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

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Where to start…

Hemp Wrap Vest
Regularly $40, now on sale for $35

Dark Wood Brown, sleeveless top, in the wrap-around vest style, with raw edges, made of a mixture of hemp and organic cotton terry. Available in sizes XS-XL.

Freestyle Pants
Regularly $70, now on sale for $55

Stretchy, comfy pants, with a touch of lycra for better fit. Freestyle Pants are hemp and french terry, with a banded waist that features a hidden belt. They are currently available in two colors – natural white in XS and the Black in XS, S, and L.

Skinny Pants
Regularly $65, now on sale for $50

For a larger color choice, take a look at these Skinny Pants. They are available in Natural White, Black, Orchid, Lagoon, and Wood, in a variety of sizes. They are made of hemp, organic cotton, and lycra jersy. These pants would look very cute if worn with the above vest.

Image credit: Sweet Skins.com

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Leaf Laptop Bag
Was $250, now $190 (before applying the 25% discount)

Made of 100% recylced material, microsuede, non-PVC synthetic leather trim, brass or chrome hardware. Available in Flamingo, Black, or Fawn colors. Fits 15-inch laptop comfortably.

Lily Bag
Was $170, not $140 (before apply discount)

Made of organic cotton with non-PVC synthetic leather trim. Features a striking pink recycled material lining and both internal and external pockets to fit all your storage needs. Measures 8″ height by 13″ width and 4″ depth.

Image credit: Helen Riegle Handbags

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Sudz are available in a shower gel, a foaming pump, and a bar soap.

My family is currently enjoying all three forms of Kiss My Face Organic Sudz. I love the scent. Eucalyptus, yum. The soap has a vegetable base, with palm oil, and absolutely no animal by-products. The foam pump works great – the sort that adds air and only uses a small amount of gel-soap. The shower gel’s flip-top broke off the very first time that I opened it. I can prop it up against the side, so it won’t leak, but I can’t take it with me if I go out of town. I don’t know if that matters much, but I think it could use a stronger top.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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*Vintage or Resale Shops

The easiest way to go green with your style is to purchase something that’s already been around for awhile. When shopping vintage, you’ll find a particular attention to detail that is not present in newer similarly priced clothing.

This sun dress from Vintage Vixen illustrates what I mean.  Take a look at the scalloped edging, the subtle diamond embossing of the cloth, the bow-straps. Made in the 70’s this vintage dress looks spring-time fresh and infinitely wearable. It’s just one example of what you can find when you shop vintage.

Take a look at your local resale shops, as well. You can find great staples – skirts, blouses, dresses, etc – made out of good quality materials for greatly reduced prices. Or you could remake something like my good friend, Leah, does with her recycled material tote bags. The bag that I purchased for my niece was made out of two different blouses. Very clever. Very green.

Other vintage shopping avenues include flea markets, eBay, Craigslist.




*Shop a clothing swap

A swap is good for the enviornment for the very same reason that shopping vintage or resale is and by swapping you save even more money.  Many online clothing swaps are available.

SwapStyle.com is a one such many-membered swap.  It’s been featured in magazines like InStyle and Elle. The service is free to swap, sell, or buy from other members. This t-shirt dress is an example of what you can find at SwapStyle.com.

For added swapping security, you can have your address verified for a nominal fee and only deal with other “verified” members.

*Juno & Jove

Juno & Jove offers a more courture version of eco-friendly fashion. You can shop by item or designer. Juno & Jove is billed as “A Lifestyle Emporium for Women, Men & Home.”

They feature vendors who exhibit high standards of socially responsible manufacturing and business practices. This includes using materials that have a lower-impact on the environment as well as fair labor practices. This bias-cut dress is an excellent example of the exquisite items you will find in their online store.

*White Apricot.com

White Apricot.com is a virutal mall for the eco-friendly fashionista.  Click here for today’s shop discounts, including this one from Embodies that gives you 15% off of your purchase with the savings code WHTAPT08.  White Apricot has links to fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products.

