Posted by Tiffany at 12:24 pm in Eco Fashion, Environment, Freebies.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. You can subscribe via RSS reader or email (right). Thanks for visiting!
Most people have a lot of baggage in their lives….unpleasantness that they carry with them and let cloud the here and now happiness that they could be experiencing. I know this because I have some baggage of my own that is clouding my happiness. As I told a friend recently I have always felt like I have the Midas touch…either that or I have always been super lucky. 
I always got everything I wanted and everything went my way. Until last year that is when I got some news that knocked me on my arse…literally…cancer. Honestly, I never would have thought something like that would happen to me and it had messed with my confidence big time. My body turned traitor on me and made me sick. Now we have some trust issues my body and I. ;)Â
For the past year I have had a feeling that the other shoe will drop and with an attitude like that it probably will.
But the other day I was talking to someone and they had a BIG situation in their lives and they were hashing out their options. As he went through all the potential ways he could handle it he was very calm and he said he already knew what he was going to do…he was going to “choose happiness.” Say what? It cannot be that simple right?
I think it just might be. Not only will choosing to worry about what “could be” mess up my happiness right now it could be a self fulfilling prophecy. I have to choose happiness.
So last week when Andreea Ayers sent me a t-shirt from her company Tees for Change it was soooo perfect that she sent one that said…you guessed it….choose happiness. These t-shirts are awesome!
Basically these shirts are a reminder to live think positively. As it says on the web site, “We only have this moment - why not make it the best it can be?” The t-shirts come with a variety of inspirational phrases such as be fearless, live fully, laugh often, live mindfully, and chase dreams. I love the chase dreams shirt too. Apparently Andreea came up with the idea for these shirts when she was pregnant and she was continuously bombarded with negative attitudes about her decision to have a home birth. Everyone around her kept reminding her of all the bad things that could happen and how things could go terribly wrong. She was getting this from friends, family, and strangers. And then during a prenatal yoga class the idea came to her that she should have a positive message on her shirt to look down at whenever she ran into one of these negative forces so she could remember to stay positive and Tees for Change was born.
All the shirts at Tees for Change are ethically crafted from 100% organic cotton or a 70% bamboo/30% organic cotton blend. They are dyed using low impact, eco friendly dyes and screen printed with non-toxic, water based inks. In addition to that they have partnered with American Forests Global Releaf to have a tree planted for every shirt bought at retail price. So they are tees for mental change and environmental change…a win, win.
And that brings me to the fact that YOU can now win. I am giving away a large green T-shirt from Tees for Change that says Choose Happiness. To enter just leave me a comment below and answer this question, “Do you believe that you can really choose to be happy or is it all a game of chance?” Tell me what you think.
And to leave this post I thought I would share a quote I read on the Tees for Change site: Always listen to experts. They’ll tell you what can’t be done, and why. Then do it. - Lazarus Long
Technorati Tags: t-shirt, organic, bamboo, happiness, positive thinking, freebie, environemnt
47 Comments »
Posted by Tiffany at 6:15 pm in Eco Fashion, Eco Tips.
I had a blast last weekend! No I did’t attend a rave or even catch a cool flick at the theatre. I wore a T-shirt and I caused a stir. I decided to wear my new BYOB shirt from Reusablebags.com. BYOB stands for Bring Your Own Bag and this particluar shirt says “Plastic Bags Blow” on the front and then on the back it says says BYOB and explains the concept. All throughout my shopping that day I had people stop and ask about the shirt. Some just stared and I really wanted to exclaim “Hey quit looking at my boobs!” for a laugh but I decided against it. LOL. A few people rolled their eyes and one lady made a rude comment about my “silly shirt”. But I was happy to to bring attention to an environmental concern in this way and since I did have so many good conversations that day I am looking for more shirts with eco slogans.
The shirt is 100% organic, made in the USA, and is made under fair labor conditions. The BEST part though is that they are only $4.95 right now!!!!!! I am off to buy one for my husband!
Do me a favor though and don’t get caught holding a plastic bag while wearing your BYOB shirt. That would be…bad.
For another Eco Friendly Friday Tip visit In the Key of Life
Technorati Tags: plastic bags, BYOB, reusable bag, t-shirt, eco slogan, organic cotton, made in USA
No Comments »
Posted by Tiffany at 11:13 am in Eco Fashion, Natural Product Reviews.
