Everybody Grab a Boyfriend

The Boyfriend trend has been romancing fashion for several seasons now.  I became aware of my desires with the Boyfriend jeans.  Looser, broken in and faded ... easy like an old boyfriend.  A welcome alternative to the tighter, darker bootlegs that were long enough for heels, but too long for Sunday afternoons, the Boyfriend jeans work well with bare feet, flip flops or my fave cowboy boots.  They’re as easy to wear as yoga pants ... but made of denim.  What could be better?  

Well, when the temperatures climb, the Boyfriend shorts are the ones I take out again and again.  Cut off, frayed or cuffed, they’re casual, hip and cool.  I especially like them belted with a fitted tank and flat sandals.  They can also be changed up with a long sweater and chunky sandals, or even tights and boots when the temps drop again.  

The Boyfriend khakis are another staple for warm weather.  Cute with an ultra-feminine ruffled tee or tank and retro sneakers or a fitted polo and ballet flats.  These pants add a neo-preppy side to summer’s wardrobes.

My biggest attraction this summer may be a return to my first boyfriend.  The Boyfriend cardigan has been around forever, but never as desirable as this season.  Jonano’s ecoKashmere Boyfriend Cardigan is so date-night cute with your favorite pair of dark wash skinny jeans, belted or hanging loose.  Yep, skinny jeans here.  Only one boyfriend at a time, please.  

The refined styling features mother of pearl button closure, and extra long length in the body and sleeve. Great for snuggling, this knit is exceptionally soft in a viscose of organic bamboo blended with a hint of polyester for stretch resilience and lasting style.  Other boyfriends may come and go, but this one can be there for the long haul, seasonless and classic.

Cloud White, Ice Blue, Midnight Black.  MSRP $110

Wrap yourself in this sweater, and you may want to stay in his -- um its arms forever.  

Summer Hair Care: Eco-Friendly

Take Care of Your Hair This Summer

Since I had been patiently waiting in anticipation for weeks, I was almost happy when my antique blow dryer finally gave out. Instantaneously, I was browsing through the almost infinite number of options online and happened upon the Ceramic ECO 8000 Blow Dryer, created by Barbar. To my surprise, Barbar was promoting the blow dryer's eco-friendly aspects. Although a blow dryer's sole function is to better the appearance of all of our marvelous hair, think about the millions of woman who use one everyday in their normal routine! This blow dryer's low wattage can help reduce our carbon footprint and make you ladies feel a little more eco-friendly. I personally enjoyed the extra long cord, which gave me more freedom to multitask in the morning.

Also you might want to take a second glance at Olivia Garden's Ionic Massage Brush Collection. Not only are they made up of natural bamboo and naturally antibacterial, but they also stimulate hair growth by activiating blood cell circulation on your scalp. What more could you ask of hairbrush? To see more, please visit http://www.oliviagarden.com/healthyhairbrushes.htm

Fashion. Style. Culture.: Bamboo Fashion Is About To Take Flight

Eco-Chic Has Gone From Hippie to HOT-Damn!

Before American Apparel undoubtedly corners this market, too, be the first on your block to go bamboo. The key to its sustainable applications is its astronomical growth rate. More garden weed than tree, bamboo can grow up to 18 inches a day, reaching a harvestable size within three to five years. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s up to 20 times faster than hard wood trees, which average anywhere between 50 to 100 years to cultivate. Best of all, bamboo absorbs nearly five times more greenhouse gases and produces 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees, according to some measurements. Did I mention it’s also naturally antibacterial?

