Budget-Friendly Tips to Green your Closet


While choosing organic, sustainable clothing can be very beneficial for us and our planet, much of it can also stretch the budget of any green glamourista because it requires compromise and extra cash. I want to share with you a few great tips to keep your closet and your wallet filled with green!

1. Buy vintage
You’re likely to find higher quality, more unique clothing at secondhand and vintage shops while saving the waste of precious resources in the production of new items. I love vintage shopping, arm yourself with patience and an eye for style and spend an afternoon on the hunt for vintage treasures.

2. Be a thrifty bargain hunter
Nothing beats a good bargain, especially when it involves saving the planet as well as your cash. Add your name to online green retailers’ mailing lists and watch for sales at your favorite local shops. I love thrift shops. Most thrift shops are a treasure chest of amazing clothes in every shape, style and color. “Preloved” clothes save money and reduce the use of new materials while keeping the old items out of the landfill.

3. Fix and Re-wear
Try taking a fresh look at what’s in your closet to see what can be fixed and what can be reconfigured into something great. Shop in your own closet and restyle old pieces to create a totally new look. Don’t be afraid to nip and tuck. Think of shortening hemlines, adding patches, and pulling apart old jeans to create one-of-a-kind eco-friendly pieces.

4. Pass it on and give it a second life

Did you know that the average American throws out 68 lb. of clothes and textiles each year? don't throw your clothes in the trash. Rather than sending last season’s clothes to the landfill, if you can’t use it, and none of your friends want it, pass it on to a local charity or thrift store . Another fun idea is to invite a few friends over for a clothing swap and green your friends’ wardrobes at the same time. If it is simply too worn out, cut it up to use as rags around the house.

5. Shop to last
Most sustainably made clothing is crafted meticulously, with careful attention paid to each step of a manufacturing. Eco-friendly clothes tend to be better made than mass-produced, cheap items which you will spend more for in the long run. Spend a few dollars more on planet-friendly essentials and avoid the hidden costs of environmental harm and unjust labor practices.

6. Keep your laundry cool
Extending the life of your clothing saves money and resources. Keep your precious wares looking fresh by washing in cold water with planet-friendly detergent and hanging to dry.

7. Dry cleaning hassle
Avoid the extra hassle and wasting money by buying clothes that do not have to be dry-cleaned. If you absolutely must have something dry-cleaned, look for a shop that use greener methods such as wet-cleaning CO2 to reduce its toxic load.


Do you have any other great tips? Share your tips and ideas!

Photo credit: Katherine Lynn at Flickr

Green Picks for Beautiful and Natural Eye Makeup


I love makeup, especially the one that makes my eyes feel sexy and glamorous. Even on my worst day, I can just dab a little mascara and it can transform me in seconds into a goddess. When I first started becoming green, I worried that I would have to seriously compromise in the beauty department. Luckily, these days so many wonderful companies, from big-name brands to small independent dealers have developed eco-friendly product lines that offer much the same quality and value, but without all the added chemicals. Not only are they better for the environment, they can also be better for your skin. If you’re not sure how to start, I have put together a quick eye make buying guide to help you out featuring the best new products and new colors for Fall!

Shopping Tips
  • Whenever you purchase a new product, always read the ingredients list carefully and look for the third-party certifications such as USDA Certified Organic and Leaping Bunny. Stay away from lengthy ingredients lists and misleading labels.
  • Look for cosmetics that don't have any chemical emulsifiers, binders, synthetics, fillers or paraben preservatives and that use botanicals and minerals.
  • If nothing else, avoid cosmetics that contain ingredients included in The Green Guide's "Dirty Dozen." Of those twelve, the most commonly found in cosmetics are antibacterials, coal-tar dyes, 1,4-dioxane (a contaminant of "PEG," sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and other -eth ingredients), formaldehyde, fragrance, mercury, nanoparticles, parabens and petroleum distillates.
  • Use products that contain no more than 10 ingredients. The fewer the ingredients, the less likely you are to be exposed to a potentially irritating or harmful chemical.
  • Powdered products generally require fewer potentially irritating ingredients.
Top Green Picks

These top picks for eco-friendly eye makeup will make a perfect addition to your natural makeup regimen:

BeingTRUE
Eye Shadows- offers twelve new shades for Fall 2009, BeingTRUE’s latest collection is inspired by gemstones. The shadows are rich, well-pigmented, and available in matte, natural and shimmer textures. They contain antioxidant complex of Vitamin E, Green Tea, White Tea, which helps shield the skin from the environment, UV damage and moisture lost. They are priced at $16 per pan and $5 for a refillable single compact.

