Green Vogue S.O.S.

Green Vogue: Veil Vision~ Eco-conscious fashion statement.

2012-02-06T19:38:00.000-08:00

What started as a simple vision has grown into an unstoppable movement called Veil Vision. Veil Vision's focal point is on breathing life back into impeccable vintage scarves from different era's and designers. Veil Vision rigorously uses only eco-friendly methods in the refinishing as well as in the restoration of the scarves. This company aim's to establish a new representation of the word couture. As Veil Vision has stated, "An original meaning, in which self-expression stems from the elegance and grace of yesterday, while keeping up with the modernity and style of today. Whether bold or subtle, our collection aims at providing your look with timeless elegance effortlessly."

Veil Vision is also committed in helping their customers bring out their inner beauty. They deem that everyone is beautiful in their own way and that their style should always be a reflection of that beauty. Because of this Veil Vision believes that everyone's style should be personalized. They understand that it takes a lot of effort to look effortless. This is why Veil Vision offers free style advice. Simply contact Veil Vision at style@veilvision.com OR fill out the style advice form in their Style section.

I am the proud owner of a vintage Carolina Herrera scarf from this prestigious and eco-friendly company Veil Vision. I use it as a traditional scarf and I also use it to accessorize my handbag.

One lucky winner will receive a Veil Vision scarf.

TO ENTER

Entry 1: Be (or become) a follower of @GreenVoguesos and @VeilVision and leave a comment.

Entry 2: 'Like' Veil Vision on Facebook, then leave a comment.

Entry 3: Head over to Veil Vision and take a look around. Then come back and leave a comment to tell us what vintage scarf you love and why.

Entry 4: Tweet about this giveaway, then come back and leave a comment about why you would love to be the winner. Be sure to include a link to the giveaway and @VeilVision and @GreenVogueSOS in your tweet! Deadline March 1st!

Visit: Veil Vision

Follow on Facebook: VEILVISION

Follow on Twitter: @VeilVision

Green Vogue~ SnapSac: Accessorize without Compromise

2011-12-13T11:24:00.000-08:00

By Lourdes Perez

SnapSac is my new shopping IT bag. I have been using Petite Tote and the Super Tote for last few weeks not just for my trip to the store but I have been using it when I go to work and when I go to the gym as well. SnapSac is very versatile and trendy. What I love about the SnapSac company is that they aren't just eco-friendly but think about their customers as well when designing and selling their products. Their bag designs are very sophisticated and they look very high end. What makes them so unique is that they are so affordable on any budget.

SnapSac has been busy reinventing the shopping bag. What makes SnapSac truly one of a kind is that they put every day shoppers needs a priority when designing the perfect tote. Their bags have 35% thicker fabric then the average grocery bags. They are so durable that they can hold up to 22 pounds. There is a pocket included inside every tote or bag. That comes in handy when shoppers need a place to put their phone, wallet or keys while they are shopping. You can either wipe them clean or machine wash in cold water and line dry how eco friendly is that! It also snaps in three places: at the top of the bag, at the pocket and at the folding. SnapSac doesn’t have a huge visible logo but their designs and color scheme are recognizable anywhere. Their Swag Bags have been features at New York Fashion Week, Daily Candy Events and at the CAA Young Hollywood Party to name a few.

Lisa Vitale is the designer involved in creating the Snap Sac signature look. What attracted her to SnapSac was as she stated, "It didn’t hurt that I would fulfill my girlhood dream of designing my own bags. Being able to apply my creative experience in fashion retail and love of style brought in elements of joy to the day to day process. Overall, it was such a win-win project for Brand Hero, where the motto is "Do Good." So putting that message into practice of using design to do good for our earth and social change was a super bonus. Plastic is out, reusable bags are in."

The following is a description of their six signature totes. They come in either neutral colors or a pop color mixed with a neutral. The Lunch Tote comes with a shoulder strap and soft flexible material that is also insulated that can maintain any temperature for up to three hours. It also comes with a mesh pocket in the outside. The Cool Tote comes with a leak proof lining that can hold up to 3 pounds of ice inside and can keep the cold temperature inside for 3 to 5 hours. It also comes with a side pocket and a snap closure. The Grocery Tote is 17 inches high and has a clear, flexible, lead free stiffener on the bottom for stability. The Mega Tote is double lined and comes with reinforced handles that can handle full loads of anything you need to carry in style. The Super Tote has more durable fabric to carry groceries for a complete family. Finally there is the Petite Tote it’s the perfect size for when you need to carry small items.

SnapSac is determined to be the IT bag when it some to shopping. Join SnapSac and take the pledge. Say NO to disposable plastics and you will help reduce your carbon foot print by choosing eco friendly reusable products like reuseable shopping bags like SnapSac. SnapSac supports the Plastic Pollution Coalition’s Campaign that focuses on refusing disposables. You too can Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Visit PlasticPollutionCoalition.Org and sign the pledge. I did!

Visit: SnapSac

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Green Vogue~ Right As Rain: Harvesting Shirts

2011-11-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

By Lourdes Perez

Right As Rain garments are T-shirts that literally celebrate nature. This new venture came to be during a dinner conversation between the two masterminds behind this brilliant eco-friendly and luxurious T-shirt line: Francesco Mugnaini and Sebastian Runde have turned one the most basic garments into high eco-friendly fashion. As Runde stated, "This came from the idea that human beings are part of nature, not separate from it." Francesco was the one who designed the men's and women's T-shirt that enriches the body with it's a natural form. According to Mungnaini, "We aimed for a focus on the aesthetics created by nature, to offer a pereception of beauty man would never be able to create. We produce beautiful shirts, but it is nature who makes them truly unique." Just one look at the organic clothing line Right As Rain and you know that it's factual these shirts are created by nature and they are truly one of a kind.

