In honor of International Women’s Day (tomorrow March 8th), NOH has teamed up with LivLuna to provide you with not only a killer discount (scroll down to find it) but also another great giveaway! No one ever said that you had to look frumpy or out of touch with the world of fashion just because you want to do the right thing by wearing eco-friendly clothing.

In case this is you first time hearing about International Women’s Day, let me tell you a little more. Every year on March 8th, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more. Year on year IWD is certainly increasing in status. The United States even designates the whole month of March as ‘Women’s History Month’.

So this seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce you to a company who is trying to make a difference, thinking globally and acting locally! LivLuna is a sustainable social media and eco fashion site for women. It’s a “digital tribe of fun fearless females kicking a** and saving the world in style”. Inside their community you will find blogs, groups, and videos on natural beauty, healthy fitness, food, social justice, as well as an eco fabulous online boutique, LivLunaShop.

I recently got the chance to pick the brain of Maria who has brought LivLuna to life and here’s what we talked about.

 

 

 

You’ve started a fun, inspiring and thought-provoking community for all eco-friendly women who aren’t afraid to speak their mind and still want to look good while saving the world. What inspired you to start LivLuna?

I used to work in non-profit with women’s groups in conflict areas around the world and have always been interested in creating positive social change, empowering women and combining that with raising awareness about sustainability and being a conscientious consumer by choosing eco fashion. One day, I was on vacation, lying on the beach, and this vision of a website popped into my head. I drew the picture in my notebook, and ever since I have had a passion for making this vision happen.

There is something special that happens in a female-only forum, a bonding and an energy of support that does not happen when its a coed space  because then women tend to compete with each other. Facebook is an example of how we really mythologize our identities, create a digital version of ourselves that may be very conscious of male presence (which can be distracting), and not necessarily genuine, a facade. So I really wanted to create an unfacebook, unfake, unblue- a safe, hot pink place where women can come together to discuss natural beauty, eco fashion, healthy fitness and food, social justice and other issues, and make new friends from around the world.

What has been the most exciting part of starting LivLuna so far?

Seeing the dream that was in my head manifest tangibly online. Realizing that I am able to do so much myself that I never thought I could, like doing all this techy web stuff. Making new friends digitally, like my logo designer who is a Croatian woman living in Germany and has became a really good friend. And most of all, having girls tell me how inspired they are by LivLuna’s core values and mission, because they have silently struggled with insecurities and negative body image, and how excited they are that there is a fun space to come together to discuss these issues that are mostly ignored by and perpetuated by mainstream media.

I know LivLuna is still just getting started in many aspects, but what are your plans for LivLuna in the future?

I’d like to be able to reach as many women and girls worldwide as possible, and inspire and motivate them to feel beautiful, get healthy and kick a** in their lives. We’d like to organize events where members get together in person. Scale up our video series production. Improve the site, create custom software, and a more interactive space to learn about our non-profit partners.

We also want to expand the number of eco fashion designers we carry on LivLunaShop, eventually ship globally, as well as create our in-house line of natural beauty products. In order to do all of this, of course, I will need to secure funding. So far I have bootstrapped it all myself, and it’s been challenging to say the least.

I’m sure that there have been some hurdles and obstacles to overcome. But what has been the best aspect of starting LivLuna so far?

My favorite part of LivLuna is waking up in the morning, going online and seeing that LivLuna members around the world have been active, liking videos, commenting on blog posts, writing, joining groups, adding pics, all while I was sleeping 🙂 I also love our three video series: LivLunaFit-Nutrition, with our in house nutrition expert Dages; LivLuna Real Role Models- young women who are pursuing their dreams; and Eco Fashionista, style mavens sharing how they combine style with substance.

Is there a mantra behind the designs that you carry in the LivLunaShop? It doesn’t look like just anyone gets in the door.

