Green Marmalade

Summer frills – Tulchan’s Organic Cardi

Did you put your winter wardrobe away when the first hot days and balmy nights came along this summer? Tempted to unpack it again? Don’t.

There’s some great ‘in-between’ styles out there and this 100% organic cotton cardigan is one of them. This ‘Katrina Frill’ design from Tulchan is a great cosy cardi that will see you through the unpredictable summer.

It’s got some weight to it so it’s great for when the sun goes down, but the sage green tone makes it anything but wintery. In our opinion it’s the best piece in Tulchan’s organic range, inspired by the countryside where it’s handcrafted on the border of Cumbria, Lancashire and North Yorkhire. The other designs largely feature embroidered flowers, which aren’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea – but if they happen to be yours then Tulchan have a good selection.

This more fashion forward eco design looks great with a simple vest and dark blue denim jeans – teamed with a fussier combo and you risk a frumpy effect. Make it the focal point of your outfit and accessorise with a chunky ring to finish off an effortless chic look.

It’s not a budget buy, but the price reflects the work gone into it. Still, you’ll want to wear it again and again to get good ‘cost per wear’ value.

Fou Furnishings Elisabetta Bed Linen

Sleeping in a luxuriously comfortable bed to beat the sub-zero blues is a sublime experience, not least when you furnish your mattress, duvet and pillows with top-of-the range bedding.

Fou Furnishings offer a fantastic range of organic sheeting, although for the amount you’ll pay you might be expecting a little too much. Let’s face it – there is a limit to the amount of pleasure you can get from bedding: it won’t solve all your problems or bring about world peace.

Having said that, Fou’s Elisabetta range goes on like silk. Jumping into pure white Italian organic sheets with a sateen finish feels incredibly decadent and unbelievably soft against the skin. They look great too and seem to lose nothing when you wash them. The biggest problem is keeping the duvet cover on the duvet. After a few days tossing and turning the cover works its way free and with no buttons or ties to hold it steady this becomes a little tedious. The price is a little off-putting too. At £147 for a king size duvet and £94 for a king sized flat sheet it seems like an investment rather than a sleeping aid. But, perhaps investment is the right word. They are beautiful, durable and ooze quality. If only the design faults could be ironed out.

1 Less Car Cycling Vest

For all of the cyclists out there with young children who like a good bike ride, here’s a great little product to make their journey safer.

1 Less Car have released a kids’ range of bright, fluorescent cycling vests that are produced ethically via a co-operative.

The vests are generous in size with easy tie velcro straps, making them a doddle for young one’s to use, with handy pockets for them to collect things during their adventure.

Being machine washable they are easy to care for, and they available in adult sizes in a range of colours – all emblazoned with their logo to send out a statement of intent.