It took two years and after numerous tests with different fabrics such as cotton, hemp and nettle which turned out to be too rough against the skin or too brittle to the touch. Finally the material chosen was a high-quality organic silk from Northern Italy. This organic silk ascertained to be the best for this creation because it was the only fabric that reacted well with the soil, water and sunlight and it also offered the most interesting results. As stated by Runde, "We made many tests with different materials, which we exposed to nature's forces, buried them, left them in a stream, covered them with leaves in the forest. Only silk gave satisfactory results as it kept its beautiful structure." Therefore Right As Rain T-shirts are made from unbleached Italian Silk. They are then planted in either the forest or a field and are exposed to mother earth for two to three months. Because nature can be so unpredictable each T-shirt design is one of a kind. T-shirts vary in color depending on the season it was harvested. They have patterns in the forms of veins that can be faded in the colors brown, black or even purple. Since each T-shirt is one if a kind it comes with its own serial number and the consumer can find out when, where, who and under what conditions their T-shirt was created as well as the planting and harvesting story behind it.

In order to keep the production of this nature harvested t-shirt local it is produced within Italy alone which makes this garment 100% made in Italy. Each nature harvested T-shirt is shipped in a bare recycled box with a simple seal. The T-shirts are scented with oils from plants of Runde's organic farm as well as the surrounding area's. This is a reflection of the fields, woods, and warm summer days of the region where the T-shirt was harvested. According to Runde, "Clothing makes a statement about ourselves. With a Right As Rain T-shirt you are expressing your connection to nature, its unpredictability and its beauty." It has been an honor to write about this very inspirational, eco-friendly and conscious clothing line. These beautiful organic T-shirts are for sale through the official website of Right As Rain.

Visit: Right As Rain Official Website

Follow on Twitter: RIGHTASRAIN_tm

Follow on Facebook: Right as Rain

Green Vogue~ Piece x Piece: Discarded Luxury

2011-10-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Piece x Piece (Piece by Piece) is an eco-friendly clothing line that is made from discarded luxury and it is based in San Francisco. It targets the staggering amount of waste produced by the fashion industry to create its designs. Thousands of sample fabric swatches are discarded after every season. Piece x Piece focuses on using these sample fabric swatches to create one of a kind designs. The fabric used in each garment is selected piece by piece from their luxury discards which is constantly changing. Because of this Piece x Piece offers their designs in limited production editions. As stated by Piece x Piece, “As a result of the time taken for each piece, all garments are season-less in nature and time-less in their design.”

Elizabeth Brunner is the founder of Piece x Piece. She founded this green fashion label in 2008. Her focus was on re-using existing which have untapped potential. Elizabeth incorporates her design training with her passion for sustainability. This clothing is a portrayal of Elizabeth's philosophy, values and experiences toward green vogue.

The Piece x Piece website launches today! October 10, 2011 you definitely need to check it out!

Quotes to remember and live by:
"Discarded Luxury." ~Piece x Piece

Visit:
Piece x Piece Official Website

Follow on Twitter:
@PIECExPIECEsf

Follow on Facebook:
Piece x Piece SF

Green Portrait~ Selena Gomez

2011-04-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Born Selena Marie Gomez on July 22, 1992 in Grand Praire, Texas she is the star of Wizards of Waverly Place. Selena admits to struggling with being green as she has said before in an interview, “What’s really bad about me is I leave the lights on everywhere I go." She’s trying to improve that with self-reminders via post-it notes. Selena is actively involved in promoting the Friends For Change environmental campaign through the Disney Channel.

Selena Gomez launched a clothing line sold through Kmart called Dream Out Loud. What she says about her clothing line: “With my line, I really want to give the customer options on how they can put their own looks together. I want the pieces that can be easy to dress up or down, and the fabrics being eco-friendly and organic are super important. Also, the tags will all have some of my inspirational quotes on them. I’m just looking to send a good message."

Green Portrait~ Natalie Portman

2011-04-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Natalie Portman was born Natalie Hershlag on June 9th 1981 in Jerusalem, Israel. She is an actor who is known for being a vegan who has been acknowledged for her efforts in saving gorillas in Rwanda. In 2008 Natalie Portman designed a collection of vegan shoes. Natalie Portman's shoe line was sold through the New York boutique Te Casan and through their website. She stated about her vegan shoe line, "As a vegan, it's been challenging finding designer shoes made of alternative materials. This collection offers a great selection without compromising quality or style."

Natalie Portman, is the star of the award-winning drama Black Swan, who takes a stand for animal rights and has stayed true to her values when agreeing to her first beauty endorsement for Dior. She had vegan shoes made for her by Christian Dior when she signed up to be the endorser for the Dior fragrance Miss Cherie. Natalie Portman loves eco-friendly fashion and will only wear clothing by designers who meet her vegan-friendly requirements. She wears clothes and gowns by eco-friendly designer Stella McCartney and more recently she has been wearing H&M.

Natalie Portman is pregnant with her first child and is due later this year. Her fiance, Benjamin Millepied and Jeweler designer Jamie Wolf designed a custom handmade ring with Natalie's Eco-lifestyle in mind. The round diamond stone is antique, the pave diamonds surrounding it are certified-conflict-free, and the platinum is recycled metal.

Green Portrait~ Whitney Port

2011-04-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Whitney Port was born March 4, 1985 in Los Angeles, California. She best known for appearing in MTV's, The Hills and then on her own reality show called The City. Whitney was also part of the eBay Fashion Team. She knows the value of recycled clothing and accessories. Her first choice when it comes to buying clothes is vintage clothing. Not just for its originality but for its fashionable aspects but for its environmental aspects. She explains why buying vintage pays off, “I love vintage. You know when you walk out the door that it’s not going to be seen on anybody else. You save money because you’re getting something that’s designer…that’s definitely more affordable than what you can get in the stores.”

