Daisy Green Magazine

2008-10-12T19:49:00.001+01:00

www.daisygreenmagazine.co.uk

The launch

2008-10-12T19:43:00.002+01:00

Well, after all the stress, worry and butterflies, the launch went off with a bang! The fashion show was fabulous, thanks to all the models, the makeup artists and the hairdressing team.
We raised £400 for Lisa and MAG which is brilliant news. Magpie Swop did a fantastic job of hosting the swap event.

As for the magazine itself, I was so over whelmed and proud when I saw it up on the wall. A brilliant moment.

Congratulations to all those people that were lucky enough to win prizes and thankd again to all our sponsors.

I am swapping over to writing the blog on the magazine, this one will be integrated into it later this week. So for all your Daisy Green news, please click on www.daisygreenmagazine.co.uk and go into the blogs.

Do let us know your feedback on the site ...

Thanks to all of you for your support on the night. It was FANTASTIC!

1 more sleep

2008-10-08T22:40:00.002+01:00

Have no idea how much actual sleep we are all going to get but it's not long now until the morning. It's more exciting than when Santa comes.

I just wanted to tell you all about Roger at 21thoughts.com Roger has done a cracking job of putting our magazine together. He has shown extreme patience in light of the 852 emails I send him everyday. And he has certainly been there at my beck and call when I have needed him. Now that is what I call service.

All is indeed well. If you need a website designing, he is your man. Get him at roger@21thoughts.com

Night night all.

Twiggy's frock swap

2008-10-07T21:36:00.003+01:00

What a fantastic programme. The phones were going wild between the Daisy Green team tonight. It is great that such a high profile model icon, would lead by example and show everyone how easy it is to host your own swap party. And it's so much fun!

The Daisy Green swap at the launch party looks to be a large success too. Susie, one of the founders of Magpie Swop will be on Frock Swap in a couple of weeks time, and so we are definitely in good hands.

See you all there on Thursday night - remember, bring your good quality, clean clothes to swap yourself to a new wardrobe.

x

Looking for local news and events - try Newcastle Centric

2008-10-06T15:07:00.003+01:00

Newcastle Centric is the website dedicated to news and events throughout Newcastle and Tyneside. And guess which fabulous ethical magazine is their main story today?

Thanks to Paul who has grafted over the story and who has been ever so helpful with lots and lots of other things. Looking forward to writing some contributions and seeing you at the launch on Thursday.

Check us out at:

http://newcastlecentric.com

PS Loving the vintage daisy green earrings.

Prizes GALORE!

2008-10-05T22:59:00.004+01:00

The girls came over this afternoon to sort out the running order for our catwalk and all the prizes for the charity raffles.

After much oohing and aaaahing, the catwalk line-up will go something like this:

Howies - fabulous fun, everyday wear

Samsara recycled clothing - a couple of fab dresses and accessories to show just how you can reuse old fabric for new outfits

Quailbymail - the dress that Shauna has so kindly donated will be winging its way down the catwalk

People Tree - some classy outfits from the ethical favourites

Izzy Lane - examples from the beautiful Izzy Lane collection and the scarf that you can win in our competition on line

Sammylovesvintage - showcasing the some very wearable vintage outfits

Bowler Hat Vintage - funky dresses perfect for any posh do!

Woweeeee ! We are so excited. Finally, we can visualise our girls strutting their stuff. (We are having a little practise tomorrow night.)

And as for the prizes. We have been absolutely knocked out by the response to our requests for donations to the charity auction. On the night, we will have goody bags to win throughout the evening, and 6 - yes 6 - baskets and bags bursting out with gorgeous organic, fair trade products.

TO WIN

1. The luxury pamper basket - an organic towelling robe, make up and treatment vouchers, fair trade wine, knickers and more;
2. The "home" basket - books, gift vouchers, biscuits, food, beautiful stationery products, so much to choose from;
3. The "Man" bag - something for the fella in your life - T-shirts, pantstopovery undies and a few man products;
4. The baby basket - the cutest organic baby grows and T shirts, and all manner of baby accessories;
5. The products bag - A beautiful bag crammed full with different products, T shirt and knickers
6. The outfit - Dress from Quailbymail and a fantastic clutch bag from Jane Irving.

