Peacekeeper Truth Serum Blog

Most of us have already decided on our Halloween costume and put it together, anxiously awaiting the moment we get to unveil their costumed creativity—here in NYC, we at PeaceKeeper are already seeing witches, goddesses and ghosties patrolling the streets!  However, some of us (or a lot of us) have lost track of time and are now scrambling for costumes.

It is easy to go into the numerous Halloween stores that have popped up all over the place; however, the idea of spending so much money on cheap material that you will only wear once before discarding is distasteful to a lot of us. If you do find yourself having to purchase a last-minute costume, though, why not give it to charity or lend it to another person for next year?  It’ll probably still be in great condition!

If you’re strapped for cash, though, the cheapest thing to do is take a look at your closet and use what you have—a whole world of costumes could exist in your home!  Why not cut that orange muumuu to knee-length?  With a strand of pearls and a little sass, it’s an instant flapper costume!  If you’ve got some serious sewing skills, you could take in that old sheath dress so that it hugs your gorgeous curves; voila!  A seductive retro look a la Joan Holloway—just add red lipstick and a beehive hairdo!

You don’t have to limit yourself to just your clothing, either!  Old sheets and curtains might provide the perfect drape for a Grecian goddess, a sweeping floor-length skirt for a medieval queen, or a flirty asymmetrical dress for a gypsy costume!  Another possibility is purchasing cloth from a fabric store and making your own costume from scratch, but this can be time-consuming and hard to finish without spot-on sewing skills and a super-fast sewing machine.

Of course, if you have a little cash to burn and your sewing skills are a little lacking, you can try my Halloween costume approach:  thrift store shopping! Since my apartment lacks a lot of older-looking items, I raided every thrift shop in the city (and every friend’s closet) until I pieced together my costume.  Not only was this easier on my wallet than buying new, but it felt like a great accomplishment every time I picked out a new perfect piece; now, two days from the big day,  I’m all ready to dress to impress!

What are your costume ideas?  Leave a comment below!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer: Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Picture courtesy Dezign Wizard.

For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

We Interrupt This Blog To Bring You A Very Important PeaceKeeper Public Service Announcement:

On November 15, 2010 the Senate will vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which will finally allow women the opportunity to make as much money as men! In a time where women make up nearly half of the workforce and four in ten mothers are the breadwinners and two-thirds are significant earners, women’s smaller earnings mean families are not being provided with what is needed, and the Paycheck Fairness Act will ensure that women and families will get the money they deserve.

In January 2009, the Paycheck Fairness Act passed through the House of Representatives and now it has the chance to pass the Senate.

The bill will update and strengthen the Equal Pay Act in the following ways:

–It strengthens incentives for following equal-pay laws by providing protection for small businesses and employers that pay fairly.  It will also provide training for equal-pay-enforcement workers.

–It closes loopholes in corporate policy so that employers cannot pay women less for the same work.

–It will prevent discrimination against employees for discussing their pay, thereby allowing women to find out if they are being treated fairly.

As women become primary earners for their families, it is incredibly important that they are able to receive equal pay for equal work.  America has moved past the point where men bring home the paycheck while their wives make dinner and tend the children at home.  The standard of living in the U.S. requires both parents to work full-time, and with women making 76 cents to the dollar that men make, families are losing millions that they need to survive.

In 1999, families lost over 200 million dollars because of the pay gap between genders.  Let’s make sure that women earn the money they deserve!  Learn more about the Paycheck Fairness Act by visiting Equal Pay New York , and let your Senators know that they need to vote ‘YES’ come November 15!

In the meantime, you can check out PeaceKeeper’s “Fairness Gloss”, released to commemorate the Paycheck Fairness Act.  Its golden shimmer makes it perfect for fall, and all profits from its sale will be donated towards organizations working for equal pay!  Click here to find out more.

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.

For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

Ah, France!  The land of endless chic, where gorgeous Parisian women stroll along the Seine, their Chanel 2.25 bags in one hand and a smoldering cigarette in the other.  The birthplace of such icons as Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, and Audrey Tautou (pictured above).  Surely, a country with such timeless, charming women must be as forward-thinking in its politics as in its fashion, n’est-ce pas?

To a certain extent, yes.  Women in France are educated and they are highly capable of providing for their families; eighty-two percent of women aged 25-49 are employed, while women make up 59% of university graduates.

The French government is incredibly conscientious when it comes to the family; last year alone, 97 billion euros were spent on family benefits alone.  Pregnant women receive ten half-hour sessions with a personal trainer to improve post-partum health—completely free of charge.  Mothers receive monthly allowances according to their number of their children (123 euros for 2, 282 euros for 3, and 158 for every child after).  Public preschool is free as well, and guaranteed when a child is three years of age.  The low cost of childcare means that even single mothers can balance their familial duties with their career aspirations.

