Autumn Colours – time to warm up your wardrobe

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autumn trends, eco fashion, ethical clothes, organic clothes

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We may not be celebrating a fabulous summer but now the leaves are turning and the thought of cosy nights …

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Spring eco makeup tips

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eco beauty, natural makeup, organic beauty, organic makeup, vegan makeup

You’ve seen the spring fashions, had a few sunny days but if you’ve still not made the leap into full spring mode there is an easy way to help update your look with a fresh spring time glow.

Updating your makeup can help you effortlessly transition between the seasons and sticking to just one or two key trends can refresh your whole look. However with all the glossy magazines and department store counters full of makeup brands that contain a concoction of potent chemicals how do you find the kinder to skin and more eco-friendly versions?

Well hopefully we’ve done that for you. We’ve taken a few of the key spring trend makeup looks and found the eco alternatives.

Barely there foundation – bare-faced beauties were all over the catwalk shows for S/S 2012 but as many of us know this can be one of the hardest looks to achieve, unless of course you have a spare hour every morning and a makeup artist on standby. If not try these tips:

• A tinted moisturiser is quick, easy to apply and will give you a sheer natural look, try MADARA’s Decoface organic tinting fluid packed full of organic ingredients. This product is great if you have a nice even skin tone to start with.

If you need a bit more cover but only in small areas like under the eyes or around the nose then use the above with a concealer where needed. Try Greenpeople’s ecocert concealer in nude.

• Alternatively if you feel most comfortable with more coverage then it has to be NVEY’s creme deluxe flawless finish foundation, long-lasting and gives a matte finish so no need for powder.

Sun kissed Cheeks  – think how you look in the first few days of a summer holiday, that sun-kissed look but definitely not sunburnt! This seasons cheeks have a subtle heathy glow.

• Try a light sleep of bronzer across the areas the sun would naturally catch i.e cheeks and nose, but do keep it light save the tanned look for summer.

• Orange was a big colour for this season so you could introduce the colour with a peach blusher for a softer look.

Colourful Eyes - its bright bold colours on the eyes this spring, but don’t be intimidated just pick one colour that will compliment your eye colour and keep it close to the lashes to introduce this look gently.

• Nvey Eco have a great range of eye colours from pastels to brighter shades, they are long-lasting and gentle on the skin.
• Black eyeliner completes the look – Lavera natural liquid liner available in black or brown

Bright Red Lips – if red lipstick is must have for you then this season you’ll be spoilt for choice, however the key trend is orange based reds. If you’re not quite brave enough for a strong lip colour try a pastel peachy shade or go nude and make the eyes strong.

Remember you don’t need to apply all the trends to your look, if you like colourful eyes keep your lips neutral and vice versa.

We would love to hear what you think of our eco makeup suggestions, tell us in the comments below. Or share your favourite makeup tips with us.

Spring fashion trends 2012

February 2012 is Fashion Week time in London and Paris, so expect heels, glamour, cutting edgy style, new trends, new lines and plenty of celebrities and whitened teeth.

But you can also expect more eco fashion pieces being introduced to the photographers, journalists and buyers.

Ethical clothing is one of the big things on the catwalks this month for Autumn 2012, so here is a recap of the Spring 2012 trends and how to work them into your wardrobe.

Colour blocking – this one can be confusing when faced with a rail full of bright colours, but you can make it work with existing pieces you already own – check out this short video by Kitty Cotten from Minneapolis, for a great tutorial.

Bold prints – it’s going to be difficult to escape the riot of colours and busy prints in the shops this season.

Partly due to the Turkish fashion designer, Erdem, who was an early developer of this trend, and partly due to the relative ease of digital printing on fabric, modern prints will be everywhere this Spring.

Go orange – don’t let B & Q put you off.  Their trademark colour will be big this season and you’d be mad to miss it.

Whether you choose saffron, burnt orange, tangerine, or bright orange, if you’re looking for a simple way to be on trend this season, then here is your answer.

And this Camilla Norrback in seasonal rust is one of our favourite.

Pastel shades – if bright colours, strong patterns and bold prints aren’t your thing, then don’t despair.

