ECOutrement

Fabrics & Materials & Products...Oh My!

2012-02-07T12:01:00.000-08:00

It can be overwhelming these days to try and see through advertising fluff and really understand what it is you are consuming. Personally I have a hierarchy of fabrics and materials that fit into 3 very distinct categories...those I try to never purchase, those I sometimes purchase based on the way they are produced, and those I absolutely love. The first category mostly contains virgin artificial materials. The second category is home to natural materials, and artificial materials made from recycled goods. The third category is composed of organic, and repurposed, natural materials.

Let's cut through all the mumbo jumbo...here are my favorite fabrics/materials for the most essential parts of my closet.

When it comes to clothes I absolutely love organic cotton. It's soft, it's easy to find, and it's easy to care for. Wrinkled? Pull out a steamer. Dirty? Throw it in the laundry. Designers are creating everything from avant garde evening gowns to t-shirts to denim to blazers to winter coats in organic cotton.

Organic Cotton Laurel Military Jacket by Kelly B Couture (Photo Credit: Kelly B Couture)

For handbags my favorite material is repurposed leather. I know I'm not gaining any popularity with vegans, but to me repurposed leather is the perfect thing to sling over my shoulder. It's sturdy so the bag will last through the seasons. It doesn't require any sort of recycling process when being transformed from, say, a leather jacket to a fabulous handbag, which means less pollution. Plus, nothing looks classier than a beautiful leather handbag. I don't see repurposed leather as something that supports the leather industry. These beautiful pieces are being created from leather found in thrift stores and trash cans. If not reused, this leather would be heading straight for the landfill. Better on my arm than in a landfill!

Recycled Leather Oriole Clutch by Ashley Watson

Jewelry has to be vintage! If the whole piece isn't vintage it at least has to incorporate vintage stones, chains, or pendants. Aside from following my favorite green ritual of reuse, vintage jewelry has so much personality. The stories these pieces could tell!

Frankel by Hovey Lee featuring vintage crystals (Photo Credit: Hovey Lee)

What are your favorite eco-chic materials and fabrics?

January 2012 reflECtiOns

2012-01-30T20:53:00.000-08:00

Holy moley it's 2012 people! How has time gone by so fast? It took me a while, but I have finally settled on my New Years resolution. This year I will attempt to remove all toxins from my skincare and haircare routines. I'm not just talking about buying organic cosmetics or looking more closely at labels. I'm talking about making my own cosmetics out of only the purest ingredients. Will they be effective? Who knows!

I am pretty sure that I subscribe to pretty much every green blog out there, and for the past month or so I feel like I have been getting stalked by posts talking about the Oil Cleansing Method and the No-Poo Challenge. Everyone who's tried them has praised them, but I can't help but think that something is too good to be true about these rituals. Yes, maybe I will look like an oil slick during the beginning of this transition, but is that enough of a downside to dismiss it without trying?

So here's the game plan.

Step 1...transition from commonly believed best skin care practices to slathering oil onto my face in order to clear my acne. Yes, I know how crazy that just sounded.

Photo Credit: Radiant Brown Beauty

Step 2...throw away my shampoo, so that I can go through 3 weeks of having to wear a hat due to the oil field that I have been assured will appear on my scalp, so that I can then have the most beautiful hair ever seen.

Photo Credit: The Time of Her Lives

One thing I've learned in my years is that things seem to get better before they get worse, as I believe will be the case with the Oil Cleansing Method and the No-Poo Challenge. Care to join me on my journey?? Maybe we'll learn something about life, and not just about beauty, along the way!

Already tried one of these methods? Love it or hate it? Let me know so I know what I'm getting myself in to!

Want to learn more?

http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
http://www.crunchybetty.com/no-poo-to-you-too

My Lust List: Winter Handbags

2012-01-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

Winter is the perfect time to add a fabulous handbag to your look. Pops of color, patterns, and embellishments can add some style and flair to your winter wardrobe. As always, my lust list grows. Here are my most wanted bags for winter.

1. This Fold Clutch ($210 at Beklina) designed by Lisa Rennell is a limited edition clutch made out of recycled snakeskin print leather, and handmade in Northern California.
2. Each Pipit by Ashley Watson is one-of-a-kind due to the nature of the leather jacket it was made from. Each bag features a hemp lining and a unique design.
3. The Apple & Bee Coin Purse ($24 at Kaight) features a hemp exterior and silky bamboo interior. This adorable coin purse is 100% vegan.
4. The Mister Studded Handbag ($584 at Novella Royale) by Novella Royale is hands down one of my favorite bags of all time. It is made from recycled leather in Los Angeles (making each bag one-of-a-kind), features an organic cotton lining, and comes with a vintage fabric dust bag.

Jamie Helps You Detox For A Healthy 2012

2012-01-13T18:42:00.000-08:00

Nothing creates a more stylish you than being happy, healthy, and energized.

My friend Jamie G. Dougherty, founder of JamieLiving.com and a fantastic holistic nutritionist, has opened up her Delicious Detox for the New Year.

Do you feel full and sluggish?
Are your pants a little tight?
Are you anxious about your body?
Are you worried that 2012 is going to be another year of dieting?
Are your sugar cravings are out of control?
Is it impossible for you to wake-up without coffee?
Are you already tired even though it's only January?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions then you've got to grab your spot in Jamie's program! During this 10-day intensive you will explore how to detox your body and mind from the toxic foods and thoughts that have been gunking-up your physical and emotional system for years. The most amazing thing about Jamie's unique work is she empowers you to eat well and release those toxic truths that drive you crazy and keep you from being truly healthy, fun and fabulous!

