Spring · Eco-Chick

Browsing all posts tagged with spring

H&M’s Spring 2011 Conscious Collection: Eco Fashion Breezes into April

H&M is making good on its promise to continue expanding their commitment to using sustainable fabrics. Their upcoming Spring, 2011 collection, Conscious Collection is the follow-up for Spring 2010′s Garden Collection. Utilizing organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled polyester, the all-white collection means that it will work with everything from denim to silks.

“It’s no longer just about organic cotton. The possibilities for creating a complete fashion statement with eco smarter materials are huge now. By designing recurring Conscious Collections we have the opportunity to show in a variety of ways what’s possible using more sustainable fabrics,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M head of design. “Shades of white are the season’s biggest fashion trend. White creates a romantic feeling with lace and broderie anglaise, but it is also the basic color in a sporty, relaxed style and in a preppy tailored look for men.”

art, collection, cotton, design, eating, eco, eco fashion, fabric, fabrics, farm, fashio, Fashion, materials, men, Organic, organic cotton, sport, spring, style, sustainable, sustainable fabric, sustainable fabrics, trend

Herbs of Spring: Make Your Own Violet Syrup

3 Comments

by Stephanie Rogers · 04/23/10

Those tiny purple blossoms that are covering lawns, meadows and roadsides right now are much more than just ‘weeds’. You’ve probably never given much thought to the common blue violet, aside from admiring its delicate little flowers – but gather enough, and you can make a delicious syrup that soothes sore throats, turns pancakes pink and makes one seriously delicious (and highly unusual) cocktail. The best part – it’s incredibly quick and easy.

Pick a pesticide-free location to gather your violet blossoms – I spent a lazy, sunny afternoon tightly packing a large mason jar from the large violet patch in my backyard. The common blue violet has five rounded petals and broad, heart-shaped leaves; choose the least blemished and darkest ones you find; the white ones don’t have much flavor.

I tried both of the following recipes: one with honey (which is better for use as cough syrup) and one with sugar. I recommend adding the juice of half a lemon to both recipes for better flavor, though your syrup will end up more magenta than violet. Don’t be put off by the very green and earthy smell of the steeping violets! The final mixture is heavenly. I added a few tablespoons to some sparkling water and vodka; it would also be delicious with champagne, lemonade or iced tea.

A few tips from experience: watch the simmering mixture carefully, because it can burn – and handle it carefully when you’re pouring it into bottles, because boiling sugar is not kind to the skin. I used a ladle with a spout, along with a funnel.

Susun Weed’s Violet Syrup (With Honey)

1/2 pound/225g fresh violets
2 cups/500ml water
2 cups/500ml honey

Enlist all the help you can to pick violet blossoms. Boil water; pour over blossoms; cover. Let steep overnight in nonmetallic container. Strain out flowers. Reserve purple liquid. Combine violet infusion and honey. Simmer gently, stirring, for ten or fifteen minutes, until it seems like syrup. Fill clean jars. Cool. Keep well chilled to preserve.

Violet Syrup (With Sugar) by Linda Ziedrich

3 ounces (about 4 cups) stemmed violets
2 cups water
About 2 cups sugar

Combine the flowers and water in a saucepan. Simmer the contents, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Strain the mixture through a dampened jelly bag. You can squeeze the bag, when it’s cool enough to handle, to extract more liquid. Then measure the volume of the liquid, and combine it in a preserving pan with an equal volume of sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Raise the heat to high, and bring the syrup to a full boil.

Remove the pan from the heat. Funnel the syrup into a bottle. Store the bottle, tightly capped, in the refrigerator.

cocktails, DIY, Herbal Remedies, spring

Top 5 Fave Eco Beauty Products for Spring 2010

No Comments

by Stephanie Rogers · 03/26/10

I’m one of those people that starts getting antsy by the end of winter, wishing and hoping to see a peek of green poking up out of the snow. It’s been a particularly cold one here and I’m ready to get out and enjoy the sunshine (and rainy days, grumble grumble) of spring – hence my collection of new favorite spring products, all lined up on my counter just waiting for warmer days. Maybe some of these 5 fantastic lotions, perfumes, makeup palettes and hair creams will become your favorites, too.

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powders Palette

I mentioned this colorful palette back in January when I interviewed the gracious and gorgeous Josie Maran, and its sweet spring shades were so enticing I just had to try it for myself. It’s packed with the season’s trendiest colors including five eyeshadows, two shades of blush and bronzing powder. Super versatile and a steal at just $35 – find it at your nearest Sephora.

Eco Beauty, Product Reviews, spring

Spring 2010 Beauty Trends, Eco Chick Style

1 Comment

by Stephanie Rogers · 02/19/10

Images via Vogue UK, Harper’s Bazaar, BellaSugar

Forever two seasons ahead, runway models are already sporting Fall and Winter 2010 looks – and it’s not even spring yet. But in case you’re having a hard time remembering the upcoming season’s trends from last summer’s runways, we’re happy to give a little refresher course. Pastel eyes, pops of purple, peach lips, defined cheeks and beachy, voluminous waves are all totally wearable and perfectly suited for spring’s signature vibe of freshness and renewal.

Pastel Eyes

That’s right, the oh-so-80’s trend of pastel eye shadow is back with a vengeance, but keep it sheer to avoid looking like a fashion victim circa 1986. Jane Iredale’s Bling Eyeshadow Kit offers gold, blue, pink, purple and green in flattering shades that bring the look to 2010.

Pops of Purple

Whether on the eyes in watercolor washes of plum and lavender or on the lips in dramatic violet, purple makeup is in this season. Try it with NVEY Eco’s Matte Violet Rose Organic Lipstick, or Matte Periwinkle Lavender Organic Eye Shadow.

Peach Lips

Innocent but with a touch of sexy color, peach and apricot shades of lipstick can complement nearly any complexion. Josie Maran’s sheer coral beige is pretty and understated, while Korres Coral 45 makes the trend pop in a brighter, more vibrant shade.

Defined Cheeks

Moschino did it in sweet, succulent pink while Derek Lam took it in a decidedly more bronzed direction, but nearly all of the top designers gave their models some decidedly pronounced cheekbones this season. Keep it soft and youthful with Logona’s blush duo in Apricot, Peche or Mauve.

Beachy, Voluminous Waves

There’s just something about windswept, just-got-back-from-the-beach waves that feels inexplicably good, isn’t there? It’s so casual and carefree. Get this voluminous style with a sea salt spray like John Masters Sea Mist, which adds texture and volume. Check out a step-by-step tutorial at StyleList.

Eco Beauty, Hair, makeup, spring

Fox in Mociun: Ecofashion Mashup of the Year!

1 Comment

by Starre Vartan · 08/06/09

As reported in Bust magazine, ecofashion designer Caitlin Mociun, whose line, Mociun (pronounced like motion) teamed up this past spring with Alyson Fox (designer of A Small Collection) to create the Fox in Mociun line. And now it’s all 50% off! I’m seriously coveting the dress above…..