Green Daily

10 Eco-Cause T-shirts for your Spring Wardrobe

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:09:00 EST

Greenpeace rainbows for spring! Photo: Greenpeace

Now that the weather is warming up and you can shake off those heavy winter coats, it's a great time to put your cause on your chest, where everyone can see where your allegiance lies -- wear an eco-cause t-shirt!

Are you an animal lover, a wild-eyed radical, or a clean air cheerleader? Are you part of a movement and want to recruit as many people as possible to your cause? Tell everyone, and look fabulous doing it.

I'm on a personal quest for a Clean Coal Unicorn t-shirt, but sadly, I think it may never exist. I'll have to be happy with these ten t-shirt options will keep me in fine eco-fashion!

1. HSUS Red Washed Tee
Get the word out about the great work the Humane Society of the United States does to support animals and stop cruelty. The striking red cotton shirt features the HSUS animal map logo in black.
Unisex sizes
Price: $21.50

Support the Humane Society! Photo: humanesociety.org

2. Whalebow Organic Women's Fitted T-Shirt
This Greenpeace t-shirt features a "whalebow" -- yes, that's a rainbow in the shape of a whale fluke, and it supports the Greenpeace save the whales campaign.
Men's and women's sizes
$25.99

3. Surfrider Clean Oceans Tee
This 100% organic cotton t-shirt features art by Andy Davis features front art and Surfrider logo at left sleeve, and benefits the Surfrider Foundation, which is a steward of our oceans.
Men's and women's sizes
$20.00

4. Sea Shepherd Jolly Roger Long-Sleeve - 100% Organic Cotton
If you like bad boys and semi-strident activists, well, the world should know that about it. Shout it proudly with this 100% organic cotton longsleeved black t-shirt from Sea Shepherd. With the words "Sea Shepherd" and "Defending Ocean Wildlife Worldwide" printed on the back along with both our Jolly Roger and Classic logos, they won't be able to miss you!
Unisex sizes
$35.00

5. Friends of the Earth Natural Organic Cotton T-Shirt with Tree Design
We all want to be friendly with the Earth, she's keeping us alive! Remind your friends of this important relationship by wearing the 100% organic cotton t-shirt with the Friends of the Earth tree on the front. The natural cotton color is little bit granola, but you can't beat the price and the message is right on!
Unisex sizes
$13.95

6. Solar Power Rocks Women's Tank Top
Solar power does rock, and this logo is pretty nifty, too. Help raise awareness and soak up some rays in this white tank top with multi-color logo.
Men's and women's sizes
$19.00

Solar power DOES rock!! Photo: solarpowerrocks.com

7. Teecycle.org
Maybe you don't care what it says, you just want a social consciously source t-shirt -- then get it used! Teecylce sources the best used t-shirts, sells them for a totally cheap price, and donates $1 from each sale is donated to restore urban river trails and waterways in the Milwaukee area.
Men's and women's sizes
various prices

8. Red Apes Orang shirt
Totally my favorite great apes organization, I always include them, and I wear my Red Apes t-shirt with pride! Get your own 100% pre-shrunk organic cotton.
Men's and women's sizes
$30 each

9. 1Sky Act Now shirt
No matter where you go on this planet, you're always looking at the same sky. That means we're all on the same side of the fight for a clean energy policy that will repair the quality of our air. Share your opinion that clean energy is important, plus benefit 1Sky.org, that receives three dollars from the sale of this 100% certified organic cotton and sweatshop-free tee-shirt.
Unisex sizes
$25

10. 350.org Organic Women's Fitted T-Shirt
The clean energy things is so important that you really need more than one shirt to support it. Wear this 100% organic cotton American Apparel jersey with the 350.org logo and spread the word that you really, really want a change in our energy policy and need
Men's and women's sizes
$22.99

10 Eco-Cause T-shirts for your Spring Wardrobe originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take Your Water and Tea to go in Glass!

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Food, Health

Tea to go in a Teavana glass tumbler! Photo: Teavana

Between eating on the go, and being tied to your desk, or running in place at the gym, we always seem to have a drink at hand. The lightness, and safety of plastic bottles -- least they won't shatter if you drop them -- reinforced this behavior. But since finding out that most plastics leach damaging BPA into your food and drink, we've all been looking for a mobile and safe alternative.

This search seems to be spurring a glass bottle revolution! Everywhere I turn, I see another cool glass option!

Fit Sugar has a great real life review of the Lifefactory glass beverage bottle. It has a screw top and a silicon cover, which keeps it from getting slippery. The cover comes in a variety of cute colors, and the polka dot style is both functional (you can see how much water you have) and stylish (hello: polka dots!)
Back in January I wrote about Faucet Face, which has the sassiest, mod-retro style glass bottles. The BPA-free, hipster designs are perfect for livening up your desk. They also encourage you to drink faucet water, which helps keep those disposable plastic water bottles out of the waste stream in the first place.