However, despite all this aid, women have not been able to shake off the roles of their gender:  namely, as a wife and mother.  In a New York Times interview (“Where Having It All Doesn’t Mean Having Equality”, October 11), one woman stated that she and a friend, both mothers and part-time office workers, are the only two at their job who have not received a raise in the past two years.  Add this to the fact that French working mothers earn 26 percent less than their male counterparts—while spending twice as much time doing domestic duties as their husbands–and it becomes clear that all the free preschool and monthly allowances still aren’t giving women an easier time in the workplace.

As in the U.S., the French are finding that there is much more to be done in the struggle for gender equality.  However, the romanticized image of the gorgeous, intelligent, independent French woman has blinded much of the world to their social inequality.  We have to remember, regardless of where we live or who we are, that it is incredibly important for women to continue to prove their strength and to not give up the struggle.

Check out these links for more information on the struggle for gender equality in France:

WikiGender:  “Gender Equality in France”

Observatoire Des Inegalites (“Observing Inequality”) (translated with Google Translator)

NYTimes: “Where Having It All Doesn’t Mean You Have Equality” (Oct. 11, 2010.)

Les Papas = Les Mamans (“Fathers = Mothers”) (translated with Google Translator)

What is your opinion on the current gender norms in France?  Do you think that American laws (e.g.  the Paycheck Fairness Act)  would work as well in a European context?  How would you help a single French mother facing inequality at her job?  Leave a comment below!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor: Jessica Smith.  Image of Audrey Tautou courtesy Maxine Turnock.  Statistics courtesy The New York Times.

For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

Judging by the crisp air we’re having in New York City, fall has definitely set in!  We at PeaceKeeper are busy stocking up on warm socks, buying our tickets home for Thanksgiving, and planning out our Christmas gifts in advance (hey, Black Friday isn’t that far away!).  In the meantime, here’s a list of PeaceKeeper’s Four Fall Favorites:

1. Foliage.

There is something magical about watching the leaves change color, from vivid greens to fiery reds and oranges, as if the sky itself has caught fire.  Try taking a morning stroll through your local park or nature preserve—the colors will astound you!  Better yet, jump into a pile of freshly raked leaves.  You’re never too old to do it, we promise.

2. Fashion.

Unless you live in Florida, we’ve stepped away from the flimsy sundresses and sandals and into furs, wool knits, and the season’s hottest boots (no pun intended).  Hues of purple, gold, and emerald are taking the stage, imitating the brilliant colors of changing leaves.  It’s also a popular time to try a change of hair color too—you can go for darker hues for a sophisticated look, or for cheery highlights to make winter seem less dreary!  (For a more in-depth look at Fall Fashion, check out our October 7 post.)

3. Fall Menus.

When else do you get to really enjoy pumpkins, cranberries, winter squash, or hot apple cider?  Restaurants are changing their menus for a more autumnal feel, often using organic locally grown ingredients from around the state.  Brooklyn’s The Farm is serving up such delicacies as cauliflower soup with smoked apple; kabocha squash with roasted peppers and cured apple; bibb salad with pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and goat cheese; and butternut squash tart with goat cheese and caramelized onion, all of which have the flavors of fall bursting out of each bite.  Or you can try bringing fall flavors to your own kitchen, like this recipe for Sweet Potato, Carrot, Apple, and Red Lentil Soup (pictured above).

4. Friends and Family.

Autumn holidays are a great time to bond with your friends and family.  On Halloween, you can head out to a costume party with your buddies or take your children (or baby siblings/cousins) out trick-or-treating.  You can spend Thanksgiving at a lavish family feast, or you can celebrate quietly with your significant other, or you can take friends and loved ones out to a fancy restaurant and sample their Fall Menus!  Whatever your style, there are hundreds of ways to celebrate these holidays that will leave you feeling happy and full of love for your nearest and dearest.

Do YOU have Four Fall Favorites?  Three?  Two?  1,000?  Leave an answer in the comments below!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Pictures courtesy here, here, here, here, here, and here.

For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

Today, Peacekeeper smacks our kiss of approval on Nicole Bridger Designs!   Nicole received her BAA in fashion design from Ryerson University in Toronto. From there she interned for the one and only Vivienne Westwood in London, where she learned the art of sculpting fabric.

BD uses fabric from all natural and renewable resources like organic cotton, linen, hemp, wool and bamboo.  All buttons on her clothes are made from tagua nuts (similar to coconuts), and her labels are delicately embroidered with the words I AM LOVE.

All designs are made in their factory in Vancouver, Canada, so fair and safe labor conditions are guaranteed.

Scroll down to check out some of PeaceKeeper’s picks from NBD!

