Behind The Blog: Update!

Hey everyone. Just wanted to share some good news with you. I've been crazy busy and unable to blog recently because I started a new job! I'm currently a server at a really lovely restaurant located in Warren, New Jersey called Stone House. I'm happy to report that they support local and organic farming and even grow some of their ingredients right on site. I'm really looking forward to working there this summer. Hopefully, I'll be able to bring in more money and learn a ton of new stuff about food, wine, and serving.

But right now, I'm in that weird transition period where I'm still working at my old job while trying to train at my new one. This means I've been working way more than usual so I haven't had much time to blog. But I promise that will change once I'm all settled in at Stone House.

Big thanks to my awesome friend, Heather, who helped me get the job at Stone House.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying their spring. I'll be back soon! :)

What I'm Loving: Traveler's Clutch by Fleabags

I've been stumbling upon so many wonderful eco-friendly handbags lately and I'm really excited to share them with you. There's nothing I admire more than a designer who can turn recycled materials into something beautiful, especially purses. I'm a total sucker for them!

My latest obsession are these nautical style clutches by Fleabags (still on a sea-inspired kick!). They're so clean and modern looking. Handmade in the USA from organic cotton, hemp canvas, and repurposed leather, these bags are the perfect size for stashing your iPad or any other items that need a chic little carrying case. Fleabags was founded by Shira Entis and Alex Bell     two flea market addicts who were frustrated by the use of plastic bags. Together, they strived to provide an alternative that would be both practical and fashionable without being environmentally hazardous. Job well done, ladies. These are absolutely fabulous.

These go for $115 but I've got a sweet discount for you: From May 11 through June 15, enter FLEAWATCH20 at checkout and get 20% off! Discount valid on Traveler's Clutch, Ballet Totes, and Alice Knapsacks. Courtesy of People StyleWatch Magazine.

Fashion Inspiration: Down By The Sea

After a hectic work week and being horribly sick, I'm happy to report that I am back and ready to blog. Lately, us East Coasters have been dealing with some rather gloomy weather and it's really making me want summer even more. I live for the beach. My parents are fortunate enough to own a small house near Long Beach Island, New Jersey and it's my favorite place in the entire world. I just want to be there so bad right now! I'm really excited to do some by-the-shore-thrifting this year. Long Beach Island is filled with some lovely hidden treasures.

Anyway, my intense shore craving has served as inspiration for this post. Here are some fabulous eco-friendly picks inspired by the sea. May these surf style goods take you away to your favorite beach, even if it's just in your head :)

Anchor Earrings by Dogeared - $36.00

handmade in the USA with recycled sterling silver

Reckless Surfer Tee by Billabong - $34.00

made of recycled polyester, organic cotton, and rayon

Sand Dollar Ring by Alkemie - $154.00

made of 100% reclaimed metal in Los Angeles

Uganda Sandals by Reef - $44.00

featuring recycled paper beads by 31 Bits

Tote by Sperry Top-Sider - $99.99 (on sale)

made from recycled sailcloth in Portland, Maine

Sea Mist Spray by John Masters Organics - $16.50

infused with certified-organic lavender

Sunglasses by Plastichic - $105.00

made with sustainable bamboo arms

Behind The Blog: My Eco Style Notebook

Hello, readers! Hope everyone is doing well. As for me, I'm just hanging out, doing a little scrapping with my notebook and I thought it would be a neat thing to share with you. You see, I'm a huge magazine junkie. I'm always tearing out articles and pictures, hanging them on my tack board or making collages out of them. Anything related to sustainable fashion most certainly gets saved. These particular pieces then make their way into my Ecosystem notebook.

Photo via Instagram with the help of PicFrame

I know this seems like a dorky thing to do, but I love it. It helps me stay on top of the latest eco trends, thus allowing me to always have fresh topics to blog about. Whenever I read about a new brand or upcoming collection, I scribble it down in my notebook so I don't forget about it. I also like the fact that I'm reusing magazines instead of just chucking them out after reading (I do recycle them afterward, of course). Some of my favorite features are "Easy Eco" in People StyleWatch and "Feel Good Fashion" in Marie Claire. Both of them are great at bringing green fashion and beauty into the mainstream world of style.

I definitely recommend checking out Ecosystem notebooks and journals. They're made out of 100% post-consumer recycled paper, but I swear it looks and feels just like normal paper. They come in fun colors and different styles. The one I have has a little folder in the back where I keep all of my cutouts. I'm totally obsessed. Anyone who writes or draws should definitely scoop one up.

Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty

Despite all the negative press surrounding Alicia Silverstone and her baby feeding methods, I still respect the crap out of this woman. She's extremely passionate about animal rights, clean beauty, and saving the planet. She's written a vegan guide, The Kind Diet, and also keeps up with her website, The Kind Life. So who cares if she's a little weird? Her activism is super inspiring.

Next up on Alicia's list of eco-friendly projects is her collaboration with Juice Beauty. After teaming up with EcoTools, Alicia is definitely no stranger to working with popular green companies. Just in time for Earth Day, the collection for Juice Beauty has debuted with five items ranging from nourishing skincare to quick application color that will keep you glowing and gorgeous.

Currently, I use two Juice Beauty products that I absolutely love: the blemish clearing serum and green apple peel. The combination of these two keeps breakouts at bay and helps fade post acne marks. As a brand that's both effective and natural, I'm eager to try more. Alicia's Irresistible Glow Facial Highlighter is totally up my alley.

Check out the rest of the collection here. Happy Earth Day, everyone! :)