Spring Wish List

Posted on March 22, 2013 by admin

I think I have posted before about my thoughts on wishlists. On the one hand, I don’t think that constantly making lists of things that I want to buy is a great way of reducing my consumerism, but on the other hand, if I do feel that my wardrobe is lacking in any way, compiling a wish list is a good way to carefully think through what I actually need and want and consider carefully how much I will actually wear any items that I buy.

I thought it might be worth gathering a few ideas of clothes I need/ like as it is my birthday soon and you never know! Definite needs for the season ahead – a rain coat, light weight trousers, a new bag that is easy to carry, a versatile black dress, a few statement accessories but of course I always find it difficult to say no to a gorgeous print dress, even though I have lots. So enough of my warbling on, here is what I am loving for spring

Have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of printed trousers for ages. I think People Tree must have known just what I wanted when they made these! Monochrome is great, it goes with just about everything and the cropped fitted style works much better for me. They have lots of discounts at the moment too!

This classic leather satchel is just the right size for me and looks like the sort of bag I could keep forever. It is made by My Green Bag from untreated and organic leather. They also have some very tempting cow hide bags.

Ok now for the dresses!

SkunkFunk Ainhoa Jersey Dress - I love the assymetrical hem on this. I would wear it for both daytime and evening.

Ruby Rocks Peacock Shirt Dress – Love Love Love!

I love the colour of this amazing dress, again by Ruby Rocks.

Floral prints never go out of fashion. This floral dress by Komodo is sooo pretty!

I think I have blogged about this Timberland Earthkeepers Abingdon Parka jacket. and yes I still want it. Looks ideal for camping trips.

This Seasalt Corwall Seaside Mac is another great option for the inevitable UK rain.

I also love this Agate pendant by Fair Trade jewellery brand Mirabelle.

Do you have a wish list or your eye on anything for Spring?

So pleased, it is now the weekend. Its been a long old week! Have a good one!

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Sparkly Vintage

Posted on March 20, 2013 by admin

Cardigan – Oxfam Fashion
Dress and shoes – (originally from the high street, now 3 or 4 years old)
Leggings – People Tree
Clutch bag – local vintage shop

The outfit in today’s post was one that I wore on Saturday night for a meal out in town. The black dress is a real staple that I have had in my wardrobe for years. These days I feel much happier wearing it with leggings as it is so short but I find it works equally well for daytime and night time. As much as I live prints and bright colours, I will have to admit that you just can’t beat a black dress for versatility and it is ideal for those days when I don’t have ages to mess around deciding what to wear.

The sparkly cardigan was from the Williams Vintage selection at Oxfam Fashion. You can’t see that well from the photo but I am wearing double sparkle with a beaded collar necklace from People Tree, I promise that it sparkles so much more in real life!

Things have been pretty hectic over the last week or two and I haven’t been able to get round to visiting all my favourite blogs. Hoping for a little time to relax with a glass of wine tommorrow and catch up with everything that is going.

I have recently fallen in love with the brand SkunkFunk which features on style-is.co.uk and has some amazing sustainable fashion in particular the dresses which I have been lusting over on a daily basis. I couldn’t believe my luck when I was asked by a retailer to review a piece of sustainable fashion. Of course I choose a SkunkFunk dress which arrived today. It was even better than I expected, can’t wait to share very soon!

I hope you are having a fantastic week. Have you discovered any amazing sustainable fashion brands lately? if so please do share.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Some Interesting Sustainable Fashion Collaborations

Posted on March 8, 2013 by admin

I think that collaboration is probably the biggest opportunity for ethical and sustainable fashion brands at the moment to get themselves out there and recognised for how amazing they are with the added bonus that the brand they collaborates with get to find out a bit more about sustainable fashion. There is certainly plenty going on with sustainable fashion collaborations at the moment and I wanted to share some of the interesting ones that I have come across.

The newly launched DIESEL + EDUN collection features raw, untreated denim with a reinterpretation of the four-pocket jean of the 1970s popular on the streets of South Africa forming the basis of the collection. It also features Malian textile prints, embroidery details reference traditional Zulu weaving patterns and Kenyan metal work. The collection aims to engage a global audience and create awareness of the creative opportunities in Africa and build sustainable trade with the continent through fashion. Both brands already had programs in Africa DIESEL’s Only The Brave Foundation project in Dioro, Mali and EDUN’s Conservation Cotton Initiative (CCI) in Uganda. After touring each others they decided to join forces with DIESEL + EDUN for even greater impact. They also developed the concept of Studio Africa – a Tumblr for a new generation of creative talents from across the continent. The campaign features nine artists in fashion, film, music, literature, and photography; individuals with both talent and a deep commitment to their respective countries and people.

