Pretty by Nature » organic-cotton

Etsy Weekend: Ella Phante’s Organics

Michelle Smith — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:42:49 +0000

Etsy weekend shopping… The Ella Phante shop features custom-made, to your measurement, clothing. The clothing is available in both organic and non-organic materials. For your reading enjoyment, Natural Beauty, let’s focus on the organic section…

Peasant-Sleeved Shrug
$70

Do you dread leaving your favorite Summer favorites behind? How about extending the life of those sleeveless tops with this shrug made in an organic cotton/bamboo lycra jersey. It features a 4-way stretch that grows softer with each and every wash. It’s shown here in a charcoal-gray and black. It also comes in an ivory and lavender, but the ad says you can chose “anything your heart desires,” so convo the seller for additional color choices?

I love the sleeves, the way they hang. It reminds me of playing dress-up as a kid. It appeals to my inner princess. I enjoy clothing that is fun, as well as useful.

Long Sleeve Hoodie with Thumbholes
$90

I forsee many comfy weekends spent in this adorable organic bamboo/cotton jersey hoodie. It’s shown here in a pink and raspberry stripe, but you can get it in a two-tone red, as well. Convo the seller for additional color choices. The hoodie has a “kanga” pocket and thumbholes at the end of the sleeves. The hood is “roomy” and the edges are serged off all around.

It’s designed with a waist-whittling secret – the hem is slightly longer at the ends, which gives the effect of a smaller waist.

Men’s Baseball Tee
$75

Here’s something for your guy. How about treating him to a handmade, sized to his measurements, tee. It features an “athletic cut and distressed details.” It’s made with an organic cotton/bamboo jersey fabric. It’s shown in a white with dusty gray sleeves, but it’s available in “any color combo.”

The graphic is hand-drawn and you can skip it or use your own illustration idea for your tee.

For more eco-friendly beauty via Etsy, take a look at Chloe’s post on organic fabric lingerie.

Image credit: Ella Phante at Etsy.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

3 Reusable Shopping Bags Under $25

Michelle Smith — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:09:43 +0000

When I shop, I use re-usable shopping bags. My boyfriend calls them my “hippie bags.” Whatever, you want to call them, they make sense for a number of reasons. Some of the bags are plain, utilitarian, which is fine, but if you are going to use them again and again then why not get something cute and fun?

Here are a few bags that I found at Nimli. Right now, at Nimli, you can get 20% off your order of $100 by using the savings code WA1.

On to the shopping….

BYOB Natural Cotton Abby Gr Tote Bag
Regularly $32, on sale for $20

Can you spot the hummingbird? This winter why not add a bit of whimsy to your outfit with this adorable tote! Ethically and sustainably made in Canada.

The Outfit Peace Tote
$24

Cool organic cotton canvas tote. Screen printed front with japanese inspired design bright graphics and contrast stitching trimming. Bag is fully lined with 3 interior patch pockets. Bag measurements are 15″x4″x14″.

Check out this last super-affordable bag. Perfect for eco-friendly fashionistas on a budget.

NIMLI Organic Tote
Regularly $20, on sale for only $7

Organic cotton canvas tote with Nimli’s logo. Dimension: 15 x 18 x 6 inches.

Image credit: Nimli.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Wear Eco-friendly PACT To Support the Cause

Michelle Smith — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:17:01 +0000

Over at PACT, they have an interesting way of setting up their eco-friendly underwear shop. For ease and convenience, you can shop one of three ways:

*Shop by Cause
*Shope by Fit
*Shop by Print

Women have a choice of thong, bikini, or boy short. I chose to shop “Print.” I like this pair of boyshorts called 826 National. They are made of 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane. They are available in a solid grey or the pattern shown below. You can find out more about the 826 National literacy project here.

Inspired by 826 National, which works to develop young writers, this print almost broke the Fuseproject team. There were 40 versions of the design until finally, it was perfect… only to discover it was unprintable on fabric! Our printers dug deep to ultimately make it happen… for the kids.

826 National
$22

And something for the men…ForestEthics, which benefits ForestEthics.org. These boxers are made of a combination of 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane. Men’s underwear are available in a trunk, boxer brief, or boxer.

ForestEthics
$25

10% of all sales got to the cause – 826 National, ForestEthics, or Oceana.

Image credit: Wear Pact.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Fashion Trend: High Waistlines

Michelle Smith — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:08:53 +0000

After years of low-cut pants and skirts, a higher waistline is making a comeback. Sometimes the look can be awkward. For example, remember Jessica Simpson in the high-waisted pants? So many comments were made about her weight, but I think her weight was fine. She was just wearing a very unflattering pair of pants.

A skirt is a much easier way to wear the high-waist look. There’s no awkward fit through the crotch and the skirt makes the body look longer and leaner than a pair of high-waisted pants.

Pretty Birdie’s Organic Cotton and Bamboo
High Waist Pencil Skirt
$80

I love this skirt. It’s made of organic cotton, bamboo, and lyrca that was dyed using eco-friendly dyes. It’s available in black, golden brown (looks like orange in the picture), or grey. I want one in each color.

Pretty Birdie’s Hemp Linen
High Waist Pencil Skirt
$120

Here’s another choice in a natural hemp material. The skirt has a great texture and it’s a classic design that you can wear forever.

Both skirts are from Stephanie Teague’s Pretty Birdie fashion line that you can find at Etsy.