SHOWN ABOVE: Jonano eco chic bandeau dress in buff retails for $52.oo at Jonano.com
But before you start recounting the itchy advent of Woody Harrelson-endorsed hemp, heed this mantra: A green aesthetic doesn’t have to mean ascetic. If its texture is comparable to anything on the market, it’s silk – a fact that is not lost on its wide range of purveyors. From bedsheets to bathrobes, camisoles to yoga clothes, bamboo fabric is steadily approaching mainstream acceptance. Take a closer look at some of your favorite retailers’ catalogs. This surprisingly soft fabric-alternative, which is actually a type of grass, not wood, is changing the way several companies think green. Though they may not feature these items on the front page of the catalog, many established stores are tinkering with the prospect of bamboo chic. Among these tentative giants: Urban Outfitters, Banana Republic, and Adidas. Even New York mainstay Anthropologie offers a smattering of bamboo products.

Yet despite select retailers' enthusiasm, bamboo has thus far been ignored by most markets. So what’s taking so long? According to Jing, head designer at Juzd Bamboo (pronounced “Juiced Bamboo”) – a new line of urban streetwear made entirely with bamboo fabrics – it boils down to fear. After shopping his brand around to several big name retailers, the overwhelming response was yes on the clothing, no to bamboo. Most claimed that the eco-fabric was a promising yet “untested” prospect.

Jing was undeterred, and the enterprising designer decided to launch his own company, on his own terms. As a matter of personal pride, Jing regards his new label as an attempt to dislodge eco-conscious clothing from the clutches of one small, musky contingent. “It seems like all these other [eco-friendly] lines are designed for hippies, by hippies.” Through a pair of metallic D&G aviators, he shared with The New Agenda his vision for the future of bamboo clothing: “I want to be big like Diesel…but sustainable. These other companies are hollow, superficial. I want some meaning behind my brand, a real philosophy.”

Though there are certainly no hard feelings between Jing and his flower-power predecessors, he sees a future where Juzd offers a stylish alternative to the sack cloth and hemp of yesteryear; in short, a complete paradigm shift. “We have to aim our sustainable clothing to the masses. People don’t buy ugly clothing just to help the environment.” To ensure the highest quality product, Jing sought inspiration from all over the world; from Argentina to the Philippines, Australia to Canada, and he’s assembled a veritable think tank in green fashion. His collaborators range from print and fashion designers to wallpaper and comic book artists; the fruit of which yields a one-of-a-kind design every time.

Best of all, Jing guarantees the moral and fair treatment of all his workers, both locally and overseas in China – a rarely struck balance between ethics and praxis, even for the green industry. He is currently finalizing a deal with Holt Renfrew, a major Canadian retailer on par with Barneys New York, to offer a selection of exclusive Juzd designs. Until then, check out Jing’s original, limited edition T-shirts at juzdbamboo.com.

Still not convinced of bamboo’s bright future? Nothing moves the obstinate like some high-profile celebrity endorsements. According to a recent feature in Us Weekly (oh, the lengths The New Agenda goes to get the hot scoops), Angelina Jolie loves dressing daughter Shiloh in Kicky Pants’ line of baby bamboo clothing. Touting the benefits of naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties, it’s no wonder bamboo clothing is raking in celebrity dollars. For even more proof of bamboo’s versatility, the evergreen and always exciting Daryl Hannah offers an eclectic array of bamboo items on her website dhlovelife.com. From her “beauteous bamboo worm-bin” to exclusive “bad-ass bamboo snowboard,” Hannah firmly supports the myriad uses of bamboo – and alliteration.

So if you’re ready to run the full gamut of bamboo couture, gear up with these pioneering brands:

Juzd Bamboo juzdbamboo.com
Juzd is bringing eco-street to the game, complete with slick designer threads. Think Ed Hardy meets Ralph Nader, but iller. Hittin’ your block in late July.
Limited Edition Shirt ≈ $100(Full catalog coming soon.)

jonäno
jonano.com
Vast selection of bamboo and organic cashmere clothing, in a wide array of colors and styles.
Women’s Top ≈ $35 Women’s Pants ≈ $60 Dress ≈ $70 Skirts ≈ $65

