Peacekeeper Truth Serum Blog

As we ring in 2011, it’s a great time to reflect on the past year, to think about the future, and to make plans toward positive change.  Here’s a quick list of some of PeaceKeeper’s favorite 2010 memories:

-          Our new line of Upscale YUM Balms, which have helped support organic farmers in India and the northeastern United States

-          The donations we’ve made to organizations like UNIFEM, V-Day, and Equal Pay Advocacy

-          The support of our amazing customers!  By shopping with PeaceKeeper, you have made it possible for us to help countless women and children suffering from poverty around the world.

As you reflect on 2010, we hope the positive memories outweigh the negatives, and we are so grateful for your unwavering support of the PeaceKeeper Cause!  We hope that you are taking steps in the New Year to make a change in the world, whether that is by building a healthier you, or continuing to donate to charitable organizations.

Stay tuned in the New Year as PeaceKeeper  takes on extra efforts to help the cause!  Until then, we wish you a Happy New Year filled with warmth and joy!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor: Jessica Smith.  Picture courtesy Good To Be Green.

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

Christmas is almost here!  Presumably, you’ve all finished your last-minute gift shopping and are putting the last finishing touches on that perfect present.  But while you’re thinking about how to light up your loved ones’ faces, it’s a good idea to think about the planet, as well, and how to lessen your carbon footprint this holiday season.

Here are some PeaceKeeper tips for cutting waste (and cutting costs too!):

1. Change The Way You Wrap.  Why not reuse old wrapping paper or gift bags from Christmases past?  Or, if you want to get creative, you could take old magazines, newspapers, or even shirts or scarves to wrap up your presents!
   If you don’t have any reusable wrappings, though, than make sure that you’re buying post-consumer paper, and try using string or ribbon instead of tape so that the paper can be reused!
2. Rethink Your Lighting. Even tiny holiday strings of lights will rack up your electricity bill.  Look for energy efficient lighting and be sure to turn it off when you’re not home.  This also keeps your home safe from potential electrical damage—especially if there’s a Christmas tree in the house!
3. Do It Yourself. Instead of buying disposable toys, why not get crafty?  A jar of fresh-baked gingerbread cookies or a loaf of pumpkin bread is just as exciting a present as the newest Barbie or Transformer, and more delicious too!
4. Take Advantage Of Computers. Yes, paper cards are traditional, but an e-card is greener, brighter, and more fun!  Also, you can send it via email with an Amazon gift certificate—an easy, eco-friendly gift!

Do you have any ideas for going green during the holidays?  Leave a comment below!

With Love and Holiday Cheer,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Picture courtesy FundyRecycles.com.

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

This fall and winter, Natalie Portman’s face will be all over the city; not only because her new ballet thriller Black Swan has the starlet shooting for an Oscar, but because of her role as the new face of Miss Dior Cherie.

In the ads and commercial (photographed by Tim Walker and directed by Sofia Coppola), the public will see Ms. Portman looking as radiant as the Swan Queen herself.  What they won’t be expecting?  Natalie’s apparel and accessories are 100% vegan.

“One of the things that’s been so nice is that Dior made all of the shoes for me with no animals and no leather or anything, because I don’t wear any leather,” said Ms. Portman in an interview with Women’s Wear Daily.  “They re-made all my shoes so I can wear Dior shoes without taking lives.”  Ms. Portman, a committed vegan, had released a line of vegan shoes back in 2008, Te Casan by Natalie Portman.   There is no word on whether Dior has decided to release their own line of vegan shoes.

The ads and commercials will be released to the public by March 2011.  Do you think this could be a fresh start to Dior?  A chance to create animal-friendly apparel?  Leave a comment below!
With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Pictures courtesy  NY Daily News and Sephora.

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

Ladies all over Italy are taking their bras off—not for burning, but for recycling! Italian intimates company Intimissimi has created a six-week multimedia campaign for women to recycle their used bras, to be turned into soundproof building insulation. 

              Women all over Italy are encouraged to drop off their used intimates at Intimissimi stores throughout Italy; the company rewards each bra recycler with three euros for a new bra.  The campaign spokesperson, Russian model Irina Shayk urges these women to recycle to save the planet. The bra fibers are mixed with other textiles to create insulated and soundproof panels for construction.

              For this campaign, the company is working with Veneto-based Ovat Campagnari, a company that specializes in disposing and reengineering garment waste.  The ultimate goal of the campaign is to generate awareness of the benefits of constructing with used materials.

              The company is currently looking into manufacturing more sustainable bras.  You can check out their website and read up on the campaign on Ecouterre; maybe even travel to Italy and drop off that old VS Biofit?  Just kidding!

 With Love,

 The PeaceKeeper Team

 (Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Picture courtesy Trendhunter.

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

On December 7, Linda Fairstein, best-selling crime novelist and former sex crimes prosecutor, was honored with an Elinor Guggenheimer Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 STAR Benefit.

