Ethic boutique, the North East's only dedicated, ethical clothes store

It's a little paradise. Whoever still thinks that wearing ethical and organic clothing is the domain of those passionate hippies, think again.

Ethic boutique opened this week in Whitley Bay, and is the only shop of it's kind between York and Edinburgh.

And it is beautiful. You walk in and Jill greets every customer with a smile and free chocolate! A brilliant start. The decor is luxurious and the clothes are fabulous.

I chatted with Jill until it was too busy to stay. The response to her beautiful boutique this week has been phenomenal.A number of items have even sold out!

The Ethic boutique has been 10 years in the planning, but I think worth waiting for.

National Chocolate week 13-19th October

There is going to be a whole week dedicated to chocolate!

If one were needed, this gives us all the perfect excuse to indulge. There are loads of offers on the site and lists of events.

There is going to be a fabulous event held in Newcastle by the Fairtrade team, more information to follow in the magazine.

Can't wait!

1 WEEK and 6 DAYS

And the nerves are still holding but only just. Not being a nervous type, I am unused to these little flutters that keep rumbling away in the pit of my stomach. Is it going to be ok? Are people going to read the magazine? Can I really compere in front of a couple of hundred people?

Well, not long til I find out !
x

My front room looks like Santa has been!

Ethical goodies are strewn everywhere... all for the launch of course! Thanks to the latest companies who have very kindly sponsored us.

X

Peace Day

Tody is Peace Day. If you want to add your name to the list. Wo
Wouldn't it be great if for just one day no-one, absolutely no-one in the world was fighting?

http://www.peaceinourlifetime.org

Sisters are doing it...

Admit it, you are singing the song aren't you?!

Well I am pretty pleased to introduce you all to Green Sisters, the online network for women all working / interested in green issues. And there are so many companies involved that I wanted to mention a few tonight!

How about Feral International who sell organic, fair trade T shirts with funky designs on the front?


Flipside Vision an ethical publisher (check out their stunning 2009 calendar.)

Karin Helena Turner Designs, beautiful cards and gift wrap. www.notonthehighstreet.com/karinhelenaturnerdesigns

As for Bags of change, another great reason to ditch the carrier bags!

Green Sisters is the brainchild of Katie from OneGreenEarth, the online directory of green business. http://www.onegreenearth.com/ should you wish to list yourself.


All these ethical women brought together in one community! It's fab and Daisy Green became their 85th member tonight.


For all of you interested in joining Green Sisters, go to http://www.green-sisters.ning.com/

People Tree launch Autumn Winter 2008

People Tree. The ethical brand that everyone knows have just launched their Autumn Winter 2008 collection in London. They partnered with Quintessentially Models, an ethical model agency, and Whisky Mist. They also gave their fans a sneak preview the new Spring / Summer 2008 collection just before London Fashion Week.

Wish we had been there. Never mind, we will be featuring them at our very own launch!

http://www.peopletree.co.uk/

Flashmob: Pregnant woment breakdancing in London

To highlight the scandal that millions of women in poor countries and around the world aren't getting the healthcare they need for a safe and healthy pregnancy, we've been holding a series of flashmob in London, Paris, Berlin, Utrecht and across Canada.

Take a look at the video here: http://youtube.com/grooveyourbump

If you think this is dangerous, try giving birth in poor countries without a midwife, hospital or medicine. You can take action at

(And just to put your minds a rest - the dancing expectant mums in this video aren't pregnant, they were professional dancers wearing pregnancy suits!)

Hyperlinks

Dear Reader

You may wonder why the hyperlinks are missing from some of our lovely sponsor logos. And frankly so I am. Having added and saved them 8 times each, I now wish to stamp on the PC. So I thought a nice little list here would suffice. And then I can try again tomorrow.

http://www.greenfibres.com/

http://www.lush.co.uk/

http://www.pantstopoverty.com/

http://www.lavera.co.uk/

http://www.bambooclothing.co.uk/

www.bnevertoobusytobebeautiful.com/

That should about do it !

3 WEEKS TO GO !!

Well, actually 2 weeks and 6 days. And the launch preparation is coming along spiffingly. I need, ney, want, to say a huge thanks to all those fab companies who have already sent items for our charity raffles and auctions. These are they:

And what's even better, is that I have at least, another 7 companies who have already posted donations out. It is fabulous and we are so grateful. I know that we are going to raise a stack of cash for MAG. Happy days.

Remember email us at daisy@daisygreen.org if you would like tickets to come along!

ethic boutique and Quail!

www.quailbymail.co.uk are a company who Daisy Green have supported from the very beginning and ethic boutique are going to stock them too!! hooray hooray roll on pay day!