This “Goddess” Dress will make you feel positively divine!  The empire waist plus the cool asymmetrical hem ensures a flattering fit while keeping that perfectly stylish edge.

Be “Grateful” that organic fashion can be so comfy and cute, like this Grateful Top!  Plus, it matches perfectly with PeaceKeeper’s Paint Me Grateful Nail Polish.  Also comes in purple and black.

Check out more from NBD at Nicole’s website and let Peacekeeper know what you think!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer: Renee Estey.  Editor: Jessica Smith.  All images courtesy Nicole Bridger Designs.

For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

Back in July, Peacekeeper gave the Kiss of Approval to Article 22 and their Peace Bomb Bracelets.  We really believe in what they are doing and the creative way they transform the metal into something beautiful!

Now, Article 22, founded by Elizabeth and Wallis Suda, has teamed up with filmmaker Sam Rowland to create a series of short travelogue films and photographs capturing the Peace Bomb journey in early November 2010.

When the project is completed, these films will be displayed on the Facebook pages of both Article 22 and BigBalls Films (Rowland’s production company), and a short film condensing all the documentary footage will be entered into international film festivals.  The goal, as stated on Article 22’s Kickstarter page, is “to raise awareness of the project while demonstrating how collaboration between media, designers, non-governmental organizations and traditional communities in developing countries can pave a path toward sustainable socio-economic development.”

Above: two Laotian metalsmiths, creators of the Peace Bomb Bracelet molds.

In order to make this possible, Article 22 needs to raise $7000 by October 31.  The money will pay for the expenses for the three to travel to Laos and stay for seven days in the beginning of November. Timing is key in this project; the Suda sisters need to arrive in Laos in time for the Convention on Cluster Munitions, as the films will include footage of village artisans attempting to ban munitions with long-lasting consequences for small communities (e.g. shrapnel remnants, chemical leftovers, and the like).

Beginning with items like spoons and moving to jewelry like bracelets, Article 22 is here to give back to the communities of Laos by using bracelets made from bombs. They are taking the damage caused to the community and giving back. Help support Article 22’s journey and help the communities of Laos by visiting their Kickstarter and pledging as much as you can afford!  Even a dollar helps.

ALSO: don’t forget to Like this journal entry on Facebook or Retweet (at the top of the blog entry).  The more people who donate, the quicker Article 22 can help the people of Laos!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Pictures courtesy Article 22.

For more information on PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

This autumn, PeaceKeeper is noticing a great mix of conservative chic and earthy glamour!  Here are some of our top tips for staying up to date this season:

CONSERVATIVE CHIC: (a la Betty Draper and Katherine Hepburn)

Matching is all the rage this year!  And the easiest way to match chicly is—you guessed it—layering.  Adding layers of different hues and textures adds dimension and interest to an all-gray look while keeping you warm in chilly weather.

Tailored menswear-style suits are always stylish, but the sharp silhouette is particularly perfect for autumn weather.  Try a subtle pattern (pinstripes, houndstooth, or herringbone) in a neutral color (black, gray, brown, or navy) for the ultimate in timeless chic.

EARTHY GLAMOUR: (a la Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks)

Toss the mini-skirts aside for the long look:  maxi skirts and dresses, knee-length coats and wrap sweaters.  Wear it with tall boots for perfect boho-chic, and as extra protection against the wind and rain.

Why not try a little pure decadence with metallic gold?  It doesn’t have to be head-to-toe like Christophe Decarnin showed for Balmain (above), but a little shimmer will make you stand out among a sea of black coats.
Metallic gold pairs well with the elegant emerald green eye shadow that’s all the rage.  For medium skin tones, use a light sweep on the upper lash line and blend outward with a Q-tip.  Fairer tones can pull off deeper, more concentrated greens.  (To keep the look from being too trendy, apply it on top of a soft brown.)

We say no to fur at PeaceKeeper, but faux fur is super hot this year and cruelty-free to boot!  To indulge your inner animal, try it with the natural makeup trend—nude lips, rosy cheeks, and a touch of mascara.

Keep it peachy for olive skin tones and steer clear of frosty colors if you’re fair.  A subtle bronze is perfect for darker skin tones.  As a fair-skinned blonde, I went for PeaceKeeper’s Paint Me Loving: Now that my hair’s a little darker and my skin’s still got that summer kiss, I prefer the PeaceKeeper Stillness Gloss:

BOTH:

A dash of this season’s “It Colour”, purple, is a perfect match for the conservative or bohemian style!  It can be as simple as a swipe of violet eyeshadow or plum lips (or PeaceKeeper’s “Paint Me Grateful” Nail Polish), or as bold as a lilac sheath (the perfect alternative to the Little Black Dress).  Just make sure to stick to one purple item at a time.  You don’t want to look like you got greedy at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

Stay tuned for more beautifying items that will kick up your style this season!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)