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I’ve just got back from Prague, where I spent five days and nights exploring this ancient city, trying out my pinhole camera, sampling the local yummy things and hanging out with some great people, like fellow QSW Ambassador Bara Prasilova. I had a great time, although, it was slightly embarrassing when Bara and I met up for lunch, both wearing the Two-Way Street coat – we must have looked like those strange twins that like to dress the same!
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However, I wasn’t just there for fun. I was there with the British Council for a climate change conference, as part of my role as a Climate Advocate for the UK. The conference was held in conjunction with award winning charity Global Action Plan and Advocates from across Europe ahead of the COP16 talks in Cancun at the end of the Month.
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We talked about everything from deforestation to art with one of the main focuses being how we can combine creativity with cutting carbon emissions. It’s more and more apparent to me that tackling climate change is not just for eco-warriors and scientists trapped in a lab. Art, fashion, creative writing, photography, design, music and film all have their part to play in preserving this planet of ours and publicising environmental issues such as climate change.
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There’s this famous Dostoyevsky quote that says, “beauty will save the world.” I can’t debate that beauty has a role in this process; however, I see beauty as something that is mixed in with the creative guises I’ve mentioned already. And so, for me, a more fitting phrase would be, “creativity will save the world.”
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Whether it’s filming an enigmatic documentary about overfishing, exhibiting artwork inspired by nature or looking at new ways of designing items such as clothes and furniture, there is room for everyone to use their creative energy to create change. Check out the DO Lectures to find out about some of the people who are doing this already.
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From a creative point of view I think this photo I took outside the National Theatre in Prague sums up what I mean. It’s not a striking image, but the patchwork of crochet that hugs this sphere, to me, represents an intertwining of creative talents across our globe. And even though we cannot see this rich tapestry wrap round our planet in real life it’s there. What’s more, creative connections between each other and our planet are being made very day, so why don’t you start stitching your own contribution?
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In last months blog I included a recipe for lip and cheek stain made from a natural beetroot, which that got me thinking a bit more about the war paint I colour my face with.
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After a bit of digging I found that make-up’s not always as cheery as those bright shades of pink will have us believe, as Annie Leonard points out in her short film ‘The Story of Cosmetics’. It turns out a lot of our everyday beauty products contain a cocktail of chemicals and I don’t want any chemicals on me, whether they’re proven to be harmful to my health or not.
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So, over the past month I’ve been on a quest to find a purer alternative to all the powders and potions lining my make-up bag. However, many of the products I’ve found are expensive or difficult to get hold of and what I really need is something I can buy on the high street for a reasonable price - as I’m sure you do too.
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Luckily, I’ve discovered UNE. Described as “true make-up” UNE “allows women to be who they are, without masking or changing them.” And with 26 products from lipsticks to eye shadows in 160 shades, who can say natural is boring?
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Recently I’ve been wearing their sheer lip-gloss, boasting 100% total ingredients from natural origin, and their Breezy Cheeks blush, a cream to powder blush that contains natural beeswax. Plus, their mascaras and Sfumato (meaning elusive) eye pencil rival those from any leading brand.
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Even better UNE is available in my local Boots store, which is where I also found Bourjois’ Bio Détox Organic foundation and concealer, that promises “a breath of fresh air for your skin.” It’s got a whole bunch of active ingredients that are said to be good for your face; including rice powder and barley sprout water. But all I can really say for sure is that it works a treat and contains 98.8% natural ingredients, which is a pretty good start.
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Another refreshing thing about these products is that they don’t cover you up until you scrape your slap off at the end of the day; instead they enhance your beauty without concealing it. There are also no genetically modified organisms, artificial colorants or synthetic fragrances in UNE products. And last but not least, they respect the environment, with many of the UNE products refillable, certified by Ecocert and made here in Europe rather than halfway across the globe.
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So whether you’re looking to reduce chemical overload on your skin, care about the planet or are just looking for some great make-up UNE and Bio Détox products are a great place to start.
For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere the leaves are turning brown, the nights are closing in and there’s a definite chill in the air, however, with a few raindrops aside, I have to say, I do love autumn. It’s not just an exciting time of year because Quiksilver Women’s Fall/Winter collection hits the shops, but also because there’s so much amazing stuff out there to see and do, so here are my top three reasons to get excited about the change in seasons.
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First up, it’s time to be picky. Plums, apples, mushrooms, chestnuts and blackberries (not the phone) are some of the delicious, wild and free delights that are ripe for picking at this time of year. This is not only a fun approach to eating in season; it’s also the perfect way to cut down on your food miles too, meaning it’s a tasty way to help the environment. Last week I foraged for some cherry plums and made an amazing cherry plum pie that would make Quiksilver Women Ambassador and Chef Tevau proud and this week it’s apple crumble time.
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Additionally, whilst I’m always sad to watch as the swifts and swallows desert us at the start of autumn to once again fly back to Africa for the winter, this year however the birds are here to stay, albeit in the form of prints that is. Yip, bird prints are big this autumn/winter, whether that’s in the form of a swallow print tea dress or a screen printed t-shirt I’m definitely going to be pairing something avian with the latest from Quiksilver Women’s over the next couple of months.
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What’s more I adore the colours of autumn too; from rusty orange through to deep purple I can’t wait to change not only my wardrobe but also my make-up to suit the seasons. My friend Holly has just sent me the recipe for a homemade cheek and lip stain made from yet another seasonal veg, beetroot, that’s right, beetroot! Not the pickled stuff in a jar that your granny used to give you as a kid, but the fresh kind, straight from your garden or the allotment down the road. It’s super simple to make, it works a treat and will save you a packet if you normally invest in the famous branded stuff.