As a tea drinker and traveler, I've never been in love with most commuter mugs in the first place -- they're so clunky. But I recently saw a friend with a beautiful Teavana Tea Tumbler. I'm in totally tea-drinker lust! It has a double-walled glass design, so the inside stays hot, and your hands stay cool. It even comes with a stainless steel strainer, if you're ready to break free from tea bags. Teavana Tumbler also comes in a gorgeous bone china style.

All of these choices have their limitations, with the breaking factor being the most obvious. Still, it's great to see so many options out there, with new ones popping up daily. There is drinks to go life after plastic!

Take Your Water and Tea to go in Glass! originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 Great Places to Shop for Vintage Clothes

Janet Freeman — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion

Vintage clothing is fun, affordable, and eco-friendly. Photo: hoxtonboy, Flickr

In today's world, the color green no longer belongs to the envious but, rather, to the savvy shopper who knows that every buck banged at the thrift store has the potential to spare the planet some serious sag when it comes to its already burgeoning landfills. Alas, not all vintage stores are created equal, but if you know where to look you'll find yourself saving more than just a pile of greenbacks. From bargain basement deals to red-carpet worthy recycled fashions, check out these five fantastic vintage stores across the nation!

Buffalo Exchange
Boasting coast-to-coast locations, it's hard to believe this thrift-store powerhouse got its humble start in Tucson, Arizona, more than 25 years ago in less than 500 square feet. Now with 37 stores across the country, Buffalo Exchange is holding to its promise to lead the resale industry. Stores are located in AZ, CA, CO, IL, LA, MA, MN, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, TX and WA.

Crossroads Trading Co.
At Crossroads, hip meets hippie and the charitable are never left behind. In addition to trendy clothes and great deals, Crossroads also offers its shoppers the chance to forgo a plastic bag for carting off their treasured finds. Bonus: for every shopper that just says no, Crossroads donates a nickel to a local charity. The store also sells reusable totes for $1.25, with proceeds going to the Ocean Conservancy.

Green Village Junk Shop
In New York, Green Village is the place to go for vintage clothes. Shoppers at this popular vintage store in Brooklyn are able to pay for their clothing the same way they buy their fruit -- by the pound! The store also sells furniture, antiques, records and books, but the biggest draw for high-minded fashionistas is the store's policy of charging for clothes by the pound. Shoppers choose between $2/pound for up to 50 pounds, and $1.50/pound for anything over that amount. Easily accessible from downtown Manhattan, Green Village Junk Shop is located at 276 Starr Street in Brooklyn.

Blue Velvet
It's no wonder that one of the hippest vintage stores in the country is in Austin, TX. Pairing used clothes alongside wild and whimsical costumes, the store also carries art from local craftspeople made with recycled goods. Located at 217 W. North Loop.

Wasteland
With locations in Los Angeles, Burbank, San Francisco and Santa Monica, Wasteland's collection of vintage and new designs has attracted the attentions of celebrities and stylists for decades. Many of their wares have appeared in feature films, music videos and between the pages ofVogue, Rolling Stone and Style, to name a few. The flagship Haight-Ashbury store in San Francisco, housed in an old Vaudeville theater, is widely regarded as the neighborhood's best.

5 Great Places to Shop for Vintage Clothes originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Green Yarn Choices

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Home

Hand Maiden silk yarn made from seaweed. Photo: Hand Maiden Yarn

I've written about plarn -- that's plastic yarn -- and recycled yarn, which can be used to make all kinds of cool things. You can even upcycle yarn from newspaper!

As I keep learning, the magic of yarn appears to be that you can make it from just about anything! The latest Smart 2 Be Green newsletter introduced me to three new kinds of yarn!

Soy, corn, even seaweed is being spun into yarn and used to create fabrics that are natural, sustainable and you might even be tempted to think edible. No, you can't eat them, but you will want to wear them.

SOYSILK is the brand name of the silk-like fiber made by South West Trading Company, They say that SOYSILK, which is made from soy fibers, offers the softness of silk, combined with the warmth of cashmere. It comes in a wide range of colors and works for pretty much any kind of project you want, including spinning, knitting, crochet, and weaving. Oh, and it's vegan!

Cornucopia is a brand of yarn made of 100% corn fiber. Basically someone chemically skilled boils down the corn, until it is fermented and separated out into polymers. This makes a paste, which is spread out and made into strands, that are then spun into yarn. Seems like a lot of work, but the result is pretty amazing! The yarn itself is flat, like linguine, and gives your project a distinctive look.

Sea Silk, made by Hand Maiden Fine Yarns, combines silk with a cellulose fiber made from seaweed. They also have a version that mixes in a bit of wool for added heft. This yarn in particular comes in amazing colors, with just a bit of mermaid sheen.

Crafters and other folks who use yarn are a creative bunch, so I'm sure we'll see even more ingenious materials reworked to make something wonderful, handmade, and sustainable.