Image credit: Stephanie Teague at Etsy

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Puppy Goes Green

Michelle Smith — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:45:01 +0000

Looking for something cute, green, and tee-rific for your puppy? How about a 100% organic t-shirt in brown, light green, gray, or white?

They run $15 and they are available at Grow Free USA. Tees fit puppies 2 to 60 lbs.

Don’t you think that they have a sporty flair? Adorable.

100% Organic Pup – in brown

Eat Sleep Live Green - in light green

Make Dog Treats Not War - in white

Bark For Peace – in grey

Image credit: Grow Free USA

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Savings For Mom At Eco-Friendly EcoZuzu

Michelle Smith — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:47:53 +0000

EcoZuzu is running a special for Moms. From now until the 10th of May,receive 30% your purchase when you use the saving code MOTHERSDAY09 at check out. Now that’s some good savings. I do appreciate a sale that is actually a sale.

EcoZuzu carried a collection of active sportswear that is made from a combination of organic, conventional, and recycled fibers. The silk screening is done locally and they use no sweatshops in the production of their apparel.

If my kids were shopping for my Mother’s Day, here’s what I’d like them to choose……

Heart Skull Eco Crop Pants

I work at home, so these would be a comfy addition to my work uniform.

And because it’s chilly and rainy here today…….

Falling Stars Eco Long Sleeve Tee

Made of organic cotton and a low-impact dye. Plus, I really love stars. Now I just need to somehow give my kids a hint……

Image credit: EcoZuzu.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Eco-friendly Warm Weather Fashion

Michelle Smith — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:47:48 +0000

I went for a hike with my mom and my daughter today. The weather was so warm, in the 80s and it’s supposed to be close to 92 tomorrow. This is sundress weather, baby! I think I’ll go shopping………..

I want this one by Lara Miller. It’s a convertible dress. Nimli describes it as, “More bang for your buck.” It’s made of eco-friendly organic cotton and bamboo. It comes in black and has a seamed top, an empire waist, and a full skirt. It features a tie that can by adjusted so that the dress is strapless, halter-style, tied around the waist, etc. So cute.

You can preorder this dress, by clicking here. Preordering qualifies you for a 20% discount.

Lara Miller Donna Multi Dress

Image credit: Nimli.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

EcoZuzu Eco-Friendly Apparel

Michelle Smith — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:09:51 +0000

Part of what makes a “green” product green comes from cutting down on the energy used in production. EcoZuzu is a company that understands that eco-friendly philosophy. Think globally, shop, or in this case create, locally, as the saying goes. EcoZuzu apparel for men and women, features illustrations and graphics created by local artists, printed by local printers .

Everything is handcrafted, no sweatshops. They feature apparel and accessories made out of 100% certified organic cotton as well as materials produced from recycled products. All graphics are printed with low impact dyes.

Biplane Eco T-shirt

Made using recycled fabric and a mixture of organic cotton, conventional cotton, recycled poly-fiber (recycled plastics from sources such as disposable water bottles). This tee is available in eco-brown, blue, and oatmeal. It retails for $46.99.

Here’s a shot of Adrian Grenier wearing the Biplane tee. Adrian Grenier, of HBO’s Entourage, is vocal about his efforts to live a green lifestyle. (So darn cute, that boy is).

Is your guy a fan of beanies? The Eco Love Beanie is made of 100% Organic Cotton. Made in the USA, this unisex is one size fits all, and it features the Tibetan script symbol for “love.” It retails for $49.99. A percentage of every Eco Love Beanie sold will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation.

Product image credit: EcoZuzu.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

The One-Shoulder Trend in Eco-Friendly Organic Cotton

Michelle Smith — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:35:04 +0000

One-shouldered, asymmetrical tops and dresses are one of the new trends that I hope continue. There’s something light-hearted and fun about them, while also offering those of us who need more support a tad more security than a strapless number.

This dress, Perfectly Imperfect’s One Shoulder Knotted Dress, is made of 100% Organic cotton. It has a nautical feel with it’s blue and white stripe pattern that runs on a diagonal. It features an asymmetrical hemline, that echos the top of the dress’s knotted single shoulder strap.

Front view…..

…..and here’s the back view…….

The design of this dress was inspired by the Chinese philosophy of wabi sabi, which celebrates simple, fresh, simplicity.

The Perfectly Imperfect’s On Shoulder Knotted Dress retails for $150, but is currently on sale for $90 at the greenloop online shop here.

Image credit: greenloop.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Natural, Organic Elegance From Zelaya

Michelle Smith — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:06:57 +0000

I found this while shopping around at Etsy today. It’s the amate top, from the zelaya shop. It’s a raw edge top made of stretchy organic cotton knit, it has a scoop neckline with a low back that’s decorated with an interwoven leaf pattern. It’s available in XS, S, M, or L in black, brown, or natural.

Here are a few more lovely items from the zelaya shop……..

pebbles top

The pebbles also features raw edges and coiled flower-like appliques. It’s available in the same colors, organic cotton, and sizes as the amate top.
manzanilla handbag

The manzanilla handbag measures 17 inches in length, 11 inches in height, and it’s 2 inches wide. It’s made of raw cotton fabric in it’s natural color. The bag has a polka dot design embroidered on the front designed with thread that was dyed with chamomile tea. It has a wooden handle.

You can find more zelaya items here. All items are unique and handmade.

Image credit zelaya shop located at Etsy.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature