Green Options

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, 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…

For those of you who have never spent much time in Minneapolis/St. Paul, you may not realize that the Twin Cities are surprisingly progressive - at times, one might even say trend-setting (think Target and Aveda). So it’s no surprise really that it was a full seven years ago that Minneapolis saw its first eco-friendly clothing boutique. Since that time, Birch Clothing owners Ellen Gavin and Marti Markus have solidified their reputation as the go-to shop for green fashion in the area.

Now they’ve taken their business to the Internet, with well-known staples like Patagonia, as well as smaller, lesser-known brands such as Aventura and Indigenous Designs. Best of all, they are offering FeelgoodStyle readers 20% your entire order! To help you get started on your shopping spree, I thought I’d point out a few of my favorite things:

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.

For Labor Day I thought I would share a little something my mind has been laboring over. It’s called a kilt. I like to call it, a glimpse of heaven. If heaven consists of recycled leather, fabric and hardware combined to make delicious ‘kilts’ in varying colors and patterns, I beg you, transport me there immediately.

Pure Bohemian, congratulations. You’ve constructed the most incredible skirt I have ever seen. Period.

This morning, per usual, I checked my email. A huge smile crossed my face when I saw an email from Lizz Wasserman, designer of Popomomo. With the words “Introducing” and “Collection” in the email’s subject I immediately, my heart racing, opened it. To my delirious satisfaction, my eyes soaked in picture after beautiful picture of a limited-edition-sexy collection.

Shown above is, ah yes, one of my personal favorite She-Bible garments, The Faithfull Pantsuit. Fashion photographer, April Wiser, was so won over with the suit she asked me to wear it for our recent photo shoot. Wanting my make-up to be as interesting as my intense feather lashes I asked Terri Bly, owner and founder of The Nature of Beauty, to glam me up with natural make-up. Suddenly, the photo shoot had an eco-flair, so I thought I’d share it with all you! Not to mention, a really sweet discount on the make-up I’m sporting…