I hope you enjoy this Ethical Gift Guide I have just finished. Unlike the previous gift guide, I had no professional help (Stephanie R. I missed your talent) nor did I have my partner-in-crime, Emma H. to help. However, after a week of 5-6am shifts, I finally managed to put together something I am proud to share with you.

The Conscious Gifts Guide is merely a small representation of the many brands that are offering aesthetically pleasing products with ethically pleasing impacts. I cannot express how many more pages I wanted to create, with how many more brands, but I knew I had to stop at some point, so this is what I created. It did highlight one thing, that we are spoilt for choice when it comes to brands that offer us products The Collective can be proud to feature.

This year, The Gift Guide also comes with special promotions from some of the most beautiful brands, which will make your shopping experience (and mine) all the more pleasing to the heart and to the pocket. Particularly, I would like to thank BLUMA PROJECT, FAIR HARBOR CLOTHING, FOSTERIE, P.i.C. STYLE, STARFISH PROJECT and TIKLARI for setting up special Conscience Collective discounts for readers.

As we did in our last Christmas Guide, this year FAIRE COLLECTION will be giving away a few goodies in our second Christmas Giveaway, so please enter tomorrow, when the giveaway officially starts.

Please feel free to comment below on other brands you would like to see in the future, or for any critiques, advice or well-wishes you may have. Also, keep an eye out for more Gift Guides and posts on Brands on the blog starting from tomorrow.

Season's Greetings!
Stacy H

Londonites and Caribbean Nationals who know one thing about the UK, know that this Bank Holiday a bit of the Caribbean is coming full force to London in the form of Nottinghill Carnival. Explosions of colours, flavours and general madness will take to the streets of Nottinghill from today until tomorrow (25-26th August), and we definitely want everyone to be prepared. Whether you are planning on joining in, or just using the Carnival as inspiration for your own Bank Holiday festivities, I was inspired to put together a great little medley of must-haves to get the feet going, and the smiles beaming. And for those of you who are using this Bank Holiday as your last hoorah before the school term recommences, then what better way to simmer down those back-to-school blues with these bright items that will put a smile on anyone's face.

On a more personal note, I am more of a monochromatic kinda gal. However, some of these items have made their way onto my wish list for the real Caribbean Carnival season next year February-March, which will see me and Mr P taking to the streets for both Guyana and Trinidad's Carnivals in the brightest, sickening, and most obnoxious colours yet. How will I survive? I plan on taking solice in the fact that these items are actually things I want to own (I already have the LaLesso shorts, and am eyeing the Kiboots Moccasins). Roll on the festivities!!!

LIZ COOK's nutrition wallchart is now in its 18th year and with over 150,000 sold continues to be as popular as ever. It is a hand-written and illustrated table showing some of the best plant-based sources of all the essential nutrients. Drawn as a quick reference guide for bringing up her son on an animal free diet, the original chart has been going strong for 15 years, during which time it has been regularly redrawn and updated as the latest nutritional research has come to light - the last redraw was at the end of 2005. 

In addition to the Nutrition Wallchart, Liz Cook also came up with several other charts, from Seasonal UK Fruits & Vegetable Charts to Yoga Charts on Daily Yoga Poses. There are even charts for Children: one that teaches a child the responsibilities that go into having a dog, and another called the Rainbow Food Chart, designed as a fun way to help children (and adults) eat the recommended five portions of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables every day. These charts are great in helping us to identify what produce contains what vitamins and minerals, and assists us in keeping track of our everyday intake of the necessary food groups. This would be good as a house-warming, late Christmas or birthday gift for your health-nut friend, or a great item for your own kitchen. Did I mention that they are inexpensive? 

Start the New Year with one of these nutrition charts to start a new you off right. My New Year's Resolution is to "tone" up (quite alot) and continue to eat healthily. These charts will certainly make this easier.

Visit: www.lizcookcharts.co.uk - £5.95 each(for one) OR £4.95 each (for two or more)

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Oh, and whilst you're at it, check out some of the other toys, games and gift sets available from the links provided above.