Jewelry can be one of the least eco friendly things you can buy. Just think about all the controversy surrounding blood diamonds. And while many women may decide it is NOT worth it to wear a diamond that may have cost someone their life they may not consider so much the jewelry they have made from unsustainable wood materials or toxic plastics. When the necklace around your neck represents environmental damage…it quickly loses its appeal.
I had the great fortune recently to receive two lovely eco-fashion necklaces from The Palma Collection. They are a small eco-friendly company located in San Diego, California that sells stunning and unique eco-friendly women’s accessories made from the nut of a rare palm tree in South America. The nuts (aka vegetable ivory) are harvested seasonally and only after they fall from the tree. They are also completely non-toxic. These necklaces are proof positive that green fashion can be beautiful and sexy.
I have two Palma necklaces, the Hostlila and the Maripotag. The Hostlila is a gorgeous green flower shaped necklace. The front petals almost seem to spin on top of the back ones like a pinwheel and the soft dark and light green variations are truly beautiful. The necklace strap is a dark brown cotton that looks like suede. I have received many compliments when wearing this necklace. Many ask what it is and are surprised and intrigued when I tell them it is vegetable ivory.
It is just the type of necklace that I love to wear…unique and earthy.
The Maripotag is a smaller, purple butterfly shaped necklace with deep purple wings and a lavender colored body. It has an adjustable black cotton strap. This necklace is also gorgeous and I think it will make a nice gift for someone special in my life that likes butterflies.
I love the smooth texture of the vegetable ivory and the relatively light weight, as I am not one for bulky or heavy jewelry. Also the color and unique and eye catching quality of these necklaces makes object of curiosity and conversation. Their non-toxic nature and eco friendliness makes them a REAL fashion statement.
By far one of the best features of this collection is its accessibility to the average consumer. These beautiful eco-friendly accessories come with a very reasonable price tag. Each piece ranges in price from $10-$54 and you can get earrings and bracelets in addition to the necklaces. Not only are they fairly priced but the company supports fair trade initiatives too. You can’t beat that….beautiful, ethical, and eco-friendly!
Palma Collection is offering NatureMoms readers a 10% discount too! Just use the code naturemom until September 1st. Happy Shopping.
Technorati Tags: jewelry, eco-friendly, sustainable, fair trade, eco-fashion, necklace, palma collection
5 Comments »
Posted by Tiffany at 1:58 pm in Eco Fashion.
Eco-Friendly Fashion Footwear: Cruelty Free Fashion Shoes Every Woman Must Have This Fall/Winter
Most Vegan women like myself dread of the thought that over 35 million beautiful, intelligent animals are killed just for their fur or leather on their backs (and that’s only the wintertime!), but that doesn’t stop us from being every bit as stylish as our carnivorous counterparts. Except for the fact, that we only want cruelty-free fashion, we have the same desire to collect dozens upon dozens of sandals, sneakers, loafers, flip-flops, knee-high boots, and other footwear for our shoe wardrobe. Ten years ago, this would have been a challenge – one that would seem almost impossible as all vegan shoes practically looked the same.
Nowadays, finding cruelty-free shoes isn’t as hard as it sounds. Now more than ever, companies are beginning to cater to those with a cruelty-free fashion sense and are now offering a wider variety to choose from. As this trend continues to emerge, the only challenge you will have is figuring out how many shoes do you really need. You’ll have to begin asking yourself how many of them do you really love, and how many fit well, complement your fashion style and are versatile enough to serve multiple purposes.
Here are 5 fall/winter fashion shoe styles to help you create a cruelty-free shoe wardrobe so all encompassing, so perfect, that no matter what the occasion is, you’ll have just the right eco-friendly shoe
1. One pair of weather-protective footwear.
If you could only buy one boot in your life, an eco-friendly, air-seal range boot like the 14-Eye Boot from Vegetarian Shoes is the one to go with. If you spend a good amount of time outdoors, go with two pairs. Air-seal range boots sporting steel tipped toe and a sole made from rubber tires will provide you with that everlasting quality you need and want.
2. One or two pairs of fashion boots in a medium or dark neutral.
These leather alternative boots are classic enough for work-wear yet sexy enough to add an edge to jeans and an everyday tee. Top-of-the-calf boots with a flat heel are one of the cold weather season’s hottest looks, but are surprisingly in-demand even as the weather grows warmer. For those of you who love the Engineer boots, but want something a little more fitted, the Biker boots are perfect! When you’re feeling a little “rebel”, wear them as biker boots. When your style is more classic looking, just take off the buckle, instantly providing you with simple, comfortable boots that go with everything.
