How Green Is Your Closet?

Swan Song

2011-03-03T10:19:00.000-05:00

When I started this blog there was a real need to get information out about fashion, consumption and the environment. I am pleased to say that these issues have come to the mainstream and my efforts are no longer needed. So it is with great joy that I make this final post.

Don't worry. I will keep blogging. I have 2 other ideas and I hope to start them soon. It has been my pleasure to converse with you. Please visit my website often and do keep in touch.

-- till we meet again Restore, Recycle Refresh & Renew

More green outlets

2011-02-01T09:44:00.000-05:00

You've heard of etsy, but how about the Greek contender, Yiouco which features only items that have been created through upcycling, recycling, or reuse. Featured in Springwise, this site uses a similar easy storefront model. Currently, there are no fees, but they will institute a fee structure in Spring 2011.

Retail therapy is calling... What better thing to peruse on another icy, snowy day in the northeast.

--till next week, Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew.

Closet clean out

2011-01-25T10:22:00.001-05:00

New year, new you! Rcently, I have started to clean my closet out in January. It is an odd time I know. Most people clean out in the spring and fall when they change over. I do that too, but more recently I have gotten into the habit of cleaning out in January and donating clothes in honor of MLK day. It all started several years ago with my on air clothes swap through Nexus Radiio.

This year I was able to clean out and consign to a new gem in Northern Liberties, Once Worn. This consignment shop rocks! The Demographic is ripe for my cast offs and i have found some great finds there too. I have a smashing pair of Michael Kors knee high lace up black suede boots that I scored for $60. Truly from "These Boots Are Made for Waliking." I get paid monthly, on time and so I am converting some of my best stuff to cash, helping local business and recycling! Win, win, win.

I was also able to donate career clothes to my favorite local charity, the Career Wardrobe. They. Have a clothing drive every 3rd Wednesday of the month and since they have also started a retail reuse shop, this donation has gotten much easier. I get a tax break, help women in need who are returning to the work force and recycle! Win, win, win.

Today I got news of a Local women's clothing giveaway to benefit Darfour. This could be my next win, win win if only I can find some more items to get out of my closet;)

-- till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Lost gloves - what to do?

2011-01-11T17:21:00.000-05:00

I hope it is 10AM somewhere since I missed my self-imposed post time today! Oh well here we go.

It is winter in my neck of the woods and that means lost gloves and found gloves. Artist Miyako Kanamori serves up the perfect solution to recycle the singles. Instead of Sock friends how about Happy Gloves Charming Softy Friends Made from Coloful Gloves!

Using simple cuts and stitching and a lot of the Japanese concept of kawaii, Kanamori fashions an entire neighborhood of friends and accessories out of one or 2 knit gloves.

I just got this book yesterday and kismet had me find a sad glove this morning. I hope to turn that sad glove into a happy glove this week. Riffing on Kanamori's concept and adding my darker twist, I think my first Happy Glove friend will be a punk or gothic rat - my sad glove is covered with skulls;)

What a great way to reuse those solo gloves. Thumbs up (pun intended) to Kanamori. Keep your eyes out for lost gloves and turn them quickly into found friends.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Green lights

2011-01-04T09:12:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to all. If you live in Philadelphia,lighting your closet just got complicated. The new year meant electric rate deregulation - So many choices and a bit confusing. In the end, Peco charges will only increase by about $5/month, but consumers have the opportunity to purchase electricity from renewable sources like the Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania. This means consumers can vote with their dollars and send a message to the industry.

For more information check out:
PA Powerswitch
Peco Answers

Closed for the Holiday

2010-12-14T09:34:00.000-05:00

The Closet is taking a holiday break. Enjoy the season and check back January 4th for more green news.

I wish you a happy and healthy!

--till January 4th Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Green Holiday Options

2010-12-07T07:34:00.000-05:00

Here's another idea for a Green Holiday brought to you by Valerie Keller at BigTeaParty.

What do you say when your pals want to know what you want them to buy you this holiday season? Check out the Alternative Holiday Gift Registry.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Eco-ornaments

2010-11-30T17:34:00.000-05:00

Need some last minute quick gifts? Get some citrus and get cracking. One of the first ever eco-gifts I made was a scented ball for my mom's closet. Grab an orange. Poke it with cloves - free-form or in a pattern of your choosing. Wrap with a ribbon and leave a tail to make a loop. Hang over a hanger and the scent will permeate the clothes in your closet.

Another favorite of mine is to take the skin of citrus fruit and cut it into shapes of stars, suns, moons, whatever you fancy. Let the skin naturally dry. Coat with watered down white glues to keep the stirring critters away. Wrap with jute or raffia and hang on the tree. You could add cranberries and popcorn as well, or even beads.

These make great hostess gifts and stocking stuffers too - so get your vitamin C and your gift giving going. Good for your body and good for the environment.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Green shopping is Local shopping

2010-11-23T08:53:00.000-05:00

As we turn our attention to holiday shopping (one for me, one for you in my world) let's consider the benefits of shopping local. Of course we save on energy and we support the businesses in our own community. Whether you shop a large or small company your local community will benefit from taxes, but the best local shopping supports your local small businesses. Many small shops will offer a unique selection and will help you find the perfect gift for those on your list. I bet many will offer other personalized services too - professional gift. Wrap, shipping arranged while you wait, gift certificates, etc. The big boys often offer these too, but not with the level of attention that small businesses do.

Remember - It's Black Friday because that is when many retailers start to go into the Black. Your purchases can help a small business have a profitable year. Good for you. Good for your local economy. Good for the environment.

Saturday, November 27,2010 is Small Business Saturday. Get out of your turkey coma and feel good about your shopping investment all at once.

--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle & Renew

Green Clean with Steam

2010-11-16T08:54:00.000-05:00

With the weather starting to get a bit more Fall like, I have been working on changing over my closet from summer to winter. This annual event is filled with a great deal of shifting of shoes (as you may have guessed, I have many shoes). Into the closet go the sandals and out of the closet come the boots. I also use this transition to review my clothing and clear out items I no longer use. Some are put aside for clothing swaps. Professional items are separated out for donation to the Career Wardrobe and the final pile goes to Planet Aid or Goodwill.

All this cleaning got me thinking about new ways to clean my house which has mainly tile and some hardwood flooring. I have been using the Method mop and cleaner with reusable microfiber pads. I prefer this solution to a mop and water, but I wanted to get a deeper clean, remove the cleaning product and see if I could find an easier solution.

Enter Steam Cleaners. I recently saw an ad for the Shark Vac-Then-Steam that piqued my interest. I investigated my options online and there are several products for under $100 that will steam clean tile, hardwood, etc. Many got good user reviews and I did consider them, but you have to sweep or vacuum before you use them - 2 steps with 2 appliances and not much difference from my current program.

The Shark Vac-Then-Steam performs both steps with one machine. It retails for a bit more - $149 at a local Target. It comes with several washable microfiber pads. I added a little white vinegar to the water for a little boost. It did a great job in my kitchen in a few minutes and utilized less than a full tank of water.

Is it greener? Maybe not. It does use water and electricity, while my Method system relies on "green" cleaner and muscle power. But it does perform 2 functions with one appliance, will reduce the use of my monster Dyson and does get a deeper clean while cutting my cleaning time in half.

Maybe the compromise is to use the steamer for the heavy cleans and the Method system in between. Either way, steam cleaning is coming to home near you.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Oh Mexico I'd sure like to go

2010-11-09T08:27:00.000-05:00

When I think of Mexico I think of chilis, margaritas, beer - all the wonderful, edible delights that come from a vast country of culinary styles. I do not think of contemporary, sustainable furniture design - at least not until now.

According to the website, Pirwi is a Mexico-based home furniture brand committed to high quality, green manufacturing and good design. Founded by industrial designers, Emiliano Godoy and Alejandro Castro in 2007, today's collection includes over 70 objects by 12 designers and features cutting-edge pieces as well as award-winning designs now considered classics of contemporary Mexican design.

With a set of Cubos modular bookcases (flash site *sigh* go to Pirwi and click the product selection) made of Birch plywood who needs a closet at all? I'm seeing a sustainable display case for my shoes!

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Aqua Accessory

2010-11-02T09:03:00.000-04:00

Tired of carrying that clunky water bottle around - especially when it is empty? Enter an elegant solution to your aqua arsenal - the Vapur. This freezable, dishwasher-safe and BPA free, foldable-when-empty bottle is da bomb! Packing .5L of water the Vapur is available in 6 fashion colors with an additional special Halloween edition in orange/green. At $8.95 each you can get one to clip on to each of your purses without breaking the bank.

Fashionable, eco-friendly and light weight. Thumbs up for the Vapur.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Crowdsourcing to get green

2010-10-26T15:55:00.000-04:00

Crowdsourcing is a great way to get input and collaboration on all sorts of things from design, user experience and sustainability from all sorts of people world wide. On October 10, 2010 Springwise newsletter reported on 2 crowdsourcing solutions for those looking for sustainable ideas - Global Forum and Myoo Create.

Global Forum discussed in Springwise on June 25, 2010. According to the site post, Global Forum is a Stokholm based company that matches supply and demand for sustainable solutions. Myoo Create focuses on putting people together to solve social and environmental challenges.

Now if they could just clean and organize my closet and get my cast offs to the Goodwill!

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew

Waterless Wash?

2010-10-19T09:16:00.000-04:00

We've discussed washing our clothes numerous times on this blog. The water and energy use is staggering and we won't even discuss drying and ironing!

Enter the Xeros Waterless Washing Machine(currently in rapid prototype stage). Using a similar theory to washing balls, the Xeros system uses detergent in tandem with nylon beads that work their way into your clothes and absorb stains. When the cycle is over the beads drain away, leaving your clothes clean. Xeros claims to use 90% less water than traditional washing machines and estimate a 30% reduction in laundry costs over a traditional system. Other benefits include a faster cycle, no need to use a dryer and less nasty soap run off in the environment.

Xeros is currently working with the commercial sector, but they plan to roll out home models as well. Thumbs up for Xeros, but the jury is out till we see the cold, hard facts and the bright, clean results;)

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

How far does your fashion travel?

2010-10-12T08:49:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I took some international colleagues on a walking tour of Philadelphia and it reminded me of a great lesson in living sustainable. BUY LOCAL. While many of the products might come from a great distance away, many local retailers work with local producers and even if the product has made a long journey the consumer has not. Buying local save fuel and energy on the buyers end and supports the local economy and these are all parts of creating a sustainable life.

Smak Parlour is one of the best examples of local in Philadelphia. Abby and Katy are grads of the Drexel d&m program and they opened Smak Parlour after gaining some valuable experience in NYC. When they began, they produced their own garments in store - definitely local and supplemented their designs with a highly edited selection of accessories. They have moved their production off-site (it is still local) and have worked to include other local designers.

My purchase yesterday was a necklace produced by a local designer using baubles and gew gaws scavenged from antique jewelry. Sustainable all round and very lovely as well.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Forget the closet. Get a Green Home

2010-10-05T09:50:00.000-04:00

Who knew? Philadelphia seems to be the East Coast hub for eco-friendly homes. According to an article by Patrick Pullen in the March/April edition of Arrive magazine, Philadelphia's Greenworks program is an ambitious plan to transform the city into the greenest city in the US by 2015.

Goals of the program include:
- Lowering city government energy consumption by 30%

- Reducing citywide building energy consumption by 10%

- Retrofitting 15% of homes with insulation, air sealing and cool roofs.

- Purchasing and generating 20% of the electricity used in Philadelphia from alternate sources.

Several companies are helping. Postgreen purchases 18' x 60' infill lots in the city and creates the 100K house, a 1000 square foot, 2 story, 2 bed/1 bath home built on a budget under $100,000. Greenable is a purveyor of eco-friendly building materials. With a design studio in Old City since 2006, Greenable recently expanded into a 3,500 square foot space in Northern Liberties stocking eco-firendly cleaning products, composters, worm bins, paints, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, denim insulation, bamboo plywood, windows, lighting and more. BluPath Design is an architectural firm that has been designing green buildings since 2003 and works in partnership with GreenSteps eco-consultancy.

