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Eco Fashion

Is Your Wardrobe Green Enough?

Not a lot of people think of their clothing as important when making green choices for a sustainable lifestyle. But everything we do has an environmental impact, and that includes the outfit we choose every day. It is possible to get dressed in a stylish and eco-friendly way, it just requires a little thought.

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Sustainable fabrics

A lot of the fabrics we use come from vegetable fibers, and that means pesticides, soil fatigue and other environmental harms caused by many crops. This is why it’s important to choose sustainable fabrics such as hemp. This is a highly productive crop, easy to cultivate and resistant to a lot of pests, so it needs no agrochemicals. Bamboo is another eco-friendly material that is fast-growing, low impact and uses little or no pesticides and fertilizers. Bamboo fabrics are naturally anti-bacterial and fast-drying, which makes them perfect for active wear. Another good fiber is linen, which is made from flax and requires less pesticides than cotton.

Traditional fabrics have their green alternatives too. For example, it’s possible to get organic cotton, that’s produced in a sustainable way. Organic wool is also a good choice, produced with ethical farming practices. The downside is that items made with these fabrics can be harder to get and you need to do your research, but they usually use no chlorine or harmful dyes when processed. Finally, polyester can be 100% recycled and some companies make fleece garments out of recycled plastic bottles.

Charity shops

Next time you go shopping, consider going to a charity shop first to browse second-hand clothing. You can find amazing items for really cheap, without adding to the waste of discarded clothing. You help the environment while you help your pockets, not bad. The best part is that, if something doesn’t fit you just right or you change your mind, you can always donate it back.

Embrace DIY

Instead of throwing away that sweater because it has a hole in the elbow, cover it with a stylish patch. Reuse, remake, repair and restyle your clothes instead of throwing them away and buying new ones. This is a great way to make sure your items always fit you perfectly and to cultivate your own unique style. Bonus points: you will save a lot of money. Taking that shirt in a few inches will cost you a lot less than buying an entirely new top.

Clothing banks

Sometimes you need to throw away a pair of shoes that have walked one too many miles or that pair of jeans that is so worn down is falling apart. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get rid of unwanted clothing, but don’t let them go straight to the trash bin. In many recycling points, there are clothing and shoe banks where you can leave your unwanted garments, as long as they are clean and dry. If they can’t be reused as clothing, they will be recycled for fiber and become something else.

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Eco Fashion

Great Green Beauty Products

We all want to look our best, but navigating the huge selections of beauty products out there can be a minefield. There are a lot of products out there that are not sourced ethically or are animal-tested or their factories pollute nearby water bodies. Luckily, there are a few great products out there that let you care for the environment without sacrificing your beauty routine.

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Alba Botanica

If you are on the market for a moisturizer that will leave your skin hydrated and soft with minimal environmental impact, Alba Botanica might have what you are looking for. Their Good & Healthy line includes a lot of different formulas so you are sure to find the perfect fit for your skin. The best part? All of their products are 100% vegetarian and cruelty free, and include all the nutrients your skin needs to be healthy.

Burt’s Bees

Every beauty routine should start with a good cleanser and Burt’s Bees daily formula is a great alternative. It is made from natural, organic ingredients, like sugar cane that provides a gentle exfoliation. It also includes daisy extract, that will brighten your skin and even out your skin tone while removing oils, dirt and make up.

Sparkle Toothy Tabs

An alternative to toothpaste made with all natural ingredients, these tooth cleansing tabs by Lush are an ecologist’s dream. They are completely vegan, cruelty free, made from organic and natural ingredients and come in a recycled box! The tabs work just as well as toothpaste, you just chew them up and start brushing. They are perfect for camping trips, overnight bags, carry-on luggage, etc.

Lavanilla

The Healthy Mini Deodorant by Lavanilla will keep you free of nasty odor in a completely natural way. It’s free of parabens, aluminum and other harsh chemicals that have been proven to be harmful for the environment and yourself. Instead, they take advantage of the unique properties of Tea Tree Oil to kill your smelly bacteria and they include natural fragrances like vanilla, grapefruit or lavender.

