Fall is almost here and designers are rolling out their fall collections. Over the next several weeks, we'll showcase what you can expect from the best of the best in eco friendly fashion. Here's the first one from CFDA Awards finalist, Organic by John Patrick.
ORGANIC BY JOHN PATRICK
Organic by John Patrick ranks at the very top of our list when it comes to simple, sophisticated, understated essentials. The look is very cosmopolitan and tailored. It is haute eco fashion at its most elegant. The fall 2008 collection includes everything from jackets and coats to blouses and trousers, incorporating organic Japanese cotton cashmere, recycled and organic wool, organic cotton and beautiful recycled embroidered cotton. Here are a few of the featured outfits. You can see the whole collection at www.johnpatrickorganic.com. We'll let you know when it hits the stores!
A - Recycled cotton bib blouse, recycled wool circle skirt, alpaca wool hand knit scarf
B - Mongolian cashmere sweater, organic cotton turtleneck, recycled wool plaid pants
C - Recycled embroidered cotton blouse, organic cotton shrunken tee, Italian organic cotton trouser
D - Organic cotton/wool boucle jacket, French ecological lace blouse, organic cotton/wool boucle skirt
GET SPIRITED...
OUR TOP 10 ORGANIC AND NATURAL SPIRITS,
PLUS GREAT COCKTAIL RECIPES TO SPICE UP ANY PARTY
by Carrie Pollare, Editor
Labor Day is fast approaching and that means the last great parties of the summer...sigh... So, to make sure your celebration is perfect, we've gathered up our favorite organic spirits and some tasty recipes for each one. For some reason, we Americans are very heavy into vodka...martini lovers that we are...and there are four vodkas that made our list, both pure and flavored. But, we've also found gin, a single malt scotch, tequila, rum, some wonderful liqueurs and one of our favorite spirits, based on the açai berry. Most of these brands are now carried in bars, restaurants and stores around the country, so you can also ask for them at your regular haunts. Salud!
Make sure you check out our "Seriously?" feature, where we bring you eco products & stories that are (how can we say) crazy, nuts or "over the top."
WELCOME BACK, LAUREL HOUSE!
We are so thrilled to welcome back White Apricot's original editor and writer extraordinaire, Laurel House. A published author, nationally recognized magazine writer, healthy living spokesperson, national and local morning television show expert and green living advocate, she brings a unique, very personable and humorous perspective to the eco fashion, beauty and lifestyle world. We know you'll enjoy reading Laurel's regular column and we promise you'll learn things you never would have imagined... like the following article, for example...
Note: This article contains adult language and may not be suitable for the easily grossed out...but it's pure Laurel House fun! Go on...read it...you know you want to!
EXTREMELY NATURAL BEAUTY
by Laurel House
Now that we have finally come to the slightly depressing realization that many of our once favorite beauty products are in fact chemical cocktails in pretty shades (yes, I still pine for my MAC Spice lip liner), it seems that some of us are getting a bit excessive when it comes to extracting beauty from nature’s bounty. Yes, nip and tucking is being replaced by bird poop and bull semen. No joke. Not interested in animal excretions? How about allowing fish to nibble the calluses off your toes, or snakes to slither and leeches to suckle your spine for the sake of detoxification and relaxation? Yes, the new extremely natural “luxuries” are popping up at many of the most chic, albeit avant-garde, spas around the world.
Check out our Eco Friendly Fashion Exclusive
Offers page with discounts on clothes, handbags,
shoes, jewelry and more up to 70% off!!
FINDING A COMMON THREAD
Did you know that in Africa, millions of children are not allowed to attend school because they cannot afford the required uniforms? It seems hideous to us that for something as simple as a uniform, these mostly orphaned or impoverished children are kept from an education. Go figure...
But, Zac Folk, Executive Director and Founder of non-profit organization, Common Threadz, has found an ingenious way of getting these children into school, one uniform at a time. And, he needs our help to get the job done. What do you have to do? Brace yourselves... You have to buy cool looking, limited edition, numbered t-shirts with wonderful commissioned graphics, created by volunteer artists. You see, for every $38 tee you buy, Common Threadz provides one uniform to a child in need. Then, the entire balance of the proceeds (remember, this is non-profit) from your shirt is donated to an additional charity that the particular shirt/artist supports.
Common Threadz has only existed for three months and already has more than 20 artists donating their talent, as well as celebrity supporters, like R&B singer, Christina Milian, (shown above right with the colorful signature tee), Desperate Housewive's Jessie Metcalf and Rex Lee from Entourage. And, an added bonus...most of the t-shirts are organic cotton. Go for it at www.commonthreadz.org.
HAVING A BALL IN THE SHOWER
by Bonny Osterhage
Showers just got a lot more interesting with the introduction of Ojon’s Tawaka™ “The Ball.” This cleansing and exfoliating body indulgence is inspired by a 1000-year-old cleansing ball, only available in the Tawaka™ villages of the rainforests of Central America. Created in small batches and taking up to two days to create, The Ball is an ancient remedy that is rich in fatty acids and contains a rare Tawaka™ cacao blend that is loaded with antioxidants—as much as in 2,834 pounds of blueberries! And there are no artificial colors, sulfates, silicones, parabens or preservatives.
When you unwrap The Ball, you will swear you have just unearthed the world’s largest chocolate truffle. But don’t bite in—rub in! The Ball removes debris from pores and refines the skin’s surface, leaving a satiny finish. Easy to use, just work The Ball between your hands under warm water for approximately two minutes before the first use to release the exfoliating properties. After the initial use, you only have to moisten the ball before buffing it in a circular motion over wet skin, paying close attention to problem areas. For added benefits, allow the cleanser to remain on the skin for a couple of minutes before rinsing and for best results, use it twice a week. Once you get the hang of it, you will be having a ball in no time! Available at www.sephora.com and for more information go to www.ojon.com
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