These are just a few of the companies proving going green is good business.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Fresh for Fall DIY

2010-09-28T09:01:00.000-04:00

Celebrate your closet clean out with a great new DIY project. Laurence King has recently published DIY Fashion: Customize and Personalize by Portobello Market stall holder Selena Francis-Bryden. The August 23rd Daily Candy London report includes steps to turn your boyfriend's old sweater (jumper for the Brits) into a dress. Check out this fine book for 40 no sew projects or use it as a starting point for your own creations.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Are emails green?

2010-09-21T08:49:00.000-04:00

A new school year means tons of email and the dreaded email attachments.

In a recent Mother Jones article by Keira Butler posted on August 9, 2010, the author discovered, "...that sending an email attachment of 4.7 megabytes—the equivalent of about 4 photos taken on a point-and-shoot digital camera—creates as much greenhouse gas as boiling your tea kettle 17.5 times."

The basic issue involves the sending and storing of data in email attachments. 'Steve Duplessie says, the important lesson is, "Data is physical. When you have a million copies of the same thing, that's a big problem."' We are sending & storing so much data that the servers are sucking massive amounts of energy.

The good news is we have less need for attachments with virtual sharing through sites like Flickr and YouTube, servers are more efficient and newer technologies allow servers to share the workload.

Keep your emails green. Think about every attachment you send. If it isn't absolutely necessary, don't do it. Post the info once and share the link.

Happy new school Year!

--till next week Restore, Recycle Refresh & Renew

Restoring, Renewing

2010-08-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

How Green is Your Closet? is taking a break and promises to return by Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the latest. Time to recharge the batteries.

--till next time Restore, Refresh, Recycle & Renew

A day late but not a $ short

2010-08-18T15:50:00.000-04:00

A local thrift shop in my area is ensuring that plenty of clothing is available for $5 or less. Goodwill Outlet at 22nd Street and Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia states: "All of our clothes, regardless of tages, are five dollars or less," according to a Savings with 6abc story posted on 8/18/2010.

Selected brands include Guess, American Eagle, Lucky, Halston, Kasper, Wet Seal and Limited Too. At the time of posting there was even an Alfred Angelo wedding dress tagged for $595 going for $5. There are 2 Goodwill Outlets in the Philadelphia area - 22nd & Passyunk and Atlantic City. Outlet stores have excess merchandise from other stores on offer for a last chance grab. Items tagged over $9.99 are sold for $5. Items tagged under $9.99 are offered for half price.

Outlet shopping is not for the faint of heart. Go with plenty of time to sift through the merchandise for the best finds. Merchandise is not sorted by category and size. The ambiance is lacking but view your trip as a treasure hunt and you are bound to get a steal or two.

Goodwill Outlets are located at 22nd & Passyunk in Philadelphia, 215-755-1320 open Mon. - Sat. 9am - 7pm and in Atlantic City at 3711 Ventnor Ave. 609-348-8401. Open Mon. - Sat 10am - 8pm and Sun. noon- 6pm.

Reuse to the max!

--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recylce & Renew

Broken Brolly Follies

2010-08-10T07:44:00.000-04:00

I've always considered the start of school the start of a new year so I like to have a good closet clean out at the end of the summer. This year I've found a plethora of broke brollys (umbrellas luv). I've been thinking about how to reuse them and I have had a pretty interesting idea which I had hoped to get to for my Etsy shop this summer, but alas it wasn't meant to be. I'm not going to tell you what it is so you will have to stay tuned;)

Featured in Springwise Newsletter on May 12, 2010, I did find an excellent umbrella re-use project and it is even local to me! Recycling Zychal is a Philadelphia based company that gives broken brollys new life as doggie rain or bad weather coats, kitty catnip toys or human hoods. According to her site, Taryn Zychal hand makes each item and donates $1 to the Morris Animal Refuge for each broken brolly she receives as a donation to her company.

Environmentally friendly and animal responsible what more could you ask from the brolly that gave her life for you to save that Burberry trench;)

--till next week Restore, Recycle Refresh & Renew

From Laundry Balls to Soap Nuts?

2010-08-03T08:05:00.001-04:00

We've discussed the environmental damage from doing laundry and we all know to wash in cold water and hang to dry. We've even looked into laundry balls and found mixed results. This past week Daily Grommet featured yet another option - Soapnuts.

They aren't soap and they aren't nuts. They are dried berry-like fruit found on a tropical tree and they have been used for centuries in India and Asia to clean all kinds of fabrics. Sounds promising! According to the post, "Their dried shells contained saponins, a natural alternative to traditional laundry detergents and cleaners." They are high efficiency washer friendly as they don't create too many suds and they are hypoallergenic, biodegradable and antimicrobial so gentle to the environment, septic and greywater systems.

It takes three or four nuts for each load of laundry, and you can reuse the same nuts for up to four loads. The post also suggests found uses for soapnuts outside the laundry room. Soak the seeds overnight in boiled water to get a concentrated liquid that works as a multi-purpose household cleaner, liquid hand soap, and even shampoo. Sounds almost too good to be true. Laundry Tree is offering a 40 load starter kit for $14.95 - not too much of an investment to give them a try.

Do they work? Here's what everyday users have to say.

Will They Clean Difficult Items?

Matt Johnson answers this and more: Yes and No. They are one of the best detergents to get rid of bad odors. Musty towels and wash cloths, even cloth diapers, come out smelling fresh and new. Stubborn stains, though, such as blood & red wine, require a stain remover to help the cleaning process. You can also use 1/2c. lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide to help brighten your white clothes.

Worth a try I think.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Party Time

2010-07-27T10:22:00.000-04:00

Summertime is party time and I came across a great idea on 6abc.com for creating a great green themed party on a budget. Now the trick is to keep an open mind about the theme. I would first suggest looking through your own "stuff" to see if you can pull together the entire party from what you already have. Who knows what you have stored away in the dark recesses of your closet. If you are like me you just might have all the fixin's for a luau or a Mexican fiesta - party favors included.

The story on 6abc.com suggests a trip to your local thrift shop. Again with an open mind to theme, peruse the shop. According to the article, Jo Greenawalt and co-workers found the makings of an "under the Sea" party using items from their thrift shop, Impact Thrift Store in Montgomeryville. They suggest buying what you need for the party and sending what you don't want back to the thrift shop when you are done.

So whether you buy from the store, use your own stuff, or a combination of both. You can save green, be green and throw a great summer party. I'm going to test this out this weekend at our annual crab fest;)

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

If it's broke, FIX it

2010-07-20T18:45:00.000-04:00

Channel your inner McGyver with Sugru the magic fix it goo. This stuff will make your stuff softer, stronger, drier, safer, comfier, grippier, quieter, in essence BETTER and FIXED. Sugru is a compound that is self-adhesive, waterproof, cold and hot friendly, flexible, dishwasher friendly and cures at room temp. It is the all around, all purpose fix it.

Broken stuff becomes fixed stuff and stays in working order. No need to get something new. Just hack what you've got and you are good to go.

You can even start from scratch and make something new. My fave? The sugru ring.

till next week -- Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Is your closet under your roof?

2010-07-13T09:40:00.000-04:00

Okay this is a stretch and doesn't have anything to do with your clothing closet, but how about your pantry? Budgens, a supermarket in the UK, has started a "Food from the Sky" program in its Crouch End location which just happens to be where I stay when I visit London.

This rooftop garden project is a collaboration with The Positive Earth Project and is designed to bring hyperlocal food to Crouch End - fresh picked from roof to produce section. The first organic harvest has hit the store, tended and harvested by local volunteers.

According to a report in Springwise, "The project is collaborating with the heritage seed library to grow a number of endangered species of food; it also plans to run food growing workshops on the roof and provide seeds from the harvest free of charge to residents and schools."

Proceeds from the not-for-profit venture will be put back into the project. The partners plan to add chickens and follow Fortnum's lead with the addition of bee hives.

Much more than a green roof, this is soon to be a roof top farm, an innovative way to utilize unused space and resources - the future of Farm to City;)

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Green Goes Mass

2010-07-06T05:15:00.002-04:00

According to a June 8th post on Progressive Grocer, the NMI proprietary LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) Consumer Trends Database (LCTD) has found that with the advent of value priced green products distributed through supermarkets and big boxes, more and more people can buy into sustainability.

NMI (National Marketing Institute) is an international strategic consulting, market research and business development company specializing in the health, wellness and sustainable marketplace. Further findings include:
—Eight in 10 consumers are interested in some type of green product
—Around two-thirds of consumers care about the environment but their purchases are primarily determined by price
—U.S. consumers spent almost $300 billion on LOHAS-related products and services in 2008

This is good information and emphasizes the importance of investing in product innovation and continuing to surmount hurdles to competitive pricing of eco-friendly offerings.

-- till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

From Cotton to Bamboo

2010-06-29T05:15:00.000-04:00

Did you know that the US is the biggest consumer of bamboo but none of it is produced here? According to Sebastian Kitchen's article of June 17, 2010 posted on montgomeryadvertiser.com, Jackie Heinricher founder of Booshoot Gardens LLC of Mount Vernon, Washington wants to change all that. She reckons the Black Belt of Alabama and Mississippi Delta region contain some of the richest soil that could foster bamboo produciton in an area that is struggling economically. This crop could bring some economic releif to some of the poorest counties in the state and it is one of the poorest regions in the nation. Heinricher has penned an agreement with local Universities to test the growth and if they are successful, she will bring together the supply chain from the farmers through the end user.

Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world and more environmentally friendly than trees, pulling in more carbon dioxide and releasing more oxygen, according to Heinricher. The plants also do not require pesticides and do not require irrigation. The product can be used for everything from shirts to railroad ties. Even Starbucks is looking to use bamboo for its cups.

Heinricher worked with scientists at her company to develop the science to grow the bamboo by tissue cultures in test tubes, which allows the plant to be mass produced domestically and compete internationally in the production of pulp, paper, textile, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and hardwoods.

Now maybe she can work with them on cleaning the process;) All in all a plus for the economy and the environment.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Not your grannies gardening clogs!

2010-06-22T08:50:00.000-04:00

Clogs have been a wardrobe staple for centuries. Originally worn as an outer shoe to protect more delicate shoes from sludge and mud, the humble clog is having a hey day in the Fashion arena. Finding the right pair can be tricky.

Enter Maguba.The fashion sense comes from London. The mass customization fits right in the web 2.0 world. The product itself is true to Swedish tradition. According to the website, each pair is made in a family owned operation with respect to staff and environment, using wood, leather and water-based paints. Most materials are source in Sweden and Europe to keep the carbon foot print small and for each pair sold, a donation is made toward reforestation.

Responsible, ethical, fashionable. Get your custom pair today.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

ReCharging

2010-06-16T08:20:00.001-04:00

How Green is Your Closet? is on vaca this week.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh and Renew

ReCharging

2010-06-16T08:19:00.001-04:00

How Green is Your Closet? is on vaca this week.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh and Renew

Are You a Closet Greenie?

2010-06-08T08:55:00.000-04:00

A March 16th article from the Daily Telegraph reports that researchers have found that many people buy green in public and then choose luxury when they shop online. The study found that being green relates to status so many people choose a Green public persona in order to be seen as altruistic. The study sites the Toyota Prius as a product that acts as a public "billboard" announcing its owner is an environmentally responsible, caring, altruistic person leading a green life.

Researchers Vladas Griskevicius, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and co-authors call this Conspicuous Conservation in their paper, "Going Green to Be Seen: Status, Reputation, and Conspicuous Conservation". This is the consumer equivalent of "green washing". Interesting that the appearance of being green has equal cultural capital from all sides.

Are you practicing Conspicuous Conservation or are you truly Green?

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Extreme Green

2010-06-01T10:51:00.000-04:00

As many of you know, I own fish skin shoes, boots and a hand bag and an elk skin cuff - all purchases from Iceland where these are natural materials and the designers are getting the most out of the creature by using as many parts as possible. It makes good sense to use what we can of the creatures we eat and it is a long tradition in many cultures.