Whitney Port knows that she is not a perfect example of an environmentalist when it comes to her clothing line called Whitney Eve. Though she is working in making it more eco-friendly. She would like to incorporate more sustainable fabrics. As she has stated: “I’m so new,” she said. “So right now I’m just trying to get the hang of the whole process. But eventually I really want to find out how that whole technique works.” She has a new book that was released this year called, True Whit. It is a book about her life, how-to advice in home decor, career, health and exercise, beauty, and the fashion industry.

Green Portrait~ Miranda Kerr

2011-04-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Miranda May Kerr was born on April 20th 1983, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. She is a famous supermodel and also known for marrying actor Orlando Bloom. Miranda and Orlando became the parents of their first child, a boy named Flynn this past January. As for vintage clothing or green fashion labels she states: "I love going vintage shopping—there’s nothing better than finding a one-off vintage piece! I also really love Stella McCartney’s eco-friendly line." As for eco-friendly clothing lines she said, "Barneys New York has a great eco-friendly clothing section. I like Rogan, Edun and Phillip Lim."

Miranda became passionate about environmentalism since she was a little girl. As she said: "I grew up in Gunnedah, a small country town in rural New South Wales Australia, where I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by nature and organically grown produce. This really taught me to be environmentally conscious. I think it is important if we all are aware of the small changes we can make on a daily basis like recycling, using energy efficient light bulbs, eating and using organic products, taking shorter showers, etc."

She created KORA Organics a Skincare line that nourishes, nurtures and protects. As she stated, "I created my KORA Organics Skincare line because I wanted a skin-care range that contained all of the ingredients I personally wanted and could not find. For three years, while personally testing the products, I worked with KORA’s certified organic chemists and aromatherapists to perfect the range. I am so happy to say that the testimonies on our site reflect the results our customers are achieving. KORA Organics skin-care products are 'Food For the Skin' they nourish, nurture and protect."

Last year she posed for Rolling Stone, naked and chained to a tree, in order to attract public attention for preservation of the koala. As Miranda said, "People can donate to the Australian Koala Foundation, which is the principal non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to the conservation and effective management of the wild koala and its habitat. Also, my family and I have always supported Greenpeace, which has offices in more than 40 countries around the world. It does not accept funding from governments, organizations or political parties and its’ goal is to 'ensure the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all its diversity.' "

Green Portrait~ Gabrielle Anwar

2011-04-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Gabrielle Anwar is an English actor, she was born in Laleham, Middlesex, England, UK on February 4, 1970. She loves vintage fashion as she stated: "I’m a bit of a vintage fashion freak. I love the idea that clothing has a history. I wear things until they’re threadbare. Also, vintage doesn’t come all wrapped in tissue paper, a bag, and then another bag. I just throw it into my purse, or my cotton FEED bag from Whole Foods and go. I love those bags. I haven’t gotten into the sustainable fashion thing yet because it’s bloody expensive. I still feel that it drives consumerism. But I am curious about it the idea of wearing bamboo knickers, for example. But if I can find something that was worn many years ago I’d rather wear that. I’m not much of a fashionista, but I do have a pair of Stella McCartney thigh-high boots that aren’t made of leather that was my big purchase last season. They’re so hot and I didn’t kill anything in the process."

As for living a simple non-materialistic life she states: "I grew up in England in the countryside in the ‘70s, when Greenpeace was really in its heyday. It was a very bohemian environment. My parents are both creative and artistic and not materialistic at all. We had a very simple life. I was never exposed to tremendous indulgence which is where I think the carbon footprint tends to get out of hand. I find it satisfying to live a life that’s as simple as possible. One can never have enough and once you get caught up in that whirlwind of possession and materialism and excess it’s hard to stop it’s all-consuming. I’m fortunate to never have been exposed to it. It’s second nature to me not to make a huge carbon footprint along my journey." Gabrielle Anwar is the star of the hit series Burn Notice.

Green Portrait~ Emily Deschanel

2011-04-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Born Emily Erin Deschanel in Los Angeles, California on October 11, 1976 she is an actor who adheres to a strict vegan diet, she is devoted to environmental causes and she drives a Prius. She demonstrates that living a green lifestyle does not mean giving up the latest fashion and beauty products. She stays on trend with her environmental lifestyle. Emily spends much of her free time speaking for a planet in crisis that can’t speak for itself.

Emily's style is down to earth and she loves vintage clothing, which she says is "absolutely unique". She also says that, "Buying used clothes is cheaper." Her first choice when it comes to clothes is vintage as part of her effort to help the environment. When purcahsing new clothes she prefers organic cotton or hemp. She also wears cruelty-free makeup and she has her nontoxic SIGG water bottle handy when she is out and about. Emily Deschanel is the star of the hit series Bones and is pregnant with her first baby due later this year.

Green Portrait~ Alicia Silverstone

2011-04-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Alicia Silverstone was born on October 4, 1976 in San Francisco, California. She is an activist, committed conservationist and actress turned-author of the vegan health and lifestyle book called, The Kind Diet a New York Times best seller. As she has said, "Being green is about being a better you it shouldn't be shoving anything down anyone's throat." Silverstone also has a blog called, TheKindLife.com

In a recent interview with Vogue magazine she talked about her style ethics. As she stated, “I have some guidelines when it comes to clothes, or anything really. First, I try to find it used so I’m not creating more waste. If I can’t find it used, I’ll make sure it’s made with an eco material. If I can’t find it in either of those categories, I’ll buy something regular. But I rarely have to do that.”

Alicia has a new upcoming role this month as mother-to-be. As for baby gifts, she and musician husband Christopher Jarecki have opted and asked for secondhand gifts for their bundle of joy. Her style and lifestyle is very down to earth.

