ECO NON TOXIC NAIL BEAUTY

I get asked alot about eco friendly options for your nails. Is it possible to get nail polish and nail grooming products that are less toxic for us and less harmful to the environment? Well let me tell you that our prayers have been answered and there are plenty of options now on the market for non toxic nail beauty. Such brands include Scotch Naturals, zoya, Suncoat, HoneyBee Gardens, RGB and LVX. One brand I use in particular is called Butter London. I've come across this eco-friendly line that has fantastic formulas and are still free of nasty chemicals. I should note that nail polish in general is a lot safer these days, with major brands removing cancer-causing carcinogens and toxic pthalates from their formulas to make them safer for both consumers and manicurists alike. So while you can paint on your favorite brands with peace-of-mind, check out this under-the-radar line that is not only even safe enough for children, but also offer a variety of awesome colors and finishes to satisfy any lacquer-lovers taste. 

So what are some of the hidden nasties in your average brand of nail polish?

• Formaldehyde. It’s the stuff they use to preserve dead things. It’s a known human carcinogen and can cause ear, nose, throat and skin irritations.
• Dibutyl Phthalate. It’s the most controversial of these ingredients; it’s a known reproductive and developmental toxin, and is linked to hormonal and long-term fertility problems in newborn males. It’s banned in the EU.
• Toluene. A possible reproductive and developmental toxin that causes headaches, dizziness and fatigue. It can cause liver, kidney and brain damage, as well as damage to a developing foetus.

Most non toxic brands will opt for the 3 free priciple. Look out for this when choosing a brand. Butter London polishes are non toxic and "3 free," so they're formulated without formaldehyde, toluene, DPB, or parabens. The colors are unique and the pigments extra rich  so no need to worry about weak pigments, limited color choices, and chip-prone formulas.

One of my favourite products from the brand is the Nail Foundation. It is the perfect 'flawless basecoat' to your nail polish that lets your polish glide smoothly and nourishes your nails at the same time. I use this product as a basecoat but also build up a few layers and wear on it's own for when I want the 'au naturale' look. For a non toxic nail fix for Spring/Summer I suggest opting for pastel colours. The Butter London Pastel colour range is simply beautiful and will give you that fresh look for the season.

HOW TO ECO PACK

Not sure how to Eco pack? Not sure if it's even possible to have on the go essentials that are eco friendly? Well let me tell you it is possible, travelling eco friendly does not have to be a hard task. Here find my top eco daily and travel essentials for an on the go eco goddess look...

 Tips

• Simplify your life, If you can have something that acts as a 3 in 1 go for it, the less products you have for each different purpose filling up your bag or your cupboard the better.
• Go for a natural/mineral foundation or bbcream that doubles as a sunscreen but make sure it has a minimum of spf 15+.
• A natural crystal deoderant leaves no nasty marks on your clothing, go for one without the nasty chemicals and aluminium.
• Use a nail polish without the nasty chemical such as Butter London, they have a great selection of nail care products that are actually good for your nails without the nasties.
• A silk eye mask is perfect for travel and is lightweight and oh so soft on your skin, the perfect sleep/relaxation companion great for those long flights and trips away these holidays. You can get our very own EKO.LUXE Silk eye masks here.
• Go for a natural or recycled alternative for your makeup brushes, eco tools are great for the environment and have travel packs for on the go touch ups.
• Try a mineral lip gloss in a nice bright shade, it is not only good for your lips but will also brighten up your face with a pop of fresh colour, coral or yummy pinks should do the trick! Our fav pictured above is from mineral makeup brand Youngblood.
• Try an organic lip balm that also acts as an all over balm, the popular organic EOS lip balms are not only compact, a round ball that is easy to apply, but also yummy and amazing for your lips, we simply can't live without ours here at the EKOLUV office.
• A mineral concealer will answer all your prayers when you need a last minute touch up, a mineral concealer not only works wonders for your skin but also camouflages blemishes and other skin concerns.
• Also it is good to have handy an all over moisteriser that is great for face and body. We love the Evohe repair intensive moisteriser. It's perfect for overnight flights after washing your face and applying toner simply apply this baby and when you wake your skin will be so soft and revitalised. It is also a good brightening moisteriser to start the day, it smells amazing and will make you feel good too!
• Recycled and ethical purses are hard to find but alas the Milas range makes gorgeous purses and stationery. We also love a great notebook made from receycled paper and fabrics for those notes you need to jot down while youre on the go. You can get Milas products here.

