Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Eco-spotlight: Madeline Weinrib

Beautifully designed clothing, furniture, and accessories made from organic fabrics is a plus in my book.



Madeline Weinrib, a New York City-based artist and designer, creates designs with eco-fashion in mind. She's also a supporter of Project Mala, a nonprofit program that helps children get an education in rural India. 

Monday, December 27, 2010

Eco-fashion eye candy #4

I have a fetish for butterflies and some other animals, so I had to share this organic cotton top from Mika Organics.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Organic and recycled notebooks

Since I'm a journalist, I can appreciate a notebook made from recycled paper. Writing with eco-style requires an eco-friendly notebook where you can jot all your important notes and save some trees at the same time.

1. Hemp Heritage Eco-Chic Journal Book, $11.95, greenfieldpaper.com
2. Envirotec 100% Recycled Wirebound Notebook, $5.49, kmart.com
3. Papyrus Blank Notepad, $4.95, greenpaperstudio.com
4. Canopy 'Bou Jumbo Journal, ecojot.com

Eco-fashion eye candy #3

Believe me, ballet slippers are a godsend for those days when high heels are a must. 

I have a black and brown pair for those career interviews and club nights, but these vegan silver pair from Target are tempting.



Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Organic bedspreads under $100

Eco-fashionably resting our pretty eyes on organic pillowcases under an organic blanket is always a good thing when we get our beauty sleep. Enjoy organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp bedspreads that can prove to be durable for the buck.

Organic Bloom Duvet Cover + Shams, $19-99, westelm.com

Organic bedding is hard to find at a good price, but there are several adorable choices that can be found at local department stores and have been marked down to usher the new seasonal patterns. 

Woodland Organic Duvet Cover & Sham, $25-99, potterybarn.com 

Oil cleansing method: natural skin remedy

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Organic bedsheets

Even eco-fashion goes beyond clothes since sleeping in style is a must. Organic cotton and bamboo bedsheets can be costly, but there are a few brands and stores that sell them for a reasonable price for eco-fashion standards. 

Allergy Luxe Organic Sheet Set, $68, bedbathandbeyond.com

A few examples are here, but many organic bedsheets can be well over $100 for one fitted sheet and one flat sheet which is downright ridiculous when you can buy a package for a lot cheaper.

Organic Cotton Flannel Solid Bedding, $59.50, landsend.com

Anyways, stay tuned for organic bedspreads soon. Those are more fun and will last longer, but the bedsheets need to be put on first...

400-Thread Count Organic Cotton Sheets, $58.89-$74.89, seventhavenue.com

Eco-jewelry eye candy #3

Curing dry skin in the winter

Monday, December 20, 2010

Vegan cowgirl western-style boots

Western style boots seem to stick around every year, so it's not too hard to find eco-leather boots that flaunt the trend. 

But the more expensive cowgirl boots made from leather still have more intricate designs. Also, vintage cowgirl or cowboy boots (they're practically unisex) are also eco-friendly options.

Tan Faux Leather Western Buckle Mid-Calf Boots, $12.99, amiclubwear.com

Fringe Suedette Boots, $39.80, forever21.com

Modified Cowboy Boot, $35.50, charlotterusse.com

Western Fold Buckle Boot, $39.50, wetseal.com

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Eco-fashion eye candy #2

Organic leggings & jeggings

Leggings, and most recently jeggings, have become a main fixture in our wardrobe the past few years. They're comfortable all year round. They complete just about any outfit.

ecoKashmere Nadia Long Leggings, $60, jonano.com (organic cotton & bamboo)
My fave pair happen to be my black jeggings I bought for $3 off the clearance rack from Wal-Mart. They're from the Max Azria Miley Cyrus line (don't judge me!), but, unfortunately,  they can't be categorized under the eco-fashion label. The bright side: they were sold at an eco-fashion friendly store. I should get props for that.

Perfectly Imperfect Leggings, $75, thegreenloop.com (organic cotton)
Some of these eco-fashion choices are a bit pricey, but sometimes we tend to overwear our leggings or jeggings, and maybe a few extra bucks can buy us a few extra months or years to spend with our beloved pants. 

Kuyichi Desi Denim Jeggings, $75, equaclothing.com (organic cotton)









WARNING: Please don't buy see-through leggings or jeggings or any pants for that matter. Sorry, there are times when I still see pink undies through leggings even though the fashion offender wore a tunic that keeps rising up. Make sure the fabric is thick enough. Word to the wise.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Organic cotton long-sleeved shirts @ AE

American Eagle's offering some eco-fashion at a decent price. The Eco Shop has a few long-sleeved tees perfect for a relaxing weekend day when the skinny jeans and heels are a tad too much for a trip to the grocery store.

