A Vision of Eco Boutique Goodness

Visionary is an eco-friendly boutique that "is a place where people can come in to learn about green culture as well as be inspired to become a part of the solution." 

They carry cool, unique and eclectic items that aid in creating awareness and appreciation for our planet and all its inhabitants. They carry a variety products, from women’s fashion, jewelry, home accessories, gifts and children’s wear all with an Eco-Chic flair.

"Visionary is a combination of environmental and social consciousness without sacrificing quality or style. But not as simple as being 'organic.' Visionary is Eco-Chic, a sense of style that’s beyond mainstream fashion. It’s a frame of mind and a choice to dress and live for the planet you want."

Check them out online or in West Hollywood.

Imagine Whirled Peace

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal has teamed up with various peace activists and Ben & Jerry's to unveil details for the Peace Day concert that will take place on September 21st.

Centerpiece of the day's event: A re-creation of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Peace Bed-In. Photographer Roy Kerwood, who shot the original 1969 protest, will attend.

Ben & Jerry's also is unveiling its Lennon tribute ice cream, Imagine Whirled Peace, a concoction of caramel and sweet cream ice cream, fudge peace signs and toffee cookie pieces.

One word: YUM.

Spring Cleaning meets Spring Design

Now that you've finished all the spring cleaning we think it's time you do some spring re-designing and home furnishing.

Vivavi (vee-va-vee) offers modern style, eco-friendly furniture and home furnishings. Vivavi’s companion resource, Modern Green Living, enables consumers to find newly built green residences and green home professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Vivavi is also a member of 1% for the Planet, an alliance of socially and environmentally responsible businesses that donate 1% of all sales to environmental organizations.

The furnishings have a modern elegance about them and would make any home fashionable.

Rogan for Target

Rogan Gregory is the latest featured designer for Target's GO International line of clothing. He is a New York City based designer who has a cult-like following because of his environmentally conscious voice.

What's special about Rogan for Target is that he promises a commitment to organic cotton and affordable prices. The collection is reminiscent of urban safari chic with a touch of sophistication.

His inspiration came from nature, using natural patterns and prints that you would find in the wild. He chooses basic black and white, with neutral colors, and just a few pops and hints of accents with yellow and blue.

Industry and Public Interest Group Face Off at House Subcommittee Hearing

The CEO and President of the Personal Care Products Council (formerly known as the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association) appeared before the Subcommittee on Health on Energy and Commerce last week. What's going on?

Congress is thinking of passing an FDA Act on Device and Cosmetic Safety, reported Special Chem. Actually, it's the press release from the PCPC, with a bulleted pat-yourself-on-the-back list of all the positive things that personal care companies have done for the public in recent years. Here's another source - this one from the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

They quote EWG Vice President Jane Houlihan's testimony:

“Cosmetics are essentially unregulated under federal law,” she said. “The Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act provides the Food and Drug Administration with virtually no power to perform even the most rudimentary functions needed to ensure the safety of an estimated $35 billion of personal care products purchased by consumers annually.”

To regulate the cosmetics industry, the Committee's proposed legislation would enforce the following:

• Registration of all cosmetic company facilities, products and ingredients with FDA
• Reports of serious adverse effects to the FDA
• Good manufacturing practices
  

What do you think? Is it the FDA's job to step in and regulate the cosmetics industry?

David Babaii & Kate Hudson Aid the Wild

David Babaii is the man behind many of the natural, unique, free-flowing, and full of un-tamed spirits hairstyles that the celebrities are sporting today. Vogue has named him "the King of Curl" and he has become a celebrity in his own right with a few of his celebrity clients being Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

He has joined forces with Wild Aid to use his expertise in the fields of hair care and beauty, to help conserve wildlife. With this project he's partnered up with none other than Kate Hudson. She has been nominated for an Academy Award and has also won a Golden Globe Award. She is proud to bring the first line of hair care products that support animal rights activism to the world's attention.

In their latest Ad campaign, Kate Hudson is posing with wild lion cubs and a fierce cheetah. The tagline is "Tested on Kate. Not on Animals."

Leona Lewis Launching Vegan Fashion Line

Leona Lewis is currently best known for her hit single Bleeding Love. But, pretty soon she may be known for something more, well, wearable.

A staunch animal rights supporter, Leona hopes that her vegan fashion line will give fellow vegans more options, much like Portman's line of shoes.