Honestly, we all agreed that we wanted to keep the prizes for ourselves. But that would be very un-Daisy like. (And I had to draw the line at the Daisy girls buying raffle tickets too.)

So folks, there you have it. The raffle tickets will be on sale all night and then Lisa French is going to help us 'do the draw'. It's all for such a good cause - bring plenty of loose change as we will be shaking our tins at you.

Can't wait to see you there.

7.30pm Art Works Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne. Catwalk show 8pm.
www.daisy@daisygreen.org

4 SLEEPS!

2008-10-05T15:16:00.006+01:00

Sitting here, I can't quite believe what we have accomplished in such a short space of time. This Thursday, Daisy Green Magazine goes live for the whole world to see. Emotions are running high as we make all the final arrangements.

Let me say, that I am very proud of what a total group of strangers (nearly) can pull together when they want to.

To subscribe to Daisy Green go to http://www.daisygreenmagazine.co.uk/

Georgeous organic kids clothes - Arabella Miller

2008-10-05T15:13:00.006+01:00

Arabella Miller, the online shop, sells the most gorgeous organic clothes for kids. Alison, MD sent us a T shirt for the prize raffle at the launch party this Thursday. Thanks Alison!

http://www.arabellamiller.com/

The best things..

2008-10-02T21:29:00.002+01:00

It feels like a lifetime ago, when I wrote on this blog that one of the best things about Daisy Green has been the people who I have met along the way.

Sally, a fantastic contributor and now a friend has written a little about why she loves to contribute to Daisy, and I couldn't say it better myself.

A final word about Daisy
Most of us find life gets in the way of being totally ethical. But I wanted to get involved with Daisy because it’s positive about the steps that we do take. Daisy Green Magazine will be an easy, entertaining read as well as honest and informative. It’ll be just like getting advice from your best friend. It’s for women with a real life.

(Did I mention that is is only one week to go........)

1 WEEK TO GO!

2008-10-02T21:12:00.002+01:00

The excitement is overwhelming. With only one week to go, the whole Daisy Green team are working furiously to make sure that we are ready. Clothes are strewn all over the place for the catwalk show, hair and make up is sorted, guest speakers are planning what to say, leaflets are being printed and the 'old style kids party food' is well under way.

And that's just the launch party!

As for the magazine itself, it's going to be jam packed with the best of ethical fashion, charity shop challenge (see photos of the whole team - the wedding dress shots are great) beauty picks, book reviews and a dedicated living section filled with tips, patterns and food reviews.

Then there are the interviews. People who have inspired the Daisy Green team.

We are proud of what we have achieved in a little over 4 months and we hope you love it too!

Daisy x

Ethic boutique, the North East's only dedicated, ethical clothes store

2008-09-28T07:41:00.005+01:00

It's a little paradise. Whoever still thinks that wearing ethical and organic clothing is the domain of those passionate hippies, think again.

Ethic boutique opened this week in Whitley Bay, and is the only shop of it's kind between York and Edinburgh.

And it is beautiful. You walk in and Jill greets every customer with a smile and free chocolate! A brilliant start. The decor is luxurious and the clothes are fabulous.

I chatted with Jill until it was too busy to stay. The response to her beautiful boutique this week has been phenomenal.A number of items have even sold out!

The Ethic boutique has been 10 years in the planning, but I think worth waiting for.

National Chocolate week 13-19th October

2008-09-28T07:36:00.004+01:00

There is going to be a whole week dedicated to chocolate!

If one were needed, this gives us all the perfect excuse to indulge. There are loads of offers on the site and lists of events.

There is going to be a fabulous event held in Newcastle by the Fairtrade team, more information to follow in the magazine.

Can't wait!

