Eco-Friendly Jewellery: Odette New York

If you remember, over the summer I posted about my new found obsession with Alkemie, an eco-friendly jewellery brand. And this week, I discovered a very similar brand (and equally as amazing) based in New York called Odette. Odette is a Brooklyn-based jewellery line, which was founded in 2006 by artist Jennifer Sarkilahti, is made using hand fabrication and ancient and modern wax carving techniques. The designs behind the pieces are inspired by 'organic and industrial shapes, natural specimens, uncommon artifacts and primitive forms'. Now here's the exciting part, Odette's jewellery is cast in recycled sterling silver, brass, bronze, diamonds and 14k!

Lovely, right? Well the good news is that you can find Odette stocked in the UK in Anthropologie and also in Couverture & The Garbstore in London. Click here for all other international stockists.

Make sure you check out the wesbite here to browse all the collections, and be sure to also like their Facebook page & tweet them while you're at it! :)

Anoud x


Images: odetteny.com

Eco-Friendly Jewellery: Alkemie

If you know me personally then you surely know that I am a self-confessed jewellery addict. I love unique, intricate and daring pieces and I think that jewellery in general is a great way to express yourself. Early this morning I was browsing through shopbob's jewellery section (I love that you can sort items by "Earth Friendly"), and I came across the brand Alkemie. Alkemie is an eco-friendly jewellery line created by husband and wife Dara Gerson & Ashley Lowengrub. The entire Alkemie collection is handmade in Los Angeles and is forged from 100% reclaimed metals. Also, the leather used is sourced from sustainable cattle farmers and is dyed with eco-friendly dye. I have to say, browsing through their collection online, I felt like a kid in a candy store. The pieces are simply beautiful, and the fact that they are made carefully with sustainability in mind makes them that much more amazing!

Here's a little about the brand's philosophy, as stated in their website:

Dara Gerson & Ashley Lowengrub found their way to creating jewelry that is both beautiful & socially responsible because of their love of mother nature and the amazing planet we live on. Drawing inspiration and motivation from their daily lives, their love for culture and the planet as well as their strong beliefs todo no harm, Dara and Ashley Lowengrub are true pioneers.

Prior to starting Alkemie, each had successful jewelry lines working with traditional metals. Years of experience in the jewelry industry had made Dara and Ashley weary of the toxic working conditions and environmental impacts of the gem and fine metal industries- until one day they decided it was something they could no longer continue to support. After learning more about the harmful social and environmental effects of mining, they sought out local eco-friendly materials.

Thus Alkemie Jewelry was born- a brand that would immediately pioneer and change the jewelry industry with its social and environmentally responsible practices. Alkemie Jewelry has earned a devoted international following based not only on the originality of their designs, but their leadership as a socially and environmentally progressive company. All designs are made of 100% reclaimed metal & manufactured by hand in downtown Los Angeles, California. 

Alkemie promotes fair trade, local living wage and eco-sustainable business practices to combat the existing harmful effects and conditions of the metal and gemstone industry; including social issues such as children working in dangerous conditions to mine and mount stones, as well as environmental issues, like toxic chemicals from mines seeping into the surrounding land and severely damaging precious watersheds.

Dara and Ashley’s motivation to live environmentally and socially conscious really comes from exemplifying responsibility to their daughters. One of the major motivations of Alkemie Jewelry is to present an example for future generations.

It's impossible to choose one particular favourite item, but Alkemie's bangles are definitely my favourite, so are their rings, cuffs, earrings and pretty much everything!

Alkemie's bangles. Amazing, huh?

This still gets better... Alkemie, as a sustainable company, believes in the importance of supporting practices and causes they believe in through chairy. And so, by pruchasing a piece of their jewellery, you will contribute to their charitable acts, as each month a portion of the company's online sales are donated to a charity they support. This month, Alkemie is donating 5% to the Seva Foundation: a non-profit organisation that "provides financial resources and technical expertise to help communities build sustainable solution to poverty and disease".

How amazing? Just perfect! Unique and beautifully crafted jewellery pieces that are eco-friendly and support charities that aim to create a more sustainable world for all. Literally guilt-free shopping!

Here are a few places where you can get your hands on some of Alkemie's unique pieces:
Alkemie's website
Shopbob
ShopStyle


P.S. check out their men's collection here and be sure to check them out on Facebook here!