There are a bevvy of contemporary designers taking the anthropomorphic route as featured in the Webecoist article on Extreme Eco Fashion: 10 recycled Critter Collections. Combining taxidermy, industry by-products and roadkill, these 10 designers present collections that explore the deep connection between animal and human, hunted and hunter.

I used to tease my cat that I was going to skin her and use her pelt as a fur collar after she died. I didn't do it, but maybe I should have;)

From Gothic to Victorian to Folksy to just plain macabre, these pieces really make a statement. Soundly sustainable or just plain freaky? You make the call.

On Trend Green Luxury

2010-05-25T08:54:00.000-04:00

We've spent a lot of time talking about green fashion in the form of basics. It makes a lot of sense to parlay a cotton tee program to organic cotton or bamboo, but what about green on-trend luxury? Several notables are making a go - enter The Battalion.

According to the about section on their website, "The goal of The Battalion is to be the modern purveyor of green luxury." The brainchild of Linda Wong and her sister, The Battalion specializes in eco-friendly knits translated into tailored, body con pieces and red carpet worthy dresses. The sisters' mission "to make our world a better place" through "lifestyle enhancing and socially relevant design."

From the branding to the presentation to the garments there is no hippy green going on here. Designs are current and tasteful. With price points from $80-$160, The Battalion has positioned their brand as contemporary women's clothing that just happens to be green.

If you are in the Philadelphia area you can see The Battalion at Arcadia Boutique, 819A North 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19123 (215) 667-8099. The Battalion is carried by retailers in New York, LA, Chicago and some smaller markets and online at Revolveclothing.com and Singer22.com.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

I'm Fragrant

2010-05-18T13:02:00.000-04:00

I visited a unique exhibit at Longwood Gardens today, Making Scents The Art and Passion of Fragrance. It got me thinking about the connection between Fragrance and Fashion and of course the natural part of fragrance so we arrive at the topic for How Green is Your Closet?

Fragrance is generally the last thing we put on as part of our toilette and the first thing others notice about us. Interesting thought. Scents evoke emotions and memory and can define personal image and style. Nature provides the scent and sometimes technology is used to enhance them or give them longer life. Each fragrance includes a base note, middle note and top note.

The exhibit at Longwood is interesting. It explains the rich history of fragrance, fragrance makers or "noses", and bottle design. Various plants are designated as "I'm Fragrant" and the viewer can actually test a smell. Visitors are invited to make their own signature scent, combining a variety of options for base, middle and top notes. Once combined the scent is delivered on a scratch and sniff paper. Great fun. As the season commences, different scent options will be revealed so this is an exhibit that will change over time and offer up new reveals with each visit. You may want to get a season pass.

Garden Botanika, an online body product store, allows customers to design a custom scent as well. For $32 you can be your own "nose" and develop a highly personal scent. I gave this a try and got many compliments on the result - now if I could only remember the formula;)

Fragrance can be used in your closet in sachet form or as a pomander ball to infuse your personal preference into your clothes. Orange and clove pomander balls are easy to make and are great for you or to give as gifts. Used in Victorian times to mask odors with citrus, pomander balls also act as a natural air freshener and repel moths. Great smell, no bugs, good deal!

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Spring DIY

2010-05-11T08:58:00.000-04:00

Spring Cleaning? It's time. What to do with all the stuff you need to get rid of?

The Instructables website offers up some great ideas for re-use. According to their website, "Instructables is a web-based documentation platform where passionate people share what they do and how they do it, and learn from and collaborate with others." In effect it is a community of doers who constantly create, share and collaborate on DIY projects.

Lots of old tees? Turn them into comfy shorts for a great beach cover up, lounge wear or pyjamas. Turn a loveable old hard back into a purse. You would be amazed at how easy these projects are. With step-by-step instructions and photo documentation it's hard to go wrong.

Now that you've made a start, let your imagination run wild and create your own reuse project with those book pages. Break down the steps. Take the pics. Join the Instructables community. Share. Repeat.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew

New Season New Tote

2010-05-04T09:27:00.000-04:00

Summer is on the way and your vacation is just around the corner. Time to consider your carry all options. Whether you choose to laze on the beach, hike in the mountains, picnic in the park or shop the high street you are going to need a worthy tote - all weather, packable, reusable and sustainable for an affordable price.

You say: "Impossible."

I say: "Not only possible but readily available."

Check out the Recycled Street Banner Bags at Poketo! All the way from Korea, these bags are made from recycle street banners in Seoul. Produced by a South Korean non-profit, eco-friendly shop that specializes in one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted items generally made from castoffs. These re-purposed banners are whipped into one of a kind colorful, reusable, weather ready totes available at a very affordable price.

While not 100% eco, the re-purposing of materials and use of local production are good choices and off-set the transportation from Korea to you to some degree.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

DIY Art Supplies

2010-04-27T08:05:00.005-04:00

I know that many of you like to alter your garments and pursue creative home projects so this week I thought I would share some Green Art Supplies with you. A local retailer, Utrecht, debuted a Green Product page on their website in honor of Earth Day. Here are some highlights of the options they offer.

Eco-Friendly paper: Moleskine products made with "green" papers. Utrecht offers up a variety of folios with a choice of papers. Moleskine offers up the Cahier on their website that is the epitome of eco-friendly - acid-free paper, thread stitching, cardboard cover and kraft paper covers.

Green Brush cleaners: Jack's Linseed soap cleans just about anything - hands, brushes, surfaces. Made from naturally refined linseed oil combined with a special blend of natural cleaners, this soap is safe, non-toxic and low odor.

Eco-Friendly mediums: Turpenoid Natural is an odorless turpentine substitute that can be used to thin oil paint or clean brushes. It is non-flammable, does not irritate skin or eyes and does not emit harmful vapors.

Better choices for your health and the environment - let your creativity run wild.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Washing with Balls

2010-04-20T08:14:00.003-04:00

I know we have discussed that washing clothes is an area where we can each green our lives - cold water wash, hang to dry, using low impact or biodegradable detergent. Pretty much what I do most of the time.

Yesterday, I was discussing this very topic with my class and the topic of washing balls came up again. When I got home, I was looking through a slew of catalogs and there was the Greenwash Ball staring me in the face. So I took it as a sign and I am sharing some research with you.

Available from the Harriet Carter Catalog for $19.98, the Greenwash Ball is described as "a patented eco-friendly ball with ceramics inside that create frictiona nd enable water to reach a pH level equal to that of detergent...Reusable ball lasts for over 1,000 washes! Antibacterial and hypo-allergenic."

Interesting, but does it work? Before I plonk down my $19.98 + shipping, I decided to see what other think. Thank goodness for the internet.

The Lighter Footstep reports,"The laundry was clean. Not just clean, in fact, but really good." The blog continues to break down the product itself and discuss why the laundry gets clean. This makes for thoughtful reading.

Inhabitat tests report, "I used the GreenWashBall and found that the effects were like washing my clothes with just water and no detergent (which I have done multiple times due to forgetfulness or lack of detergent). The dirt that was visible before washing was still visible and the armpits still faintly smelled like BO." Inhabitat further notes,"The Straight Dope wrote a piece about laundry balls, saying that that metal elements in the ceramics could produce ionized oxygen, like peroxide, but probably not enough of it to clean your clothes. Hydroxides could be created in the same way, although not in large quantities. These ions could lower the water’s pH, the the same effect produced by lye soap and sodium hydroxide."

Laundry balls have legs in Europe and they are often further along on the green curve than the US. Do they work? Are they worth it? You weigh the choice and do let me know what you find out.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Shoes.com Promotes Green

2010-04-13T08:43:00.002-04:00

Shoes.com sends an eco-friendly shoe promotion to their email subscribers. Featuring styles from 9 eco brands, there are styles from Fashion, Comfort and Athletic collections.

3 companies offer styles that rock your inner-Fashionista.
Jambu's story:
"Inspired by the beauty and mystique of the rainforest, Jambu™ Footwear is designed to guide you in style and comfort on your next personal journey – at home or across the globe. Let Jambu™ join you as you zip line through the rainforest, stroll the beach, navigate the city, or travel the world. Be you with Jambu™.

JAMBU™ uses only 100% recycled, recyclable and re-usable packaging. Jambu™ outsoles are made with partially recycled and re-usable compressed rubber. In this small way we hope to preserve our great outdoors for future generations. Renew with Jambu™."

Corso Como shoes are available through many major retailers - Zappos, Piperlime, and Nordstrom's among others.

From the Zappos website: "About Corso Como Corso Como women's shoes are hand-assembled in Brazil in the most elite boutique factories. Every design is manufactured with the finest material available in the marketplace. The Corso Como footwear collection features innovative silhouettes that will complement your fashionable lifestyle.

Corso Como shoes are made of naturally treated leather. A soft leather lining is also used, which allows your feet to breathe while reducing humidity. All Corso Como women's shoes, women's boots, and women's sandals offer superior quality, fit, and comfort.

Corso Como shoes promote the idea of style with a conscience. As an advocate for various environmental and social causes, Corso Como donates a portion of every sale to charity. Further supporting their eco-friendly philosophy, Corso Como shoes uses fully recyclable boxes and tissue."

Owned by Chrysler, LLC (hmm?) J-41 footwear's tagline is 'Adventure On'. J-41 summarizes their brand: "Combining a highly-functional design with exceptional style,
J-41™ Footwear sets a pace well above the crowd. From leisurely outings to more intensive activities, J-41™ is a high performance “go anywhere” shoe that looks and feels great. A roadmap — gently imbedded in our soles — symbolizes the unique and very special adventure that each of us embarks upon."

Fashionable, comfortable and good for the planet - a no-brainer - feed your shoe fetish with one of these brands today!

--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle & Renew.

Green Spring Things

2010-04-06T09:24:00.004-04:00

We certainly have been having some great full on Spring weather in the Northeast. It's time to spring clean and revitalize your wardrobe.

First sort out what you have. It's time to get the boots and sweaters away and bring on the pumps, sandals and summer dresses.

I suggest 3 piles of clothes you are putting away and then repeating the process with your Spring/Summer items as well.

Pile 1 - Keepers
Pile 2 - Maybes
Pile 3 - Let it go!

Keepers go right into cleaning and storage. The maybes need a good try on and inspection. You need to do this with each item and move it to Keepers or Let it Go! Make a list of the Let it Go! pile and package them for reuse at a consignment shop, reuse program or charity shop, or arrange a clothing swap with your friends followed by a trip to one of the stores listed.

I suggest you do this at the beginning and end of each seasonal change. Once this is done, you have a good picture of the items you need to replenish and then you can make responsible choices.

Here are some items you may like to pick up:
A smashing new umbrella for your inner Anglophile. Beat April showers with a brolly from London Undercover.

A Claudi Garzesi recycled necklace from Recycled Planet Store.

A coin purse from the Go Green collection at Ecoist.

Clothing from Stewart & Brown.

A Market/Beach bag from Rising Tide Fair Trade.

Bandeau and boy shorts from Daughters of the Revolution.

Shoes from Terra Plana - no stranger to How Green is Your Closet?

Enjoy the purge and the binge - Happy Spring!

till next week - Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Iceland Inspired Scarf Part 3

2010-03-30T09:54:00.002-04:00

We've made it back from Iceland and now it is time to get serious about finishing our scarves. Here's an inspiration from uncommon goods and here's what you do:

1) Layout your t-shirt pieces in 2 strips of 8 squares. Arrange them until you are satisfied with the sequence on each set. Then place one set on top of the other so you can see what is underneath.

2) When you are satisfied with your arrangement, use a running stitch or a back stitch to connect the squares on each side. You can use various colored thread - we used metallic which was grand.

3) Select a couple of squares with interesting colors behind them and slit the fabric with your scissors to reveal the color beneath. (Note: you could do this before stitching like making paper snowflakes) You could also cut the end squares into fringe if you like.

4)Stitch the front and back together. If you use a running stitch, you can also gather your scarf to create interest.

5) Finally, add beads or other adornments as you see fit.

Voila - you have created your very own scarf from recycled and reused materials.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Iceland Inspired Scarf Part 2

2010-03-25T05:10:00.001-04:00

We are going strong in Iceland and I have limited access to my computer and internet. Visit the d&m abroad blog to follow our journey.

