People Tree Sale - Eight Favourite Finds

If you need to stock up on some organic fashion for summer, People Tree have you covered (literally and beautifully, I might add). They have an array of eco goodies on sale at the moment but be quick as some items are selling out fast (it seems green girls like a bargain as much as any fashionista).

Here is my favourite eight finds from their sale section, which are all made in India (IFAT approved) from organic cotton, except for the earrings which are handmade in Kenya.

Stripe Jersey Dress - £20 (was £28). Pictured above
Who doesn't love a little stripe dress with a nod to the nautical (which seems like an on-going trend, especially during summer). This would create a chic yet relaxed look for summer but would also work during other seasons worn with a long cardigan or over jeans. Also available with pink and grey stripes.


Trapeze Dress - £25 (was £35)
This dress is selling fast and it is hardly a suprise. It's a great shape and style for summer and looks excellent with a long vintage pendant and your prettiest sandals (currently only available in black size 10 and 16 and navy 16).


Moko Earrings - £7 (were £14)
I'm such a fan of oversized earrings with a unique twist and these double disc earrings in dark wood and brass are stunning! For £7, they're a fantastic buy.


Greek Tunic - £13 (was £25)
Go Grecian this summer with a flattering tunic in earth mama colours of either red or brown. This tunic is slick yet casual with its pleat detail at front and cute plaited belt.



Bora Aksu Drape Front Tunic - £28 (was £55)
This is an ideal tunic for the urban green girl. You can confidently walk the streets of New York and London wearing this tunic with quirky sandals and an eclectic mix of bold, statement jewellery. There are three colours to choose from, black, grape or storm.


Tunic Vest - £9 (was £18)
I'm currently re-assessing my wardrobe to ensure I have high quality, organic vests and tees. They are wardrobe classics worth investing in as they work perfectly as the basis for any outfit. I love the length and thin straps of this People Tree vest for summer which is also available in brown and green.



Longer Length Fitted Tee - £8 (was £15)
I had to feature this white tee for its style, price and ethics. It's another item that is going fast but hopefully you can pick up a tee in your size and choice of colour (eco white, black, bluestone and faded rose).


Thakoon Bubble Sleeve Dress - £28 (was £55)
Sometimes a gorgeous dress with sleeves is required during summer, either for cooler days or for covering up from the blazing sun. This loose fitting organic cotton dress is ideal and impressively designed by Thakoon. The blue is selling out but its also available in a pretty pink which looks lovely and striking for summer.

Five Great Eco Outfit Ideas for this Week











































Image: Sienna Miller (Instyle.com - Fotonoticias / WireImage.com)














































1)
Long Merrow Tank in Black Sand - Stewart + Brown, $66 (made in usa / organic cotton)
2) Black & Gold Glitter Scarf - The Last Hurrah / Etsy, $7 (vintage)
3) Del Forte Eugina Jeans - Equa, on sale £75 (made in usa / organic cotton)
4) Toe Post Sandals - Vegetarian Shoes, £39.95 (made in spain / vegan)
5) Vegan Red Bag - Beta Boutique / Etsy, $26 (vintage)
6) Double Cuff Brass Bracelet - Hello My Friend / Etsy, $8 (vintage)























Image: Kate Walsh (Instyle.com - Jordan Strauss / WireImage.com)




Five Vegetarian Dinner Recipes for the Week


MONDAY - Vegetable Tagine with Chickpeas & Raisins
If you can't make it to Morocco this summer for an authentic tagine, you can try making this delectable one yourself at home. It's an easy recipe with a short and simple ingredient list which will make all the busy peeps happy.
See recipe at BBC Good Food


TUESDAY - Orange Chile Noodles
(Recipe courtesy Caprial Pence)
This is a noodle dish bursting with sunshine thanks to the unusual but welcome inclusion of orange. It takes 10 minutes to make and serves 6.
View recipe at Food Network


WEDNESDAY - Grilled Mediterranean Vegetables with Bean Mash
Just grab a red pepper, aubergine, 2 courgettes and some haricot beans and you have yourself a scrumptious and satisfying summer meal. Really easy to make and really easy to enjoy!
View recipe at BBC Good Food


THURSDAY - Curry Rice Salad
With the evenings getting warmer, sometimes a light salad is the only dinner worth considering. But you need a salad with substance at the end of a hard day and this Curry Rice Salad is just the answer. Packed with flavour (and even apple, raisins and honey) this salad will serenade the taste buds for dinner or lunch.
View recipe at Simply Recipes


