:42:53 +0000

The Neom range

Forget everything you know about candles. Forget everything you know about bath oils and body products…

NEOM Luxury Organics have created the most incredibly powerful, organic range of luxury bath and home products that all work as treatments to make you feel more relaxed, more energised or even just a whole lot happier – depending on the treatment you choose.

Their products are carefully blended using only the finest organic ingredients and the highest concentration of essential oils which are designed to fill your room with mood enhancing treats!

The lucky winner will receive a £150 voucher to use on any of the products on the NEOM website which you can check out at www.NeomOrganics.com

As if that wasn’t enough as a Daisy Green fan, you can also enjoy 25% off NEOM products whenever you like. Simply order your Beauty VIP membership using the code DAISY20 and receive a 20% discount on the annual membership.

NEOM would love to stay in touch with those people who enter this luxury goody giveaway. You will receive a copy of their newsletter, which you can unsubscribe from at any time, if you enter your details in the contact form below.

Closing date 6 Dec. Good luck!

Email Marketing You Can Trust

By entering this give away, you agree to receive the free daisygreenmagazine.co.uk e-newsletter which you can unsubscribe from at any time.

A very civillised Christmas Shop

Lupe Castro — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:30:12 +0000

Amy and her lovely Keep and Share stuff

This is how you know it’s Christmas time again.

The first of the consumer shows, and The Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia this week has got to be the biggest and most luxurious one. It’s a most civilised way to shop – a whole show dedicated to gorgeous original gifts to buy for Christmas. From £5 for a jute shopper to £50 for a gorgeous Keep & Share (keepandshare.co.uk) tube scarf, and a little bit of bubbly from the Mossiman restaurant the credit cards are jumping to get a little more stretched!

First stop, and very long one too Keep & Share and having parked myself in front of Amy’s stand in true traditional ‘Lupe form’ I proceed to try everything on with a willing Amy running through each garment. Knitted belts, £15, using her recycled wool which she also sells to knitters and her gorgeous classic Elm cardi jackets, £150, made from organic, or rescued wools. Not only does she make and sell but teaches too and runs workshops in Hereford. How does she do it? I don’t know but it’s something to do with the magic knitting needles and beauty of wool…

I particularly liked her £16 crochet starter kit, as having seen my grandmother doing rosettes furiously, I think it might be in the blood. I love crochet, sadly its an illusion though even with gorgeous Amy showing me the way, I know I can only style so I buy a belt instead.

Another inspiring designer Gwendolyn Carrie (gwendolyncarrie.com) does small leather goods using off cuts from the fish industry - in this case perch – and she lines them with silk. Although it does sound rather smelly they are not they are incredible and seriously luxurious prices start from £100. Oh oh so its time for a little snackette…

I have been tipped off about Conscious Food, a new company that does just that kinda snack to fill the gap. From pure unrefined natural ingredients and hand made in small batches there is no way I am going to OD on this but it stops the sugar craving and I feel virtuous bypassing all the cakes and calories.

Not sure why it got so late but it’s time to go and I haven’t even seen a quarter of the show. Oh well there is still Saturday and Sunday!

Two Nordic shower heads to be won

Nicola Alexander — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:21:59 +0000

Nordic Eco shower head

The Nordic Shower is so effective that energy and water savings are achieved with unrivalled showering performance.

With its unique and award winning technique, Scandinavian engineering has removed all negative association from efficient showering. The way it releases water, maximises the comfort and performance of hot water and is especially effective at rinsing hair too.

The new Nordic Shower saves more than any other eco showerhead (as demonstrated in the Daisy Green Review) giving brilliant and economical showering performance for many years.

We have two Nordic Shower’s worth £39.99 each to give away to lucky readers. For your chance to win, give your details with the form below before Friday 4 December. Good luck and heres to many invigorating and efficient showers!

Nordic Eco Shower will send all those people who enter their goody giveaway their newsletter which you can unsubscribe from at any time.

Email Marketing You Can Trust

By entering this give away, you agree to receive the free daisygreenmagazine.co.uk e-newsletter which you can unsubscribe from at any time.

Daisy Green

Kiki by Hetty Rose

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