SO excited to host our 2018 Eco Chic Fashion Show on March 23 at the SUPER CHIC and sustainably stylish Mitchell Gold + Bob Williamsin The Kenwood Collection! Check out this sneak peek inside the space and RSVP for the event at www.2018ECFS.eventbrite.com. Get in FREE when you donate an item for Dress for Success Cincinnati!
Tag Archives: eco-friendly
Review: Plaine Products
Ok, I’m going to be Debbie Downer for a minute, but I promise this has a happy ending! 😉
Did you know that plastic is designed to last forever? About half of the plastic made is thrown away after only ONE use (hence the term “single use plastic”). In particular, more than 550 million shampoo bottles end up in landfills every year. And unless we make a change by 2050, scientists are saying there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans.
More plastic than FISH in the ocean. That’s just crazy!
So, what to do about it? Two Cincinnati-based sisters, Lindsey and Alison Delaplaine came up with an idea: Plaine Products. (a little play on words, and part of their last name, I like it!) What they did is create a unique system using aluminum bottles that are returnable, refillable, and reusable and paired it with all natural shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Their company is the FIRST to provide an alternative to single use plastics and it’s going to be biiiiiiiiig! (imagine me saying that in an Oprah voice! 🙂
So, here’s how Plaine Products works: When the consumer buys shampoo, conditioner or body wash online it’s delivered in an aluminum bottle and comes with a pump. When a product starts running low the consumer purchases a refill, or if they sign up for a subscription refills will be delivered automatically. When the bottle is empty they will switch the pump over to the refill and continue using the product. Then they just put the empty bottle in the same package that the refill bottle came in and send it back to Plaine Products – for free! When Plaine Products receives the bottle, it will be cleaned, sterilized, refilled and sent out again.
When I heard about this I was immediately on board. First of all, they have a subscription program where they can just auto-send you new shampoo, conditioner, and body wash on whatever schedule works for you. You don’t have to do the subscription, you can just buy a la carte whenever you want. But the less I have to think about or remember when I’m at the store, the better.
Second of all, not only are these reusable containers good for the earth, but the products are good for YOU. All three products are natural, vegan, non-GMO, sulfate free, color safe, kid/baby safe, hypoallergenic, cruelty free, and biodegradable. I posted the ingredient list below for all three products so you can see what’s in each.
Ok, so good for the earth – check. Good for you – check. But do they work? YES! – check!!! My daughter has SUPER long curly hair, so a good conditioner is a must. But I’m weird about putting any kind of chemical on her (I’ve read too many Dr. Google articles during all those midnight feedings! haha!) But I couldn’t, for the life of me, find an all-natural conditioner (seriously, look around in the “crunchy” aisle at Kroger and you’ll find all kinds of shampoos and washes, but they don’t – at least mine doesn’t – carry natural conditioner).
We’ve been using these products for the past week, and I’m seriously in LOVE. My hair is super soft and bouncy. My daughter’s thick curly hair is finally brush-able (and the essential oils make it smell AMAZING – I think we all are sleeping better after smelling this in the shower every night!) Oh, and to know that the products are good for us and the earth are huge bonuses.
As for pricing, I know we got the bundle of a 16oz shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for $80 (you can get each separately for $30 each if you want). That’s about what I was paying before, but now there are all these added bonuses where I feel really really good about using these (seriously, I kind of geek every time I use them – I feel like I’m earning tons of good karma just for washing my hair! haha!)
Lindsey and Alison said they’re going to expand their line soon with more scent options and additional chemical free products like chemical free lotions and hand wash. So, I’m excited to be on-board now and see what else they add on. I definitely love the idea, and I’m loving what we have been using so far!
To learn more about Plaine Products check ‘em out at www.PlaineProducts.com! They’re also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram if you’d like to keep up with new offerings!
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Ingredients:
Shampoo: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Saponified Oils of Coconut and Safflower Seed, Guar Gum and Irish Moss (Red Algae Extract – Carrageen). Organic Camellia, Sunflower and Ricebran Oils. Extracts of Chamomile and Quillaja Saponaria. Papaya and Pineapple Pulp Extracts. Rosemary Oleoresin, Vitamin E Complex, Organic Green Tea, Geogard Ultra and Potassium Sorbate. Mint Arvenis Essential Oil. Essence of Rosemary, Mint and Vanilla.
