xxx

PS. This is my very first Polyvore set, so if you are there too, let me know and let’s follow each other. 

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Bug Spray for Beautiful Skin

For the first time in my life, I’m experiencing the wrath of the Berkshire mosquitos. I had heard the tales, but they are more savage than I could have ever imagined. After a relaxing weekend running on mountain trails, reading poolside, and making vegan s’mores by a fire pit, my skin was not displaying signs of the sexy, natural tan, but several itchy bites. I must have squealed of joy when I saw this incredible find in my new W magazine: a certified organic Intelligent Nutrients Bug Repellent Perfume Spray! My order is in. 

ETHICALBELLA LIFESTYLE: Happy 4th! 

I hope you all get to rest & relax on this long weekend just like Aggles. She might get up for the fireworks. 

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Organic Perfume Review #3

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Organic Perfume Review #2

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Organic Perfumes

I have gone all-natural for a few months now after chucking my synthetic perfumes (I recycled them to friends), and have been looking everywhere for a new Signature Scent. I wanted a certified organic fragrance that would feel and smell so good, that sometimes I might want to go to bed wearing just that (way better for your skin than Channel No 5). For the next three days, I’ll post review videos of my Top Three finds.

ETHICALBELLA LIFESTYLE: How To Stay Hopeful?

My blog went on a mini hiatus this week as I was settling into a new apartment with my love and launching my business (more about that next week!). But with all these changes, it was also a good time to reflect on what matters most in life. 

As I provided a fashion tip to one of my dear readers (you can still find Fin Oslo at Asos.com and finoslo.com - yay!), she also emailed another really good question (thanks Katy!). She asked:

“In the fight for animal rights, how do you deal with some of the haunting realities that are on-going? Particularly with the fur trade; I have nightmares about it.” 

As this is something we all struggle with when choosing to live an ethical lifestyle, I reached out to the Superman of Animal Rights and Ethical Lifestyle. That, of course, is the handsome and charismatic Gene Baur, the founder of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization.  He kindly wrote: 

“We need to be straightforward about the gruesome truths, and explain these facts clearly and directly. Personally, it might help to take some time to grieve from time to time, to cry, in order to deal with the atrocities, but it’s important not to dwell in the negative. By focusing on and surrounding yourself by positive people and actions, and ultimately dwelling on the positive, the negative can be crowded out.”  

As Gene’s fabulous PR lady Meredith continued, as we chatted about this, dwelling on the negative drains energy and we need all the energy we can get to change the world (whether it’s by making ethical style statements as my goal is to do here at ethicalbella, designing hot vegan men’s shoes, launching luxe vegan pop-up restaurants or fighting for animal protection laws or just throwing a vegan barbeque or taking your friends to a fun day at a farm sanctuary). Says Meredith, “it’s amazing how just a simple shift in perspective can move mountains!”  

xxx

See you with next week! Coming up: videos about my favorite organic perfumes, eco-friendly hair-styling products for that extra Oomph!, vegan makeup brushes, how-to videos on sexy shimmery summer makeup looks, and hot ethical summer dresses by an amazing London designer. 

If you love what you see, please “like” Ethical Bella on Facebook to get even more fun stuff in your news feed!

ETHICALBELLA NEWS!

TODAY Sunday the 12th is the last chance to experience Wildflower, the first-ever Gourmet Vegan Pop-Up Restaurant at New York’s luxe LTO (Limited Time Only) at 171 East Broadway by the hottest of the hot Chef Ayinde Howell.

Tonight on the menu: Street Food Favorites!

Book here now: http://wildflowerpopup.eventbrite.com/

ETHICALBELLA FOOD: Candle79 Rhubarb & Strawberry Pie

I had a politican over for dinner this week-one of my dear old high school friends Jani Toivola became a congressman in Finland! To entertain my VIP, I wanted to make the most mouth-melting summer pie to be enjoyed with organic wine (it made it especially special and he knows I have just learnt to bake!). This recipe is from the my favorite restaurant Candle 79’s cookbook, which The Discerning Brute gifted me.

If I can do it, so can you. It was delicious and we ate half the pie at one go!

PS. I looked at a bunch of recipes online, but seemed easy and luxe; you can get the cookbook on Amazon for $12.89.

ETHICALBELLA JEWELRY: Matt & Nat

I moved to a new apartment last week, but from the midst of boxes and boxes (of eco beauty & fashion!) I was able to escape to the country for a few days. With a few sundresses, I packed these simple, yet sexy sustainable pieces by Matt & Nat and just before a dinner out in the village town, I photographed them than by hundred year old tree trunks. All these pieces were unfortunately gone in a blink, but you can get amazing pieces from People Tree on sale now! 

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Urtekram Lavender Shampoo & Conditioner

Urtekram must be the most natural hair care line I have ever come across. I bought it at a European health food store because of the lavender, but was wondering how this could ever work: the ingredients include nothing but water, aloe vera, coconut & corn sugar soap, vegetable glycerin, lavender flower extract, citric acid and essential lavender oil. 

But it does! It’s perfect for the everyday all-natural wash and your hair will smell amazing afterwards (especially after you have taken a dip in the pool - with some chlorine - in the country). However, as it’s no frills it doesn’t do any special tricks to your mane. 

This Danish beauty brand is certified organic (by Ecocert), Leaping Bunny certified, and you can even find out the specifics of their production cycle on their website. You can find a distributor in your area here.

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ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Anne Lind Natural Wellness Moisturizer

I picked my first Anne Lind moisturizer last fall from a natural skin care store in Barcelona. I adore this Lemon Grass scent. So pure and perfect for summer! 

And it has no synthetic fragrances or colorants, preservatives, mineral oils, or silicones. It’s produced according to the BDIH guidelines for natural cosmetics and you can order it from pretty much any country.

l

ETHICALBELLA LIFESTYLE: Hearting Animals

I’m moving this week and found this photo when I was packing. It’s one of my favorite childhood memories: feeding the baby ducks at my grandparents’ lakeside house, in the country. It was beautiful to see them grow from little fluffy yellow things to gorgeous full-grown beings. So trusting (and hungry for snacks!) they loved to hang around me as I played by the shore. After having them as playmates, I could never thought of one as a meal. They were friends forever!