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Tag Archives: sustainable

Everyone Loves A Norwegian Girl.

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Fashion

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CRAFTSMANSHIP, ECO FRIENDLY FASHION, KNITWEAR, NORWAY, OLEANA, RESPONSIBLE FASHION, SOLVEIG HISDAL, sustainable, TEXTILE DESIGN

Oleana14-600x876

By Sass Brown, NYC Editor

Founded in 1992, Oleana was created to bring coveted textile industry jobs back to Norway at a time when most European brands had moved production off shore. With the intent to prove that domestic production was still possible in a high cost country, the brand produce a womenswear collection of complex and patterned knitwear made from wool and silk, and other natural fibers. Beautiful repeat florals and stylized floral patterns, stripe and geometrics proliferate throughout the collection in a multi color sophisticated color palette. Simple silhouettes covered in riotous patterns are reminiscent of Kaffe Fassett, with a Nordic twist.

COCO_ECO_OLEANA_KNITWEARKnitted on ultra-modern hi-tech machines, Oleana focus on design, quality and flexibility, produced responsibly. Working with skilled hands, the brand identity is rooted between cutting edge industrial methods and fine craftsmanship, placing a great emphasis on the professional and social environment, and an understanding of the proud tradition of Nordic knitwear of which they are part. Each year the brand close the factory for a few days to take a study trip, whether at home or abroad, to learn and see what other textile people are working on.

COCO_ECO_OLEANA_PASTELDesigned by Solveig Hisdal, the brand has won a multitude of awards, including the Scheiblers Honorary Award from the Norwegian Design Council, and the coveted Jacob Prize, Norway‘s most prestigious award for design. Hisdal is regarded as one of the best textile designers in Norway, renowned for her colorful and well-developed sense of ornamentation and shape. With a background in graphic design, art and fashion design, the talented Creative Director also oversees the photography for the catalogue. Oleana‘s ambition is to make beautiful clothing of high quality that people love to wear, with respect and honor to their homeland’s heritage while honoring the environment.

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IMAGES COURTESY OF OLEANA.

Down To Earth.

19 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Beauty

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ANTONYM COSMETICS, ECO MAKE UP, green beauty, JANE IREDALE, MINERAL MAKE-UP, NON TOXIC, Organic, sustainable, ZAO ORGANIC MAKE UP

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By Anna Griffin, Editor in Chief.

Inspired by the Earth and using a palette of high-performance mineral cosmetics, make-up trends are effortlessly interpreted into clean, luminous beauty. Embracing sun-kissed skin, luscious lashes, bold brows, smoldering smoky-eyes and the perfect pout, looking beautiful has never been so natural.

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To create this look, here are the essentials . . .

SKIN

COCO_ECO_DOWN_TO_EARTH_SKIN

Antonym Cosmetics Certified Natural Baked Foundation in Medium Beige

Providing great all over coverage, this provides uniformity, revitalizes and brightens the complexion while remaining transparent and light on the face. The foundation adapts to all skin tones, for a flawless, radiant complexion. $38

Zao Organic Make-Up Concealer

With organic babassu seed oil and gingko biloba leaf extract, this concealer is excellent as an anti-oxidant and skin-repair aid while covering dark circles, puffiness and skin imperfections. $29.50

Zao Organic Make-Up Blush in Brown Orange

Red algae extract is used for its “burgundy” color, with the added benefits of carotenoids and antioxidants to trap oxygen and protect your face from free radicals. Organic yerba mate leaf extract, high in polyphenols, adds additional antioxidant power to the formula, for a natural, healthy glow. $34.60

EYES

COCO_ECO_DOWN_TO_EARTH_EYES

Jane Iredale GREATSHAPE™ Eyebrow Kit

Pigmented brow powder and nourishing botanical brow wax, create perfect, natural-looking brows that are lustrous and smooth. $35

Jane Iredale PURELASH® Lengthening Mascara

Natural-looking, extra-long lashes that are thick and feathery, this formula conditions and strengthens, for maximum lash impact. $24

Antonym Cosmetics Certified Natural Quattro Eyeshadow Croisette

The Quattro Croisette palettes brighten eyes with shade combinations of providing intensity and contrast. Festive for evening and radiant for day. The long lasting, smooth formula blends evenly and can be applied for shading, highlighting and lining the eye. $39

Antonym Cosmetics Certified Natural Quattro Eyeshadow Noisette

Intensity blends with luminosity  with a long lasting, smooth formula, rich in color, with a velvety finish. Easy to apply, the versatile formula blends evenly and can be applied for shading, highlighting and lining the eye. $39

LIPS

COCO_ECO-DOWN-TO-EARTH-LIPSJane Iredale Lip Pencil in Sienna

A soft pencil for the perfect outline or to wear as a base when you just want to add a slick of gloss. $15

Zao Organic Make-Up Lip Gloss in Burgundy

Organic castor oil is rich in fatty acids providing your lips with nutrients together with organic cocoa butter, for ultimate moisture and a sexy, glossy finish. $29.90

 

IMAGE CREDITS:

Photographer: Udo Spreitzenbarth

Photo Assistant: Devon O’Kane

Imaging – Davide Illiano

Wardrobe Stylist: Ali Levine

Accessory Assistant: Janet Surmi

Make Up: Annie Ing

Hairstylist: Michael Duenas

Model: Lena Coco Hunter at LA Models

Shot on location at Villa Verve, Calabasas, CA

TGIF! Boho Beach Time.

12 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Fashion

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AMY DIGREGORIO, BEACH, BEAUTY COUNTER, BOHO, CALLEEN CORDERO, ECO FRIENDLY FASHION, green beauty, GYPSY 05, Organic, ORGANIC GLAM, rms beauty, SPRAY DI SOLE, sustainable, vegan, ZINK

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By Anna Griffin, Editor in Chief

It’s Friday, the weather’s gorgeous and we’re gearing up for a fun weekend at the beach, Malibu-style. A playful tie-die romper, hand-made, ethically sourced jewelry and accessories, and our  favorite cosmetics complete our natural boho look, as we embrace sun, sea, sand, and a chill summer vibe.

COCO_ECO_BOHO_SUMMER_BEAUTY

Organic Glam Mascara – $38

This organic and natural ingredient mascara with lash conditioning, organic Aloe and beeswax along with vitamins A,E and C creates curls, lengthens and conditions all in one.

RMS Beauty Master Mixer – $38

The luminous rose gold hue is this season’s most flattering tone for face and body. Subtly gilding and perfecting skin with a warm, golden tone and RMS trade mark ‘lit from within’ effect. A little bit of the Midas effect!

Beauty Counter Lip Gloss in Nude – $29

A moisturizing Lip Gloss that goes on smoothly—with no stickiness, in  our favorite sheer, nude tone with a subtle shine. Naturally beautiful.

Spray Di Sole Liquid Bronzer & Kabuki Brush Kit – $40

For a natural, organic glow, Spray Di Solé Liquid Bronzer helps nourish the skin, and creates a natural looking tan for face and body. Sun-kissed without the harmful UVA’s. Perfect!

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Gypsy 05 Crescent Rayon Voile Back Spaghetti Strap Romper – $67.50

Made in Hollywood, SoCal’s signature Boho line, Gypsy 05, keeps us on-trend in eco-style with this playful romper.

Zink Playa Jute Tote – $78

Whether hitting the beach in the ‘Bu, or stepping out in style in St. Bart’s, the vegan tote is the perfect travel companion.

COCO_ECO_BOHO_ACCESSORIES

Amy DiGregorio Darling Street Ganesha Necklace – $198

Beautiful heishi wood accented with 24 karat gold coated pyrite beads are strung upon a long necklace with gorgeous blue zircon gems. Natural zircon is a rare and incredibly sparkly gemstone, while Ganesha symbolizes prosperity, fortune, and success. Shine on!

Calleen Cordero Concha Cuff – $145

A limited-edition cuff, hand-made by artisans in North Hollywood, CA, using ethical leather and hardware, with two trees planted for each purchase. Looking good never felt so good.

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Colin Leslie Eyewear Sustainable Aviators – $125

See life through a new lens in these blue, sustainable aviators, ethically constructed with bamboo arms and recycled elements for eco-chic, boho, style.

