Today I want to chat with you about some of the ways that your style can save our beautiful planet’s resources.  Of course we will never stop consuming or buying things, but I figure if we do this a little more consciously and only when we need to then it will all help!  So here are some tips for you to ‘green’ your wardrobe.

Plan
Try your best to plan your purchases. I know that kind of takes the fun out of shopping – I’m the biggest sucker of all when it comes to impulse buys – but they usually aren’t very sustainable for your wardrobe or the planet. Buying a top on sale for $10 from a chain store sounds fun at the time, but if you take a moment to consider where this top probably came from and whether this top will stand the test of time…you may want to pass.  Did you know that there are 200 million child labourers in the world today?  This fact alone is enough to make me want to learn how to sew and make every single garment all by myself!  While a garment that is fair-trade or locally made may cost a bit more money, at least you know that you can feel good about where your money is going.

Wash carefully
Washing machines and dryers are not planet friendly. Try your best to wear your clothes until they really need a wash (excluding underwear!) and only wash when you have a full load.   Hanging your clothes straight up after wearing is a great way to air them out.  The chemicals that can be found in washing detergents and stain removers can be harmful to yourself and waterways, so next time you need some more, try a biodegradable, chemical free one instead. Wash your garments carefully – turn items inside out, pop delicate items in the delicates bag or hand wash them and hang them out to line dry whenever possible.

Choose natural and organic fibres
Conventional cotton is anything but eco-friendly and is woven through all areas of your life – from cotton buds to your towels and sheets, to many of your clothes.  Did you know that conventionally grown cotton consumes approximately 25% of the world’s insecticides and more than 10% of the world’s pesticides?  It also uses a lot of water and damages the earth.  Organic cotton is becoming more easily available and other alternatives, such as super soft bamboo and linen, are harvested in ways that are much kinder to Mother Earth.  For more information about cotton CLICK HERE.

Vintage
Probably the best way to green your wardrobe is to purchase pre-owned garments from op-shops or vintage stores. This way you are recycling and saving that item from landfill, getting a great item that is unique and being totally eco-friendly.

Avoid animal products
Every year the global leather industry slaughters at least a BILLION animals and tans their skins and hides. Kangaroos are slaughtered by the millions every year to create soccer shoes. Upon learning about the cruel methods of slaughter, soccer star David Beckham switched to shoes made from synthetic materials in 2006. So bend it like Beckham and choose animal-free!

If you interested to learn more about leather, fur or wool, check out this video narrated by singer Pink

Sanctus Stones
You can be sure that every item from Sanctus Stones is lovingly made in an ethical and eco-friendly manner.  To get back in touch with nature, try the Nature Women’s Wristlet.  The sacred Tree & Mountain symbol will connect you again to your surroundings and inspire you to take care of beautiful Mother Earth.  We are all connected.

Love Amanda xx

These exercises i show you in my video below are ultra easy and super quick, and can  fit into your life if you have 5 minutes to spare… and let’s face it everyone can find 5 minutes in their day.

Hope you enjoy.

Heidi

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’ve just done a video for you with 5 simple tips to Eco-Living.

Love Amanda x
Sanctus Stones Ambassador
(Left- wearing Horse Warrior Necklace) 

Amanda is on a mission to make our world a better place check out her work at veganera.com and amandarootsey.com

VIDEO

Do you have any ideas what I should make from them? I think I’ll try upholstering some chairs with it soon. Would love some ideas.

Wendy x

1. Take my “Green Drink” every morning. (I like the brand Vital Greens)
2. Drink more water, at least  2-3 liters a day. It is also great to add lemon into your water.
3. Being consistent with taking my supplements.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Enjoy
Ann Marie xx

Click here to view Jodie’s Banana Bread recipe

I have learn’t a lot of tricks from my hairdresses and i though i would share them with you.

1. This is a great way to finally use that deep, leave in hair conditioner that you have been meaning to use but haven’t had the time, and to post pone your hair wash one more day. When your hair needs a wash instead of jumping in the shower and dragging out the shampoo, pick up your leave in hair conditioner or the normal conditioner you use and rub a handful of it through your hair (just like you would with gel or mousse) and then style your hair with a slick pull back style, or if you have short hair you can try something more with a side part, like Victoria Beckham in this picture.

2. If you have long hair get it straightened using the Japanese hair straightning technique. You will flip out how good your hair looks (healthy and shinny) but is so easy to do just wash and condition, no need for blow drying or any hairstraightning iron or products.

3. When you shampoo your hair use warm/hot water to remove all of the build up of dirt, but when you condition it make sure you make the water colder so that it looks in the conditioning and makes it soft and shinny. You can also add a little bit of lemon juice to your hair before you shampoo it for ultra shinny hair.

You can check out my video for more tips.

How are going with reinventing yourself? Any good hair tips you can share with us?

Your friend

Heidi

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’m always looking for ways to tread a little lighter on the planet and this year I’m hoping to consume less and reuse more.  There are so many small things that we can do around the home to reuse and recycle so I thought I’d share some of things I’m doing at home in this video.

For more creative ideas on how to reuse ordinary things in your own home, click here to check out my Pinterest board

Love and Blessings,

Amanda

Click here to view the embedded video.

BLOOPER VIDEO

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Quickly wanted to let you know that Wendy our designer had a fabulous idea about helping you reinvent yourself  by offering a free pair of pearl earrings to everyone. All you need to do is type in the coupon code: ReinventEarrings on the shopping cart when you next purchase a piece of motivational jewellery, and we will send you your very own pair of pearl earrings. I love the idea because pearls represent new beginnings and that is what this is all about, starting a new and starting fresh. (This offer ends Feb 5 2012)

So on to some tips about easily looking after your body and getting rid of cracked heels for good. These tips are to help you make a bigger impact whilst doing and spending less.

1. when using a body scrub choose one that has an oil base, that way once you have gotten out of the shower you don’t need to apply moisturizer, saving you time and money.

2. if you have left over, or unwanted face moisturizer or cleaner that you didn’t like, or that you dont’ want any more, instead of throwing it out use it on your body.

3. Getting rid of cracked heels is a pain so the idea is not to get them in the first place. All you need to do is keep a heel/foot buffer in the shower and just giver your heels a quick brush over every night for a few seconds and then your done. When is say a few rubs that’s exactly what i mean, because you are doing it every/most nights there will be no build up of dry skin. So 4-5 brushes and your done. Should take you 10 seconds.

Check my video out below for some more tips to looking and feeling great while you Reinvent yourself.

Heidi

Click here to view the embedded video.

Well it is week 1 with my reinvent myself – Appearance stage and i really wanted today to share with you some tips with you that i have found hugely valuable and time and money saving

Wrinkles – When you see my video you will not believe how easy and cheap it is to iron out your wrinkles. As a matter of fact it is what none of the large cosmetic companies want you to know.

Earrings – Make it easy for yourself and buy yourself some cubic zirconia studded earrings, they are easy, look good with everything and people always assume they are real.

Nail Polish- How to take it off and put it on the right way. Check out the video below.

Reinventing yourself doesn’t need to be a hassle or difficult to do if you build them into your life in a way that makes things easier.

Best of luck and remember if you have any questions don’t hesitate to leave a comment and i will answer it.

Peace & Happiness

Heidi

Click here to view the embedded video.