More Green Yarn Choices originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Recycled Yarn: The Next Renewable Frontier

Cat Lincoln — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Home

Recycled cotton bag/Photo: Enviro-tote.com

Sweater and blanket season is here with a vengeance! But keeping warm doesn't have to mean rushing out to buy virgin wool or shelling out the cash for organic cashmere.

There is a greener, cheaper, more sustainable choice: recycled yarn!

Think about it! All those unfortunately patterned Christmas sweaters, the endless supply of afghans knitted by grandmas with too much time on their hands -- no one uses those items, but someone should something with them, right?
You can find several sets of instructions for reclaiming yarn from "gently loved" items online. One of the best is this pictorial guide on how to unravel a sweater from Neauveau Fiber Arts. Once you have the yarn carded, you can make the sweater of your dreams! Or an afghan!

Taking a more global, industrial solution approach, there are several fabrics that use yarn made from pre- and post-consumer waste to create commercial products.

Repreve is polyester and nylon yarn made from both pre- and post-consumer waste. Ecotec, "yarn with moral fiber" is made from the material left over from new cotton fabrics. Look for products made with these yarns and you'll know they're making the most of the materials they're using!

What kind of products can you find? There is the cool Enviro-tote. Everyone needs a shopping bag, and this one is made with Ecotec. Plus, super cute graphics!

For a fancy gift, you can find pretty housewares, like this Porridge Recycled Throw made from 100% recycled cotton.

And for something you'll buy yourself and your best friend, check out the fantastically functional and cute Yogoco yoga gear bags are made from pre-consumer t-shirt scraps.

It's something to consider, this time of year when you're probably doing a little more shopping than other times. Look for gifts that fit your ethics as much as their style!

Recycled Yarn: The Next Renewable Frontier originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hop on the Upcycled Billboard Bag Bandwagon

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion

Yak bag made from billboard vinyl Credit: Vineet Devaiah, Terracyle

When you think billboards, you probably get an image of Times Square, or another urban setting where oversized ads loom, clamoring for your attention. But do you ever wonder what happens to a billboard when the campaign is over and the space is needed for a new ad?

Many billboards are made from highly durable vinyl, which as you know is not remotely biodegradeable. According to Terracycle, in the US alone we send 3 million billboards a year to landfills -- about 10,000 tons of vinyl. The inventive upcycling company came up with a solution: partner with Yak Pak and make a variety of cool bags from the material, and sell them for under $35.

Target is also getting on the billboard bag bandwagon. They commissioned emerging artists like Michael Anderson and Josh Goldstein to create art billboards in Times Square. The billboards will be on display from Labor Day through Halloween. After the campaign, they will be upcycled into bags designed by Anna Sui, and retail for $29.99.
Award-winning designers Nicola Freegard and Robin Janson have been using billboard vinyl to make a variety of cases since 2002. Their company, Vy&Elle, offers ipod cases, pouches, wallets, messenger bags and totes at a variety of price points, from $18 to over $100.

The bags are nearly indestructable, which makes them perfect for kids heading back to school. Plus, they are all so cool and stylish that eco-fashionistas will love them. They're affordable, and fun. It sounds like It Bag for Fall 2009 is definitely going to be made of billboard vinyl!

Hop on the Upcycled Billboard Bag Bandwagon originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Origins Recycles Your Old Makeup Cases

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Tips, Natural Body Care

Take your old makeup containers to Origins! Credit: Origins

Something I've been meaning to do for a while is clear out my makeup drawer. Magazines and beauty experts always tell you to replace your mascara frequently, and I have far too many odd-tasting, waxy lipsticks that will never see the light of day again.

Here's the thing: most of those makeup cases are made of weird, unrecyclable plastic. So even though there are increasing numbers of great companies, like Physicians Formula, who offer compostable packaging, clearing out the your old makeup can result in a wastebasket full of random plastic compacts, lipstick tubes and eye shadow palettes headed straight to the landfill.

And here's the solution: in this month's Self Magazine I saw an ad for the Return to Origins Recycling Program. They will actually accept your old makeup containers, and take care of recycling them responsibly, or sending them to an energy recovery facility, where they can be incinerated in a furnace with strictly controlled emissions. They'll take any brand, not just their stuff!

Here's how it works: Bring your empty containers to any Origins store, excluding counters in Nordstrom stores, anywhere in U.S. They do the rest!

Sure, it's not perfect. They don't take sponges, applicator wands or sample sizes. And the process of cleaning out those tubes and tubs still uses up resources, and creates some waste. But it's a step in the right direction, and a great display of environmental leadership from a company with a solid green reputation.

This is the only program like this, at least that I've heard of, although it's similar to the Aveda Caps Recycling Program, where they accept #5 plastic caps and recycle them into new caps, diverting them from the waste stream.