The top designers have come up with some feminine and pastel pieces that will have you gliding around in comfort, reaching for the pearls.

Pink shorts suits – no-one will miss you in one of these.  They’re office-ready, comfortable, and look amazing, so when the weather starts to warm up again and the clocks spring forward, you may want to consider investing in one of these shorts suits.

Which is your favourite trend this season?  Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

A cosy nest for cool January – interiors to warm your home

This Winter has been one of the mildest on records so far (which has been a blessing for my heating bill and my CO2 emissions) but here are Daisy Hill we have slightly missed the crisp mornings, frosty breath, and numb fingers that we so enjoyed last Winter.

The dark mornings and dark evenings are still here, (even if the cold temperatures aren’t) but the dark shadows under the eyes don’t have to be – our favourite remedy is Pai echium eye cream, but you may find cold teaspoons are a good quick fix if you haven’t yet got your hands on some!

So as the daffodils open up along the hedgerows, and even the crocuses think about making an early appearance in the gardens, we wanted to capture the spirit of Winter before Spring is fully sprung.

Here are some of our favourite interiors from this season.

Clockwise from top left:

Ginkgo eco print in warm stone – hand-produced in the UK using silkscreen printing, colours are dense and vibrant, printed on recycled card
Baltic sustainable linen throw – made on hand looms by highly skilled weavers in the Baltics, this throw conforms to the highest ecological standards
Fairtrade silky stripe lilac cushion – sourced from India, these Fairtrade cushions are handmade, rich and luxurious
Large red harbour light – made in Wales, this stylish aluminium lamp will bring cheer to any living room or kitchen

Clockwise from top left:

Daisy Heat Bags – lavender-filled, printed with water-based inks onto organic Fairtrade cotton, these little heat bags are perfect for Winter aches and cold toes
Organic jute rugs – handwoven from jute, these eco rugs are made from natural vegetable fibre and spun into coarse, strong threads, ideal for wooden or slate floors
Soy wax candle – infused with natural oils, this candle contains 100% natural blend of oils that will lift your spirits whatever the weather’s doing
Grey wool throw – made with recycled wool, this soft throw gives unloved jumpers and cardies a whole new lease of life

Okay, we haven’t missed slipping on the icy pavements and having to wear three jumpers just to go to the loo in the night, but these rich and warming accessories have already made Winter 2012 a far more appealing thought.

What do you love most about Winter?  Tell us in the comments below or over on the Facebook page.

PS I don’t know what it is about those Daisy Heat Bags that we like so much….

Healthy lunches for busy people

January is a time when many of us are watching what we eat, exercising muscles we’ve not used for months, and getting our five a day for the first time since last January.

But if you’re busy working, juggling home, job and family, it’s often tempting to just grab a cheese toastie or a pre-packed calorie-laden salad on the run rather than sticking to the healthy eating plan that you took two days to prepare.

So here are some healthy, speedy and filling lunches to keep the munchies at bay until tea time.

1.  Store cupboard pasta salad

This pasta salad is low in fat, high in taste and can be prepared in advance

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 2 tsp finely chopped red onion
• 1 tsp capers
• 1 tbsp pesto
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 185g can of tuna in spring water, drained
• 100g leftover pasta shapes
• 3 sundried tomatoes, chopped

To prepare, simply add the ingredients to a bowl and mix.

You can prepare this lunch the night before then just grab it as you head out the door.  At just 189 calories per portion it’s a great healthy choice that will keep you full til dinner.

2.  Roast vegetable wrap

Tasty and filling, this simple tortilla recipe can be adapted to suit your individual likes - add chicken or tuna for extra flavour

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 2 small courgettes, chopped
• 2 red peppers, chopped
• 2 yellow peppers, chopped
• 5 mushrooms, sliced
• 2 small onions, cut into quarters
• olive oil
• paprika & ground chilli

The night before, place the prepared vegetables into a roasting tin, brush with the olive oil and sprinkle with the spices.  Bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees or until the veg are soft.  Cool and refrigerate until morning.

Pop into a lunch box and take a tortilla wrap and some fresh salad leaves with you; when lunchtime comes, simply roll the roasted vegetables and salad leaves up in the wrap and tuck in.