*Etsy

If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you’ve probably figured out how much I love Etsy. I love to support the little guy or in most cases, girl. Etsy is a great place to find handmade items made out of vintage, organic, sustainable, or recycled materials.

Here’s an example – a sundress made of bamboo jersey with an inset stripe of vintage scarf material from Labudde’s shop. When shopping at Etsy, use search terms like “eco-friendly,” “vingtage,” or “organic” to find what you want. Sometimes it’s tricky, but Etsy gives you the ability to sort of jump around and I’ve stumbled onto some incredible pieces this way.  New items go up daily, so keep checking back.

Vintage image credit: Vintagevixen.com

Swap image credit: SwapStyle.com

Couture image credit: Juno & Jove.com

Savings image credit: White Apricot.com

Handmade image credit: Labudde’s shop at Etsy.com

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Gathered Dress
On sale for $88, regularly $178

Here’s a cute unisex tee made with organic cotton and printed with water-based Earth-friendly ink. 

V-Neck Tassel Tee
$48

Accessorize your Tassel tee with Popomomo’s Favorite Things scarf. Available in a variety of colors, these scarfs are made from recycled fabrics and decorated with a variety of artistic images including keys, rain, rainbows, ice cream, mushrooms, and ginkos.  Each scarf has it’s own unique look.

Popomomo’s Favorite Things Scarf
$48

For more on Popomomo, click here.

Image credit: Popomomo at Shopflick.com

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Toggery’s Spring 2009 line features many pieces that adapt to the changes in weather that many areas experience this time of year.  Sure, it looks beautiful outside, but when you step out the door, you find that it’s still only 60 degrees. Brr.  The best way to beat the shivers is to wear light-weight layers, like this tank and cardigan.

I love how this outfit is both cute and comfortable.  This is the way I’d like to dress every day and a quick change of accessories takes this look from day to night.

For those days when it’s finally sunny and warm, you definitely need a sundress.  This is one of those versatile pieces that does double-duty on a Spring Break getaway – to the pool, sight-seeing, out for a bite to eat – one sundress suits so many different needs.

Click here for a Toggery Organic Designs by Kate D’Archy store locator.

Image credit: Toggery Collection.com

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All of the cream washes are hypoallergenic and approved for sensitive skin. They are Paraben-free, SLS/SLES-free and made from organic plant and fruit extracts. The Dead Sea salts are harvested in compliance with recognized international standards.

I’m using the Honeysuckle and Lavender cream.  It’s billed as “a natural antiseptic, Lavender renews tired skin, restoring luster and natural shine.”

Good skincare is really the basis of my beauty routine. I’m diligent – I never go to bed in my makeup, I moisturize after every shower or bath, and I always wear sunscreen. I wanted to be able to give Ahava Mineral Botanical Wash a fair assessment, so I decided to use it and forgo the moisturizer. The rich cream cleansed my skin and left it feeling surprisingingly smooth and soft without additional moisturizer. I am honestly impressed, plus it smells wonderful.

You can find Ahava’s line of Cream Washes at Ulta. Use the promo code 28395 to receive $3.50 off any $10 order. For a limited time, Ulta is offering a free re-usable tote bag with any Ahava body wash purchase.

Image credit: Ulta.com

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Afterglow Mineral Makeup is available in starter kits. A starter kit is the perfect way to try the products and incorporate them into your daily makeup routine.  Kits are available in Light, Medium, and Deep Medium tones. Each kit includes 2 Organic Mineral Foundations, 1 Organic Mineral Blush, 1 Organic Setting Powder, a vegan Baby Kabuki Brush (short, full brush for makeup application), a vegan concealer brush (more controlled application than the kabuki brush for more coverage), a splashy silver Afterglow Glam Makeup Bag, and complete Mineral Makeup instructions for beginners.

Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics strives to use quality Organic and sustainable ingredients in both their mineral makeup products and their packaging.

Photo credit: Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics

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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

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