 

 

OFF THE BEATEN PATH: HOLBOX, MEXICO

12 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Culture, Travel

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CANCUN, CHIQUILA, DOG RESCUE, eco, ECO TOURISM, GREEN TRAVEL, HOLBOX, ISLA DEL COLIBRI, MAYAN, MEXICO, MILLENNIUM TREE, NATURE RESERVE, POSADA MAWIMBI, REFUGIO HOLBOX, SOLFERINO, sustainable, travel, vegan, VEGETARIAN, YOGA, YUM BALAM

By Valeria Hinojosa, Contributing Editor

To me, travel is living and I don’t mean the 5-star-first-row-Chauffer-waiting-outside type of travel, but those full of adventures, homemade food and genuinely kindhearted people. The places and faces that feel like a cup of hot chocolate to the soul. Holbox, Mexico, felt exactly like that.

Most of you might have never heard of this secluded island in Mexico. Neither did I until a month ago. It’s small town within a Nature Reserve called Yum Balam and the home of colorful house walls turn into magical pieces of art, seven to twelve meter whale sharks, streets covered in the softest white sand, clear blue waters, an animal shelter called Refugio Holbox, and, last but not least, Posada Mawimbi…the beautiful 11-bedroom boutique hotel I had the pleasure of staying at.HOLBOX_MEXICO_ECO_TRAVELFrom the minute I arrived in Holbox, was welcomed by a dozen yellow golf carts with signs that read “Taxi” and realized I was surrounded by local people instead of tourists, I knew this trip was off to an wonderful start. Five minutes down a sandy road was Posada Mawimbi. One of the first hotels built in Holbox and one of the only ones that still treasures and respects nature to such an extend that its architecture and interior design screams nature preservation. Built by Carmello and Ornella, a globetrotting couple that visited Holbox 21 years ago as tourists and four years later decided to settle there, Posada Mawimbi is a beach front paradise carefully designed using products and techniques of the ancient Mayan culture. HOLBOX_MEXICO_POSADA_MAWIMBIOnly two blocks away from town Holbox, this little eco hotel blew me away the minute we walked through its doors and were welcomed by neon color hammocks among the palm trees, swing beds on the beach, and a bedroom with a balcony big enough to fit a hammock and a breakfast area for two (rustic wood table and chairs) yet small enough to give it its coziness, and a bar and restaurant that showed every bright color in the Mayan culture. Absolutely stunning. Raw details in every corner, vegetarian and vegan food options, and the most delicious blueberry daiquiris. Heaven.

Let’s start with the basics. How did I end up in Holbox, Mexico? Well, it’s not as simple as you would imagine but it’s very much worth it! In summary, a friend of mine and I flew from Miami to Cancun, rented a car near the airport and drove for about 3.5 hours from Cancun to Chiquila. Even though the drive was a bit long, the road we drove through was astonishing. Green trees and blue skies guiding our way the whole time! From Chiquila, we took a 20-minute ferry to Holbox, and from there we took one of the yellow golf cart taxis to the hotel.