Soft Forest
Softforest.com
For all your (green) household needs. Check out their silky smooth bath and bedroom collections – all made from a minimum 80% bamboo.
Bath ≈ $3-$29 Bedding ≈ $36-$129 Accessories ≈ $5-$25

Kicky Pants
kickypants.com
Behold – the most adorable, nigh saccharine use of alliteration to ever be uttered: bamboo baby booties. The horror…
Baby Dress ≈ $35 Organic Onesie ≈ $16 Baby Polo ≈ $20 Maternity wear ≈ $35

Bamboo Clothing (U.K.)
bambooclothing.co.uk
Great selection of menswear (even skivvies). Don’t forget to check out their informative FAQ section.
Trim Tee ≈ $40 Polo ≈ $50 Underwear ≈ $16-$20

Bamboo Clothes
bambooclothes.com
A stateside alternative to its eponymous U.K. competitor. Update grandma’s penchant for panty-gifting with these intimates. FYI, they sell DIY spools of bamboo yarn.
Sports Bra ≈ $20 Basic Tee ≈ $23 Kids’ Onesie ≈ $13

Green is Sexy!

Known and loved for her roles in Mean Girls and Wedding Crashers as well as MTV Movie Awards 'Best Kiss' in The Notebook, Rachel McAdams is calling on all leading ladies to go green with underwear ... bamboo underwear.  

Bamboo is renewable, biodegradable, sustainable and the fabric is also incredibly silky soft.  But the benefits don't stop there. Read on, underwear wearers.  

The tiny gaps and holes in bamboo fiber promote better moisture absorption and ventilation. “Bamboo kun,” a unique anti-bacterial agent found in bamboo fiber possesses natural functions of anti-bacteria and deodorization. And unlike cotton, bamboo fiber products will not grow fungus even if left in moist conditions, leaving it with a fresh smell.  And that's probably more than any of us want to share when we're shopping for underwear, so just keep in mind that bamboo fabrics are sustainable, renewable, breathable, naturally antimicrobial and super silky soft. 

Wear bamboo with confidence, knowing that you not only look and feel good, but are also doing good.  And that is SEXY.

Visit www.GreenIsSexy.org for everyday tips for green living. Visit www.jonano.com for green and sexy things to wear over your underwear.

Mother's Day Gifting Special - Jonano eco chic collections

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10. This year, why not go green and serene and choose to give an eco-friendly oasis of relaxation, renewal and rejuvenation? Jonano's ecoLux Spa Robe combines two robes in one. Offering exclusive spa and resort styling, this dual layer luxury robe is made of  silky-soft woven viscose from organic bamboo on the outside and lined in lightweight viscose from organic bamboo terry on the inside.  Truly sensuous against the skin!  This gorgeous robe fits perfectly in our large-size gift box for a perfect Mother's Day eco gift ready for giving and getting.  From sauna to seaside, as a compliment to the healing environment you nourish.  After all, doesn't every Mom desire and deserve a little pampering? 

Features a shawl collar, cuffed long sleeves, deep front pockets, elegant piping and plush yet durable construction throughout. One size. Custom gift card included!

ONE WEEK ONLY
SPECIAL PRICE:  $80.00 (REGULARLY $99.00)
BUY NOW

Happy Earth Day 2009!

Wishing you all a beautiful day and the chance to get outside and enjoy it! If we all do our part by changing little things in our everyday life, we can make big, positive changes to conserve and preserve Mother Earth's natural gifts. I like to remind myself and my family to 'walk gently and leave a small footprint.' And I like to do that in truly fabulous shoes. My current fave is a funky, fun, ribbon-topped wedge made from solid cherry wood sustainably sourced in Potter County, PA. These fabulous-o footwear are handmade in Chicago. When it comes to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, reducing my wardrobe is not what I want to do. But I do love to buy new fashion items that have more than one way to wear 'em. With countless ways to tie the ribbons and so many options for ribbon colors, you can get several different looks out of one pair of shoes. I'm crazy for the surprisingly comfortable 4" high platform wedges, but there are other options for those with a fear of heights. To see more, please visit http://www.mohop.com/

May today be a day to remind us all to beautify the earth each and every day.