This week we will focus on preparing the 6"x6" squares.

Technique:

Cut a 6” x 6” cardboard square to use as a template . Remember you will need a total of 16 to complete the project. I suggest cutting an additional 4 to experiment with.

Place the template on the tee where you would like to make your square. You can cut 2-4 layers of fabric at one time if your scissors are sharp. Make sure to place your template carefully over any graphics you want to preserve.

You have the option with one 6" x12" and two 6"x6" to capture a larger screen image from the tee if you use a multiple of the 6" x6", for example, cut a 6"x12" rectangle,

Next week well put these together and have our final result.

-till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Iceland Inspired Scarf Part 1

2010-03-16T11:04:00.003-04:00

In honor of my spring break study tour to Iceland, I am posting the project we will be completing there so you can join in. You can follow our escapades on the d&m abroad blog.

Iceland Workshop Getting Started.
This week we will gather your supplies, look at our goal and some inspiration.

Goal: Use Icelandic design as inspiration to synthesize the Icelandic design concept -maximizing resources through re-use to create hand-crafted products using a “raw” aesthetic, inspired by the powerful visual and forces of Nature.

Haugkaupf Tee Shirt - mesh, jersey 1
Project: Using the visual examples in your packet and inspiration from the items you have seen at Gallery Kraum and Rosa’s studio, create a 48” (approximately) scarf out of recycled tee shirts.

Rosa's pieced, jersey skirt close up 1

Supplies:
Gather old tee shirts these can include artwork or decoration if you like. You will cut these next week into 20 6”x 6” pre-cut squares. (You will need 16 to complete your project. Cut an additional 4 for experimentation and trading.)

Cotton or Cotton-Polyester thread. (You can use one color, or several that match or contrast with your tee shirt squares.)

2-3 needles that you can thread;)

1 pr. scissors that will cut both your thread and your squares.

Optional: Any decorations – buttons, beads, sequins, fringe, soda tabs, etc. Use the Icelandic design concept -maximizing resources through re-use to create hand-crafted products using a “raw” aesthetic, inspired by the powerful visual and forces of Nature to select your decorations as well.

Next week we will prepare the tees and stitch them together.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

I can't believe it is Wednesday

2010-03-10T08:50:00.003-05:00

I can't believe I missed my Tuesday post! I definitely have a lot on my plate and Iceland on the brain. So in honor of Iceland I'm talking felt. Not just any felt, but felted soap to scrub in the tub.

You say: "Felt in the tub! That's just wrong. Who wants wet wool that smells like wet Yak?"
Fiat Luxe says: "No worries. Our fragrant soaps are wrapped in a fuzzy little anti-fungal wool that exfoliates as you scrub and shrinks along with the soap for a perfectly sudsed wash every time."

They are green, beautiful and reusable - just cut a slit and insert a new bar. Healthy for your skin and the environment. Another win, win.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Closets & Windows

2010-03-02T11:14:00.003-05:00

I bet your closet doesn't have a window, but it is the window to your wardrobe soul. This week I'd like to take a minute to give props to a local to me window company that has gained notoriety through President Obama.

Northeast Building Products of Phildelphia offers a range of quality energy-efficient windows and this product offering has lead the company to growth in these economically troubled times. The family owned business has increased its workforce from 185-285 employees. The company has certainly benefited from the Obama stimulus plan, but the greatest impact has come from Obama's mention in the State of the Union Address which lead to a significant increase in sales.

Founded in 1975, this family owned company has work hard to ensure innovation and a commitment to social responsibility. Their work has paid off in spades. Northeast Building Products won two of the most coveted industry awards in 2009: Window and Door Magazine's Crystal Achievement Award for "Most Innovative Plant" and the "Greenest Manufacturer" award from Door and Window Manufacturer Magazine. Investing heavily in green technologies, Northeast customers to qualify for a $1,500 energy tax credit.

Good for the environment. Good for business. Go Green!

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Asos Green Lounge

2010-02-23T08:21:00.002-05:00

UK online fashion retailer Asos launched an eco-driven section on their website on February 19th. Asos features the latest trends and celebrity looks - a bit more sophisticated and mature Forever 21.It is one of my favorite sources for that bit of something different. Sign up for their email newsletter and enjoy a real treat. They sell internationally so don't fret if you don't live in the UK.

According to their blog: "...THE GREEN ROOM will fill you in on all the latest stories from the real people behind your favourite finds on ASOS.com. We'll be asking the brands who sell in THE GREEN ROOM and anyone who plays a key roll in bringing you the latest fashion that support people and the planet.

SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE BRANDS – features amazing labels that promote people and planet, from Swedish Hasbeens much-feted ecologically prepared, natural grain leather footwear to the hotly anticipated Emma Watson for People Tree collaboration.

ASOS.COM OWN LABEL – We launched our first Fairtrade cotton jersey pieces back in December, here you'll find an ever increasing number of own brand creations designed inhouse by our super designers and suppliers - there will be some basics but well be dropping a few styles with a twist on site - search 'FAIRTRADE' onsite now - don't miss out! (check out the fab Chrissie Abbott designed tee). The Fairtrade status of these products ensures that the cotton farmers have been paid a fair price for their crop. Each farming community also receives a social premium that they invest in social projects such as building schools and hospitals (see one of our next blogs for commentary directly from the Fairtrade Foundation)

BEAUTY– a range of products that pamper without using any ingredients that are damaging to the environment - and of course your skin! Includes well-known brands such as Cowshed, This Works and Neal’s Yard. Lush!"

Ahh another reason to practice retail therapy online and feel good about your choices.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew.

Bodkin Just Keeps on Keeping on...

2010-02-16T08:18:00.005-05:00

Bodkin Designer Eviana Hartman shares her favorite green items with Daily Candy on the eve of NY Fashion week.
The top 5:
1) Her own Bodkin Jedi Pant $170 from the Fall '09 collection (see image #8 for the organic wool design).
2) Rachel Comey’s raincoat with the rounded shoulder overlay piece and built-in belt (to preorder, call Frances May, 503-227-3402; $579)
3) Black and lavender geometric-printed tights from Gaspard Yurkievich and a spotted pair by Hansel from Basel.
4) Housewares from Tortoise General Store, a Japanese housewares shop in Venice, California.
5) Costa Rica
--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle & Renew

It's 10AM somewhere

2010-02-09T15:17:00.001-05:00

So wherever that is I'm not late with today's post;)

We've talked about Brooklyn based Bodkin before. Talk about making the grade! Check out the latest edition of Marie Claire for the latest on Bodkin.

It's great that MC is giving coverage to home-grown green. Thumbs up to Marie Claire for the coverage.

--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle & Renew

Bridesmaid Blues

2010-02-02T10:58:00.001-05:00

There is nothing quite so wasteful as a bridesmaid gown that is so specific it can't be worn for anything else. Back in the day, I was subjected to purchasing a floral number with a big artificial flower located right at my bust which doesn't need any more attention drawn to it. The second time I was called to duty, I was required to wear a mauve and white satin number that made me (the oldest in the bridal party) look like mutton dressed as lamb.

Since then, brides have been much more reasonable requesting all attendants go with a particular color, or pick from one of several styles. When I got married, the woman who made my ensemble was my Maid of Honor and she chose a suit that worked well with my 1940's inspired tea length chemise and jacket. Allowing your attendants to choose an outfit that suits them and can be worn again as is or with slight alterations goes a long way to helping our environment. I have worn my wedding dress for another event and I have worn the jacket again on a couple of occasions with slacks or a skirt to create other ensembles.

Two Birds Bridesmaids has come up with an excellent solution. One dress that can be worn 15 ways. We have discussed the multiple option dress before, but this one is done very nicely for the special occasion category. According to the website, Two Birds offer, "One dress that can be wrapped in over 15 unique ways, flattering to all body types. 18 colors offered in 4 lengths, one size fits 0-14 and size B fits 16-24." The Classic dress is described as "nylon/jersey/spandex, blend dresses do not cling, maternity friendly, hand washable, made in New York, no alterations necessary." At $270-$310 this option is reasonable.

I wish this had been an option for me. The mauve satin (not at all forgiving as a fabric) number was ordered for me in a size 3 sizes smaller than the size that the chart indicated would fit my bust. I implored the bride to order large so we could tailor it down in the other areas, but she just couldn't believe I needed that large a size. So days before the wedding, my friend was cutting down the peplum and using the piece to extend the bodice. Thank heaven it was the 80's and there was a lot of peplum.

Two Birds doubles up doubles - the ability to wear the dress again and again kills more than "two birds" with one stone. Keeping the dress in your closet, instead of a land-fill and being able to hand wash, and producing in New York kills the environmental "two birds" with one stone. Thumbs up Two Birds for finding an environmentally sound Special Occasion solution.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

--
--Elphaba to Fiyero:"I don't CAUSE the commotion. I AM the commotion." --Wicked

View my Blog and work at www.minervamedia.co

Too Many Sweaters?

2010-01-26T07:00:00.002-05:00

We are enjoying a bit of a January thaw in the North East, but we are sure to have another bitter snap before Winter is done with us. How about upcycling an old sweater into a new accessory for the final push to Spring?

What exactly is Upcycling? Wikipedia offers a concise definition: "Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value." The Upcycling movement is growing and it is easy to participate.

We've talked about it before in many of my blog entries. If you aren't so crafty or you just don't have the time, here are a couple of services that will do the work for you:

Got an old cashmere sweater and a friend with a new baby? Contact TeddyLux. This Georgia based company offers plush animals and toys from recycled cashmere. You can also order a custom plush from your own sweater. Prices are reasonable. Animals are $50-$60 each with toys on offer for $15. They accept donations as well and will reimburse you for postage.

ReKnit is another company that upcycles. Each month ReKnit converts your old sweaters into a new product. This month - scarves. Users get to vote on the next item. You send in your sweater and the yarn is unraveled and reknit into the item of the month. The reknitting fee is $30. That's quite a bargain.

Best of all, you can re-purpose that sweater and learn a new craft yourself. First, check this unravel tutorial from Neauveau. Then select an old sweater from your closet or acquire one from friends or a local thrift shop. Next check out these resources on learning to knit. Better yet, find a local knitting group. Knitting circles are everywhere - from bars to home parties it shouldn't be too hard to find one in your community. A local yarn store is a good place to start or find one at Stich 'n Bitch.org.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Resolution Solution

2010-01-19T09:48:00.002-05:00

It's here - the dreaded end of season Winter Sale. Everything is picked over and what is left is now down to ridiculously low prices. So low in fact that you can't resist. How could you pass up a pair of mittens for $1.19 or a scarf for $3.74? I'm here to tell you MUST stick to your guns. This is a dangerous cycle and retailers know they've got you. Retailers are desperate to get something for their investment and they will do just about anything to get customers to buy. And NO YOU DON'T NEED IT!

Many of you may have resolved to save more money, buy less stuff, or make better purchasing decisions. These are all admirable resolutions and I know that you are starting to waiver just about now. The shopping jones is calling...

Before you spend a penny on a new item that you probably don't need, make the most of what you already have with wardrobe management software or apps like the "Pocket Closet" for iphone.

Here's how it works - you enter all the items in your wardrobe. Then you categorize them and put them into outfits (BONUS: no more scrambling in the morning worrying about what to wear). This app has a built in calendar to keep track of what you wore when and when you wore it last, as well as, a "suggest an outfit" option. You can also email some of your best outfits to your friends - handy if you are lending something for a special event.

Some other options for the iPhone and/or your computer include: "iWardrobe Lite" and "What to Wear - Online Closet." Web-based solutions are on offer as well. Check out this online service: "Closet Assistant."

It all seems a bit tedious on the front end, but think of the time and money savings on the back end! Making the most out of what you have is the greenest option.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Late but in earnest

2010-01-12T17:51:00.004-05:00

Well Tuesday certainly got away from me. While I should have been posting a blog message for you, I was skyping with a colleague in Hong Kong who I am working with on a cross-institution course via the internet. Anyway - onto our green topic.

So boot socks are in and the way the weather has been they seem to be a necessary accessory. Here's an easy way to get that chunky, funky look and your legs warm at the same time.