FRIDAY - Three-Bean Chili with Spring Pesto
All vegans and even carnivores need a reliable meat free chili recipe. This protein packed dinner is a great little one pot wonder and delicious served with warm, rustic bread (image above: James Merrell).
See recipe at Real Simple


DESSERT - Lime Sorbet
I heard about this mouth-watering blog, Sea Salt with Food this morning on the BBC's Click show and quickly went online to peruse the recipes with many beautiful photographs. This zesty sorbet caught my eye, as it would make the perfect end to a perfect summer's day!
View recipe at Sea Salt with Food

All images from recipe websites


Five Best Summer Sandals from Vegetarian Shoes


Yellow Sophie Shoe - £42.95
Jump in quickly to snare a pair of these sunshine shoes before they are sadly discontinued. Bright, lollipop coloured shoes are worth buying, especially during summer if you want to brighten any outfit quickly and easily.



Toe Post - £39.95
Made in Spain

These new Toe Post sandals are great, practical summer shoes with 'cork and rubber footbeds' and 'grippy EVA soling'. They have a gladiatorial vibe going on coupled with a Birkenstock design and comfort level which makes these sandals stylish yet sensible!


Red Aphrodite Sandal - £39.95
Made in Portugal

Sure metallic, strappy sandals are pretty but if you need summer shoes that you can actually walk in, then these Aphrodites are for you! The rich and alluring pop of colour from the red is great for summer, as is the high comfort factor that comes from the padded footbed and adjustable straps. Al
so available in olive, brown, grey.


Glad Sandal
Yay! A vegan alternative to the popular gladiator sandal! This is just a glimpse of the new design which will be available soon at Vegetarian Shoes. Can't wait to slip into a pair and wear them with the black Edun organic dress or any skirts, shorts and organic jeans. The Glad Sandals will look great with anything.



White One Strap Sandal - £15
Made in Spain

It's great to have a pair of one strap sandals in your favourite colour (I just can't decide between white or pink). They are easy to slip in and out of, they look pretty and most importantly, they have a contoured footbed which will make your feet truly happy. I love the fact they are only £15 too!


Eco-friendly Finds Safari Style

Vintage German Zebra Brooch - Kinker Litzchen
I do love poking around vintage jewelry sites and searching for weird and wonderful treasures, especially when you find gilded animals such as this Zebra. It's adorable, hails from Germany and even has little Swarovski crystal eyes. You could possibly pin the brooch to your blazer's lapel or for a less eccentric touch, try securing it to a canvas bag or shopping tote as a way to declare your love for animals and the planet!
Etsy - $15.95

Vintage Safari Mini Dress - Pretty Raccoon
This Safari style shirt dress is a great blend of masculine and feminine styles. Wear with a brass or brown belt and sandals for summer and stockings, leggings or skinny organic jeans for autumn and spring.
Etsy - $49


Vintage 60s Belted Shift Dress - Love Miss Daisy
This dress has safari written all over it. The brown earth tones and black and white zebra / leaf pattern combined with the chic cut, make this dress look ultra sophisticated.

Love Miss Daisy - £45


Vintage Wood and Brass Bangle Bracelets - Hello My Friend
You definitely need a pair or set of chunky wooden bracelets to rock the safari look. I love the striking gold and black paired with the plain wooden one. It's all about an eclectic mix of bracelets you already own or may have picked up on your global travels.

Etsy - $13


Warm Burgundy Stripe Vegan Shoes - Charmone
made in italy / vegan

I know I've featured these shoes before but they are so fitting for today's safari / jungle, 'hello Africa' theme that I just had to include them! I love the earthy colour of the orange and burgundy stripes finished off with the pretty, shimmering ribbon detail at the top. They would look so sweet with dresses, skirts, shorts or some Stewart + Brown organic summer trousers.
Charmone - $99


Gigi Clutch, Zebra Print - Mad Imports
made in kenya + madagascar (fair trade) / raffia
A little Zebra clutch is a great way to incorporate the safari theme into your wardrobe without having to go OTT. You don't have to wear head to toe khaki and book a trip to South Africa to join the safari set, not when eco chic accessories such as this clutch are available.

Mad Imports - $79


Vintage Tan and Red Mini Dress - Santoki Vintage
This high waist khaki style dress looks fabulous with its bright splashes of red at the front and sides of the dress. The cute pockets and ties at each side make this a great little dress for summer.

