Recycled Bags a la Stella McCartney for LeSportsac

Among the top designers in the world, Stella McCartney is clearly a leader in the green movement. First came her line of Organic Skin Care, and now this: Functional and super chic bags, rucksacks and luggage designed with recycled materials! Finally, my theory that "green" is not just for crunchers anymore is proven once and for all. Oh contrere, eco chic is headed our way like a Category 2 Hurricane.

Case in point: Her new Fall line for LeSportsac, made from 100% recycled nylon and other recycled materials. You go girl! These are the it-bags for the stylishly eco-conscious. There are plenty of varieties such as hobos, totes, travel bags, and even a convertible rucksack ( a personal fav.)Stella's smart designs can be found at top retailers, but for more information and a look at every bag, go to the LeSportsac website.

I'm wondering which celeb will be photographed with one first? Stay tuned. Read more!

Eco Beauty: Scrub-a-Dub Dub

Have you ever tried one of those super-rough exfoliating facial scrubs? You know, the kind with some sort of microscopic roughage that feels like you are rubbing #300 sand paper on your face?

For years, I endured those grueling treatments in the hopes of that pure, baby soft porcelain skin of yesteryear. The fact is, using harsh scrubs are unnecessary and the need for them is a misconception amongst many women. "No pain, no gain" should not be the motto for facial cleansing. Luckily, I found a natural, chem-free skin care line complete with a wonderful exfoliator!

It's a skin and hair care line from Noah's Naturals. The company's eco-friendly products were carefully formulated with the help of Aveda creator, Prakash Purohit. One of them is the Exfoliating Face Scrub with Jojoba Beads and it's lovely! While rubbing it on my face, I noticed that the beads were soft to the touch, yet they did their job to gently and effectively exfoliate. The product also left my face feeling fresh, soft and moisturized. And the best part was that it was free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates and propoylene gylcol. Furthermore, all Noah's Natural products do not test on animals, are made from the purest ingredients, and use fully recyclable packaging.

It is definitely a product I felt good about using, and it worked really well. Check out some of their other great organic products at Noah's Naturals.

Find Noah's products on their website, or search for a local participating retailer. Read more!

Feelin' the Love for Organic Love Lipsticks

It is said that the average woman ingests up to four pounds of lipstick or gloss in a lifetime. According to the Environmental Working Group, a partner of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, one-third of personal care products contain at least one chemical linked to cancer. With that in mind, I decided to begin looking for some safe alternatives, and I found a GREAT one with Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics' Organic Love Lipsticks.

Depending on the shade, these lipsticks are made with approximately 70% to 82% certified organic ingredients. Some of the key ingredients include organic jojoba seed oil, Vitamin E, organic pomegranate seed extract, organic grape seed extract, and organic apricot kernel. The rest of the ingredients are iron oxides and micas, (for pigment) and titanium oxide (for opacity), which are all pharmaceutical grade inert minerals. Organic Love is free from petroleum, gluten, paraben, nuts and the entire line of cosmetics is cruelty and gluten free. These gals over there are on the ball!

Aside from all those benefits, the lipstick itself goes on light and smooth, not heavy and waxy. Your lips will feel fabulous, as though the nutrients were going to work to moisturize and condition instantaneously. For real!

I highly recommend this product, so go to their site, drop $22 bucks and eat all the lipstick you want.

Note: Visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics site, which has a ton of information about all beauty products and their ingredients. You will find it invaluable. Read more!

New Eco Skincare Line by Stella McCartney

We eat organic. We workout. We clean our homes with natural products to avoid chems. So why is it that we are caring for our skin with chemicals? It doesn't make sense.

Enter CARE by Stella McCartney.

This skincare line was developed because Stella believes that we shouldn't have to sacrifice quality and luxury simply because we want a natural product. This line is both. It consists of cleansers, moisterizers, and elixirs. The ingredients are 100% certified organic and are free from petrochemicals, silicones and chemical preservatives. Even the fragrance is derived from 100% natural organic essential oils, and the packaging is all recyclable.