Sort through old sweaters in your home. Select one that is 100% wool. If you can't find one, ask around or hit a local thrift shop.

Felt the sweater - this is quite easy to do. Place the sweater inside a white cotton pillow case with a zipper. (I learned this the hard way) Felting without the pillow case can lead to fibers in the washer's motor and a $175 repair fee. That's one expensive pair of boot socks;)

Felting occurs through the agitation of the wool fibers in hot water. I like to let it go for about 5 minutes and check. Then I estimate - 5 more, 3 more, 2 more and so on until the felting has occurred. If you can still see the knitting loops in the sweater you need more time.

Take the sweater out and roll it in a towel to remove most of the moisture. Lay flat to dry. Cut the sleeves off the sweater. Even off the shoulder end. Voila you have a footless boot sock.

Cut slits around the top, feed through a pretty ribbon and tie them under your knee for a gathered look. Cut along the seam and resew to fit your leg for a more fitted look. Run elastic around the top in a fold over band or use garters to hold them up.

Now you've got the rest of that felt. There are so many projects - stuffed creatures, handbags, hats, gewgaws...Get surfing and get going;)

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

New Year, New Decade, New Green

2010-01-05T10:25:00.000-05:00

According to "16 Eco-Fashion Predictions for 2010" by Jasmin Malik Chua, posted 01/04/10 on ecouterre we will see continuing interest in Sustainable and Green Fashion products.

From Manufacturers analyzing supply-chain impacts to become more efficient and increase profit margins, to Designers using increasingly better sustainable raw materials and processes, to Consumers doing more with less - voting with their dollars for more sustainable products, purchasing less quantity and more quality and reusing, repairing and recycling more, all players in the Fashion Cycle will be furthering "going green".

Leaders in the movement will keep a strict eye on social responsibility as well - monitoring working conditions in 3rd world countries, purchasing fair-trade goods, maintaining ethical business practices, etc. will be an integral part of each business or personal decision.

My prediction? 2010 will see "Green" trickle further into our culture. The business side of the industry will continue to find greener processes for dealing with raw materials, waste, production and transportation. As we have discussed in the past, going green is good business with a positive impact on the bottom line. More exposure to 'Green' in the media and popular culture will continue to push individuals to embrace green thinking into their daily decision making process on the consumer side.

New Year, New Decade - A fresh start that is BRIGHT & SHINY Green!

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Happy Green Year

2009-12-29T05:50:00.001-05:00

How Green is Your Closet? wishes you a Happy New Year and a greener 2010. I'm taking a break to re-charge and clean out the closet, donate the old and make room for the new ;) I'll be back on the 5th. Have a safe and happy holiday.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Ambitiously Green

2009-12-22T08:22:00.003-05:00

Now I know you all recycle your magazines and catalogs, but on my trip to Hong Kong I ran into an artist doing it in a really unique way - she's knitting paper! That's right. Movana Chen's first project used fashion magazines and her current project uses books.

I have a long history of knitting many materials - wire, fishing line, trash bags, ribbon, etc. Since I had most recently tried to knit pre-consumer chip wrappers while working on a project with TerraCycle, I was enthralled by Movana's work. Interestingly, I used a similar process to Movana, but I never perfected it like she did.

My Process: 1) I fed the wrappers from their pre-use rolls through a shredder. This didn't work really well since the wrapper is rather thin and the shredder was powerful. I didn't get uniform shred. 2)I tried to melt the ends together with an iron - no go. I tried to find a proper adhesive - no go. I settled on a tried and true method of tying the ends together - worked but created knots and fringes. 3) Even loose tension made the wrapper tear.

Movana's Process: 1)Tape pages into long sheets. 2)Feed multiple sheets through the shredder. 3) Connect the ends with double stick tape. 4) Knit several layers of paper as one thread.

I have lots of magazines to try so I am going to see if I can give it a go. It is the perfect project for our next really Big Snow!

--till next week Restore, Recycle Refresh & Renew-- Happy Holidays

All I want for Christmas...

2009-12-15T09:43:00.004-05:00

is my 2 front teeth... Well not exactly, I want a bunny without 2 front teeth.

Okay so I have told everyone I am tired of the re-usable bag mania. They come in all shapes, materials, colors and sizes and I am just plain tote bagged out - suffering from sheer tote bag exhaustion.

Then along comes the Picnica Bunny Tote Bag - Now maybe it is because I have just been in Hong Kong and talking a lot of Kawaii & cosplay, but this is oh so cute in a Japanese kinda way. See that bunny there? Well that tote folds down into that cute little bunny and doubles as a stuffed animal. I bet "ammas" (nannies) just love this.

Designed by EDING-POST, this super light nylon tote is available online. Priced at $27.00 this tote is available from japanesemoderndesign.com. Just imagine all the plastic bags you won't use and how many conversations you'll start with this cutie- now if it was produced green as well...

Give the gift of Green!

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Have a Hand Made Green Holiday

2009-12-08T03:00:00.000-05:00

So Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone. You're shopped out. You still don't have all the gifts you need and the funds are getting tight. Not to mention you need a festive wardrobe update for the holiday social rounds.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Make It!!!!

Here is a new to me blog that has a wide range of items with easy DIY instructions - P.S. - I made this... Self-proclaimed a movement, P.S. - I made this... describes itself as "a call to action to re-imagine, re-use, and re-invent. I see it. I like it. I make it."

Recent posts feature a variety of fashion(Chunky necklaces, Art deco earrings, etc.) and home accessories (textured pottery) that are on trend and oh so easy to make, many from things you may already have kicking around. Remember what MacGyver could do with a little string, duct tape and chewing gum? Now you won't necessarily escape from the bad guys, but you can have a festive runway inspired hair bow with a trash bag, lace ribbon, gorilla tape and scissors - a quick fix to your personal fashion emergency;)

Now there really are no excuses. See it. Like it? Make it! Give it. Wear it. Use it.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Shop Local Shop Green

2009-12-01T08:46:00.003-05:00

This week I wanted to focus on shopping local and green by featuring a rockin' Philly shoe store, Bus Stop and one of their green offerings, Terra Plana.

London-born owner Elena Brennan opened Bus Stop to feature fun and funky shoes for the Philly shoe addict. Featuring a variety of hard-to-find designers and selections from such far away places at Lima and Rio, Bus Stop is always a delight. The merchandise mix offers a varied selection of product in a broad (many brands) and shallow (few styles and sizes) plan so you won't be wearing the same shoes as your friends shopping at the mall.

Just in for Winter, Bus Stop features new boots from Terra Plana with accents from repurposed Pakistani quilts and low-impact materials. In the About section of their website, Terra Plana describes their company as "Inspired by ecological survival, TERRA PLANA believes in a variety of non-generic products supporting ideas of sustainability: lightness, anatomic design, disassembly and durability." They offer a wide selection of footwear and accessories for men, women and kids. Terra Plana has one US store in NYC: Terra Plana , 254 Elizabeth Street, New York NY 10012, 1 212 274 9000, 254elizabethst@terraplana.com. It is a great little shop with a wonderful selection. I strongly suggest a visit when you are in the area.

Stay local. Stay green. Buy green, Be green. Bus Stop is located at 750 South 4th Street in Fabric Row. Holiday Hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 11AM-6PM, Friday till 7PM and Sunday 12PM-5PM.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Sheep Chic

2009-11-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of my trip to the waterfront vacation farm for Thanksgiving, I ask you to ponder my $64,000 question: "What to do with the family farm?"

•CSA (not enough acreage and too much maintenance to be profitable)
•Organic vineyard (we have yet to protect the grapes from birds or deer)
•Fig farm (see birds and deer)
•Persimmon farm (The fruit suffers from the deer/bird issue, but the wood maybe, however, there is not enough to create a profit center).

Animals - now that is where it's at. Did you know that the Eastern Shore in Maryland is home to more than a few Llama and Alpaca farms? Maryland is home to 12 Llama farms, 6 of which are located on the Eastern Shore. Add my knitting expertise and this opportunity just might have legs.

•Raise the Llamas and/or Alpacas (I'm good with animals)
•Harvest their wool(This would require some research and help)
•Create the yarns(I already have the family heirloom spinning wheel)
•Sell the yarns(I am definitely a Merchant) AND
•Products made from them(No problem, I have been knitting since I was 3)
•Don't forget the workshops(I've been teaching for over 20 years).

Thanks to Daily Candy and model Lily Cole's, The North Circular project, I even have the business plan with all the right built-in buzz - eco-friendly, animal-friendly and charitable. Saving sheep, employing (mostly) knitting grannies and supporting charities through the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). A little modification could make for an interesting retirement plan.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Green Specs

2009-11-17T08:09:00.003-05:00

I have always thought of glasses as a great accessory, but I haven't given much consideration to whether or not they are green. Recently TrendCentral devoted a newsletter to this very topic and featured several designers and products worth talking about.

Lenses
Essilor has introduced the Airwear Lens. Using 100% recycled water in the production process and 100% recycled packaging, Airwear offers a 100% UV protected lens that is lighter and more impact-resistant than standard plastic lenses. The company is also committed to educating their customer on their green initiatives, as well as, how to live greener.

Frames
When German furniture designer, Andreas Licht succumbed to his need for glasses, he began carving his personal frames from wood and a new business category was born. According to the website, "HERRLICHT eyeglasses are crafted entirely from either maple or cherry-wood. No metal or plastic parts for hinges, screws or reinforcements are used in the design." The frames are durable, flexible and underscore individuality.

Chicago based Urban Spectacles takes another approach offering custom designs from wood, recycled record vinyl, recycled bike parts, plastic, metals, etc. The process begins with precise measurements and a collaboration with the customer on preferred shapes and materials. Wooden frames are hand carved and finished with natural wood oil for a durable finish.

I often search ebay or etsy for vintage frames. It is another way to get a unique frame at a reasonable price and the re-use is eco-friendly.

Good for your eyes, good for you Personal Style and Green to boot - No Brainer.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

She's Crafty

2009-11-10T08:44:00.004-05:00

Ah November. The season of craft shows is in full swing. It's time for holiday shopping, gift giving and the party extravaganzas. Here's some thoughts about doing it green.

Look to nature for decorations. Fallen branches can be painted with metallics and arranged in a container with some floral foam to create a stunning "tree", "bush" or festive arrangement.

Here's an idea for easy DIY "ornaments". Pull fruit sections out of citrus fruits and then cut the skin into shapes with kitchen shears - stars, half moons, suns, whatever you heart desires. Let them dry naturally and then coat with a thin layer of watered down white glue to seal them. Tie with raffia and voila instant decorations or garland to use or give. These items could also be arranged into a fantastic center piece around a log with a few drilled holes for candles - just make sure to keep the flames away and don't leave the candles unattended! Holiday fires are bad for you and bad for the environment;)
•Best bet for natural items in Philly - Fairmount Park

Holidays parties are the perfect time to go vintage. You can find really unique and show- stopping pieces. With this years trend toward shine, look for items from the 40's and 80's to get you through. Beading, sequins, metallic jacquards and stretch are must haves. Throw in a "real" boyfriend jacket and some shoots (shoe/boots) and you are on your way to being the belle of the ball. There are a variety of vintage and thrift stores in all areas of Philly. Some places to check live - Vintage Connection, Retrospect, Decades Vintage (615 Bainbridge/South Street Area), Sugarcube, Forbidden Planet (10 N. 3rd basement in Olde City), the Second Mile and online Vintage Looks and Etsy.

Gift-giving should be a treat for both giver and receiver. Look for interesting handmade or eco-friendly options to suit the receiver's interests. If you are feeling really ambitious, make things yourself. You will feel immense satisfaction giving something that you have made. It comes from your heart and hands and will be cherished by the recipient. There are so many things to make to meet any skill level.
•Some sites to check for ideas and directions - DIY Network, PioneerThinking and Make-Stuff.