3.  Hearty homemade soup

This delicious soup, made with slow-energy-release lentils, will keep you full for longer

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 300g (10oz) carrots, scrubbed and chopped
• 60g (2oz) red split lentils
• 750ml (1¼ pint) hot vegetable stock
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons soured cream (optional)

Put all the ingredients (apart from the soured cream) in a pan, bring to the boil and simmer for 25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.  Serve with a tablespoon of soured cream for extra richness.

This low calorie soup (179 calories per serving) is a must for any January menu and easily provides enough for two week day lunches.

But be warned, it’s so scrummy, you may have to hide the other half from your other half….

What other healthy meals keep you going this month?  Share in the comments below – at Daisy Hill we’re always looking for new recipes to try out on each other so any suggestions welcome (provided they’re suitable for vegetarians, and people who like chocolate).

1 Source: BBC Good Food | 2 Source: Net Doctor | 3 Source: Good to know

Update your wardrobe for 2012

If this looks anything like your wardrobe, read on to find out how to give your wardrobe a new start in 2012

Picture the scene – it’s morning, you’re showered and ready to get dressed into something comfortable but stylish.  You attempt to slide your clothes hangers along the rail to get a better look at what’s in your wardrobe, but they resist.

There isn’t room to move.

There are pairs of dusty shoes in the bottom of the cupboard, many of which you don’t remember buying.

Your poor wardrobe is so packed that it’s struggling to breathe – you’re struggling to see what you’ve got in there, and your partner has less than a foot of space to hang his clothes.

So make 2012 the year of the clear-out and the restyle – here are some top tips on getting rid of the old to make way for the new.

Your old trainers aren't destined for landfill - they could be turned into something much nicer

Give your old trainers a new lease of life

You won’t be surprised to hear that charity shops aren’t keen to take your stinky old trainers…

But you may be surprised to hear that shoe company Nike is.

Their Reuse a Shoe project turns old running shoes into running tracks and other sports surfaces.

So however mouldy and rotten your runners are, there is life in them yet.

Refresh your wardrobe in ten for 2012

Malaysian fashion label Ultra has introduced a capsule wardrobe for the modern woman, featuring ten essential pieces that will see you through the year in style.

Made from recycled and natural-blend materials, the collection can be returned to the company at the end of the year for upcycling – then you’ll receive a discount off next year’s fresh collection.  What better excuse to update again next January?

Go vintage

Not only is retro back in, but clothes from the 50s, 60s and 70s are often good quality and still look amazing.

We also love this black vintage midi-dress from ASOS

This vintage office dress from Etsy is adorable

Why not inject a shot of vintage into your wardrobe and invest in a couple of pieces from a bygone era?

ASOS offers a wide collection of vintage fashion, or Etsy is a great marketplace for recycled and vintage clothes.

You could also try your local charity shops as they are  a treasure trove of  hidden gems.

Give your motivation a boost with some new sweats

Following festive over-indulgence, many of us make January the month when we dig out our old joggers and pound the pavements to shift those extra pounds.

Daisy Hill's organic designer leggings will hold you in and support you on your new year jog

Give yourself some extra motivation this January with some new exercise clothes – check out this Fairtrade cotton sweatshirt from WOMbat or these organic cotton leggings from our very own Daisy Hill (both in the sale!)

What changes are you making in 2012?  Share them in the comments below or come and tell us on the Facebook page.

Your partner may still have just a few inches to hang his clothes, but the clothes you have are ethical, stylish, on trend, and superb quality, so they deserve to dominate the wardrobe space.

PS  Have you subscribed to receive updates from Daisy Hill Living?  Just click the link on the right and ‘Get new content straight to your inbox’, as it’s posted so you’ll never miss a post on living a greener life in 2012.

Natural remedies for New Year’s Day

On New Year's Day it can be a struggle to open your eyes and drag yourself out of bed.... these natural remedies can help

Happy New Year!  How was it for you?

For many, today is a day for nursing a sore head, watching rubbish on television and sleeping.  If that’s you, here’s are some top tips to take the pain out of January the 1st the natural way.

