Coming Soon! New Blog *Jersey Girl Green*

It's been over five years since I posted on For The Love of Green, but my love for eco friendly fashion, beauty, and living has never dwindled. In fact, it has only grown. Looking back on these posts has rekindled my creative spirit and I'm excited to get back to work. I plan on starting fresh with a new blog called Jersey Girl Green. I currently have an Instagram account in that name and plan to expand on it, both as a blog and Instagram.

Stay tuned!

- Kristine

What I'm Loving: Sessun at Asos

Summer is quickly coming to an end and you know what that means... fall fashion, baby. Not sure what it is about hoodies and skinny jeans, but they really ease that dreadful going-back-to-school-feeling. And even though I'm living out my last days of summer as a beach bum, I'm secretly looking forward to dark colors and lots of layers. Bring it on, September!

When I spotted these new Sessun arrivals at Asos, I immediately was giddy with fall fashion fever. From the deep red pea coat to the burnt yellow tea dress, these pieces embody classic autumn style with a slight retro twist. Versatile and simple, Sessun always manages to be on trend with classic Parisian flare. Designer Emma Francois uses inspiration from her travels in her colour, pattern and fabric choices, resulting in timeless collections for the past 15 years. With a strong focus on luxury and sustainability, Sessun uses organic fibers and fair trade crops wherever possible.

Bright Skinny Jeans (top left) - $213
Batwing Knit (top right) - $179
Wool Woven Tea Dress (bottom left) - $196
Palemberg Wool Pea Coat (bottom right) - $350


Now, if only I had the money to buy these gorgeous pieces! :)

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo Review

I'm really excited to share this review with you so let's jump right into it!

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo is my new all time favorite must have. This stuff is seriously heaven in a bottle. Everything you want in a clean shampoo is right here. Intelligent Nutrients sums it up perfectly on their website: "anti-aging, antioxidant rich, volumizing, super smooth, non-frizzy and nourishing to the scalp, hair, body and mind." Formulated for all hair types, including color treated, this cleanser is a one-size-fits-all miracle without any sulfates, parabens, silicones, ethoxylates, PEG, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.

Clean shampoo has honestly been one of the hardest things for me to find. Traditional shampoos are one of the most toxic products on the market (check this out to learn more). They strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it frizzy, dry, and dull. They're specifically designed to make you buy more products (conditioners, frizz serums, etc.) in order to fix the problem. No thanks.

For the longest time, I was happy with my Burt's Bees Volumizing Shampoo. Not the cleanest option on the market, but it was certainly a better alternative. It gave life to my fine hair and didn't leave me oily the next day. But recently, Burt's Bees decided to change their formula     a decision that has upset many longtime users. This "new and improved" version is actually pretty horrible which led me to try something new.

IN's Harmonic Shampoo is similar to a cleansing conditioner, very creamy and moisturizing. It has a wonderful minty aroma that feels refreshing, especially during these hot summer days.  Surprisingly, it  does suds up a bit as you work it into your scalp, something that's usually absent in clean shampoos due to the lack of sulfates. After you rinse it out, you can immediately feel the difference. My hair felt silky soft, a feeling that lasted until my next wash. Best of all, it passed the greasy test, even with my extra fine hair. IN also makes a Harmonic Conditioner, but I don't feel the need to try it since I'm ecstatic with the shampoo by itself. Perhaps those very dry, coarse hair would find it helpful.

All in all, I believe I've found my perfect shampoo. I'm assuming many others feel the same way since it's sold out on most of the popular clean beauty websites. Spirit Beauty Lounge still has samples available, while Amazon seems like one of the few to have the full bottles in stock. Definitely worth it!



Have you ever tried any of Intelligent Nutrients' products? What's your favorite clean shampoo? Leave some comments! :)

Currently Coveting: Wren x Clare Vivier Tote

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for anything celestial. I mean, come on now. I have my birth chart tattooed on my back. And when you combine celestial with fashion? Forget it. I'm sold.

So naturally, I fell in love with this reversible tote by Clare Vivier and Wren     two emerging brands that decided to join forces. One side features Clare Vivier's signature vegetable tanned leather, while the other flaunts a gorgeous galaxy print recycled from Wren's Spring 2012 collection. In addition to using leftover materials, Clare Vivier and Melissa Coker of Wren stay committed to social consciousness by making their bags locally in Los Angeles. The result is a super versatile bag that's both stylish and eco-friendly.

The Wren x Clare Vivier retails for $350 and is available for purchase online.

Behind The Blog: Spirit Beauty Lounge Shopping Spree!

Hello there, strangers! Just stopping by to let you know that yes, I am still alive! Just been working my little butt off lately. And since I've been working so damn hard, I decided that I deserved a little self-indulging. Most girls splurge at Sephora, but Spirit Beauty Lounge is where it's at. This fabulous online store has all the best beauty goodies a girl could want     all au natural, of course.

