LONGING FOR DUSK...EDUN'S SPRING/SUMMER 2008 COLLECTION
How do we love EDUN…Let us count the ways… First, the clothes are a little bit edgy, a little bit rock and roll and a whole lot fashionable. But, beyond that, EDUN, in our book, is one of the most “socially conscious” companies on the planet. Its mission is to foster sustainable employment to fight poverty in developing countries of the world, primarily Africa, and it’s doing just that. All of its clothes are produced in Africa, South America and India and it acts as a voice to encourage 
other fashion companies to do the same. Its One T-Shirt Campaign with the support of many Hollywood stars and musicians, has sold tens of thousands of t-shirts to raise funds to help fight global disease and extreme poverty and bring fair trade and AIDS treatment to Lesotho, Africa. Did we mention it’s the brainchild of Ali Hewson and her husband, Bono?
That said, let’s talk clothes. The new EDUN Spring/Summer 2008 collection, according to the company, “is inspired by the six degrees of dusk…the transition from day to the approaching night
when the sun first goes down and creates an after glow in the sky.” The fabrics and colors of the clothes play into this theme, including “nightshadow,” “raven,” “phantom” and “twilight pink.” The styles are also designed to move easily from day into night. The women's collection includes camisoles, tunics and dresses made in cotton, linen and silk, accented with elegant, yet edgy trims, such as lace, glass buttons from Italy, cameo brooches and vintage ribbons from France. There are also 100% organic cotton graphic tees and denim with dusk-inspired washes like Eve, Nymph, Nightshade and Raven (an organic denim with a natural resin coating.) The men’s collection has a military edge, focusing on vintage army-inspired fits.
The new collection is available at www.edunonline.com. How great is it to do your part for fighting world poverty, while looking fabulous!
WE ALL KNOW WHAT WE PUT IN OUR BODIES IS IMPORTANT, BUT HOW ABOUT WHAT WE PUT ON OUR BODIES... WE ASKED AN EXPERT TO
EXPLAIN.
STAR TREATMENT IN YOUR OWN BATHROOM
When a product line has a serious A-list celebrity following, we feel it is definitely worth checking out. After all, these folks can use anything they want, right? So, we decided to try a simple three-step natural skin care system created by Tracie Martyn, facialist to everyone who’s anyone including Julia, Oprah, Madonna, Gwnyeth, Jen, Kate (both of them), Liv, Renee and even Brad.
Famous for her resculpting facial that actually uses electrical currents to firm and tighten the skin, Martyn 
is the go-to girl for celebrities before parties and photo shoots. Her products are derived from Martyn’s own formulation that is 100 percent free of harsh industrial chemicals. Instead she utilizes all-natural ingredients, including pineapple and papaya enzymes, volcanic minerals, Indian lotus flower and more to create a line that transforms your skin before your eyes. The three step system includes Amia Purifying Cleanser, Enzyme Exfoliant and the famous Firming Serum…our favorite. This miracle in a bottle helps boost the skin’s own production of collagen and elastin. You see the difference instantly and it is so hydrating, there is no need for additional moisturizer. It is easy to see why the Hollywood elite flock to Martyn for her products and services. They are easy to use, fast, effective and, the fact that they are all-natural makes them tops in our book. www.traciemartyn.com
JEWELRY WITH A HEART
Let's just say Lucina Jewelry is inspiring in so many ways. Forget that the Acquamarine Tassle Necklace is so stylish and so "in," with its silver chains and stones hanging down asymetrically, and that the Chestnut Tagua & Citrine Earrings will go with every safari-esque outfit you'll wear this season. The best part is that you can wear these great spring/summer earrings, necklaces and bracelets, knowing that all the stones, beads, silver and, in fact, every component comes from fair trade workshops and organizations all over the world. There are 
fluorite nuggets hand carved by women survivors of war in Afghanistan and Tagua beads that come from a "Cooperative of Tagua Artisans" in Ecuador. Sterling Silver chains and beads come from a fair trade workshop in Bali and the wonderful gemstones used throughout the collection are from fair trade sources in Brazil. According to the company, women produce 80% of handcrafted products worldwide, so through its trade with these talented women, Lucina’s mission is to become an "engine of benefit" for women and children around the world. Lucina also partners with three women's organizations: Women for Women International, the Women's Edge Coalition and Hands to Hearts International. So, let's see...beautiful jewelry that's a perfect accessory to spring/summer wardrobes, made with materials created in fair trade environments to help bring women and children all over the world out of hardship. Hmmm...have you clicked through to their website yet?! www.lucinajewelry.com
It's a laid back Sunday and you're off to the farmer's market. You want to be ultra casual and certainly don't want to do your hair, but still want the 
stylish aura. Throw your mop into this great baseball cap from PAZ. A husband and wife team discovered the hat that inspired this eco fashion line while on a trip to Brazil. The cap is made from recycled canvas, previously used by truckers to protect their cargo, and a new faux leather made by Amazonian natives from sustainable plant matter. The line also includes outback style hats and bags. By the way, PAZ means "peace" in Brazilian Portugese. Peace out. www.pazapparel.com.
Now, you can have your organic chocolate fix and save the animals too! Endangered Species has launched five new organic chocolate bars and three of them have a health focus intended to enhance the benefits of "good for you" dark chocolate. The "Spider Monkey," for example, is 70% cocoa with goji berry, pecans and maca (helps with stress and energy), and the "Tree Frog," also 70% cocoa, has cacao nibs, yacon & acai (all about the anti-oxidants). Endangered Species donates 10% of net profits from the three ounce bars and the rest of the line to help support species, habitat and humanity. Each bar has a beautiful photo of an at-risk species (that will tug at your heart strings) and educational information on the inside of the wrapper. www.chocolatebar.com.
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