Awaken puffy eyes:

Ice ice baby - cold spoons work miracles on tired eyes

• Put a couple of clean teaspoons in the freezer
• Leave for 30 minutes (but not until frozen)
• Remove and place on your tired eyes

This simple remedy will reduce bags and make you feel more alert.

Revive tired skin

• Take 1 tablespoon of natural honey
• Pat it evenly over your face and neck
• Leave for five minutes
• Rinse with warm water
• Pat dry with a clean soft facecloth

This sweet treat invigorates your skin, clears dirt and boosts your complexion.

Bring shine to your tresses

Egg yolks are great for reviving dull dry hair

Straighteners and hair-dryers dry your hair out and cause split ends – but you can add some body and shine with a simple conditioner that you can make from ingredients you probably have in your cupboard.

• Separate the yolk of an egg and pour into a bowl
• Beat the yolk until thick and lightly coloured
• Add half a teaspoon of olive oil and mix well
• Gradually beat in 3/4 cup of lukewarm water
• After shampooing, massage in your homemade conditioner
• Leave for 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly with warm water

Settle your stomach

Ginger is nature's cure to queasiness

Excessive alcohol and fatty foods can increase the acidity of your stomach and cause discomfort and queasiness.  But there is a natural drink that can reduce nausea in minutes.

• Bring water to the boil
• Pour into a cup and add 1/2 teaspoon of dried ginger powder
• Leave for ten minutes
• Strain your warm drink and add honey to sweeten
• Drink

And if that fails, get some fresh air – deep breaths of it.

What adds sparkle to your New Year’s Day?  Tell us in the comments below or come and join us on Facebook and share your natural remedies.

2012 Happy New Year

As we count down the final few hours of 2011, Daisy Hill Living wishes you a Happy New Year and can’t wait to start 2012 in green style!

Thank you for all your support in 2011 - look forward to an amazing & green 2012

I’m dreaming of a green Christmas – part 3

This December, Daisy Hill Living has shared a series of guides to having a green Christmas.  Part one gave tips on preparing for the festivities, part two looked at going green on Christmas day, and today we’re looking at the clean up….

The gifts are opened, the tree is clinging onto its last few days of daylight before being either packed away in the loft or recycled, and the Christmas cards are still falling over every time you walk past.

Roll on 2012.

But before we see in the New Year with a chorus of Auld Lang Syne, end 2011 the right way.

Here are some simple things you can do before the 31st December to start the year off on a good green footing.

Six million real Christmas trees are bought every year - and only 10% of them are recycled

Dispose of your tree properly

Real trees smell divine and look amazing.  Six million of them are brought into our homes for a few weeks each year, kept warm and cosy as they shelter gifts, adorned with twinkly baubles and bright lights.

But as they age they become dry, their needles drop and they become an increasing fire risk.  So millions of us chuck them out with the rubbish, dump them in the street, or leave them to rot in the garden.

Instead of leaving them to landfill, recycle them correctly, along with your cards and wrapping paper, so they can become wood chip or compost.

Some councils offer a tree recycling service at this time of year, so check to see if yours is one of them.  Others offer a tree collection service from a central community point,

Just make sure you remove the tinsel first.

Recycling is one way to manage the card mountain, but there are other ways

Recycle Christmas cards

This one’s fairly easy – put your old cards out with other cardboard recycling in the new year and de-clutter your sideboard, shelves and tables.

Many of the big supermarkets also have recycling points where you can take greetings cards in the new year and they’ll recycle them for you.

If you’re looking for something a little more creative, turn them into festive gift labels for next year – you’ll be glad you did when you’re searching around for something to scribble a touching message to your Gran on next Christmas eve.

Or if you can’t wait til next December, cut them into strips today and write your shopping lists on the plain side – pretty and practical!

Unwanted gifts don't have to end up hidden in a cupboard - let them reach their potential by re-gifting

Unwanted gifts

We all get them – fluffy reindeer jumpers, gift sets of smellies that bring you out in a rash, or books written by someone you don’t much care for.

But unwanted gifts don’t have to gather dust in your wardrobe – they can fulfil their full potential by being “re-gifted” to someone who will love them as much as they deserve.

Or sell them on eBay.