Green Portrait~ Thandie Newton

2011-04-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Thandie Newton born Thandiwe Ajdewa Newton is an English Actor born on November 6, 1972 in London, England, UK. In 2006 Thandie Newton started doing her part to save the planet. She partnered with the environmental group Greenpeace to send letters to celebrities that drive the pollution-spewing 4x4s. She is also a humanitarian she is a supporter of the Breast Cancer Care, Artists for Peace and Justice as well as the NSPCC.

The climate change-conscious star believes in stocking her own wardrobe with recycled and stylish vintage wear. Thandie does not have her own personal stylist instead she picks out her own clothing ensembles. Her favorite designers are Matthew Williamson, Jonathan Saunders and Alexander McQueen but what she loves to do more is shop the vintage stores in London, England.

As she has stated before in an interview, "It is grotesque how out of control manufacturing has become, and the excess, the pollution that's caused by it. Vintage is not only glorious and stylish, it's also the way forward in terms of recycling. Whenever I go into great vintage stores, I wonder why we ever buy new things." Thandie's style is what I would call eco-inspirational elegance she really is a true icon.

Green With Glamour has recently designed a clutch for Thandie Newton which she calls her new favorite clutch. As she said, "Beautifully sourced clothes, accessories, and my favourite clutch of all time! Add to that their commitment to eco responsibility... Why would you shop anywhere else?" Seriously, why would you shop anywhere else when you can purchase eco-friendly fashion or unique one of a kind vintage finds.

Green Vogue~ Green Sapphire: Mindful Earth

2011-02-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

By Lourdes Perez

The owner of Green Sapphire is Regina Landim Noppè and Green Sapphire jewelry collection is designed by Brazilian Artist and Designer Patricia Moura Biojoias. This jewelry line is eco-friendly made from one of a kind pieces that advocate ecologically vital harvesting and sustainability because it is made from raw materials from Pantanal, Cerrado and the Amazon forest. Collecting raw materials for the Green Sapphire jewelry line from the Amazon helps not only help preserve it but it also help build sustainable communities within Brazil.

The raw materials used in this jewelry line are non-germinated seeds which are gathered from the soil of the forests without harming the environment and they are also naturally dyed. Other raw materials are also used for Green Sapphire for example fibre, semiprecious stones, coconut, wood, mother of pearl, sea shells, abalone, ceramics bamboo as well as Acai Berry. Green Sapphire is incorporating Acai seeds in their jewelry collection by encouraging the sustainability and cultivation of the Acai berry and other tree seeds. Than the harvesting of the tree, or the cutting down of rainforest trees for cattle farming. Over 95% of the Rainforest is destroyed due to cattle farming, which Green Sapphire is hoping to help change. The hand tags for the jewelry are printed on recycled paper that contain information on the origin of the piece of jewelry.

Regina Landim Noppè, stated, “I decided to introduce the Green Sapphire by Patricia Moura Biojoias collection to Vancouver because of its eco philosophy and exotic appeal. Patricia Moura eco-jewellery infuses the local economy with profits from seed jewellery sales, giving a real reason for people to protect the forest.” Their goal is to feature new and exotic fashions while making the world a better place.

Quote to remember and live by:

"Mindful Earth." ~Green Sapphire

Visit:

Green Sapphire Official Website

Green Sapphire at Body Politic

Follow on Twitter:

@GreenSapphire_

Naturally Green~ Tom's of Maine: Wicked Fresh!™

2010-12-22T02:00:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tom's of Maine. All opinions are 100% mine.
Tom's of Maine latest creation is called Wicked Fresh!™ The long lasting fresh breath toothpaste utilizes effective natural flavor oils and with a patent-pending botanical extract that helps implement long-lasting fresh breath. The Wicked Fresh!™ cavity protection, fresh breath, fluoride toothpaste in cool peppermint is not over powering as you brush your teeth it is actually very refreshing. As for the long-lasting fresh natural Wicked Fresh™ mouthwash in cool mountain mint helps stop bad breath without the burning sensation of traditional mouthwash. Consumers can trust in Tom's of Maine refreshing mint flavors to leave them with a clean mouth feeling every time they brush their teeth and rinse their mouth.
For over 40 years Tom's of Maine has helped bring about beneficial change not just environmentally but also socially. Tom's of Maine is a brand that you can trust besides producing natural goods their products are never tested on animals. This company is dedicated to find natures secrets and bring them to consumers who want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. The Tom's of Maine company not just cares about their customers but for their employees and community. They invest in green technologies and produce products that they trust in and consumers can too. Tom's of Maine donates 10% of their pre-tax profits to charitable organizations that are dedicated to support the environment, human needs, arts and education. They also encourage their employees to use 5% of their paid time to volunteer at any nonprofit organization of their choice.
Tom's of Maine just doesn't produce natural and organic products but they also use recycled and sustainable materials for their packaging. They use packaging made from post-cosnumer recycled paper which saves each year 6,000 trees and helps prevent 0.5 million pounds of solid waste, 2.5 million gallons of wastewater, 6 billion BTU's of electricity and 6,000 pounds of air pollution. They also use compostable film made from corn for their samples, they print their corrugated cases with waste ink, they use vegetable-based inks on all of their packaging, they also wrap the bar soaps in biodegradable cellulose made from wood fibers and they also use a deodorant stick made of a single plastic (#5 polypropylene) so that it can be recycled and is the first of its kind in the industry.
Tweet about your favorite moment, experience or discovery in a Wicked Fresh! Way. Include http://bit.ly/wickedfresh and #WickedFresh in the Tweet. Don't forget to follow @TomsofMaine on Twitter to complete the entry! Check out the Tom's of Maine website and That's Wicked Fresh contest page

Naturally Green~ Tom's of Maine: Wicked Fresh!™

2010-12-21T15:19:00.000-08:00

By Lourdes Perez

Tom's of Maine latest creation is called Wicked Fresh!™ The long lasting fresh breath toothpaste utilizes effective natural flavor oils and with a patent-pending botanical extract that helps implement long-lasting fresh breath. The Wicked Fresh!™ cavity protection, fresh breath, fluoride toothpaste in cool peppermint is not over powering as you brush your teeth it is actually very refreshing. As for the long-lasting fresh natural Wicked Fresh™ mouthwash in cool mountain mint helps stop bad breath without the burning sensation of traditional mouthwash. Consumers can trust in Tom's of Maine refreshing mint flavors to leave them with a clean mouth feeling every time they brush their teeth and rinse their mouth.