Go to StellaMcCartneyCare.com and learn more and find a retailer near you.


Those of you who have used this product are welcome to review it in the comments section for the benefit of those who have not. Read more!

Green Gift Guide - Eco Jewelry

If you are looking for a gift for your girlfriend, wife or mother, or yourself for that matter, a piece of jewelry is sure to make most women on this Earth pretty darn happy. Some like silver, some like gold, some like diamonds or other gem stones. Unfortunately, there are some serious environmental implications with mining, from the chemicals used in the mining process, to the health effect of the miners, as well as humanitarian concerns in some conflicted regions. So what's a greenie to do?

The answer is simple: REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE some of your old pieces. Before you click off this page and think its lame, hold it! Think custom made, personally designed jewelry. The only women who are able to afford these luxuries are Princess Di or Paris Hilton types! OK so here's how. Many of us have our old "kiddie jewelry"- stuff that family members or old boyfriends gave us that sits at home in the back of some drawer somewhere. I'm not sure of your experience, but mine indicates that most men have fairly terrible taste - it would be my pleasure to recycle it! Take some of those pieces and combine them to make a pretty new pendant for your chain. You may have to buy a new setting but that's nothing considering you are getting a custom design that's "minimally invasive" to the planet. If you are not creative, surf designer jewelry websites, go to a professional jeweler that you trust, or ask your spouse to design something for you. Now that's not only romantic, it's sentimental. More so than buying you the Kay Jewelers Xmas special from the mall like a million other dopey spouses. And you'll look and feel like a princess! A green one.
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12 Days of Xmas Green Gifts - Part III

Here are today's green gift picks.

1. EDUN Shopping Tote. This tote bag is made from 100% organic cotton and bears their very artful logo. Use it at the market or the beach. EDUN is NUDE spelled backwards and was founded by Bono's wife, Ali Hewson. Their mission is to provide sustainable products while promoting economic development among developing nations. It's a great tote, a great company, and who doesn't love Bono? $25 at www.edunonline.com.


2.Patagonia Eco Rainshell Jacket. Patagonia is a pioneer in the area of plastics recycling and this jacket is no exception. It's 100% water and windproof and made from 100% recycled materials. You can't get much greener than that! $190 at www.patagonia.com

3.Energy Star Programmable Thermostat. This one is for Mom, Dad or Grandma. If one of your loved ones still uses those old fashioned thermostats, you can replace it with a programmable model, and Nana can save up to 33% on her home heating and cooling costs, as well as reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Installation doesn't require a professional either. About $35-40 bucks at www.homedepot.com.

Those are my fabulous green gift choices for today. I am ready to receive some feedback on my picks and/or if anyone actually has any of these products to provide reviews. Thanks greenies!
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The Green Gift Guide, Continued

I promised my loyal following a new green gift idea every day for 12 days. Well, I am feeling quite giving this holiday season and have decided to offer several gift options each day. Damn I'm good.

1. Kill a Watt Power Usage Monitor. This is another one of those cool gadgets for Dad or Uncle Bob. This monitor connects to appliances and other electronics to assess their efficiency, or inefficiency. LED screen indicates how much power is used even when equipment is turned off, helping you to save some coin, not to mention Co2 emissions. www.amazon.com.

2. Root of the Earth Basket. This handcarved basket which is made from a reclaimed Chinese fur tree, is a natural art sculpture that doubles as a beautiful fruit or citrus basket. It comes in 3 sizes. Also check out their bowls, servers or platters which also make great gifts. Go to vivaterra.com and enter "root of the earth" in their search box.

3. Eco Mule Slippers. This one is a treat for anyone on your list. These cozy, spa like slippers are made from organic cotton and hemp and alledgedly mold to your feet, are skid resistant and are super soft. At only $48 bucks, they are a good deal too. www.gaiamliving.com.


4. Organic Long Johns. For those of you living in cold climates, this is perfect. These Long Johns are made from organic cotton in a cute holiday stripe. They make these for ladies, men, kids and even babies. For adults, you can just buy the top or bottom if you want. Adorable! www.hannaandersson.com.