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So if you’re the kind of person who likes to cling on to the last rays of summer sun until their fingers turn blue, I hope I’ve convinced you that autumn’s not all doom and gloom? Make the most of it before the snow comes!
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Holly’s beetroot and glycerine cheek and lip tint (originally from The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book by Josephine Fairly)
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- 45g raw beetroot, grated
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- 3 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
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Method: Put the beetroot and glycerine in a heat-proof bowl over a pan of boiling water for 15 minutes. Cool, then strain into a sealable container. Shake before use, then apply a dab to your cheeks and lips for the perfect autumn glow.
In the UK alone over 1.2 million tonnes of clothes are thrown away each year, with most items still in perfectly wearable condition - what a waste, don’t you think? And the planet thinks so too!
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A well-known way to reduce wardrobe waste is to donate unwanted clothes to charity shops, which are always a great place to pick up one-off items at a bargain price too – just ask my friend Holly, she’s the Queen of charity shops. However, India Knight’s “The Thrift Book”, which I also often refer to as ‘my bible’, is full of other great ideas for reducing, reusing and recycling unworn and unwanted fashion.
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First up, Knight suggests opting for quality not quantity, investing in those classic items you’re going to wear again and again, such as the QSW Outside Line Dress or the 4am Sweater Coat from the Fall Winter 2010 collection. Lets face, it we all have all fallen victim to buying arms full of ill-fitting dresses just because they were cheap, but these days I would much rather save up and buy one fab dress that makes me feel truly special over and over again, rather than a heap of ‘wear-once’ items that are just going to end up at the back of my wardrobe.
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Knight’s next suggestion, and my personal favourite, is to hold a clothes swap party! It’s easy; just get a bunch of your mates together at your place one night with a couple bottles of wine and everyone’s castoffs then swap away, and anything left over at the end of the night goes to charity. Also, look out for public swapping events in your area, which will usually be held in a local bar or café or you can try swapping online, try whatsmineisyours.com.
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Another fun way of putting your unwanted wardrobe to good use is to take part in a clothes sale such as ‘Granny Would Be Proud’, the vintage and craft fair I took part in recently. I was selling a selection of lovely dresses I don’t seem to wear any more, along with kitsch kitchenware and a few crafty bits’n’bobs I’ve been making recently, whilst other sellers were offering everything from cakes to handmade jewellery and I picked up a couple of timeless pieces while I was there. The aim here’s not really to make money, but to have some fun, pick up some bargains and meet some likeminded people, so whether you’re buying or selling they’re a great day out.
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Last, but not least, if you’re practical minded learn how to patch a hole or fix a broken zip. But what’s more, If you like getting crafty, you can always have a go at customising and refashioning old clothes, which you can either then wear and make all your friends jealous, or you can sell them on at a fair like the one I just mentioned – there are always people out searching for unique items. Try altering clothes so they fit perfectly, changing the buttons on an old sweater or chopping up an old t-shirts to give them a new neckline.
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But most importantly, look after your clothes. From the person who grew the cotton to the designer and the people who stitched it together it takes time, effort and a lot of the Earth’s natural resources to make the clothes you wear and the last place a dress wants to end up is the local landfill.
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the Granny Would Be Proud vintage and craft fair
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Leading a more natural and environmentally conscious lifestyle is not just about investing in sustainable fashion, but also about the cosmetics we put on our bodies too. So here’s a recipe for a divine homemade sugar scrub and the reasons why you should start using it.
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On average, women in the western world use 200 man made chemicals in their skincare routine every day. Chemicals such as parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, and phthlates are found in most body care products but the scary thing is scientific studies have linked these chemicals to skin disorders and hormone disruption.
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What’s more, cosmetics cannot only be bad for your health they can also harm the environment. Thanks to Jo Royal, skipper of the Plastiki, I recently discovered that some exfoliating face washes and body scrubs contain tiny plastic beads (polyethylene granules). Although these may not directly harm humans, research has shown that once they wash down our drains and out into the ocean, these pointless bits of plastic can harm fish and attract toxins that can travel up the food chain, which is bad news for us as consumers of seafood.
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The good news is there’s a wide range of natural products available these days in large chemists, department stores and health food shops. However, be careful that you’re not fooled by items such as shampoos that claim to be natural just because they contain plant extracts or have a picture of a coconut on the front, so always check the ingredients list.
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In addition, homemade alternatives to conventional cosmetics are cheap and easy to make. Natural moisturisers such as olive oil and honey can work wonders for your skin and avocado is a great conditioner for your hair! So here’s my recipe for a natural and plastic free body scrub that can be used on your face or body. It’s perfect for exfoliating before applying fake tan or for polishing your skin before you slip into the QSW spring/summer swimwear range.
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Homemade sugar scrub
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• 1 cup of unrefined (brown) sugar
• 2 - 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• A few drops of essential oil, such as lavender, rose, ginger, or vanilla.
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Mix the ingredients in a container that has a lid until the sugar is lightly bound together by the oil - I’ve reused an old body moisturiser tub but you can also fill a glass jar. Why not add some dried rose petals or lavender flowers if you have any lying around to add a bit of colour or to make it a luxurious gift for a friend or your mum.