Daisy Green are proud to support MAG

Doing the festival thing in the summer gave us the opportunity to meet lots of interesting people.

We did what we do best - chatted!

Non were more fascinating - and lucky - than Lisa French. A North East lass, Lisa hails from Durham. 3 years ago she was on the bus that was blown up by terrorists in London, on July 7th.

Right now I am not going to tell the whole story as you can read it in the magazine in 3 weeks and 2 days. Suffice is to say that the goose bumps rose and the tears brimmed as I listened to her story. Incredible. I think the phrase is "there but for the grace of God go I."

Anyhow, not one to wallow, Lisa has made a comittment to help others. To this end, she has chosen to support MAG, a charity dedicated to helping those victims of landmines and those who are busy destroying those that remain. (That's right, there are people who work tirelessly to destroy landmines. Never again will I complain about work.)

Daisy Green Magazine has made a comittment to sponsor Lisa. All profits from our launch party will be given to her and MAG to help her build homes for landmine survivors in Cambodia.

We will find an appropriate method of offsetting the Carbon Dioxide emission released getting her to Cambodia and we will follow her adventure with (hopefully) regular updates.

For more information on MAG please go to: www.maginternational.org

To sponsor Lisa and husband Russ, go to: www.maginternational.org/supportmag/events/community-challenge-cambodia/lisa--russell/

JUST £15 pays to clear 10 square metres of land of mines, missiles and cluster bombs.

Best £15 I have spent.

Daisy x

Laura's blog for NE1FM

Right oh, for all those of you who love NE1FM, Laura has set up her very own blog so you can keep up to date with all the latest band news and going's on over there.

Check it out at: http://live-session.blogspot.com/

Multi talented girl our Laura.

Thanks for having us FaCshion

5 o'clock in the morning, the dedicated Daisy team roll themselves out of bed and make their way to the Big Smoke. And how excited we were. When we eventually woke up (about 3 hours later) excited banter trilled around the car.

Other than driving around 1 square mile of London for 40 minutes, the journey passed off remarkably well. Hotel room not ready for us, but we coped. When we did get in, we preened and made up as only 5 girls in a tiny room know how to. The mess was quite remarkable.

Unsuitably dressed (as we later found out) and about 2 hours late, we headed into the show.

A mixture of stalls, guest speakers and catwalks - there was an awful lot to take in. Thanks to Diana and all the team for the sheer effort of coordinating such an event. (Oh and the mention you gave Daisy Green in your brochure was very much appreciated!)

We learned a lot. Which made all the driving worth while. And we had a great girlie time. Shoes and feet became the theme for the weekend (more of that later.)

Hmmm. The fur spoilt it for me. Actually, just about ruined it to be truthful. FaCshion was showcasing some real ethical clothing labels but wasn't a dedicated ethical show. Fair enough. But, the mix of ethics and fur - well for me, they just don't mix.

In reflection, a really cool weekend. Lots of giggles and belly laughs. And Brick Lane is FABULOUS. Curry and vintage fashion. THE perfect combination.

To fur or not to fur?

Honestly, should this even be a consideration?

Possibly, because I am not the coolest kid on the block, owning a fur coat simply disgusts me. Yep, that's the word ... disgust. Even though we are all entitled to our opinion, I just don't get it. I am sure there will be people who would like to explain the desire for dead, furry skin on their back.

And please try. And if you are an Inuit, then I will listen hard. I promise I will. But if you simply have more more than sense then, well, you are on your own.

There has to be some basic rules. And at Daisy Green these are 2 of them: testing cosmetics on animals and wearing fur coats (even a vintage one) for me, are just big no no's.

Bring on the debate.

4 WEEKS TO GO!

Well everyone,

In only 4 weeks time this little blog of ours will have a have a big sister.

Daisy Green Magazine will officially launch on Thursday 9th October at 7.30pm, at the Art Works Galleries, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle.

The line up, includes:

• A catwalk to showcase the best in ethical, retro and vintage fashions,
• Guest speaker Judy Berger MD http://www.whatsmineisyours.com/ will be having a chat and helping us to launch the magazine,
• Charity Auction - more details confirmed throughout the coming weeks,
• A Swap IT party like no other, hosted by Magpie Swop

Fun, frolics and much more!!

If you, dear reader, would like to come to our little party, drop me an email daisy@daisygreen.org and let me know!

Excited or nervous? Me thinks both!

x

An ethical shop in Whitley Bay!

