We think Dorothy was right when she told the good witch Glenda,
‘there’s no place like home’, and this months newsletter celebrates the
one place everyone can relax…….ah, your home.

Whether you’re just back from an exotic faraway land or holidaying at
home – we have some naturally stylish decor for your haven. And the
summer heat has gone a little to our heads so we’re offering Pure
Design member’s free shipping from now
till 30th August! So click your mouse three times and repeat
after me ‘there’s no place like home’…

These heels are what Dorothy would have been wearing if we’d had our
say!

View the entire newsletter here

Plans are going well for The Great Big Green Wedding Fayre, taking place at Crosby Hall Educational Trust, Liverpool on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6th September.

The event was set up by new business partnership GreenLeaf Press, to showcase the very best in fair trading and ethical wedding suppliers. GreenLeaf Press are Amanda Barr  and Jemma Herbert, their new business designs and creates eco conscious stationery for weddings.

“We can’t believe the wealth of different green businesses that have
jumped on board, everything from peddle powered rickshaws to recycled
jewellery, vintage tea parties  to classical musicians!” explains
Amanda, “We have also been pleasantly surprised by a number of
traditional wedding suppliers who have been keen to find out what they
need to do to go green.”

“I spoke to a reporter recently who
asked if the event would be ‘All hemp dresses and veggie food?’” Jemma
smiles, ” Well, as a matter of fact we wouldn’t say no to a hemp dress
and we do have a veggie caterer- but the great variety of alternative
things that will be going on are giving the event as
festival/celebratory feel and I defy any ‘mainstream’ bride not to get
the urge to break the mould and go for the fun of being peddled to the
ceremony or the romance of a night under canvas, or indeed the bargains
to be had at in charity shop bridal section!”

Highlights include
a catwalk show courtesy of Oxfam Bridal; complimentary tea & cakes;
free pamper sessions with The Bodyshop at Home; the chance to win some
great green hampers from friends like Lovelula; presentations by Katie
Fewings from Ethical Weddings and Greg Valerio from CRED jewellery AND
a green goody bag to take home (plus the odd rickshaw ride!)

Find out more at www.biggreenwedding.co.uk

Tickets cost 6.00

Please reserve yours by contacting Jemma

jemma@biggreenwedding.co.uk

or tel: 07824 860 682

Appearing
this month on the shelves in WH Smith and Borders nationwide, new eco-living
directory BOOK OF GREEN is the most comprehensive guide for everybody to
genuinely and easily green their lifestyles.

With
the general public currently becoming more receptive to living a more
eco-friendly life, this completely free guide points the consumer in the right
direction – it includes hundreds of approved ethical providers in a wide range
of sectors including business services, health and beauty, home and garden,
green energy, travel, parenting and food & drink.  All the companies
in the directory are in some way mostly or completely environmentally friendly,
sustainable, fair trade, organic,  ethical and socially responsible.

Book
of Green is intended to show everybody how to easily reduce their carbon
footprint, live a healthy lifestyle and make  a personal positive 
impact on the environment by integrating truly ethical products and services
into their daily home and family lives.

With
an initial print run of 30,000, the guide comes in a handy A5 format and is
printed in vegetable inks on 100% recycled paper.  An online flip magazine
version is also available at www.bookofgreen.com 
 Book of Green will be available in WH Smiths this July, attached to the
front of Permaculture Magazine as well as distributed across the UK in high
street eco stores, online eco stores, and at events during the summer as well
as at the Eden Project and the Kent Eco Village, the Kent Show by The
Ecologist, July 17-19.

Book
of Green is co-founded by Sue Jueno (founder of Allthingseco) and Katie Keegan
(founder of One Green Earth),
 whose combined experience of 6 years in the eco/ethical business arena
has given them the experience, knowledge and contacts to create a guide for
green living which everybody can trust.

“Being
green is more than reducing the threat of climate change, it’s also about
ethical trading and personal health.  The companies found within Book of
Green provide solutions across all sectors through their products &
services to help build a positive foundation for your family’s future
generations,”  says Katie Keegan.

“With
credit crunch in mind and a passion for promoting green shoot businesses we
have made Book of Green extremely affordable to advertisers and free to the
public to show off exceptional companies that are solving environmental
problems and that will be leading us into the future,” says Sue Jueno.

The
winners of the fourth annual Observer Ethical Awards, in association
with Ecover, were announced on the 3rd June at a ceremony hosted by Colin
Firth at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London. Sir David Attenborough
received a lifetime achievement award from Observer editor, John
Mullholland.

Readers
of The Observer selected leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, as
Politician of the Year; Human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, was
awarded Campaigner of the Year. Ethical bed manufacturer, Warren Evans,
won Local Retailer of the Year and the Good Energy Shop collected the
prize for the Best Online Initiative of the Year.  

Lucy
Siegle, Observer columnist and chair of the judging panel, said: “Four
years in and still is a great honour to be the chair of such a valuable
and exciting event. The Observer Ethical Awards are now well
established and celebrate and reward those who to make living in a
sustainable way possible.”