Conditioner: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vegetable Emulsifiers and Glycerin, Alpha Hydroxy Acids from Sugarcane and Fruit Extracts of Bilberry and Olive. Shea and Mango Butters, Guar Gum, Irish Moss (Red Algae Extract – Carrageen), Organic Camellia, Sunflower and Jojoba Seed Oils. Papaya and Pineapple Pulp Extracts, Hydrolized Wheat and Silk Proteins, Rosemary Oleoresin, Vitamin E Complex, Organic Green Tea, Geogard Ultra and Potassium Sorbate. Mint Arvenis Essential Oil. Essence of Rosemary, Mint and Vanilla.
Body Wash: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Saponified Oils of Coconut and Safflower Seed, Guar Gum, Organic Camellia, Sunflower and Ricebran Seed Oils. Chamomile, Sage and Quillaja Saponaria Extracts. Papaya and Pineapple Pulp Extracts. Bamboo Silk, Jojoba Beads and Silk Amino Acids. Rosemary Oleoresin, Vitamin E Complex, Organic Green Tea, Geogard Ultra and Potassium Sorbate. Mint Arvenis Essential Oil. Essence of Rosemary, Mint and Vanilla.
Style + Sustainability Gala 2016
Young, innovative and inspiring, these Cincinnati entrepreneurs are on the forefront of style and sustainability! Urban Blooms and Modern Makers collaborated to create the event that launched Cincinnati into the fall fashion season.
From the moment you walked in, it felt as if you were transported to New York’s trendiest neighborhood. This team took an otherwise empty warehouse and converted it into a venue worthy of hosting an upscale event, the 2016 Style + Sustainability Gala. Complete with living walls full of flowers and foliage, vibrant purple and blue lighting, a DJ mixing the latest music and lots of amazing shopping, this gala had something for everyone. Did I mention that the runway for the fashion show was made of live plants? It was an event unlike one this city had ever seen before. Check it out for yourself…
Behind the scenes was a sharp contrast to the main event, but just as fabulous. I was fortunate enough to make it there before the fashion show began with Urban Bloom’s co-founder, Lily Turner. We entered through what seemed like a secret door that opened into a room buzzing with energy and excitement and filled with models. As I was following Lily at a clipped pace through the chaos of backstage, we managed to sneak in a conversation. “What you see, in here and out there, this is a culmination of eight months of hard work,” she said.
She also said that Urban Blooms had been collaborating with Modern Makers for the past two years because they [Modern Makers] first took a chance on the company’s vision of sustainability and featured a living wall. I lost Lily in the crowd of models and designers as I was snapping the following photos.
The crowd grew quiet as Master of Ceremonies, Pam Kravetz, ascended to the stage and signaled the start of the show. As the first look entered the runway, everyone erupted into applause. Model after model strutted barefoot down the catwalk in clothing created from reused and recycled materials as well as living plants. According to this show, flowers, moss and vines are this season’s hottest accessories. Below are the most iconic looks of the show.
It wasn’t just about the runway. At the heart of this event was the desire to create a more connected, eco-friendly community in Cincinnati. Several local vendors provided food, drinks and shopping to enhance the gala experience as well as promote their businesses. The scent of Gomez Salsa was wafting throughout the hall making your mouth water all evening. You could enjoy a draft beer from Taft Ale House, one of Cincinnati’s most popular breweries. Taft’s partner, Kevin Moreland said, “We got involved with this event because of its vision of revitalization in Cincinnati.” If you were looking for a stylish outfit that is also sustainable, you could wander over to where Asia Lindsay, co-founder of Those Girls Vintage and Custom Clothing, was set up under a huge wall of warehouse windows. “Our brand is all about having fun, being who you are, and wearing bright, vibrant colors,” Lindsay said. “Because we sell second hand clothing, our brand is promoting sustainability and recycling while being luxurious and affordable.”
The best moment of the evening had to be when I found out that the Style + Sustainability Gala was not coming to an end- it was just the beginning. “We hope to make this an annual event,” said Turner. That, coupled with Urban Bloom’s co-founder Tyler Wolf’s goal to make Cincinnati the most sustainable city in the world, gives us hope that this time next year we will be attending the 2017 Style + Sustainability Gala!
Cincy Chic Review : 4D Ultrasound at Becoming Mom Spa + Ultrasound
I recently got a VERY cool 4D Ultrasound at Becoming Mom Spa + Ultrasound (aka my second home when I’m preggo). Not only did it allow me see our beautiful baby’s chubby cheeks for the very first time, but their big viewing room allows for the whole family to come see too! Watch for a virtual tour and video as I take you along for the special experience! Learn more at http://becomingmom.com.
Oh, and don’t forget to register for our FREE event at Becoming Mom THIS Thursday where we’ll have complimentary refreshments, swag and spa services. This event is great for moms and moms-to-be, as well as women who love getting pampered with all-natural products! Click here to learn more about the event and RSVP!
