Just another small eco-fashion triumph...

This past Thanksgiving, I participated in the Run to Feed the Hungry 5k race. While cleaning my room yesterday, I noticed the free runner's shirt I received at the event was made from 100% recycled polyester! It's a good thing because thousands upon thousands were distributed, so our carbon footprint shrunk a tad bit that day. 

Alicia Silverstone shops secondhand to be green

From People: Actress/eco-activist Alicia Silverstone, mostly recognized from the timeless chick flick Clueless, discusses her eco-friendly lifestyle including following a vegan diet and shopping secondhand. Read her interview and story here.

Hair dye allergy leads to coma

From Huffington Post: A woman goes into anaphylactic shock, possibly having an allergy to para-phenylenediamine or PPD. 

On the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Database, there are several versions of phenylenediamine that range from virtually nontoxic at 0 to very toxic hitting 10.  

Several chemicals found in hair dyes are toxic and can lead to adverse reactions in some cases.

Faux croc leather accessories @ Forever 21

Embossed Faux Crocodile
Handbag, $19.80, forever21.com.

Maybe I watched a few too many alligator/crocodile-killing reality show episodes, but their leathery skin replicas have become more appealing. 

Part of the new trends for fall and winter, Forever 21 has added several suave pieces like handbags, briefcases, and wallets made from "faux crocodile leather" also known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC. 

It's not exactly an eco-friendly faux leather, but faux leather usually uses less resources in its manufacturing process compared to real leather. And for the animal lovers, faux leather is the vegan choice. 

H+M launches Versace line

However exciting to get 

über-designer products way cheaper, nothing's eco-friendly in the newly revealed Versace for H+M line.

There's leather. There's silk. All the fabrics we've been brainwashed to appreciate because they feel soft or last longer though they're not vegan. 

Since it's the fashion house of Versace entering H+M stores, it's understandable the luxurious items have a larger carbon footprint. 

But how much responsibility does a clothing company have to uphold its eco-reputation? And if more money comes in as a result of this new line, will it become greener? So many questions, but, of course, the line is hot!

Ease symptoms of nail psoriasis with vitamins

Stress usually leads to psoriasis, a chronic condition of the skin affecting 7 million people in the United States. Unfortunately, I am one of them. 

Yesterday, I was diagnosed with nail psoriasis, and as a nail enthusiast always with the perfectly shaped moons and bright color polish, I'm devastated. 


So as my nails literally crumble to bits, I had to do some research and wanted to start at the basics with vitamins.


1. Silicon helps revitalize skin by stimulating cell growth to repair damage, and its magic can be evident in strengthening nails as well.


2. Zinc deficiency may be seen through weak nails, so adding zinc can help bring nails back from the brink. 


3. Vitamin D has shown some significant changes in nail psoriasis, especially with Calcipotriol creams. 

Eternal Optimist
by Essie, $8, cvs.com.

Either ingesting the vitamin or soaking the nails in creams and oils containing those vitamins will definitely assist in the nail growth process. It can take 6 to 12 months for the nail to rejuvenate itself. 


Even my doctor said nail polish is still OK to disguise the ugliness of nail psoriasis, so this is when eco-friendly nail polish comes into play. Now I have to decrease my use of toxic nail polish and turn to the nontoxic versions.


My post on organic nail polish remover


My post on organic nail polish

Levi Strauss plans to use less water in making jeans

From the New York Times: Denim giant Levi Strauss wants to become more eco-friendly and energy-efficient by reducing the amount of water it uses to produce our fave, form-fitting jeans.

The article says the company fears cotton could fall victim to skyrocketing prices or difficult harvests with climate change in the picture.

Reese Witherspoon carries illegal python leather bag

From Ecouterre: Actress Reese Witherspoon sports a python-skin leather bag. Typical day in Hollywood, but there's more...

It's not vegan, but it is illegal to sell or buy python leather products in California. 

Though there's a possibility she didn't get it in the state, is it still ethical to get it elsewhere?