The Pinko for Ethiopia Collection is a collaboration between Italian brand Pinko (obviously!) and Fashion for Development (F4D) , a global awareness project that seeks to nurture economic growth in the third world through the power of fashion. The collection which focuses on ‘awareness and renewal’ features some bold and bright print jumpers some with contrasting sleeves and one which clashes 2 leopard prints. There are also some great shopping bags which I would definitely be proud to be seen out with.

Gucci have now joined up with Livia Firth to launch a new Gucci Green Carpet Challenge Handbag Collection that is produced legally in the Brazilian Amazon and is assured not to contribute to deforestation. You might not have realised it but two thirds of the deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is caused by cattle ranching. The collection was a result of Livia introducing Gucci creative director Frida Giannini to the National Wildlife Federation and the Rainforest Alliance, which provides certification to cattle farms based on environmental and social justice criteria, as well as the ethical treatment of cattle. The collection launched at Paris Fashion week with three styles featuring bamboo tassels. Each comes with a Gucci GCC “passport,” which documents the origin and traceability of the bag.

Last but most definitely not least (in fact one of my favourite brands) comes People Tree. They are now old hands at fantastic designer collaborations and for SS13, they have some fantastic printed dresses and tops by both Orla Kieley and Peter Jensen. I can’t quite make up my mind which I like the best but at the moment am swaying towards the Orla Kiely Daisy Hear Dress. Actually I have another People Tree Orla Kiely dress in the same style but a different print. It is super flattering and easy to wear.

What do you think of these collaborations? would they make you more likely to buy ethical/ sustainable fashion?

Have a lovely weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

A Party Dress and Some Ethical Fashion Updates

Posted on February 12, 2013 by admin

Dress – People Tree
Earrings – Lily Grace Orginals
Shoes – given to me by a friend who had never worn them

Here is what I wore for my Mother in Laws birthday party that we recently held at our house. I decided to opt for something fairly practical as I knew I was going to be quite busy sorting out food, clearing up and generally attempting to be the perfect host. But I also wanted to add a bit of interest so I wore my ‘Josephine Baker’ earrings by Lilygrace Originals. If you love sparkly and unusual statement jewellery, I would definitely check out this website, there are so many pieces of jewellery, probably top of my wish list is the Frida Kahlo earrings and Day of the Dead cuff.

Whilst I am on the subject of statement jewellery, I am really loving Tatty Devine jewellery at the moment. I was really pleased to have been able to add them to my website (style-is.co.uk) via Rock My Vintage. Despite their growing popularity worldwide, they remain committed to ‘UK manufacture’ making their jewellery in a workshop in East London.The only problem is the more I write about them/ look at them/ do stuff on the website, the more temptation is put in my way!

There seems to be so much going on at the moment with ethical and sustainable fashion at the moment (which is great), I thought that there were a few things I should share.

Fashion ComPassion are hosting a fantastic event next week and its open to everyone! It’s the first in a collaborative series of events to bring emerging creatives to London’s fashion & art scene. The evening will showcase unique Ethical and Socially Conscious Fashion, Art and Lifestyle with a chance to buy the limited edition products on show. These eclectic brands( Palestyle, Nawa, Numa, Lost City & Inaaya) will be combined with works of artists at the gallery. Enjoy complimentary cocktails courtesy of FAIR Spirits, music and a great crowd. Even if you don’t manage to make it along, I would definitely recommend checking out the Fashion ComPassion website for yet more amazing accessories.

For bloggers with an interest in sustainable fashion, I would also recommend checking out Ecoluxe London on 17th and 18th February.

Unfortunately I am missing LFW including Estethica, Pure and Ecoluxe this time round. But looking forward to reading all about it on my favourite blogs so please do let me know if you post about any of these.

Finally, I have set up a new Feel Good Fashion Directory on the blog, it doesn’t have much on it at the moment but I am gradually building it up. I have also started running a Feel Good Fashion Friday (#FGFF) Twitter party for anyone with an interest in ethical/ sustainable fashion. The next one is on 22nd February, you can find out more about it here.