So, hopefully sometime next week I will be receiving a box full of lovely things. I ordered some Chocolate Sun tanning cream (first time trying it!), a leave-in conditioner by Intelligent Nutrients, a bath bar by Whole Truth Solutions, and a customized sample kit with a bunch of things I've been meaning to try. I promise to do a ton of reviews! :)

Anyone else do a little self-indulging lately? Hope you're all enjoying your summer!

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! :)

Saturday Steal: Volcom Meadow Tank Dress

So in order to motivate myself to blog on a weekly basis, I've been working on some regular features. First up is the Saturday Steal where I will be featuring eco-friendly fashion and beauty items for affordable prices. I really love to promote the idea of being earth conscious on a budget. So first up is a super cute dress by Volcom, made of 65% recycled cotton. With a pretty floral pattern and fitted bodice, this dress is a great lightweight option for spring and summer. And for just $39.50, this is a sweet steal with a conscience.

Available at PacSun online. Check out other V Co. Logical items by Volcom on their website.
And stay tuned for more Saturday Steals!

On Trend: Yellow

Nothing screams warm weather like yellow. It's just so happy and vivacious. Crowned as "the color that celebrities love right now" by Instyle, yellow is an easy way to brighten up your wardrobe. And even though my boyfriend isn't the biggest fan, I'm going to wear it anyway (added perk: it makes me look tan). Here are my eco-friendly and fair trade picks for this sunshine hue.

Organic Cotton T-Shirt by Zara - $16.90

Organic cotton at a super affordable price?

Yes, please. But seriously, these shirts go quick.

Fairtrade Skinny Jeans in Lemon Sorbet by Monkee Genes - $109.07

"No slave labour. No child labour."

Fairly traded and crafted in Soil Association certified 

organic cotton, Monkee Genes are both ethical and stylish.

Honey Dipped Cookie Dress by Curator - $149.99

Made of hemp and organic cotton, this lovely dress by Curtor

is made sustainably in the United States. Available through ModCloth.

Ariel Ombre Clutch by Mar Y Sol - $79.99

Handmade and woven from sustainably sourced materials,

Mar Y Sol's beautiful clutches and handbags promote fair 

trade practices and environmental conservation in Madagascar.

Classic Espadrilles by Soludos - $50.88

Made with eco-friendly jute and all natural cotton, these

shoes are absolutely perfect for summertime.

So, what do you think? Will you be wearing yellow this season?

What I'm Loving: Bamboula Ltd. Bags at Madewell

Beach season is coming up and the best thing to pair your suit with is a cute carry-all bag. Featured in the May 2012 issue of Glamour, Bamboula Ltd. makes beautiful bags all handcrafted in Africa. The Pennsylvania based company has been working directly with African artisans for over 30 years. Using fair trade practices, Bamboula Ltd. aims to highlight Africa’s indigenous artistic talent in design and craftsmanship. Aside from handbags and market totes, they also sell decorative housewares, wall décor, small furniture items, garden accessories, holiday ornaments, jewelry, and other gift items.

From right to left: beach bag, little market bag, and market bag

Clip from Glamour magazine May 2012

Currently, Madewell is carrying several of Bamboula's bags in three diferent styles. Ranging from $58 to $95, the bold colors and stripes are a perfect compliment to anyone's summer wardrobe. For other styles, check out Bamboula's online store.

Affordable Eco: Natural Beauty Finds Under $10 + Money Saving Tips

Whether you're on a budget or not, I'm pretty sure every girl out there loves to find beauty products on the cheap. Seriously, there's nothing better than a great steal. And when it comes to adopting an eco beauty lifestyle, money is definitely a hot topic. So many of my readers have expressed concern about the high cost of natural and organic beauty items. While this is definitely true in a lot of cases, I assure you, there are affordable options out there! I've dedicated this post to helping you ladies stick to both your budgets and a clean beauty routine :)

First, I would like to defend the natural/organic products that do sport high price tags because most of them have every right to charge more. Clean beauty brands generally use high quality ingredients that are both effective and safe. Obviously, high quality = more money. We live in a society where if something's cheap, we ignore questions like what's in it? or where did it come from? I try my very best to shop responsibly and support companies that are honest. When it comes to my personal care routine, I would much rather splurge on something that's full of nourishing ingredients than save money on a bottle of harmful chemicals that make my skin and hair look like crap. What's really silly is the fact that many women splurge on "luxury" brands like Chanel or Nars that contain the very same garbage as their cheap counterparts! I understand that not everyone can afford top notch organic beauty (I know I can't!). But if you do choose to splurge, just make sure your money is going to something that's truly worth it.

Okay! Now that I got that out of the way, here are some natural picks that are all under ten bucks. See, I wasn't lying. They do exist!