Etsy - $85


New Look Brown & Gold Shorts - Oxfam
What's a safari without a pair of leg flaunting shorts? It's still a little tricky to track down organic shorts, so perhaps the next best option is Oxfam, especially their BNWT shorts (Brand New With Tag). This brown colour is perfect but beige, bottle green and even orange (if you're brave enough) would also capture the safari vibe well.

Oxfam £12.99


Wooden Animals in a Banana Fibre Box
- Jedando Handicrafts

made in kenya (fair trade)
banana fibre + muhugu wood

Kids will have great fun playing with these animals (set of seven) and adults will love the fact the animals are made from wood not plastic and have been ethically produced.

Scotia Fair Trade - £12


Plant-a-Tree in Africa Card
If you're all fashioned out then maybe you'd like this unique, meaningful gift idea. The World Wildlife Fund For Nature (WWF) will donate £2.50 from this card towards 'planting species including neem, mahogany and teak to help restore coastal forests and provide resources for local communities in Eastern Africa'. The pewter leaf trinket is lead free and made in the UK.

WWF £7.99


Get Star Style the Green Way



GET CAMILLA BELLE'S STAR STYLE SEVERAL WAYS

OPTION 1: ECO-FRIENDLY PURCHASING

The Dress
- Platinum Grey Floral Pattern Dress (Oxfam - £34.99)
Oxfam have this rich and decadent looking 'Platinum' dress from House of Fraser which is BNWT (Brand New With Tag). As with some second hand / vintage purchases, I would alter this dress a little by raising the hemline to the knee to keep it looking young and modern. Overall though, I think the colour and design is stunning and pretty darn close to Camilla's Jimmy Choo hue.


The Shoes - Caravaggio Vegan Shoes in Graphite (Charmone - $179)
Charmone's graphite coloured Caravaggio shoes are excellent vegan alternatives to the silver Jimmy Choos. They are the ultimate glam evening shoes.

The Necklace - Vintage Trifari Red Thermoset Necklace (Jewelry By Vicki, Etsy - $15)

Camilla's bold, statement necklace with red is what elevates her look from 'Chic' to 'Chic Unique'. The flash of red lifts the grey colour and creates a really interesting and striking outfit. The vintage necklace (with matching earrings) is similarly effective thanks to its chunky shape and quirky style.


OPTION 2: USE THE CLOTHES YOU ALREADY HAVE

Hopefully you own a little sleeveless dress and if it's in a silky, satiny fabric, even better. The key to Camilla's look is wearing your dress and heels in similar neutral shades and completing the outfit with a bold, statement necklace or choker in a contrasting colour to the dress.


OPTION 3: THE CASUAL ALTERNATIVE

If you don't own a steely blue dress, any summer dress in a plain, neutral shade would work (black or brown). Wear with an eye-popping statement necklace, bracelet and unusual sandals and you have a new laid back, stylish and unique look for summer.

1) Second hand H&M Metallic Grey Dress (
Oxfam - £7.99)
2) Vintage Chunky 80s Chain Necklace (
Sunshine City Lassie, Etsy - $5)
3) Vintage Weiss Blue Enamel Clamper Bracelet (
Zanzi Bargains, Etsy - $28.88)
4) Cri De Coeur Vegan Kate T-strap Flat Sandal (Nimli - $102)



Organic White Tops


Baby Falcon Top - Prairie Underground
made in seattle / organic cotton

You can't go wrong with a basic white tee or singlet in your closet (or in this case a 'tinglet' because it resembles both a tee and a singlet). Prairie Underground's extra long and loose fit is exactly the style many A-listers are seen wearing. It's stylish, versatile and the classic starting point for creating a plethora of different outfits.

Beklina $74


Yoko Tank - She Bible
made in the usa / organic cotton

The front panel with buttons makes this breezy white top ever so cute. Wear with your favourite skirts or shorts for a laid back summer look.

She Bible - $64


Winnie Top - Moral Fervor
made in the usa / organic cotton

Moral Fervor's tunic style top has a great shape and would be ideal for work. Wear with tailored pants or a sleek pencil skirt for a stylish look.

The Greenloop - $164


Trapeze Boatneck Tee - Perfectly Imperfect
made in the usa / organic combed cotton

This is such a flattering tee thanks to the 3/4 length sleeves, boat neckline and long length. Perfect!

