Monday 29 August 2011

3 Ways To Wow Your Weekend

1. Volunteer at your Local Animal Shelter

It has been scientifically proven that pets are good for both our physical and mental health. Don't have your own furry friend at home? Why not visit your local animal shelter and brighten the day of some critters in serious need of love! Even if you do have your own pets, it's a wonderful feeling when you can spare even an hour out of your weekend to groom some shelter cats or walk a dog that's been dumped by his fair-weather family. 


Animal shelters depend on generous and kind-hearted volunteers to help keep their operations running. Without them, the lives of these animals would be a lot darker. 


Volunteering at my local shelter introduced me to my newest family member, a sweet one-eyed cat called Teddy.


My Teddy Cat - assisting me with my latest post!


It's as easy as looking in the Yellow Pages or Googling to find a shelter near you =^..^=


2. Kick Up the Volume on Kindness

This weekend why not go on a massive bender? A kindness bender that is! It's a waaay better buzz when you're drunk on good deeds ;o) For inspiration, why not check out - The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation




3. Eco-up Your Wardrobe

Pump up your favourite tunes and get ruthlessly stuck into your wardrobe! Anything you no longer wear can be: 

(a) Donated to a charity 
(b) Recycled/Upcycled 
(c) Swapped 

To get you started:



Then why not reward yourself with a few quality eco-friendly pieces from one of the many amazing designers showcased here on Kindness by Design? Or grab a friend and have a 'sustainable-fashion treasure hunt' in your local area (with regular breaks for tea and cakes of course!).



Friday 26 August 2011

STOP Traffic!

When it comes to the crunch, RED is the colour that turns heads. It's the colour of passion, danger and love. 


I hope you enjoy my picks inspired by the various hues of this arresting colour:


Organic Tennis Dress by Bird Textiles - This sublime print makes me sigh with pleasure
Bathing Beauty One Piece in Cherry Pie by Ester Williams Swimwear - Feel that old Hollywood glamour as you lounge by the hotel pool or frolic at the seaside 
Red Seatbelt Clutch created in collaboration between Interro & Needle vs Thread -I love the colour so much and I love that it's made from recycled materials 
Solar Powered Hanging Chinese Lanterns from Greener Abode - Excuse the pun...but...what a brilliant idea!!!! You just hang these lovely lanterns up in a sunny spot during the day then voila...beautiful shiny lanterns at night!
Lovebirds Brooch from Cherish Vintage Treasures -  Beautiful brooch crafted from new and vintage items. I'm a big fan of this designer, who donates portions of the sale to animal welfare charities =^..^= So you get a beauty piece of jewellery AND a beautiful feeling too!
Alternative Transport Tote from ModCloth - With threat of climate change increasing each day, why not make a statement about reducing CO2 by ditching the car and cycling about with your eye-catching tote? 
I Found A Mushroom Tee by Limeyts - Cutie pie organic shirt in pomegranate for baby
Red Robin Boxed Notebook by Ask Alice - Printed on recycled paper with vegetable ink this delightful notebook is the perfect place for all your rosy-hued thoughts
Too Much Fun Dress in Cherry by Emily and Fin - Too much fun? That sounds a lot like crazy talk to me! This dress is crazy though...crazy cute!
Red Flower Porcelain Earrings by Mrs Peterson Pottery - Handmade in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, these unique earrings are charming

Sugar Hi-Fi Speaker in Cherry from ModCloth - Make sweet sweet music with this tasty speaker!





Assorted Laser Cut Brooches by Tall Rabbit - Eeeee! These be so cutes! Add a touch of whimsy to your outfits :o)
Kissing Jackalope Tee by NYhop - I really love this distinctive design. It makes you look and look again. A beautiful shirt
Amazonas designed by Edson Matsuo for Melissa Shoes - As seen here on Katy Perry

