Ethical Easter Treats for Ecochic Fashion Bunnies!

Easter is a very special occasion for a lot of people. For some it's a time of sacred significance, while for others it's a relaxing secular holiday filled with delicious chocolate treats.

Whichever way you like to spend this time of year, being mindful of your purchases means that you can enjoy yourself without negative environmental or social consequences.  

Here are just a few of my favourite ethical finds for Easter:

Chocoholic Soy Candle by Pigeon & Weasel - Give yourself or a loved one 40 hours of deliciousness with this limited edition soy candle, hand-poured into an upcycled beer bottle!

Carrot Soap from LUSH Cosmetics - Perfect for vegans who love some relaxing bath time! This soap may be shaped like a carrot but it smells of essential oils such as buchu, lemon and bergamot. Plus there's a tiny bunny to be found in each one :D

Coffee Truffle Easter Egg by Constant Craving Chocolates - Get your chocolate AND caffeine fix all in one sweet hit with these handmade vegan eggs

Organic Bunny Toy by Jen Galaxy Designs - I love the idea of giving children gifts that will last for generations :) This super cute bunny has been lovingly handmade using 100% organic cotton and filled with soft corn fibre

Desert Cottontail Clutch from NYhop - This upcycled vegan clutch with its hand-painted rabbit is quite simply ADORABLE! As they say on their website: "Let the bunny look after your money..."

Run rabbit, run rabbit...run, run, run Necklace by Vinyl Cuts - These distinctively sweet bunny pendants have been crafted from upcycled vinyl records!

Carrot Cupcake Bath Salts by Daily Repose - How gorgeous do these sound!!! Fill your bathtub with citrus, spiced with scents of clove, carrot, nutmeg, cinnamon, bay leaf and vanilla extract. Suitable for vegans and anyone wanting to unwind and sooth tired muscles

Organic Chocolate Cheeky Bunnies by Montezuma's - Have a cheeky splurge on these guilt-free vegan chocolate bunnies! They even come in sustainable packaging :)

Chick in Boots Tee by Pini Piru - Made from 100% organic and fairly traded cotton, this is such a funky tee for young ones and a great gift for Easter!

Orang-utan Friendly Easter Guide from Zoos Victoria - Did you know that your Easter yummables might be having a negative impact on orang-utan habitat due to the widespread use of unsustainable palm oil? The good news is you can now make smarter choices using this great guide!

Have a Wonderful Easter Everyone!
KB x

Purposely Pretty Ethical Fashion in Shades of Purple

According to colour experts Pantone - Radiant Orchid is the Colour of the Year for 2014! I'm personally very partial to the purple spectrum and am loving this gorgeous hue. 

Here are some of my fashion and design picks that proudly carry an ethical purpose behind their purple aesthetics:

Audrey Dress by Mumu Organics - This gorgeous flattering dress is made with 100% organic cotton fabric, fairly traded and GOTS certified and is available online from The Beautiful Think

Glossy Plum Rain Boots by Roma Boots - If I'm wearing my gumboots (Aussie talk for rain boots) I feel like a million bucks as I splash in the puddles with lovely dry feet! For every pair of  these natural rubber boots purchased, a brand new pair is donated to a child in need PLUS 10% of all sales proceeds go to the Roma For All Foundation to help these children break out of their cycle of poverty and despair

Upcycled Body-Con Skirt by Goodone -This visually bold and sexy skirt has been cleverly crafted from old ethical fashion stock which was sourced fairly in its original form! That makes it both socially and environmentally friendly as well as cute :)

Purple Eco Watch by Sprout - Feel like a distinctive timepiece that doesn't weigh you down with guilt? This chic watch is made from sustainable materials such as cork, corn resin and organic cotton

Fabric Button Earrings from Perch and Pantry - Made by women living in Chiang Mai for a project called Sunshine House, these delicious earrings will have you feeling sweet inside and out! Proceeds go toward empowering disadvantaged women including medical care, counselling services and education

Bandeau Bikini by Auria - This purple candy coloured swimsuit is made from 73% recycled polyamide! British designer Diana Auria has collaborated with London based illustrator Margot Bowman to bring you chic prints with a difference

Design Your Own by KeepCup - I love that the quintessential environmentally friendly coffee cup can be custom made to suit your style! I choose a mix of Pantone's Royal Purple, Plum and Aqua Blue

Feather Print Maxi Dress by Folks Like Us - Fiercely pretty, this fairtrade cotton dress has been made under ethical conditions in Nepal

Purple Zandra Rhodes Skirt from People Tree - I like the quirky nature-inspired vibe of this 100% fairtrade and organic cotton print skirt. This fun piece was made by a socially responsible business based in India called Creative Art of Souls

Crush on Trees Tee from Tree Hugga - Share your love of trees with this cute organic cotton tee that's as green as it's message :)

Cutaway Halter Swimsuit by Emobi - Now I'm not 100% convinced that I would personally feel comfortable wearing these provocative bathers, but I am convinced that this purple design printed using eco-inks is gorgeous!

