Archive for October, 2008

Ugly Betty with our Candy Wrapper Bag - now that is what I call style

This is the first Friday for some time when I can really relax. You see I have a guilty secret that until two weeks ago I indulged in every Friday night. I have been worried for weeks that someone will ask me what I did on Friday night. I didn’t want to lie, but I wasn’t sure I could admit to my Friday night viewing habit. You see I am a big fan of Ugly Betty. And fortunately now the series has finished my secret is safe until season 4 begins. (That’s as long as you keep this between you and me…)

I’m not in Channel 4’s Ugly Betty “target demographic” nor do a care much about New York’s high fashion industry – but I do love Ugly Betty. It could be that I was lured into in the first series by the mild mannered man of wood Alan Dale (better known as Jim from Neighbours for all those who were students in the 1980s). Whatever it was I have become an avid fan.

But my secret became a little less guilty in series 3 when Betty got a new bag. Not just any bag but a recycled packaging bag from (and I’m guessing) the Philippines. Every episode she was seen carrying the bag to and from work. Even better is that we sell this exact same bag.

The Woven Candy Wrapper Shopping Bag (from now on known internally as the Ugly Betty bag) is made from strips of waste packaging and looks fantastic. It is manufactured by a womens’ cooperative group in Manila called Doy Bags. At less than £20 this has to be the cheapest style icon of the year. If only I had shirt like Mark for it to go with….

I am not about to confess a hitherto secret compulsion to wash obsessively. My obsession is firmly contained within my head and has yet to materialise into much productive output.

It all began when I looked at the label in my son’s new light grey sixth form trousers to discover that they were Dry Clean Only. I was so incensed that I overcame my inhibitions to ask about it openly at the Sixth Form Information Evening.

Read the rest of An Obsession With Washing »

I’m always amazed at how little changes to our everyday routine can create a massive change or make a sizeable difference to the environment, your pocket, or your lifestyle.

So when we got a load of small electricals through the doors of Ethical Superstore I couldn’t wait to dig up some facts and figures on the eco-friendly alternatives to some of our daily appliances.

Yes, this new Eco Hair Dryer from Babyliss is small light and portable, and guess what? It dries your hair too.

But for me, the real plus point is the energy you could save if you swap your current 2000Watt dryer for this nifty little thing.

Read the rest of The Eco Hair Dryer Blows Away The Competition. »

Lawrence and his beets

When approached by a team of professors heralding the benefits of his beetroot juice, Lawrence Mallinson from James White Drinks was skeptical. However, his drink could be just what is needed to offer a natural alternative to lower blood pressures…

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Ama Kade, Kuapa farmer - Divine Chocolate / Pete Pattisson

From stopping you coughing, reducing your blood pressure or making you happy, chocolate really is the food of Gods. Here’s our top 10 things you didn’t know about chocolate…

Read the rest of 10 Things you didn’t know about Chocolate »

Green news we loved: In case you missed them first time around, here’s our September round up of the most talked about, most innovative solutions or simply the most spectacular green news to hit the headlines.

Read the rest of Green News Roundup September 2008 »