Here's an idea for a quick and easy dessert stand idea I got from the Sunday London Times Magazine last year. Find 2 beautiful plates and a pair of candle sticks (preferably vintage or second hand). Get some epoxy or bonding glue that will work for ceramic and glass. You will need to read the label or go to a local hardware store where the merchant can give you the correct adhesive. I like to use E6000 which is readily available at craft stores. Glue on of the candle sticks to the center of one of the plates. Weight the stick while it drys. Bake or buy some holiday goodies. Put them on the stand with a festive doily or vintage napkin. Wrap with colored cellophane. Include a note with instructions to hand wash the stand and handle with care. This is a great holiday or hostess gift for any occasion. You can alter the includes based on the recipient - make a two tiered stand for a High Tea theme, include napkins and place mats or a runner for those with new homes, etc. Easy, fun and unique.

Now for some shameless self-promotion - check my rocklava shop for some vintage treasures and a variety of handmade items to give.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Levi's & GoodWill form Green Tag Team

2009-11-03T09:38:00.002-05:00

As reported by Eleftheria Parpis on October 22, 2009 in Brandweek, Levi's is teaming with Goodwill to encourage customers to donate their used denim to Goodwill. The slogan, '"A care tag for our planet," was conceived by BBDO West, San Francisco, and will include online and in-store communications.'

Denim has a long life. I am still wearing my hand me over Levis from my ex-husband from 1988. The bottom line - donate your clothes when you are done with them. Don't put them in a landfill.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Have a Green Halloween

2009-10-27T09:49:00.007-04:00

Ghosts and ghouls. Witches and zombies. And don't forget the Vampires! Halloween is my favorite holiday. For one night, each of us can recognize and unleash our dark side and our creativity. We get to publicly celebrate our fantasies and fetishes and alter egos without fear of judgment. Instead of buying that disposable costume made overseas, out of nasty raw materials, why not open up your creativity, your closet and basement? Whatever you want to be, I bet through your old clothes and items that you have tucked away you can make a rocking good outfit. Need to supplement - try the neighbors garage and when all else fails, the thrift store.

Don't forget the decorations! Treat them like your Christmas decorations, cherish and recycle the old and selectively replace or purchase new. Consider natural decorations - pumpkins, gourds, shrunken heads from apples like this one from "theapplecarver"...the list goes on.

Not creative you say? Organize a costume swap. Like a clothing swap, you and your friends or your kids can pile organize a costume trade, or better yet, throw all the costumes and accessories into a big pile and put together new costumes from them. Suddenly you are a zombie pirate or a vampire nurse.

Don't forget the make up. Most women will have a dark eyeliner and mascara in their arsenal. Use foundation or moisturizer as a base for baby powder to whiten your face. Fake blood is a breeze with food coloring and corn syrup.

No need to add to the landfill to get your inner-freak on. You've got it all happening at home;) Have a spooky, safe, fun and GREEN Halloween.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Sephora & San Fran - Of Course It's Green!

2009-10-20T08:31:00.008-04:00

Image: courtesy of Sephora, San Francisco, via vmsd Pulse
According to a recent article in vmsd Pulse, Sephora's Stonestown Galleria store is seeking gold or platinum LEED certification. This is the first time Sephora is seeking certification and plans are in the works for more LEED certified stores. Who knew Sephora has been making green choices for years - FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood flooring, LED lighting...? Good to know.

"According to Wendy Hawkins, Sephora’s store planning and design manager, this store uses 15 percent less energy; houses Energy Star-compliant equipment and appliances; and has high-efficiency plumbing fixtures that reduced the retailer’s water usage by more than 40 percent. The retailer also recycled all materials from the fixture install, including the protective packaging used during shipping." And they are doing it all, while keeping their signature black and white brand image.

Now if they can make sure that all their product offerings are equally sustainable they will really be doing something special;)

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Sustainable accessories of Note

2009-10-13T09:14:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite sustainable living stores is Sustainable-NYC. Located at 139 Avenue A at 9th Street, it is one of the boutiques I was introduce to last year on a Green Shop Tour. This shop offers up a variety of sustainable home and fashion products, as well as, offering workshops and seminars. Here's a look at some new product the shop is featuring for Fall from their newsletter:

"The Mighty Wallet™ made from Tyvek®(think express mail envelopes) is tear-resistant, water-resistant, expandable and, most importantly, recyclable.

-Printed with SGS Certified environmentally friendly Ink. 100% recyclable packaging made from recycled PET plastic.

-2 interior pockets, 2 credit card pockets (holds approx 16 cards) and 2 quick access business card pockets.

The Blow Out Wallet is re-purposed from recycled bike inner tubes from mountain bikes and bike shops around the country.

-Unique, waterproof, non-marking inner tube exterior.

-Interior is made from 100% Recycled P.E.T. equipped with 6 sleeve pockets for cards and ID's 2 full-length bill pockets for cash & receipts.

The OWL Taxi Wallet is made with 100% recycled post- industrial leather, renewable natural rubber, natural tanning oils, and lead-free dyes.

- A clear pocket on the back keeps your ID or transit card handy. An interior security pocket holds credit cards.

- The easily accessible outside pocket is perfect for business cards and receipts. A snap pouch keeps a pocketful of change from jangling in your jeans.

A new line of beauty products has arrived at Sustainable NYC! IntroducingSustainable Fair Trade Skin Care " Alaffia".

Alaffia was founded as a way to empower communities in West Africa through the Fair trade of Shea Butter. Fair Trade is the fundamental foundation of this organization, which is made up of the Alaffia/Agbanga Shea Butter Cooperative in Togo, West Africa and Alaffia Sustianable Skin Care in Olympia, WA USA. Visit us at Sustainable NYC to check out our sustainable skin care."

Good on ya Sustainable-NYC.
--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Walking the Walk

2009-10-08T08:47:00.003-04:00

As reported by Steve Kaufman in VMSD, North Face recently opened a LEED Gold certified store in an old department store in downtown Boise, ID. “We’re not one of those retailers that opens 50 stores a year,” Rice says. “We now have just 26 stores, built over 40 years. We choose our locations carefully and each one has to represent the values of the brand. And we feel this Boise store – with its reuse of an old building and our first attempt at LEED certification – tells exactly The North Face story that we try to tell every time out.”

Boise is one of the fastest growing markets for outdoor activities - hiking, skiing, climbing and has a large youth market on campus at Boise State. The building was home to the flagship Mode Department Store from 1909 to the 1980's and so has high recognition and sentimental value in the market.

The building lended itself nicely to environmentally friendly renovation, providing interesting architectural elements and reusable materials. A series of windows allowed for daylight and passive solar.

Other Leed items include: "Elsewhere, JGA and The North Face crossed all of LEED’s t’s. The building exterior is painted (with low-VOC and low-odor paint) a rustic version of The North Face red to blend in with the surrounding buildings. Powdercoated fixtures (as well as backroom shelving) are made of the renewable bamboo plywood called Plyboo. Feature walls use wood manufactured under sustainable forestry guidelines. The cashwrap and backwrap are built from SkyBlend, a wood particleboard made of 100 percent recycled wood fiber without added formaldehyde. Hardwood flooring is produced from sustainable forestry without insecticides or laminated adhesives. Vinyl flooring is made with recycled content and installed with low-VOC adhesive. And the carpeting is a hybrid yarn that uses renewable fiber from corn starch, installed using a glue-free installation system."

North Face puts the money where there mouth is;)

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew

Columbia Sportwear Saves some Trees

2009-10-06T08:32:00.002-04:00

More on packaging. Columbia Sportswear decided to offer their customers shipping in used boxes through their e-commerce site. More than 2/3rds of the customers are participating. In true Social Media tradition, Columbia has added to eco-friendly fun. Customers can now follow their box as it is used by others, adding pictures and stories about the journey. What a great way to raise awareness about environmental issues surrounding packaging. Another example of going green and saving $$$.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew

E-Commerce Shopping

2009-09-29T09:06:00.002-04:00

We have discussed whether shopping the internet is green or not. Sure it saves on transportation costs from the product and customer to the retailers. It also cuts down on utilities in the store, as well as, the need for more stores.

We haven't discussed the packaging. It is important to consider what packing materials your purchases arrive in and what you do with them after their arrival. Are all the packaging and packing materials recyclable and do you recycle them?

Amazon, the grand daddy of online retail, has launched a new four point rating feature on the site to allow customers to give feedback on Amazon and partner retailer's shipping. The system includes how easy it is to open the manufacturer's packaging as well. Amazon has been working with manufacturers to create easier to open and more environmentally friendly packaging since 2008.

So shop away and enjoy but please be responsible with packaging.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Happy New Year!

2009-09-22T11:41:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you, but Fall always signals a new year for me and the first step to a fresh start is a good wardrobe clean out. This is a great time to review your Fall and Winter items for fit.

First review seasonal trends and pull items from your closet that you can work in. If you are obsessive, grab your digital camera and photo your items and outfits. Creating a persinal look book will help you save time on what to wear. It will get your creative juices going to make new combinations put of old garments and you will love your clothes again. Finally, make a list of any new items you need and a few you want. Shop from this list only!

Try on all ypur current clothes and check each item for fit and damage. If it doesn't fit or flatter let it go! Accept the body you have today and dress it well. New year - new attiitude.

What to do with the pile? Host a clothing swap with your friends. Shop their cast offs with your list. Donate what's left to a charitable thrift. Separate work appropriate items for organizations like the Career Wardrobe.

Damages can often be recycled. Get crafty! Holey sweaters can be felted and turned into all sorts of items. My latest reuse - felted wool fingerless gloves. The holes become the center of embroidered flowers. They will debut soon in my Etsy shop.

Get cleaning!

-- till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Premium Eco Denim

2009-09-15T10:18:00.003-04:00

Looking for primo premium Eco Denim?
Sweden is poised to rule supreme. Scandanavian design is well known for modern, sleek sophistication wrapped with quality, craftsmanship and wearability - utilitarian chic. A tomboy attitude tracing back to Sweden's feminist movement keeps slim and straight the fit of the moment. Swedes are concerned with far larger issues than sex appeal. Sustainable production is the "now" issue.

Nudie offers every style in organic denim. Acne works with organic cotton. Whyred uses synthetic eco-fabrics. Cheap Monday is aiming for 11% of its cotton to be organic by 2011.

Look for these styles:
Kex by Acne
Tight Long John by Nudie
Jane Vertigo by Whyred
USA Blue by Cheap Monday

-- till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle, Renew

Premium Eco Denim

2009-09-15T10:18:00.001-04:00

Superficial Eco

2009-09-08T09:10:00.002-04:00

What nobler use of your feminine wiles than to help planet green? Angry Green Girl is doing just that - reaching out to a larger audience by hitting them where they live;)

The website launched on August 25th with a live event in Hollywood, CA. 5 lovely models in teenie-weenie green bikinis, hand washed eco-friendly cars with eco-friendly products.

Angry Green Girl, tag line: "Shamelessly exploiting everything I've got to safe the world.", provides green tips, networking opportunities and of course 'hot' girls. A bit "Girls Gone Wild", a bit Match.com and a bit Facebook all in rolled in to one. Very Gen Y.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Rating Retailers Green

2009-09-01T08:19:00.003-04:00

We've discussed on many occasions how difficult it is to determine the "greeness" of a product or retailer. Here are some criteria based on a Greenopia post, "Which Retailer is the Greenest? It's Not Who You Think!" by Starre Vartan to consider as you perform your due diligence and decision-making:

GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVES: Is the retailer using CFL or LED lighting? Is the building LEED certified? Are they using green energy sources like wind or solar? How are they handling their water use? Is the store recycling?

SUPPLY CHAIN: This is the most difficult criteria to judge. It is nearly impossible to trace the supply chain back through the production chain as a consumer. Concentrate your efforts on what happens once the product arrives Stateside. Where are the distribution centers in the US? How is product transported in the US from DC to store? What type of packaging is used for the product and shipping? Are these resources being recycled? Is there hangar waste? What practices are in place for shipping from Store to Consumer?

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS: Does the company generate one? Is it readily available? Does it contain clear goals and quantitative measures to evaluate performance? Does it discuss "wins" and areas for improvement? Companies that do this well include Gap, Patagonia and H&M.

RECYCLING/TAKE BACK: Does the company promote recycling or take back of products (especially important with electronics, batteries, etc.) or shopping bags?