For over 40 years Tom's of Maine has helped bring about beneficial change not just environmentally but also socially. Tom's of Maine is a brand that you can trust besides producing natural goods their products are never tested on animals. This company is dedicated to find natures secrets and bring them to consumers who want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. The Tom's of Maine company not just cares about their customers but for their employees and community. They invest in green technologies and produce products that they trust in and consumers can too. Tom's of Maine donates 10% of their pre-tax profits to charitable organizations that are dedicated to support the environment, human needs, arts and education. They also encourage their employees to use 5% of their paid time to volunteer at any nonprofit organization of their choice.

Tom's of Maine just doesn't produce natural and organic products but they also use recycled and sustainable materials for their packaging. They use packaging made from post-cosnumer recycled paper which saves each year 6,000 trees and helps prevent 0.5 million pounds of solid waste, 2.5 million gallons of wastewater, 6 billion BTU's of electricity and 6,000 pounds of air pollution. They also use compostable film made from corn for their samples, they print their corrugated cases with waste ink, they use vegetable-based inks on all of their packaging, they also wrap the bar soaps in biodegradable cellulose made from wood fibers and they also use a deodorant stick made of a single plastic (#5 polypropylene) so that it can be recycled and is the first of its kind in the industry.

Tweet about your favorite moment, experience or discovery in a Wicked Fresh! Way. Include http://bit.ly/wickedfresh and #WickedFresh in the Tweet. Don't forget to http://twitter.com/#!/tomsofmaine on Twitter to complete the entry! Check out the Tom's of Maine website and That's Wicked Fresh contest page.

Green Vogue~ Nicole Bridger: I AM LOVE

2010-12-01T13:06:00.000-08:00

By Lourdes Perez

Nicole Bridger, is Canada's acclaimed best eco fashion designer who has been awarded Canada's first ever Eco Fashion Award. She obtained her BAA in Fashion Design from Ryerson University in Toronto, ON. She then relocated to London, UK to intern at Vivienne Westwood where she learned the art of sculpting fabric. She then returned to Canada determined to learn the business side of fashion and paired up with the owner of Lululemon Athletica to co-create Oqoqo, a casual eco-clothing line. Later she decided to put her design and business sides hand in hand to create her own label of socially conscious contemporary women's wear line called Nicole Bridger.

Nicole Bridger believes in taking care of the earth and its people. To take care of the earth she uses socially conscious fabrics and practices. The fabrics in her collections come from natural and renewable resources. For example the fabrics are Certified Organic Cotton, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo, Modal, Certified Organic Wool, as well as Alpaca Wool. She also considers the impact a clothing line has on the earth and she does everything she can to minimize it. Therefore, she sources locally when possible and she uses low impact dyes when available. Nicole Bridger often chooses fabrics that have Spandex in them because it helps her garment designs last longer. Many of her styles work as maternity wear. It is more sustainable to buy less, so having pieces that can work before, during and after pregnancy is ideal.

Nicole Bridger's labels are made of cotton instead of the more common polyester. Everything in her collection can be washed because it is better for the environment and your skin. Their washing instructions always say how to wash and dry without dry cleaning. Nicole Bridger also uses Tagua nut buttons which is like a coconut. They have her mantra 'I Am Love' engraved on them they help spread the word of love through their affirmation labels ‘I Am Love’ in each piece of clothing. It is a reminder to speak kindly to yourself and to others, helping spread positive energy. Nicole Bridger is dedicated to contributing to positive change in our modern world.

Quote to remember and live by:

" I Am Love." ~Nicole Bridger

Visit:

Nicole Bridger Official Website

Nicole Bridger Blog

Follow on Twitter:

@NicoleBridger

Follow on Facebook:

Nicole Bridger Design

Green Vogue~ Charlie Boots: Ethical Clothing

2010-12-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

By Lourdes Perez

The prestigious ethical fashion label “Charlie Boots” is the creation of Charlie Boots, a Bristol, UK based designer who creates original, stylish designs and bags from ethically sourced materials which are then fabricated to a very high standard by a small team of talented seamstresses. Charlie Boots clothing is dedicated to be feminine, flattering and versatile. Most of the apparel from this clothing line is reversible so you have two designs in one garment. They are also couture finished with bound seams ensuring longevity. This attire is designed to be classic pieces that you can treasure throughout the seasons. The designs can also be worn throughout the year because of their fabric and their ability to be layered with other garments.

Charlie Boots’ vision is clear: “I want to show the fashion world that you do not have to compromise when it comes to style and quality when the ethical history of your clothes is important to you. I believe that people will love my ethical clothing for it’s innovative designs and for the care and attention to detail with which they are made. The fact that they are produced from ethically sourced materials and made by people being paid properly for their expertise is simply the way modern fashion should be. As consumers, we shouldn’t expect anything less.”

Charlie Boots offers its customers an exciting panorama of day and evening wear that is made from fair trade, sustainable, organic, reclaimed and vintage fabrics such as 1930’s ‘feedsacks’ and kimonos from the 50’s onwards as well as hemp and bamboo fabrics. Each design is limited to only ten items and due to the rarity of many of the fabrics, some are complete one-offs. As it was stated by Charlie Boots: "I am dedicated to producing innovative limited edition clothing for a sophisticated woman who is not only conscious of herself but also of others and the environment." The Charlie Boots website also sells organic knitwear from Lowie and Eka and handmade jewelery from local artisans in the UK.