3. One pair of chic looking boots
Almost knee high boots like the Aurora, give you a chic look with straight skirts and classic-cut trousers. They can be worn with bare legs or opaque winter stockings. Plus, they work well with formal and near-formal wear, they add sophistication to jeans, and instantly dress up a denim skirt and cardigan like nothing else can. You can also get the same look with Alta style that is only 11″ from the top of the shoe to the bottom of this eco-friendly fashion footwear. The upper is made from the highest quality synthetic micro-fibers while the lining is usually comprised of extremely soft synthetic micro-fibers or fleece.
4. One pair of neutral-colored casual boots for the weekend
A woman can never go wrong with classics such as the Amy boot. Your weekend casual cruelty-free boot should have an extremely soft and flexible sole making it extremely comfortable for all day wear. Make sure your casual eco-friendly boots exteriors are made of “leather” like synthetic micro-fibers giving you that stylish look, while the interior is made of a soft cotton lining and a generous foot bed that will accommodate your feet.
5. One pair of attractive non-leather sneakers.
The fall time is the perfect time to run around the track at your nearby park, and enjoy your surroundings. Whether your eco-friendly non-leather sneakers are made from hemp or synthetic micro-fibers, they are go well with your tracksuit, yet hard-working enough to perform at the gym. The best athletic/sporty shoes are the pairs that have an extremely supportive EVA sole, and a thick padded tongue.
.
If you follow the above tips you will create the perfect eco-friendly fall/winter woman’s fashion footwear wardrobe, that no matter what the occasion is, you will have the perfect non-leather shoe. Remember, no one can have fashion without compassion.
Sara Kubersky and her sister Erica,Founders of Moo Shoes, opened the first cruelty-free store of its kind in NYC. Later as popularity for eco-friendly fashion-wear grew, they opened their Vegan online store. Subscribe for their Moo News monthly newsletter at http://www.mooshoes.com/news.html, and be the first to find out about new shoes, bags, accessories and cosmetics and other products hitting the Vegan marketplace.
2 Comments »
Posted by Tiffany at 7:34 pm in Beauty, Eco Fashion, Tidbits.
I ran across a beautiful product recently that I wanted to share with my readers. Let me say first that I am not generally a fan of jewelry. In fact the only necklace I wear with any frequency is a very “hippy” Rune necklace that has the symbol for balance on it. But recently I have fallen in love with the simplicity and beauty of the nature inspired necklaces from Monsoon Artisans. They take .999 fine silver (finer then sterling silver) and then carefully sculpt it into the shape of an Arizona Ash leaf, and then burnish and engrave, all by hand. As you can see on their inspiration page, they give you a couple ideas for engraving, such as “like rain in the desert” and “the mesquite seed must break open to grow”. Not only are these necklaces lovely but they are the essence of simplicity. I like shiny baubles just like the next girl but I just don’t wear them. These necklaces I would wear. I am already thinking about my loved ones who would like one of these necklaces for Christmas.
If you were thinking along the same lines you are in luck. Monsoon Artisans is holding a family tree contest and they are giving away 5 custom necklaces. To enter just submit a statement of 200 words or less about family. What does family mean to you? Who do you consider family? Be sure to include in your submission the inscription you would choose for your necklace (up to 10 words) and five lucky winners will get a free necklace, a $100 dollar value. Enter by October 15th!
Check out these talented Artisans and their lovely nature inspired creations….
No Comments »
Posted by Tiffany at 11:59 am in Eco Fashion, Organic Bites.
The contest, Fashion Entrée was hosted by Capers Community Market in vancouver. The mandatory ingredient was natural, sustainable materials. The goal was to create a wearable piece of clothing inspired by or incorporating organic foods.
Corrina Suveges took first place with her Salad Dress. Reminiscent of a celery stalk, this body-hugging evening gown is made of organic-cotton sateen. The bikinilike bust emulates two leaves of radicchio, and the mermaid hemline has layers of wild-greens–shaped panels made from hand-felted, hand-dyed Merino wool and organic-cotton batting.
This dress is absolutely gorgeous!
2 Comments »
Posted by Tiffany at 9:00 am in Eco Fashion, Organic Bites.
