Organic Handkerchiefs & Cosmetic Squares

I get a little giddy when I find super pure, good-for-the-planet products. Can you imagine my giddiness when I spotted these handkerchiefs and cosmetic squares from Hankettes? Not only do they look cute but they're made from organic cotton, are reusable and made in Canada. What a joyous find for a Wednesday! Okay, small and simple things make me happy but I love that these products help us to live a less disposable lifestyle.

I was actually going to do a post soon about how great coconut oil is for removing mascara and eye make-up but didn't want to encourage people to use tissues or even organic cotton eye pads because they are wrapped in plastic and then tossed away after one use. Problem solved now! You don't have to buy expensive make-up remover either, just try applying some organic coconut oil to your eyes (which you can find in glass jars in health food stores) and then wipe mascara away with these nifty cosmetic squares.

Organic Cotton Cosmetic Squares available at Hankettes for $19.99 (Canadian Dollars).

Organic Cotton Handkerchiefs - Box of 8, Hankettes ($44.99 CAD)

Sparkly Vintage Dresses

1960s Silver Dress - Oldage (Etsy) $64

A futuristic mini dress Barbarella would love and check out those buttons at the back.

1960s Shift Dress - Adelaide Homesewn (Etsy) $62
This gold speckled dress is gasp-worthy. It even has pockets at the front!

Vintage Silver Blue Party Dress - Pin Up Dresses (Etsy) $90
I don't know where I would wear this dress but I do know it would have to be showed off somewhere special. I'm thinking a winter New Year's Eve party near the Northern Lights in Norway or to the next Narnia film premiere.

Goodbye London, Hello Wellington!

I can't believe I'm moving! In two weeks! It's all happened so quickly. Our place has sold and now we will be out of England by Christmas! Have I seen all there is to see in London? I'm not sure. I just know it has been an exciting city to live in for my twenties but I'm so ready for something new. A slower, better quality of life. I think New Zealand has that in bucket loads.

This mammoth move will affect this blog - in a good way, I hope. I have to settle into a new city and country I have never lived in before. I have to find a place to live and make it completely eco-friendly from the inside, out. I have to find the best places selling scrumptious organic, vegan food and amazing vintage clothing. I hope to share it all on this blog and I will try to keep it interesting. Let's be honest, I'm a vegan moving to a country that primarily exports lamb and wool (don't get me started on the poor possums). There could be a few challenges.

New Zealand is a beautiful place though and I feel really fortunate that I can live there. I wasn't sure whether to return to Australia or try life in New Zealand but here's a photo that swayed me towards the land of the kiwi.

I want to be at that outdoor cafe on weekends. In the sun with those kind of views. It's actually the Chocolate Fish Cafe and it's close to Wellington. Or Wellywood, as it is sometimes referred to due to the city being a bit of film hub (Frodo and all that).

Okay, we've sold the flat. Booked flights. Packed? Not so much. Must get started and decide what essentials can fit into two suitcases and keep me going for three months (before our furniture and belonging arrive by ship). That should be easy. Maybe, I'll just do a little research on our stopover city - San Francisco first. I'm so excited to be passing through there. I've been once before when I was 13 so I can't wait to see it again.

Before I say goodbye to Oyster cards in London and hello to Snapper cards in Wellington (seriously), I will try and do a post about some of my favourite things in London, in case you're stopping by soon.


London red bus image: Wired + Volvo
Wellington cable car image: Travelpod
Chocolate Fish Cafe: simple and loveable

Christmas Green Gift Guide - For Kids

Organic Cotton Baby Bib - Not On The High Street, £6.50
The reindeer print is perfect for Christmas but I also love their butterfly bib. These are made in Britain by Littlechook.

Handmade Vintage Fabric Purse
- Not On The High Street, £16.50
Girls need a pretty purse to stash their treasures and this one is perfect. It is made in Britain by Harmony and Rosie, using vintage fabric with two fabulous prints. One side is the 'The Queen of Hearts' and the other side is 'Little Bo Peep.'

Vintage Child's Toggle Coat - Claire Ferrante (Etsy) $28
So English and so sweet!

Worry Dolls - Shared Earth, £4.99
Kids can place these dolls under their pillows at night and their worries will be taken away as they sleep. Made fair trade in Guatemala by CreArte.

Vintage Wood Bowling Pins - The Fancy Lamb (Etsy) $56
Get ready for some 1950s style fun! Children and adults will love these.

Christmas Green Gift Guide - For Foodies

DIY Cake Stand
You can send several of your favourite plates to Teacup Candles and they will transform them into a beautiful cake stand for you!
Made in Britain.
Available at Not On The High Street - £20

Vintage School House Cookie Jar
Every good kitchen should have a cookie jar. Cute, comical and vintage, if possible. I love this 1970s one from Babylon Sisters (Etsy) - $36.

Fair Trade Recycled Rice Bag Pot
These adorable pots can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen but I think they look cute for planting your favourite herbs. Handmade in Cambodia, fair trade certified by AAC (The Artisans Association of Cambodia).
Available at Not On The High Street - £5.75

Recycled Glass Pitcher
Serve your filtered water or luscious iced teas in this lovely pitcher that is handmade in Spain.
Available at the Natural Collection - £15.95

Booja Booja Vegan Truffles
For a little chocolate decadence, try the hazelnut crunch flavour. They're the perfect after dinner treat! Handmade in Norfolk (click link below for vegan ingredient list). Available in health food stores or online at sites such as Riverford - £4.99

Upcycled Apron
I had to include one of our aprons in this foodie gift guide. I know I'm biased but they really are lovely to wear and cook in. Each one is handmade in London using the best remnant fabrics.
Available at GreenLashesFashion (Etsy) - $25 (approx. £16)

Second Hand Cookbooks
You can find oodles of good second hand books at Oxfam, either online or in-store. Why not gather a selection of rare and lesser known cookbooks for your gift and stick to a theme such as Italian, Vegetarian, Seasonal or Baking.
Good Housekeeping: The Cook's Year - available at Oxfam (£3.99)

Fabric Sweets in a Glass Jar

Handmade loveliness at its best! This is the perfect, unusual Christmas gift idea for anyone who likes pretty things. The sweets are actually filled with English lavender so they can be sprinkled through your drawers, hand bag or even your luggage when you are travelling. They are made in Britain by Naive Textile Art using calico and ticking fabric.

Purchase at Not On The High Street - £19.50

Organic Striped Tops

Elizabeth Cowl Neck Mini - BTC Elements ($138)

I'm loving the stripey selection of long sleeve tops available from Raw Earth & Wild Sky. They're more exciting than the usual black, gray or white tops many of us turn to for winter. Now that it's time to start wearing layer upon layer, these stripey pieces will amp up your style in no time. All of the tops are handmade in LA with 100% organic cotton.

Mariner Tee - BTC Elements ($128).
Available in a variety of colours.


Audrey Tee - BTC Elements ($128)