Jane Iredale Lip Crayon - $10.00
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer - $8.79
Whole Truth Solutions Bath Bar Raw - $6.50
Acure Calming Body Lotion - $9.99
Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Mascara - $10.00 (originally $18.00)
Everyday Minerals Blush in Like Lady Bird Lake - $5.99
Sula Natural Eye Shadow in I'm In Heaven - $8.00
Love&Toast Daily Shampoo - $9.99

Before you go, I also want to leave you with a few money saving tips. My goal is to help you realize that it's definitely possible to be an eco beauty without breaking the bank.

Tip #1: Sample, sample, sample! Nothing's worse than spending money on a truly awful product. Most natural beauty brands are happy to give out samples so you can find your right shade or formula. Spirit Beauty Lounge is amazing for this. You can order a custom package of trial sizes for $25 and as always, they send you free samples with every purchase. Want to test out stuff in person? Go to your local Whole Foods Body to sample in store. They also have sample packets to take home and try out. Another good idea: be familiar with return policies to ensure extra safe shopping.

Tip #2: Invest in a multi-purpose plant oil. Argan, coconut, and jojoba are all really great options. You can use these to moisturize your face and body, remove make-up, soften cuticles, tame frizzy hair     the possibilities are endless! Try to shop for multi-purpose products in general. Lip to cheek colors, shower & shaves, 2-in-1 shampoos, etc. Less items = less money spent.

Tip #3: The ladies at No More Dirty Looks really opened my eyes to this concept: don't splurge on things that you wash right off. Why spend money on powerful active ingredients and then watch them go right down the drain? Save your money for the stuff that stays on your skin. That way, the ingredients will actually have a chance to sink in and do their job. Examples: I use a cheap Burt's Bees shampoo but then treat my locks with a great leave-in conditioner by Intelligent Nutrients. I wash my body with a simple $3 bar of soap but use the best natural deodorant out there.

Tip #4: Don't you dare buy a sugar scrub. Easiest thing in the world to make! 2 parts raw sugar to 1 part plant oil. Done. Other easy items to make? Lip balm, facial toner, sea salt spray for hair. You don't have to be a chemist to make these things at home. Plus, they make great gifts and it's a neat little hobby to get into.

Tip #5: With natural beauty, less is always more. The cosmetic industry has brainwashed us into thinking that we need a product for every little flaw and that's just bogus. Stick to the necessities, don't slather on every cream and lotion on the planet. Heck, go a day without make-up and let your skin breathe! And if you're feeling extra brave, maybe experiment with movements like no-poo (aka not shampooing). Our bodies are very capable of balancing things out and keeping everything in check     we just need to give it a chance! Once again, less items = money saved.

Tip #6: I know this is cliche and you're probably sick of hearing it but there's no product that can do the job of a healthy diet. If you approach issues such as acne or dull hair from the inside out, you'll discover that you won't need as many products. Drink tons of water, take omega supplements and vitamins, eat your veggies, exercise and I swear you'll feel gorgeous.

H&M's Conscious Collection: Spring 2012

It's just about here! H&M's widely popular Conscious Collection has been set to debut on April 12. This time, the line will feature red carpet ready looks in vibrant colors made of organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester. Amanda Seyfried, Kristin Davis, and Michelle Williams have already been spotted wearing the collection. Here are a few of my favorite pieces. I especially love the first dress.

Check out the rest of the looks here at Teen Vogue's site.

Affordable Eco: Organic Cotton T-Shirts by Zara

An organic item of clothing for under twenty bucks?! It's practically unheard of. That's why Zara's organic cotton tees are usually sold out before you even realize they're available. But after constantly stalking their website, I'm happy to announce that there are some that are up for grabs! The colors are perfect for spring.

Solids are only $14.90 while the striped ones go for $16.90. You can't get any better than that. Of course, I am a little bummed that the mint green is no longer, but one can only hope that it'll return again.

Acure Organics Dry Shampoo and Leave-In Conditioner Review

Good morning everyone! After a busy (and fun) weekend, I'm ready to continue with my reviews. Next up are some hair products from the very affordable Acure Organics. I gave their leave in conditioner and dry shampoo a whirl. This is my first experience with Acure Organics so read on to see how it turned out!

First off, I am cursed with horribly thin hair so I'm always at war with greasiness. Dry shampoo is a god send for me. This powdered miracle helps me tame the greasies and keeps me looking fresh in between washes. For the longest time, I used Oscar Blandi's dry shampoo from Sephora    not very clean girl friendly. This stuff worked well, but smelt like lemon furniture polish. Gross. On the other hand, Acure's version smells wonderful. Made with organic corn starch and french white clay, Acure's dry shampoo soaks up oil and dirt in mere seconds. The texture is similar to baby powder, but blends well into hair without leaving behind any residue. Overall, it works just as well as Blandi's, minus the aluminum starch. And for $11, you can't beat it.