A source tells British magazine Hello:

“She’s always adored animals since she was a little girl and has been a vegetarian since the age of 12. The reason she doesn’t wear diamonds is because she doesn’t know how they have been sourced. It was for this reason that she is determined to set up her own ethical fashion range and sell the goods at high street prices.”

Gossip Girl Cast Member Goes Green, Thanks To Motherhood

Industry vet and Gossip Girl regular Kelly Rutherford recently told US magazine that she’s officially gone green. Kelly and her husband are building an eco-house complete with denim insulation, and earth-friendly lighting.  Her brand new 18-month-old baby inspired the change.  “You think: Wow, they come in so pure, you want to keep it that way," Kelly was reported as saying.

She's not the first celebrity to develop green baby inspiration, writes Ecorazzi. Julia Roberts and Melissa Joan Hart have also joined the ranks of the converted.

Jake Gyllenhaal To Open New Organic Restaurant

Richard Gere and Sandra Bullock are just a few of the many celebrities who have opened their own restaurants. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is joining in on the trend and plans to open an organic restaurant in LA.

Gyllenhaal is not alone in his latest project, his childhood pal chef Chris Fischer is helping to make the experience high-class and all-natural.

"Friends claim that Gyllenhaal, who has appeared on Mario Batali’s US cookery show Molto Mario, has always vowed to open a restaurant before he turns 30. A source told Life&Style: 'Cooking is [Jake’s] big hobby and his passion.'"

First Eco Browser That Benefits The Planet Now Available

Netscape has created a new web browser that benefits the planet through web surfing. The original version, Flock, has been around for some time and is based on Mozilla Firefox with a Yahoo search engine. This browser has it's advantages in that it takes all of your social networking sites and organizes them under one roof. The new green-themed option, aptly named Flock Eco, comes preloaded with the top green content on the web — with 10% of proceeds going to an eco-charity of the user’s choice.

From the release: “Environmental topics have become increasingly relevant to a global audience, and the Web is the best source for depth and breadth of content,” said Shawn Hardin, CEO of Flock. “Flock’s Eco-Edition provides an excellent way for those that care about the environment to remain connected to the best sources of environmental topics and to easily share their discoveries with others that they connect to online. We’re excited to see what happens when we mix Flock, People, and Passion together.”

Natalie Portman Launches Vegan Shoe Line

Natalie Portman is an amazing actress and a true activist. She may not be a vegan when it comes to the food she eats, but she definitely makes sure that the clothes she wears are not made from any animal products.

She has launched a line of vegan shoes, saying, "As a vegan, it’s been challenging finding designer shoes made of alternative materials. This collection offers a great selection without compromising quality or style."

Portman’s shoes are available online at TeCasan.com and at the NYC boutique located at 382 West Broadway. Some 5% of profits from her shoe line goes towards charity.

Disney's New Film Label - all about Nature

Disneynature is The Walt Disney Studios' label dedicated to working with leading filmmakers to produce one cutting-edge theatrical releases each year celebrating the wonders of the world in which we live.

They have recently released a trailer for Earth, which they plan on debuting on Earth Day of next year! Patrick Stewart narrates the film as the story of the lives of three “animal families” unfold as they cross the globe — or just do cool things — like polar bear snow angels.

Free Beauty Samples, Right to your Door

Can't enough of trying out new beauty products? Does it seem like there are just too many new products out there and you can't afford to buy them all? Well, this may be the answer for you.

NewBeauty magazine offers a unique experience for those who want to try out new beauty products before they purchase them. "Try before you buy," the website reads. For about $35 a tube, you will be shipped a new TestTube™ every 3 months full of goodies. Brands vary every delivery, but previous tubes have included Lancome, Aveda and dr. brandt. They guarantee that the value of the products inside will always exceed the subscription price.

After sampling the goods, you can write your own reviews to let others know which products are the new "it thing" and which ones should be left alone.

This could be an interesting idea for those that want to purchase new products, but don't know where to begin.

Pick up the Marie Claire UK June issue!

Marie Claire UK's June issue is hot! 

Cate Blanchett is on the cover and in the magazine she discusses green issues, her personal life, and filming the Indiana Jones movie. She is now one of many celebrities who are choosing an "eco chic" lifestyle.

The issue also covers the hottest fashion and beauty buys that are green and gorgeous... as well as a guide to (safely) being a total beach babe.