Happy shopping folks.
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The 12 Days of Xmas Green Gift Guide

After a brief green gift research trip, I have returned, blogging once again to my huge fan base of 3, and noticed that the holiday shopping season is officially in full swing! The concept of being green and buying frivolous gifts for one another that we don't want or need is a bit conflicting, however, it is tradition so let's not be a Grinch about it! As a result, I have compiled a small but green gift list to help you evolve into the giving greenie that you are. We are sooo Hollywood.


1. Timberland Earthkeeper Boots- for men and women. They are made with organic cotton, PET linings (plastic soda bottle material), recycled rubber and are 100% waterproof. Available in 4 rich colors for $140/$160 ladies at timberland.com. Comes with the cheesy bracelet that I don't recommend wearing!


2. Adopt a Polar Bear. Since global warming is deteriorating the environment for these creatures, shouldn't we try and save them? Yes! Adopt your very own polar bear, and for as little as $25, you will receive a photo and fact sheet about your bear, a personalized adoption certificate, and even a cuddly plush polar bear toy. I love this one. Go to www.wildlifeadoption.org today and teach your kids something for a change!


3. Aveda gifts. Aveda makes some of the most wonderful hair, body and beauty products on the market, and they are all natural. The company's manufacturing facility is powered by 100% certified wind power. Go to aveda.com, click on gifts, and find something special for both ladies and men. I like Five Paths to Peace, pictured at the top. It's kind of crunchy yet luxurious too.

4. LED Tire Air Alert. This is a cool gadget. Did you know that if your tires are running low on air that it takes more energy to power your car? Make sure your tires are at their optimal levels with Air Alert. An LED light flashes when you need more air. Smart! Find it at www.terrapass.com.

5. Buy Carbon Offsets. Looking for a gift for someone who has everything? If this person travels a lot by plane or auto, or if they simply exist on this planet and don't live in the woods like an animal, they use energy and by purchasing a TerraPass, you will be funding clean energy and carbon reduction projects across the United States. Or they can go back to the woods like Tarzan, their choice. Go to www.terrapass.com for more details.

The 12 days of Xmas will continue with another 7 gift ideas over the coming week. I know its unbearable to wait but it will be worth it. I hope you are getting my very dry sense of humor. Ciao.
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Eco Cosmetics: GREEN is Beautiful

When I think of chemicals in my home, or how to avoid them, my first thought is of my home cleaning products. We all know they are so toxic that we have to lock them in a cabinet or sequester them to a far reaching dark corner, far far away from the kids. ( More on this soon!) Yet on a daily basis, ladies and gents, we come into contact with up to 200 chemicals, and we rub them all over our skin! The average person uses up to 25 cosmetic and personal care products per day, exposing themselves to many harmful ingredients. For example, some mascaras contain a preservative called thimersol, a derivative of mercury. Certain fragrances in creams cover up phlalates, which can disrupt thryoid function. And formaldehyde has been found in foundation makeup, for freshness.(No wonder some women look like mummies!) A general review of the products in your medicine cabinet will most likely locate these and many more.

Luckily, we don't have to revert back to Elizabethean times and resort to beet juice and vegetable dyes. A few interesting products have emerged that I felt were worth sharing.

JOSIE MARAN COSMETICS. Other than being the first person to be kicked off "Dancing with the Stars" this season, I had no idea who this person was. Nevertheless, she has done well by creating a full line of cosmetics that are responsibly developed, free from parabens, petrochemicals, and toxins. Most of the packaging is biodegradable and they list every ingredient in each product on their website, at www.josiemarancosmetics.com. You can also see her products exclusively at Barney's NY. It's worth a look.

SAFFRON ROUGE. This website is like an online Sephora, with lots of makeup to choose from, and a plethora of personal care products. A visit to their site reveals that most of their products are from overseas. Apparently, Britain, Germany and other nations have been busy working on products like this since they have known for years what I am telling you today. Duh- we're a little slow here in the US...

