Starwax the Fabulous: Retro, greener cleaning products

A little while back I visited the Salon du Vintage in the Marais. The vintage clothing on offer was all rather over-priced, but there was a little stand at the entrance showing off 'Starwax the Fabulous' cleaning products, which was so beautifully presented that I couldn't resist having a little look, and soon enough I was having a chat with the brand representative, searching my memory for cleaning product vocabulary.

You may be wondering how I can shoehorn cleaning products into an ethical fashion blog. I posed myself the same question. To justify myself, the retro packaging really appeals to me (retro > Duck, Dettol and Jif), and there is a hidden greener side: the brand focuses on old fashioned 'store cupboard' cleaning products like they used in the good old days. Think white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and citric acid, all of which are surprisingly effective replacements for the usual chemical-tastic products that damage both your lungs and the rivers.

I haven't actually tested any of these products, but a quick search for 'cleaning with bicarbonate of soda' returns lots of positive reviews on Google, so I'd be more than willing to give them a try. You may wonder, 'what is the point in paying extra for something in a pretty bottle?' I suppose it's a matter of convenience/habit (or simply, pretty bottles), but the brand also puts a lot of work into giving out advice - including recipes for all sorts of cleaning dilemmas - although it's all in French at the moment.

You can find the products in certain hardware shops in France, but it could be one to look out for in a few years time in other countries.

Would you be willing to give traditional cleaning products a try? Do you already use them?

Sadie xxx

Paris Ethical Shopping Guide: Sap's and Co

I've been meaning to post about this shop for a long time now, having first visited last summer. Sap's and Co, located in the trendy Batignolles area of Paris, is filled with ethical clothing delights. The stock has been carefully curated and includes some of the best fashion-forward ethical clothing labels, whether it is organic jeans by Kuyichi, ethical accessories by Deux Filles en fil, silly organic t-shirts by Monsieur Poulet or eco trainers by FYE, amongst many other brands. Oh, and they also stock People Tree, which made me really happy!

Rather excitingly, they also stock loads of menswear, so this is a boyfriend-friendly zone. There is also a quality second-hand section, featuring silk shirts and branded jeans.

Worth a special mention are their Keep Company trainers, which I am currently considering purchasing (can't decide between those, or Veja, hmm), as well as their Nat Mad clutches, purses and bags, which are some of the finest examples of recycled-material accessories that I have seen.

In short, you've definitely got to pop in if you're visiting Paris!

The service is brilliant - I spent a good 15 minutes having a chat before revealing that I'd quite like to take some photos!

Address:
37 rue la Condamine
75017 Paris

Like Sap's and Co on Facebook

Sadie xxx

Silly trousers

My blog has been somewhat lacking in the whole 'Sadie's Wardrobe' department lately, mainly due to the ridiculously long winter, a shortage of space, and a shortage of time (and a shortage of chocolate-based incentives). However, here in France, May is basically ALL bank holiday, giving me a chance to a) move the furniture around in the flat so I have a place to do my best posing and b) don silly outfits without the risk of The Metro Stare.

On reflection, this outfit isn't even that silly, and I'd put it on in England without batting an eyelid. As for the top half - well, who actually does their hair and make up on a bank holiday? Not me, that's for sure! So I will leave my giant spot and bright-orange-towel-wrapped hair to the imagination.

But outfit photos aren't all lies, don't worry... I do plan to face the commute AND the office in this attire next week.

I bought the trousers for just €5 at 'Vintage Desire' in Montmartre, just around the corner from Abbesses and Tudo Bom. According to the shopping bag, there are actually two in Paris (I think I have been to the other one as well without realising it!).

Addresses:
28 rue Yvonne le Tac
75018

32 rue des Rosiers (right next to loads of amazing falafel places!)
75004

Sadie xxx

P.s. I must confess that my sandals are a new purchase and are not ethical. However, I have made sure that they are excellent quality and built to last, as a sort of justification - and they are my only pair of sandals.

Paris Ethical Shopping Guide: Hippy Market

I stumbled upon Hippy Market when getting rather desperately lost on my way to a vintage fair, and I'm glad I did. I knew there must be some sort of shop like this somewhere, so it was great to finally locate one - it's the sort of vintage shop where everything is neatly organised by theme, has a general price scheme, and where skirts and dresses come pre-shortened. A bit like COW vintage in England, I suppose.

I like how they decided to make '100% ethique, 100% récyclé' a selling point, too. Which it is! Along with the trendy merchandising, a clever little room just for menswear and a corner entirely dedicated to leopard print.

Definitely worth a visit, and it's very close to Hotel de Ville, so you can even throw in some touristy bits at the end of your shop for good measure!

There are actually two Hippy Markets in Paris (and in other big French cities)...

Addresses:
21 rue du Temple

75004 le Marais

3 rue de Turbigo

75001 Paris

Sadie xxx

Paris Ethical Shopping Guide: Free'p'star

Free'p'star is one of many little vintage shops that are scattered around Paris, but judging by the fact that it is always swarming with shoppers, it's one of the better ones! The shop has a really odd layout, with two mezzanines on either side that you have to climb up a ladder to access. At the moment, one side is piled high with boots at €5 a pair. If I remember correctly, there was a rather cool pair of platforms up for grabs.

Like many shops in the city, there is a basement too, containing lots of sale items - adding a nice literal dimension to the term 'bargain basement'. Don't be put off by the narrow spiral stairs!

Before researching this post, I was unaware that this shop is actually one of three bearing the same name - which is great news, although I haven't yet visited the others! They are all in fairly close proximity, scattered around the bustling Marais area in the 4th Arrondissement. There is a little map on the Free'p'star website so you can go on a little vintage 'crawl' if you have a spare afternoon.