STOCK: Does the retailer offer sustainable products and or services?

Greenopia used a modified version of the above criteria to rate the top 25 US retailers. Ikea scored 3 Green Leaves. Target, Wal-mart and Nike got 2. 10 out of the 25 did not meet the criteria. Big companies can lead the way - good for the environment is good for business.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew

A Quick Trip to the Cambridge Salvy

2009-08-24T09:04:00.001-04:00

So I am in Cambridge Maryland doing some family visits and busuness. Whether I am donating or looking for fabulous finds, this Salvy rarely disappoints.

This trip uncovered some great Ralph Lauren skinnies in stripes and florals. There was also a great tone-on-tone floral Ann Taylor shorts. At $4-$8 per pair, someone can get their 80's on. Sadly not my size:(

--til next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle, Renew

Go green with apps

2009-08-18T09:03:00.003-04:00

Your iPhone (or other smartphone) is your PA (personal assistant) and the apps you carry are a fashion statement. Help green your closet with these eco-apps.

Track your daily commute, business trips or vacation carbon footprint with Carbon Tracker by Clear Standards. Other features allow you to set and monitor goals. Carbon Tracker is a GPS enabled app. It is free.

Mission Zero and 3rd Whale offer iPhone apps that allow you to stay up to date on Sustainability news while on the go. 3rd Whale will help you find Green Retail in your vicinity as well.

Whole Foods offers up an app with over 2,000 recipes by various categories - gluten free, high fiber, what you have on hand. The app also includes store locations.

Clif Bar helps snow bunnies make environmentally responsible ski choices while they help make the world "snowier." Free and cool.

Keep an eye out for Big Room Inc.'s app in development. It will help consumers make sense of eco-labels and make recommendations about various products while in store.

Load your PA with green apps today.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Coming Soon in Philadelphia

2009-08-11T09:31:00.004-04:00

Just in time for Fall, Philadelphia Designer and Entrepreneur, Sarah Van Aken debuts SA VA, a comprehensive fashion destination. A grand opening of the Center City flagship store, SA VA 1700 Sansom Street, 215-587-0004 is set for August 29th. The store will feature Van Aken’s own line of women’s ready-to-wear apparel, also named SA VA; her own, custom-designed jewelry; and local and fair trade accessories including handbags, scarves, hats, gloves and sweaters. The location will also house a design studio and adjacent garment center.

A webstore with innovative interactive social media will debut a month later. The focus of the site will be communication and design collaboration using such tools as blogs and twitter. According to Van Aken by way of her press release,'“It’s important to me that my clients feel they can influence the creation of our garments,” says Van Aken. “At SA VA, we encourage our patrons to bring in, e-mail or tweet photos of their fashion inspirations, so that we can work collaboratively to craft a piece of clothing that is at once uniquely ours and also influenced by their style, likes and dislikes. If we incorporate that into a piece, our guest can track the creation and production of their ‘signature item’ through the design studio, garment center and eventually into the retail boutique, where we may even name the piece after the guest who inspired it.”Interested clientele can visit www.savafashion.com for links to all of the interactive components of SA VA.

'The release further states, 'Van Aken is also passionate about sustainable production throughout her enterprise. No detail is too small to be overlooked; the retail boutique will feature 100% recycled and recyclable hangers, natural fiber packaging and custom-made, reusable shopping bags. Furniture for the garment center, design studio and even Van Aken’s own office was salvaged from vacant offices or otherwise repurposed. In keeping with this model, Van Aken also practices what she calls “social sustainability.” SA VA will create 22 new jobs in Philadelphia within two years, all of them positions that are fairly compensated.

I can't wait to check out SA VA - socially responsible fashion and innovative social media all in my backyard!

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew

Walmart Teams with Department of Energy

2009-08-04T09:25:00.004-04:00

According to a NYT article by Sara Goodwin, published on July 29, 2009, Walmart has turned one of their parking lots into a giant LED testing lab. The goal is to see if Walmart and a score of other retailers can use LED lighting to reduce neighborhood light pollution, energy costs by 50% and maintenance costs by 80%.

Since April of 2008 12 major retailers have been working with the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a list of criteria necessary to successfully implement the use of LEDs. New technologies can be costly to install and/or implement, but LED technology is relatively well developed and may be less costly than other solutions.

Walmart is testing in the parking lot of its new store in Leavenworth, Kansas. "We wanted to test the technology parameters of the recommendations ... to find out how it actually performs in the environment and with our shoppers," said Don Moseley, Wal-Mart's director of sustainable facilities. 33 poles support 92 fixtures controlled to shed light on the parking lot and reduce light drift which causes neighborhood light pollution. The bulbs have a 10 year relamping time frame as opposed to the 2 year relamping plan for their other bulbs. There is an estimated 3-6 year investment payback period, however, Moseley stated,"While that cost is an important decision, if all the other parameters prove true and the other savings are there, and we have a safe and secure shopping environment, at that point, then, we try to negotiate for volume purchase." Key factors in the decision to adopt LEDS will include: maintenance and customer acceptance.

Walmart greens again - good for Business and good for the Environment.

-- till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Natural Beauty Products

2009-07-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

Aromatherapist, Andrea Garland offers up a collection of natural health and beauty balms in vintage tins and pots. Other offerings include creams and potions packaged in new amber glass. Natural ingredients include shea butter and sweet almond oil, to name a few. Items purchased from the vintage line include refills at minimal cost.

A personal fave - Rosy Facial Beauty Blam in a Large Vintage 1940's Goldtone Compact.
As described on the website: A fantastic 1940's compact with raised circular and dotty pattern, has mirror inside which has very small chip to corner, full of Rosy Beauty Balm; A rescue remedy for the skin to improve radiance and smoothness. Skin softening and rejuvenating organic Shea Butter, anti ageing and EFA laden Hemp Seed oil, coupled with balancing Jojoba and free radical seeking Vitamin E make this a deeply nourishing and moisturizing balm. With the heady combination of Rose De Mai, Palma Rosa and Rose Geranium, this is sure to nourish, protect and enrich. Excellent protection for winter and dry environments. It sounds heavenly and the compact brings out my inner Joan Crawford;) There's the Georgiana pot for those looking to feed their inner Duchess and many more.

Take care of aging, beauty and health naturally while keeping containers from the landfill forever. These beauties will perk up your dresser, bathroom or purse and take you to a.

--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle & Renew

Walmart Green Label

2009-07-21T08:39:00.013-04:00

According to an article in the New York Times from July 15, 2009 written by Stephanie Rosenbloom, Wal-mart is planning to institute a green label on the products carried in their stores. Wal-mart proposes creation of a labeling system that will let their customers know the carbon footprint - water and energy use and waste - of every product on their shelves.

In partnership with scholars, environmental groups and suppliers, the goal is to create a universal rating scale that indicates a products environmental and social sustainability in the next 5 years. Industry - wide adoption of the rating system is the future hope. '“We have to change how we make and sell products,” Michael T. Duke, Wal-Mart’s president and chief executive, plans to tell about 1,500 of the company’s suppliers and employees on Thursday at a “sustainability meeting,” according to a copy of his prepared remarks. “We have to make consumption itself smarter and sustainable.”'(nyt article - 7/15/09)

The process will begin with the distribution of a simple 15 question survey of Wal-mart's more than 100,000 suppliers located world wide. The concerns from the supplier side will focus on how much more it will cost them to comply. Wal-mart has promised not to penalize the suppliers who do not participate but warn that those not in compliance will become less important in the Wal-mart product offering mix.

It will be interesting to watch this evolve. There have been attempts to do the same by producers such as Timberland and European retailers. No one has had the purchasing power to make the standard universal. Wal-mart might just pull it off.

With Wal-mart in charge, there is always the chance of major 'greenwashing', but since they are the most powerful force in the marketplace there is the potential for major change in our product industries as well. Keep a watchful eye on this.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Physically- how green is your closet?

2009-07-14T10:08:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking about my closet physically and my house for that matter. I wonder just how green my physical closet is. Since I live in a very old home with numerous upgrades and renovations, I am sure my physical closet has a way to go before it gets LEED certification. I did have the interior designed for maximum space design so I do know that my shelves and their supports are all made from composite, but I don't know if the composite is 'green'. I wish I had considered that when I had the project done. *Sigh*

DIY home improvement can be a challenge for city dwellers. Adding "Green" could make it nearly impossible. According to the Springwise newsletter of 23 February 2009, there is a Manhatten Retailer focusing on this niche: 'Green Deopt, a store that aims to make green building and living solutions "accessible, affordable and gratifying."'

The 3500 square foot flagship, located in the Bowery is on track for platinum LEED certification. The store shows green solutions in action, for example, a light booth helps customers compare lighting solutions and paint colors under controlled circumstances. Not to be left out of current retail trends, a zero - VOC paint bar offers a plethora of green options.

Green Depot has developed a series of 5 icons to help consumers understand the greeness of each product. They include: ' "air quality," "local," "social responsibility," "energy" and "conservation,".' That is a big help in a world filled with 'greenwashers'.

So when are they coming to Philly? I'm there. Thumbs up to Green Depot and fingers crossed for their growth. With their help, I am sure I could build a truly green closet;)

till next week -- Restore, Refresh, Recycle, Renew.

Intuit's Snapshot

2009-07-07T09:39:00.003-04:00

Okay so this isn't just for Fashion, but this product is great for any small to mid-size business of 100 employees or less. From our friends Intuit who bring us Quickbooks and Turbo Tax, Snapshot is designed to track one's spending and categorize it in such a way as to give one a picture of individual contributions to global warming so they can be managed more effectively.

'As Intuit's Rupesh Shah, Director, Corporate Sustainability explains: "Snapshot reads your Quickbook data, pulls every dollar the business has spent over the past twelve months, and works with Cooler's economic input-output matching engine. It looks at the payee and the vendor of every transaction and tries to match it to the closest of about 1,000 carbon categories that the Cooler engine has. And for each of those carbon categories there's a carbon intensity -- emissions per dollar spent." The result is a report detailing a company's carbon footprint and cost-effective opportunities to reduce it.

Shah continues : "I was struck when I was interviewing small businesses, how many of them were trying to get their customers to see that they're doing something green. But there's no real authentic way to message that." Shah believes Intuit can play a role in providing "a little bit more transparency and legitimacy for those claims around green."' (from Intuit Helps Small business Capture a 'Green Snapshot' by Joel Makower content courtesy of GreenBiz.com)

I can't wait till this rolls out for indivduals. Kudos to Intuit and Snapshot.

--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle & Renew.

Made-By

2009-06-30T08:35:00.002-04:00

Since 2004, Dutch non-profit Made-By has aimed to expand the market for environmentally and socially conscious fashion by facilitating sustainable production processes and then giving brands a way to share their product stories with consumers.

First, Made-By helps a company develop a sustainable supply chain from the acquisition of raw-materials through the production chain so the process is sustainable from start to finish. According to a post in Springwise Newsletter, June 17, 2009, "Member brands use organic cotton and work with sewing factories that have a social code of conduct; to proclaim their participation, they identify their clothing with a small blue button placed near the care-instructions label."

Next, Made-By allows consumers to see the member brands story lines through their Track & Trace database system. The database is populated at each stage of the production chain when the supplier updates information about their function in the supply chain. Made-By verifies these entries and keeps photos ad brand information updated.

Manufacturers supply a unique code on the labels of the items they manufacture. Consumers can enter the code into Track & Trace and follow the production chain, even factory locations through a connection with Google Maps.

Made-By also publishes online scorecards and an annual report showing the proportion of each brands product that is made sustainably.

One of the biggest challenges to living a sustainable life is information. Made-By puts that information in a one-stop, accessible application, making it easier for the consumer to make informed choices. Thumbs up for Made-By.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew.

Bodkin Brooklyn

2009-06-23T08:53:00.004-04:00

According to dictionary.com:

"bod⋅kin

–noun

1.	a small, pointed instrument for making holes in cloth, leather, etc.

2.	a long pinshaped instrument used by women to fasten up the hair.

3.	a blunt, needlelike instrument for drawing tape, cord, etc., through a loop, hem, or the like.