That’s it for now. I hope that you are having a good week.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

My Sustainable Outfits in 2012

Posted on December 31, 2012 by admin

I am feeling far too bloated and unhealthy from to much food and drink to do any outfit posts for the last few days so have decided to go for the lazy option of a round up of my favourite sustainable outfits for 2012.

But before that, just a little reminder about the ethical outfit competition running on my new website style-is.co.uk. I have only one entry so far so if you would like to enter, you could have a pretty good chance of winning these fantastic prizes which include

£100 of vouchers for Spartoo.co.uk
A Skunkfunk Handbag
2 X £10 vouchers for Rock My Vintage

The deadline has also been extended to 4th January to give you a little extra time to put together and post your amazing outfit. You can find out the full details on how to enter here Ethical Outfit Competition.

Dress – Nancy Dee
Cardigan – Charity shop
Shoes – Irregular Choice
necklace – vintage

Skirt – Oxfam Online
Handbag – charity shop
Boots – Dream in Green

Upcycled charity shop jacket
leggings – People Tree
Top – swapped

Dress – Oxfam Fashion
belt -swapped
Necklace – People Tree
Shoes – Dream in Green

Dress – Annie Greenabelle
Cardigan – Charity Shop
Necklace – Made Uk
Boots – Dream in Green

Jacket and Scarf – Vintage Fair
Necklace – Made UK
Organic Cotton Jeans – M& S
Boots – Dream in Green

Vintage skirt – clothes swap
Necklace – Made UK

Cardigan – Braintree Hemp
Dress – Annie Greenabelle
Shoes – Melissa

Dress – Vintage
Leggings – People Tree
Boots – Dr Martins

Dress – Monsoon
Scarf – vintage

Trousers – ASOS Africa
Shoes – Melissa

Dress – Komodo
Shoes – People Tree

Dress – Frank & Faith
Hat – Pachacuti

Dress – upcycled

Well that is it from me for 2012, I am off to the pub for yet more food and drink. Have a fantastic New Years Eve and see you in 2013!

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Ethical Fashion and Sales Shopping

Posted on December 28, 2012 by admin

I hope you have had a lovely Christmas. I have had spent a lovely time with my family and after receiving some money for Christmas have decided to indulge in a little sales shopping.

Although the thought of people elbowing their way into the boxing day and new year sales and grabbing just about everything in sight does not really sit well with the concept of sustainability, I do think that you can bag yourself a bargain and still be sustainable. For me sales shopping is a great opportunity to try a new ethical/ sustainable fashion brand that I have never bought from before. The fact that I am getting a bargain makes me a little braver than I might usually be in trying something new. I think the golden rule to shopping sustainably in the sales is to only buy what you need, or really really want. This year I have made myself a sort of wishlist to ensure that I don’t buy anything pointless. So here is what I have got…

First of all I have treated myself to a clothes steamer, something that I have wanted for ages to steam my vintage clothes and cut down on dry cleaning. I will hopefully be writing a review as soon as I have tryed it out. They have some great reductions on at the moment at fridga.com.

I also got a black dress, a pair of leggings, a beaded collar necklace and a dress from the Orla Kiely range at People Tree. All items that I have been admiring on the site for quite a few months.

The People Tree sale is amazing and I would definitely recommend checking it out here. You can also find some great bargains on style is… sustainable fashion sale page. Finally there are also some great sales on at Timberland, Oxfam, Ethical Superstore, Seasalt Cornwall and Fashion Conscience.

I don’t have too much planned for New Year as usual, perhaps just an early dinner out with Mr Style Eyes and the girls and a bottle of bubbly in front of the TV. What will you be up to?

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

The Stylish, Sustainable and Affordable Christmas Gift Guide

Posted on November 24, 2012 by admin

Christmas can be expensive, filled with tack, consumerism and generally bad for the environment. But before I start to sound like the Christmas Grinch, it doesn’t have to be. Isn’t being with family and friends more important than all of the buying, spending and stuff we don’t need? But of course tradition and good manners state that we should give gifts and who am I to argue! When you are buying your Christmas gifts this year, why not make them stylish, sustainable and affordable. Here are just a few ideas I have come across recently…

Ethical Superstore have a great selection of jewellery and some really amazing savings at the moment, these earrings by People Tree are an amazing price – it has to be seen to be believed!