6th Annual Aveda Catwalk for Water April 30
Cats might not like water, but this catwalk LOVES water! It’s the 6th Annual Aveda Catwalk for Water, and it’s happening this Saturday, April 30. Sounds like a fun event, where fab hair/makeup/fashions will rock the “green carpet” — all for an awesome cause! Details are below!
Top Ten Things I Love About Cincy Style Bar
We wrote this story about Andrea and Ashley Lauren, the co-owners of Cincy Style Bar last week. We also have a Cincy Chic staff spa night there this Thursday… so it has me thinking about how much I adore them there. Not just Andrea and Ashley, but their team, business, vision, how they make you feel, and just everything about their concept. So, I thought I’d do a little Top Ten list of why I love Cincy Style Bar so much… here goes:
#10: They are the Original Blowout and Makeup Bar in Cincinnati. ‘Nuff said.
#9: They put the studio together piece by piece. Literally, most of the furniture and remodels around the spa and salon are all done by hand by family members! It’s very shabby chic, Pinterest meets real life, sophisticated but unpretentious, hip but not hipster.
#8: They were green before it was cool to be green. Andrea and Ashley’s commitment to organic, natural and non-toxic beauty goes back to 2003, and they’ve been Cincinnati’s organic, natural and non-toxic full service salon and spa since 2012. So, as long-time advocates it has been a dream come true for them to create a safe beauty haven for their guests. Oh, and because it’s eco-friendly, it’s all preggo-friendly. You don’t realize how much toxic stuff you put on and in your body until you’re pregnant. Simple things like getting your roots touched up or a pedi with a friend becomes a headache to find a place that uses non-toxic products. That is, unless you go to Cincy Style Bar.
#7: They have great hours. It’s actually really rare for a salon and spa to be open seven days a week, plus they’re also available outside of our posted hours if arrangements are made.
#6: It’s perfect for groups. They host nail, tanning, blowout, makeup, bachelorette and kids parties, and also do group makeup lessons. I love taking my staff there because they have a whole separate room for groups. It feels like you rented out an entire spa just for you. Plus, you can have some people getting nails, some getting pedis, but still be able to see and chat with each other because you’re in the same room. I can’t think of anywhere else in Cincinnati you can get this!
#5: They come to you. If you have a special occasion like a wedding or event (we’ve had them come do our fashion show models before), they do on-location services, which is SO nice!
#4 Pre-Wedding Beauty Prep. This is actually what we just wrote the Cincy Chic story about last week. They of course do the typical hair and makeup for brides day-of. But what I love about them is that they also offer a package of stuff a bride could (and should) do prior to the big day, such as facials, waxing, hair coloring and cuts, massages, nails and airbrush tanning. It’s nice to have everything included in one package and have one place to go for it all.
#3 Men’s Services. So, last year, I took my staff here for our annual spa day, and Drew on my team opted to get a haircut instead of the facials all of us gals were getting. He FREAKED out because he said it was the best haircut he’s ever gotten. He’s been going to the same girl ever since. They have a really extensive men’s services menu, which is nice. Guys gotta get their groom on too!
#2: They have really nice drink menu. Yes, you read that right. You can get spa’ed while sipping on a cocktail. Doesn’t that sound nice? And I have to tell you, those cocktails are DEEEELISH! They have a liquor license so they have a large lounge and cocktail menu with discounts for drinks bought during a service. They also offer complimentary local favorites, like Carabello Coffee and Eschencha Teahouse tea.
#1: Great Retail. Ever leave the salon and wish you could recreate the look? Next time, ask your stylist to teach you the techniques as they’re doing them, and then also ask exactly what products they’re using. A lot of times, this is the secret sauce to being able to recreate the look. And a lot of the products help to extend the time between salon visits — for example, I finally splurged on good fade resistant shampoo and conditioner the last time I was at the salon and it’s really helped to keep my color looking fab. They also have really nice skin care and makeup — all of course toxin free and good for ya!
Ok, that’s my Top Ten list (I feel very David Letterman-y! haha!) for why I love Cincy Style Bar! So now it’s time for you to find your reasons! Check them out at http://www.cincystylebar.com or in person at 2882 Wasson Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209.
Eco-Chic Fashion Show Details Released!
We just published details about our March event! I’m really pumped about it because it’s going to be hosted at one of my favorite venues in town, ADC, the “gallery in the sky.” On the walls of the gallery (special just for our event!) the owner, Litsa Spanos, is going to feature local artists who use eco-conscious, repurposed materials in their pieces. Also, we’re doing a different spin for the fashion show — it’s going to be an hair/makeup show by the stylists at Alba Organic Beauty Studio (they use all organic and non-toxic products!). It’s also going to be a fundraiser and drive for clothing/jewelry donations. See below for all the details — hope to see you there!!