XX

LOVE LACE PARISIAN

Our gorgeous EKOLUV Melanie Lace Dress now available in time for summer, this piece is perfect over swimwear or with a slip underneath and can be worn casually or dress it up for evening wear. It is eco friendly as it is hand made in small batches and is limited edition. Pair it with a navy blazer and a cute clutch to complete the look of parisian chic. To purchase the 'Melanie' visit here

Outfit: EKOLUV Melanie Lace Dress (Eco Brand); Leona Edmiston Navy Blazer; Mimco Lazer Cut Leather Clutch; TOMS Shoes (Eco brand).

SUSTAINABLE FASHION AT UNDRESS BRISBANE 2013

Do you know where your clothes came from? Undress Brisbane invites us to consider adopting a more sustainable approach to not only the way we see fashion but how we use fashion. They aim to challenge you to take a look at your wardrobe, If you don't know where your clothes came from, then take them off!

Undress Brisbane is Australia's largest sustainable fashion show, now in it's 3rd year, it's proven to be a tremendous success with the announcement for Undress Brisbane to expand further and with over 700 guests it's amazing how this wonderul team has pushed the boundaries of how we see fashion, forcing us to take a look and take responsibility with our fashion purchases.

EKOLUV was lucky enough to collaborate with Undress this year and we were thankful when invited to attend this wonderful event. We arrived at the multi level carpark and to our delight were instructed to proceed to the bar, on the menu were a range of delicious cocktails served up by the popular Oh Hello in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley Bar scene. I ordered the organic cocktail and was happy to see it served up in recycled containers and paper straws.

I also loved how creative the goodie bags were, they were made by Little Mother creations and made from recycled jeans. They contained fabulous goodies such as coconut water, an eco bird gift voucher and frangelico! Yay!

As we headed down the next level to the lit up jungle themed runway, we encountered the sustainable fashion industry's finest. Everyone from sustainable designers, retailers, bloggers, entrepreneurs were there ready and excited for the best Sustainable Fashion Australia has to offer. I was so impressed with the amazing local talent shown on the runways, seeing such wonderful design driven but sustainable fashion pieces so readily available made me excited for the future of sustainable fashion. It seems more and more people are becoming conscious with their fashion purchases and are looking for the next step, they want not only fashion that pushes the boundaries but a story and or a connection to their clothing, a way to express themselves and say "hey I care about where my clothes come from".

I can't wait to see more of Undress Brisbane, what an amazing show. Truly one of the best nights I have had in a long time.

Should you have time this week please pop on down to James St in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane for their Pop Up shop, they will be selling the designs fresh off the runway from the night. Just a couple of my favourite pieces from the night...

 

 Make Amend - Shift Dress

Anna-Lisa Wiklund - Bamboo bodice with a leather waist and silk skirt.

Thanks again Undress Brisbane, congrats on another amazing show!

UNDRESS BRISBANE

 

Are you a sustainable fashionista? Do you find yourself being conscious with your fashion and lifestyle purchases? Then this event is for you! If you don't already know about Undress brisbane then you should. Undress Brisbane is a sustainable fashion runway and there mission is to showcase Brisbane's sustainable design scene.

What are you wearing? If you’re unsure where it was made, what it is made of, or where it will end up; take it off. Undress Brisbane challenges you to assess the sustainability of your wardrobe.

The runway shows feature established and emerging sustainable designers. Think ‘no-waste’ collections, ‘food dyed’ garments, natural fibres, ethically sourced and unique pieces made from ‘off cuts’. Vintage items from the local area also make their way into the show. 

