African Prints Mix Up!

Posted on January 21, 2013 by admin

Jacket – Second hand (from mum)
Top – by YouMeWe at Sapellé
Trousers – ASOS Africa
Shoes – Dream in Green
Vintage Bag – Local Charity Shop
Necklace – a Christmas pressy from my mum
Ring – Made UK

Admittedly, it is not really the weather for this outfit a great big woolley jumper would probably be much more practical but I have never been much of a fan of winter clothes and I was desperate to try out the top that I got for just £16.50 in the Sapellé sale. I thought if I added a jacket, then I could perhaps get away with it when the weather warms up a little.

This outfit is my entry for this months Freestyle challenge over at Ethical Fashion Bloggers. I also thought that I would enter it in the Observer Ethical Awards. Much to my excitement, they have introduced a ‘Well Dressed’ award sponsored by Eco Age and Fru-Gal Challenge, if you have some sustainably stylish pieces in your wardrobe, why not enter? you can find out more here.

For those that want to share their sustainable style or ethical fashion brands that want to share their story or latest collection, plus anyone else with an interest in sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry, I will be arranging a Twitter party on the last Friday of each month (starting this Friday). Please join me for #FGFF (Feel Good Fashion Friday)

I hope that you have had a good start to the week despite the snow and cold weather.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

My Sustainable Style Resolutions for 2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 by admin

Jacket – vintage / upcycled
Leggings – People Tree

2012 was a really tough year, in fact, it was my toughest year ever. Despite the huge sadness of 2012, there were some positives, I am really grateful for all those who got involved with my ethical fashion blogathon to raise funds for Naomi House, a charity that has done so much for my family and so many others. I am also so grateful for the support and friendship of my old and new friends both online and offline who have really helped me through the darkest of days.

I am more than glad to be moving on to 2013 with a renewed hope that sustainable style and ethical fashion will really start to become mainstream. In 2012, there were plenty of new headlines about unsustainable and unethical practices in the fashion industry which have renewed my resolve and commitment to sustainable style and promoting the amazing ethical fashion brands that I discover more of each day. It is great to see change happening though with some of the bigger brands committing to sustainability, ethical fashion brands going from strength to strength and the Ethical Fashion Bloggers growing to over 70 members . With the launch of my new search engine for Sustainable UK Fashion, I hope to help a little to increase the visibilty of some of these brands.

I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about what resolutions to make for 2013 or even whether to make any at all. I have finally decided to make just 3 resolutions, each representing a small change for me but all things which I hope will have a positive impact on both my style, the world around me and this blog.

Getting More Creative With My Style

For 2013, I want to make my outfits more fun, colourful and eye catching using ethical, vintage and charity shop clothes of course!. It is easy to get in a style rut and lately I seem to resort to the same old clothes all the time. I have lots of beautiful clothes and accessories in my wardrobe, 2013 is going to be all about wearing them (and hopefully not buying too many new ones).

Ditching the Plastic Bags

Stopping using plastic bags is probably the one area where I can improve both my sustainability and style. A plastic bag never looks very chic so for 2013, I am going to get organised and make sure that I always have a stylish and sustainable alternative with me.

Caring for Clothes More Sustainably

I have just invested in a clothes steamer with my Christmas money and will be using this as more eco friendly and cost effective alternative to dry cleaning. I don’t often use the tumble drier but in 2013, I plan to use it even less by keeping up with the washing and not letting the laundry pile get out of hand.

I am also going to try and make a few more changes to my lifestyle which will include eating less meat, buying more seasonal and local food and wasting less food by having better portion control. Oh and like lots of others, I plan to detox and cut out drinking alcohol in January to keep my weight under control and ensure that I don’t out grow my clothes and have to buy new.

Do you have any resolutions for 2013?

Happy New Year, lets make 2013 super sustainable and gorgeously glam one!