Addresses:

8 rue Sainte-croix de la Bretonnerie, 4th Arrondissement
61 rue de la Verrerie, 4th Arrondissement
20 rue de Rivoli, 4th Arrondissement

Sadie xxx

Wonder Vintage Market, Paris

On Saturday I headed off to the North-East of Paris, to the Centquatre, which can be best described as a modern exhibition space that features culture and art (with restaurants, a giant charity shop and an enormous book shop thrown in). I arrived on a fresh Saturday afternoon to check out the Wonder Vintage Market, and it was, errrr... wonderful!

The event played host to some of the best vintage interiors displays I've ever seen, with some of the stalls feeling like real room set ups. The clothes were a little more expensive than I'm used to, but that was reflected in the fantastic quality. Winter capes, felt fedoras and even Betty Draper style night gowns were on offer.

I was a bit snap-happy at the event, so here is a selection of my favourite parts of the market!

Also, a quick shout out to the lovely Kat of Purrfect Kat Vintage, who recognised me from my blog! My first international recognition ;). Woo! You can find her blog here. I'm sorry if I came across a bit shocked - I was!

Sadie xxx

The Fru-Gal Challenge

Famous in ethical fashion circles for its 'Green Carpet Challenge', Livia Firth's ethical lifestyle website, Eco Age, also plays host to the 'Fru-Gal Challenge'. The idea is this: bloggers, universities and members of the public are challenged to put together an ethical outfit for each day of the week, and take a photo of what they come up with! The site has already featured over 250 outfits, and recently I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to add 5 of my own.

Seeing as a bit of time has now passed since I took part, I thought I'd take this opportunity to post them here!

I'm not used to blogging such huge photos, but I promise it's for blog aesthetics rather than vanity, haha.

Monday: Retro Blouse

I have a thing for retro blouses, and this is just one in my ever growing collection! I love ‘matchy-matchy’ outfits, and retro shirts are just perfect for this: wear one thing of each colour featured in the pattern, and voilà, you have an outfit. This is especially good when it means you get to wear brightly coloured tights.

I bought the blouse from a vintage shop in Bristol, the skirt from a charity shop (shortened a bit), the belt from a carboot and the velvet jacket from a charity shop. The shoes are hand-me-downs from my mum.

Tuesday: Vintage Cardigan

I’m currently catching up on Mad Men (I know I’m a bit late to the bandwagon), and I couldn’t resist this rose-pink cardigan found at a vintage shop in Paris – it reminds me of something Peggy Olsen would wear! I bought the skirt in a charity shop the day before I moved here, and the belt is from my childhood dressing-up box. It’s a bit of a strange colour combination, but I quite like it!

Wednesday: Red and Blue

Here in Paris, there aren’t many charity shops, but I’ve found a replacement for when I just need a good old thrifting session. Guerrisol sells second hand clothes, mostly for under €5 a piece. If you have the patience to rummage, you can get some really good things, like this oversized cardigan which I bought for €3. It’s super warm and super slouchy, perfect for the weather at the moment. I’m wearing it with a People Tree dress and a belt from my childhood dressing up box. The only problem: people here don’t seem to wear much colour so I stand out a bit…

Thursday: My favourite things

This is my all-time favourite dress, which I picked up from the Motel Recycle and Re-invent range a few years ago. Combined with my all-time favourite cardigan (Jaeger, and cashmere, by way of a charity shop!), this is, well… my all-time favourite outfit. I’ve worn the cardigan so much that I’ve made a hole in the elbow, so I think a purchase of some elbow patches is in order...

Friday: Homemade

I’ve been buying up lots of vintage sewing patterns lately, and this sleeveless blouse is one of the things I made. It fits like a glove – that’s the beauty of making things from scratch! The skirt was €5 from the ultimate Parisian thrift store, Guerrisol, and I had to alter it a bit because it was just far too long. I really love sewing, and I would definitely encourage anyone who is in doubt to have a go!

The rose-pink cardigan is from a vintage shop and the shoes are hand-me-downs from my mum.


Want more from Eco Age?
Like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter! The Fru-Gal challenge also have their own Twitter profile.

Sadie xxx

P.S. Millions of thanks to my housemate for taking these photos!

Updating an old blouse with buttons...

As you may or may not know, I'm a contributor over at the Oxfam Fashion Blog. This week, I upcycled a blouse using some vintage buttons. To read more, click here!

Sadie xxx

My retro laptop bag

I think I was probably a little bit too much in 'Brighton mode' when I bought this mini retro suitcase on my summer holiday this year, with the intention of using it to carry my laptop into work in Paris. Let's just say I stick out like a really really sore thumb, with the brightest colour in the average commuter's outfit being dark navy. I secretly sort of like the fact that I can feel all eyes (judgemental or admiring) flicking to it, or even outright staring at it for an entire journey.

It's absolutely ideal for my beast of a laptop (forget the sleek iMac blogger look), and once it is lined with a sheet of foam it provides just enough protection.

I bought it at To Be Worn Again, one of my favourite shops in Brighton, and THE place to go if you want to buy vintage shoes (they have an entire room upstairs with walls and walls of shoes arranged in colour order). I actually spotted it in the window on my way out, on our very last day in Brighton, and I had just enough holiday money left over to buy it. Practical, pretty, cheap(ish) and vintage... how could I resist??

I must stop referring to it as a 'vintage laptop bag' though, as I somehow don't think that was its original purpose!

What do you think of it?

Sadie xxx

P.S. I love all of the stationery shops here. I bought this little notebook on the starionery floor at Le Bon Marché (one of the few things I could actually afford, in and amongst the €1000 pens and other ridiculously priced writing paraphernalia...).