As a teenager, I spent a lot of time sailing pretty much lived in my deck shoes both onland and off land. They were super comfy and easy to wear but were never quite as colourful as these fantastic ones by ethical shoe brand Veja. The summer collection is called Mediterranee and is made from two tone organic cotton with vulcanized wild rubber soles.

Veja also have some fantastic trainers sneaker (or daps as they call them here in the West Country), with a fantastic retro style inspired by running tennis and Volley ball shoes.

The brand has a vision simple vision where another world is possible. They are inventing new ways to work that use ecologically friendly materials including organic and Fairtrade cotton from North East Brazil, vegetable tanned leathers and natural latex and a global chain which respects workers diginity. The brand also minimises its environmental impact and carbon emmissions at many levelsi ncluding energy use, transportation and packaging but they openly and honestly admit there limitations which include that the pigments used for dying leather, rubber and cotton, are not made from natural products. By reading the brands website you can begin to understand the huge challenges which face ethical shoe and fashion brands but it is great to see that Veja are taking postive steps in working towards their companies vision.

And here is the bit that is really interesting! Veja does not advertise. The resources saved are integrated into the production chain. This means the farmers and producers Veja works with are fairly remunerated – to accomodate their social and environmental requirements.

Veja have been shortlisted for Observer Ethical Awards in the Fashion and accessories category which is sponsored by Vogue. They have some really tough competition in this categroy with Ada Zandition and Bottle Top, both of which create pieces that are desirable beyond just their ethics (as is Veja). The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 30th May. Would Veja get your vote?

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Monsoon

I love this Keiko jacket in the mid season sale but there is also plenty of dresses, tops, trousers and children’s wear in  the sale. Two fantastic offers…

Up to 50% off in the mid season sale until 27th May
Up to 25% off Occasion Wear Until 20th May

Fashion Conscience

Fashion Conscience have a fantastic selection of ethical and eco friendly
clothing including fresh and fun brands like Skunk Funk, Fair & True and
Komodo. This beautiful vegan bag is by

10% off with discount code May10 until 31st May

Yew Clothing

Yew Clothing makes awesome sportswear for active outdoor pursuits from
sustainable and eco materials, like recycled polyester
50% off all orders over £10 (excluding sale items) with discount code SPRING50 until  30th June

Spartoo

An online shoe store with a massive selection of eco
friendly shoes including my favourite brands Dream in Green and
Melissa.
10% off orders over £65 with discount code MAYSHOES10
15% off orders over £85 with discount code MAYSHOES15
20% on Orders over £125 with discount code  MAYSHOES20
Until 31/5/12

Renewal at Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters own eco collection, handcrafted in London using upcycled vintage pieces, surplus fabrics and deadstock.
10% off with discount code UO10

If you are based in London, there is also a fantastic Vintage Fashion Fair on 10th June in Primrose Hill. Visit the website www.vintagefashionfairlondon.co.uk for further information and ticket offers.

(This post contains affiliate links and these offers are
not valid in conjunction with any other offers and unless stated are probably
not valid beyond the end of the week)

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Dress – Vintage
Leggings – People Tree
Dr Martens – Cloggs

I was recently contacted by Cloggs and asked if I would like to review a pair of Dr Marten boots. I have been considering buying some for a while as I used to wear them many years ago and they were super comfy, hard wearing and would be ideal for camping. I was sent a patent pair which I wore on a camping trip at the weekend (although the photograph was taken in at home before we left).

Back in the day I used to wear my DM’s with tassel skirts during my gothic stage, floral dresses and black tights in my grungey stage and with just about everything as a student. This weekend I couldn’t resist trying to sort of recreate this look with a vintage floral dress and leggings.

Dr Martens have a big historical connection for me but for Mr Style Eyes mean something different (I would at this point like to say that he is a bit older than me). When he saw them he immediately mentioned Mods and Skinheads as being the reason why his mother would not let him have a pair, parent eh!

The Dr Marten brand has now been around for over 50 years and in that time has clad the feet of many from punks to policemen, skinheads to socialists. Interestingly, the shoe was designed by Klaus Märtens a German Army Doctor to cushion and protect his ankle after a skiing accident. They didn’t become fashionable though until they were worm buy Pete Townshend, song writer and guitarist with The Who. Ever since they have been adopted not only by factory and other manual workers but also by a range of sub cultures who made them part of their uniform. In case you are interested, there is a book on the very subject Dr Martens – The Story of an Icon.

Dr Marten’s is not neccaserily a brand that you would consider as ethical but they do have a strong ethical policy and supplier code of conduct with which they aim to not only ensure the highest possible standards of business behaviour but work with suppliers exceed these standards. You can check out their code of conduct here.

When I asked about the ethics of the brand I was also informed.

We have recently started to stock a Dr Martens Vegan collection which offers Dr Martens two most iconic styles the 8 eye boot and the 3 eye shoe to the vegan customer. Due to recent technical advances it is now possible for the manufacturing process and materials used to be acutely vegan friendly. Dr Martens have symbolised their excitement for the vegan collection by creating a new sock logo. One of our favourites in the vegan collection is the popular 1460 boot in Cherry Red which features air cushioned soles and Felix rub-off none leather uppers.

