The weather where I live, at the top of the Sacramento Valley, in Northern California, is HOT. For example, right now, it’s 105 F, at almost 6pm. Last night, I sent my boyfriend, who lives in Colorado, a text telling him that it was over 90 F, at 10pm.

We spend a lot of time trying to cool off in the water. I’m a fan of the creek, my kids prefer the pool.

I like to wear a sort of mismatched swim suit . A suit with pieces that  go together, but are not matchy-matchy. Something like this suit that is currently on sale at Faeries Dance.com.

Ruffle Bikini
On sale for $77.95, regularly $120

It’s made of 90% certified organic cotton, no latex. It has a triangle top, a low-riding, ruffled bottom, and it’s adorable.

This bikini is more Bay’s style. She usually goes with a black triangle top, something skimpy on the bottom.

Rincon Paradise Bikini
$99

This bikini top has a little shell charm and the bottoms have circle-ties. I like the photo print on the bottom. It reminds me of an OP suit that I had back in the 80s. This suit is made out of84% Polyster that has been created from a combination of recycled plastic bottles and Spandex.

Image credit:  Faeries Dance.com

New kicks for Earth Day from zoe&zac, now available at Payless Shoes. They are made of eco-friendly, sustainable materials like organic linen and cotton, hemp, jute recycled rubber, elastic, water-based glue and the packaging is 100% recycled boxes decorated with soy-based ink. The use of both faux suede and faux leather means that they are vegan. Earth friendly, for sure.

If you purchase the reusable shopping bag or any shoe in the zoe&zac line, Payless will contribute $1 to the Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees program.

zoe&zac Daisy Frayed Skimmer
Retails for $19.99

Cute red sneaker, designed in the “skimmer” style. It features natural and organic materials. Pair this with a mini jean’s skirt and you are sporty and styling for warm Spring days.

Okay, here we go… just what I need, another pair of flip flops. Cute! These feature a strap that goes all the way around the foot, I bet that keeps the sandal from making that obnoxius “fwap, fwap” sound when you walk.

zoe&zac Linden Slingback Flat
Retails for $24.99

Image credit: Payless.com

I tried on some dresses today, but I couldn’t really find what I was looking for. I either didn’t like the patterns or I didn’t like the fit. I’m determined to find a floaty, sexy maxi dress for this Summer. Something that I can throw on at the end of a long day and feel both comfortable and glamorous.  Do you know what I mean? 

Maxi dresses remind me of something that my mom used to wear when I was a little girl. My grandparents had a pool and an incredible yard for entertaining. Every year they had a luau and I can picture Mom standing next the pool, flower in her hair, long flowy dress floating softly on the breeze. I want to be that glamorous Mom.

I found this Ecoganik Criss Cross Finale Dress.

It’s made of 100% Bamboo Bora Flora fabric.  It has a deep, deep neckline and straps that criss-cross. This dress would look lovely at a Summer party, with my hair in an updo accented with a flower…..I’m thinking a Hibiscus, just like Mom back in the day. 

Here is a back view…….

This Ecoganik dress is available for preorder. Special savings are available with a prepaid preorder, you receive a 20% discount when you use the savings code PREORDER09.  It ships by 5/30/09. 

Image credit: Nimli.com

Keds is going green!

Check out their cute new kicks for Earth-lovers here.

The new Keds Green Label Sneakers feature 100% Organic Cotton, non-toxic inks and dyes, recycled rubber, shoelaces that are free of PVC and made completely from recycled PET (water bottles), recycled insoles, and the shoe eyelets are free from nickel.  By using organic and recycled materials, Keds is able to reduce their carbon footprint.  Their mission is stylish sustainability.

The latest in sustainable footwear, the Keds Green Label sneakers come in classic white, black, and green. The Willow Lace Up is available in sizes 5-11 in a standard width.  Click herefor purchase information.  Keds offers free shipping on orders that are $75 and over.

In addition, Keds is working with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees in order to help offset carbon emissions.Keds will plant one tree for every pair of their new Green Label sneakers sold this year.  For more information, click here.

If you’d like to win a pair of Keds Green Label Willow Lace Ups of your own, then leave a comment on this post telling me what you like best about the new Green Label shoe. Fashion? Sustainability?  Both?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Personally, I’d say that any product that features recycled materials is exciting to me - especially when it makes use of plastic water bottles. I’m picking up a pair in black (watch for my review very soon). 

I’ll announce the shoe winner in a few days. Good luck!

*Please note that the Keds Green Label shoe giveaway is for residents of the United States.

Image credit: Keds.com

image: courtesy

Chic: Everyone loves a good sale, and this weekend you can get in on a good one. Get a sneak peek at designers like Feral Childe and Prairie Underground at Olio United. They’re having a trunk sale where you can get up to 30% off!

Green: Prairie Underground is an awesome example of sustainable clothing that is gorgeous.

Buy:OlioUnited

Chic: I love these cute tees, inspired by All American Girls Professional Baseball League (don’t tell me you haven’t seen A League of Their Own). Vintage Blue has tees paying homage to these awesome ladies and others as well.

Green: Green materials and chemical-free dyes make up these tees. Plus, the company even uses as much environmentally-friendly stuff as possible, like print material. 5% of all sales go to Kiva, too.

Buy:

Vintage Blue

Chic: It’s far too cold to not have a good cardigan on your shelf. Nothing fancy, but something simple that will work on it’s own and over a cute tank from summer.

Green: This Sublet cardigan is fair trade and made with bamboo and organic cotton. Bonus, today only Fashion Ethic is donating 10% of your purchase to the World AIDS Fund.

Buy:Organic Cotton and Bamboo Cardigan at Fashion Ethic

Is it time for holiday parties yet? I love the slinkyness of this dress from Beau Soleil. The ruching on the waist is perfect if you’ve got a giant holiday meal to eat or if your Mom’s cookies are too good to resist.

The leather wrist cuff is seriously cute. it adds a harder look to this otherwise vixen-esque dress.

$158

Get the Beau Soleil One Dress

I really like saying Popomomo, the name of this cute sustainable brand.

Po. Po. Mo. Mo. Isn’t it fun?

Anyway, Popomomo stands for post-modern movement, which is the inspiration for designer Lizz Wasserman. Lizz has worked for Urban Outfiters and Free People, which is definitely evident in her designs. They’re a little hippie, but also more modern than the stuff you usually see at UO.

The line is produced in LA and made with sustainable fabrics and washes.

I love the look of these knits, which would be great layered for fall.

Get more info about popomomo

I was a poor French student, but I did love the Little Prince. Whether it’s in English or French it’s an amazing book.

I spied these Melissa flats with Le Petit Prince all over them while cruising their site.

Melissa is a line of shoes that I’ve been wanting to try for awhile.

The line is Brazilian, but making a huge splash in the States. The shoes are all made of plasticky like material called Melflex. It’s entirely sustainable and recyclable when you’re through with your shoe.

They remind me of way, way cooler jellies.

Get the Melissa Plastic Dreams Shoe