1 WEEK and 6 DAYS

2008-09-26T07:12:00.004+01:00

And the nerves are still holding but only just. Not being a nervous type, I am unused to these little flutters that keep rumbling away in the pit of my stomach. Is it going to be ok? Are people going to read the magazine? Can I really compere in front of a couple of hundred people?

Well, not long til I find out !
x

My front room looks like Santa has been!

2008-09-23T19:31:00.010+01:00

Ethical goodies are strewn everywhere... all for the launch of course! Thanks to the latest companies who have very kindly sponsored us.

Peace Day

2008-09-21T08:26:00.003+01:00

Tody is Peace Day. If you want to add your name to the list. Wo
Wouldn't it be great if for just one day no-one, absolutely no-one in the world was fighting?

http://www.peaceinourlifetime.org

Sisters are doing it...

2008-09-19T16:35:00.046+01:00

Admit it, you are singing the song aren't you?!

Well I am pretty pleased to introduce you all to Green Sisters, the online network for women all working / interested in green issues. And there are so many companies involved that I wanted to mention a few tonight!

How about Feral International who sell organic, fair trade T shirts with funky designs on the front?

Flipside Vision an ethical publisher (check out their stunning 2009 calendar.)

Karin Helena Turner Designs, beautiful cards and gift wrap. www.notonthehighstreet.com/karinhelenaturnerdesigns

As for Bags of change, another great reason to ditch the carrier bags!

Green Sisters is the brainchild of Katie from OneGreenEarth, the online directory of green business. http://www.onegreenearth.com/ should you wish to list yourself.

All these ethical women brought together in one community! It's fab and Daisy Green became their 85th member tonight.

For all of you interested in joining Green Sisters, go to http://www.green-sisters.ning.com/

People Tree launch Autumn Winter 2008

2008-09-19T16:35:00.040+01:00

People Tree. The ethical brand that everyone knows have just launched their Autumn Winter 2008 collection in London. They partnered with Quintessentially Models, an ethical model agency, and Whisky Mist. They also gave their fans a sneak preview the new Spring / Summer 2008 collection just before London Fashion Week.

Wish we had been there. Never mind, we will be featuring them at our very own launch!

http://www.peopletree.co.uk/

Flashmob: Pregnant woment breakdancing in London

2008-09-19T16:35:00.037+01:00

To highlight the scandal that millions of women in poor countries and around the world aren't getting the healthcare they need for a safe and healthy pregnancy, we've been holding a series of flashmob in London, Paris, Berlin, Utrecht and across Canada.

Take a look at the video here: http://youtube.com/grooveyourbump

If you think this is dangerous, try giving birth in poor countries without a midwife, hospital or medicine. You can take action at

(And just to put your minds a rest - the dancing expectant mums in this video aren't pregnant, they were professional dancers wearing pregnancy suits!)

Hyperlinks

2008-09-19T16:35:00.020+01:00

Dear Reader

You may wonder why the hyperlinks are missing from some of our lovely sponsor logos. And frankly so I am. Having added and saved them 8 times each, I now wish to stamp on the PC. So I thought a nice little list here would suffice. And then I can try again tomorrow.

http://www.greenfibres.com/

http://www.lush.co.uk/

http://www.pantstopoverty.com/

http://www.lavera.co.uk/

http://www.bambooclothing.co.uk/

www.bnevertoobusytobebeautiful.com/

That should about do it !

3 WEEKS TO GO !!

2008-09-19T16:35:00.016+01:00

Well, actually 2 weeks and 6 days. And the launch preparation is coming along spiffingly. I need, ney, want, to say a huge thanks to all those fab companies who have already sent items for our charity raffles and auctions. These are they:

And what's even better, is that I have at least, another 7 companies who have already posted donations out. It is fabulous and we are so grateful. I know that we are going to raise a stack of cash for MAG. Happy days.

Remember email us at daisy@daisygreen.org if you would like tickets to come along!

ethic boutique and Quail!