In 1969, Ms. Fairstein graduated from Vassar College and began her illustrious career as one of only seven female attorneys (out of 180) working in the office of the Manhattan District Attorney.  In a time when women were discouraged from participating in criminal trials because of its gruesome nature, she went on to become Chief of the New York City Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit for twenty-five years.

During her tenure, Ms. Fairstein supervised the investigation of every Manhattan case including sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and homicide resulting thereof.  For her legal work, she was the first woman to receive the Federal Bar Council’s Emory Buckner Award and the UJA Federation’s Judge Joseph Proskauer award.  She has also received the Anti-Violence Project Courage Award, the Columbia University School of Medicine and Nursing Award Of Excellence, and the American Heart Association Women Of Courage Award.  She continues practicing law to this day as a pro bono representative for victims of violent crimes.

In the literary world, she began her career with the non-fiction book Sexual Violence: Our War Against Rape (1993), which was a New York Times Notable Book of 1993.  She loved writing so much that in 1994, she began her first novel featuring Manhattan prosecutor Alexandra Cooper, her most famous fictional character.  The first four novels were written while she worked full-time as a lawyer; she has now devoted most of her time to her writing.  Her latest novel, Silent Mercy, arrives on bookstores in March 2011.

Her talents and passions do not stop there; she also serves on non-profit boards, including Safe Horizon, Mount Sinai Hospital’s Sexual Assault Violence Intervention Program, and the New York City Task Force on Sexual Assault.  In addition to her law work and writing, she is a media consultant for CNN, MSNBC, and various cable affiliates on the issue of the criminal justice system and crimes of violence against women.

We at PeaceKeeper celebrate Linda Fairstein as an active warrior in the campaign to end violence around the world—a true PeaceKeeper! To find out more about Ms. Fairstein’s illustrious career, visit her website at www.lindafairstein.com or read her bio here.

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer: Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Pictures courtesy Lindafairstein.com.

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

While there’s warmth in holiday cheer and warm, hearty dishes, hot chocolates and mashed potatoes can only do so much.  It’s time to do some serious shopping—for eco-friendly vegan coats that block the winter wind.

If you’re interested in a long-term investment in a vegan coat, you can’t do much better than the award-winning Vaute Couture:

The Audrey coat is vegan and locally made in NYC from recycled and recyclable materials.  Like Miss Hepburn herself, it’ll make you look chic and sophisticated—even in waist-deep snow. Also available in ivory and camel. ($565)

The Belden short coat is perfect for a less snowy climate.  Its flirty length, high collar, and double-breasted silhouette keeps it classic while still looking trendy.  The black is only available in XS, but the camel color is just as elegant.  100% vegan. ($430)

If you’re not in the market for a true investment piece, or if you don’t want to break the bank, check out online vegan boutique Alternative Outfitters.  They carry some great selections of vegan outerwear by name-brand designers for a fraction of the price!  (A quick caveat, though—most of the coats run in junior sizes only, so make sure you know your measurements before you start shopping.)

BB Dakota “Nancy” Black Faux Wool Short Coat ($79)

BB Dakota “Beverly” Red Faux Wool Coat ($61.20)

BB Dakota “Jennica” Dark Brown Faux Leather Jacket With Faux Wool Lapels ($75)

Buying vegan clothing does more than just prevent animal cruelty–it cuts back on greenhouse gas emissions to boot (according to an interview with Vaute Couture founder Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, the animal agriculture industry is the biggest contributor to global warming).  So, when that snappy grey faux-wool peacoat from BB Dakota shows up at your door, you can bundle up knowing that you’re not only saving helpless animals: you’re helping your fellow man too!

What’s your opinion on vegan outerwear?  Leave a comment below!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Pictures courtesy Vaute Couture and Alternative Outfitters.

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

Support higher education in Cambodia by purchasing a Fair Trade silk scarf created by Cambodian Threads!  Based in the beautiful island village of Prek Bongkong in Cambodia, this company provides ten children with basic school supplies for every scarf sold- definitely worthy of a PeaceKeeper Kiss!

The founders of Cambodian Threads are Jacob Daniels (pictured above) and Steven Patton, who traveled to Prek Bongkong via ferry and met the Heng family (the eldest daughter, Naysim, is shown at top in one of her own scarves!).  Made up of four daughters, a son, and a widowed mother, this hardworking family weaves 50 scarves a month using traditional looms and weaving techniques.  Since August they have produced nearly 200 beautiful scarves and are leading up to their 6^th donation!

The scarves are currently sold online at Cambodianthreads.com, and start at only $15 (you can get that gorgeous purple scarf on sale by clicking here!).  They’re the perfect inexpensive gift for a friend or loved one, so check it out and help support Cambodian education!

 What do you think of our latest kiss of approval?  Let PeaceKeeper know in the comments below!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer: Renee Estey.  Editor: Jessica Smith.  Pictures courtesy Cambodian Threads.

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