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! :)

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

What I'm Loving: Valentine's Day Dresses by Annie Greenabelle

Now, I'm usually no fan of pink (just ask my pink-obsessed best friend, Jess). But these dresses by Annie Greenabelle have me seriously reconsidering the super girlie hue. Just in time for Valentine's Day, these organic cotton dresses are absolutely lovely. Best of all, they won't break the bank. All three pictured below are no more than $60.

Check out the rest of Annie Greenbelle's holiday attire here.
And stay tuned for more eco-friendly Valentine's Day ideas!

TOMS Ballet Flats Spring 2012

Why hello, everyone. Happy New Year! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I'm super excited to get back into the swing of things, especially for the blog. I've been brainstorming some great posts for you guys, so stay tuned!

I was flipping through my February issue of Glamour with the gorgeous Rachel McAdams on the cover when I came across a little blurb about ballet flats by TOMS. I think I may have missed the memo on this one because apparently, there's been buzz about these adorable shoes for quite some time now. So in case you're in the dark like I was, check them out!

I'll take one of each, please. I'm so happy to see TOMS expanding their company. There are so many styles to choose from now     wedges, flats, boots, even sunglasses. I just wish I could scoop up a pair this very moment! The release date is unknown but you can sign up here to receive an e-mail when they're in stock. As always, TOMS will donate a pair of shoes for every purchase.

What do you think? Will you be buying a pair this Spring?

Why I Heart Sanuk: Best Customer Service Ever

So over the summer, I bought a pair of Sanuk sandals that I really fell in love with, The Rasta Nectar Sandal. Made out of recycled rubber, hemp, and coconut shells (as buttons), they were a great eco find. I wore them pretty much every day... until the buckle broke. I broke out the superglue, but it wouldn't hold. I was heartbroken.

Sanuk Rasta Nectar Sandal - $44.00

So about a month ago, I saw them laying in my room and decided to shoot Sanuk an e-mail. I told them what happened and asked if there was any way they could fix it or send me a new button. Turns out, they send me a brand new pair of sandals, free of charge. All they asked for was a picture of my broken sandal. How awesome is that? It just goes to show how much Sanuk cares about their customer service. I can't wait til summer so I can start wearing my favorite sandals again!






I feel like eco-friendly companies aim to please their customers way more than regular companies. What do you think? Have you ever had a similar experience? Always love to hear your feedback! :)

Affordable Eco: Coats and Cover-ups

Good morning everyone! It's cold and rainy here in Jersey and I'm totally in the market for a new coat. I've been searching like crazy for a sustainable one that's cute and affordable, but it's been tough. Nothing frustrates me more than when I fall in love with one that's way out of my price range. Don't get me wrong, I love me some eco friendly high fashion    but I will never be able to afford a $400 coat. So for all you ladies who are on the same page, I picked out some really great cover-ups ranging from $29.99 to $138.00. Not bad, right?

Top left: Carve Designs Ocean Beach Jacket (made with organic cotton) - $29.99

Bottom left: Threads for Though Socorro Poncho (made with organic cotton) - $60.00

Middle: Indigenous Designs Weekender Cardigan (100% organic cotton, fair trade, low impact dyes) - $90.00

Top right: BTC Elements Earth Hoody Jacket (100% organic cotton, hand-made in USA) - $138.00

Bottom right: American Eagle Asymmetric Jacket (made with recycled wool) - $99.99

Bundle up and stay warm :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm so thankful for each and every one of my readers    you guys are the best! Thanks so much for your support.

What I'm Loving: Zodiac Necklaces by Kris Nations

Anyone who knows me is fully aware that I'm an astrology freak. Luckily, most of my girlfriends are, too! So anything remotely related to the zodiac makes me super happy. And when it's eco-friendly? Like crazy, super happy. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to have come across these teardrop zodiac necklaces by Kris Nations.

Of course, I'm quite partial to the Cancer one... but they're all gorgeous! Handcrafted in San Francisco, these pieces are made out of recycled gold or silver, depending on which metal you choose. The best part is, they're totally affordable: $39.00 at BTC Elements! Nothing like an eco-friendly deal to make my day :)

Happy November! Eco Fall Fashion Under $100

I can't believe it's been over a month since I blogged! So sorry for the neglect, guys! But not to worry. I'm getting back into the game... I promise :)

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Everything thing is pumpkin flavored, the trees are beautiful, and you get to snuggle up with a hot cup of tea... what's not to love? So for November, I was inspired to do another affordable fashion feature with fall-colored items. Everything is under a hundred bucks so eat your heart out bargain lovers.