Men and Women's "Witty Saying" Organic Tees by mmhmm - Add some wit to your wardrobe
Lilly Shift Dress from MuMu - 100% organic cotton. Attractive, light and breezy
Red Women's Logo Shirt from Etiko - Made from certified organic and fairtrade cotton in India
BreslinRed Men's Shirt designed by Anthony Breslin for Etiko - This certified organic and fairtrade shirt sports a print from Breslin, a Melbourne designer, combining day of the dead, romance and comedy
Vegan Organic Hi-Top Sneakers from Etiko - These funky shoes will go perfect with your favourite Etiko shirt and some organic jeans! Made from sustainable latex which has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and organic cotton canvas dyed with PCP and AZO free dyes...nice one!
Shades T-Shirt from Ascension Originals - This fun tee is certified organic, uses eco-dyes and was made in a Fair Wear Foundation audited factory that is carbon neutral. So in conclusion...it's awesome!
Aimee Red Boy Shorts by Who Made Your Pants - These very pretty pants are made using end of the run lingerie materials. This brand also gives back by supporting marginalised women. Why not buy some and tell everybody Who Made Your Pants?
Red Love Heart Block Print Tote by The Organic Mamas - 100% organic shopping bag that has been made to last and look great all at the same time!
Red Tie Waist Mac from Dorothy Perkins - This vibrant cotton double breasted  mac will brighten up those gloomy rainy days
Polka Dot Check Rain Boots by Burberry - Dancing in the rain  has never been so chic! 
Organic Red Cotton Infant Saxophone Shirt by Hummingbird - Who says babies can't be sophisticated? Not me and not Hummingbird!
Hand Printed Marigold Dress by Miranda Earle - I love how this dress is both sexy and sweet. Made from red wine cotton velveteen 
Apple Bomb Earrings from Irregular Choice - Kitsch and juicy, perfect for those warmer months
Lady Bird Coin Purse by SeventhSphere - This delightful purse has been handmade using thick Japanese cotton. Ladybirds are good luck, so why not keep this one by your side? 
Night in Red Floc designed by Edson Matsuo for Melissa Shoes - Another triumph from this versatile designer...an evening shoe that is comfy to wear! Sleek and almost futuristic in its clean lines
Ghana Recycled Glass Necklace from Global Girlfriend - Stunning bead necklace handmade by women beaders in El Agabe in Ghana using recycled glass from bottle and jars. The only downside is the leather cord is obviously not vegan
Ruched Mini Skirt by Fair + True - This funky African print skirt was made by a fair trade community in Malawi. I'd love to wear this in summer with some strappy sandals, a white fitted top and a fedora!
La Boheme Bag by Envirosax - A reusable shopping bag that looks luxe and can be rolled up neatly for compact storage 
Harriett Boot in Mulberry and Gold from Down the Rabbit Hole - This good looking boot has been constructed...wait for it...from recycled TV screen microfiber! Whoa that's so much cooler than landfill!!! The gold faux leather detail also adds a little something something :o)
Men's Organic Cotton Hoodie in Red with Side Pocket by Soul Role - Aaahh how comfy does this look? Buy it for your man so you can borrow it! Made from 100% organic cotton with a super handy pocket ideal for storing an iPod 
Trelliage Dress by CYLK - Perfect for when you want to stand out from all the other dresses in the club. Strong, chic and eco-licious! CYLK use ecologically friendly fabrics and have a low carbon footprint
Double Layer V Tank by Yoganic - Made from a bamboo blend, this is for the sporty woman who likes to look and feel good
ecoKashmere Graphic Tee by Jonano  - I like the choice of colours and the detailed print on this certified organic bamboo tee
FEED Love Bag available at 5 Pound Apparel - Benefit #1 For each bag purchased, FEED Projects donates 25 school meals through the United National School Feeding initiative. Benefit #2 It's super cute!
Kera Tunic Dress by Komodo - The detailing evokes images of fire flowers. Pair with a cute belt and you're set!
Men's Beach Party Tee by Komodo - 100% organic cotton shirt made in a Human Rights At Work factory near the Taj Mahal 
Seatbelt Hipster Bag by Harveys available at Ecocentric Bags - Wow it seems like red seat belt bags might be becoming a trend...and I'm okay with that!
High Tea Frock from Pure Pod - The use of coconut for the buckle is very South Pacific :o)
Fair Trade Zola Wrapped Bangle from Just Trade - Fun bright arm candy made by local artisans in Peru
His & Hers Bedside Lamps from Matt Pugh - This cute pair have been crafted from off-cuts of wood salvaged timbers for a lower ecological footprint
Reupholstered and Reclaimed Louis Chair from Greener Abode - Given a new lease on life with eco-friendly paint, this could be the perfect statement piece for your living room
Peplum Cotton Dress by Lowie - An eccentric dress with a vintage feel  rolled up in a youthful vibe
Organic Bow Headband by Lowie - Oooh so sweet! I really like this!
Queen Street Jean by Feral Childe - Hip urban look using a combination of hemp, organic cotton and lycra

Ruched Style and Queen of Hearts knickers from Pants to Poverty -  I adore the underwear from Pants to Poverty! It's organic, fairtrade and proceeds go towards ending poverty xo
Red Cameleon Ado(red) Accessory Bundle from Bugaboo - This little beauty is a convertible stroller package filled with nifty little things to help parents out. The really beautiful thing however, is that Bugaboo is donating 1% of total revenue to the Global Fund to help eliminate mother to child HIV transmission by 2015. Thanks to Shop with Meaning for tweeting this one!