A Champion For A Great Cause...

Providing dignity and a leg up to those who have fallen on hard times is just what Henri Landwirth envisioned when he founded DignityUWear in 2000. As a Holocaust survivor, Henri knows something about maintaining ones self-respect and dignity when times seem bleak.

Always with faith, he hungered to offer aid through philanthropic efforts and DignityUWear was born. The not for profit specializes in gathering new donations from clothing manufacturers like Jonano and distributing brand new clothing to men, women and children in need in need at absolutely no cost to them.

Choosing to only offer brand new clothing donations is an important part of Henri's vision. To find an agency that distributes DignityUWear please find your state on the DignityUWear Directory, and for volunteer opportunities email info@dignityuwear.org

Hazzah Henri!

Spring Break Eco Chic

Wanna get away? If you’re going somewhere warm for Spring Break like I am this week, you too know the challenges of packing a wardrobe for a week in a TSA regulation carry on bag II am happy to share with you my weeks picks for my own little get away...in gorgeous shades of sun-kissed sand and turquoise waters, a few fabulous pieces make it easy to look chic, pack lightly and honor the earth that you set out to enjoy.

Sun protection is a must for me and nothing protects my freckle face and hair better than a wide-brimmed hat. The San Francisco Hat Co. offers several styles that fit the bill, including my personal favorite, the Classic Panama Straw Sun Hat. The fine straw hats known as "panamas" actually originate in the mountains and the coastal regions of Ecuador, a must visit on any travel hounds list Panama hats are made from sustainably harvested young leaves of the Carludovica palmata. Because Carludovica is not a true palm, young leaves can be picked without threatening the life of the tree.

The indigenous craft of weaving gives artisans an opportunity to work for themselves and earn money without having to forsake their own communities and cultural traditions. Best of all, thesee hats are rollable for travel and a must have for sun-filled days. With so many styles and colors to choose from, you may find it as hard as I did to pick just one.

I never travel without Jonano's ecoKashmere Asymmetrical Hem Bandeau Dress! I have so far found at least five different ways to wear it. So simple, so streamlined, so many possibilities! Wear it as a dress, top, skirt or use your imagination. A perfect travel piece!

Better than barefoot, Planet Flops makes eco-chic and comfortable flip-flop sandals. The difference is in the rubber. FLOPS are made in beautiful Brazil with remarkably soft yet durable natural Brazilian rubber. Synthetic rubber is manufactured from petrochemical feedstocks, with crude oil being the primary raw material. The harvesting of natural rubber occurs by harmlessly "tapping" into the tree to remove a milky sap from the bark.

This does not affect the health of the tree. Instead of destroying the rain forests for the timber or to make room for ranching, rubber trees provide a renewable, sustainable source of income for the millions of people living there. In addition, rubber trees are an excellent source for removing CO2 from the environment. Doing good for those in need, Planet Flops gave over 9,000 pairs to Soles4Souls Inc., the international charity that sent the footwear to several different orphanages to help fill the tremendous need that exists among children living in poverty. In addition to their natural rubber construction, which provides a firm but comfortable platform, FLOPS come in a delicious array of colors, with names like Apple, Chcolate Candyfloss and Coconut. These are the most comfortable, flexible and fashionable summer footwear you can own and when you’re ready for a new pair, simply return the old ones and they will be recycled and you’ll get a 10% discount on your next pair. A must-have fashion item that offers style, distinction and comfort in one superior product!

