Hippyshopper

Fenchurch introduces 'Fenchurch Friendly' eco range

AbiSilvester — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:08:00 GMT

This has been two years in the pipeline so no-one could accuse Fenchurch of being johnny come latelys to the eco scene. Their new Fenchurch Friendly range uses 100% organic cotton and is manufactured in Fair Trade certified factories.

WIN a £30 shopping voucher at Spreadshirt

AbiSilvester — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:13:00 GMT

Print-your-own t-shirt company Spreadshirt moved into the eco chic market recently with the launch of its organics range, giving you the chance to display your designs on lovely, pesticide-free cotton

Hats off to Innocent for holding another Big Knit

AbiSilvester — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:51:00 GMT

It's that time of year again! Wherever you go, the sound of knitting needles whipping up tiny little hats can be heard, as Innocent call upon the crafting public to help them keep elderly people warm this winter.

Discover discovery apples as pippin season starts

AbiSilvester — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:53:00 GMT

I wish I could rekindle my teenaged obsession with apples: I used to try and eat a different variety every week, chomping my way through Granny Smiths, Jonagolds, Coxes and the occasional Pink Lady.

Be hippyshopper's friend on Twitter

AbiSilvester — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:11:00 GMT

I've recently got into the habit of sharing my own daily joys and mishaps over on Twitter, and decided it was time that hippyshopper got a look-in. There's always some new green activity or product I'm trying out that I'd love to share with you guys in a real-time basis, so from now on, Twitter will be the place to chart my progress to full eco-warrior status (dream on!)

LEGO protest against Kingsnorth's coal plans

AbiSilvester — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:13:00 GMT

I was really charmed to hear about the climate change activists who staged what could be the tiniest protest in history: at the replica of Kingsnorth's coal-fired power station at Legoland, Windsor. The one-inch tall protesters occupied the tower (which is confusingly placed between the park's models of Big Ben and Canary) earlier in the week.

Gallery: stars and handlebars

AbiSilvester — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:25:00 GMT

A lot of famous types seem to be embracing two-wheeled transport at the moment: first it was Tory MPs and now, Hollywood seems to be getting the bike bug.

Rachel Helen Designs recycled jewellery

AbiSilvester — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:52:00 GMT

There's a lot of recycled jewellery out there at the moment, but not all of it has the delicate, vintagey feel of this new, hand-finished collection by Rachel Helen.

New Autumn/Winter '08 collection by Nomads

AbiSilvester — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:52:00 GMT

Nomads, one of the original ethical fashion labels who've been making funky, fairtrade threads since long before it was cool launched their Autumn/Winter range today, unveiling amongst other treats some gorgeous earth-toned outerwear and tie-dyed flowing skirts that are hippy and proud of it too.

Origins gets its charity hat on again

AbiSilvester — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:20:00 GMT

It may be August but Origins has got its thinking cap on, and come up with some December treats that will excite you now! Last year they asked you guys to knit for charity, and they want you to continue the trend this year! £1 from every Ginger Essence bottle sold will go straight to Shelter, and you'll feel good about yourself to boot. And did I mention that a couple of high profile designers have also got involved?

Gwyneth Paltrow is PETA's latest celeb punchbag

AbiSilvester — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:45:00 GMT

Last week it was the Pope who upset anti-fur campaigners, and this week it's our friend Gwyneth Paltrow. The vegetarian actress (who, I can only assume, has long renounced any 'eco' credentials she may once have laid claim to) has angered PETA over her autumn/winter 2008-9 campaign (pictured) for Tod's in which she models fur-lined boots and bags made from ostrich and snakeskin. In particular, an ad depicting Paltrow draped in fox fur, has prompted the animal-rights group to label her as a 'terrible example'.

Energy and money saving tips from FOE

AbiSilvester — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:49:00 GMT

It can sometimes feel like our homes are designed to test just how green we really are, and how far our willpower will stretch before we reach for those labour-saving mod cons that guzzle energy like there's no tomorrow.

Cycle Chic: the modern woman's guide to cycling

AbiSilvester — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:40:00 GMT

Cycle Chic is an absolute gem of a site for women who love cycling as much as they love fashion, proving beyond any doubt that the two interests are far from incompatible.

Dakota Johnson backs Save the Sea campaign

AbiSilvester — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:34:00 GMT

I've only spotted Katharine Hamnett's new 'Save the Sea' tees on guys so far, but Dakota Johnson (daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson) has posed as a stylish reminder to us that the top is available in women's sizes, too.

Top eco-friendly uses for soda water

AbiSilvester — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:32:00 GMT

Since I've been editing hippyshopper, I've been amazed to discover how many safe and non-toxic everyday substances work wonders around the house, and are more than sufficient for the jobs we tend to give use harsh chemicals for.

Vintage shopping: this week's Ebay outfit picks

AbiSilvester — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:15:00 GMT

Click image to enlarge

Beauty review: Purely organic lavender and palmarosa facewash from Edible Beauty

AbiSilvester — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:27:00 GMT

It's become my mission to test out every single organic facewash going (hey, we all need an ambition in life) and am happy to say that people seem eager to aid me in this quest. This week, I was sent a sample of Purely organic lavender and palmarosa face wash by Edible Beauty, and have just put it through the 'mascara test' to see how well it copes with removing makeup. My verdict: this is a natural cleanser containing no parabes or SLS, so I was impressed with how quickly it lathered up. The scent is fresh and floral, and as soon as it hits the skin, you can tell it's a very mild product.

Save cash and the planet with Friends of the Earth

AbiSilvester — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:16:00 GMT

In an age of hybrid sports cars, chichi organic delis and eco-chic fashion, it's easy to get into the mindset that being green is a luxury that only a privilidged few can enjoy.

Pope fuels furore over fur robes

AbiSilvester — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:11:00 GMT

Anti fur protesters in Italy have launched an online petition to make sure that Pope Benedict knows a direct line to the divine does not make it OK to wear fur.

Pope in fur furore over robes

AbiSilvester — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:11:00 GMT

Anti fur protesters in Italy have launched an online petition to make sure that Pope Benedict knows a direct line to the divine does not make it OK to wear fur.

Friday Fun: recycled egg box fairy lights

AbiSilvester — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:07:00 GMT

However dismal your surroundings may be, no room is too gloomy to be cheered and transformed by the addition of fairy lights -- and these magical recycled flower lights could be yours with just a few old egg boxes and a small amount of patience.

Simplicity in the UK: Simple Shoes now available at The Natural Store

AbiSilvester — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:13:00 GMT

I've been looking for Simple shoes in the UK for ages, so was over the moon when a selection of them cropped up over at The Natural Store.

Lush and Sea Shepherd want to save our sharks

AbiSilvester — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:41:00 GMT

You might see sharks as terrifying, man-eating beasts, but Lush and marine conservation activists Sea Shepherd are asking you to put aside your fears and spare a thought for the 100,000,000 sharks a year being killed for their fins, flesh, cartilage and oils. In particular, they want to prevent the opening of a dedicated finfish fishery on the Great Barrier Reef, due to open next month.

Has the credit crunch made you less green?

AbiSilvester — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:57:00 GMT

It was reported today that sales of organic food are in decline for the first time in years, and consumers are complaining that many foods sold as 'eco-friendly' are simply too expensive.

10% off everything at Nigel's Eco Store this month

AbiSilvester — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:49:00 GMT

Nigel is offering a generous holiday gift for the rest of August, in the form of 10% off the price of anything on the site.