It's pretty awesome to see (relatively) small beauty companies leading the way in with these initiatives. It will be even better if it inspires some bigger companies -- with a larger reach and more resources -- to start similar programs. In this case, I'm sure Origins and Aveda would be delighted to have the competition!

Origins Recycles Your Old Makeup Cases originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Going 'Poo-Free for the Environment

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Health, Natural Body Care

(Photo by Daniel Berehulak, Getty Images)

I know I'm a little late to the No 'Poo Party, but I love -- no really, love -- hair product and styles and rituals. I'm a loyal salon customer, and my bathroom looks like a beauty supply store. So the thought of completely giving up shampoo puts an icy shard of fear in my heart.

Instead of indulging in the rich lather and floral fragrance of store bought shampoo, people are "cleaning" their hair with baking soda. And "conditioning" with apple vinegar. Please say it isn't so!

But loads of people are doing it, and not just the ugly hemp-ghetto girls and dirty hippies. To my amazement, the No 'Poo movement was started by Lorraine Massey, a stylist. The blasphemy! She swears that swearing off shampoo is what helped her curls become the envy of the hair world, and inspired her to write the best-selling Curly Girl, a guide to managing your waves and ringlets.

Perhaps Lorraine's intentions were less about the environment, and more about her hair. But it caught on with the green crowd for several reasons:

One Less Plastic Bottle in Your Home
Those plastic shampoo bottles are exactly like water bottles, and we know where they wind up: Ground into particulate matter, floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, or piled two miles into the sky in a landfill. Anything that reduces plastic bottles is good for the environment, and for people.

In a Word: Cancer
Some of the chemicals in shampoo are seriously bad for you! Common cleansers such as octoxynol-40 and sodium laureth sulfate can easily turn into ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane and even formaldehyde. Remember that whole thing about triclosan last week? Getting clean is deadly!

No, Really, It's Bad for Your Health
If that wasn't bad enough, some studies also indicate that toxins present in common shampoo brands contribute to nerve damage and abnormal fetal development. And here's what I mean when I say common: a bunch of toxin were found in baby shampoo. Sigh.

Environmental Runoff
Again, like triclosan, shampoo goes down the drain and into water sources -- from drinking water to the ocean to lakes and rivers. And all of those chemicals hang around the environment, giving frogs extra eyes and killing native wildflowers. Plus we drink it! See above, "Cancer" and "Bad for Your Health".

Our Old Friend the Carbon Footprint
Also, those chemicals, especially ammonium derivatives take a lot of energy to make, so the manufacturing process creates an additional carbon load on the environment. Which probably means Al Gore would give No 'Poo the Green Thumbs Up.

Are you convinced yet? I'm on the verge of getting rid of even my greenest, most eco-friendly, refillable glass-bottle shampoos. While Lorraine Massey's version of No 'Poo permits conditioner, most of those have the same bad for you/bad for the environment chemicals in them, so a full, 100% green hair effort means (sob) giving it all up.

That might be more than I can do, but my label reading skills are getting yet another workout, that's for sure.

Can you do it? Have you done it? Is it madness to try, or selfish to hesitate for even one second? Have your say in the poll!

Going 'Poo-Free for the Environment originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sexy Vegan Makeup is Not an Oxymoron

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:16:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Natural Body Care

(Photo by e.l.f. cosmetics)

Just catching up on my Greeading* after a week away from the "office" and SheFind's post Vegan Makeup That's Friendlier To Animals Than Hayden Panettiere caught my eye for a couple of reasons, including the fear that a dolphin had attacked her. Because that's what they do (sometimes) and also what mammal could resist Miss Panettiere?

But no, the post was about vegan makeup, which is also really fun. SheFinds reviewed four vegan brands, including one of my green favorites, von Natur. This line is amazing because it's a) totally organic, b) vegan, c) has kick-ass colors, plus d) the lipgloss has this addictive minty goodness that's hard to explain, but you want to experience it, believe me.

Also on the list was Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil, which I adore, and had no idea was vegan. Again, fantastic colors, and cruelty-free.

Not on the SheFind's list, but one of my best vegan picks is e.l.f cosmetics, aka eyes, lips, face cosmetics. This amazingly affordable line -- most items are in the $1-3 range -- doesn't have any animal ingredients, not even beeswax, and they don't test on animals. They are partners with PETA in the Caring Consumer project, and have a special "fur-free" tweezer set for $10, with half of the proceeds going to PETA.

Not to beat a dead horse, because PETA could be all over that, but see? Cool products can be green. And green products can be cool. And vegans can wear makeup and look hot. Hey, what's that banging sound? Oh, it's another nail in the Hemp Ghetto Stereotype coffin!

*Greeading = "Green Reading"

Sexy Vegan Makeup is Not an Oxymoron originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Natural and Organic is Your Eyeshadow?