Make new year's resolution that you're going to keep in 2012 - and make them green

Green resolutions for 2012

Make 2012 your greenest year yet with a few resolutions that help the environment (and often your pocket).

Pledge to rid your home of plastic bags, stop drinking bottled water, don’t use the tumble dryer.

Make an ethical fashion purchase or two.

Replace paper towel with microfibre towels, lower your thermostat two degrees, turn off your computer.

What else are you doing to make 2012 the year of the Tiny Carbon Footprint?  Tell us in the comments below or on the Facebook page.

PS We’ll be sharing plenty more top green tips in 2012, so subscribe to Daisy Hill Living today to get new posts sent straight to your inbox – click the button on the right to join.

I’m dreaming of a green Christmas – part 2

At Christmas time, give the world a reason to smile and give yourself a warm glow by going green

In part 2 of our Green Christmas guide we look at ways to be green this festive season, focusing on the big day itself.

Read part 1 here, looking at how to be green in the lead-up to Christmas, and later this month we’ll be sharing tips on going green in the new year.

Christmas is a time of year when we’re thinking about those we love (and what to have for lunch on Christmas day).

With so much preparation and planning for the big day, recycling and the environment can slip down the to-do list.

But here is some startling trivia to bring it back into focus:

• We throw away 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink per year in the UK
• An average UK household with children spends around £680 a year on food that could have been eaten but is thrown away
• UK households dispose of around 4.9 million tonnes of packaging every year.

This time of year presents a great opportunity to make a few changes to your daily routine that make a real difference to the planet.

We throw away 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink per year in the UK

Waste less food:

We throw away hundreds of pounds worth of food every year.  But we don’t have to.

With a bit of planning ahead you can significantly reduce the amount you throw away.

• Save time & money by planning your meals in advance (download this free meal planner & shopping list template to get started)
• Plan portion sizes on Christmas day to minimise what goes to waste (use this free Christmas dinner portion planner)
• Only buy what you need

Reuse your wrapping paper for packing future gifts

Recycling:

Picture the scene: the floor is littered with empty cardboard boxes, you can barely see your feet over your stuffed belly and the carpet is a distant memory after it was buried under wrapping paper early this morning.

Take action early to avoid this scene of mess, mayhem and tripping hazards!

• put your used wrapping paper to good use and clean the windows with it (maybe once your dinner has gone down a bit…)
• shred used wrapping paper and reuse as padding when packaging future gifts
• decorate boring old notebooks or recipe books with leftover paper
• recycle it by putting it straight into a recycling bag as you open your gifts

Leftover smoked salmon is delicious mixed with scrambled eggs and piled on toast

Dinner scraps:

Millions of kitchens are piled high with vegetable peelings and left over turkey during the festive season.  But where does it all go?  Here are a couple of tips on making the best use of leftovers:

• Cook up some bubble and squeak on Boxing Day with any leftover vegetables (this recipe is delicious)
• Add leftover smoked salmon to scrambled eggs and pile onto toast, muffins of bagels for a light lunch
• Use any extra turkey up in a warming turkey and ham pie (recipe here) or in smoked turkey and pepper fajitas

LED bulbs and solar powered lights are pretty, festive, cheaper to run, and greener than traditional ones

Lights off:

In the average home, lighting accounts for around 10-15% of the electricity bill so it’s worth being aware of how you’re using yours.  Here are some tips on going green with your lighting this Christmas:

• Cut down on wires trailing across your garden with some energy saving solar powered fairy lights (also check out these gorgeous LED solar powered lights from Nigel’s Eco Store)
• Switch off the lights when you’re not in a room and save money as well as energy
• Use energy saving light bulbs – they last up to ten times longer then ordinary bulbs and are cheaper to run
• Use Christmas lights with LED bulbs – they use up to 90% less power than standard bulbs and last up to ten times longer

Have a green Christmas and a happy & green 2012

I’ll keep wishing for a white Christmas because I just love snow, especially at this time of year, but I’ll also be wishing for a green one.

Come and join us on Facebook and share your green ideas for the festive season.

See you there – and have a great Christmas and a green 2012 (and come back soon for part 3 of Green Christmas on Daisy Hill Living).