Their aim is to motivate Brisbane fashion consumers to change the way they shop. One billion items of clothing are imported into Australia every year (from China alone). There are only 22 million of us. Where does the excess go? For every person in Australia, 32kg of clothing ends up in landfill.

About The Undress Brisbane Event:
- The biggest sustainable fashion runway in Australia
- Three runway shows: swimwear & lingerie, day-wear, evening-wear & accessories
- Sustainable design exhibitions. Organic cocktails. Live music.
- All housed in a unique setting that will take you away from a Valley car-park and into an avant-garde, underground fashion scene.
- This is an 18+ event.
- Drink responsibly, dress sustainably.
- After-party at Oh Hello from 10 PM.


They will also be hosting a pop-up shop after the event were you can buy sustainable fashion from the night, visit their facebook page for details.


EKOLUV is delighted to collaborate with Undress Brisbane and will be reporting on these upcoming events, stay tuned for another post about the night and pop up shop.



For more information and to book tickets to the event please visit the link below:


http://undressbrisbane-es2.eventbrite.com/?rank=7&sid=6a4746ba30b811e3b20c12313b01148d
 

Will you be going to these events?

X Em

METTLE LOVE

 

Since I first laid my eyes on these gorgeous Mettle Fair Trade accessories I knew I was in love. Not only are they Fair Trade but are on trend and fashion forward and are also made from recycled materials including brass from old landmines left over from the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. I just had to have these gorgeous eco luxe accessories available for all you conscious fashionista's so you too could enjoy them as much as I do. Portions of the profits go back into an income genrating skills project for it's workers, how wonderful is that! Whenever I wear Mettle pieces I always get compliments and not only that but each piece tells a story and gives us a connection and a sense of giving back to those whom create our wonderful fashion pieces. And with Spring coming up I was excited to start pairing these adorable accessories with my favourite Spring outfits pictured below. Mettle available exclusively at EKOLUV

Outfit post: Mettle Fair Trade Accessories - Mettle Curb Chain Necklace and Bracelet, Mettle Stacking ring set, Mettle Eco leather and Brass cardholder wallet, top - Zara, Harem pants - Camilla. All accessories available at EKOLUV

ECO MAKEUP

 Pic Copyright of NVEY ECO

I've been thinking about doing a post on Eco makeup since I get quite a few questions from people wanting to learn more about the Eco or Sustainable products I use, in particular makeup and skincare products. I will be doing a follow up post on my top picks of Eco makeup and beauty brands. I'm happy to announce that I have recently joined forces and now collaborate with Undress Brisbane 'A Sustainable Fashion' event promoting and encouraging Sustainability in fashion. Lauren is a writer for Undress Brisbane and is my guest post on the hot topic 'Eco Makeup'. Here find Lauren's very informative post on all things 'eco' and the hidden nasties that can be found in many of our beauty products on the market.

What is ‘eco-friendly' makeup?

I recently decided it was time to restock my makeup arsenal. I’d finally scraped out the dregs of my mascara and tapped/shook/squeezed out the last of my oxygen… I mean *foundation. However, what I thought would be a routine in-and-out job at the shops last Saturday quickly escalated into a world of hurt. I found myself utterly ill-equipped to filter through the choice in makeup products available these days.

It took a good chunk of my morning to sift through the aisles. I was seduced by the promises of one beauty “staple” after another, charmed by the coquettish smiles of the glamazons working the counters and tempted by the world of “gifts with purchase”. I took one thing away from that experience. “Eco-friendly” is as much a buzz-word amongst the titans of the cosmetic industry as it is with the hippies who brew their own balms from pawpaw and berries. What is exactly is ‘eco-friendly’ though? And why should it matter?

A Google search will tell you, eco-friendly makeup comprises of all-natural ingredients - such as naturally occurring minerals and oils (e.g. iron oxides, talcs, mica, titanium oxides, rosehip oil, jojoba oil etc). These ingredients used to be foundations of the finest cosmetics. However, as with most mined natural resources, depleting stocks and the higher costs of extraction soon made it necessary to find easier and cheaper ways to manufacture the same products. They discovered synthetic polymers, artificial additives and chemical compounds so long they need to be abbreviated. Close inspection of most beauty products sourced from your local pharmacy produces a scary list of synthetically derived chemicals. I don’t know about you, but I only have one face, so I want to do as little damage as possible to my skin and to the environment (‘cos we only have one of those too).