Charlie Boots is offering 10% off to readers for a limited time (until the 25^th of December) to readers of this blog. To claim your unique Voucher code please email hello@charlieboots.com and give the name of the blog you are reading in this case> Green Vogue SOS. Charlie Boots will then email or text you the code. Please keep in mind that this voucher code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Quotes to remember and live by:

"I want to show the fashion world that you do not have to compromise when it comes to style and quality when the ethical history of your clothes is important to you." ~Charlie Boots

"I am dedicated to producing innovative limited edition clothing for a sophisticated woman who is not only conscious of herself but also of others and the environment." ~Charlie Boots

Visit:

Charlie Boots Official Website

Charlie Boots Ethical Fashion Blog

Follow on Twitter:

@CharlieBoots

Follow on Facebook:
Charlie Boots: Ethical Clothing

Green Vogue~ Reco Jeans: Fun, Stylish and Green

2010-11-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

By Lourdes Perez

Reco Jeans advocates an eco-friendly way of living by creating denim products that are made from 60% recycled fiber and 40% fresh cotton. Showcasing a green line of denim that doesn't utilize much fresh cotton that helps diminish the volume of excess fabric that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Reco Jeans also uses new recycled fabric on all of its denim fabrication. The system used to create the fabric is so unique that it has been approved, certified, and also studied by a prestigious university due to its ability to change the environment and eliminate waste within the garment industry.

Reco Jeans has exclusive rights to this fabric and are the only recycled denim company with a green label certification. Reco Jeans has also been certified by the Hong Kong Green Label and also obtained a white paper from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. They have obtained certification and analysis reports from ITS (Intertek) as well as SGS (SGS group), and a pending certification from SCS (Scientific Certification System) in the United States. Reco Jeans works closely with these organizations to insure the highest quality of recycled denim is used to offer it consumers exceptional eco-fashion.

There are no leather tags on Reco Jeans denim products and the zippers, buttons and rivets that are used for the denim are non-toxic. Their tags are printed on either recycled paper of plant-able seeded paper and they use three labels instead of the traditional six labels that other apparel companies tend to use for their denim. All of the packaging used by Reco Jeans is made from recycled materials. Their denim styles are named after endangered plants which are the men's jeans and endangered flowers which are the women's jeans.

Quotes to remember live by:
"Be Smart. Recycled clothing is now." ~Reco Jeans

"Green is hot right now!" ~Reco Jeans

"Fun, Stylish and Green." ~Reco Jeans

Visit:

Reco Jeans Official Website

Reco Jeans Fashion Blog

Reco Jeans Eco Blog

Follow on Twitter:

@RecoJeans

Follow on Facebook:
Reco Jeans: True Recycled Denim

Green Vogue~ Lara Miller: Styled Sustainability

2010-10-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Lara Miller’s designs are unique in the sense that some of her garments can be wrapped, reversed and even flipped to create a completely different outfit. Her creations embody SKAL certified organic cotton, hemp, vegan ahimsa peace silk, organic wool, linen, lyocell, flax and soy fibers, hand-loomed bamboo, and recycled organic cotton. She is aware of her impact toward that environment that Lara Miller sees her company as a way to support her local community. Not just by opting to utilize organic materials in her creatoins but also by manufacturing locally. She produces and designs her collections out of Chicago. As she stated, "Being a “green” company means much more to me than just using eco-friendly fibers. It means supporting the local economy and using the least amount of energy possible. It means using a local printer that only uses recycled paper and partially runs on wind power. It means giving back in every way that I can to my employees, my community, and the world."

Her designs are also produced by a unique hybrid of hand-pattern making and draping. This allows Lara Miller to re-use previous patterns and scrap materials from past designs to create future collections. Proclaimed, “Sultry, sophisticated, and as endlessly wearable as the woman who wears them.” by Elle.com. Lara Miller’s creative and sustainable work has been acknowledged internationally that her collections have been featured on Elle.com, DailyCandy.com, The Today Show, the CBS Evening News, as well as in publications such as Italian Vogue, Cookie, Lucky Magazine, Vanity Fair, W, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, WWD, and Newsweek, just to name a few. The Lara Miller's line is carried in over 50 stores throughout the world including the UK, Australia, and Japan.

Quote to remember and live by:
"Wear it your way. Styled sustainability." ~Lara Miller

"Though truly inspired by the moving form and architecture, there is something to be said for the sustainable nature of my multi-functional garments. We cannot deny that at the cornerstone of all environmental practices lies conservation." ~Lara Miller

"I believe that it is my contemporary aesthetic which helps educate my customers about sustainable design by initially creating interest and then in turn providing the information that can help them incorporate eco-friendly practices into their lifestyles." ~Lara Miller

Visit:

Lara Miller Official Website

Lara Miller: Making It Work Blog

Follow on Twitter:

@LaraMiller

Green Vogue~ Ecolissa: Where Fashion Meets Eco

2010-09-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Ecolissa.com Where Fashion Meets Eco is open for business! The online boutique opened on September 1, 2010. The merchandise sold at Ecolissa is fashionable, eco-friendly and vegan. It carries woman’s apparel and accessories. Ecolissa.com specializes in dresses and denim. The following is a list of designers that are showcased at Ecolissa: Good Society, GG2’G, Eco Skin, Toggery by Kate D’Arcy, Stewart and Brown, Krisnations San Francisco, Curator by She-Bible, Nixxi, Elroy, and Zen Essential Clothing just to name a few.

Melissa Dion is the owner of Ecolissa.com. She has 14 years experience in all aspects of retail including buying, merchandising, sales, as well as store management. She has finally made her dream come true by incorporating her concern for the environment with her love of fashion with Ecolissa. Check out Ecolissa.com you can use the following coupon code “SOS20” for 20% off your entire purchase. It cannot be combined with any other discounts. Ecolissa.com also offers $5.00 shipping and handling in the United States. Melissa tweets as @mgonyeo on Twitter.

Visit:

Ecolissa Online Boutique

Ecolissa Blog

Follow on Twitter:

@ecolissa

@mgonyeo

Green Vogue~ Earth Couture: Organic Glamour

2010-06-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

After reading books on organic fashion I became determined to find organic clothing lines that are fashionable and inspiring. The first one that caught my eye is named Earth Couture. The merchandise that they sell ranges from jackets, trousers, leggings, vests, cardigans, shorts, dresses, all-in-ones as well as hangers made from recycled cardboard. All Earth Couture's Collections are made with an everlasting appeal for the modern eco-conscious woman of today. The Earth Couture clothing line is made from certified organic cotton and it is also certified by the Control Union and Global Organic Textile Standard. Earth Couture also holds an Organic Exchange certificate for most items they sell. Their focal point is using organic materials not just for their designs but also for their packaging which is made from recycled paper, cardboard and plastics.

The creative director of Earth Couture is Meleni Bharwani. The notion for Earth Couture came to be when Meleni was in West Africa with no access to water or electricity that she decided to bring together her undertaking for eco-standards with her enthusiasm for fashion. Her creations for this organic clothing line are a mix of liberation, amenity, charisma, empathy and love. By purchasing glamorously organic vogue from Earth Couture you are just not supporting this amazing and motivating clothing line but with every sale Earth Couture donates mosquito coils to help protect families in Nigeria from life-threatening malaria. Contribute to their inspiring charity by purchasing and wearing Earth Couture.

Quote to remember and live by:

"Be glamorous with a purpose."~Earth Couture

Visit:

Earth Couture Blog

Earth Couture Online Boutique

Follow Earth Couture on Twitter:

@EarthCouture

Green Book> Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power To Create A Cleaner, Greener World

2010-05-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power To Create A Cleaner, Greener World by Diane MacEachern is such a resourceful and empowering book! She is correct when she says that we as consumers have the spending power to create a more greener and cleaner world. She talks about how consumers should only purchase from businesses that are aware and take precautions to ensure that they are not polluting the environment as well as conducting business with humanitarian practices. Diane MacEachern points out in her book which companies are "greenwashing" and how consumers can avoid their products. She talks about household items, personal care products, foods, transportation just to name a few and my favorite topic of all Clothing! In Chapter 8 Eco Chic: Clothing, Accessories, and Jewelry she writes that we the consumer should put the following three R's to work to reduce, reuse, and recycle to improve our wardrobe's eco-impact. Therefore, we as the consumer have the power to decide which companies survive. As Diane MacEachern stated, "As responsible ecocitizens, our first obligation is to follow the three Rs: reduce how much we buy, reuse what we have, and recycle what we can." Anyone who likes to shop should definitely read this book!

Big Green Purse quotes to remember and live by:
"As responsible ecocitizens, our first obligation is to follow the three Rs: reduce how much we buy, reuse what we have, and recycle what we can."~Diane MacEachern

"Whether we look good in green or not, more and more of us are wearing it." ~Diane MacEachern

"We can also put the three R's to work- reduce, reuse, recycle- to improve our wardrobe's eco-impact." ~Diane MacEachern

"Reduce- Buy fewer, but higher quality clothes." ~Diane MacEachern

"Reuse- Buy gently worn clothes, vintage garments... or swap." ~Diane MacEachern

"Recycle your clothes." ~Diane MacEachern

"Buy clothes made from organic, low impact, or recycled materials." ~Diane MacEachern

Visit:
Big Green Purse

Follow Big Green Purse and Diane MacEachern on Twitter:
@biggreenpurse
@DianeMacEachern

Green Book> Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty

2010-04-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty by Summer Rayne Oakes is an eco-fashion bible! It is an informative guide for anyone who wants to make more eco-conscious choices in their fashion and beauty buys. Style, Naturally has a lot of colorful images eco-logically sustainable clothes as well as designers and eco-beauty products. Summer Rayne Oakes proves that you can be fashionable and environmentally conscious and guilt free while wearing your all natural eco-beauty products and favorite pieces of clothes may they be from eco-designers or even vintage! She has a solid background in environmental science she is also a model who models for eco-fashion lines which gives her credibility in what she says. She is a Udall Environmental Scholar, a National Wildlife Federation Fellow as well as a United Nations U.S. Partnership Youth Emissary. She writes and speaks about sustainable style, design and environmental activism.

Style, Naturally quotes to remember and live by:

"Once you open your mind to eco-consciousness, the opportunities for positive, fashion forward change are limitless." ~Summer Rayne Oakes

"Sustainability is not going to be "in" one season and "out" the next. What will change is how it is packaged and perceived." ~Summer Rayne Oakes

"Buying well means not having to buy all the time. A good shopper is an edited shopper." ~Summer Rayne Oakes

"Style is deeply enmeshed in who you are. It also, in many ways, is reflective of our culture and our perception of the times. As the world changes, so does our style." ~Summer Rayne Oakes

Visit:
Summer Rayne Oakes

Follow Summer Rayne Oakes on Twitter:
@sroakes

Green Book> Green is the New Black: How to Change the World with Style

2010-04-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Green is the New Black: How to Change the World with Style by Tamsin Blanchard is a must read. This book talks about how to be more ethically green when shopping for clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry and when traveling. Green is the New Black also has a chapter for DIY projects that anyone can do. Tamsin Blanchard also writes about green fashion designers to look out for in the fashion industry as well as green jewelry designers. This book is for the fashionista with a conscience and who cares about global warming but still wants to wear the latest in eco-friendly fashion trends. As Lily Cole stated about Green is the New Black, "I think this book is fantastic, as a bible for the ethical shopper but also, just simply, as a statement of the direction fashion is going in, as ethics seems to have become the new fashion trend." So true!!!