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Natural Body Care

(Photo by Beautorium.com)

Reader Mary G. commented on last week's All Natural Beauty Round-up post, asking how to tell when a "natural" product was really natural, especially since so many of them have some skeevy sounding ingredients.

Good question, Mary! Interestingly enough, last week's Smart 2 Be Green newsletter addressed the same question, and guess what? Your husband is right, natural doesn't always mean what you hope it means. Unless it says 100% certified USDA organic, there's no certainty that all of the ingredients are organic. And natural can mean almost anything!

It takes a little work, but there are some great sites out there to help you sort through it all. For starters, there is the Consumer Reports Greener Choices eco-labels center that Smart 2 Be Green recommends. It's old school Consumer Reports meets the new eco-millenium.
I'm also a big fan of the new(ish) site GoodGuide, which actually rates products from 1 to 10 on how eco-friendly they are. Literally thousands of products are already rated, and more are added daily.

Sephora's natural and organic beauty section is pretty good, with a broad and ever growing selection of well known eco-friendly cosmetic brands. They list ingredients and information about the brands, so you can evaluate and make your decision based on facts.

If you want the beauty brands pre-screened for you, then you can't beat Beautorium. They have a well-edited selection of certified all natural and organic skin products, with complete information about ingredients, which they help you interpret with a "good to know" section. They also have the coolest samples program, and even offer personalized service to help pick the right product for you!

How Natural and Organic is Your Eyeshadow? originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Leather, No Vinyl - Are Organic Cotton Bags the Only Green Option?

Cat Lincoln — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:07:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Health, News

(Photo by Target)

Okay, so I get that we shouldn't use leather, because it's (theoretically) cruel to kill animals for fashion, and the tanning and dying process is (definitely) an environmental nightmare that produces evil, poisonous sludge.

A fashionable girl can still turn to fun (and bonus: inexpensive) vinyl options from trendy bargain retailers like Target and H&M. No animals hurt here! Except, wait, the production of vinyl is sort of nasty. But did I mention, no animals hurt? Vegan? Please, can't I at least have a leather looking bag?

Apparently the answer is "No." A news alert from the Center for Environmental Health just released results from a study that found vinyl bags bought in the Bay Area have high -- dangerously high -- levels of lead in them. Great! That's where I live, and I'm carrying a fabulous H&M vinyl bag right now. Except I just dropped it like a radiation-hot potato.
Now, I'm no chemist, but why in the world do you need to use lead to produce a handbag? Is it really that hard to make something without animal products or vile chemicals? Actually I'm sure the answer is online somewhere, so let's just take that question as academic and move on to the important one: What materials are left for a stylish green gal to tote?

I just went through a sustainable vs. eco-friendly decision matrix with shoes, so it shouldn't be a surprise that bags are an issue too. Just last month I did a post on socially responsible and chic summer bags, like the black straw Kelly Starfish bag from Claire V. But now I have to wonder about the vegan Matt & Nat bags that I adore so very much because they're made of vinyl.

There will be more on this topic -- I might be willing to give up steaks once in a while, but no amount of C02 or poisonous dyes will ever make me carry a brown hemp bag. There must be a fashionable solution out there!

No Leather, No Vinyl - Are Organic Cotton Bags the Only Green Option? originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-Loved, Vintage, Reused - Stylish and Good for the Planet

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Fashion

(Photo by monstervintage.com)

"Recycle" and "reduce" get a lot of attention in the green world, but gloomy global economic conditions are making many people take a second look at "reuse." This thrifty attitude is great for the planet -- if something has already been created, it's better to get as much use out of it as possible before you spend more energy to recycle it into something else.

Clothing is one of the easiest and most fun things to reuse. Hand-me-downs get a bad rap, but when you call it vintage? Then it's cool! Even if you don't have good local vintage boutiques, the internet is now a fab place to find treasures. Monster Vintage has a huge selection of men's, women's and "cool stuff." Be warned, if you click through, you will browse through the merchandise for hours!

"Gently used" second-hand designer fashion used to be a guilty secret, but now we're wearing it loud and proud. Online luxury vintage retailer Marion Mercer offers pristine items from designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Valentino. While the prices aren't exactly thrift store cheap, they're still considerably less than buying the big names new.

These days even gently used regular clothes are pretty cool. On the west coast -- and in Chicago! -- there is a chain of cooler-than-consignment shops called Crossroads Trading Company where hipsters buy and sell current fashions. And every city across the country has a Goodwill. Take another look, you might be surprised at the bargains you can find!

Another great place to reuse is cars. While everyone would love to buy the newest hybrid, the economic reality is that a well-cared for used car can be an excellent financial and eco-friendly choice. Just remember to follow the clean air/gas saving tips like making sure your tires are properly inflated, and changing your air filters regularly.

Are you a designer who feels inspired by the idea of reusing things? And maybe you want/need a car? Then check out the "Threadless Loves Pre-Loved" contest.

