Green Options

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Last season, I made a little inspiration board of stylish spring crushes, and now in the same spirit I’d like to share a small photo collage of styles I love this summer:

Clockwise:

1. The Luna Bikini via Green is Black, is a repurposed lycra bikini, with tie back halter triangle cupped top, and bottoms with a gathered tie in the middle back. They are made in the USA and sweatshop free.
2. From Nau on, and thank goodness, Nau is back in business this summer with their classic looks in full effect this season, especially with their July specials. Celebrate the return of this brilliant organization with comfortable styles and cozy items half off all month.

Isn’t it nice to learn about a company that so admirably exceeds the goal of sales?

There are many reasons to overcome fashion’s destructive downside.

I’m not really a big shopper, but there are few things more satisfying than finding beautiful baubles to adorn oneself that are also ethically and sustainably created. Okay, so maybe more than a few things are more satisfying, but it is a great feeling to know that while decorating ourselves or someone we love, we can also be more mindful of where these things come from, who made them, and perhaps even where some of the profits of the purchase may go.

I love jewelry, so this is an easy one for me. In my travels over the last couple of years, I’ve come across some interesting jewelry designers and concepts, some of which are really gorgeous in addition to being a feelgood style. Here are just a few I would recommend:

 X-NYC Traffic Light Jewelry!
I met a woman (whose card I’ve lost) last summer at an eco-event @ Lincoln Center who had purchased literally tons of the old glass that used to be used for NYC traffic lights. When they changed to LED-style lights, she heard that all this glass was headed for the landfills. She asked if she could have it, and arranged to have it delivered to her instead! She has a method of breaking them down and tumbling them smooth to make some wonderful jewelry. Visit her web landing page to find out more - SoleArts.com

More Beautiful Eco-Jewelry . . .

I recently came across an online game called “Design Your Dream Home” on the Green Is Universal website. I was shocked by what I found and how bad the game really was. I prefer to focus on the positive aspects of green building, but this strikes me as so misguided that I could not let it pass unremarked.

Whoever designed this game has no understanding of real green building in any meaningful sense. Instead of providing any insight or education about green building, the game reduces design of a green house to nothing more than a couple of mouse clicks. “Choose the climate construction materials and energy sources and see how green you can be.” The oversimplification this presents is a huge disservice to visitors to the site who play the game.

How Do You Go Green With Web TV?

While I know that living a green lifestyle is the best for our family and the environment, I have always wondered about the co-relation between TV and green living choices? I am not one for watching TV as a pastime, especially considering the increase in my internet time in the recent years. However even with the expanding world of web entertainment, I have struggled with how to go green in this area. That [...]

For over 6000 years aromatherapy, also known as the art of blending natural essential oils, has been in use. The Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and many other cultures around the globe have used aromatherapy oils and documented their healing properties. The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, was known to have used aromatherapy baths and scented massage. In fact, he used aromatic fumigations to help rid Athens of the terrible plague. Perfumes, on the other hand, are synthetic and known to contain toxic chemicals. They were invented less than a century ago and may actually create illness. For example, the acetone found in synthetic fragrance effects the nervous system when inhaled. Research on this topic has shown side effects of possible dizziness, less coordination, nausea, and drowsiness as well as irritating the sinuses, throat, eyes, and skin. Often men’s cologne is strongest and worn with the idea of making women swoon, yet it just may have her falling for the wrong reasons.
While perfumes can alter or mutate our hormones in an unnatural way, the molecules in essential oils act naturally like hormones and form a healthy link with our bodily processes.

The right blend of essential oils will not only strengthen our immune system but also aid in revitalization and regulation of our emotional and physical responses to our changing everyday environment.

Don’t fall for the gold rush when scrutiny is required to honestly connect it to the green market.

Now (on top of my yoga meditations) I’ve been reading another little guidebook on simple self meditations to instantly remind me of the beauty in our everyday surroundings, and let me share they work like magic.

“Don’t self-medicate—self-meditate” is one motto for this book (both online and off) on self-meditation which encourages us to reap the evergrowing array of benefits related to the practice of meditating.

Creatively drawn from spiritual practices from Zen, to yoga, Sufism, and insight meditation, this book touches meditation basics, mantras and koans, tips, and ideas. A pocket guide style book, it reminds us to practice our inner breath, that recharges us with energy and vitality. Often people believe the only way to enlightenment is in long drawn out meditation retreats, and while those are amazing, it really only takes time out to meditate a few minutes a day for the same health benefits.

From Amazon’s description

…hundreds and hundreds of meditation practices that can be done during the course of our daily lives. You don’t need to go to a mountain retreat, renounce meat, or walk through coals on the soles of your feet—here’s a meditation to have with a cup of tea….

When a talented friend and associate, Marcia Yerman, who happens to be an advocate for women’s issues insisted we consider featuring Jody Weiss, founder of PeaceKeepers Cause-Metics in Relevant Times last year, I paid attention. There are so many reasons to be amazed by Ms. Weiss and the wonderful ’cause-metics’ she has produced - great, natural AND benefiting women and the world in many ways . . .

Then, when we got some samples to play with, and I was really impressed! 

You can’t beat hemp for practicality, and this number, simply and logically titled 100% Hemp Dress White, is that and more. Pictured is offered from The Hemptest in Boston, whose been in biz since 1995.

Owner Mitch Rosenfield also has Massachusetts stores in Cambridge and Northampton. Add neighboring Burlington, Vermont for a total of four stores. His impressive web store appeases those beyond the northeast communities. Gee, that makes five stores. [...]