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Eco-Chic Fashion Show
When: March 26 6-9pm
Where: ADC. 310 Culvert St., 5th Floor Cincinnati OH 45202
What: View eco-chic hair/makeup fashion show and eco-conscious art by area artists. shop local businesses, enjoy refreshments, and a swag bag valued at $250. Tickets are $10/pp, and all proceeds benefit St. Vincent dePaul. Plus, receive a raffle ticket for each gently used item brought for donation (click here to see list of requested items). From jewelry and boutique gift certificates to spa and salon packages, more than $3,000 in fab prizes are up for grabs!
Learn more and RSVP: http://ecfs.eventbrite.com
Hosted by: Cincy Chic, the only online publication for women in Greater Cincinnati
Supporting Sponsors: PNC Bank, Cors & Bassett Attorneys at Law LLC, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Fashion Show Sponsor: Alba Organic Beauty Studios and Cincy Organic Stylebar
Booth Sponsors: Mary Kay with Emily Stalf, Thirty-One Gifts with Beth Merritt, Ideal Image Laser Hair Removal, Champion Windows, Allusions, Maui Whitening – West Chester
Eco-Fabulous Fashion Show TODAY!
While green may not be showing outside yet, green will blossom on TODAY as my team at Cincy Chic hosts its fifth annual Eco-Fab Fashion Show. The event will feature various local boutiques and vendors, as well as a vintage fashion show and eco-friendly pampering.
This year, the event will be held at the Paul Mitchell School in Cincinnati today (Friday, March 14) from 6-9pm. Tickets are $10 per person, and 100% of proceeds go to the Mannequin Boutique charities, which include Freestore Foodbank, Tender Mercies, Caracole, and Water School. Click here to RSVP!!
At the event, you’ll enjoy various pamper stations using eco-friendly Paul Mitchell products, shopping, and viewing a fashion show featuring vintage styles from Mannequin Boutique and hair/makeup by the stylists at Paul Mitchell The School. Your $10 ticket includes a Cincy Chic tote bag filled with swag, and a choice of various wines provided by Fancy Pants Wine.
Oh, and a big thanks to our sponsors!!
Supporting Sponsors: PNC Bank, Cors & Bassett Attorneys at Law LLC, St. Elizabeth Healthcare,Elements Event & Conference Centre
Fashion Show Sponsors: Paul Mitchell The School – Cincinnati, Mannequin Boutique
Booth Sponsors: Mary Kay by Katie Webb, Origami Owl by Elise Snider, Silpada Designs by Bev Mikula and Mary Holbrook, It Works! with Tiffany Mason, Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry with Karman Murdock, True Artists Studio, Fancy Pants Wine
Special Earth Day Discount from Tulong!
Happy Earth Day, my eco-fab friends! And what better way to celebrate than with a decadent discount from our friends at lur apparel.
In March, lur apparel and Tulong sponsored Cincy Chic`s Eco-Fab fashion show and now the eco-friendly apparel is offering a great discount in celebration of Earth Day!
Now through April 28, you can get 10% off your purchase and free shipping for your entire online order!
Visit repairtheworldnow.com to look through eco-friendly apparel for men, women and children. If you find something you like, use the code EarthDayRTW41528 to get your discount and shipping savings!
The soft, comfortable, eco-friendly clothing for men, women and children is great for everyone and encourages everyone to wear environmentally friendly apparel!
You should also keep an eye out for a special Mother`s Day discount on lur apparel products – the company`s women`s fashion brand!
To apply discount code:
Click “View Cart,” at the top and “Proceed to Checkout”
New users are asked to sign-up for a new account
Once you`re logged in, enter the code next to “Coupon Code” and continue checking out
Eco-Fab Fashion Show a HUGE Success!
WOW! What a great event we had on Friday with our fourth-annual Eco-Fab Fashion Show! We had more than 400 attendees, raised lots of awareness and money for the Civic Garden Center, and brought a lot of attention to locally-based “green” businesses! The fashion show featured Loveland-based Lur Apparel, which makes its apparel from 100% recycled materials, and hair/makeup by Alba Beauty Studios which is an organic salon/spa! Click here to see all the pics but here are a few of my faves… I loved the model’s dress (I’ve never seen recyclables look so stylish!) and a gal wearing one of the “no sew infinity scarves” we taught attendees how to make! Love it!