Our first day was pretty relaxing. We unpacked, headed to the restaurant to enjoy some veggie fajitas and then fell asleep on a swing bed on the beach. The breeze was warm and salty, the water was clear blue and the sand as soft as butter. I have never seen something like that, not even in Bahamas. At night we decided to walk to town, visit some shops (almost all sell eco-friendly handmade products) and then decided to try the restaurant Isla del Colibri. I ordered a green juice and the vegetarian rice (rice, spinach, carrots, apples and plantains), which was to die for.HOLBOX_MEXICO_FOODDay two started with a delicious breakfast at Mawimbi. Oatmeal, fresh pineapple juice, cappuccino with soy milk, and bread with homemade papaya jelly. All this served on beautiful Mexican tableware, while sitting next to the ocean and sinking our feet on the sand. After breakfast we decided to skip the beach and head to the animal shelter everyone at the hotel had been talking about, Refugio Holbox. To my surprise, the shelter was so much more than I expected. Founded by a hotel owner who sold her property and now dedicates her time to saving animals, Refugio Holbox has about 22 rescued dogs, 40 cats, four birds and four raccoons How incredible is that? For all animal lovers, this place is seriously a must. If any of you end up visiting it, make sure you spend some time playing with the baby raccoons, feeding Benancio cookies (the oldest raccoon at shelter), taking the dogs for a walk, or talking with the vet about adoption and volunteer opportunities. They need all the help they can get.HOLBOX_MEXICO_ACTIVITIESDay three was something out of this world. We woke up at 6 am, did a 30-min yoga session on the beach, had breakfast and then headed out to meet our captain and tour guide to go swim with a beautiful seven meter whale shark. The tour started at 7am with us meeting at the nearest boat docking area (two blocks away from the hotel) and after a 40-60 minute boat ride found ourselves right next to the biggest animal I’ve ever seen. The water was extremely calm, the sun was shining bright, and dozens of jellyfishes were swimming next to the whale shark. It was like a scene taken out of a movie. Unforgettable. Even though our boat was carrying eight people, only two at a time were allowed to swim with the shark, none of us were allowed to touch it, and everyone was required to use eco-friendly biodegradable sunblock only. I’m not going to lie, all those rules (Mexican federal law) put a huge smile on my face, because they show how far Mexico goes to protect nature and its animals. From there, the captain took us to an island within Yum Balam to rest, swim in clear blue waters with fishes that looked like baby sharks, enjoy a ceviche the captain prepared for everyone on the boat before heading back to Holbox.HOLBOX_MEXICO_GREEN_TRAVELOn our fourth and final day, we woke up early to have a delicious breakfast at the hotel, say goodbye to Onnie and all the staff, and head back to Chiquila to pick up our car to drive to Cancun. On the way we made a quick stop in Solferino to pay the Millennium Tree a visit. This tree is over 1000 years old, 35 meters tall and full of an indescribable energy. Very much worth the stop!

Photo Credit: Valeria Hinojosa/Water Thru Skin, Posada Mawimbi

A DAY AT THE OFFICE

11 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Celebrity, Culture, Fashion

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alterna, AMY DIGREGORIO, ANTONYM COSMETICS, CALLEEN CORDERO, eco, ETHICAL, fashion, GREEN, JANE IREDALE, JEFF GARNER, MAGGIE GRACE, MALIBU, PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, PROPHETIK, R+CO, RANCHO SEA AIR, sustainable, ZAO ORGANIC MAKE UP

By Anna Griffin, Editor in Chief

Screen Shot 2016-04-11 at 1.41.01 AMSaturday was one of those magical days for an Editor; a spontaneous shoot with beautiful,  renowned actress, Maggie Grace, globally respected eco couturier, Jeff Garner, talented celebrity photographer, Emma Dunlavey, and a dream glam team, set amongst horses, goats and chickens at a horse property in the wilds of Malibu. IMG_9055

Garner, the designer behind eco fashion label, Prophetik, and Grace are friends, bonding over a shared love of sustainability, history, costume, and horses. Screen Shot 2016-04-10 at 8.09.13 PMGrace is one of those rare celebrities that is unaffected, engaging, and grounded. She loves Mother Nature, getting really excited when offered the opportunity to take photos with a chicken and get down in the dirt with the goats, and is a a self-confessed obsessive when it comes to TV period dramas. “My family and I watch every English period drama,” she enthusiastically muses.IMG_9150

Our shoot, held at Rancho Sea Air, just north of Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway, is laid-back and friendly as a core group of creatives come together with a passionate vision; to create incredible photographs utilizing a lush  backdrop and beautiful horses like Garner’s new rescue, a stunning retired race-horse called Leo. Our only enemy is the incremental and torrential April showers, with celebrity photographer, Emma Dunlavey, herding camera-shy goats in the mud, and grabbing moments of the breaks from rain to capture images.IMG_9137

Hair and make-up is kept soft and natural, using our favorite eco products, with make-up artist, Annie Ing, applying clean brands such as Beauty Counter, Jane Iredale, Zao Organic Make-Up and Antonym Cosmetics, while hair stylist, Nancilee Santos opts for R+Co. Wardrobe stylist, Ali Levine, accessorizes Prophetik’s Civil War-inspired hemp, peace-silk, and organic cotton gowns with local, hand-made, sustainable accessory brand, Calleen Cordero, and eco jeweler, Amy Di Greggorio.Screen Shot 2016-04-10 at 8.08.43 PM

After a successful day, Grace drives out in her hybrid vehicle, exclaiming that it has been her favorite shoot ever, and her family, also avid period drama fans, are really excited about the behind-the-scenes photos she has sent them. Off she happily goes as I return to glamorously sorting the day’s trash and recycling, which has collapsed in a huge, soggy, mess on the floor in front of me, reminding me that for all the fun of celebrities and fashion shoots, for us it’s just another day at the office!_G1Y9175_BW_small

Photo Credit: Maggie Grace/Instagram, Emma Dunlavey, Anna Griffin

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

10 Sunday Apr 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Culture

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BAMBECO, BED & BATH, CARBON FREE, eco, ETHICALLY MANUFACTURED, HOME GOODS, natural, NON TOXIC, Organic, PHILANTHROPIC, RECLAIMED, recycled, RENEWABLE, REPURPOSED, sustainable

By Beth Doane, Features Editor

bambeco5Bambeco’s mission is to “inspire sustainable living.” This aesthetically-modern, home decor brand not  only cares about providing an opportunity for consumers to fill their homes with well-designed and sustainable goods that are ethically manufactured, but also cares about people. Throughout the brand there is an emphasis on educating consumers through motivational speaking, building relationships, and creating possibilities.

bambeco3Bambeco has been making a stylish impact since Earth Day 2009 after co-founder Susan Aplin witnessed receding glaciers in Alaska and was inspired to create the brand. “Creating a healthy home is a big part of what we do at Bambeco. People care about the quality of the food they eat and the ingredients they put on their body with skincare. The next step is taking the toxicity out of the furniture they eat on and products where they serve their food,” says Aplin.

BAMBECO_SUSTIANABLE_HOME_GOODSEver since launch, Bambeco has offered a selection of well-curated home goods that are reclaimed, recycled, repurposed, renewable, natural, or organic, and with each purchase a tree is planted. As well as being eco-friendly, Bambeco’s products are innovative in design and function and include furniture, home décor, kitchen & entertaining, bed & bath, and outdoor goods. The company walks their talk by incorporating a sustainable approach into their corporate practices, such as shipping all orders in carbon-free, minimal, and recycled packaging, and donating more than 1% of their profits to environmental organizations working to improve climate change, land preservation, clean water, and waterways. bambeco4-susanEach member of the Bambeco team is also given the opportunity to volunteer and exchange five hours per month of paid time to help environmental projects, really putting the heart in home.

ARGENTINEAN INSPIRATION

07 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Culture, Thrive

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ARGENTINA, CHIMMICHURRI SAUCE, eco, GRASS FED, GRILL, MALBEC, Organic, PASADENA, RESTAURANT, SANTA MONICA, sustainable, TOLUCA LAKE, VEGETARIAN, WINE

By Beth Doane, Features Editor

A delicious Argentinean Vegetarian recipe perfect for spring cooking! 

Screen Shot 2016-04-07 at 1.19.18 PMArgentinean cooking is having a huge resurgence right now, for a multitude of reasons. For one, it is inherently healthy incorporating plenty of veggies and fresh, local, and organic produce. Another staple of Argentinean food is beef; in fact, it is estimated that Argentines eat close to 150 pounds of beef per person, per year because their cattle is of the highest quality. Beef is always grass-fed and free-range, which is becoming increasingly valued in the United States. Argentina also has the largest Malbec acreage in the world, as seen in the varietal’s popularity during the last decade. Now Argentinian food and wine are becoming so favored, restaurants such as Malbec Argentinean Cuisine are opening up throughout the U.S.

Screen Shot 2016-04-07 at 1.31.16 PMMalbec is considered one of the best Argentinean restaurants in the USA and has been leading the trend of Argentinean cuisine since it was founded in 2008. Screen Shot 2016-04-07 at 1.18.24 PMToday, the genuine Argentinean grill has three locations in California: Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Toluca Lake. The chain is popular because of its authentic cuisine, from grilled meats and seafoods, to old favorites such as paella, which are all served in an elegant ambiance.Screen Shot 2016-04-07 at 1.34.29 PM

If you’re not close in proximity to Malbec or other Argentinean restaurants, don’t fret; we have a delicious recipe to bring Argentina into your home. And it’s not just for the meat-lovers. For us veggie girls, it is as good poured over steamed veggies, or as a side with a rustic grilled cheese. Both fresh and healthy, this recipe for Chimmichurri Sauce will be the perfect addition to your spring cooking, and is great served with a glass of organic Malbec.

