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

Heroines for the Planet: Laura Turner Seydel

Laura Turner Seydel is one of the most powerful women in the environmental movement. I’ve been fascinated by Laura’s work for years now, so I was honored and thrilled for a chance to interview her, to say the least. Ironically, one of my favorite shows as a kid was Captain Planet, a show which Laura’s father, Ted Turner, created. That show opened my eyes as a young child, and now Laura inspires me as she carries on her family’s dedication to eco-activism.

Outside of her home in Atlanta (which is LEED-certified, of course), Laura takes a hands-on approach to tackling eco-issues. She’s the Chairwoman of the Captain Planet Foundation, which promotes environmental education and gardens in schools, and Zero Waste Zone-Downtown Atlanta. She co-founded Mothers and Others for Clean Air, an organization which raises awareness about the link between asthma and air pollution. And she and her husband together created the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Fund, an environmental advocacy group that works to raise public awareness of issues related to the Chattahoochee River and secure measurable improvements in its health.

Laura’s work doesn’t end there. She’s equally passionate about keeping toxic chemicals out of consumer products. She works with the Environmental Working Group and the EPA to protect and inform the public about toxins and pollution. She also serves on boards including The Turner Foundation, Jane Smith Turner Foundation, the Turner Endangered Species Fund, the League of Conservation Voters, the Defenders of Wildlife, and the Waterkeeper Alliance.

I asked Laura about her tireless environmental efforts, her family and her thoughts on FOX, and she shared some of her favorite all-natural products!

Lindsay: Environmentalism seems to be at the root of your every endeavor. Your father raised you to be very close to nature from a young age.  How did your experiences as a young girl mold you into the ardent environmentalist that you are today?

Laura: It was a natural progression. Growing up, our lifestyle was centered on environmental issues. We would pick up trash along the road, keep our thermostat at an energy-efficient temperature, and spent time in nature. It is something I still instill in my kids today. For example, when we go to the beach, we spend time picking up trash along the shore. I realized how important it is to protect our natural resources so our children will have them in the future.
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Fall Eco Fashion Beats the Chill In Style with Keds, Loomstate and Eileen Fisher Organics!

It’s official. Fall is off to a cool start! The best part about fall is the chance to start anew: new initiatives (turn off that a.c. and switch to eco-bulbs), new motivations (make lunch), and new clothes! You want to look street smart even when it is cold and this new apparel is both warm and eco-chic.

The limited-edition eco-conscious Loomstate poncho!

Since there’s been a chill in the air, there’s never been a better time to sport a cute overlayer. But with the season not quite winter the hustle and bustle of a thick wool coat overwhelms. Eco-Chick has a solution! In mid- October Loomstate, a men’s and women’s eco-conscious brand, presents their limited edition poncho in celebration of Barney’s CO-OP’s 25^th Anniversary.

Pair the chic poncho with organic denim and prepare to be enviable!

The poncho is made from organic cotton canvas and recycled blankets. It’s cute brown and blue colors make it an essential wardrobe piece to pair with the cutest of cotton organic skinny jeans, for they go the best with the sneaks, like these from Eileen Fisher. Not only are these jeans made from cotton grown without pesticides, they are dyed (jean dyes are notoriously polluting) under the Global Organic Textile Standard. And if you’re not into this style, Eileen Fisher offers a whole line of organic denim on their site and in stores.

Made from non-polluting organic cotton canvas, these sneaks are eco-chic.

Sneakers are a must – whether you’re running around, walking home from work, or taking a stroll in a local pumpkin patch. Whatever you’re up to, cute comfortable sneakers are essential! Keds are superclassic and come in various colors – but this month they’re eco-chic too! Introducing Keds Organic Champions, chic footwear made from one-hundred percent organic cotton, stitched eyelets, and tea-stained laces. The sneakers are 55$ and can be purchased at www.keds.com. 

Don’t back down for the fall chill. Beat it. Sport this super cute outfit and be an eco-chick.
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Eco Chick Giveaway: Pamper yourself with a Spa Night from Pure Habitat

Amy Ludwigson lives green and wants to share it with the world. To that end, she founded a resourceful new site, Pure Habitat. “I just launched Pure Habitat as a way to make it easier to shop from all the amazing companies that are committed to making the world a better place. From organic personal care products to eco jewelry and home décor we have everything you need to live consciously,” says Amy.

To celebrate Pure Habitat‘s launch, one lucky Eco Chick reader will a set of Amy’s favorite home spa goods from the site!

And EVERYONE can get 10% off their next purchase using the code ecochick2010 when you order.

To win: Leave a comment on something that makes you absolutely happy. 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.

Deets and Promises: Eco Chick does not sell, lease or lend any email addresses we collect. There will be one winner of the spa package. Giveaway ends Monday, Septmber 20th at Midnight EST. Good luck!

The Giveaway:

Amadine Oil from Arghand:

This oil is beautiful in the bath or for massage. It is handcrafted in Afghanistan by a coop that is helping to liberate people from their dependence on opium. All ingredients are pure and sourced from fruits and botanicals around Kandahar.

Girl Bath Salts by Buddha Nose:

This product is one of the items I would take if I were going be stranded on a deserted island. I love it that much. It soothes the mind and the best part – the salts really do help ease cramping. It’s seriously amazing.

PeaceKeeper Natural Nail Polish:

This nail polish has been rated by the Environmental Working Group as one of the safest natural nail polishes on the market. They give all their after tax profits to women’s health advocacy and urgent human rights issues.
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Eco Chick’s Heroines for the Planet: Josie Maran

She’s a top model, actress, hot mama, businesswoman and one of the world’s most recognizable women in green. So it’s only natural that Josie Maran would be the first in a fun new series of interviews Eco Chick will be doing with green movers and shakers, Eco Chick’s Heroines for Planet Earth!

The organic beauty entrepreneur has brought natural, eco-friendly cosmetics to the masses with Josie Maran Cosmetics, a brand that proves beyond a doubt that going green can be glamorous. Pure, gentle and non-toxic, Josie Maran Cosmetics are also sophisticated and always in tune with the season’s hottest trends.

I talked to Josie about weird trends, foundation faux pas and what’s next for JMC.

SR: What’s the ugliest makeup trend you ever tried and wore out the door?

JM: I’ve always kept it pretty subtle except for bright red of course. But i remember wearing bleeding blue eye shadow with too much black eyeliner, dirty brown skin, and sloppy hair to an event once…ooops!

SR: Do you see women on the street and want to tackle them and redo their makeup?

JM: There are many faux pas but the worst is when you can see that dark foundation line under the jaw line. Blend ladies! The whole point of foundation is to look like you are not wearing makeup.

SR: Do you spy any big trends in makeup for 2010?

JM: I spy lots of gold with pops of turquoise for the eyes and confident blush wearing women!!

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People Won't Change for the Environment (on my campus)

A recent article outlines a pretty simplistic poll conducted in London about people’s willingness to change their behaviour for the good of the planet.

A straw poll of 15 British men and 15 British women between the ages of 25-75 in central London, showed all were willing to make small changes for the environment, such as recycling, but few would commit to more fundamental changes to behavior.

The outcome was pretty surprising. People will “try” to drive less, and others take a shot at proper recycling. But no one is ready for a change in their lifestyle. This inspired me. I was sure I could find better numbers and results here in Toronto, Canada. We are supposed to be eco-friendly up here, right?

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