Physician’s Formula

We all want long, lush, environmentally conscious eyelashes. Organic Wear mascara is completely natural, organic and completely recyclable. It is also gluten-free, which means everybody can use it, despite gluten allergies. The best part is that its curved brush and unique formula will give you long, healthy and strong lashes.

Tarte

Get bright, colorful lips with Tarte Power Plumper. This unique line of lip crayons is 100% vegan and was not tested on animals. They stay on for a long time, they come in a wide range of vibrant colors and they have a delicious minty scent.

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Eco Fashion

Places Where You Can Find Eco-Friendly Fashion Wear

four-girls-forest-green-wear-fashionDid you know that you can be eco-friendly when you go clothes shopping as well? I did not know that when I first started the green life. There are many stores out there on this green planet of ours that offer eco-friendly options. Some stores are even full of only eco clothing options. You can get a whole outfit (head to toe) that is environmentally conscious. You can look amazing and feel good at the same time.

Here are some places where you can find eco-friendly fashion wear that even Mother Nature will turn to look at how hot you look on her green planet.

  • ShopFaire.com – Great place for one of a kind jewelry, scarves, hats, necklaces, and rings. All of the accessories are made from sustainable natural materials.
  • Asos.com – Go to their Green Room section. Prices range from $5 – $3,000 (vintage Chanel bag). You will find kitschy bikinis, recycled metal jewelry and repurposed vintage clothing.
  • Shopethica.com – It is very ethical to shop at Ethica. You will surely find pastel dresses and blouses with a twist, fun purses and intricate jewelry for prices starting at $70. They are also fair trade, vegan, and made in U.S.A.

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  • Local Vintage Shops – If you want to be eco-friendly to the core and not have anything shipped to your home then you can always hit up the local vintage shops or thrift stores. There are always great finds. You can get the jewelry, and outfit at the same place for less than $100 dollars. You will be shocked when you see all the amazing things you will want. To this day my favorite buy was a .25 cents Fossil messenger bag (worth $600 dollars) that I found at my local thrift store.
  • Kaight Shop – located on Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn, New York. She also has a site. Her store offers eco-conscious wear from local designers. Skinny jeans, vintage dresses, and shoes are a few of the things offered.

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  • Los Angeles Trio – Do not miss out shopping at these: Wastelands, Crossroads Trading Company, and Buffalo Exchange. Alicia Silverstone loves these three shops.
  • Vaute Couture – (located in Brooklyn/soon in Manhattan) they make eco-friendly, vegan fashion wear. I love their coats. My favorite is a moleskin zipper masterpiece for only $200 dollars. Shop online too at vautecouture.com.

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  • The Reformation – This awesome eco-fashion wear shop is located on Melrose Ave. in LA and they also have a location in SoHo, New York. All I have to say is that you will fall in love with their vintage fur accessories.

Save up that green to shop green. I hope you check out these amazing eco-wear fashion sites, and stores. Check out the local vintage shops. Do not be afraid to not wear eco-friendly clothing. The main difference you should always keep in mind is that your outfit is helping you look good and you are helping the environment. Every little fashion step counts. Keep walking the sidewalk with the confidence of an eco-friendly fashion lover with an eye for sustainability.

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Eco Fashion Eco Tips Furnishings Home Design

Here Are The Best Eco-Friendly Holiday Furnishing Ideas

Now that you have the tree up, all the gifts wrapped, and the dinner menu for the festive night planned out; you look around and figure that you are forgetting something. You tap your forehead and say, “Duh!” You forgot to decorate the house with holiday flare. Now you may be thinking that you do not have the time to decorate the whole house. You may also be thinking about how you are going to decorate and keep it eco-friendly. Well, do not worry my dear friend. I am here to help you with that. It is going to be very simple, and most importantly fun; that is if you follow these tips.

Here are some eco-friendly furnishing ideas to give your home a nice earthy touch.

  • Make stencils using old newspapers. Clip 4 sheets together and while using a cutter, make your stencil. Now you can use it on name cards. Decorate the gift boxes with it. Add some deco art to the window. Or even use it to decorate cakes.
  • Use organic cotton flannel sheets on the sofa. It will keep it warm and get a x-mas pattern.
  • Try to use every decoration you have. There is no need to leave anything undecorated.
  • Use some plants to add natural air purifiers into the space.
  • Gather as many pinecones from outside. There can never be too many pinecones. Use them as a nice center piece. You can also glue string on them to make a quick ornament.