Slip on iWood’s Boxy Aviators and you can cover up and stand out. With only limited quantities of wooden sunglasses produced each year, I have joined the ranks of a small circle of discerning

individuals. Each pair of iWood ecodesign wooden sunglasses incorporates the best components selected from around the world. The temples, being 100% fully adjustable, are imported from Italy and precisely fitted into each pair of wooden sunglasses. The lenses, also imported from Italy, are optical quality with 100% UVA/UVB protection. All aspects from the finish to the temples are hypoallergenic. These features combined with the qualities of wood deliver a lightweight, bold, international statement. iWood ecodesign uses exotic veneers made available by today’s global economy. Each pair of iWood sunglasses is designed with the environment in mind, using the highest quality, eco-sustainable, exotic wood veneer. These oh-so-chic shades are individually crafted with the most modern techniques combined with old world craftsmanship to set you apart in a sea of sunglasses.

Ive greened my life and now my travels too by packing it all in Stewart + Brown’s Green Heart Tote. There's an original, two color graphic printed on this double lined bag, with a button closure and one inner pocket. Made in USA of 100% organic cotton surplus fabric. Surplus is excess fabric or material leftover from manufacturing. Rather than being discarded, the existing fabric is used to make these fabulous tote bags. The folks at S&B are so smart...by utilizing what would otherwise be scrap, salvage items reduce waste, save additional resources and use less of the Earth’s precious capital while still producing great products with a purpose. Brighten your day and show your love for Mother Earth with this hip and handy tote!

Bon Voyage Everyone!

Designer scarves raise money for Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF)

Doing your part for charity has never been more fashionable. Jonäno, an eco-chic clothing company, introduces a unique opportunity to add a designer touch to your wardrobe while supporting a really fantastic cause.

Jonäno debuts the newest addition to their Daffodil Collection. Inspired by Daffodil Days, Artist Bonnie Siefers has created beautiful whisper light scarves that support breast cancer research. You can honor someone special, brighten the day of someone touched by the disease, and help make the Jonäno Mission possible-all at the same time!

One of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, the daffodil is a symbol of hope. Each year during Daffodil Days, fresh daffodils are available to purchase worldwide, either in memory of a loved one, to celebrate a cancer survivor or to promote the hope of a cancer-free future.

• Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.
  
• In 2008, approximately 1.8 million new cancer cases were diagnosed.
• In 2008, approximately 40,000 cancer deaths occurred in the United States.
  
• The overall survival rate for all types of cancer is 65%.
  
• Today, there are approximately 2.5 million cancer survivors in the United States.

Now you can show your support for a cure year round!

The newest additions to the jonano.com Daffodil Collection are limited addition peace silk / linen scarves, available in black or undyed cloud. Best of all, 10% of each retail sale online at jonano.com goes to support breast cancer research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. At $69.00 retail that's almost $7.00 per scarf in money raised to find a cure. Buyers are encouraged to match the Jonano donation.

Bonnie's Story

"My mother died from cancer when I was just 19 years old and it was a life changing event. In a matter of months the person closest to me was gone. I was in college and had such a short time to say goodbye. As a grown woman, I carry the memory of my mother daily. This is why cancer research is important to me."

Inspired by the Daffodil Days®, Jonäno owner and artist Bonnie Siefers, a Survivors Circle member of the BCRF, created a beautiful collection with a mission; envisioning "A World without Cancer." You can honor a loved one, brighten the day of someone touched by the disease, and help make the Jonäno Mission possible-all at the same time!

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, works to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and genetic research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $127 million to support clinical research at cancer centers across the globe conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research into new therapies and genetic links that will help lead to prevention and a cure. In October 2008, the Foundation awarded over $34.5 million in new grants to more than 166 researchers across the United States and in Canada, Europe, Latin America, and Israel. Rated four stars by Charity Navigator, the Foundation welcomes and depends on contributions from all those concerned with women's health. Working together, we know we can find a cure in our lifetime.

By purchasing one of these luxurious organic and natural fiber scarves, not only will you be supporting a fantastic cause, but you will also be looking good and feeling positively uplifted. Jonano Daffodil Collection is available both retail as well as wholesale online at jonano.com.