Nvey ECO Organic Eye Shadow- This formula is enhanced with chamomile and vitamins and is milled with a base of corn silk and jojoba oil for an extra smooth feel. These eye shadows are ideal to use on sensitive and/or dry skin as the all-natural ingredients include plant oils and no irritants. They are available both as single units and as palettes of 5 shades. They are priced at $24 individually and $61 as a palette. Available in both shimmer and matte in a variety of colors, you are sure to find your perfect combination in this selection.

Honeybee Garden
s PowerColors Stackable Mineral Colors PowderColors are completely vegan as they are free of dyes, talc, petroleum and other additives. These versatile powders are a blend of pure mineral pigments in a striking range of colors. They can be used as eyeshadow and eyeliner. These are a great bargain at $4.99 per color.

Afterglow Organic Eyeliner Pencil made with 100% natural ingredients and nourishing organic oils such as organic sesame seed oil, organic castor seed oil and organic beeswax form a creamy, moisture-rich formula for smooth application. For $22, you can choose from 3 beautiful shades, Forest Green, Orbit Brown and Black Gravity. Afterglow Cosmetics focuses on offering natural color cosmetics, free of many of the synthetic preservatives, bismuth oxychloride, petro-chemicals, synthetic dyes and fillers found in traditional cosmetics.

LAVERA Voluminizing Mascara and Eyeliner At $28.50 for both, the simple black eyeliner is made from organic beeswax and palm oil and the voluminizing mascara from organic jojoba oil and rose. Lavera is one of the best-selling beauty lines in Germany and their natural formulations have the seal of approval from BDIH, which strictly regulates cosmetics. As with all LAVERA products, these items are certified 100% natural, paraben-free, cruelty-free and contain no heavy-metals or synthetic ingredients.

Josie Maran's Newest Mascara in Brown Brown mascara is a very easy, everyday makeup item. At $22, this mascara is a paraben and fragrance free formula that contains a handful of organic ingredients like Jojoba oil, Argan oil and Beeswax to condition and strengthen as it lengthens and defines.

Longona Eyebrow Pencil- We all love to keep our eyebrows nicely arched and what better than with this is a all- natural, gluten-free eyebrow pencil. Longona is Germany-based leading supplier of natural organic personal care products. You can snag this item for $10.99 at Natural Europe, a market place for European natural beauty products.

EcoTools 5 Piece Bamboo Brush Set

This EcoTools 5-Piece Brush Set includes a Blush Brush, Ey
e Shading Brush, Eyeliner Brush, Lash and Brow Groomer, Concealer Brush and Brush case made from recycled materials. EcoTools Brushes features sustainable bamboo handles, synthetic Taklon bristles and sleek ferule made with recycled aluminum. I love this set, it is a great steal at $16.99. You can find this item at Ulta.com.

Hope you enjoyed this quick guide! What other eco-friendly makeup products do you like to use? Please share your ideas and comments!

Photo credit: Mineral Magic at Flickr

Kiehl's Goes Organic!

Kiehl’s is set to launch its first organic Açaí skin care collection, reports today's WWD. The line has received approval from Ecocert and Cradle to Cradle. The four-item line up contains the Brazilian Açaí berry, whose “superior antioxidant properties,” says Chris Salgardo, president of Kiehl's USA, help combat environmental aggressors and stimulate the skin’s natural renewal process. “We heard that our customers wanted organics, that they wanted paraben-free, that they wanted natural — and they wanted to focus on the first signs of aging. We went to the lab to do all that. The result: our new Açaí line.” The products are due out in mid-September and will be available at over 250 specialty stores in the U.S., including 33 free standing Kiehl's stores.

Photo credit:
WWD

Green Indulgence: Escape to an Eco-Spa!


