R.E.D.U.C.E. Reuse. Recycle.

As the resolutions become daily rituals of a new year and a fresh start I have been thinking of more ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. As each day passes I have become increasingly aware of my affect on the earth. While I was cleaning out my closet in a last ditch effort to organize and give to the goodwill I noticed how many pairs of jeans I have.
Let's face it most women's comfort zone rests in denim threads. Jeans have always been, and continue to be my favorite. Especially the worn in pair that seem to mold to me like they were designed exclusively for my body. They're comfortable and can be worn with just about anything. However most of them, I am a little ashamed to say, are not environmentally friendly. There is no way I'm giving my lovely hip hugging denim to good will. So as I gather the bags on the way to be reused I wonder...Where in the world can I find recycled or environmentally friendly denim jeans? After just a little research I stumbled upon http://www.reusejeans.com/. "Step into a smaller carbon footprint one leg at a time." That is the first thing I saw and there is no arguing with that! These fabulous finds are made from sustainable 80% recycled premiere quality denim. In an effort to help lesson the effects that the fashion and textile industry have on the environment R.E.U.S.E. jeans have discovered a way to take one of the most popular items in anyone's closet and make it coincide with eco-fashion. A belief in a greener lifestyle doens't have to stop at the closet door. So, a new item is added to the green resolution list, R.E.U.S.E. jeans! I can still have my favorite denim and feel confident about my green lifestyle choices "one leg at a time."

Green Your Holiday

The holidays have arrived. The mailbox is filled with glittery greeting cards. The gifts have been purchased and wrapped. Now, it is time for the little details that make holiday get togethers something to remember. And, if you are like me then ambiance is a big deal. Lighting, music, centerpieces,candles and of course your outfit, all play a huge role in creating the perfect environment for catching up with old friends and staying close with relatives. This year make your holiday event environmentally friendly. Use organic items from the backyard like pinecones, herbs and fruit to decorate. If you live in wintry conditions you can order a guilt-free flower centerpiece from organic bouquet.com. Switch to energy efficient LED light bulbs to save on electric. For some extra ambiance use soy or beeswax candles opposed to traditional candles that emit toxic soot into your home and lungs. I know the pile up of dirty dishes is something everyone dreads. As an alternative visit http://www.worldcentric.org/ for compostable plates, cups, napkins and utensils. Most importantly, the outfit. Show how important green living is with the clothes on your back. Jonano has some beautiful and ethical dresses that are sure to spice up your night. And remember recycle, recycle, recycle...Happy Holidays!

Treat Your Body Right

The holiday shopping, the deadlines, the family get togethers with all the hors d'oeuvers filled with things that any other time of the year you would turn your nose up to, all add up to one thing, STRESS! Well, it's inevitable your body takes a hard hit this time of year. So, treat yourself to an aromatherapy Aveda massage. As soon as you are taken into the warm room you instantly feel the tension running out of your neck. All Aveda products are derived from nature and smell fantastic. With essential oils like frankincense for the spirit and lavender for a calming affect, you almost forget where you are. Relaxation soon seeps into the space where the stress used to be and you walk out feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the world...or take a nap. Your body deserves a little mini-vacation. Trust me, it is worth every second! If you are in the Pittsburgh area check out Van Salon and Spa. Otherwise, check www.aveda.com for a spa near you.

Give the Gift of Giving

Every holiday season I find myself deep in traffic and swimming through seas of people to find the perfect gifts for the special people in my life. Shopping this time of year can be more of a pain in the neck than the usual fun-filled spending spree. So, I decided that this year I was going to make it count by finding fabulous gifts that give back to nature, cancer research, community, etc. I searched the web for some ideas and I found that there is much more to choose from than I expected. Here is some of what I found...

For you fashionistas Stella McCartney has just launched Eco Collections made from 100% organic cotton and recycled materials. It's high end fashion so prices range from $435-$1535. It defines the term sustainable. You will be wearing these pieces for years. www.StellaMcCartney.com

Also, Jonano has introduced their Bloom Collection for the fall holiday. Made from viscose from bamboo and ecoKashmere and a motto of "From Seed to Sewn" the clothing from this line is 100% ethical and beautiful. Prices from $32 and up. www.jonano.com

For a less expensive alternative visit www.alternativeapparel.com and grab a T-shirt for $10. All proceeds go to Global Green to eliminate climate change.

From organic to giving...
Try giving Helping Handbags Tabitha Bag. For every bag that is sold 60 hours of care is provided to an orphan in Bulgaria. $245 www.tbact.org
Sunglass Hut Artist Series by Maya Hayuk hand-painted sunglasses gives 50% of proceeds to OneSight. They provide free vision care and eye wear to people in need. $139 www.sunglasshut.com
Even Jimmy Choo is is jumping on the giving back bandwagon. You can visit www.jimmychoo.com to purchase Jimmy Choo Project PEP flip-flops ($95) with 25% of the proceeds going to the Simelela Rape Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.
For all you yoga buffs visit www.ameandlulu.com through December 31st and purchase a Kimono yoga bag, $60. 10% goes to Grateful Nation to fund cancer care and research for women.
The ocean has been a love and inspiration to me since I was a young child. So, when I saw the Lilly Pulitzer necklace at www.lillypulitzer.com I figured I'd give myself a gift this Christmas. 10% of the proceeds from this necklace goes to Sea Web's coral conservation campaign.

All in all these are just some of the fantastic giving gifts that I found. If you purchase any of these items you're not just giving to that special person in your life, you're contributing to a world of change and helping hands. So remember, this holiday season give a gift that counts!

www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Get One Give One

TOMS shoes now has vegan styles!
The notorious brand just went eco. The new vegan friendly TOMS are made from a blend of recycled products, suede insoles and rubber outsoles. And as an added bonus For every pair of TOMS shoes that are purchased a pair will be given to a child in need.
Their moto of "One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good" TOMS plans to give over 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world in 2009. Talk about a great excuse to buy some new kicks!

Check out www.tomsshoes.com for more info about the company and to browse environmentally friendly souls.

...Try rockin your new conscious feet with a laid back ecoKashmere Boyfriend Cardigan from Jonano!!

Eco-Therapy

Eco-Therapy: Shop consciously!

As a woman I have found that when I am having “One of those days” I find myself deep in racks of clothing. Almost as if I am unconsciously being pulled in the direction of a new pair of jeans or that camel colored brown hobo bag I know I can’t afford but absolutely MUST have. I try to tell myself I don’t need it, but I always end up leaving with one too many things. Then, it happens. The pangs of shop therapy guilt! So, the question is… How can I make the somber feelings of a bad day disappear and still have a little shop therapy without feeling guilty? The answer… Eco-fashion!!

Did you know that of all the insecticides used each year the estimated amount used on traditional cotton is 25%? And, five of the top nine pesticides used on cotton in the U.S. are KNOWN cancer-causing chemicals! Now think about your closet. How much of it is non-organic cotton?

The good news, there are plenty of great alternatives. Bamboo makes for soft and lovely clothing and it just might be the world’s most sustainable resource. You can even use bamboo as a wood-flooring alternative! Hemp is another ideal option. Hemp can be processed into useful products with little energy and without requiring toxic chemicals.

I am not saying that we should trash all of the clothes we already have. But the next time you feel the need for some shop therapy, make it Eco-Therapy. By starting today we can change the effects that fashion has on the Earth and our health. And maybe instead of guilt we can leave the store feeling good about eco-conscious choices.

Check out www.jonano.com for some cool and conscious threads!