Anoud x

Green Idea: Water Bottle Light Bulbs

Last year in Nairobi, Kenya a simple idea using a plastic bottle, water & bleach transformed the lives of many of the city's impoverished communities. It all started in Korogocho, when Mateo Magalasia stumbled upon a YouTube video that demonstrated the use of the water light bulb technology in Brazil. The technology uses water and bleach in a plastic bottle to refract sunlight and moonlight, providing light equivalent to a 55-Watt light bulb!

Members of the youth group Koch Hope installed the water light bulbs throughout various households in Korogocho, allowing many families to finally enjoy adequate light to carry out many day-to-day activities and, most importantly, save energy. Veronica Wanjiru, a resident who has a water bulb installed in her home said: "I've seen a big difference, especially with my children's education. If they're given homework, they can finish it on time. And they don't have to wait for me to come and light the candle or go outside and do their studies outside so that they can finish their homework."

Watch the videos below to see how the water light bulb works, and hear from residents of Korogocho on how this technology has improved their lives:

What a great, sustainable way of providing light for those in need. It's amazing to see that such a simple idea can have a great and lasting impact!


Anoud x



Image: ernalenergy.blogspot.com

Talk About Efficient Living

Whenever I'm bored and feeling a little uninspired, I turn to YouTube to find interesting videos showcasing unique individuals and ideas from all around the world. A few days ago, I came across this great video about how an architect from Hong Kong, Gary Chang, designed his 344 sq. ft. apartment in a way where he can take advantage of every corner of it and make it as efficient as possible. Amazingly enough, Chang managed to transform the tiny apartment, which he calls the "Domestic Transformer", into 24 different designs using sliding panels and walls; PURE GENIUS!!! Watch below and see for yourself how creativity and functional design can transform a small space into an eco-friendly compact place that exploits every inch of space to meet your needs. You won't believe it till you see it!

I no longer dream of a panoramic New York apartment with exceptional views of Central Park and Manhattan (well not as much as before that is); I now want my very own little "Domestic Transformer"!

Anoud x

Try This At Home: Use Just One Paper Towel

My beautiful friend Salma sent me a link to this video, and just as she suggested, here I am posting it on Green Eve. This video is for all of you who feel the need to use up half a roll of paper towels to dry your hands when you're in a public bathroom. Well guess what, you DON'T need to use that much. Joe Smith, former chair of the Oregon Democratic Party, explained in TEDxConcordiaUPortland how simply you can dry your hands without wasting too much paper.

Be sure to take this advice to consideration the next time you wash your hands and are about to grab that paper towel roll and abuse it.

I will definitely be trying the 12x shakes! ;)

Anoud x 

H&M for Water Summer 2012 Resort Collection

Our beloved H&M's latest project that aims to make it a more sustainable retailer is its summer resort collection, appropriately called: H&M for Water. The collection, made of sustainable materials such as organic cotton, Tencel, linen and silk, is inspired by Hawaiian style, featuring floral and palm filled prints.

25% of the sales prices will go to WaterAid, supporting the non-profit organisation's sanitation projects in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, where most of H&M's clothing is produced. The collection is now available at 200 H&M stores worldwide and online. Shop the collection here!

Here are my favourites:

Love them all; such fun pieces perfect for summer and hitting the beach!

Anoud x

Images: hm.com

H&M Conscious Collection Spring 2012

It's spring time, and with that comes another colourful and gorgeous Conscious Collection from H&M. This year's spring collection for women, men and kids, made with 100% organic cotton and other sustainable materials, is dominated by blush coloured and on trend pastel frocks. The collection was unveiled early last week, after the gorgeous Exclusive Conscious Collection Red Carpet Looks for Spring '12 hit the fashion blogosphere by storm. Below are my favourites from the Spring 2012 Conscious Collection, which hits selected H&M stores April 12.

Which piece is your favourite?

xx

Anoud 

Images: H&M

Vivienne Westwood x SIGG Reusable Water Bottles

Vivienne Westwood continues to voice her commitment to the environment in as many ways as possible, and her three collaborations with the Swiss manufacturer, SIGG, on limited edition reusable water bottles demonstrated just that.