Yes, there is a delicious life without gluten, dairy, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and soy and Jamie is going to show you the way. Aside from being inspirational, and having fantastic nutrition advise, Jamie is so much fun and I just know you will love her!

You can participate virtually, so there is no need to live near Jamie. The detox runs from Tuesday 1/17 to Friday 1/27, but don't worry if you aren't around for those dates. Everyone who signs up for the detox will be able to access copies of each call after the calls take place.

Interested? Visit http://jamieliving.com/2012_dailey_detox/. The first 20 people to sign up get 15% off of the cost of the program, a $45 value!

A Kind Goodbye to Kind Boutique

2012-01-04T21:07:00.000-08:00

It makes me sad to have to break this to you, but Kind Boutique is closing their virtual doors. This is one of those sites that makes me happier when I visit it, and it saddens me to have to say goodbye. Between their adorable graphics and their eco-chic collection of goodies I always found inspiration and something to lust over.

Although I am in mourning, Kind Boutique was kind enough to share some happier news. Due to their closing, everything at http://kindboutique.com/ is 50% off with the code "FAREWELL".

*UPDATED 2/2/12: the code "FAREWELL" will now get you 60% off your Kind Boutique purchase.*

Shop quickly though, as the pickings are already pretty slim. What am I thinking of slipping in my 50% off shopping cart? The Baggu + Shabd Duck Bag in Grey.

Baggu + Shabd Duck Bag in Grey; $48

Review: Novella Royale handbags

2012-01-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

Local, organic, hand-made, recycled, quality, and fabulous. All my favorite things in one! Novella Royale is hands down my favorite eco-luxury handbag line. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Yes.

As the Novella Royale website states, "Novella Royale was inspired by the concept of designing luxury handbags without creating waste from new materials. The leather from each bag is hand cut from vintage jackets, making each piece a one-of-a-kind in color, distressing and seaming. In addition to using only recycled leather, each bag is lined with organic fabric and hand made in Los Angeles. reduce re-use recycle."

I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of their Mister handbags in black leather with black studs. Not only does this super chic bag match everything, but it is the perfect size to hold all my essentials and I have received countless complements.

Novella Royale Mister Studded Handbag; $584

I cannot stress enough how well made this piece is. I know it will last and last. Even more than it's material make-up, I think one of the things that makes this bag so sustainable is the quality of it. Not only will the style of it last through the years and the seasons, but the quality of it will ensure that it looks just as good, if not better, years from now.

My only complaint? As of my most recent information gathering, the metal studs, and all other metal found on the bags is not made from recycled materials.

LovingEco Blow Out Sale

2011-12-29T16:51:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it? First Pure Citizen and now LovingEco. My two favorite places to get great deals on eco-fashion and beauty are both having blow out sales.

I just scored an adorable Stewart + Brown vest for $12 instead of the original $158! Great eco-pieces at up to 90% off. Hurry though...the sale ends in 3 days.

Blow Out Sale at Pure Citizen

2011-12-26T17:30:00.000-08:00

Pure Citizen, one of my absolute favorite places to find great deals on amazing eco-brands, is hosting a huge last chance sale. They are featuring approximately 150 eco-chic items at 50%+ off of retail prices.

Shop now before time runs out...the sale ends January 1.

2011 reflECtiOns

2011-12-26T11:23:00.000-08:00

Every new year I can't help but look back and reflect on what I have experienced in 2011. Every year has their ups and downs, and this past year has been no exception. I have lost loved ones and made new friends. I have hit business hurdles and found new successes. I have suffered through bad days and experienced some of the best days of my life. Through it all I can't help but think that I am blessed.

I can't say that this year was one of 100% green. I am not perfect and I don't expect anyone else to be. I am still struggling with my frozen food addiction, and everyone once in a while I break and buy a conventional product. I have had my eco-successes though, and I truly believe that even with our imperfections, every little green change we make adds up to a big difference. Through it all we must be thankful for what we have and the successes we have been able to achieve, rather than dwell on the fact that none of us are, or every will be, perfect.

The other day I was driving to meet my parents when I saw a man in his 20s sitting by the side of the road begging for food. I myself am in my 20s and couldn't help but think about how he arrived in that situation. I happened to have a bag of groceries in my car and for some reason I just couldn't drive by him without dwelling on the fact that the back of my car was full of food and he was simply desperate for a snack. I pulled of the road, got out, and handed him a bag of veggies, fruit, and milk. As he looked inside the bag the look on his face went from miserable to hopeful. I walked back to my car feeling thankful for the life I have. As I started my engine I saw him walk over to another man asleep under a nearby overpass. He quietly divvied up the food I gave him and went back to his post. With all the hardship this man was clearly experiencing he still wanted to share the little that he had with a struggling neighbor. More than anything this made me realize the innate good that still exists in many people.

When times get tough, and when you feel like there is little good left in this world remember that hungry man by the side of the road who refused to be fed when another man went hungry.

I hope you enjoy the new and improved ECOutrement blog. Happy New Year, and here is to an eco-chic 2012!

xoxo

Megan