The Levi’s brand announced it will include jeans made with 100 percent organic cotton in its fall 2006 product line.
Organic cotton will be used in select new and popular men’s and women’s styles within its Red Tab and recently launched Levi’s Capital E lines. The jeans will be identified as ‘Levi’s Eco’ and be available in November 2006 exclusively at Levi’s US stores with additional products to be introduced in spring 2007.
“As the inventor of the jeans category, it is critical for us to continue to innovate with our products and within the category itself in order to drive positive change,” said Robert Hanson, Levi’s US brand President.
Building off the brand’s world-famous product guarantee, Quality Never Goes Out of Style, Hanson added, “Given our history as a leader in responsible manufacturing and business practices, this initiative is about quality and responsibility never going out of style. With Levi’s Eco, consumers who seek to minimize their personal impact on the environment can choose jeans that demand less from the environment without forfeiting the style or quality they’ve come to expect from the Levi’s brand.”
Famous for style leadership and its product iconography, Levi’s jeans made with organic cotton will be available in a range of popular fits and finishes and marked with a few subtle identifiers.
Jeans made with all, or a significant percentage of, organic cotton will be signified as ‘Levi’s Eco’ and feature an embroidered lowercase ‘e’ inside the front pocket, or at the bottom of the right leg of each jean. A natural colored canvas ‘Levi’s’ tab and ‘Two Horse Patch’ made from 100 percent organic fabric as well as natural colored pocket stitching of the brand’s famous arcuate will also indicate the jeans are made from organic cotton. All external packaging will be made from organic fabric or recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink.
Among the styles made with 100 percent organic cotton are the Red Tab Vintage Straight Jean for men, and the women’s Skinny Jean and Skinny Knee Knocker Short. In the brand’s super premium line, Levi’s Capital E, a selvedge denim Shrink-to-Fit 501 Original Jean, and forward fits like the men’s Wrapped Skinny Jean and Skinny Slouch jeans, and the women’s Twisted Skinny and Twisted Cropped jeans will be made from 100 percent organic cotton. Other elements of the Levi’s Capital E lines including the use of recycled buttons, rivets and zippers and natural indigo to dye some styles of jeans were employed for their minimized impact on the environment.
The fall US introduction is part of a global launch of products made with 100 percent organic cotton. In Europe, the Levi’s brand will offer certified organic denim versions of its most popular styles — the Levi’s 506 Standard Fit Jean for guys and the Levi’s 570 Straight Fit Jean for girls. They will be available in select stores within Europe at the end of 2006. Additional styles made from 100 percent, or a significant percentage of, organic cotton will be introduced in both regions in 2007
Invented in 1873 by Levi Strauss, Levi’s Jeans are the original, authentic jeans. They are the most successful, widely recognized and often imitated jeans products in the history of apparel.
Levi’s Jeans have captured the attention, imagination and loyalty of generations of diverse individuals in more than 100 countries around the world and continues to do so today through jeanswear innovation. Levi Strauss & Co has been a leading brand for more than 150 years.
Levi Strauss & Co
1 Comment »
Posted by Tiffany at 12:01 pm in Eco Fashion, Natural Product Reviews.
Looking for some eco friendly sandals this summer? Try these!
This awesome sandal was commissioned by Reef in an attempt to do away with the massively toxic and polluting problem of non-recyclable EVA scrap incineration. A massive 8? high 20? x 20? mound of scrap EVA can be generated every day by just one shoe factory! Not only is there alot of scrap EVA produced in the making of conventional sandals, the shoes themselves also contribute to pollution when they go through their very linear lifecycle. A leather sandal with an EVA mid and outsole is purchased and in six months to a year, just as the leather is starting to look wonderfully distressed, the EVA sole has completely worn away, and the entire sandal must be thrown away and new ones purchased.
As a big fan of sandals myself, I am all to familiar with their short life cycle and having to throw away shoes that I bought only months ago has always distressed me. It is a waste of money and it contributes to landfill pollution.
The Eco-sandal breaks away from this linear lifecycle. The soles are made from reground EVA rubber remnants from the die cutting process and the chassis is made from thick cut natural leather that will last forever (with the proper care) and improve with age. By using recycled EVA, this creates a shoes with potentially no waste.
To add to the amazement, unlike the other eco friendly footwears that use non-toxic glue, making it requires no glue or adhesives to bond its layers of material together!
6 Comments »
