Earth Day in Style

Little known fact about Earth Day is that it is a day named and sold to us by Ad Man Legend, the real DonDraper, Julian Koenig (also father to Sarah Koenig who brought us the addictive podcast Serial). Back in the 1970s Koenig approached a group of an environmental activists lead by a former senator who was organizing a national day to bring awareness to environmental issues called "Environmental Teach-In", Koeneig told them to give him a few days and he'd come back with a catchier name for the day. Denis Hayes, the chair of the group said that Koenig, “...offered a bunch of possible names — Earth Day, Ecology Day, Environment Day, E Day — but he made it quite clear that we would be idiots if we didn’t choose Earth Day.” Koenig later on said that Earth Day came to him because the day happend to fall on his 49th birthday and that "Birthday" and "Earth Day" rhymed.

I always loved Earth Day when I was in school because I felt that it was the one celebratory day that was truly for all of us. As much as Earth Day is about our ecological environment it is also about all of the Earth's inhabitants and how we interact with eachother, how we share this planet and all it has to offer.

Through our every day consumption of resources we have done irreparable harm to only the planet we can call home. There are drastic changes that need to take place to ensure that this planet will be a safe place for us and future generations. However there are many small changes that we can make, in style I may add, that can have a bigger impact and get us on the right path. Here are some of my favourite fashion and beauty products that you can make the switch to for a greener planet.

LACC Nail Polish

Toxic-free, cruelty-free and vegan friendly, each bottle of luxury nail lacquer includes a UV inhibitor to protect against the yellowing/brittleness of nails. This luxurious and highly-pigmented lacquer collection is safe for children, pregnant women and even cancer patients! This nail polish has become one of my all time favourites for the fact that I know keeping my nails on point does not come with greater environmental consequences like many of the drug store or salon brands.

S'Well Water Bottle

Water is one of the most valuable and the most vital resources on this planet. Too often those of us who live in a water resource rich country such as Canada take this life giving liquid for granted. All of us need to drink more water but too often we do so by consuming water by way of plastic bottles. S'Well water bottles are stylish but practical as they keep your water ice cold for up to 12 hours. I find that by having a water bottle on me I remember to drink more water. S'Well bottles are sold in a variety of colours but my favourites are in there Wood Collection, and when you buy one of these bottles S'Well will plant a tree in an American Forest.

WOODZEE Sunglasses

Everyone needs a good pair of shades, not just for the style factor but also because of the harmful dammage that can occur form the harmful UV rays of the sun. WOODZEE is a remarkable company that has made it their goal to be "committed to promoting a healthier relationship between humankind and nature, by constructing beautiful pieces created from natural renewable resources." These Claudia Sunglasses are one of my favourites, in a fun yet timeless design they will be a piece that you will enjoy past one season, hello conscience consumerism. Though, when you are up for a change instead of tossing the sunglasses aside you can send them back to WOODZEE where not only will they recycle them but they will give you 40% off your next purchase. This company's future is so bright, I gotta wear shades.....

Alex and Ani

The eco-consious jewelry company is passionate about the well-being of our planet and the materials used are sustainable, derived from eco-conscious processes. Each bangle has a unique meaning so you can tailor the arm candy to your personality. Check out ALEX AND ANI's NEW Pursuit of Persephone collection being released April 20th at select Hudson's Bay locations, these bangles have taken over the arms and wrists of many young women for their subtle meanings and message of empowerment.

AVEDA Light The Way Candle

AVEDA has always been an eco-conscious company. Making a point of being efficient in their own water consumption and creating eco friendly salon products to be used in house as well as be sold to the public. This beautiful candle, sold for only $12, 100% of the full purchase price goes to help the Global Greengrants Fund water-related projects. The beautiful spicy aroma is a combination of certified organic vanilla and cinnamon grown in Madagascar. These candles are released every year for Earth Month and sell out quickly, right now there is free shipping for this candle on the AVEDA website so there is no excuse why you cannot Light The Way.

Arganlounge

100% Pure Argan Oil for face, décolleté and body: Nourishes your skin deeply with precious natural ingredients, supplies moisturising nutrients and imparts fresh vitality. Brings shine to dull hair. My obsession with this brand and their high quality products knows no end. Every day I feel as though I am learning and finding new benefits to using their products. This past weekend I got a sunburn despite having put sunsncreen on. TYpically my fair skin takes days to reocver and during that time feels, dry, irritated and dammaged. I applied the Arganik Hydrating oil and it felt soothed immediatley. Aside from the result delivering product Arganlounge's products are: 100% pure and certified organic by the Mediterranean Institure of Certification (IMC), are from an ecological, exclusive harvest from the argan forest, recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. They are the only African product to have received the label of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and are a fair trade product, made by the Argan Women's Syndicate.

Laura Siegel

In a world of fast fashion and disposable wardrobes, many of us have bought a lot of what we do not need. There has been a saturation of low quality, low priced fashion that come with a high price on the environment and to those who make it. This Friday simultaneously on Bravo, E!, M3 and MTV Canada will be broadcasting the documnetary Traceable, about the world of Fast Fashion on the 2 year anniversary of the horrific collapse of the Bngladeshi Garment factory, one of the designer's featured, showing how there is an alternative to this world we have created is Laura Siegel. I was first introduced to this remarkable young designer's work at World Master Card Fashionweek. I immediatley fell in love with her refined Bohemian look and how she works with artisans in the developing world using eco concious fabric as well as creating authentic design. I highly suggest you check her pieces out, knowing taht with the higher price tag you are making a choice. A decision that chooses the environment, that chooses to pay a living wage and chooses to support women.

These are a few of my favourite Environmental friendly brands in fashion and beauty right now. More and more companies are taking the time to ensure that they make a product that not only needs the customer's needs but reduces the environmental footprint. At the end of the day though it is up to us. We have to make the decision to be more aware with wher eand how we spen dour dollar and how it is effecting the environment around us.