The t-shirt company is known for its ongoing open call for designs, with winners picked by the Threadless community. Between now and July 15th they're asking for t-shirt design submissions based on the concept of "pre-loved" -- it could be baby clothes you shared with your sister, a beautiful ring from your elderly aunt, or a previously-owned car, like the "pre-loved" Volkswagon that the winner will receive, in addition to a $500 Threadless gift certificate, plus $2,000 in cash.

It just goes to show you, the shrewd financial choice of reusing things in everyday life can also be the shrewd environmental choice. And watch out -- bargain hunting gets addictive. It starts with clothes and cars, but before you know it, you'll be trolling craigslist for used washer dryer sets and picking up coffee tables from street corners on "big trash" night!

Pre-Loved, Vintage, Reused - Stylish and Good for the Planet originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eco-friendly Wedding Ideas

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:14:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Home

(Photo by Getty Images)

June is the wedding month, and my family is taking it to heart! My brother, sister and cousin are all planning weddings, so lately every family get-together has turned into an advanced bridal idea exchange.

A lot has changed since I got married seven years ago. People are much more open to the idea of eco-friendly options, like email save the dates and using recycled paper (or the kind with wildflower seeds that you can plant) for invitations.

Over at Yum Sugar, Gail Simmons from Top Chef shared her favorite eco-friendly wedding tips, like skipping all of the extra envelopes in the invitation, giving out eco-friendly reusable shopping bags as favors, and sending the floral centerpieces home with guests.
The Smart 2 Be Green newsletter recently offered up more green wedding tips, like:

use organic fruit or beeswax candles for center pieces,
stick with digital-only photography,
go on a green honeymoon.

They also had links to some awesome sites like Great Green Weddings. They have some fascinating articles and ideas, like getting rings made from recycled metal or sending uneaten wedding banquet food to a local shelter.

I was especially moved to read about Brides Against Breast Cancer -- you can donate your (gently used) gown. The organization resells the gown and donates the proceeds to help women with breast cancer. And, of course, your bridesmaids should donate their gowns to Donate My Dress, which helps girls who couldn't otherwise afford it get a special dress for a special occasion.

If you're practicing reduce, reuse, and recycle in your everyday life, there are lots of resources to make your wedding equally eco-friendly. And if you are a recent green convert, planning wedding is a great way to learn about sustainable practices that you can continue to use long after you've finished picking the bird seed (we don't use rice anymore, it's bad for the birds) out of your veil.

Eco-friendly Wedding Ideas originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Be Green Down to Your Fingertips

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:13:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Health

(Photo by Priti NYC)

We can't all have a green thumb, but these days there are ways to make our fingers greener -- and if you're really fashion forward you can even make your nails literally and figuratively green!

Surprised? Of all the beauty treatments and rituals, nail polish has historically been the most toxic. That's finally changing, with most brands eliminating the three worst chemicals, toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate. Known as the "toxic trio," these three ingredients have been linked to cancer, asthma and reproductive disruption. Pretty scary for a vanity habit!

A new survey from the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance and Women's Voices for the Environment found that 74% of major nail polish brands are now "Three Free." Many of them also tout their organic ingredients, which is sort of a brain twister -- I mean, it still smells like glue, so it's not like you can eat the stuff -- but also good news for those of us who want to use the least harmful products on our bodies.
Below are a few of the best known and reviewed "Three Free" and in some cases organic and natural brands. Just remember that top coats and "quick dry" will almost always have formaldehyde in them.

Priti -- a completely non-toxic line, they even have soy-based nail polish remover, $12.50
Zoya -- known for their funky colors and amazing long lasting shine, $6
Nicole by Opi -- no animal testing, recyclable packaging, and those awesome pen applicators, $7
Rescue Beauty Lounge -- so very Hollywood, and trendsetting fashionista colors, $18
Butter London -- the amazing "3 Free" starter kit helps you get your nails in shape, naturally, $14

Be Green Down to Your Fingertips originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:13:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Shoe Decision Tree

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion

(Photo by Embodies.com)

We green, eco-friendly girls really love shoes. Back in April I wrote about a few super-cute and eco-friendly shoe options. Then last week I read a great post on the "Top 10 Eco Friendly, Socially Conscious and Vegan Shoes" by Bonny Osterhageof White Apricot, which was reposted by Veronica on the Care2 network.

Bonny found 10 fabulous flats that I would love to take home and wear out. My absolute favorite is the Form & Fauna Pleated Dove Shoe, which is so stylish and made of completely sustainable and renewable materials. Coming in a close second is the Corso Como Floral Flat, which is made of leather, which is sort of bad-in-theory, but dyed with non-toxic vegetable dyes and packaged in recycled paper.