Fashion Conscience also have an amazing 20% off when you enter code TWENTY at checkout until November 27th. They have so many amazing fashion accessories on the site but I think one of my favourites is this vegan tote bag by Nica.

Seasalt Cornwall have some lovely lambswool knitted ipad covers in a variety of designs. They also have a great 3 for 2 offer on knitted accessories.

This 1950′s inspired leather bow belt by ethical brand Lowie is the perfect finishing touch to a vintage dress. Lowie use azo free, benzadine free and chrome 6 free leather. Use code RMV8 for 8% off.

Tatty Devine have some fantastic pieces on Rock My Vintage. Tatty Devine jewellery is handmade in the UK. All three shown above cost under £30. You can get 8% off the Tatty Devine Collection at Rock My Vintage with code RMV8.

These hand knitted socks by People Tree are a lovely combination of warmth and style.

This beautiful wolf t shirt by Rapanui comes with a free pair of bamboo socks at Ethical Superstore!

This Green People shampoo comes highly recommended by Kate Moss. They currently have 25% off hair care plus you can get £5 off when you spend £25 with code A179442993. Green People products are free of chemical nasties. They also have some lovely Christmas gift packs.

You can also check out style is… for a great selection of fashion accessories.

Where will you be shopping for Christmas gifts this year?

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Ps this post does contain some affiliate links

Beaded Collar Necklace

Posted on September 8, 2012 by admin

The autumn winter 2012 collection at People Tree is fantastic. The one item that really stood out for me the most was this beautiful beaded collar necklace available in both cream and black. If I was going to treat myself to just one item to update my wardrobe for the season ahead I think it would have to be this. I think my preference would be for the cream which could be worn to transform the look of so many different pieces of clothing from tops and jumpers to dresses. What do you think of the lastest collection at People Tree?

Hope you are having a lovely weekend and enjoying the sunshine.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

ps this post contains affililate links

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EFB Outfit Challenge – Go Team GB

Posted on August 5, 2012 by admin

Since getting back from holiday, I have managed to catch up with a bit of the Olympics on the TV and have been delighted to see so many medals for team GB this weekend. With the news that Ben Ainslie has got gold in the sailing (and the sun is shining there), I kind of wish I was back in Weymouth.

Rather fittingly, this months outfit challenge for Ethical Fashion Bloggers has an Olympic theme. From now on the Ethical Fashion Bloggers outfit challenges are open to all fashion bloggers. All you have to do is post your a picture of you wearing your outfit for the given theme to your blog with a link to www.ethicalfashionbloggers.com. You outfit should contain at least one piece of ethical, eco, vintage, second hand or upcycled clothing. Even better if you include more! You can find out more and submit your posts here.

Here is my Olympic themed outfit featuring Red, white and blue in support of Team GB and sailing/ deck style shoes inspired of course by the olympic sailing.

Dress – People Tree
Top – Antiform
Shoes – Pikolinos
Necklace – a present
Ring – Made UK
Team GB nails – inspired by Lakota at Faith, Hope and Charity Shopping’s Olympic Manicure here (which is far more creative than what I have done) and created using a selection of old nail varnishes from the bottom of my drawer.

Enjoy what is left of the weekend!

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Ethical Fashion Sales and Discounts for Summer

Posted on July 3, 2012 by admin

One thing that I often here people say is that they don’t buy ethical fashion because it is too expensive. I always see it as an investment as a beautiful piece of high quality clothing will tend to last for much longer and as the styles are often more individual or classic and less trend led, they don’t really go out of fashion. That said I do often try and shop for ethical fashion in the sales as I like saving myself a bit of cash as much as anyone else. There are some amazing sales on at the moment allowing you to shop a great range of fantastic and affordable ethical fashion for summer. Here are just a few.

(just to let you know, this post does contain some affilate links, you can read more about my advertising policies here)

People Tree have up to 60% off in their summer sale with some beautiful Fairtrade fashion including dresses, t shirts and accessories.

Fashion Conscience have up to 70% off in their summer sale including the amazing prints by Fair + True.

Monsoon have up to 50% off in their sale including womenswear, childrens wear, accessories, homewear and even some wedding dresses!

Ethical Superstore have up to 70% off in their sale. They have a great selection of ethical clothing including brands like Monkee Genes, Komodo and Frank & Faith.

soda jacket Ethical Fashion Sales and Discounts for Summer