Guiltless Goodies: Green Chic link-up!

Hi all!

It's that time of the week again...my blogging has been a bit slower of late as the lead-up to the Olympics has taken over Vancouver's - and my - life, but my partners-in-crime in the Green Chic group have been keeping up their end of the bargain very nicely, so take a second to peruse their latest posts.

Enjoy!

Proving you don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi and the Green Chic group

Factio Magazine is giving away some fab eco-chic gifts from Pottery Barn and West Elm!

Guiltless & Glamorous reports on the fur controversy surrounding the 2010 Winter Olympics...

Home Green loves Canada for making the Olympic metals from recycled metals-- Not only are they beautiful but eco-friendly as well!

Posh Swaps checks out some very gorgeous and sustainable Second Hand Style by Captive Studio

Runway To Retail - Chicago designer, Lana Bramlette, hit the jackpot when her "Peace" necklace made the cover of the most recent Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

Shopping and Info is giving away a great Chelsea Messenger bag from Aspinal of London.

Necessary News: The Olympics have come to Vancouver...and so has the fur?

Hi all!

Right now I think it's pretty safe to say I feel very lucky to be living in Vancouver...the city of the Olympics. The festive spirit was evident downtown last night as my friends and I watched the Opening Ceremonies on the big screen and saw Wayne Gretzky light the Olympic torch.

The city is full of tourists and athletes and the party atmosphere is as lively as ever, but there was initial controversy following the 21-year-old Georgian luge rider's death in training yesterday, and now controversy over 'threats' US ice skater Johnny Weir has received from animal rights activists after he added white fox fur to his Olympic costume.

Although I think it's appalling and absolutely disgusting that he would use fur for a figure skating costume, but it also is not appropriate to respond to these situations with death threats or violence. So let's leave the assaults out of it and just encourage athletes to be kinder in their practices, no?

Proving you don't have to be cruel to be kind,
GiGi

Necessary News: News of Alexander McQueen's death spreads just before BCBG runway show

Hi all,

So I was never a fan of Alexander McQueen's because his line and work was not cruelty-free, and he often used fur in his designs. but his creativity was overwhelmingly evident in his designs and it is always sad when a life is lost, particularly in such a tragic fashion.

Designer Lee McQueen, creator of fashion label Alexander McQueen, at his last fashion show.

Reports that Alexander McQueen founder Lee McQueen committed suicide at age 40 broke just as the lights were going down for the start of the BCBGMAXAZRIA runway show at New York Fashion Week. There's a thorough post on the topic at the Wall Street Journal's blog (click here), so I'm not going to elaborate. I encourage you to read, however, because it not only provides some information about this tragic event and some links to some well-written and touching tributes (click on the "Previous" and "Next" links under the post), but also spotlights the runway show of a great cruelty-free favourite of mine, BCBGMAXAZRIA, which managed to put on a great show to temporarily transport audiences away from the tragic reality of the present into a fashionable, stylish, oh-so-chic world of beauty and glamour for a short while. And isn't that what fashion is all about?

Proving you don't have to be cruel to be kind, and in memory of a great fashion designer,
GiGi

Guiltless Goodies: Green Chic link-up!

Hi all!

Enjoy this week's Green Chic links from all of us in the Green Chic eco-friendly blogging group!

Proving you don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi and Green Chic

The Fashionable Housewife delves in to the The Beauty Double-Bind. The current beauty standard that women are supposed to live up to is a classic double-bind situation. Read more about it in our informative article and find out how you can break the cycle.

Factio Magazine checks out LaROCCA Skincare,a new line of products using 24K gold and it's all eco-friendly!

Guiltless & Glamorous gives a Valentine's Day preview of LUSH's lush-ious products.

Home Green finds out ways to put a little green into your Valentine's Day

Looking Sharp checks out her first thrift store in Pittsburgh and falls in love.

Posh Swaps checks out designer T shirts at EJF to support the charity’s work ending forced child labour in the cotton industry in the post No more slaves to fashion.

Runway To Retail loves CHI Organics combs: The Olive Nutrient Therapy Combs use the benefits of olive oil and The Sandalwood Collection, we can't stop smelling.

Shopping and Info needs the puffer jacket Reese Witherspoon wore in the rain for Fashion Week in New York City.

Necessary News: Livia Firth blogs on her Green Carpet Challenge

Hi all!

The name Livia Firth may not be instantly recognizable to you but her husband's name - ahem - Colin Firth, should be. Well his beautiful wife Livia has made a commitment this year to wearing only eco-friendly, sustainable fashions when accompanying Colin on the red carpet. Right now those appearances are plentiful, as Colin promotes his latest film A Single Man and also prepares for the Oscars, which has generated him a nomination for his role in this film.