The Best Ever Traditional Argentinian Chimmichurri Sauce

– Prep: 10 minutes, Ready in: 10 min

 – Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh parsleyLime-Chimichurri-Sauce
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 tablespoon pepper sauce/hot sauce

– Directions:

Place the parsley, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, cumin, salt, garlic and hot pepper sauce into the container of a blender or food processor. Blend for about 10 seconds on medium speed, or until ingredients are evenly blended.

 

 

 

WARRIOR WOMEN: SARAH GIBSON TUTTLE

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Beauty, Thrive

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Beverly Hills, ECO NAIL POLISH, ECO-FRIENDLY, FAIR WAGES, green beauty, MANI/PEDI, natural, OLIVE & JUNE, PASADENA, SANTA MONICA, SARAH GIBSON TUTTLE, sustainable, toxin free

By Beth Doane, Features Editor

The Inspirational Founder of Olive and June

 

Screen Shot 2016-04-06 at 10.09.08 AMSarah Gibson Tuttle is a powerhouse businesswoman and mother who founded Olive & June – the nail salon that is setting a completely new standard across the USA. Tuttle was convinced there was a market opportunity for a nail salon that was both stylish and forward thinking, and she seized it. For a decade Tuttle had worked in finance in New York and would often take trips to the west coast where she would always struggle to find a beautiful, eco conscious and non-toxic yet elegant nail salon, where she could decompress without spending a fortune.

“That’s how I came up with Olive & June — to create that lovely place I was looking for that made nail care fun, colorful, and no longer a chore. I wanted to make taking time out from a hectic schedule easy, accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” says Tuttle.

Screen Shot 2016-04-06 at 10.00.12 AMShe eventually moved to LA, and opened the first Olive & June Beverly Hills flagship in August 2013. The salon was named after her great-grandmother, who taught her to have both high standards and a big heart. Tuttle opened her second Olive & June store in Pasadena, and has recently opened a third location in Santa Monica with plans for expansion across the USA.

Screen Shot 2016-04-06 at 10.00.58 AMThe salon has gained world-wide recognition by being featured in publications such as Vogue, Allure, InStyle, and Elle, and has maintained a loyal clientele of celebrities, stylists, editors, friends, and family. Olive and June uses natural products, offers eco polish and is committed to paying better wages to employees, for a non-toxic and guilt-free pampering session. What could be prettier than that?

Photo Credit: Olive & June

 

ECO CHIC DUBAI

05 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Culture, Travel

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DUBAI, eco, ECO YOGA SANCTUARY, ECO-FRIENDLY, ECO-LUXURY, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, JUMEIRAH, JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTE, LED, MASSAD FARM TO TABLE, MIDDLE EAST, RAS AL KHOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, RIPE FARMERS MARKETS, sustainable, THE ORGANIC GLOW BEAUTY LOUNGE, UAE, YOGA, ZINZIN

By Courtney Gerring, Contributing Editor

Dubai is the gateway to the Middle East region comprised of wealth, glamour, some of the tallest buildings and largest shopping malls in the world. It prides itself on gorgeous yachts, glimmering lights, fast cars and an unstoppable nightlife. Dubai’s energy is contagious and will soon enough have a ‘sustainable city’, the first of its kind and considered one of the unique developments in the world. Here are a few of the places we recommend when visiting this exciting destination . . .

JUMEIRAH_BEACH_HOTEL_DUBAIJumeirah Beach Hotel has recently been awarded the Green Globe Certification for implementing energy saving measures. The hotel has also been recognized for an outstanding sustainability management plan. Successfully reducing electricity consumption by 20% due to its evaporative cooling system and further reducing energy costs with environmentally friendly LED bulbs. A unique facade with a wave-like design, 617 rooms or suites, 19 restaurants, five swimming pools and a private beach ensures an unforgettable sustainable experience.

MASSAD_FARM_TO_TABLE_DUBAI

Massaad Farm To Table has two locations with a third soon opening, and is Dubai’s first farm to table and sustainable Arabic restaurant. Offering a vibrant Mezza selection of from organic grilled meats and chicken dishes such as shawarma and shish kebabs,  to renowned local, vegetarian favorites such as hummus made with organic olive oil, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, falafel, seasonal salads, and grilled haloumi cheese, there is a delicious bite for all. And if you can’t get there in person, the deliver.

