Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Anjolee Diamonds: An Eco Chick’s Best Friend

Diamonds. They’re there for a girl when she needs them. As they sparkle back at you, you’re reminded of a time in your life, or a place, a person or cherished memory.

But what’s even better than those feelings a diamond evokes, is the pride you have as you rock a piece that was ethically sourced and manufactured responsibly.

I discovered Anjolee– the largest purveyor of high-quality, ethically sourced diamond bracelets online, and it was pure rapture. They manufacture every single item they sell which allows them complete control over the quality of their products. And they mean business when it comes to their sourcing. Anjolee fully complies with the Kimberly Act of 2003, ensuring that all of their diamonds are strictly certified as conflict-free.

Here’s another reason I know you and I can be boastful about an Anjolee piece: They love Mother Earth as much as we do. Their strict, green jewelry manufacturing process involves the refining, recycling and clean disposal of all materials used during the process.

Since the products met our site’s standards, it was time to do some serious window shopping. I have to admit that I sort of felt like a little girl in FAO Schwartz. “Ohhh, I like this one. No wait, that one!!” The site is easy to navigate and you can custom-design a piece to your fancy that meets both your taste and budget (let’s be honest, we all have restrictions!).  What’s great is that since you’re buying from Anjolee directly, they’re able to offer affordable prices below retail.

So whether you’re in search of a stunning Diamond Bracelet, Diamond Tennis Bracelet, Gemstone Bracelet, Tennis Bracelet, Necklace, Diamond Earrings, Diamond Jewelry or more, it’s impossible not to find an item that’s perfect for you, the earth and the people who produced it. Anjolee jewelry will be a great addition to that little holiday wish list of yours. Not only will you look good wearing it, but you’ll feel good wearing it because there’s a happy story behind Anjolee’s jewelry.

Madecasse Chocolate: Deliciously Ethical from Madagascar

I don’t really consider chocolate an indulgence- more like a part of my daily diet (I’m so not kidding about that!). And that means I eat a lot of chocolate; probably about a bar a week. And seeing that I enjoy it so much I def look for high quality, Fair Trade and organic brands only. After all, as much as I love chocolate, it’s NOT a necessity for life!

I choose ethical brands because the conventional ones (Hershey’s, I’m looking at YOU!) not only tend to use lower-quality cocoa that tastes terrible, but doesn’t pay farmers fair wages and might even be involved in taking advantage of child labor and/or environmental degradation from the cocoa farming. That ain’t sweet and I won’t contribute to it!

A cocoa farmer in Madagascar (that’s a cocoa fruit he’s eating, the flesh is delicious, and the seeds are what cocoa is made from).

Madecasse chocolate is one of the best chocolates I’ve tried, flavor-wise, so much so that I quickly devoured the samples the company sent me and bought some more at the market! Creamy and rich, without any waxiness (many inexpensive chocolates use cheap fats and oils to create a creamy mouth-feel, but it’s just fat, not real flavor; Lindt, I’m looking at YOU here!). Truly, one of my top 3 fave chocolates, Madecasse is now on regular rotation in my household.

Madecasse is made from the best ingredients, and simplicity is key; the 80% cocoa bar contains just cocoa, sugar, and cocoa butter. Contrast that with Lindt, who add barley malt powder, palm kernel oil, caramel flavoring, and a bunch of other junk in their darkest chocolate.
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Emma Watson’s Sustainable Style Collection for People Tree

The newest installment of Harry Potter (Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1) came out this past weekend and the world could not wait to see their favorite actors battle with the evil wizards that aim to take down the good (for good!). If you are a fan of the series, you’ve seen Emma Watson’s Hermoine mature from a timid, supersmart wizard-in-training to one of the most powerful Muggles on-screen.

Actress Emma Watson, who plays Hermoine, has also grown up, from cute girl to fashion icon, with her latest modelling contract for Burberry. But Watson’s more than just a poster girl, she’s an ethical fashionista too, having recently collaborated with the UK’s super-sustainable line People Tree.

Emma’s line is called “Love from Emma” and though it’s technically for girls, there are some really cute pieces ladies of any age could rock. To ensure the sustainable characteristics are met, People Tree works with 50 Fair Trade groups in 15 countries. That means more work for more artisans. In other words more work means better conditions which leads to the alleviation of poverty (now that is cool.)
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Food Tastes Better When It’s Fair Trade Certified

You know how every now and then, you take a bite of something and it’s so insanely good, your eyes involuntarily roll back into your head? Moments like those are few and far between for most of us, especially because food that divine is often outrageously decadent or made with rare, expensive ingredients. But sometimes what makes that food so delicious – even beyond brilliant flavor combinations and expert preparation – is the knowledge that every single aspect of its production was handled with the utmost care and responsibility.

Call me crazy, but for me, that’s why Fair Trade Certified foods taste even better than food made with the same exact ingredients but produced in a way that screws over the environment, workers and community that created it. Would you treat a bar of Hershey’s chocolate the same way that you’d treat a bar that is not only organic, but sourced directly from well-paid Mayan farmers? Nope. While you might scarf down a cheap candy bar without a thought, this chocolate is special.

For Fair Trade Month, I got to try a few certified food products including a bar of Green & Black’s dark chocolate, some La Yapa quinoa and a tin of Rishi Wild Berry loose tea. All of these products are certified by Fair Trade USA, an organization that ensures that products labeled ‘Fair Trade Certified’ meet strict criteria including fair price, fair labor conditions, direct trade without unnecessary middlemen, democratic dealings between the producers, community development and environmental sustainability.
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Eco Chick Giveaway: Target Earth Day Giftbag

In honor of Earth Month, THREE lucky Eco-Chick readers will win and Eco-Starter Kit from Target. Making small changes, even during typical daily routines such as brushing your teeth and washing your hair can have a positive impact on the Earth.

The Target Eco-Starter Kit includes the following items (for more ideas visit the new eco-boutique):

Target Eco-Starter Kit:

* Home Organic Towels
* Dr. Bronner’s Organic Fair Trade Shikakai Soap
* Burt’s Bees Shampoo and Conditioner Value Pack
* Conair ECO Ionic 1400-watt Dryer
* Radius Source Toothbrush 3-pk
* H2O Eco Bottle (stainless steel)
* Reusable Tote Bag GiftCard
* Standard Reusable Shopping Bag
* Organic Archer Farms Fruit Bars

To win, leave a comment below telling us which product you’d most love to try and why. When you fill in the comment field, it will ask for you email address. This is the address I will use to contact the winner, so use a real email. There are three winners for this one!

Deets and Promises: Eco Chick does not sell, lease or lend any email addresses we collect. Giveaway ends Friday, April 23rd 2010. Good luck!

“Per FTC guidelines I am disclosing that Target is providing the product which will be given to the three readers.”