Green Options

Dear Santa-

All I want for Christmas is every available piece from Species by the Thousands. What’s that you say Santa? What is Species by the Thousands? Only the most unique jewelry/clothing line that uses recycled materials, including scrap metal. And Santa? Feel free to drop some SBTT jewelry into other chimneys as well. Designer, Erica Bradbury and her rockin’ line, really understand the eco-friendly movement and the way it should transition to mainstream.

Sincerely,

A Very Good Girl Named Emily

People keep telling me it’s just my body detoxing, releasing some sort of angry toxins all over my face. Apparently, new yogi’s go through this period when beginning their journey into the yoga world. Well, I’ve been at this yoga thing for a few months now, and still, my face continually breaks out. I’ve never had flawless skin, mind you, but lately, it’s been at a whole new level of imperfect. And, who would have thought, I’m not too happy about it. In fact, I’ve turned into a little angry toxin myself, infusing my brain with nasty negative self talk and feeling much like a teenager girl all over again- constantly looking at my face for new imperfections and crying a little on the inside every time a new one pops up.

Enter Organoderm and Dr. Alkaitis- two facial products that have flown into my life like little superheros wearing capes, flexing their big muscles and fighting the big bad break out.

Okay, so, I feel sheepish. The last article I posted I claimed that American Apparel is not eco-friendly. To my delighted surprise, American Apparel carries an organic line called The Sustainable Edition. This is not new news, but well, it’s new to me. I love American Apparel, so I’m incredibly pleased to know that this huge well known company is slowly trying to make the switch to carry only organic clothing.

Last spring, my best friend got married. Three weeks before her blessed wedding day, a bachelorette party was held. Two days before that, I purchased an American Apparel black dress for the party. It was skin tight, short, and featured a scoop neck in the front as well as the back. I looked good. However…we all know, that American Apparel is NOT eco-friendly, but at this point in my life I was dang poor (being a bridesmaid does that to you) and decided to purchase a new garment at the last minute. So without apology, I tell you openly, I bought a cheap black sexy dress from American Apparel.

Yesterday, while searching on Etsy for “modern clothing” I fatefully came across mydearthing and instantly fell in love. Designer Lauren Jones definitely named her line well- her garments immediately became dear to me. Today, while searching “eco-friendly clothing” on Etsy, I came across mydearthing once again! To my surprise, mydearthing is eco-friendly (apparently I was absent minded yesterday and stared at the photos of the perfect frocks as opposed to reading the fabrics used!) Watch out American Apparel, Lauren has created the perfect organic double v-neck dress that puts my bachelorette piece to downright shame.

Sometimes I find myself in quite a rut- focusing on the negative aspects of my life rather than the positive. The past year of my life however, has been quite incredible (and I need to remind myself that.) Jobs have fallen in my lap and people have been placed in my path for a reason. And at times, when I get muddled down by negative thoughts I have to remind myself of the opportunities I’ve been so gracefully handed. Which quite a few, wouldn’t have happened without my main source of income.

My full time job (amongst many small ones) has been working at the eco-friendly fashion boutique, Eco-Tique, in St. Paul, MN. During the past year working here, I have had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Terri Bly, owner of The Nature of Beauty, and being able to work not only for Eco-Tique but her company as well. So today, I give a shout out to Eco-Tique’s top fall must haves which can be found at The Nature of Beauty.

I know…a pretty abrasive title for Feelgood Style. You may be asking yourself, “Come on Emily, is that appropriate?” I assure you, it is. In fact, Party in my Pants is the title of the newest eco-product I have accumulated into my little eco-goody inventory.

So, dear Feelgood Style readers…I introduce you to Party in my Pants- cloth pads for the Princess on her Period.

I know, since my last post about The Curatorial Collection by Popomomo, you’ve all been dying to know where you can buy it! Well, I’m happy to announce, that The Curatorial Collection is now available for purchase!

I’ve always been thoroughly impressed with Bodkin. It’s one of those lines that I wish I could be the designer of (that would be a rather large boost to my ego) or at least own every single item they create. Even while perusing Bodkin’s website I get giddy with a slight bit of down right jealousy…wishing all the breathtaking garments were hanging in my wardrobe.

My eyes may have been too blinded by the incredibly unique clothing I was viewing on earlier visits to the site, or maybe my heart was pumping too much blood to my brain giving me a bit of a brain spasm, or, perhaps, I lost my breath and fainted-any of these are possible. But, on this visit, my eyes not only stared at the clothing, but what was written at the bottom of each picture. Words such as hand dyed with red onion and blessed by the Dalai Lama made me fall in love a bit more. Whether you care about eco-friendly clothing or not, wearing non-violent silk blessed by the Dalai Lama is gratifying and incredibly exciting.

Yesterday, I took a much needed nap. Basking in my soft sheets and surrounding myself in my glorious comforter, I fell asleep, dreaming peacefully of cupcakes and fairies. Upon awakening from my deep slumber I began to shiver. Rolling over while pulling my comforter over my head I tried to avoid the inevitable sound that my ears begrudgingly heard, a deep autumn howl from the great outdoors. My room was freezing, the unbearable sound of a winter wind creeping over the state of Minnesota swept through my room, my eyes opened to look out the window, I could see winter coming. Fall surrounded me.

It was eighty degrees two days ago. Without any warning or a pleasant transition period, fall has squashed our measly state with its prickly cold toes. Now, I’m left knowing that winter is right around the corner. Remind me to move somewhere warmer.

That being said, I put on my favorite She-Bible sweatshirt today, on this first day of fall- the season that foreshadows doom. So to lighten my spirit, I thought I would put together some of my favorite fall must haves…

This morning, I went to work per usual. Miss Terri Bly, the glorious woman that she is, had so thoughtfully signed me up for Ecouterre’s eco-fashion magazine. Let me just formally say this, thank you Terri, you sweet sweet intuitive woman.

Upon going to the site, which is fantastic, I fatefully came across Mr. Larkin, a relatively new eco line featured at the GreenShows. I quickly looked at the fashion show pics (thanks to Ecouterre) and made some sort of embarrassing happy grunting sound while looking up the designer.