Next up, is the leave-in conditioner. Made with argan oil, this lightweight spray softens and protects your hair with natural nourishing ingredients. Like the dry shampoo, it smells great, thanks to the acai berry, pomegranate, and blackberry. Leave-in conditioner is a must for me because of all the flat-ironing that I do. My all time favorite leave-in is by Intelligent Nutrients, but it's pricey and requires an online order. For around 9 bucks, Acure's leave-in is an affordable alternative. However, it can be a tad bit heavy. At first, I sprayed it on like I would with Intelligent Nutrients', but woke up to oily hair the next day. Now I just spritz some on my hands and apply it only to my ends. My hair is left shiny, soft, and gorgeous. Love it.

Both of these products were found at Whole Foods in Madison, New Jersey. Currently, neither product is available on Acure Organics' website, but can be found on Amazon and other stores online.

Evan Healy Rose Cleansing Milk Review

Alrighty, here's review number two!

I've always been an exfoliating addict. If I'm not scrubbing off the top layer of my skin, then it doesn't feel clean. Trouble is, this isn't exactly so great for your face. Despite all the hype about exfoliation being the key to a great complexion, scrubbing excessively can do some serious damage. The top layer of your skin, called the epidermis, essentially acts as a shield, protecting your skin from the elements. Now, I'm not entirely opposed to the occasional sugar scrub, but moderation is key! Once a week, at most, is enough to get your clean fix.

Anyway, in my quest to exfoliate less, I decided to invest in a gentle cleanser. Evan Healy's Rose Cleansing Milk seemed to be a good fit. I have bipolar skin: one minute it's oily and I'm breaking out, the next I'm dry and flakey. It can't make up it's mind. This cleanser is designed to remove make-up and impurities without disturbing the skin's natural pH balance. Full of plant oils and floral water, this cleanser is chock full of good things for your skin.

So how does it measure up? Well, so far so good. I've been using it for the past few days and my skin feels super soft and balanced. The consistency takes a little getting used to. It basically feels like you're washing your face with lotion. But I have to admit, it feels rather luxurious. The rose scent is a little on the strong side. My mom, who detests the smell of roses, gave it a try anyway. Both of us enjoyed the cleansing, but still felt we needed to moisturize afterwards. I figured with such a creamy cleanser, I wouldn't feel the need to moisturize. Regardless, I was happy with the product and will continue to practice gentle cleansing :)

John Masters Organics Bare Unscented Body Lotion Review

Good morning everyone! Yesterday, I made a trip to Whole Foods to restock some beauty goods and decided to give a few new ones a try. Obviously, I haven't been able to give them all a whirl yet so all this week, I'll be blogging reviews about them and other products that have yet to be shared with you lovely readers :)

To get started with my Review Week, I'm going to start with John Masters Organic Bare Unscented Body Lotion. I absolutely adore this stuff! I've only had it for less than 24 hours and I already know that it's gonna be a staple in my bath and body routine. I'm a tad bit obsessed with keeping my skin super soft, especially during the harsh winter. And if I'm gonna slather stuff on my entire body, I really prefer for it to be unscented. But sometimes, unscented smells...well, kinda gross. But not this one. This is what unscented should smell like. It's so light and non-greasy     it literally disappears into my skin without any residue. And this morning, I woke up to baby smooth skin. Everything I want in a body lotion.

Okay, so $16.50 may be rather pricey for a body lotion, but I swear to you, it's a luxury that's totally worth it. Made with 9 certified-organic extracts and oils such as sunflower, coconut, and lavender, this body lotion is equipped to handle the driest of skin types.

So there you have it, the first of many reviews. So far so good. I hope all of my other purchases are just as good as this one. Stay tuned for more reviews from brands such as Tarte, Acure, Josie Maran, and Evan Healy.

Celebs Going Green: Emmy Rossum at Global Green Pre-Oscar Party

If there's one show I'm hopelessly addicted to, it's E! News. The other night, there was a segment on the 9th Annual Pre-Oscar Party hosted by Global Green on February 22, 2012. One star that caught my eye was Emmy Rossum, star of the Showtime series Shameless, who rocked a pastel yellow dress made of hemp and pineapple fibers (courtesy of designer, Oliver Tolentino). I thought she looked absolutely fabulous in the 50's inspired silhouette.

Her make-up was done by Amy Nadine, who used Tarte products. "Inspired by the sweetness of the dress’s color and form, I chose a color palette of sherbets and bubble gum, perfectly suited for spring,” says Nadine. The whole look really came together wonderfully    a great representation of eco-friendly being chic.

Watch the other celebrities who attended the party talk about Global Green and the environment here.