Truly natural mineral makeup [uses ….] and has been around for a few years now. Due to the growing movement away from synthetic god-only-knows-what-that-is chemicals, there is a decent variety of natural mineral products available. I’ve gone completely natural with my beauty kit and whilst I can’t honestly claim to “look” any better (eco-friendly makeup sadly, has not made me look like Miranda Kerr), I definitely feel better. I find natural makeup to be just as, if not more, longwearing and less irritating to my sensitive skin. Make the switch and give these brands a go – Aveda, Bare Minerals, Kora. There’ll be a substitute for even the most discerning beauty critic out there.

Remember, just because your skin is your first barrier does not mean you should subject it to an onslaught.

Lauren is a writer for Undress Brisbane, sustainable fashion show. For more articles by Undress Brisbane writers, visit blog: www.undressbrisbane.com/blog

What a well written and an interesting topic for us to all learn more about what we are putting onto our skin and ultimately our bodies. Thanks for the wonderful post Lauren and I look forward to more collaborations with you and the Undress Brisbane team.  X Emily

AN ECO LIFESTYLE WITH DECKLE AND HIDE

I've always loved hand crafted goods that are of beautiful quality and the Deckle & Hide leather goods and Candles are no exception. I first met the lovely Anne while being a model shooting for her artwork and I must say she is one talented lady. Not only is she such a beautiful person she is a well established artist with her work shown in places such as New York, she also takes amazing pictures and makes her own organic candles, her partner Luke is the creator of the leather goods and combined they are the matsermind duo behind the amazing Eco label Deckle & Hide. I find these two so interesting and inspiring that I just had to do an interview with them.

5 minutes with Deckle and Hide...

What was the main inspiration behind starting Deckle and Hide Leather Accessories and Organic Candles? 
In both instances the inspiration came from our own need for specific items that were not available on the market. 

For me (Anne), the creation of my own range of candles began as there was a lack of healthy candle products on the market. I was very concerned about breathing in the toxins emitted from the candles I had bought (the black smoke was a dead giveaway that something was not good). I was concerned for our health and especially the teeny tiny lungs of my beloved pet parrot, Vonnegut. So I decided to make my own candles where I could ensure every ingredient was 100% plant based. I then began a quest to source the best ingredients from around the world. (please note the candles are not 100% organic, but they are 100% plant based. Some oils I cannot get as organic). 

This article has some good comments about the toxins in candles http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/04/toxins-in-candles-sad-but-true.html It is also not widely known that "fragrant oils" fall into a category called a "trade secret" law which means that the manufacturer of the fragrance does not have to disclose the ingredients used to make the fragrance - nor how harmful the ingredients may be!

For the leather, Luke was on the hunt for a simple, minimalist iphone case and wallet etc. His quest returned no results so he decided to embark on designing and making his own products. Every piece is designed by Luke with the minimalist philosophy of "one purpose, one product" and each piece is designed for use - ie. the iphone case to fit slim in a jeans pocket and to protect the iphone, without detracting from the iphone's already slim design (a lot of the iphone cases on the market just bulk out the iphone itself). The clutch was the result of a design brief from me (Anne) to fit all my essentials (my wallet, phone, keys, lipstick and pencil) whilst being as small as possible...with the ability to expand should I need to fit a few more items. He uses the finest full grain hides to suit each item he makes and each piece is hand stitched (as opposed to manufactured off-shore).

What is the vision behind Deckle and Hide? 

According to Luke "It's a party all the time" but I would say "quality design and quality ingredients for quality people"

Why did you decide to start your own brand and what do you hope to achieve?