ORIGINS ORGANICS. This is a new line of personal care products most of which are certified organic by the USDA. Origins features shampoos and conditioner, body soap, moisterizers, toners, lip balm, and massage oils. They are blended with essential oils and smell sooo wonderful. www.origins.com.

100PERCENTPURE. These cosmetics and other products are made with 100% natural ingredients, many which contain a healthy shot of anti-oxidants as well as organic fruit. This company has been featured on QVC network, and their body scrubs and shower gels look simply delicious! Also, check out their Elizabethean-esque lip glosses and cheek tints that contain pure fruit pigments, patent pending. Maybe they did have the right idea back then?!

TOM'S OF MAINE. This is not a cosmetics company, but I feel so strongly about the quality of their products and the quality of the company that I feel compelled to plug them again. Tom's puts out superior toothpastes, deoderants, and mouthwash products and I would especially recommend the natural flouride Children's toothpaste, since traditional children's toothpaste is loaded with mysterious flavoring and artificial coloring (and Lord knows what else).

Go through your makeup bag, throw out that mascara that's been in there for 6 months, and buy the eco version. Going green has never been so beautiful, naturally.

If you are interested in more details about the chemicals found in your cosmetics, check out www.thegreenguide.com and www.safecosmetics.org.

Read more!

Fashionistas Frolic for Eco Designs

Thanks to a global marketplace, US consumers are able to buy mass quantities of goods at bottom of the barrel prices. During a trip to the local superstore, I marveled at the ridiculously low prices for children's clothing, and happily snapped up a thing or two for myself. After donning my trophy outfits, I came to the realization that they are simply cheap crap that don't wash particularly well. Not to mention that some of those "easy care" products contain formaldehyde, which is linked to several diseases and even cancer. So the affordability of the global economy is a mixed blessing. On one hand, cheap goods help our dollars stretch further. On the other hand, the availability of these products is a great detriment to our planet because of the resources that are utilized to both manufacture and ship these products to our local stores. We're talking major CO2 emissions folks.

Another fashion trend has come forth, as reported in Vogue magazine's latest issue. Minimalism is back. Less is more. It's about quality not quantity. The message is if you invest in quality pieces and stick with a look that suits your body type and your style, you will benefit and so will the planet.

This is the way I like to live, but at some point, you still have to shop. Here are a few noted brands that have emerged as major eco designers:


EDUN at their latest NY Show

EDUN. This is an Irish based company founded by Ali Hewson, Bono's wife. ( Love him!) Their fashions are made in Africa and other developing nations with "green" in mind- the fabrics are organic and the products are made by local groups in order to provide them with a trade in which to grow their economy by. Their motto is "trade not aid." I think the concept is brilliant and certainly worth supporting. Clothing can be found at major retailers, including Nordstrom.


A Design by Linda Loudermilk

LINDA LOUDERMILK. This LA based designer has been fitting eco conscious Hollywood stars for years, beginning in 2002 when she started to experiment with fabrics. Known for her "Luxury Eco by Linda Loudermilk" label, she designs everything from jeans to haute couture, and the October W magazine named her one of the most influential people in 2007. Her eco designs are found in dozens of stores around the world. Find her at www.lindaloudermilk.com.


A Model in Deborah Lindquist

DEBORAH LINDQUIST. Another LA designer to the stars (are you noticing a trend here?) is Deborah, who uses recycled, re purposed and vintage clothing in her eco designs, as well as hemp and organic fabrics. The fine details of her work are astonishing, and Deborah also features environmentally conscious wedding dresses! She can be found at www.deborahlindquist.com.

Eco Fashion is not just for Hollywood or the wealthy. This movement has made it to the mainstream, and can be found at the houses of Patagonia, Timberland, and Hanna Andersson childrens clothing. Even the Gap has a line of Men's Organic cotton T's as well as an Organic Layette line. ( I feel that Organic Baby clothes, especially layette, are a must! Also, check out www.bestbabyorganics.com for some great options). And organic doesn't just stop at clothing. Ralph Lauren has an Organic Bed and Bath collection, and Pottery Barn features Organic bedding. I could go on and on...

Good news: many options are emerging for us greenies! Read more!