The
Observer Ethical Awards are instrumental in bringing green issues to
the forefront of consumer minds and making businesses reassess their
attitudes towards sustainability.

The
remaining categories were voted for by a celebrity judging panel that
included Ken Livingstone, former Mayor of London; Ben Okri, Author;
Rick Edwards, TV Presenter and Deborah Meaden of Dragon’s Den.

Ketan who is technical director of Ethical
Junction and Kate, who is EJ’s administrator, recently got married.
The couple are both vegans so they had an all vegan wedding (everyone
really liked the food!) and they set out to use as many Ethical Junction
companies as possible as part of their wedding. Kate and Ket would like
to give a big Thank You to all of the Ethical Junction companies that
they were able to make use of for their products and services as part
of their wedding.  

They gleaned tips, practical advice and
inspiration from both Green Union and Ethical Weddings. Their rings
were ethically sourced from Fifi Bijoux

Kate, the Bride made her own dress and
jacket using organic fabric from Greenfibres, and wore shoes from Beyond
Skin, her necklace was from Natural Collection, her handbag was from
Feel Good Handbags, her make up from Beauty Without Cruelty and Inika.
Both the bride and groom used skin care products from Green People and
Simply Soaps, hair care products used were from both Faith In Nature
and Daniel Field.

Ket, The Groom wore an organic linen
suit (unfortunately not from an EJ, a gap in the marketplace there people!).
Ket’s shoes were from Natural Collection. The beautiful faritrade
roses that were used for the buttonholes and the bride’s bouquet were
from Imogen Stone (Kate kept the fairtrade tags on the rose stems).  

Paper for the invites, place settings,
and table names was from the Exotic Paper Company and envelopes from
Eco-Craft. All the alcohol was from Vintage Roots (organic and vegan).
A Lot of Candles who is part of the company A Lot of Chocolates supplied
organic candles.

Ket’s band played to the guests as part of the evenings entertainment, and is currently having a bass guitar custom built by Simon Lee Guitars .

The couple used gift lists from Greenfibres,
Our Green Wedding List, Natural Collection and Bishopston Trading. The
honeymoon destination later in the year is to be at Bloomfield House. 

Kate and Ket would like to say, “Thank
you to you all 22 Ethical Junction members for making our day so wonderful and memorable.” 

The Eco Chic Wedding & Home Show is coming to town
Sunday 8 March 2009
Birmingham

Couples in search of inspiration for forthcoming nuptials can plan a wedding that makes a difference at the 2009 Eco Chic Wedding & Home Show.

The beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens in leafy Edgbaston will provide the setting for the Show organised by Ethical Weddings, GreenFinder, and Just the Thing Gift Registry, with support from Our Green Wedding List and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The show will invite carefully selected suppliers across the ethical wedding & home spectrum to exhibit their products and services, from green gift lists to recycled stationery, fair trade favours to seasonal flowers.Katie Fewings, Director of Ethical Weddings says:

“In these credit crunching times, couples may just think ‘ethical’ means ‘expensive’ without investigating further. In fact, many of the tips to plan an eco chic wedding – from finding a dress you can wear again to sending e-vites – can actually save you money, while ethical wedding suppliers offer services and products at prices comparable to the mainstream, of excellent quality and that come with a conscience!

“We hope couples will come along to the show to discover for themselves how they can get eco chic and still have a wallet-friendly wedding.” Just the Thing’s Michelle Bernhardi-Toner added: “As a company that caters to soon-to-be-wed couples across the board, we have definitely seen an increase in demand for our green services, so we’re excited to be joined at the show by other suppliers who access the mainstream wedding market but are also proud of their blooming green credentials.”

The organisers have chosen to include the ‘home’ element to show that going green isn’t just about one day. As Kate Haines, Founder of GreenFinder says:

“Whether couples are living together already or setting up home for the first time, most see their wedding as marking a new beginning, the chance to make some changes. Visiting the home exhibitors at the show means they can think beyond ‘the big day’ to how they can make a more eco-friendly married life together – and save money in the process with all those energy-saving gadgets!”

As well as a wide range of exhibitors, experts will be on hand to share their top tips, and a bridalwear catwalk show is sure to entertain the ethical fashionistas.

Main contact (including to request an Exhibitor Pack):
Kate Haines – 01926 832939
Kate@GreenFinder.co.uk

Yes is the world’s first and only certified organic range of intimacy products. A British company, Yes, pioneered the formulation of organic ingredients for intimate use. And because they’re based on purity of ingredients, complete supply chain integrity and manufacturing controls, Yes products are certified as organic by the Soil Association.

Exceeding all the parameters of synthetic lubricants, Yes products
deliver performance, purity and pleasure with no compromise (no
concerning chemical ingredients*, no smell, no taste, and no mess).
They represent an innovative departure from traditional lubricant
formulations, using pure plant gums to replace the usual glycerine or
silicone ingredient base, and are approved by the Vegetarian Society.

Appealing to all sexually active people, Yes are pure hypoallergenic
products, a crucial consideration for anyone with health sensitivities,
but also significant to those who are conscious about the chemical load
they put on their bodies.

Designed to work in harmony with the body, Yes products provide
essential lubrication and moisturisation to meet a variety of usage
needs; from pleasure enhancement (through additional lubrication), to
essential moisturisation – managing the discomfort of vaginal dryness
as a result of hormonal change, medical conditions and the side affects
of medical treatments.

Yes products are already being championed by health professionals,
including endorsements from sex therapists, who recommend Yes to enable
extended stimulation and therefore enhance female orgasm, and menopause
experts heralding Yes as a breakthrough approach to vaginal dryness.

Yes products are discreet, inside and out, from their stylish packaging
through to their astonishingly realistic feel. And because Yes products
are nourishing and readily absorbed into the mucosa (vaginal tract)
they leave no sticky residue and gently disappear without trace.

Available in oil-based and water-based varieties, Yes water-based has
the dual function of outstanding lubrication and deep remoisturising.
Both formulations are available in bottles of 25ml (RRP £5.39), 75ml
(RRP £15.66), 125ml (RRP £22.49), and packs of 6 x 25ml bottles (RRP
£26.89).

Visit Yes online > > > 

Caroline Ede and Daphne Lambert to create for you the perfect wedding

In the beautiful, tranquil surroundings of Penrhos Court, a medieval manor farm on the Welsh borders, ‘Celebrations for all Seasons’ host  the ultimate  ‘Green Wedding’. From the organic wedding breakfast to the locally sourced flowers, everything about ‘Celebrations for all  Seasons’ is naturally and beautifully thought out as well as being eco friendly.

Exclusive use of the Court gives a very special and intimate feel to the wedding. Daphne prepares the wedding breakfast  from seasonal,  
locally sourced, organic food  in an  award winning kitchen, the food  is accompanied by organic and biodynamic wines and champagnes. Each menu created is unique to the couple and the season

Nothing creates a romantic atmosphere quite like the sight and scent of a room full of fresh blooms. However, most flowers are imported  
and because  they are perishable come by air and  are invariably grown with chemicals they contribute significantly to your carbon  
footprint.  Caroline  uses the freshest and most beautiful, locally grown and sourced flowers to create stunning, fragrant, colourful  
displays for your wedding.

For couples who have decided to hold their wedding party in their own house or garden ‘Celebrations for all Seasons’ are happy to come and  
weave their magic for you in your home.

For further information contact
Caroline  on 01544387923  www.carolineede.com or Daphne on 01544230720  www.penrhos.co.uk

Fruit Passion to build on links with Costa Rica and Brazil

Fairtrade brand Fruit Passion have gone to great lengths to produce their new blend of Orange, Pineapple and Passion Fruit.

Fruit Passion was the first Fairtrade juice in the UK and their ethics remain the same – paying growers a fair price to enable them to plan for the future and build sustainable businesses. Katy Tysom – Fruit Passion Brand Manager explained, “At Fruit Passion we have been working with growers in Cuba since we
launched in 2001, and thanks to working closely with Traidcraft, we
have established some great trade agreements with the co-operatives. 

“As you can imagine working within Cuba has specific issues of its own,
in terms of trade, but now the workers here are really seeing massive
improvements in their working and family lives.  It’s been wonderful to
be a part of it, and for me, one of the nicest things is hearing their
stories, and seeing their photos of the new additions bought with the
premiums.

“We are also now working with Costa Rica and Brazil, for our newly added
Fairtrade ingredients pineapple and passion fruit.  We’re keen to
continue to build our links with the growers and support them via
Fairtrade.  Our exciting plans for the year ahead include a new format
– a 330ml bottle for on-the-go drinking, because, now, you can buy
fairtrade coffee almost everywhere on the high street and we hope to be
able to bring fairtrade juice to the same audience.”

Fruit Passion and Fairtrade are helping farmers around the world and we
can enjoy the juices safe in the knowledge it is benefitting more than
our tastebuds.

Available from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, The Co-operative, Traidcraft, all good independent stores.

For more information go to www.fruit-passion.co.uk or email; fruitpassion@gerberjuice.com

Eco-luxe wedding gowns that won’t cost the earth

Exclusive to GreenUnion and available this Spring, Tammam White is a unique bridal collection of eco-luxe designer wedding gowns created and hand crafted in House of Tammam’s  fair trade atelier in India.

The Tammam White ready-to-wear range of wedding dresses and accessories is made with exclusively developed luxury eco fabrics including organic-certified wild peace silk, sustainable bamboo satin, and 100% organic fair trade cotton satin jacquard and linings.

Created with the bride’s budget in mind the five piece range includes a hand embellished fishtail gown, a layered gown with detachable skirt, a simple cotton satin dress with silk sash, a full length coat dress and a satin cape.

Prices range from £300 to £1100.