ECOLLECTION at MAGIC

Global buyers and sellers will flock to the Las Vegas Convention Center in February for one of the top trade events in the international fashion industry: MAGIC. This 3-day fashion extravaganza is “where new trends surface and develop into what will be seen on the consumer. The show’s goal is to connect and inspire the fashion community, fuse diverse trends, while offering unbeatable service to its customer.”

First launched in August 2008, ECOLLECTION is the latest addition to MAGIC. Here, participants are bonded by one common thread: sustainable eco-fashion. At ECOLLECTION, you can find all things eco-friendly from clothing and shoes to beauty and home décor.

Click here for a list of February 2009 ECOLLECTION exhibitors.

“ECOLLECTION is a dynamic and growing community of dedicated eco-apparel and lifestyle brands working hand in hand with retailers and suppliers toward a sustainable future.”

For more information on the show, visit http://www.magiconline.com/.

Coral is Too Precious to Wear

Environmentally aware designers are making a colorful splash (no pun intended) into ocean conservation; inspired by SeaWeb’s "Too Precious to Wear" campaign. To raise awareness about the world’s precious and delicate coral reef depletion, the campaign encourages unique ways for us all to enjoy inspired coral designs that are NOT CORAL.

At a recent conference in the big apple, Josh Dorfman, super cute environmental entrepreneur, media personality, and acclaimed author of The Lazy Environmentalist, lead a panel discussion entitled “Too Precious to Wear: Conserving Coral, a Jewel of the Ocean,” as part of the annual Initiatives in Art and Culture conference. Panel participants included SeaWeb president Dawn M. Martin and Dr. Andrew Baker – also super cute and 2008 Pew Fellow recipient, renowned coral scientist and professor at the University of Miami. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to hear about their cause and wanted to share with you what I discovered!

“Nature is our best Designer” - John Loring, Design Director, Tiffany & Company

Look for deep-sea red, orange and pink corals to show up on the runway in 2009 – not as baubles made from animal carcasses harvested from the Earths precious reefs, but instead as a color celebration honoring this unique breed of animal that has inspired so many artists throughout the ages. The campaign encourages designers in every medium to create using coral colors and textures but sans the real thing.

Precious corals are facing threats from climate change, over-fishing, pollution and consumer demand. According to Dawn, 3/4 of our planet is ocean yet less than half of a percent of conservation dollars go towards ocean preservation. Because of these concerns about the sustainability of corals as a raw material, designers such as the gang from Tiffany & Co. removed coral from their product lines over five years ago – Hazzah!

SeaWeb’s Too Precious to Wear campaign aims to create a demand for coral conservation and is calling for designers to step up to the challenge in the protection of corals, and designers are taking this challenge seriously.

Precious corals are more often seen adorning the necks of women than in their natural ocean habitat. Red corals have been fished for more than 5,000 years in the Pacific and the Mediterranean, but serious signs of decline have appeared in just the past two decades. The United States, as the world’s largest documented consumer, has placed significant pressure on these threatened animals, importing more than 26 million pieces from 2001 to 2006. Too Precious to Wear is calling for increased monitoring of the red coral trade. The campaign is urging the U.S. and other countries to list red and pink corals under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

There are many opportunities to celebrate the beauty of the ocean without destroying Earth’s precious resources. Jewelry designer, Hannah Garrison of AZU jewelry chose to depict coral’s delicate branches in solid sterling silver, while another interpretation by Luciana Jewelry is all about the color. The Berry Coil Bracelet (above) is Fairly Traded and coral inspired, in coral red seeds and recycled Colombian pesos and topped off with a faceted clear quartz nugget adds sparkle that I find super fab.

The Jay Strongwaters coral inspired Compact contributes, one compact at a time, to a better world. The collectors' limited-edition compact artfully depicts coral in hand lacquered decoration. Proceeds go to “Reefs of Hope,” a Pew Institute for Ocean Science project. I found this at Neiman Marcus for $420 a while back.