Therefore, Livia has been flying the world attending premieres and will soon be gearing up for the Academy Awards - all in sustainable haute couture. The whole time she is keeping a blog on Vogue.co.uk's site (I know I'm not a fan of Vogue, but if you just go to this blog website I can forgive it!) and she's very diligent and timely with her updates. Plus she has really done her research, so one can learn a lot just by reading her posts. Enjoy! In the meantime, here's a shot of Livia with the movie's star Julianne Moore at last night's Paris premiere of A Single Man - she wore a Linda Loudermilk suit made of 50% bamboo.

Proving you don't have to be cruel to be kind,
GiGi (and, obviously, Livia Firth)

Guiltless Goodies: Valentine's Day LUSH-iousness

Hi all!

I'm a little bit cynical about Valentine's Day (did I say little bit? When I say that I mean, very), but I understand that there are millions of loved-up couples out there who aren't, so this post is for them.

LUSH, an all-natural, cruelty-free store which challenges the olfactory senses every time you enter, has some great products on the menu for Valentine's Day treats. In the days when I wasn't so bitter and cynical and celebrated Valentine's Day with my then-boyfriend, we bought some products from LUSH so I can assure you these recommendations are tried and tested.

Vanilla Scoop
This goody bag of items all have one thing in common: you guessed it - vanilla. I personally am not a big fan of food scents on my body but I know some people just go nuts for ice cream flavoured body lotion or chocolate mud wraps, so this would be the ideal gift for a girlfriend or - hey, why not? - boyfriend who is so inclined.

Containing Vanilla Dee-Lite (body lotion), vanilla-scented puff powder for the body, Vanillary fragrance and a vanilla fountain bath bomb, this kit covers all the bases. If you know what I mean.

LUSH Vanilla Scoop, $79.95, lush.ca

Be Mine
This kit contains a Honey Trap lip balm, Flying Fox shower gel and Soft Coeur massage bar. LUSH's massage bars are genius - they look and feel, at first, like soap, but when they are used to massage the skin the body's heat melts the bar into a cross between massage oil and body lotion. This one is chocolate and honey scented, so again, works well for those who like a culinary twist to their body products.

LUSH Be Mine, $24.95, lush.ca

True Love

In an elegant heart-shaped box, this gift is packed with goodies. Touted as "everything you need for a romantic night in", the box includes: Love Soap (a sparkly heart-shaped soap scented with jasmine, clary sage and ylang ylang), Vanilla Dee-Lite body lotion, Yummy Yummy Yummy shower gel (strawberry-scented), Sex Bomb bath bomb and the return of the massage bar with Heavanilli, a vanilla-scented massage bar. You can't really go wrong with this selection; there's enough variety for everyone to end up ...well, satisfied.

                                 

LUSH True Love, $44.95, lush.ca

So for all you happy couples out there, Happy Valentine's Day - ignore my cynicism, head to LUSH and have yourself a great night :-).

Proving you don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

Guiltless Goodies: Green Chic link-up!

Hi all!

Check out the array of green links from our partners in the Green Chic blog group!

Proving you don't have to be cruel to be kind,


GiGi (and the Green Chic group!)

Factio Magazine checks out eco-chic store Sofia Vintage. The chic second-hand shop hosted a media friendly affair recently with vintage fashion tips, stylish people watching and flowing cocktails.

Fashion Pulse Daily finds some great ways to shop and help Haiti- from buying flip-flops to grooming products.

Guiltless & Glamorous is disappointed with this year's cruelty-free red carpet picks at the Grammys...or lack thereof

Home Greenloves clothes made from bamboo because they are fashionable, affordable and sustainably produced Plus, they feel like silk or cashmere- watch out cotton!

Posh Swaps looks at the latest eco fashion designer collection in her post Christopher Raeburn SS10 - recycling at its best

Runway To Retail checks out eco-chic beauty, trying Desert Essence Organics!

Shopping and Info loves this lilac Balenciaga bag for Spring 2010 because it is the hot color of the season AND it is pre owned for 50% off retail.

Guiltless Goodies: Grammys fashion disappoints

Hi all!

Sadly, the Grammys awards ceremony this year was not a spot to scope out some high-end cruelty-free fashion. Despite endless scouring of the stars' styles, only a couple of cruelty-free designers were sported, from what I can see (if you know of any others, please send them over!)

Enjoy what there was and let's hope that the Oscars provides a better turnout, fashion-wise!

Proving you don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon in a John Varvatos tux:

Miley Cyrus in a Herve Leger by BCBGMAXAZRIA dress: