Object of My Affection: Rising Tide Fair Trade Weekender Bag

Happy Friday! In the spirit of Summer weekend trips to places near and far, I give you: The perfect Weekender bag. There are so many fab options, I had trouble picking just 3 to feature here. At $220, it's not the least expensive bag you'll ever own (or maybe it is - aren't you fancy!), but it might just be the most useful bag you'll ever own. Go ahead and try to pick your fave bag from the countless featured on the website - pack a snack, you'll be there for hours. Here's what Rising Tide Fair Trade has to say about their bags:
Our bags are created from repurposed vintage quilts and cruelty free leather (from naturally deceased animals) and canvas. Rather than using a system of mass production, our bags are produced in a women's cooperative, which has a lower impact on the environment. Our bags are made one at a time by individuals paid a fair wage and treated with dignity and respect.

Site Crush: Organica Deluxe

Hello, December! It's officially time to turn our minds to Chrismukkah and pumping up the economy, eco-style. I have recently discovered and fallen in love with Organica Deluxe, a website brimming with truly lovely organic, natural, and/or Fair Trade goodies that are packaged in post-consumer recycled tissue paper. I especially love how the site offers numerous search options -- gifts by price range, occasion, recipient, etc -- to make gift hunting that much easier.
Since I naturally go right to the sale section, I quickly stumbled upon this eco-luxe gift combo of a hand-woven, fair trade, pink-rimmed silk scarf (made from silk collected in such a way as to not harm the moth!) and Antica Farmacista peony room spray (made with essential oils). The combo, on sale for $70, includes a donation to breast cancer research.

Fab Friday Find! Sexy Summer Bomber Jacket

Swoon! This sassy lil' Kelly Barry bomber-meets-bolero is the absolute pride and joy of my virtual closet. It's totally one of those pieces that you could wear with anything...jeans, cocktail dresses, khaki shorts, you name it. If you do pair with jeans or shorts, I would also add a top. But that's just me being my conservative, shirt-wearing self.
By the by, I wouldn't want to bump into the tough-a & $ chick in this pic in a dark alley. Looks like someone forgot to get grumpypants her skinny soy latte this morning. How in the world could someone be so unhappy in such a fab coat? I hope the photographer stayed away from sharp objects; this lady looks like she could go Naomi C. on someone any second.
Anyhoo, guess what? The coat's made of organic cotton! I bet you already guessed that though, huh? Oh, dear, dear reader, you know me so well. Just for that, I've willed the powers that be to put the coat on sale. $126 at BTCelements.com. Lucky ducks.

Plans for 2014?

When it comes to planning, I'm an old fashioned gal. Sure, online calendars have their advantages, but give me a pencil and a cute paper planner and I'm a much happier gal. These days, I'm digging the chic patterns of Sarah Pinto's recycled paper and soy-based ink planners. Cute, no?
Via IdealBite.

Why Even a Vegetarian Loves Pancake and Franks

I've waxed poetic about letterpress stationer Pancake and Franks before, but now that they've added a wedding line, it's time for Adoration: Round 2. Made with 100% recycled paper, these crisp, modern designs are enough to make me tell my hubby it's time we renew our vows. Here are just a few of the designs I love most...

Seasonally Chic: Brelli Umbrella, Protecting the Earth and Your Hairdo!

I don't know about you, but when I think about umbrellas my mind immediately turns to those super dinky ones sold at corner markets. You know, the kind you buy and three days later find yourself stuffing, mid-downpour, into a trash can because it has turned inside-out or won't open or one of the pieces has snapped. Mostly when that happens I think, "Poor me!" (OK, yeah, and a whole string of words I won't share here on this family-friendly site.) But now I'm starting to realize the real loser in that situation is the planet. Just think of all those broken umbrellas filling up landfills! And who knows how much energy it took to make them in the first place--only to have them used once, twice, three times if your lucky (and not battling city wind tunnels).
Imagine my delight when I noticed the Brelli umbrella on Inhabitat! Not only is its design super chic and parasol-like, it's 100% biodegradable, made from sustainable bamboo, and supposedly super durable! Bring it on, April showers. Brelli, on sale March 18, available here for $28.

Get Excited: Reclaimed Wood Furniture Sale at The Wooden Duck!

The Wooden Duck, my fave reclaimed wood furniture store is having their annual sale this weekend! 50% off outdoor furniture, 30% off indoor stock, and 15% off custom orders from July 18-20! We have great outdoor and indoor furniture from this place...one of these days I'll take some pics around the house to post here!

How to Throw a Gorgeous, Green Wedding!

Wanna know the 3 top tips for throwing an eco-friendly wedding? Check out my interview with green wedding planner Corina Beczner of Vibrant Events over at Sprig! She even spilled the beans on how she deals with the dreaded green bridezilla!
(PS - That's my wedding bouquet above. Awww....)

Eco Valentine's Day: Green is the New Red!

El Dia de los Romance is nearly upon us. How will you share the love? Maybe with some very pretty, certified fair trade, organic chocolates from Organic Style? No? How about those flowers-that-give-back bouquets I told you about last month?

Bringing Sexy Back...in the Kitchen!

Dayum! These Green Wrapz aprons put a whole new spin on the word "saucy." I love the feminine, lingerie-inspired styles...these would definitely help inspire me to whip up something delightfully sinful (just in time for Valentine's Day!). And of course gotta love that they're made with SKAL-certified organic cotton (with hemp and silk trims). Yum!

Cheap and Chic: Beau Soleil Summer Dress Sale!

Wow. It's like a sale bonanza around here! Remember when I first wrote about Beau Soleil and her fab organic cotton and bamboo dresses? They're on sale now! Lots of great styles are 50% off or more! My fave, the Beau Ball style up top, is down to $100 from $325. Ooooo la la....

Letterpress Love: Smock

I know that I've babbled here before (ok, more than once) about my deep and lasting love for letterpress stationary, but don't think I'm anywhere near finished yet. Does the world need yet another letterpress line? Oh, YES, PLEASE! Smock to the rescue. Designed by Amy Graham Stigler (founder of Snow & Graham), Smock is the first print shop in the US to offer printing on bamboo paper. Plus they're run with wind power and donate 1% of sales to environmental causes!
I tried my very best to pick out a couple of Smock's many social, holiday, and wedding designs to share here...but as you can see, I fell in love with too many to pick just a few. These are my faves, but they're just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the site for goodness galore.

Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! Here's some last minute love for the eco stockings (felt made of recycled materials) over at RikRak's Etsy shop...

Object of My Affection: in2green Blanket

There's something about blanket shopping in December that seems incredibly appropriate. Winter's long chill is just settling in, holiday decorations are up en masse, and logs are piling up beside the fire in anticipation of the cozy nights ahead. What better time to find that perfect, snuggle-inspiring throw? I'm thrilled to have just discovered in2green's stylish blankets made from recycled eco2cotton. Styles ranging from chic zebra prints to Asian-inspired branches are $125.

Eco-Chic Makeover for the All-American Shoe (Flip-Flops)

Happy almost-4th, everyone! In honor of beach days and BBQs, I thought it fitting to share these chic 99% recycled leather sandals from Begoodesigns. With their little tassles and leather straps, they're like a cross between preppy boat shoes, beachy flip flops, and hipster gladiator sandals! Love. Plus they're handcrafted, Fair Trade, and the company is a member of 1% For the Planet.
Enjoy a floptastic long weekend!

(Spotted on Ecofabulous)

Dapper Dogger

With the holidays just around the corner, you're probably on the hunt for the perfect accessory to make your pooch look his very best in your annual holiday photo. These reclaimed tie collars from The Good Life should do the the trick! Just don't blame me if your pup starts requesting caviar to be mixed in to his kibble.



Via Ecofabulous.com.

Hallogreen Treats Bowl

Looking for a bowl to hold all of your Halloween treats? Or just to look pretty on your coffee table? This pink and stripey bowl is made with recycled materials including sardine can labels (who knew sardines could look so cute?)! The bowl is made through the Wola Nani organization which teaches skills to women in South African communities hard hit by the HIV crisis. Lots of sizes and styles available at BlueDango.com.