Eco clothing designer Bonnie Siefers, of Jonano celebrates coral in her Angel Collection that is heavenly, again please excuse the pun, in shades of coral that are certain to rock the runway this spring. Check out Too Precious to Wear (www.tooprecioustowear.org) to see other coral-inspired designers.

PS: SeaWeb and Too Precious to Wear will launch a collection of coral alternative jewelry with nine leading fashion and jewelry designers in winter 2009. Each designer has created a single signature piece inspired by corals and our ocean planet.

Perfection, found.

For as long as my ears have been pierced, I have coveted one single style of adornment, the hoop earring. Sure, starting at the age of 16, I had my days of enamel butterflies, pearl studs, crystals, beads and even diamond solitaires, but I always went back to that simple, single, circular hoop. Yes, through the years I’ve loved many ... different styles from the small huggers to the all-time favorite soda can-sized summer of love silver stunners of the 70s. There is something so special about them all. I notice that in many of my photos I’m wearing the same pair of silver favorites. We've enjoyed many good times together. I adore these earrings.

Now I’m craving them in gold. Melissa Joy Manning has perfected this perfect accessory and she does so in recycled silver and gold. (Santa, are you listening?)

www.melissajoymanning.com

Melissa Joy Manning jewelry is handmade in Oakland, California by trained metal smiths earning a living, working wage. We manufacture all components of our jewelry in our own studio using only the finest materials purchased from our trusted, American suppliers. We believe in ethical business practices and green resources.

These beauties are offered in a variety of shapes such as square, oval, triangular, elliptical, hexagonal even rockin' stars. Oh, and the colors! Pink or yellow gold as well as silver. And there’s a size for every mood. So many choices and only two ears. What's a hoop lovin' girl to do?

This weekend I’ll be going through my jewelry box in search of those earrings whose mate has gone astray, anything less than perfect. And I’ll be cashing all of them in at a gold buying party. Yes, that’s right. I’m trading in the trash to a company who recycles gold and getting some cash in return. And I’m taking my money and buying the most perfect pair of hand forged hoops, in recycled gold, of course. (Oh, and Santa? I've been very good. And I like the triangles in pink gold. And silver stars ... and ....)

www.bestpricegoldmans.com

A Labrinth of E Couture Baby

Australian designer Rachael Cassar is a master of eco couture with this dress from her 2007 Labyrinth Collection. Using recycled and deconstructed materials to create the shady side of chic I am in a trance for sure.

Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion is not something that exists only in dresses. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” The world of fashion is certainly evolving into this new century in shades of green.

The winner of the Media’s Choice Award for the 2006 Lancôme Colour Designs Award, Rachael is a master of color and shape. I personally have a taste for vintage with a twist and could troll for hours in and amongst these designs given new life.

At the end of the journey clothing takes up a large amount of landfill. Factor in the environmental costs of packaging, transport and washing and it’s a wonder that the poor old planet has survived this long. This is why fashion designed using recycled materials comes as a welcome new trend.

“I wanted to create something sustainable that doesn’t compromise design and everything that people love about fashion,” says Rachael. From her chiffon ball gowns to her embellished evening dresses we see a vision that is a darker side of heaven.

I tend to reach for classic clothing in my wardrobe and opt for quality over quantity...perhaps Chanel had it right all along with her little black dress.

There are countless ways to reduce your fashion footprint. Whether or not we choose to sustainable or recycled style the choice is ours and its good to have so many new options available.

Green Fest

Today, Green Festival is wrapping up its 3-day stop in San Francisco. I was thrilled to attend last weekends event in Washington, DC. At a time when all eyes are on our nation’s capital, and people are filled with hope after electing a new President, what an inspiration it was to see so many out in support of a greener planet.

The festival was a 2-day celebration of community, offering ways to improve our planet and its people.