EcoShirt Graphic V-Neck Thermal, $29.50, ae.com

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Eco-holiday party dresses

With holiday bashes quickly approaching, the ideal party dress is needed to ring in the new year the eco-fashion way.

Lula Party Dress, $105, polyvore.com (organic cotton)






Some stylish organic cotton party dresses can be found for around the same price as regular dresses. Since eco-fashion peaks at times, many choices are available online and overnight shipping may be possible.

Open Back Bow Dress, $92.99, anniegreenabelle.com (organic cotton)

For the eco-fashionista/recessionista, great dresses can still be found at local resale shops for an even cheaper price along with potential shoes and other accessories.

Prairie Underground Fringe Dress, $180, beklina.com (organic cotton)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Celebrity holiday party look inspiration

From Seventeen: With the holidays right around the corner, it's always fun to get inspiration from celebs for the perfect stunner at the parties.

Celebrity Holiday Party Look Inspiration


Best green beauty products

From Marie Claire: Natural beauty products are better for your skin and body, especially amidst your other beauty products that could be filled with chemicals.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Get the eco-look: military style

Skinstinct Military Style Corps in Army Green,
$13, sears.com (organic cotton)
Military style seems to stick around, maybe not straight-up camouflage print, but it shows in our taste for jackets and boots. 

Green, brown, and black seem to be the main colors to flaunt the trend. 

Here are a few eco-selections.  
ASHLEY Military Womens Jacket, $29.99,
tillys.com (faux leather)
Wanted Women's Queen Boots, $69,
shoes.com

Knee-length eco-skirts with a flow

Skirts are perfect to wear this time of year if it's not too cold with boots, especially skirts made from eco-fabrics such as bamboo, organic cotton, organic wool, and hemp. 

Sabra skirt, $56, faeriesdance.com
Plume Mid-Length Skirt, $65, xylemclothing.com

Friday, December 10, 2010

Gluten-free hair products

Hydrolyzed wheat protein runs rampant in our beauty products, especially in our shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizers. 

For people with gluten sensitivities like me, any form of wheat in beauty products may create uneasiness.

Used for strengthening hair, hydrolyzed wheat protein is an agent derived from wheat that is partly turned into water through hydrolysis. 

But there are several organic and affordable choices that leave the hydrolyzed wheat protein out their products. 

ORGANIC GLUTEN-FREE SPLURGES

Sea Essence Shampoo (6.8 oz.), $17, morroccomethod.com
Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit Conditioner, $7.99, ulta.com
NuStyle Organic Detangler & Shine Booster, $9.95, aubrey-organics.com

DISCOUNT GLUTEN-FREE REGULARS

Garnier Fructis, $6, local drugstores
Pantene Pro-V Flat to Volume Shampoo & Conditioner, $7, local drugstores
Tresemme Tres Two Extra Hold Hairspray, $4, local drugstores

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Get the eco-look: candy apple red lips

Candy apple red lips are always fun to show off. Darker reds are preferred for the winter season, but brighter reds can enhance the holiday festivities. 

This look can be achieved through organic lipstick that will lack some of the following:
  • parabens
  • sulfates
  • phthalates
  • synthetic fragrances
  • synthetic dyes 
Nvey Eco, $14, sephora.com
Organic lipstick may include some of the following:
  • beeswax
  • natural oils
  • vitamins
Lavera Beautiful Lips Lipstick in Deep Red, $17, lavera.com

FlowerColor Lipstick, $15.95, eccobella.com

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Organic liquid eyeliner

As the must-have cosmetic product of the time, the art of wearing liquid eyeliner has evolved from raccoon eyes to a polished look. 

Luckily, there are several liquid eyeliners out there without the synthetic chemicals and fragrances that can irritate the eyes.

Liquid eyeliner in brown, $16, lavera.com
Many organic eyeliners use natural ingredients that are soft on your eyelid skin which is a very delicate area.

Indelible Wink, $22, sephora.com
Different colors can be found ranging from everyday black to partygirl blue.

Liquid eyeliner, janeiredale.com

 Although many choices can be found online, there are still some available in stores that specialize in carrying natural cosmetics. 

ZuZu Luxe Vegan Liquid Eyeliner, $13.50, organichut.com

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Vegan wedge boots

A fantastic pair of vegan boots are hard to find sometimes with the man-made materials making the boot look wrinkly or plasticky. But this winter, there are more durable and more fashionable selections to choose from.

Bumper Edma Camel Wedge Boot, $39, lulus.com
With high heels slowly fading out for the moment, a vegan wedge boot can help with maneuvering yourself at a comfortable height. 

Madden Girl Zaney Cognac Boot, $69, alternativeoutfitters.com
Vegan boots lack animal by-products that appear in many shoes, but you can still enjoy the trend of a faux fur-trimmed faux suede boot.
Super Furry Wedge Winter Boots, $49.99, womensshoedepot.com