Green is the New Black quotes to remember and live by:

"The best fashion reflects the times we live in. It responds to what's happening... like a great big sponge, it soaks up everything it touches."~Tamsin Blanchard

"Global warming and sustainable fashion are not simply seasonal trends. They are here to stay."~Tamsin Blanchard

"There are as many ways to look gorgeous, and be ethical, as there are trends in any season."~Tamsin Blanchard

"If you have your own personal style, it is not important what is in or out of fashion."~Tamsin Blanchard

"It could be argued that haute-couture- the highest most elite form of fashion,... is the most ethical fashion of all."~Tamsin Blanchard

"Buy just one, stand-out fashion- conscious top, that has been made without the exploitation of every resource and human hand along the way, and you will have guaranteed style (and moral) superiority."~Tamsin Blanchard

"When buying staples, remember that the better the quality the longer it will last."~Tamsin Blanchard

"The thriftest way to high fashion is to make your own."~Tamsin Blanchard

"Why copy someone else's style when you can have your own? Explore your own personality and feel free to express yourself in the way you dress. Forget trying to 'get the look'. Try to get your own look instead."~Tamsin Blanchard

"Experiment with your look, and you will soon find your own style which means you don't have to slavishly follow anyone else's."~Tamsin Blanchard

Visit:

Green Is The New Black

Follow Tamsin Blanchard on Twitter:

@tamsinblanchard

Green Book> The Eco Chick: How to Be Fabulously Green Guide to Life

2010-04-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

The Eco Chick: How to Be Fabulously Green Guide to Life by Starre Vartan was a very good read! This book is inspiring and very informative. You can trust Starre Vartan because in order to earn her bachelor of science degree she had to study biology, geology and environmental science and she also took classes in Earth's natural history, basic and advanced biology as well as climate change and ecosystems. She has seen through her own eyes the negative impact of people who don't live a greener lifestyle towards the planet. Starre has a blog for environmentally conscious young women you can check it out at www.eco-chick.com. With The Eco Chick book you don't have to dramatically change your life in order to live a more greener lifestyle because you will learn to be ecologically smart while still being fashionable. With tips to choosing sustainable clothes to shopping for vintage as well as using organic, biodegradable products that won't just be safe for you the consumer but for the planets water supplies but you will also learn how to travel green and many more greener lifestyle choices you can make from home to work.

The Eco Chick quotes to remember and live by:
"Vintage clothing can be a fun way to add some color, variety and interest to your wardrobe." ~Starre Vartan

"You don't have to adhere to any particular style, but you can enhance your own by making planet friendly choices." ~Starre Vartan

"You don't have to sacrifice to go green- you can eat well, dress well, and live well." ~Starre Vartan

"Be ecologically smart and still be stylish and tresndsetting." ~Starre Vartan

"Feel great while doing good. You and Mother Nature will look fabulous!" ~Starre Vartan

Visit:
Eco-Chick

Follow Eco-Chick on Twitter
@Ecochickie

Green Book> Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life

2010-04-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life by Sophie Uliano. I absolutely love this book it has helped me understand and live a greener lifestyle. Gorgeously Green offers its readers a simple eight-step program to help anyone begin to live an earth-friendly lifestyle. It talks about becoming aware of what living a green lifestyle is... as well as having a greener home, using safe beauty products, eating organic food and practicing eco-SHOPPING just to name a few. Chapter Four: Soulful Shopping talks about shopping habits, what other choices there are for greener shopping it has information and tips to be an eco-stylish shopper. After reading this book I had to get one of Sophie Uliano's Gorgeously Green reusable stylish and sustainable shopping bags from ChicoBag (ChicoBag.com). It is a tiny four-inch pouch that opens up into a large tote (eighteen by eighteen inches). I also enjoy visiting the Gorgeously Green website (GorgeouslyGreen.com) for the latest news for the latest eco-fashion finds.

Gorgeously Green quotes to remember and live by:
"We need to buy clothes that are made with love for the earth."~Sophie Uliano

"When I wear clothes that have been made with a deep understanding of the interrelatedness of all things, it makes me feel fantastic. Eco-conscious clothes have good juju!"~Sophie Uliano

Visit:
Gorgeously Green

Follow Sophie Uliano on Twitter:
@sophieuliano

Green Book> Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style

2010-03-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

By Lourdes Perez

The very first book I read about green living is Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style, by Christie Matheson. I recommend this book to anyone who is becoming eco-conscious it is a very informative read. Green Chic is for the environmentally-conscious fashion-fanatic. Christie Matheson writes about everything green that has to do with the home, dining, transportation to celebrations just to name a few and most importantly my favorite topic of all FASHION. This book is for anyone who wants to live a greener lifestyle... in style. After reading Chapter Six, Green Is The New Black... I was addicted! This book opened my eyes to a new world of eco-friendly vogue and I wanted to know more about green sustainable fashion.

Green Chic quotes to remember and to live by:
"Going green should never be just a fashion statement, green really is the new black!"~Christie Matheson

"Being Green isn't a fad... it's timelessly chic."~Christie Matheson

"Shopping Strategy: Always go for quality, not quantity."~Christie Matheson

"If you build your wardrobe from a few classic, stunning well-made pieces that you adore instead of tons of trendy throw-away clothes, you'll look better... your clothes will last longer... and getting dressed every day will be a much more satisfying and pleasurable experience."~Christie Matheson

Follow Christie Matheson on Twitter:

@christiemath