By making responsible choices in our lives -- fair trade products over sweat shop labor, renewable resources over depleting the planet, organic products over pesticides and recycled materials over landfills -- we can enrich ourselves and nurture mother earth.

What struck me as most pleasing was the diversity of people who stopped to peruse our natural, organic and sustainable clothing. After that first irresistible touch, a common response was, “wow, this is bamboo?” Yet others seemed to seek it out. Telling their friends that once they wear bamboo, they’ll never go without. The organically grown, pesticide-free bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, wicking moisture and inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi that cause odor. That’s the functional benefit of it.

The fashionable benefit, is the array of flattering, sexy and modern silhouettes that feel oh so luxurious on our skin. Offered in pique pullovers, cashmere-like cardigans and flowing jersey knit dresses, bamboo appeals to many different tastes. It was such a treat to see the versatile styles modeled by beautiful women from dreadlocked college students to sophisticated retirees.

Details such as pointelle stitching, raglan sleeves and mother of pearl buttons add elegance while each piece easily adapts to an individual style. Regardless of body shape, age, or coloring the modern designs looked fabulous and unique on each fabulous and unique woman who wore them. Oh so chic and socially and environmentally responsible, too.

So having asked myself, “Am I here for the eco- or the couture?”, how nice to know that we can choose to have both. Choose to live large and leave a small footprint.

Green Festival will continue in the spring with stops in Seattle, Denver and Chicago.

Today is your day, dress for it!

It’s finally here, the second most commercial holiday of the year, which also happens to be one of my favorites. The commercialism is frustrating, the chocolate is tempting, and the costumes are exhilarating. I love seeing the thought process with which our children choose them, I love to help make them and of course, I love to wear them. Each year a part of my wardrobe which spends 364 days of the year in a box in the attic takes a trip down the runways of our neighborhood sidewalks for that annual trick or treat fashion show.

It’s the thrill of the unknown. The surprise of, “who’s behind that mask?” and “what shall I be today?” One of my earliest and possibly best costumes wouldn’t have been possible without my very dear, old friend Jimmy Joe. Together we dressed as a horse. An old brown wool blanket with a few strategic stitches, a splayed rope tail, recycled leather pieces tied on our shoes, a yarn mane and perhaps the most amusingly comical mask ever found, completed our getup. Oh, and the defining element in our transformation from two kindergarteners to one silly horse -- Jimmy Joe’s ability to walk the parade route hinged at the waist. Yes, he bent forward and held around my waist creating a strong back and four fine legs of equine magnificence.

We have a closet under a staircase outfitted with a light, a mirror, plenty of hooks for hanging and baskets for stashing. It is our kids’ dress-up closet. At ages 2 and 6, they can create their own characters on any given day. Perhaps today they’ll be a fairy and a knight, a pirate and a princess, two fellow firefighters ... or something that I can’t quite figure out. They dress in old pillow cases with dish towels tied on their heads, paper crowns and feather boas. Sometimes I’m envious. Sometimes my daughter wants a “fancy dinner” which has nothing to do with food but must take place in the dining room with each of us wearing a fancy dress. I don’t do it often, but I still like to dress up.

My husband and I went to a wedding on the Jersey shore in August. I put a lot of thought into what I was wearing. Settled on a vintage Hawaiian black halter neck dress with a copper, gray and white graphic design on the floor-length skirt. I could have searched for 30 years and wouldn’t have found anything better than that dress that hung in my Aunt Fifi’s closet 30 some years ago. Aunt Fifi was quite the fashionista back in the days of what I consider the most fun fashion. Her attic has been a treasure trove of everything from poodle skirts to mini dresses and maxi skirts. My own dress-up closet, all grown up.

So on this All Hallows Eve, delve into your attic, break into the boxes and don the duds which reveal an otherwise unknown take on who you are, anyone you want to be. Because after all, it is only one day. Happy Halloween.