Colin Firth's Eco Store Review- The "Eco Age" store - for planet and people is here in London!

Today I was so very lucky to be in Chiswick in London, on a sunny summers day. I had a little time to go and check out the Hippest of Eco-stores founded by the star, Colin Firth, his wife Llivia Giuggioli, her brother, Nicola Giuggioli and a very close friend Ivo Coulson. Called simply "Eco" on the High Street.

Enchanted by the rounded well shaped displays, that are stacked upon each other, beautifully with one product carefully, hand selected for the maximum amount of natural sunlight to show off their eco wares. I was really astonished how many really cool products were in store, with the minimal amount of waste of space, whilst a modern retro edge to the space makes it feel very stylish and designer. Designer, chic, earth-tailored eco, would be my best description.

I found that they had products from a solar powered little helicopter, made in pure wood, to a solar powered light set for the home, to bags, books, to the most amazing stone squidgey carpet, (this really looked as if it was a carpet of stones formed to be a lovely beach on a summers day). Just a stunning earthy chic present.

The gadget that was on the counter top, (and even the cash till looks as if it is from a uber cool eco manufacturer from the future) was a little flashing counter display, that shows you your total amount of volts that you are using in your home.

I was also amazed that that this is not only the hippest "green hub" for Eco-Chic shopping in the whole of London, but also in the downstairs of the shop, there is the most fabulous array of eco designer interior design pallets. Any home would wish be totally remade from this whole shop! with the latest, eco-fabric - anything you could ever want to be an eco-superhouse!

The feel downstairs is one of a real home. There is a just a natural affinity to the collections that are proudly, and again, very carefully, hand chosen walls filled with the most stunning colours. Everything in the downstairs space just wants you to look more closely at the fabrics, touch the examples.. as it almost looks as if you have entered Eco home heaven! This eco interior design section was a totally awesome find for me, and one that excited me enormously. Everything under one Eco roof, pure brilliance.

There is a huge movement in LA, where Interior Eco-Chic Designer Danny Seo, has really been a trail blazer, on every magazine, and in every stars home for the last ten years. Danny is the original Eco-Chic interior designer, and is world famous for putting Vanilla essence and the most odd of things into paints, just to see if they can reduce the fumes when you paint, or just to see the effects you can get with minimalist and earth based interior products. Danny is one of the most Eco-Chic pioneers in America. I would think this London Eco store, will have the same effect in the UK. "Eco" is pioneering, and yet very much of our Time... The taste of these guys is quite exquisite and I felt honored just to be in such a energized space. The great news is that this store is in London- this is big news!!!

I found the most amazing "Charlie and Lola" book, all about saving the planet, for my little girl, and this is a brand new book, and it just made me feel great to come out with a little gift for my little person. A real gift-something of educational value, and something that can be taken to school and read to the whole class.

I was also extremely honoured to meet Llvia Giuggioli personally, whilst I was in her beautiful store. I have to say a more beautiful woman who radiated a natural energy, you couldn’t wish to meet; and who herself looked just a million Eco -Chic dollars. I must confess my total surprise at seeing her there, and I was quite shy! You could instantly see this store was part of her, a family run atmosphere of pride resounded throughout "Eco".

For any real eco-chicer, this is a little haven of eco bliss. It was highly educational, and the whole building has an eco-design. Using natural sunlight, the building has been modernized with renewable energy savers, they use all natural sources throughout the building, so I would imagine its carbon footprint is pretty tiny.

So a little bit of the countryside, in the middle of Chiswick, and there are a couple of great stores that compliment "Eco's" setting nearby. So for a fun few hours this summer, head just a little West out of the centre of London to this store. It certainly will be a talking point for many years to come, and I for one felt just honoured that Llvia Giuggioh was so very charming to me. In this age where everyone and everything is so very in the "eco - crowd", it is very easy to spot the real thing instantly. "Eco" and its owner certainly left me in doubt of their truth and sincerity to make a real eco store, fairytale almost, come true.

Check it out, these guys are super, in their eco chic cool green hub - offering consultancy, energy saving solutions and many little "Eco Chic" treats for family, heart, planet and home.

http://www.eco-age.com/page.php?id=home

Eco products, Food and Home.

When we wash and clean our homes- just as we do ourselves- most of us use whatever gives us the best and fastest results, but what does all this long term use of products do to us, our homes and planet?

Ecover laundry products are coming top of my list every time.. The reason is because I have learnt about something that is called neutralizing toxicity- this is what happens to the products after they have cleaned our clothes, the chemical footprint I guess you could call it, for cleaning products in the home.

With every one wash of Ecover laundry product- it takes 1,750 litres of water to neutralize the harmful effects on our planet- the nearest eco laundry product takes 10-20,000 litres!

To clean our loo's, it’s the 50,000 litres for any regular cleaning and de-scaling product.

The good news is that Ecover, not only admit that household cleaning , by its very nature at this point in time cannot be 100% planet friendly, it does show me at least that again the tiniest of changes do have an impact on the planet when I'm shopping in a supermarket.

Ecover also are putting in unconditionally £250,000 over the next two years in money to Water Aid, to help Ethiopian people without any access to clean water. This is after Water Aid has already helped give health back, and water and education to over 11 million people already.

I also was amazed at how fresh smelling my clothes were after using the Ecover for my washing- its smells yum- and also I have just got the stain cleaning removal product too- so I will have to see if this also works as well as their other products.. Vinegar is also another natural de-scaler and loo cleaner as well if left overnight.

I am still looking for a natural Antibacterial cleaner for the house- ended up getting a regular one, but will use the bottle only when needed desperately- and will do a half vinegar and water mix for most things, (including cleaning windows - which gives ace results).

Tesco which was where I was today also had loads more eco products in the cleaning section- which is great- and I was again pleased this week at Sainsbury’s to see a difference when looking for a natural bubble bath replacement- they have heaps in store as well- not to pricey either.

It’s all about the big clean out in my home- and trying to do as much as I can without killing off the planet in the process- and after all I don’t want to live in a clean palace full of toxicity! I also had to stop my child putting in lots of air fresheners, because the packaging looked great... its all from the TV ads! I prefer incense any day... but the point was that they see the adverts and think everything is so great- But saying that my little girl did win one battle of the eco chic arguments in her consumer habits... we bought a little mr men soap, and it has essential oils in it- and the little Mr Men plastic thing- is something for the bath, so a longer term use for some piece of plastic. This is the problem with the kids, they see everything- want to buy everything- to me, it’s my choice, I am paying, but I don’t want the planet paying on top! And her with the overload of chemicals. So from me she got a little soap, with essential oils in- hardly any packaging, and the little Mr. Men thing can be a toy. Were both happy about this one! And believe me, when it comes to a six year old and bubble bath and novelty soaps, it’s always the chemicals and non eco products that she wants! But once she has the new ones- she loves them and doesn’t go for the others any more, which is great.

We also are supporting White and Wild Milk- they plant trees for every 20 bottle sold... I am hoping that Waitrose end up with their refillable milk bottles that they hope to introduce soon...