Floral Lace Contrast Tee by FAIR + true - Feel pretty and edgy all at the same time with this stunning limited edition top lovingly crafted from end of roll fabric under fairtrade conditions

Purple Doggy Swag from Carpets for Communities -Pampered pooches love a little purple comfort too! This lovely travel bed has been handmade from cotton t-shirt off-cuts, used hessian rice sacks and cotton thread. By purchasing one of these lovely carpets you're  also supporting the education of some of the poorest and most vulnerable children in Cambodia

Surinam Top by Kokomo - If you're after something out of the ordinary then this top with its distinctive pattern and purple hues could be for you! The design is actually taken from the Surinamese five dollar note. Suriname is located on the South American coast. The top is made from 95% recycled polyester using low-impact dyes and low-waste pattern cutting techniques

Bastille Bracelet in Purple Thistle by Mata Traders - This beautiful piece of jewellery has been handmade under fairtrade conditions by artisans in India. Another beautiful thing is that Mata provides on-site daycare, communal furnaces, and strict health standards for its employees. I really like the combination of purple and orange on the clean neutral background! 

Wrapped Cardigan by Seamly.co - Despite the fact that it's summer here in Australia right now, I'd be so tempted to put this cardy on! It just looks that comfy! This super versatile and flattering wrap about has been made from surplus fabric, meaning either fabric left over from mills and garment factories or materials thrown away by big companies because of slight imperfections

Urban Fingerless Gloves in Orchid by Indigenous - These handy (ha ha) gloves are adorable!!! I'm a massive fan of fingerless gloves that keep you comfy but still let you do all important 'gripping of things'. These lovelies are made from a blend of organic cotton and tencel and coloured using low impact dyes...all under fairtrade conditions of course!

Purple Quartz Crew Neck Top by Monolog - This super funky hand-screenprinted organic cotton top celebrates of splendor and multitude of form of the eye-catching purple quartz crystal (one of my personal favs!)

Did You Know that purple is the colour associated with the Crown Chakra - thought to connect one with the infinite consciousness? No wonder it always puts me in a philosophical mood! You can find more fun purple-y facts here.

Always Take the Weather with You

Here in Sydney, Australia, over the past few weeks the weather has shifted from sunny, dry and warm to dark, wet and cold - with a few variations in between! It's been hard to know what the day will bring - and this has catapulted the weather to the forefront of my mind, inspiring me to curate this unique collection of ethical items. So pop on your raincoat, sunglasses, gloves, hat and a warm-ish jacket and enjoy :-)

Silver Lightning Bolt Earrings by Dogeared - These recycled silver earrings are sure to add some electricity to your ensemble!

Stormy Weather Earrings by Plastic Bat - These fabulous handmade earrings by independent artist Tracy Romaszkiewic, are sure to make you smile no matter the weather!

 

Thunder Cloud Tee by Rapanui - This organic meteorologically inspired cotton tee will make a man look good come rain or shine

Cloud Earrings by Epheriell - Dreamy yet modern, these handmade 100% recycled sterling silver earrings are a delight!

1965 'Our Weather' Book from Sandshoe Vintage Prints - Give your kids (or yourself!) a truly kitsch treasure with this illustrated vintage book about the science of weather 

Delilah Storm Cloud Minidress by Nancy Dee - Chic yet cheeky, this party dress is perfect for dancing up a storm! Made from 95% organic cotton

 

Raindrop Bamboo Socks by Rapanui - When it's cold and dreary outside you can be sure to keep your feet snug in these pretty bamboo and organic cotton socks!

Upcycled Cloud Cushion from Eco Chic - You will find so many comforts on rainy days with this cuddly cushion! Cleverly handmade from vintage blankets and filled with fibre made from recycled plastic bottles

 

Raindrop Stud Earrings by Go Gin Gin Jewellery - These dainty raindrops are so sweet! You'll be singing in the rain with these 100% reclaimed and recycled silver earrings :)

Rainy Day Fund Coin Purse by Blue Q - Who knew saving for a rainy day could be so cute? This super fun vegan purse is made from 95% post-consumer material

Head in the Clouds Tee by Pini Piru - Sweetly surreal, this 100% organic and fair trade cotton kids tee puts the fun back into drizzly weather and puddles. Loving the Dr Seuss vibe!

Recycled Cloud Necklace by Factory on the Moon - Handcrafted from recycled magazines, this one of a kind accessory is a bold choice that will endanger you with a steady rain of compliments!

Lightning Cloud Notelets by Earth Greetings - Now you'll never write a boring note again with these beauties full of 'zizz' and 'pow'! Made from 100% post-consumer waste

Colour Spectrum Cloud Brooch by Jetta's Nest - Not every cloud is a stormy one! Handmade from vintage and salvaged timber and decorated with unique designs, this brooch will be a silver lining to any outfit

Vintage 'I Don't Care For Chilly Weather' Postcard from Plaid Pearls - Sometimes you just get fed up with cold weather, but this fab vintage postcard from 1912 will remind you that it's the perfect time for cuddling up close :)

Rainbow Cascading Brazilian Beleza Bracelet + Necklace by Live Worldly - Both literally and metaphorically, after the rain comes the rainbow! Handcrafted by artisans in Brazil, these beautiful pieces of Acai seed jewellery are skillfully created using techniques that take decades to learn

Laughter is the Sun Wall Print by Eco Jot - If you've got laughter in your life then you can make your very own sunshine no matter what the weather! This poster made from 100% post-consumer recycled material

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather"

~John Ruskin

My little Teddy Cat enjoys a lull in the rain =^..^=