For me what is great about this brand is that they are extremely well made and so will last for ages. They are the ultimate festival foot wear but also great for when you have a long way to walk and have to ditch the heels. Although Dr Martens are kind of on trend at the moment, they are also a bit of an anti fashion statement because they don’t really ever go out of fashion. This in itself kind of makes them a sustainable choice of footwear.

Have you ever owned a pair of Dr Martens? How did you wear yours?

I will leave you with just a few instagrams from my camping at the weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

I was recently contacted by From Clothing, to see if I would like to select a piece of clothing from their ethical fitness wear collection to review. As I spend quite a lot of time in fitness classes, I am always short of comfy and flattering clothes to wear so I jumped at the chance. I got the loose capri organic cotton leggings in grey marl (pictured above).

The leggings were great, made from a high quality and thick organic cotton they were just about everything I want from my fitness clothing dark in colour (although they have more colours if you prefer brighter fitness wear), flattering, not too close fitting, super comfy and good for the planet too! The loose fit makes them ideal for classes like body balance and pilates where I do lots of stretching and so don’t want clothes that will restrict my movement. The thick waistband is also comfortable, flattering and keeps them securely on my waist. These would also make a great pair of trousers for lounging around on a sunday afternoon. It is really refreshing to have a piece of clothing that is  not covered with logos and brand names, it is just simple, stylish and contemporary.

In addition to fitness, From Clothing is also great for lifestyle/ lounge wear. The whole collection is made from GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard) certified organic cotton and is made for ‘natural shaped’ women.

Here is some more of the ethical fitness and lifestyle wear collection at From Clothing that I really liked. You can check out the full collection at www.fromclothing.com.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Dress – Annie Greenabelle
Leggings – People Tree
Cardigan – Braintree Hemp
Shoes – Melissa
Necklace -Swarovksi Crystalized

I seem to go through phases with what I wear, one week it is ridiculously bright floral prints and another I can’t get enough of charity shop faux fur. This week has most definitely been all about lace detail for me. From my new Melissa shoes which have some very recycled plastic lace detail on them to my Annie Greenabelle dress with a lace print on it and my new Braintree hemp cardigan (one of my birthday buys) that has a kind of lacey crochet panel at the front.

I wore this outfit last weekend when Mr Style Eyes and I went camping in our camper van near Bath. Yet more exciting plans for this weekend, how will you be enjoying the sunshine?

BTW – I can’t remember if I shared my latest blog post for Oxfam Fashion about Charity Shopping for Your Best Colours. I have now anyway.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Top – People Tree
Jeans – Monkee Genes
Shoes – Pikolinos
Necklace – Made UK

I wanted to devote a whole post to my new skinny jeans by Monkee Genes as I am really pleased with them. I have so many skirts and dresses in my wardrobe but very little in the way of practical clothes, so when I was given some money for my birthday, I decided that I really ought to invest in a pair of skinny jeans.

Monkee Genes were the obvious choice for me as they are not only eco friendly and ethical but they also have a fantastic range of different colours and cuts. I deliberated over which colour and style to go for but in the end picked out these bamboo skinny jeans in dark blue which just happened to be included in a sale/ offer at Ethical Superstore. Whilst I was very tempted by the coloured jeans, I decided the dark blue would be more versatile and go with just about anything in my wardrobe and probably more flattering on my tree trunk legs. My daughter has an amazing pair of bamboo jeans which are really soft and comfortable to wear so I hoped that these would be the same. Bamboo is also really sustainable and grown without the use of chemical pesticides making it a great eco friendly alternative to conventional cotton. The jeans turned up in no time at all along with a People Tree top (worn above) and a Braintree hemp cardigan which I will be featuring in an outfit post very soon.

I wasn’t disappointed by the bamboo denim. It is soft and comfortable to wear and has a little stretch in it allowing me to move about even the jeans fitted pretty snugly. I really liked the look of the jeans and even got a compliment from Mr Style Eyes (a fairly rare occurence!). The jeans were a bit too long so would be fantastic if they offered shorter sizes but as I am so short, I am pretty used to taking up my jeans. I have decided to wait a few washes before I take them up though to allow for any shrinkage.

I wore them at the weekend when we deposited the children at my parents and took the our camper van just down the road to a campsite in Bath for a few nights, just for a bit of chill out and beer time. They were ideal for this trip as they were practical for climbing in and out of the campervan and also smart enough to wear out to the pub for a night out.

I hope you had a fantastic bank holiday weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

PS – this post does contain affiliate links. The jeans were bought completely with my own money and I was not paid for writing this review.

Beautiful Soul is a luxury womenswear label based in London’s Notting Hill. It is combines classic, timeless and very chic with a quintessentially British feel. The label offers both ready to wear and a bespoke kimono collection. Clothes are made using unique signature prints, luxury vintage fabrics, British wool, British lace and sustainable organic fabric. The companies zero waste policy has also led to interesting fastenings and embellishments made from material remnants where every last thread of fabric is used in the creative process.