Exciting news!! I hear wind of a brand new shop, 'ethic boutique', selling some of my favourite brands opening up in sunny Whitley Bay, not too far away from me. Read on!

ethic boutique will specialise in ethical fashion and pamper products, a rarity in the North East, and will offer gorgeous, fashion forward clothes that address a minimum of one pressing issue for people and planet today

Including:

Fair Trade
Eco Friendly Production - Including organic farming and use of sustainable materials
Humane working conditions
(No)Animal cruelty
(No) child labour
UK/Local production - less miles to travel/supporting UK producers

ethic boutique will open with a host of prestigious and award winning ethical brands; including:

Bora Aksu Collaborator and Fair Trade Favourite - People Tree
Delicious vegan bag innovator - Matt and Nat
Super Cool artistic wallet range - TIMO!
Sexy, sustainable, luxe lingerie creator - Enamore
Hip, design led A-List ethical favourite -Ciel
Award winning organic specialist - Beaumont Organic
Fabulous non exploitative, vegan footwear producer - Beyond Skin

I believe they are also going to be stocking my favourite BAM too!! Oh joyous news!

ethic boutique opens on Monday 22nd September 2008 at 151 Park View, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear.

For further information about ethic boutique please contact Jill Anderson by e-mail on jillanderson@hotmail.co.uk

Good luck Jill, I can't wait!

One for the boys (Actually the girls too!)

Girls, given that we are usually given the task of sourcing our men's clothes (well we know what they look good in right?!)
have a sneaky peak at this lovely chap.

Credau (menswear), the contemporary label is 100% original, natural or recycled. Based in East London, the brand is dedicated to style and supporting local industry with an entirely made in UK collection. Specialising in garment dye, the range includes unusual muted colours as well as colourful shirts and t-shirts.

Wow, that's a lot of cracking ethics in there. Can't wait to see the full collection at the FaCshion show.

(Best take some pennies too!)

FaCshion prepares to kick off London Fashion Week in Style

We are are all terribly excited about this event!

Can't WAIT for Saturday!


FaCshion is the very first two-day exhibition that targets both trade buyer and fashionista in London. Kick starting what's sure to be a fabulous London Fashion Week this weekend, FaCshion will be exhibiting names such as Mimi & Didi, Victoria London and Nonchalant, whilst sponsors include Vitamin Water, Dermalogica, The Fashion Academy, Tapio and Earth Hairdressing.

FaCshion will present a range of 50 rising talents from the capital, designers specializing in a variation of sectors from couture to customized fashion, knitwear, lingerie, footwear and accessories. As well as all this, there will be four catwalk shows throughout the weekend, along with a special champagne brunch for press and buyers.

Some of the exclusive exhibitors include, luxury handbag company Steven Harkin Design, womenswear designer Jeminee Solanki, menswear label Credau, unique lingerie designer Lady Waisted, footwear label Freya Rose who will be exhibiting their new A/W ready-to-wear collection, and Little Pearl Button who will be showing their unique handmade jewellery.

Amongst all the exciting labels, there will also be the chance for some pampering with experts from the fields of Styling, Hairdressing, and Cosmetics on hand to offer their expert knowledge and specialist treatments, which will include skin therapists from FaCshion partner Dermalogica.

FaCshion will also have key industry insiders offering their expert fashion and lifestyle advice throughout the weekend. Guest speakers will include:

UK Stylist to the Scissor Sisters and Fashion Consultant,

Chris Benns who has produced visionary miracles for the likes of Vogue Homme, Mc Q and Dunhill.

Style Insider and Entrepreneur, Bethanie Lunn who runs four successful businesses (Huge PR, London Calling, Little Black Book and her styling).

Successful Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur, Kal Kaur Rai with London label 'Kal Kaur Rai' which has become synonymous with inspirational womenswear worn by the likes of Victoria Beckham.

Founder of DeviDoll.com, Sindhu Venkatanarayanan who will discuss how to be ethically fashion minded everyday to coincide with the exclusive Eco exhibitors showing this season.

FaCshion starts this weekend on Saturday 13 September (13:30 - 18:00) and Sunday 14 September 2008 (12:00 - 18:00) at the Old Truman Brewery.

Free tickets are available in advance by registering on www.FaCshion.co.uk as well as a full weekend schedule.

Star and Shadow market Sunday 14th

For all you fans of vintage, crafts, recycled jewellery, and all those interesting bit and bobs that you can spend an age sifting through, pop yourself down to the Star and Shadow market this weekend, on Stepney Bank, Newcastle.

Say "Hi" to Lucy and Krista who can't come to London with us as they are running the market!