This combination of sustainable shoes vs. eco-friendly shoes creates an interesting dillema. Now that we've moved past the era of eco-friendly shoes being totally ugly and "comfortable" (you know I'm right), should it be okay for anyone ever wear eco-un-friendly shoes?
And what about socially responsible shoes like Tom's, which also made Bonny's list? If he can manage to donate a pair of shoes for everyone bought, why can't Jessica Simpson?

I'm torn. I think we have enough options now to say, "You can find an earth-friendly shoe, put down the Louboutins made of endangered eel and dyed with mercury." But how to define earth-friendly? Is it enough to use vegetable dyes? Or do they also need to have bamboo soles? And seriously, isn't leather a renewable resource? We can grow more cows ... even if the tanning process is singularly awful.

Too many questions for me to decide by myself. What do you think?

The Shoe Decision Tree originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Socially Responsible and Chic Bags for Summer

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion

With the long Memorial Day holiday weekend, summer has arrived (even if it doesn't officially begin until the solstice on June 21st) Since I'll take any excuse to go bag shopping, let's go bag shopping! Socially responsible, green bag shopping, that is.

(Photo by NY Historical Society)

NY Historical Society Bags, $35
You know those giant vinyl banners that announce exhibitions? The New York Historical Society has found a way to put them to good use once they are out of date. Working with Urban Samaritans, they're recycling them into sturdy, waterproof totes. Keep your computer or gym clothes safe, even in a summer thunderstorm!

Edun Rosetta Stone Denim Bag, $50
The casual chic of denim says, "Who me? I'm not even trying, I'm just cool." In alignment with edun's other products, this bag is made of 98% organic cotton in Tunisia. Take it to the beach, the grocery store, or on a date to a BBQ.

(Photo by Claire V)

Kelly Starfish Bag from Claire V $57.50
I love a straw bag, and I love a black straw bag even more -- it gives the summery style a little more of a city vibe than the usual, beachy beige. This one is woven from corn husks, a renewable and naturally bio-degradable resource. The perfect accessory for a rooftop fireworks party in July!

matt & nat ROYKSOPP $350
What's not to love about matt & nat? Every one of their bags is stylish, lightweight and made without any animal products. This bag, from the summer 2009 collection, is crisp, white vegan leather handbag with 100% recycled grey faux suede lining.

Stella McCartney Foldover Patent Clutch: White $795
Okay, I admit I have a serious weakness for a white bag in the summer. And this one does a different job from the matt & nat bag, which is more like a tote. This sleek faux patent clutch is sassy, dressy and beautiful, perfect to bring to a graduation, wedding, or any kind of formal summer event. If you're sort of rich, that is.

Socially Responsible and Chic Bags for Summer originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 26 May 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Conservation Fashion - A Guide to the Species

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Activism

As weird as it would be to walk around with name tags and a big sign explaining our interests, it sure would make it easier to find like-minded folks. You're at a cookout, or maybe volunteering to do a little park restoration work, and you wonder, "Does anyone else here love endangered animals, or are they all clean water folk?"

Hey, conservation people have cliques, too!

Of course, in a way we do self-identify, wearing message tees, hats with patches from National Parks, and flashing fancy logo water bottles. Us activist-types -- we like to raise awareness about heartfelt causes.

Endangered Animal Folks
I'm a proud member of this sub-genre, and in unguarded moments you may well find me wearing something that supports these groups:

(Photo by Orangutan Outreach)

Old school: You can get a hat with the iconic World Wildlife Fund panda with a $25 donation, although I prefer the very cool tote bag for $50!
A little artsy: One of my favorites t-shirt designs comes from Orangutan Outreach. Because everyone loves orangutans and the graphics are even cool enough for non-nerds.
Young but involved: It's never too early to get your kids, or grandkids, indoctrinated in the visual language of conservation! These sweet onsies from DodahDoodles are decorated with suitably adorable images of whales and tigers, and are great gate-way conservation apparel!

The Sacred Rites of Rights

(Photo by ONE)

This mainly boils down to us (people) or them (animals):

Animal rights people: Easy to spot, with a can of red paint, a worn "meat is murder" t-shirt and a necklace that says "Vegan" from the talented jewelers of PETA.
People rights people: Even toddlers can protest poverty, in a tot-sized, organic "One" t-shirt not produced in a factory by a child worker.

Environment Savers
Sure animals are important, but they aren't much good without a habitat! These people are tuned into the world around them:

Serious biologists and conservationists: An understated oatmeal colored t-shirt with green logo from the Nature Conservancy.
The outdoorsy: Any self-respecting mountaineer carries his or her own BPA-free Appalachian Mountain Club water bottle -- even when merely trekking to the independent coffee shop.
At least they're trying: There's an important message buried somewhere in this "Conserve water, drink beer!" t-shirt from Prank Place.

Naturally this is just a start. There are as many sub-genres of green people as stars in the CO2-filled sky, or fish in the rapidly acidifying ocean. And most are easy to categorize, if you just pay attention to the signs -- or read the message on their t-shirts. Maybe we'll get to tattoos next time.