We didn't intend on starting our own brand. We simply wanted well designed and well made pieces for ourselves. But then the word got out and people started requesting orders. We started off making items to order and now we stock in selected boutiques. It is our every intention to keep our range small and our order numbers small so that every item remains handmade by us and quality assured by us. There is something so nice about knowing the two people who have handled and created the product you buy. We never want to resort to getting our designs mass-produced off-shore under conditions that may be unethical.

Do you find starting your own business challenging? If so, what are some of these challenges you face in being an artist and entrepreneur?

For two creative, right-brained people, playing the role of business-person and sales-person is not our strong point. But that's okay. We like to let our product do the talking.

What advice do you give to other artists whom may be interested in starting their own business?

If you are passionate about your product, you will be successful. If you are going into business for the sake of making money, don't bother.

Where do you see Deckle and Hide in the next 5 years and what are your other dreams and aspirations as an artist and or entrepreneur

Again, we want to keep our range small and our order numbers and number of stockists small so that every item remains handmade by us and quality assured by us. As an artist and a designer couple, we hope to continually expand our practice and continue making and creating the things we love, until we don't love it any more or we die, whichever comes first.

Thanks Anne and Luke, what a great interview. I love their products and so I am delighted to have some available for you all through EKOLUV here

Enjoy! X Emily

THE REAL PRICE OF FASHION

To follow up on my previous post regarding Fair Trade in relation to the recent garment factory collapse in Bangladesh, I'm sharing this link of a documentary for those of you who haven't yet seen it or want to watch it again. I felt a responsibility to share this documentary via the ABC's Four Corner's show - Fashion Victims. If It's one main point I can take from watching this documentary is that we all have a responsibility to these workers, from consumer, to factory owners, to the media, to these buyers and brands sourcing their goods in Bangladesh. There are still so many brands not accepting any sort of responsibility and also denying they played any part in this tragedy but the evidence speaks for itself. In reality we are all part of the problem but also part of the solution. By simply accepting and being aware of these issues is a great start and there are many things we can all do to work together to help support our workers whom make our fashion in Bangladesh and also worldwide. How do you feel after watching this? What do you do to support Fair Trade? Would love to know all your thoughts...

You can watch it here

X Em

LOVE FAIR TRADE

 All items are Mettle Fair Trade feat the Hinged Neckpiece, Hinged Handpiece, 

White Eco leather Ipad Clutch, Etched double band cuff & Stacking Rings.

I've always loved Fair Trade products and It seems that we now have more choice than ever before, with many designers moving into Fair Trade practices in their business and their products being produced. In the food market - like coffee, chocolate and other produce readily available in our grocery stores, It's even easier to make the choice to buy Fair Trade. With the recent collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh, it is evident of the dangers of un safe working conditions and the importance of proper inspections of the factories, unions to protect the workers and provide a more fair work place for the employees. I recently watched a documentary highlighting the working conditions in Bangladesh and how people who work a 100 hour week (the equivalent of 3 full time jobs) and are earning as little as $40 AUD a month. In most cases they are being forced to work over time and are not getting a decent wage to reflect the number of hourse they work. There are also many cases of children under the legal age of 14 years old working in factories and factories usually having the upperhand when it comes to the rights of their employees. After watching this documentary I immediately felt a responsibility, a responsibility to those workers. As a consumer I play an important role in what the future of manufacturing will hold. I also realised that every person in the supply chain also holds this same responibility, the designers/brands/companies getting their products manufactured in Bangladesh and other developing countries, the factory owners and managers and the retail chains that sell them. To be honest we are all part of this problem, but we are also part of a solution. There are so many ways we can all make a difference to these people's lives and in turn our environment. Here are just some ways you can support Fair Trade working conditions for those who are making the clothes and other products we use.

• We can research companies whom are Fair Trade and organisations whom support Fair Trade.
• We can start being involved in these organisations and also buy Fair Trade products.
• We can change our attitudes and habits towards fashion by buying slow quality fashion over mass produced 'fast fashion'.
• We can pay a little extra for better quality products but that we know are Fair Trade, in turn more goes back to the workers for a better future.
• We can take better care of our belongings so they last longer and can be resused.

