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For those of you who use organic skin care products (I have been one for approximately 3 years now) you will know that it is difficult to find a face cream that includes an SPF. Because it is all natural, the SPF needs to be a physical block and therefore gives you more of a mime-like glow rather than the usual sun-kissed variety. This fact has essentially made me an organic face cream tester, changing brands a few times a year, never quite finding all of the attributes that I look for: moisturizing, smells yummy but not too yummy, good value for the money, organic and ideally contains an SPF.

Along comes a spa line called Eminence. I have encountered this line before and liked the idea of the small-batch process using ingredients grown on a rural organic farm in the Hungarian hills. I once used the Sour Cherry Whip Moisturizer which literally made my mouth water every time I used it. Alas, I didn’t find it moisturizing enough for my skin. Last week I decided to give the brand another try upon discovering that they had added a face cream with an SPF - the Tomato Summer Sun Cream with SPF 16 was mine. Tomato you say? I thought the same thing, ick. I must admit that it is surprisingly refreshing with a touch of something minty that makes my face tingle with delight. At $60 it sounds expensive but it does last a long time and since they do not add water to any of their creams, you can add a little to thin it out on the days you need less. Factor in less money spent on expensive sunscreen for your face and it almost makes sense.

This might be it. The one that makes me faithful. Next on my list? The Eminence Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream SPF 32 (smells like heaven on Earth) and the Wild Plum Eye Cream (expensive but necessary for these pesky dark circles). Free shipping over $200 on the Canadian site www.eskincarestore.com. Yes, it is easy to spend that on your own but you can also team up with a friend in need.

Photos: Eminenceorganics.com

It might look a little lonely in the picture here but this sweet indigo clutch is no wallflower. Made from naturally dyed, handwoven cotton and re-purposed airplane seat leather, it would love to go to brunch with your Saturday belted romper or party with your Friday night jean leggings and cut-out heels. Your new best friend and eco-friendly too. Order now because you have to wait to be in the company of perfection.

Photos: Shoparticle22.com

It’s watermelon season again - although come to think of it I have been eating the mini seedless variety from Mexico all winter long. In any case, watermelon season also means it’s time to be more scrupulous about sunscreen application. So you can see the wisdom in pairing them up as Korres does in its Watermelon Sunscreen Stick with SPF30. The stick formulation makes it so easy to tuck into a handbag and apply at first blush…or preferrably before but nobody is perfect. It also acts as a highlighter so roll it on those sun-prone spots and shimmer away. (And I don’t mean in the shiny and very painful red lobster way.) This product is quite literally sheer joy and a must-have for every natural-beauty-product-lovin’ girl this summer.

Photos: Sephora.com

Do you find your space is lacking those last side tables, lamps, artwork and curios that make it look magazine-ready? These ‘filler’ decor items or accents tend to give a room its personality so add some fun with a Tiki Stool for US$60. It comes in a selection of colours and acts as a stool or a retro-inspired side table to store books and hold your drink. Made from molded polypropylene, it can be considered eco-friendly since this manufacturing process does not produce dangerous emissions and it is recycleable in your normal curbside recycling bin. Although if you ever want to get rid of this cute little accessory, passing it on to a new owner is much more environmentally friendly. I personally like the black and white but the lime green would be a great addition in the backyard or in a kid’s room.

Photos: Stacks and Stacks

Nail biter? Finger-licker? Babies sucking on your hands? You need this polish. Butter London has come up with a line of toxin-free nail polish with fabulous, fashionable colours and beautiful packaging to make you feel flirty while doing your bit for the earth and your health. Butter touts itself as ‘3 Free’ which is kind of confusing on their site since it makes it sound like you are somehow getting 3 free bottles of polish. Not the case. What it really means is that they are free of the 3 most common carcinogenic chemicals found in polish: Formaldehyde, Toluene, and DBP. Hooray.

They ship to Canada from their site - just change the country in the top right corner to that familiar maple leaf. You can also find it in-store at Holt’s. I would recommend the Fashionista’s Favourite Fall 2008 pack for all of the shades you might require this season. Throw a base and top coat in your shopping basket for the complete treatment. To the salon junkies - this doesn’t mean you have to do your own nails. Bring it along and they will be happy to use your brand of choice. Spread the word, Butter is delicious.

Photos: Butter London

Not the tarnished variety, but the eco kind of silver. Starting this month, jewellery designers Pyrrha are using 100% ”green” silver meaning that it has been reclaimed and recast, saving serious energy on the mining of new metal. To celebrate their eco-achievement, they will donate $10 to the David Suzuki Foundation for any item purchased online for the month of September. Blair was wearing something similar to the one on the right (resembling the shape of a champagne bottle plate) in Gossip Girl last night - so be cool and green this month.

Photos: Pyrrha

For the month of July Get $10 off if you order one or both of the Moor Allure Skin Renewal Moisturizer or Radiance Mask. Use the promo code SUMMER on their website to receive the discount.

Wallpaper might not be on your mind as you day dream of your next day at the beach but if decorating is your plan this Fall you might want to take advantage of some great deals this month. Judit Gueth, Toronto-based designer and illustrator, has her most popular line of wallpaper, Koi, on special until the end of July for $90/roll. The silver colour-way, shown above left, is a beautiful but subtle addition to a bedroom, living room or bathroom. She has many other classic looking patterns to suit your decor, such as the Lilies pattern shown in green on the right. Her papers contain no PVC and use a clay-based adhesive so you don’t have to worry about any toxins being released into your home. She also does a line of rugs and soon, a line of pillows but these are not yet available online for purchase.

Photos: Judit Gueth

As some of you know, finding affordable eco-friendly fabrics has been on my radar for awhile. The latest issue of Domino features a great discount at Rubiegreen.com where you can find fun prints on upholstery-weight organic cotton. The fabrics are regularly $90/yard but until July 14th, you can receive a $40 discount on each yard of fabric…almost 50% off. Unfortunately they can’t process international orders online but they will gladly fulfill your order via an email request. It is totally worth it since it is tough to find fabric you like, let alone the organic variety. I love the East Village zigzag print in raspberry - it would look fantastic on a navy sofa. The zebra “Mary” print in natural is a refreshing and softer alternative to the black and white classic.

Photos: Rubie Green

‘Natural, organic and sustainable lifestyle products while embracing style and aesthetic’ - that is what Nimli.com claims to be all about. Their site boasts a large selection of fashion-forward brands that you aren’t tired of seeing in every ‘green issue’ of the style magazines. If this is helping the earth, sign me up. This ecoSkin line of just-sexy-enough dresses help to create a sylphlike shape for laid-back summer glamour. 

And it’s not just clothing, it runs the style gamut from fashion to beauty to home. I am completely smittin’ with these beachy cool coin-inspired baubles by Kim Alessi, Liza Shtromberg and M Designs.

The home category includes such finds as this Fishnet Pillow and gorgeous Embroidered Napkins by Ortolan NYC and Rosebud Pillow by House and Wear. I haven’t included pics of their beauty lines but not for lack of choice - I wanted to mention the line of amazing and luxurious Aussie eco cosmetics by NVEY ECO. Some of these items might just pop up in my May Obsessions…there are a few that I haven’t been able to get out of my head. I encourage you to treat yourself to some earth-friendly treats this Earth Day.

Photos: Nimli.com