Conservation Fashion - A Guide to the Species originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 18 May 2009 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everyone Wants a Fabulous "Plarn" Bag!

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Home

(Photo by BethelWY on etsy)

Are you in on the plarn bag phenomenon?

First, how fun is it to say "plarn"? For anyone uninitiated out there, it's yarn made of out plastic bags, and the newest ecool material.

Seriously, how ecool is it that crafty, DIY folk are taking yucky plastic bags and transforming them into something so groovy? It's the very pinnacle of upcycling-chic.

Sure, reusing is good, but a plastic bag gets torn easily, plus it's rare to find one that's pretty. And those handles might as well have tiny razors built into them, they're such hand cutters! But thanks to a bunch of smart, creative people out there, it's relatively easy to take those plastic bags and turn them fashionable, functional and fun tote bags -- all of the directions are online, and anyone can do it!

Seriously, it's easy, even if a trip to Michael's Crafts doesn't make you tingle all over.

First, you need raw materials: the plastic bags. In San Francisco, and like-minded cities, that's actually getting a bit difficult because grocery stores aren't allowed to use them anymore. Fortunately, there's still the protective blue plastic bag from the New York Times, and any number of pink bags from the "variety" stores and bakeries in Chinatown. Color is key, as is weight and texture. Remember, what you put in is what you get out -- if all of your bags are dingy grey, the final product will be dingy grey!

Once you've amassed and sorted your bags, it's time to turn them into plarn. Rather than try to explain this simple but amazing process, I encourage you to check out this excellent "how to make plarn" video tutorial from Lemonade Mama. She also has a very cute finished bag on her site.

I was also blown away this bag by by Holli Friedland from the Baltimore Knitting Examiner. She has amazingly detailed directions, perfect for you smarty knitting types.

For crocheters, here's another bag and pattern, from My Recycled Bags.

If none of these bags are quite your style, or you want one but seriously just don't do crafts, go to etsy and search "plarn." You will find dozens of fun bags, all of them creative, affordable and gentle on the planet.

Everyone Wants a Fabulous "Plarn" Bag! originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 04 May 2009 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earth-Friendly Cosmetics Packaging More Common, Still Tempting

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:11:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Natural Body Care

(Photo by Sephora)

I'm so excited to see so many cosmetics companies have embraced earth-friendly and sustainable practices. Clearly they finally figured out that it's a money maker -- I know I'm twice as tempted by organic eyeshadow when it's in a bamboo package!

Physicians Formula's OrganicWear line is sold in completely recyclable packaging, from the paper compact holders to the corn-based brush handles. Sephora is offering a "Pure Palette" of 95% natural ingredients, and at least 10% organic ingredients. It comes in a compact made of sustainable bamboo and recycleable metal.

The latest cosmetic temptation to catch my eye is the Mother Earth Palette from Smashbox. It's has four subtle and versatile eyeshadows that are certified-organic, as well as a peachy blush that will compliment most skin shades.

The compact is made from sustainable materials, and for each purchase Smashbox will plant a tree through Trees for the Future, a global non-profit that dedicated to sustainable agroforestry. You can take home this sweet, limited edition palette at Sephora for $45.

While you're shopping for "green" makeup, check out some other Smashbox products that have earned the Sephora natural seal, like:

O-GLOW -- a cheek color with Goji Berry-C complex and pomegranate seed
Bionic Mascara -- ionic mascara that contains aloe, silk and wheat proteins to make your lashes long and healthy
Photo Finish Lipstick with Sila-Silk Technology -- super smooth, silky, long wearing and organic

Earth-Friendly Cosmetics Packaging More Common, Still Tempting originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earth Day Giveaway Winner - The Sak, Altru and Physicians Formula Organic Makeup!

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Home, Natural Body Care

(Photo by The Sak)

One of the many ways we celebrated Earth Day here at GreenDaily was with a fantastic combination giveaway:

The Sak Eco Harmony Dip Drawstring Bag -- made of 100% Bamboo and Recycled Cotton in hot caynne red
The Unity Collection from Altru -- a collection of Altru home frangrance items, in the sensual Unity flavor
Physicians Formula Organic wear(R) 100% Natural Origin Makeup-- a full collection of this new and incredible line of natural makeup!

There were loads of entries, but we could only pick one winner, Angie, who shared these Earth Day plans:

I have actually already started celebrating Earth Day! On Sunday, I attended Columbus, Ohio's Earth Day Celebration in Goodale Park by visiting all the many information tents and enjoying a vegan hot dog. Tomorrow, my hubby and I (he is taking the day off from work) are going to start the foundations of our new organic vegetable garden! I can't wait!

We hope she looks and feels awesome while working in her new garden and enjoying her eco-friendly prizes!

Earth Day Giveaway Winner - The Sak, Altru and Physicians Formula Organic Makeup! originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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