Nicola Woods, the founder and creative Director trained at London College of Fashion and set up the label in 2008 after a complete career change. Nicola is a perfectionist and her attention to detail and standards of quality are superior. She is committed to a conscious approach to fabric sourcing and her designs have a strong emphasis placed on longevity, multi-function and adjustability.

For Spring Summer 2012 the Beautiful Soul collection is called Summer Breeze.

The Beautiful Soul online shop is coming soon.

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Denim jacket – swapped
Necklace – Made
Dress – Oxfam
Shoes – Dkode

We are all kind of guilty to a certain extent of buying clothes that we need or just getting bored with what we already have and fancying a change. Swapping, selling and buying preloved clothes is a fantastic way to refresh your wardrobe and it is better for your purse and the environment than buying new. I also think it is really fun and a great way of trying something new that you might not usually buy in the shops. I am so passionate about swapping that I set up my own clothes swapping website Posh Swaps a few years back to encourage people to get swapping. Since then there has been an explosion of Swishing (swapping) parties and clothes swapping websites which gives everyone plenty of opportunity for everyone to recycle their old stuff and get something amazing in return. The denim jacket in the image is the result of a swap I did and I wear it all of the time.

I recently recieved an email Friendly Fashion, a great new swapping site. They have some fantastic stuff listed on the site and I would definitely recommend checking it out if your wardrobe needs a little refresh. The site is free to use, allows you to swap, buy, sell and give away itmes and has a fantastic widget which can be customised and adding to your blog to help promote any items that you list.

Spring is the perfect time to have a good clear out. You can make yourself some extra cash or get something lovely and new in return for the clothes that you don’t wear. Here are some of my favourite items listed on the site.

I definitely have plenty of pieces of clothing I would love to swap. How about you? Have you every tried swapping?

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

I love everything about this collection. It combines traditional prints with fresh and very wearable designs, it is very affordable and of course it is made by in collaboration with SOKO Kenya, a fantastic and ground breaking ethical company which allows underprivileged communities to establish sustainable business through local craftsmanship.

The collection consists of  sporty dresses, trousers, tops and jackets in acid-bright zebra, giraffe and rhino prints, mixed with traditional Kenyan patterns. Fun, eye catching and contemporary, It moves well away from any of the old preconceptions of ethical fashion. My only wish is that there was even more of it!

What do you think?

You can see the whole collection here.

I have been a little sceptical of the ASOS Green Rooms in the past as I wouldn’t have classed many of the items in there as ethical and they seemed to lack information as to where the products where made and how they are ethical. I think they have got it spot on with this ASOS Africa collection though. They have also introduced some great new ethical brands and started providing much more information on the individual products.

Despite pledging to start a shopping ban just a few days ago, I have failed spectacularly and ordered myself a pair of trousers from this collection. In my defence, I have been looking for a pair of patterned trousers for ages. The shopping ban definitely does start today though.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

On Monday, I spent a very wet day wandering around the shops and researching my Vintage and Second Hand Guide to Bath, I did also manage to squeeze in some shopping and got this beautiful scarf from the Black and White Shop for just £10. I also got this amazing printed dress from Monsoon and a Monsoon cardigan from the Oxfam Boutique. I can’t wait until the weather warms up so I can wear the dress perhaps with the scarf for a really printastic outfit!

My actual birthday was really all about eating cake. I ordered up this beauty from Patisserie Valerie, it was delicious- sponge, cream, fruit and white chocolate.  I did manage to fit in 2 hours of excercise classes which hopefully went some way to offsetting some of those calories.

On Thursday, I had a cup of tea and chat with the lovely Noorin Khamisani of Outsider, a fantastic label that is all about classic, wearable and beautiful clothes (that just happen to be ethical too) . I really love her latest collection which features some very lovely dresses, one of which she happens to be wearing in this photo.

It was yet another horrible and wet day so I resorted to wearing jeans (organic cotton from M&S) and boots (Dream in Green) with my new Antiform top that I got from Mr Style Eyes and the girls. I did give them a little help in deciding what to get me. Well actually I just bought it ,myself from Think Boutique. Antiform is another label which I really love and well worth checking out if you love unusual pieces. They use reclaimed fabrics and mix fashion forward shapes with heritage crafts.

I also got this People Tree top from the Zakee Shariff Collection.

And this dress by Frank and Faith (another amazing and very afforable brand) from Ethical Superstore which I wore out to dinner with my friends on Friday with leggings and necklace by People Tree, swapped denim jacket and shoes by Simple.

I have also ordered myself a few more goodies in the Ethical Superstore 20% off sale and some Melissa shoes (to keep my feet dry) which I will share once they arrive.

So that is it birthday week is over, back to reality, sensible, healthy eating and a complete shopping ban until at least the autumn, I definitely don’t need any new clothes now.

I hope you have had a lovely weekend, despite the rain!

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

This post contains some affiliate links