Indulge in relaxing, luxurious treatments that also pamper the planet! Eco-spas have become a rising trend in the U.S and all over the world. They utilize low-impact facilities and sustainable products for traditional spa treatments, such as massage, facials, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy. At these eco-spas, a nurturing massage or a luxurious soak benefits the individual and the environment, making the leisure of a spa experience a positive experience for all, rather than a guilty pleasure. Here are 5 top leading ec0-spas in the U.S. that will help you relax your mind, body and spirit!

1. Uhma Spa and Shop – Miami Beach, Florida
Built under eco-responsible guidelines and biophilic principals to incorporate nature indoors, the Uhma Spa and Shop in Miami Beach, FL, uses only organic products and combines therapeutic practices from around the world. Here you will find treatments from Africa to the Amazon and every place in between.Services include herbal and aromatherapy soak masks and wraps, massages, facials, and the traditional manicure/pedicure.


2. Le Petite Retreat Day Spa – Los Angeles, California

This indoor-outdoor spa was designed based on the five Chinese elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Feng Shui expert Roy Shabla was consulted to… And for the finishing touches the entire establishment was blessed by nine Tibetan monks from the Garden Shartse Monastery. Rest assured you will be well taken care of. Guests are provided with complimentary organic fruits, fruit water, and tea, and if you receive a facial, massage, or body scrub you are granted free access to the cedar sauna. Le Petite offers facials, massage, hydrotherapy, scrubs, detox, waxing, and lash extension, as well as several holistic anti-aging treatments such as energy balancing and color therapy.

3. Dragonfly Ranch Healing Arts Center – Big Island, Hawaii
If you’re ready to get back in tune with nature, the Dragonfly Ranch is the place for you. Nestled in a jungle setting, this bed and breakfast consists of five treehouse style rooms with indoor-outdoor lodging. Relax with a traditional Lomilomi massage and swim at the nearby National Park with dolphins and sea turtles. The property has a space to practi
ce yoga, an organic garden, a colorful labyrinth, and a sauna.

4. Natural Balance Massage and Wellness Center – Brooklyn, New York
Natural Balance uses eco-friendly, organic products and offers a variety of services, plus several wellness and lifestyle education classes. They practice
acupuncture and oriental medicine, massage therapy, facials, body treatments, nutritional programs and counseling, childbirth education, and pre-natal services.

5. Miracle Farm Bed and Breakfast Spa and Resort – Floyd, Virginia
Miracle Farm is a non-profit, sustainable living center. You may choose to stay at (i.e. one of their four friendly cabins:) the Farmhouse, the Creekside Rustic, the Creekside Cottage, or the Riverview Cabin. Imagine waking every morning in a wooded setting to a four-course organic, vegetarian breakfast, and then spending the day hiking, wading in the river, fishing, or bird watching.




Photo credit: thespacompany.com

Stylish Eco-friendly Throw Pillows


Throw pillows like these Eco-Art Pillows are a glam way to decorate your living space. They are super versatile, you can toss fresh throw pillows on beds, the sofa, a big chair, or even pile them on the ground near a bright window. These pillows are stylishly designed, hand printed with environmentally safe water-based ink and have 100% hypoallergenic fill. Modern green style to cheer and comfort any corner of your home!

Photo credit:
Buy Green

Recycled Vintage Record Notebooks



What to do with those vintage record albums you have in your home? Give them functionality and recycle them into a super-cool note book!

This is a one of a kind vintage the BEST of the DOORS record album that has been upcycled/recycled into notebook/journal/sketchbook is filled with 50 sheets of wide ruled notebook paper and 50 sheets of plain paper for your sketches and doodles. Handmade from an independent crafter who has lot of passion for the art of record album covers and from it has found a fun and creative way to carry the love for your favorite band's album.

This item and many more are for sale at www.doti.esty.com and if you have a favorite album collecting dust on a shelf at home, you can send it to the maker of these to be recycled into a notebook for you, pretty cool!

Photo credit: Doti at Etsy.com

Fall Looks: Colorful Organic Tees from Stewart+Brown!


Fall just got brighter! Stewart +Brown new fall 2009 collection features soft organic pima cotton tees in myriad fresh prints and hues, perfect for layering.

Stewart +Brown is an ethical fashion brand based in Los Angeles, California that pioneered the sustainable fashion movement by their determination and passion for both design and nature.