People, make the switch to reusable water bottles! It's more hygienic, and most importantly, more sustainable. And in the case of Vivienne Westwood's stylish bottles that are designed with eco-friendly slogans, it's a statement maker! Purchase a limited edition Vivienne Westwood for SIGG aluminium water bottle here or here.


Anoud xx


Images: ecouterre.com

Eco-Friendly Make Up Tutorial

Let me be completely honest with you all: my latest guilty pleasure happens to be watching make up tutorials on YouTube. Yes. I swear it is so addictive (girls would understand). So anyway, the other day I came across this video and couldn't help but share. The video is by AndreasChoice and I love how she's made it so fun and interesting. Watch below:




Anoud x

Change The Way You Think About Food

The world population hit 7 billion a little over a month ago, and by 2050, Earth will be home to another 2 billion individuals. Now, have you ever thought of how we will provide for the continually increasing population with finite resources?

Securing food, a basic need of all human beings, is one of the biggest challenges facing our world. With more and more people depending on our resources, the only way to confront such a challenge is to act immediately and change the way we think of food production. Watch the video below, which is part of the WWF 'Change the Way You Think About Everything' awareness videos, to learn about how much of our resources are used to produce and provide food, and to think about how we can do MORE with LESS. 

We need to double the productivity of farming, invest in urban agriculture and encourage more sustainable ways of food production. We need to change the way we think about food! Learn about sustainable farming here.

P.S. Watch 'Change the Way You Think about your Laptop' here.

Anoud x

Do the Green Thing: Buy Nothing!

Here's a cute video that will surely put a smile on your face. It demonstrates a simple green idea in the simplest way possible:



Give it a try once: do it the green way, and buy nothing!

As they say, it's the thought that counts. :)

Anoud x

H&M Conscious Party Collection Winter 2011

H&M never fails to amaze with their Conscious Collection, and their Conscious Party Collection Winter 2011 is no exception. As always, the collection is trendy, stylish and of course sustainable using materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester and tencel.

Here's what Helena Helmersson, H&M's head of corporate and social responsibility had to say about the new Party Collection capsule: "For us, it's important that when they come to a store, whatever a customer chooses – if it's a Conscious item or not – they should feel that it's produced in a responsible way. We work hard and we're at the forefront of sustainability. But with these collections, we want to highlight it even more – these materials are extra sustainable!"

Shop the H&M Conscious Party Collection!


Happy green shopping!

Anoud x




Images: hm.com

The H&M Fall 2011 Conscious Collection

I have always loved all of H&M's Conscious Collections, because not only are they made from sustainable materials, but they are always very stylish & right on trend. This fall's collection, however, has got to be my favourite! Inspired by the 'sweet romance of Swedish folklore', the collection is very feminine and defined by beautiful pieces with delicate embellishment, gorgeous lace, and a floral print perfect for fall.

Here are my favourite pieces from the collection:

The white lace dress and skirt are, as Rachel Zoe would say, BA-NA-NAS!

The H&M Conscious Collection Fall 2011 will be available in selected stores starting from October 6, 2011.

xoxo,
 

Anoud

Images: H&M

Introducing The 2012 Fisker Karma

So here’s the deal: are you environmentally conscious and have a knack for spending money on luxurious ‘toys’? Most importantly, do you have a spare $100,000? Well if your answer is yes, then the 2012 Fisker Karma is the car for you!

Here’s why: the Fisker Karma is a luxury speed machine with a 2 litre – 4 hybrid engine that can go from 0-60 miles per hour in under 6 seconds with a top speed of 125 miles. Now for the luxurious details, this ‘eco-luxuriant’ vehicle has bucket seats, diamond dust in the paint, and keyless entry. The most distinctive and spectacular feature, however, is the solar glass roof which the car uses to capture energy that will assist the lithium-ion batteries in powering the dual electric motors. Not enough? Well here’s more: the Karma can do an easy on the pocket 100 miles per gallon and it features two driving modes, one Stealth Mode for efficient and relaxed driving and another Sport Mode to enjoy the car’s full power.

Leonardo DiCaprio, who is known to be eco-conscious, just received his Karma this week (pictured below), while Al Gore and Colin Powell are supposedly next in line to get their hands on this incredible motor. 

Guilt-free luxury indeed! Now if only I can get my hands on one of these beauties... No harm in dreaming right? :)


Anoud x


Image: dailymail.co.uk, caranddriver.com