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.

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).

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.