The Chinese Go Green

Chinese actress Zhou Xun 周迅 is featured on the cover of Elle HK for their July issue. (Not loving that weird 'fro on her head, but she's still very pretty.) It's very interesting to me that they are doing a "Green Issue," as both Hong Kong and China are notorious for their smog issues, but at least there is awareness now to counter those issues, among other eco-friendly prerogatives.

Here Zhou Xun talks about the issue below. I actually enjoyed this clip a lot. For those not in the know, she is a huge star in China (although she hasn't made the leap to international stardom just yet), so for her to lead this initiative is akin to a Cameron Diaz or Charlize Theron showing you how cool it is to live green. I like how they talk about not owning too much clothing (this ties in a lot to that long blurb I wrote last week), or too much of anything, so that with less consumerism, comes less harm to the environment. I also like her story about Jackie Chan traveling to 5 different countries, and although he's mega rich, he carried one bar of soap with him so that he isn't wasteful. That's dedication!



You can also click here to see some behind-the-scenes footage from Elle HK.

The same issue also features actor Takeshi Kaneshiro 金城武; he's so yummy!


Incidentally, both he and Zhou Xun starred in a musical called "Perhaps Love," which I haven't seen yet, but have been dying to. You can see a romantic singing sequence between the two of them here. So cute together!



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love your planet, love your hair

Kate Hudson was shot in a beautiful series of ads for a new line of cruelty-free hair products.

"David Babaii for WildAid" has been in the works for more than two years with Hudson serving as both muse and lab assistant. It was on her head only that products made of volcanic ash, blue algae and white ginger were tested, since the brand is opposed to animal testing.

The products will be paraben-free and packaged in containers made from 10-percent recycled plastic, and they're striving for more. One thing they're exploring is using 10-recycled plastic for a liner, to ensure sturdiness, and using a greater percentage of recycled material for the outer packaging.

The company will donate 10 percent of profits to the animal conservation group WildAid.

I love that this line is meant to be earth- and animal-conscious, but the prices aren't ridiculous that you have to be a celebrity to afford them. A little more expensive than most mass-produced hair care lines, with the range from $11.95-$14.95, I'm excited to try this out.

Ever since I read Alan Weisman's "The World Without Us," I was horrified to learn that some of our every day products can cause a lot of damage to our planet. Take something as simple as face/hand wash that contains microbeads (which aren't biodegradable). I learned that when we wash our hands and faces with a product containing microbeads, the mere fact that these particles are so small, and because they don't break down, they choke the animals in the ocean. When I was looking for a face wash a few months ago, practically every product from every major mass-produced brand contained microbeads! Do marketers tell you this? Of course not! All they do is advertise on what a great job it'll do on your skin, but honestly, this is not the best way to scrub your skin! You're better off using a pumice pad, which is natural and non-toxic.

Anyhow, I digress. I love what this new product is all about, so when I finally run out of my Lux products, I will definitely try this out.


Learn more about the products and their mission here.

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don't always believe your eyes...

Something tells me that if you put these two together, your barista is going to be so thrown off.


If you're one of those ppl who HAS to have at least 1, 2, 3, heck, 5 cups of coffee a day, and you don't carry a thermos 'cause you like looking cool w/ a paper cup and sleeve, why not reduce your carbon footprint with something like this?

The "paper" cup is actually a porcelain cup with a silicone top, while the "cardboard" coffee sleeve is formed from reclaimed architectural veneer offcuts, and comes in a variety of exotic woods. After you're done carrying your hot coffee around, the cuff also doubles as a cuff bracelet!


Smart and entertaining, yes, but practical, not so sure. Try it out for yourself.

"I Am Not a Paper Cup" - porcelain and silicone cup - $22

Bentwood Coffee Cuff - $68CAD

Totes for a Cause #4

If you still haven't gone out and picked up a tote bag for your groceries in place of plastic bags, here are some more adorable choices. Pick either the "Green Living" design or the "Resist Plastic" design, and you will be helping the planet that much more. A portion of sales from these bags will also go to the World Wildlife Fund. Happy shopping!


Go Green Totes - "Green Living" or "Resist Plastic" - $28 each at FredFlare.com

Totes for a Cause #3

I absolutely adore this Wine and Bread tote from Rebecca Minkoff. It has an air of rustic/farmer's market to it, evoking a great loaf of crusty French bread and beautiful bottle of Reisling that one can tote to a picnic along the Charles.