Embodies - $63


Monarch Tank - She Bible
made in usa / organic cotton jersey
This adds a new twist to the standard white singlet. The long, centre panel detail at the front is great for anyone wanting to elongate their body.

She Bible $52


Mary Jersey Tunic Top - Tammam
made in india (fair trade)
organic cotton + organic wild peace silk (vegetarian)
For a bit of eco luxury, this elegant tunic top with tiered wild peace silk panelling at the front is an excellent option. It oozes style and sophistication.
The Natural Store - £90



Vegetarian Lunch Recipes for the Week Ahead



MONDAY - Rainbow Superfood Salad (Allegra McEvedy)
Get some health in a bowl with this colourful quinoa, broccoli, beetroot, cabbage and mushroom filled salad.
See recipe at Good Food Channel (was UK TV Food)

TUESDAY - Bulgur Salad with Chickpeas, Roasted Red Peppers and Spiced Cumin Dressing

If you want some light, flavourful salads for summer and picnics, then this Smitten Kitchen recipe sure looks good. Add some organic pitta breads and you've got a luscious lunch sorted!
See recipe at Smitten Kitchen



WEDNESDAY - Aromatic Noodles with Lime Peanut Sauce (pictured above)

This easy to make recipe can be whipped together in 15 minutes and hello, there's lime peanut sauce! Delicious. This will definitely leave co-workers or surrounding picnic companions with serious lunch envy!
See recipe at Food Network

THURSDAY - Ottolenghi's Wild Rice Salad
Ottolenghi's four London locales always have amazing salads and dishes on display and long queues of hungry diners. If you don't live in London or haven't bought their cookbook, you can try this salad with pistachio, dried apricots, mint and rocket.
See recipe at Ottolenghi



FRIDAY - Herb Marinated Peppers on Bruschetta with Home Made Pesto

If you work from home or just want an easy weekend lunch, this tasty bruschetta will bring a little gourmet gaiety to your house. Enjoy the zangy burst of flavour from the lemons, peppers, basil and garlic and when you proudly make your own green pesto, you may be inspired to make extra in order to stash some in your freezer for pesto pasta emergencies.
See recipe at Good Food Channel (was UK TV Food)




Glass Straws and Food Containers



I was so excited to find these beautiful glass straws and food storage containers. I'm not a fan of storing lovely, homemade meals in plastic containers as you hear so many frightening stories about plastic leaching toxins into your food. Not good!

The straws will come in handy now for summer too. You can enjoy delicious iced teas and smoothies with a pretty glass straw. You can even take one to work or to picnics (in a hemp or bamboo case) so you can say no to plastic when out and about. Straws are also great for protecting teeth from stains that can come from copious iced tea and coffee drinking (or sugar from fruit juice smoothies). Not only are these glass products reusable but don't you think glass is just a lot more civilised and prettier than plastic?




Glass Straws from GlassDharma - Made in the USA

David Leonhardt, the creator of GlassDharma straws mentions that 'as of March 2008, McDonald's serves an average of 52 million meals per day (per their website)' and asks us to consider how many of those customers were handed a disposable plastic straw! Opt for the reusable and safer alternative with GlassDharma and choose from three different straw styles and accessories that are all handmade in the USA. They are strong and durable (dishwasher safe) as they are made from borosilicate glass. GlassDharma even offer a 'Lifetime Guarantee Against Breakage' and can repair or replace a broken straw.



There are three different straw styles to choose from:
Simple Elegance (opening image) - from $6 or a set of four with brush is $27
Decorative Dots - from $7
Beautiful Bends (pictured above) - from $8


Bamboo Hard Case

Accessories
Store your glass straw in either the Hemp Soft Sleeve or Bamboo Hard Case (from $9).

Visit Glass Dharma to learn more or visit their online shop to purchase their products.




Glass Food Storage Containers - Made in the USA

I think these glass containers are wonderful and clearly many other people do too as they are all on back order at Free Market Organics until June 30, 2009. But that's not long to wait and definitely worth it! Store your organic and seasonal delicacies in containers of various shapes and sizes from Anchor Hocking ('made fairly in the USA').


Various sizes available

2 cup - from $9.95 or four - $34
5 cup - $12.95
12 cup - $15.95
Small set of three - $32.50
Large set of three - $36



Purchase Glass Storage Containers at Free Market Organics