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.

Read more of this story »

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.

Read more of this story »

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!

Read more of this story »

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.

Read more of this story »

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…

Read more of this story »

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:

Read more of this story »

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.

Read more of this story »

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.

Read more of this story »

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.

Read more of this story »

Read more of this story »

I can’t get enough of Vaute Couture, (if you haven’t read my recent post about Vaute Couture’s Bomono vegan winter coat you must read it!) so I thought I would share another goodie from the mind of Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart.

“For the Love of Dog, Adopt!” tee is clever yet blunt. Vaute Couture has once again enlightened me. I was unaware of how many animals are being put to sleep each year- a staggering amount- three to four million healthy cats and dogs.

Read more of this story »

Be lovely inside then out is Vaute Couture’s motto. With a coat as lovely as the Bomono Coat (doesn’t it make your mouth water?) it makes you wonder just how lovely Vaute Couture’s designer and founder, Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart’s, innards are. I’ll tell you, they are drop dead gorgeous…

Read more of this story »

Now that my closet is filled with organic cotton and low impact dyes, I find myself taking two steps back every time I wash my eco-friendly garments in a wide range of chemicals. Thankfully, through Gaia Conceptions, I came across Eco Everyday Natural Laundry Soap.

Read more of this story »

As a young girl, I was in love with Nancy Drew. Being inspired in sixth grade by Nancy’s sleuth skills I wrote my own mystery (starring myself) and called it, “The Mystery of the Purple Polka Dot Pajamas.” Lizz Wasserman, owner/designer of popomomo, herself inspired, created a fall fashion line with Miss Drew in mind. For some reason, and please correct me if I’m wrong, I think popomomo’s fall line will kick my sixth grade book’s buttocks.

Read more of this story »

Once upon a time, a young woman, oh let’s just call her Emily, was vintage shopping. She tried on garment after garment, in love with their colors, styles and worn appeal, yet nothing fit. She held handfuls of fabric behind her back, yanked hems up a couple inches, glared at long droopy sleeves and was saddened by puckered torsos. The girl, completely frustrated, left the store in a huff, dreaming of vintage items that couldn’t be bought.

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as finding that beautiful vintage item that no one else owns. However, it’s disappointing when it doesn’t fit quite right. Maybe it’s too long, the sleeves are too big or it’s shaped like a large square. Deborah Brosenne, owner of Taxi CDC, a.k.a. vintage re-constructor extraordinaire, excels in making vintage items new again by deconstructing and designing them into a perfect fit.

Read more of this story »

I’m a big believer in the power of collaboration. After all, most of us are pretty talented in certain areas yet equally lame (or more so) in others. My most visible skill deficit rears its ugly head whenever it’s time to dress myself. I just don’t have an eye for fashion. However, Stephanie Green, owner of eco-friendly St. Paul shop Ecotique, most certainly does. So it made all the sense in the world for The Nature of Beauty to pair up with Ecotique in order to offer the ecoconscious consumer a one-stop, head-to-toe, fashion forward shopping experience. It’s like the Mall of America but without, well, everything in the Mall of America. But you get the idea.

Read more of this story »

When it comes to eco-friendly fashion, there are two things that ring my bell: Affordability and outside-the-box thinking. Few companies have managed to impress me the way HT Naturals has on both of these counts.

Take their polyester for starters. Often, customers walk into Eco-tique in St. Paul (where Nature of Beauty is housed), look at the HT Naturals long-sleeve t-shirts, see that they’re 50% polyester, and ask skeptically, “How on earth that can be eco-friendly?” The answer:

Read more of this story »

Without going into the environmental and ethical benefits of supporting earth-conscious clothing and shoe companies right now, I will tell you that all of my preconceived notions of eco = hippie art teacher have been soundly demolished, no thanks to this little number (and many of its peers) from Synergy Organic that I try on nearly every day I’m at Eco-tique in St. Paul:

Read more of this story »

Lately I’ve been spending way too much time at Eco-tique in St. Paul, MN. It’s a problem, because I can’t seem to leave this eco-friendly clothing and accessories shop without purchasing something way outside of my price range. Which right now includes anything more than about $7. Before the holidays, I decided I needed a new dress for the…um…one Christmas party I was planning to attend. What happened next was the acquisition of this funky, awesome, one-of-a-kind dress from Kelly Lane:

Read more of this story »

Co-founder Christine Marchuska writes in with the following design contest for all interested readers:

“Nothing is free in this economy and neither is your time, so for your effort in helping the Marchuska team brainstorm (by sharing an idea for their next line) - they will give you 25% off of any purchase in the upcoming month - perfect for all the holla holla holiday shoppers out there! All you have to do is email co-founder and NYC fashionista, Christine Marchuska at christine@marchuska.com with your idea. She will in turn email you back with a 25% off coupon for her site.“

Here is the best part:

Read more of this story »