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  • Reuse old holiday decorations. You can even have a neighborhood get together where you exchange ornaments and trimmings. It is so much fun. Plus you all save money and every x-mas deco night is different.
  • Reuse bottles and jars to fill them with candy canes and other sweet treats.
  • Ornaments are not just for trees. Hang some on doorknobs. Use some to hold curtains together.
  • Save energy and only light up your tree. Use led lights. You will be tempted to put lights up outside but remember that it is only for showing off. Plus you are going to spend a lot of green when you get the light bill if you do it.
  • Use candles. Be cautious of where you put them. Use white red, green, or a mix of all three colors to liven the home.
  • Make your own potpourri with holiday spices.

I do hope that with all of these eco-friendly furnishing tips you too can make you home as inviting as mine. The best thing is that you can go to sleep knowing that is all earth friendly. No harm is being done. Well, there will be if you forget to turn off the candles.

Do not forget to sprinkle some cinnamon over door ledges to give your guest an instant kick of the season.

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Eco Fashion Featured

7 Surprising Things Made from Cork

Cork isn’t just for shoes and wedges anymore. Cork is a natural material that is soft to the touch and has an interesting pattern, one unique to each piece covered in it.

Cork is an ultra-sustainable material because it’s harvested from naturally growing cork farms. These cork farms support a wide variety of animal life and are protected. (The demand for cork is not high enough to keep all the cork trees profitable for the people that manage them). Cork, because it’s a natural material, is biodegradable at the end of its life, it’s super durable, fire resistant, and it’s naturally waterproof (perfect for handbags and backpacks)!

You can buy almost anything in cork. You can buy shoes, purses, backpacks, iPad and laptop covers, wallets and even cork jewelery.  Check out corkor.com to find out more information and to purchase your own cork accessories!  They are handmade, all natural, and vegan and vegetarian friendly! I’m personally a fan of the backpack, super cute and convenient! Click here to check out our favorite cork backpack from corkor.com!

Here are some interesting facts about cork that you may or may not have known!

  • Cork trees can live to be 170 to 250 years old!
  • Once harvested, the bark regenerates, making it a renewable and sustainable resource.
  • Each ton of natural cork fixes about 1,8t of CO2.
  • In cork oak landscapes, plant diversity can reach a level of 135 species per square meter, and many of these species have aromatic, culinary, or medicinal uses.

Source:  Cork facts courtesy of www.corkor.com

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Eco Fashion Featured Recycling

4 Places to Recycle Your Gently Used Clothing

It’s spring time which means it’s time to start cleaning out those closets and making room for new summer clothes! While you’re cleaning out your closet why not consider donating all your gently used clothing? It’s not only a tax deduction but it will help out others in need. Of course you can donate your old clothes to places like Goodwill; however there are some other great options available to you as well.

American Red Cross

Clothing you donate to the American Red Cross benefits victims of natural disasters. For instance, the American Red Cross provided much-needed clothing to Gulf Coast evacuees during Hurricane Katrina, and for Northerners that were stranded by Hurricane Sandy.

Vietnam Veterans of America

Vietnam Veterans of America provides support and services for veterans returning home after serving. These services include counseling, hospital treatments, and aid for homeless and disabled vets. The Vietnam Veterans of America sells donated items in resale shops, and the proceeds benefit the charity. The VVA accepts clothing, shoes, and accessories in good condition. You can schedule a pickup online here.

Big Brother Big Sister Foundation

The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation pairs at-risk kids with adult mentors. The foundation accepts any type of clothing in good condition. Your donations go to the foundation’s resale stores, and up to 100% of the proceeds benefit the charity.

Donate My Dress

Have a couple old prom dresses hanging in the closet? Donate My Dress collects new and gently used formal dresses, which are donated to low-income women so they can have the dress of their dreams for a special occasion like high school prom night. You can find a local donation center on the Donate My Dress website, here.