Corduroy pants by Blank at Curators - $88.00
Earrings by Hovey Lee Campbell at Spirit Beauty Lounge - $40.00
Shoes by TOMS - $69.00
Sunflower Clutch by Mar Y Sol - $79.00
Dress by Go Green M by M at Fashion Conscience - $47.00
Sweet Dreams Bracelet at Global Girlfriend - $9.95







What do you think? What's your favorite thing about fall?

Fair Trade Feature: Greenola

Hello all :) I'm really excited to share this feature with you. I've been crazy busy with school and it's about damn time I gave you something to read!

Choosing eco-friendly fashion isn't just about shopping for sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester. It's about keeping in mind where your clothes are coming from. Many consumers fail to realize the atrocities involved with garment manufacturing. I was absolutely appalled when I read about the rape factory in Jordan. Sure, those clothes may be cheap, but those prices don't factor in abuse.

That's why I'm happy to have discovered Greenola. Greenola features beautiful accessories and clothing handmade by Bolivian women. Through their work, these women are able to support not only themselves, but their community as well. Everything from Greenola directly supports the fair trade movement and the fight against unfair labor. Here are some of my favorite items, I adore them!

From left to right: RAYA Infinity Scarf, CALYPSO Semi-Precious Stone Bracelet, TACHE Handwoven Purse

Founder, Jennifer Moran, is extremely passionate about her work. Even after only a few online exchanges, I could tell how important this cause is to her.

"I am inspired to create a Responsible Style Revolution. We currently can pick any food item off the shelf and choose exactly what we put into our bodies. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about fashion. We read the label and have no idea who made the garment, or what goes into making the fabric... With Greenola, we have full transparency."

Besides running a fashion business the way it should be run, Jennifer has also teamed up with Solidarity Bridge, an organization that helps bring medical aid to impoverished Bolivian communities. 10% of every purchase is donated to the charity, helping the Bolivian population overcome such severe poverty.

So now's your chance to support a good cause and scoop up some cute stuff! Jennifer has supplied me with a coupon code, specifically for you lovely readers. Enter the code FORTHELOVE at checkout and receive 20% your entire order (one per customer, expires 12/31/2011). Oh, did I mention that everything is crazy affordable to begin with? Happy shopping!

Interested in the history of Greenola and it's founder, Jennifer Moran? Check out this article (page 5).

Affordable Eco: Fashion Finds Under $50

Hey everyone! It's been a little while so I apologize. I'm happy to report that I've survived Hurricane Irene (and an earthquake!). Lots of power outages and flooding in my area, but it looks like things are getting back to normal, including my blogging! So let's get started, shall we?

Like a lot of you out there, I'm a green girl on a budget. I'm always hunting for a good eco bargain. Finding sustainable fashion that's affordable is a bit challenging. But it's not impossible, I promise. So in order to prove this, I've put together some under $50 finds. I was going for a preppy surfer type vibe, check it out:

Bracelet: "Hemp Pebble Bracelet" by Design Spark - $27.99

Backback: by Baggu. Made of 100% recycled cotton - $32.00

Shoes: "Hemp Palisades Vulc" by Vans. Made with 100% sustainable hemp. Water based dyes and glues - $42.00

Sweater: "V Co. Logical Striped Sweater" by Volcom - $41.60

Scarf: "Develop a Crush Scarf" by Global Girlfriend. Handmade and fairly traded in India - $18.00

Let me know what you think! I want to try and turn this into a regular feature :)

Magazine Clippings: Project Alabama's Green T Fall 2011 Collection

Nylon magazine is a great source for fashion news. I love that they cover everything from high fashion and store collaborations, to celebrity lines and of course, eco-friendly collections. There's a little something for every fashion lover. This month, I stumbled upon Green T, a collection of eco-friendly tees, tunics, and dresses by Project Alabama.

August 2011 issue of Nylon featuring Green T collection (right)

The collection features a neutral color palette with delicate floral patchwork. Everything is organically grown, herb dyed, fairly traded and cruelty free. I'm really loving the chic, laid back vibe; exactly what I'm aiming for this fall.

"Green T has a heart. It is our mission to create beautiful, luxurious and conscientious clothes. Every piece of our collection is one a kind, produced by a collective of local women supporting their upliftment and the tradition of craft in needy communities."

View the Fall 2011 Green T look book.

Price Range: $58.00 - $88.00

Where to buy: Check out store listings in your area.