We have been stocking Mettle Fair Trade for some time now, and just love their eco-luxe accessories. They are all made from recycled bomshell brass from the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia and are all Fair Trade accredited, limited edition and help communities in the region. You can view all these lovely pieces and Mettle's collections available here at EKOLUV

THE STORY BEHIND OUR CLOTHING

 In Smile Clothing kit in India 2012

 An enchanting moment in time with my love (founding partner of Smile Clothing) At the Taj Mahal, Agra, India

 Smile Clothing Drop in Indonesia 2012

Smile Clothing's Popular Lighthouse Tee

Have you ever taken into consideration the effects of your daily duties? It seems just too easy these days that we do things automatically without even thinking or considering the impact using and buying things have on our climate and ultimately each other. Now what about the clothing your wearing? Were there Fair Trade working conditions for those involved in the production of your garment? Has the garment been mass produced? Has it been created from fabrics that in turn impact our environment in a toxic way? By buying your garment did you help support a cause/movement or small business in doing so? Now I'm not saying doing the things we do daily are bad, clearly we have evolved into a generation where a global communication network has become a necessity and therefore we need access to utilities on a greater/faster/cheaper and more accessible scale but what I'm trying to point out here is to see the bigger picture.


As we are emotional beings, it seems that we are now looking for fashion that talks to us, tells us a story and transports us into another world that is different from ours. It's the emotional experience and connection that we are all searching for - it is what we want, what we need and what our world needs. Now what about this connection? Isn't fashion supposed to be a statement or reflect the way we feel or be a representation about ourselves? What does your clothing say about you?      

Let me introduce you to a company who's very core is compassion, catering to the needs of children who may not have access to an education due to a lack of uniforms or clothing to attend school. This company's name is Smile Clothing, and It delights me today to share with you some moments and pictures from some of the clothing drops that I had the pleasure of joining in the past year.  

Smile Clothing's business model supporting a one for one movement, where every item of clothing you buy, the equivalent of a T-shirt or school uniform is donated to a child in need. Giving them access to what these guys believe is a basic human right, an education.

If you haven't yet heard about Smile Clothing, you soon will. This company is makng waves internationally and has already been recognised and featured as a 'brand to watch' on Virgin Unite's Website. Featuring regularly in magazine and newspaper articles, It seems the word is spreading quickly about the incredible things this group of guys (Smile Clothing) are doing and are becoming a popular clothing wear of choice amongst many young and more conscious consumers. So what choices are you making today? What does your fashion sense/style say about you? Something to consider...

If you'd like to know more, you can visit Smile Clothing's website here at www.smileclothing.co       

A DAY AT THE EKOLUV HQ

Like any day, I like to start with my favourite green smoothie while I'm working on EKOLUV and wrapping orders for my postal run. I'm currently working away at expanding our product and brand base and excited to have more wonderful brands in store for you all. Also in hand while I'm plugging away at the blog/store I have my latest copy of my favourite mag Peppermint Magazine, I've always loved Peppermint Magazine and I'm pleased to announce EKOLUV is featured in this month's issue. Grab a copy for your $10 discount voucher plus *Free Shipping within Australia. For those of you who can't access a printed copy they also have digital issues available for purchase. For all my blog readers worldwide I will offer the code especially for you should you not be able to access a copy of the magazine. Here is the exclusive code from the magazine 'PEPPERMINTLOVE'. Enter code at checkout to receive $10 off your order and *Free Shipping within Australia only. Lot's of new gorgeous vintage, ethical and sustainable fashion and lifestyle pieces available now. Shop here for all our latest goodies <3 xx

DIY ECO FRIENDLY ORGANIC SOY CANDLES

You might have noticed that soy candles have been all the rage lately and here is why...

Many commercial candles sold these days have a dark history, they’re mostly made from animal byproducts (beeswax/tallow), emit toxic soot, or they increase CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

Handmade organic soy candles however will provide an all-natural, non-toxic golden glow alternative for your home. They are not just helping to set a mood, warm up a room and look pretty on a shelf but some are made from the most wonderful pure essential oils which can promote and aid relaxation whilst providing a beautiful scent for your home.