2008-09-16T21:37:00.001+01:00

www.quailbymail.co.uk are a company who Daisy Green have supported from the very beginning and ethic boutique are going to stock them too!! hooray hooray roll on pay day!

Daisy Green are proud to support MAG

2008-09-16T21:03:00.003+01:00

Doing the festival thing in the summer gave us the opportunity to meet lots of interesting people.

We did what we do best - chatted!

Non were more fascinating - and lucky - than Lisa French. A North East lass, Lisa hails from Durham. 3 years ago she was on the bus that was blown up by terrorists in London, on July 7th.

Right now I am not going to tell the whole story as you can read it in the magazine in 3 weeks and 2 days. Suffice is to say that the goose bumps rose and the tears brimmed as I listened to her story. Incredible. I think the phrase is "there but for the grace of God go I."

Anyhow, not one to wallow, Lisa has made a comittment to help others. To this end, she has chosen to support MAG, a charity dedicated to helping those victims of landmines and those who are busy destroying those that remain. (That's right, there are people who work tirelessly to destroy landmines. Never again will I complain about work.)

Daisy Green Magazine has made a comittment to sponsor Lisa. All profits from our launch party will be given to her and MAG to help her build homes for landmine survivors in Cambodia.

We will find an appropriate method of offsetting the Carbon Dioxide emission released getting her to Cambodia and we will follow her adventure with (hopefully) regular updates.

For more information on MAG please go to: www.maginternational.org

To sponsor Lisa and husband Russ, go to: www.maginternational.org/supportmag/events/community-challenge-cambodia/lisa--russell/

JUST £15 pays to clear 10 square metres of land of mines, missiles and cluster bombs.

Best £15 I have spent.

Daisy x

Laura's blog for NE1FM

2008-09-15T21:32:00.005+01:00

Right oh, for all those of you who love NE1FM, Laura has set up her very own blog so you can keep up to date with all the latest band news and going's on over there.

Check it out at: http://live-session.blogspot.com/

Multi talented girl our Laura.

Thanks for having us FaCshion

2008-09-15T21:00:00.009+01:00

5 o'clock in the morning, the dedicated Daisy team roll themselves out of bed and make their way to the Big Smoke. And how excited we were. When we eventually woke up (about 3 hours later) excited banter trilled around the car.

Other than driving around 1 square mile of London for 40 minutes, the journey passed off remarkably well. Hotel room not ready for us, but we coped. When we did get in, we preened and made up as only 5 girls in a tiny room know how to. The mess was quite remarkable.

Unsuitably dressed (as we later found out) and about 2 hours late, we headed into the show.

A mixture of stalls, guest speakers and catwalks - there was an awful lot to take in. Thanks to Diana and all the team for the sheer effort of coordinating such an event. (Oh and the mention you gave Daisy Green in your brochure was very much appreciated!)

We learned a lot. Which made all the driving worth while. And we had a great girlie time. Shoes and feet became the theme for the weekend (more of that later.)

Hmmm. The fur spoilt it for me. Actually, just about ruined it to be truthful. FaCshion was showcasing some real ethical clothing labels but wasn't a dedicated ethical show. Fair enough. But, the mix of ethics and fur - well for me, they just don't mix.

In reflection, a really cool weekend. Lots of giggles and belly laughs. And Brick Lane is FABULOUS. Curry and vintage fashion. THE perfect combination.

To fur or not to fur?

2008-09-15T20:39:00.003+01:00

Honestly, should this even be a consideration?

Possibly, because I am not the coolest kid on the block, owning a fur coat simply disgusts me. Yep, that's the word ... disgust. Even though we are all entitled to our opinion, I just don't get it. I am sure there will be people who would like to explain the desire for dead, furry skin on their back.

And please try. And if you are an Inuit, then I will listen hard. I promise I will. But if you simply have more more than sense then, well, you are on your own.

There has to be some basic rules. And at Daisy Green these are 2 of them: testing cosmetics on animals and wearing fur coats (even a vintage one) for me, are just big no no's.

Bring on the debate.