ECO_YOGA_SANCTUARY_DUBAIEco Yoga Sanctuary is a women’s only and the Middle East’s first sustainable yoga studio. Using eco-friendly Far Infrared heating panels, LED lighting, towels and blankets made from bamboo, organic cotton and wool, a recycling program, water filtration, and low VOC paint, this is a peaceful place to get your Asana on. Scheduled classes include Ashtanga, Hatha, Kundalini, Power and Hot yoga; Body Balance incorporating Tai Chi; Meditation; Core; Pilates, and Belly Dancing, offering mind and body wellness in a soothing and serene environment.
ZINZIN_DUBAI

ZINZIN is the first retail experience of its kind in Dubai, offering eclectic, vintage, and natural pieces, housed in an eco-friendly store with recycled wood walls and floors, and changing rooms constructed from recycled cardboard tubes. With a motto of “Acts of kindness are acts of love,” the brand strives to save the planet by contributing “a style-forward social contribution to the eco-cause.” Truly an escape from the ordinary.
THINGS_TO_DO_IN_DUBAI
There are many places to explore when in Dubai including taking a stroll at the flea market, picking up organic produce at Ripe Farmer’s Markets and Farm Shop, absorbing the natural beauty of the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, or getting pampered at the Organic Glow Beauty Lounge, UAE’s first organic and eco-friendly salon. Whatever your pleasure your Dubai experience will be as eco-chic as it is enchanting.

 

DICAPRIO PROTESTS PALM OIL

04 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by Coco Eco in Celebrity, Culture

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ACADEMY AWARD, ACEH, ADRIAN BRODY, BORNEO, CHANGE.ORG, conservation, FISHER STEVENS, FOREST FIRES, GREEN ECO, GUNUNG LEUSER NATIONAL PARK, indonesia, leonardo dicaprio, LEUSER ECOSYSTEM, ORANGUTANS, PALM OIL, RAINFOREST, SOCIAL MEDIA, SUMATRA, sustainable

By Anna Griffin, Editor in Chief

Leonardo DiCaprio found himself in a little hot water last weekend when visiting the Indonesian island of Sumatra, to raise awareness of the destruction of the Leuser Ecosystem due to the manufacturing of palm oil. Posting messages to his 36 million social media followers, DiCaprio claimed that palm oil was destroying the Indonesian ecosystem, angering government officials who accused him of using his trip to undermine the palm oil industry and the Indonesian government.

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As Heru Santoso, the spokesman for the Directorate General for Immigration at the Law and Human Rights Ministry, said “We support his concern to save the Leuser Ecosystem, but we can blacklist him from returning to Indonesia at any time if he keeps posting incitement or provocative statements in his social media.”

DiCaprio and an entourage including actors, Adrian Brody and Fisher Stevens, arrived at Kualanamu Airport on the island of Sumatra on March 26. They entered legally with visas and immigration documentation, touring Gunung Leuser National Park in Aceh and leaving the island a day later. 32C1C35C00000578-3520013-image-a-37_1459561678510

Uploading photos to his Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages, including a picture of him holding the hand of an Orangutan, DiCaprio used the hashtag #SaveLeuserEcosystem and linked to a Change.org petition titled ‘Save The Leuser Ecosystem, Save Our Planet!’

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“Palm Oil expansion is destroying this unique place. Now is the time to save the Leuser Ecosystem. We must develop a permanent solution to protect and restore this valuable natural asset,” he wrote.

32B2B7F800000578-3520013-image-a-32_1459561472694According to Palm Oil Investigations, orangutans in Sumatra and Borneo are facing extinction as palm oil companies clear their habitats using fire to make way for crops. In 2015 alone, forest fires destroyed five million acres of Indonesian rainforest, leaving orangutans starving, homeless, injured or dead, and approximately 5o die each week. In conjunction with the Orangutan Crisis Foundation, they have founded an urgent appeal, aiming  to raise $1 million to assist teams on the ground as they work to protect the species.

As for DiCaprio, he has not yet been banned but could if palm oil companies demand this of the Indonesian Government. But if the Academy Award winning actor is anything to go by, this will not infringe on his passionate mission to save the planet.

 

 

 

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