Not only that, but if you purchase this tote directly from RM's website, 5% of profits benefit the Earth Organization. I personally love the royal blue tote. :)


Rebecca Minkoff Wine and Bread Tote - Royal Blue or Chocolate - $185

Totes for a Cause #2

I have not been shy advocating my love of tote bags, as they are not only practical and fashionable, but they also lessen the use of plastic bags. Now you can own a one-of-a-kind design, and it's for another good cause!

Out in New York, there is an exhibit (ending today) called, appropriately, "TOTE/BAG" showcasing specially-designed canvas totes by 125 local artists. 90% of the proceeds benefit the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, a New York based organization committed to environmental advocacy and education.

Even if you can't be in NY, don't fret, as you can purchase the bags online. My faves include the following:


"Tote/Bag" Exhibit and Benefit Show
April 12th - May 3rd
Open Space
510 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508

Designs can be purchased here.

Totes for a Cause

Ever since I traveled through London last summer, I've been smitten with cotton shoppers, otherwise known as totes in the States. I came back with 3 totes as souvenirs, 2 from museum gift shops and 1 that came as a freebie from a UK magazine.

Since then, my radar and preference has been for these light-weight and environmentally-friendly bags, whereby I'm actually putting away my luxury handbags (the horror!) and using these bags for my every day use.

I was as obsessed as all the fashionistas last year when the Anya Hindmarch "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" came out, and boy, did I look everywhere for it, but I did not succumb to the obnoxious price inflations on eBay for the latest "It" bag. I merely moved on, and found my own version of the "It" bag...hehe...

Anyhow, I'm seeing more and more that many organizations, corporate or non-profit, are using these bags to send loud and clear messages, whether they are for the environment or other civic/political lamentations. Here are some that you may want to invest in, as they are all for a good cause.

World Food Programme Feed Bag - reversible
Every FEED bag sold will feed one child for a whole year in school

"A bag for a good cause -- the FEED bag is modeled after the grain bags used to deliver food to schools in need around the world. A sturdy reversible bag, made out of natural burlap and cotton, it is a tangible way to make a difference in the fight against world hunger."

Origins 100% Organic Cotton Canvas Reusable Shopping Bag
"I Don't Get Wasted"
100% of the profits from the purchase of this bag will be donated to the
Organic Farming Research Foundation

"Toting this 100% certified organic cotton canvas bag when you shop makes great eco-sense. Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute. Billions of these bags end up as litter or in landfills each year. And to make the billions of paper grocery bags used annually, millions of trees are felled each year. The OFRF fosters the improvement and widespread adoption of local organic farming practices by sponsoring research and education projects; disseminating the results to organic farmers and growers interested in adopting organic production systems and educating the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues."

Hayden-Harnett "Green is Good" Tote
100% of proceeds from sale of GREEN IS GOOD organic cotton tote supports Farm Aid

"Help support organic, sustainable farming practices and education with the purchase of our exclusive "GREEN IS GOOD" organic cotton eco-tote. Promoting green farming is a great way to help the environment and ourselves. Using this eco- friendly tote, rather than plastic bags, is another great way to be kind to our planet. Farm Aid promotes local, organic, and sustainable farming through education and training."

Cara Zavaleta "Green is the new Black" Tote
a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Carbon fund

While they're not THE most fashionable bags in the world, they are for a very good cause, so swap out your bags once in a while and make a difference. :)

World Food Programme "Feed" Bag - $59.95 at Amazon

Origins 100% Organic Cotton Canvas Reusable Shopping Bag - "I Don't Get Wasted" - $10 at Macy's

"Green is Good" Tote - $27 at Hayden-Harnett

"Green is the new Black" Tote - $12 at Cara Zavaleta

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eco-friendly luxury

In honor of Earth Day, I thought I'd address how designers are getting involved with being more eco-friendly in their designs and manufacturing of products. I came across Linda Loudermilk, who terms her creations "luxury eco." Her refined pieces are made out of bamboo pointelles and soya blends, much more posh than say, hemp (which she doesn't use), and she is easily setting a new standard of green materials into every day fashion. Her designs showcase an appreciation of the organic and the dramatic, and the key here is that design was not sacrificed in the name of being green.

I especially love the tree-print poncho dress below, as well as that glorious white cape capped with feathers.


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