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

style-is.co.uk launches – a search engine for sustainable style

Posted on December 7, 2012 by admin

You might have heard me mention once or twice ’the website’ that I have been planning for about the last six months. Well I am delighted to say that it has now launched!

style is… (www.style-is.co.uk) is a kind of ethical fashion/ sustainable style search engine which features over 140 ethical brands and 1000′s of sustainable choices all under one easily searchable virtual roof.

Since starting this blog a year or so ago, I have been looking for a way to make it quicker and easier to shop sustainably. I also want to share the amazing ethical fashion that is on offer and show how much choice there is availabl,e ranging from luxurious designer to surprising affordable pieces. style is… features some brands you will probably already know about like Monkee Genes, People Tree, Timberland and Komodo but also many you may not have heard of. It has women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories, all of which can be sorted by style, price and ethics (e.g. vintage, recycled, fair trade, organic and vegan). There is also a sales section and some great offers and discounts.

I would love to know what you think of style is… (please email me or leave your comment below), I will also be running an ethical outfit competition next week to celebrate the launch.

This week has been crazy busy with the EFF Source Awards, website launch, Christmas prep and so many activities for the children going on. I am looking forward to a massive rest and hopefully the chance to catch up with some blog reading. Will you be doing anything fun or Christmassy this weekend? whatever, have a good one!

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

My Favourite Pieces from Purity Style

Posted on October 15, 2012 by admin

If you haven’t already checked out Purity Style, I would definitely recommend that you do. Purity Style is an organic and fair trade clothing boutique based in Farnham, Surrey. Their website features a fantastic selection of incredibly stylish clothing for both women and children. I love that the clothes on the site are not only sustainable and ethical but also really affordable and wearable. Purity Style stocks clothes by all of my favourite ethical brands including People Tree and Komodo but also a few more slightly under the radar brands which are well worth checking out. The site also has some really good sales so even if you are shopping on a tight budget, you shouldn’t have to much trouble finding something lovely.

Here are some of my favourite pieces from Purity Style.

nomads Jaipur Tunic Dress red jpg 2 My Favourite Pieces from Purity Style
Super flattering with clever pin tuck detail and made from a soft cotton jersey, I would wear this dress by Nomads either with opaque tights or leggings or as a tunic with a pair of skinny jeans. Definitely a great way to brighten up a dark winters day!

This Hydrangea Mac by Seasalt Cornwall is another fantastic way to brighten up a wet and windy autumn day. Its cheerful print on pu coated organic cotton will ensure that the rain won’t get you down or get you wet!

I have been on the look out for the perfect denim shirt for a while. This classic denim shirt by L’Herbe Rouge is not only fair trade but also made from sustainable and soft Tencel. It is a great wardrobe addition that can be worn all year round.

You can check out the full range of fashion at www.puritystyle.com

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Sessun

Posted on December 2, 2011 by admin

I have previous mentioned Sessun in my Ethical Designers to Watch post but I really love this label and wanted to take the opportunity to share a little more of it with you.

The label has a kind of understated and quirky Parisian chic to it, not completely disimilar to the likes of Isabel Marant and APC. Designer Emma Francois, started the label after travelling to Latin America and being inspired by the mountains. She now combines raw fabrics, a natural feel and urban inspiration for a winning formula that is giving her a cult following. Her designs are also great for allowing artistic expression so can be mixed and matched and worn just as you like.

Sessun uses organic fibres and fair trade crops wherever possible. For AW11 look out for simple silhouettes with emphasis on unique detailing in a palette of earthy tones.

Here are some of my favorites for autumn winter 2011 by ethical label Sessun.

Blue Jersey Dress With Belt

Red Wool Coat

Mathilde Dot Mini Dress

Masaka Trim Leather Holdall

What do you think of this label?

If you missed it, yesterdays post was about Made Accessories.

I am so glad the weekend is here at last, it’s been a long week. I can’t wait to put the Christmas decorations up whilst perhaps drinking a glass or two of mulled wine. Have a lovely weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x