Unique greetings cards

I love watching small children create pictures at school for their families. They put so much effort in and are so proud of their work. And even if it looks nothing remotely like what it's supposed to, well, that's part of the deal.

And better still, is the happy smiling faces of all the mammies and daddies who appreciate their child's efforts so much.

Well, last weekend I met a lovely lady who agreed with me. And she has taken the idea of celebrating children's work one step further. Rose, conceived and founded her business www.mydesignmade.com from the love of small children's work. She can reuse any of your child's pictures and turn them into the most personal cards, prints and works of art.

What a really lovely idea. And requesting FSC card keeps your green credentials. Treasuring your children's art work is now so much easier!

Pants! We want more pants!

My obsession with finding ethical undies still remains. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to write about this today. Gorgeous pants in a dazzling array of colours. Read on...



A Festival of Colours from Pants to Poverty

The legendary Indian Festival of Colours – a dazzling, energetic and fun celebration of abandonment, vitality and goodwill – is the inspiration behind the latest range of vibrantly coloured pants from ethical underwear brand, Pants to Poverty.
Pants to Poverty Festival of Colours range is made to feel good in every sense of the word – they’re fun, ferocious and fair trade. These pants are made from exceptionally good quality organic cotton which has been sourced from one of the world’s most beautiful supply chains. Pants to Poverty underwear is completely free from pesticides, chemicals and exploitation.

The Festival of Colours pants come in a bountiful array of colours: radical reds, yummy yellows, pretty pinks, gorgeous greens and terrific turquoises. All are available in classic Pants to Poverty designs – women’s hipster shorts and men’s trunks with the irresistible Pants to Poverty slogan emblazoned around the waistband. The cotton is alluringly soft and the brilliant colours won’t fade in the wash.

The Pants to Poverty brand is on a mission to rid the world of bad pants. Ben Ramsden, the founder of this spectacularly ethical underwear brand is crazy about the new colours, “Inspired by the beauty of the Indian Holi festival, these pants recognize that we have a lot to do to make our planet a fairer and safer place but celebrate the fact that we have the power to do something about it. The challenge is ours and the power is in our pants!”

Pants to Poverty Festival of Colours pants are available in small, medium and large, for both men and women, and can be purchased at http://www.pantstopoverty.com/ for £12.50 each including postage and packing.

A little pat on the back

I find the world a troubled place. And to be honest, I normally can't bear to watch the news as there is always something on there that can reduce me to tears.

Tonight was no exception. So I thought that it was about time to take stock and have a little think about all the really positive things that have been achieved in the last 4 months or so since I started this blog.

• I have met and now am working with, some gorgeous, dedicated people.
• We have had tomatoes, all summer, off the enormous tomato "trees" that have taken over the conservatory.
• We changed our electricity supplier to an Eco supplier.
• We recycle about 80% of our household rubbish.
• I remembered to spell check this article!
• We got ourselves into the local paper and on a community radio station.
• I am having an incredible amount of fun and am very happy.
• I try very hard to make sure all the standby lights are switched off every night.

Yes. That's better. Writing a list of positive achievements gives you a moment where you
can feel positive about your own life. It just addresses the balance a bit, as most people find it difficult to praise themselves. Go on, have a go.

It's got me thinking though. What can I do next?
Swap bank accounts. Been gonna do it for a while now so will get on with it this weekend.


Then that can go on my list too.

The Evening Chronicle page 31!

Wow! If you live in the North East you will be very familiar with the Evening Chronicle. Thursday night jobs night, is notorious.

Anyhow, tonight on page 31, you will see that the whole page (well nearly!) is dedicated to the Daisy Green team.

How proud am I? So proud I bought 3 copies and walked right into someone in the Co-Op when I was reading the article. I even did a little dance right there at the checkout!

All the team work ever so hard to keep this blog updated with all the latest goings on and ramblings in the world of green. A big thanks and lots of love to you all.

x

Swapping and bartering are the new currency!

It was wet and emotional! Thanks to everyone who set up camp with us in the Daisy Green marquee at the Newcastle Green Gathering this weekend. I especially liked the whole "swap and barter" system we had going on!

2 bags for 1 dress, 1bag for 1 necklace and countless swaps with Magpie Swop. Excellent!!

Look out for the next event we will be organising - the Vintage Fashion Fair in November 08. Location yet to be decided. Will try and get all the photo's put on here tonight - not promising though as I am still shattered (probably more to do with the fact that I had to go back to my real job today!)

Daisy x

Winners!!

Congratulations to Katie Ellison who won the Goodie bag and a pair of tickets to our launch in October. Thanks for taking the time to stop by the stall at the weekend.
x