I only buy from sustainable designers for LivLunaShop, and I only buy styles I like personally. My favorite 3 LivLunaShop products currently are the Stevia Dress from EcoSkin, the Daisy Cardigan from Threads 4 Thought, and the Jilliana Dress from Toggery. Chic, cozy, and versatile, that’s my style mantra. I love how soft these fabrics are, and the styles are tres chic and I can dress them up or down. Plus we donate a portion of our proceeds to non profit partners that support our values of investing in women and girls.

Why is International Women’s Day important to you?

IWD is so important because it allows us to celebrate our achievements throughout all spheres, as well as raise awareness about what needs to be done. This year is especially important as it’s the centenary. Yes we’ve come a long way in 100 years (women didn’t get the right to vote in the US until 1920), but still there are huge inequalities that need to be addressed. For instance, women perform 66% of the world’s work, but receive only 11% of the world’s income, and own only 1% of the world’s land. Isn’t that nuts? So IWD is critical to shine a spotlight on these discrepancies and remind us that women are still treated like second class citizens in most of the world.

Exclusive LivLunaShop discount

In celebration of International Women’s Day, LivLuna is having a special 48 hour flash sale where you can take 25% off all styles in the LivLunaShop. Just enter the code IWD25 when you check out (valid Monday, March 7 -Wednesday, March 9).

 

The Prize

Here is your chance to win your very own Toggery Cruz Racer Tank. The Cruz One Seam Sleeveless Ribbed Racerback Tank is the perfect tank for everything, in a trendy sporty racerback version. Wear it with jeans, leggings, for layering tops, for the gym, yoga, you name it. Supersoft and luxurious organic supima cotton and long, lean fit make this so comfortable.

• Material: 50% Organic Cotton 25% Supima 25% Modal.
• Grown and sewn in the USA.
• Made using low impact eco-friendly dye.

How to Enter

Main entry (required)

US entries only. You must answer this first before you complete any other entries.

***What do you like about eco-fashion?***

Additional Entries (18 total)

(each of these will count as one extra entry — please be sure to leave an extra comment for each one that you complete)

• Copy & paste why you like eco-fashion under LivLuna’s blog post regarding this contest
• Sign up as a LivLuna member at http://livluna.com
• Follow me on Twitter
• Follow LivLuna News on Twitter
• “Like” or share this giveaway on Facebook (you must first “like” NOH on Facebook, then click “Like” on the post about this giveaway)
• “Like” LivLuna on Facebook & paste comment on page under contest status update
• Follow NOH on Google follow (right side of blog — please leave your username on GFC in your comment)
• Subscribe to (and confirm your subscription to) one or both of the NOH newsletters (right side of blog)
• Retweet this giveaway (please use @txblond @livlunanews in your tweet) – You can retweet this daily until the contest ends, but please remember to leave a comment each day. For example: “Sure hope I win a Cruz Racer Tank from @txblond & @LivLunaNews http://bit.ly/hKj8eq You can enter too until 3/13. #giveaway #ecofashion”
• Visit the LivLunaShop and “Like” the Cruz Racer Tank and 2 other favorite products on Facebook (there are like buttons on each product detail pages of the shop) (3 entries total, comment for each like)

If you already follow, “like”, subscribe, etc. you can still count these as extra entries…you do not need to subscribe again or refollow. Just leave your comment for each entry below.

If you have questions about any of this, please just drop me an email (tiffany at noordinaryhomestead.com) or leave a comment below.

**Why all the extra ways to enter? By growing the following of NOH, you are helping me to let other companies know you are out there reading and participating. Acknowledging your presence helps me to secure more partnerships for the future so you have even more chances to win incredible prizes!

The contest will be open until midnight EST, Sunday, March 13th, 2011.

Winner Selection

One winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on March 14th.

The winner will be contacted via email after the announcement and have 48 hours to respond. If I do not receive a reply, another winner will be drawn.

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Don’t forget to save 25% off all styles in the LivLunaShop with the code IWD25

(coupon valid Monday, March 7 -Wednesday, March 9).