Soy candles are environmentally friendly as they don’t give off soot like paraffin candles and last longer than candles made from animal products. They make for beautiful gifts and best of all, they’re easy to make by hand, requiring basic tools and just a few ingredients. Here is my Ethical DIY Tutorial...

 What you will need:

• 2 cups 100% pure organic soy wax flakes for container candles (available at your local organic and or craft supply store)
• Glass bowl
• Saucepan
• Wooden Ladle/Spoon
• Candy thermometer
• Organic pure essential oils (lavender, vanilla, peppermint, ginger, nutmeg, etc.)
• Wick sized to fit container
• Glass/Mason jar or other container which can be reused to fit a candle
• Clothespin
• Scissors

 Optional extras:

• Wick holder
• Candle putty
• Embellishments for decorations (you can add vintage fabric, gems, crystals or anything to suit the occasion or person you are giving it to or If making for yourself create to suit the theme of your home)

How To Make The Organic Soy Candles:

1. Melting the soy wax. 

Place soy wax in a glass bowl, and place the bowl on a saucepan about a third full of water, creating a double boiler. Heat the wax, stirring occasionally, until it is soft and pourable. Or (You can choose to heat the wax in the microwave, at one-minute intervals until melted.)

2. Adding the Organic essential Oils you want to use. 

Let the wax cool (the temperature of the water should be about 120 degrees - use thermometer to check temperature) then add 5-10 drops (or about an ounce) of chosen organic essential oils.

3. Placing the wick in your jar/container. 

Spoon a small amount of wax onto the center of the bottom of the container. Dangle the wick into the container until it touches the wax, making sure you have enough wick at the top to hang over the end of the container. (You can also purchase wick holders and candle putty at a craft store to secure the wick at the bottom; simply follow the directions on the packaging.)  Hold the wick in place until the wax hardens; then pinch the top end of the wick with a clothespin and set the pin across the top of the container, keeping the wick centered and upright.

4. Pouring the wax. 

Stir the wax so that it is smooth and then slowly pour it into the container. Leave some room at the top. Leftover wax can be reused,  If you have leftovers simply let it harden and then save it in a container/jar for later use.

5. Setting the wax.

Let the wax harden overnight. The next day, trim the wick, and your soy candle is complete!

Now that your Organic soy candle is ready you can choose eco embellishments or decorations to suit. 

Here are some ideas...

• You could use a piece of old vintage fabric or lace and glue around the jar/container of candle
• You could use natural twine and recycled cardboard as a swing tag and hand write a lovely quote
• You could glue old vintage stones/gems/pearls/beads to the jar/container for a lovely effect

The opportunities are endless just use your imagination and conscious thinking and you can make a uniquely beautifully decorated candle for home or as a gift. So DIY experiementing is a lovely way to get creative and make use of existing materials that would otherwise be wasted around your home and creating a new purpose for them or buy Hand Made Oganic Soy Scented Candles at EKOLUV here from our wonderful suppliers at Deckle and Hide <3

TRANSPARENT TREND, THE ETHICAL WAY

One my favourite trends for Spring/Summer 13 that is kicking up a storm in the fashion world is Transparency. From the transparent clutch to the transparent bag or even clothes partly transparent, I love them all. Here is my version of top picks of transparent clutches and bags you can buy whilst still being Eco friendly. You can also view how to work these babies into your existing wardrobe in our previous outfit post. Both bags available online at EKOLUV

1. The Mettle Ceres Clutch Bag - Recycled and Fair Trade. (You can Buy it Here)

2. The EKOLUV Transparent Clutch/Bag w/Detachable Chain/Leather Strap - Recycled (You can Buy it Here)

 

Outfit styled with our EKOLUV Necklace and Cuffs, Kowtow Building Block Drap Cardi in Off White, EKOLUV Vintage Nappa Leather Shorts, Skull Print Scarf and EKOLUV Transparent Clutch Bag.