Photo credit: Stewart + Brown

Modern green designs from MIO





I love this The Bendant Lamp designed by Jamie Salm from MIO. Its a flat-packed chandelier composed of a series of leaf-like shades surrounding a central fixture. You can bend the shades up or down and create unique light and shadow arrangements. Material and process guide the Bendant Lamp's design, making it a true example of eco-centric design. The size of the lamp, shape of the cuts and flat packaging are a result of material and manufacturing efficiencies. In addition, the lamp welcomes the user as co-designer pushing the boundaries of design and self-assembly.

MIO is a Philadelphia-based company that makes sustainable and innovative designs from from unique wall coverings and lighting to furniture and accessories. The company successfully incorporates green practices into all facets of production and distribution, catering to group of devoted followers who seek out their socially and environmentally responsible products.

Photo credit: MIO

Affordable Organic Beauty


Perfect Organics offers pure organic products composed of the world’s finest ingredients that are expertly formulated and gently processed to maintain the integrity of every ingredient for the long-term health and beauty of your skin, body, and the environment. They have a whole line of scrubs, oils, makeup and creams free of chemical additives, artificial ingredients, fillers or synthetic preservatives. Featured is the Perfect Organics Shea Butter Lip Balm which is packed with all sorts of nutrient dense organic oils and vitamin E at only $3.99 each.

Photo credit: Perfect Organics

Sustainable clothing from Toggery by designer Kate D'Arcy

Toggery is a new line of clothing that uses only sustainable and organic fabrics and manufactures in the USA. Toggery is fashion for the environmentally conscious consumer that also aims to give "great price point, great fit, and great color,” says Kate D’Arcy, designer. Her contemporary women’s line includes tanks, tees, henleys, turtlenecks, tunics, jackets, and blouses. Toggery retail prices range from $35 dollars for an all-organic cotton tank to $140 for a great jacket.

Photo credit: Toggery

Eco-conscious Luxury Jewelry


Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Based in San Francisco, Brilliant Earth grew out of a marriage proposal. After Beth's fiance could not find a reliable source that could guarantee conflict free diamonds, Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg created Brilliant Earth to provide certified conflict free diamonds as an alternative to current diamond industry practices.

Photo credit: Brilliant Earth

Singer Alanis Morrisette and Actor Woody Harrelson Launch Reco Jeans!



Alanis Morrisette and Woody Harrelson collaborated together to launch a new line of fabulous and super-trendy eco-friendly jeans. Reco Jeans are made with 50% recycled denim. Reco is the only jeans company that is making the attempt to reclaim and recycle materials to make a more eco friendly fashion jeans.

Reco Jeans is holding a dutch auction until July 18. They are using crowd sourcing to decide the prices of 300 limited box sets of the jeans which will also include a special edition Reco Ipod case. The bids in the dutch auction will also be factored into the final price of the jeans.

Photo credit: Reco Jeans

Recycled handbags made from old leather Jackets and vintage scarves



ReMade USA is a San Francisco based company that found the way to "upcycle" used materials (namely leather) to make beautiful, one-of-a-kind handbags and clutches. The company's mission "is to create beautiful, long-lasting, well-made products that positively impact the environment, our users and our makers".

All products are hand-crafted by designer Shannon South who takes each worn jacket, deconstructs it, does all the cutting and stitching, and lines the inside of the bags with vintage scarves. Only 1o-14 bags are made at the time which makes it even more special.

I really love that the bags have this worn leather look to them and are super roomy. They also come in great colors such as chocolate brown and vibrant red. Each handbag is very unique and tells its own story.

Photo credit: ReMade USA

The Eco-trendy Sneaker

These 1970s-inspired “Volley” sneakers from the french-brazilian Veja company are made from organic cotton grown by cooperatives of small farmers in Brazil.

The shoes are made from natural latex rubber, vegetable-tanned leather and organic cotton. Wild rubber trees are only found in the Amazon and supporting wild latex production helps prevent deforestation in this region.

Ethical, well-made and a very simple design is what really sets Veja apart from the rest. I really like the vintage feel of the shoe but at the same time the look can be very modern. If you want to get a pair, these shoes are now available online at Shopequita.com

Photo credit: Veja