4.	Obsolete. a small dagger; stiletto.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME badeken, bo(i)dekyn, of uncert. orig."

According to Bodkin Brooklyn:

"Bodkin is a collection designed in accordance with principles of sustainability in materials and production methods. Manufactured in New York City using organic cotton and organic wool and artisanal vegetable dyes along with innovative fibers such as recycled-PET nylon, cellulosic fibers, and kapok, Bodkin consists of understatedly classic yet forward-thinking pieces that reconcile style with utility and transparency, supporting and encouraging both traditional craft and environmentally beneficial technologies of the future. Bodkin was named the inaugural recipient of the Ecco Domani Sustainable Design Award in 2009."

I'm not quite sure about the connection between bodkin and sustainable fashion, but this collection is chic, wearable, sustainable and classic. Designer Eviana Hartman has hit all the right notes. I'm particularly partial to the plastic dress made from 100% recycled PET utility mesh in the Spring 2009 Collection.These garments are not your mother's earthshoes;) Available is fine stores and online in the UK.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Burt's Bees - A Wolf in Sheep's clothing?

2009-06-16T10:08:00.004-04:00

Burt's Bees tells a compelling brand story. In fact, the website creates a great deal of hype about their mission, vision and values that sells the story as a complete package.

Humble beekeeper, Burt Schavitz spent his days tending his bees and selling honey in old pickle jars from the back of his pick up truck to the fine folks of Dexter, Maine. In 1984 he picked up a hitchhiker, Roxanne Quimby, love bloomed and together they launched the all-natural inspired health care products known today as Burt's Bees.

Burt's Bees is distributed all over - Target, CVS and even Wal-Mart. To the conscious consumer this looks like a great victory. Even coporate America is on board with the "green" thing right? Wrong. Guess who owns Burt's Bees. Go on give it a try. Answer: Clorox the bleach company.

The road to Clorox began in the 90's when things between Shavitz's and Quimby's relationship went south. Quimby bought out Schavitz for a 6-figure sum and went on to grow the brand. In 2003, a private equity firm got interested and bought an 80% share from Quimby who retained 20% of the company and sat on the board. In late 2007 the company was sold to Clorox for $925 million. That is quite a sell out and a snow job on conscientious consumers!

Andrea Whitfill, reveals the sordid details of Burt's Bees and more of your favorite socially conscious brands in an article posted on Alternet. The article is a great reminder that things are not always what they seem.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Teen Vogue Touts Eco-minded Teens

2009-06-09T09:31:00.002-04:00

The May 2009 edition (pp.71-74) of Teen Vogue's Eva Chen contributes an article titled Generation Green which features "Teens Turning Green, a national coalition of youth advocates who educate their peers about how to live healthy lives free from pollutants."

Covering several young women interested in greening their beauty routine, this article discusses hazardous ingredients found in some beauty products, such as parabens and formaldehyde. Some of these ingredients can be absorbed into your bloodstream through the skin.

The teens turned to action and lobbied the Governor of California for the passage of two bills - one requires manufacturers to report the use of potentially hazardous ingredients is the first state cosmetics regulatory act in the USA.

Riding their victory, the teens are partnering with their favorite green cosmetics brands - Astara, EO, Pomega5 and Depth - and Whole Foods to develop their own collection of natural products. The goal of the collection is to give teens green beauty options and to empower them to take action.

Whole Foods carries: Sunstar Purifying Mask by Astara, $21; Seafoam Facial Cleanser by Depth, $7; Pomegranate Toning Mist by Pomega5, $20; and Organic Rosemary and Mint Sanitizing Spray by EO, $4. Other suggested products include: John Masters Organics Herbal Cider Hair Clarifier, $17; Jane Iredale Zap & Hide Concealer, $25; Pangea Organics Argentinean Tangerine & Thyme Facial Toner, $26

Teens Turning Green Top Green Tips:
•Change one product in your beauty routine to a natural or organic one.
•Reuse as much as possible. Buy no more than necessary. If you buy something new, pass something else onto a friend or charity.
•Stop using plastic water bottles and cups. Get a reusable one and carry it with you.

Sounds like these teens are on target for a Green Closet.

--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle Renew

zoe&zac Debut at Payless

2009-06-02T08:15:00.004-04:00

Payless has delivered on their promise for a green shoe collection at an affordable price. zoe&zac is in stores now. I visited my local Payless and had a look. Honestly, the styles are not me, but there are several styles available for women that might suit you. The collection also offers some jewelry and 2 bags.

The face of zoe&zac is Summer Rayne Oakes, no stranger to How Green is Your Closet? She is fresh, smart and personable, a Columbia educated environment scientist turned model who has created a career as a specialist in sustainable living. Her recent book on sustainable fashion and beauty - Style, Naturally:The Savy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty focuses on how to make informed choices in your fashion and beauty purchases. This book is readable and visually enticing, featuring many of Oakes's favorite designers and brands like Stella McCartney, Loomstate and Aveda.

zoe&zac was specifically created to offer a more sustainable alternative to the masses. Using such materials as organic cotton, hemp, jute and faux leather and suede manufactured with reduced heavy metalsk. The shoes offer details such as nickle-free hardware and tagua nuts which are also known as "vegetable ivory" from the tagua palm tree. Put together with water based, non-toxic glue on recycled rubber soles with elastic made from recycled plastic bottles, all styles are available for under $30/pair.

Payless followed through on packaging as well. Each pair is packaged in a box made from 100% recycled shoe boxes and printed with soy-based inks. And you can purchase a re-usable bag made of 50% recycled materials as well.

In partnership with the Nature Conservancy, Payless will donate $1 for every pair of zoe&zac shoes and re-usable bags purchased to help plant more trees. Reduced footprint, responsible packaging, replenishment of trees all for under $30. An affordable sustainable choice for most of us. Thumbs Up Payless.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew

One Dress, One Size, Less Clothing

2009-05-26T09:17:00.004-04:00

Brooklyn based Butter by Nadia is not the first designer to come up with the concept one dress, one size, 20+ options, but she does have a beautiful product on offer. Showing 24 dress options in jersey or satin, including a satin ball gown, Nadia offers collections for Spring 09 and Bridal in a wide variety of beautiful colors and prints. Options fall to the knee, tea length or full maxi. Jersey dresses are priced at $246.00 online. All items are made in the USA. All garments are labled for environmentally responsible care.

Addressing the use phase of the garment life-cycle, this is a responsible choice. The garment can be worn a variety of ways. Imagine your closet with ONE dress that gives you 20+ styles! It is one size so your friends can borrow it, your sister can wear it too, or you can pass it on to any of your friends in a clothing swap! The care label for both fabric options is cold wash, delicate, lay flat to dry, steam if needed. Lot's of wear and little care is a good investment for your wardrobe and your future.

--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle, Renew.

Is eBay Green?

2009-05-19T08:30:00.004-04:00

In the March 3rd, 2009 edition, the New York Times ran an article by Stephanie Clifford in which Alan Marks, senior vice president for global communications at eBay, declared that eBay is green. Let's take a close look at this claim.

It is true that some merchandise on eBay is second hand and it is "green" to buy pre-owned products. The down side of the purchase is that most eBay sellers are using the USPS, UPS, or FedEx Ground to ship their goods and all three providers use non-sustainable fossil fuels for their planes and trucks
Green Score: Let's call it a draw. Good on eBay sellers of used merchandise. Bad on the seller's shipping choice. (Of course it is a big fat 0 if the seller is shipping new merchandise.)

eBay has introduced a "Green Team", an internal group charged with making the company environmentally efficient.

The Green Team site involves employees and the public and encourages green behavior. eBay hopes to build a "green" community among its members.
Green Score: Good on you eBay for inclusion and community building.

The roof of the new eBay building in San Jose is covered with solar panels and they are using carbon off-sets to be carbon neutral.
Green Score: Good on you eBay for greening your buildings.

eBay does not report total emmissions, nor do they discuss in detail the environmental measures they have taken and how much they have reduced total emmissions.
Green Score: Tisk, Tisk. It's hard to evaluate your company without the details. ('Green Washing' Alert)

eBay announced its green credentials in a 5-page insert "30 Days of Green" in all April 14th editions of Hearst Magazine. Hearst Magazines do not use recycled paper, but they claim to get 70% of their paper from sustainably managed forests.
Green Score: Tisk. There are many comparable magazines using recycled papers. I'm giving only one Tisk since they are using a great deal of paper from sustainably managed forests.

The eBay partnership with Hearst Magazines goes a bit deeper. Each Hearst Magazine created 2 pages of green content and included 1 page of eBay product selections in the same issue. How this translated across the various target markets was interesting. In the NYT article, author Stephanie Clifford remarks that the Cosmo article is entitled "Sexy Ways to Go Green" which include showering with your mate to save water and lounging around your home in the nude rather than using AC, while Good Housekeeping presented "Recycling Made Simple" to a target audience 20 years older.
Green Score: Let's call it a draw - Good on Hearst and eBay for getting the word out, but is this just a simple case of 'green washing'?

Hearst's website, TheDailyGreen will be providing content for eBay's Green Team site as well.
Green Score: Let's call it a draw - Good on Hearst and eBay for getting the word out, but is this just another case of 'green washing'?

So how would you score eBay on the green scale? Chime in.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew

Green Hair

2009-05-12T08:43:00.004-04:00

No this post is not about Johnny Rotten;) I know many of you have grown your hair and donated it for cancer wigs, but did you know your regular trim could help the environment? Let me introduce you to the Hair for Oil Spills program.

We all know we shampoo our hair because it gets greasy, but it took Phil McCrory, a stylist from Alabama, to make the jump and realize that hair was an efficient and abundant material for collecting and containing petroleum spills. While watching CNN coverage on the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, Phil noticed the fur on the Alaskan otters completely soaked with oil. This gave him the idea that hair could be a massive absorbing material. He began testing with the hair clippings from his salon which lead to the invention of the hairmat.

Phil says - "You shampoo your hair because it gets greasy. Hair is very efficient at collecting oil out of the air, off surfaces like your skin and out of the water, even petroleum oil. Hair is adsorbant (as in "clings to" unlike absorbant which is to "soak up.") There are over 370,000 hair salons in the US and each collects about 1 pound of hair a day. Right now, most of that goes into the waste stream, but it should all be made into hairmats." (see pictures of mats used in SF Oil Spill).

According to Matter of Trust.org, "The US has over 300,000 hair salons and each cuts an average of a pound of hair per day. Salons generously pay out of pocket for postage to send their swept up hair clippings to our donated warehouse spaces. We do the fundraising for this program and outreach through placing our posters in participating salons and with the help of the press." Individuals and schools can donate human hair.

Pet hair from grooming salons (although not as effective as human hair) and used nylons can also be donated for use in the clean up process. Hair is stuffed into used nylons which are then used as booms to soak up the oil.

Phil also found that "hair is also great fertilizer with a slow nitrogen and karetin protein release. Hair prevents weed growth, snail infestation and reduces water evaporation up to 50%. Patent owners, Phil McCrory and our friends at SmartGrow, manufacture hairmats in China. These are for flower growers and farmers who use hairmat strips for commercial rows and in rounds for flower pots."

So next time you head in for a trim, take this info to your salon. What a great way to go green! A win for you and your salon owner.

--till next week restore, refresh, recycle, renew

Green With Cell Phone Envy

2009-05-05T08:58:00.007-04:00

Go ahead, admit it. Your cell phone is your constant companion and that makes it your most visible and consistent fashion accessory. The make, style and color says a lot about you and your personal style. Now you can make a truly green statement 24/7 with the new Motorola Moto W233 Renew.

According to the Motorola website, the Renew is the first carbon free cell phone to hit the market.Through a partnership with Carbonfund.org, Motorola is offsetting the energy used to produce, distribute and operate the phone through investments in renewable energy sources and reforestation. Through each stage of the phone's life cycle: Design & Manufacturing, Batteries, Energy Efficiency, Packaging and Recycling, Motorola has made an effort to reduce environmental harm. Examples include the use of 100% recyclable plastics with a percentage coming from recycled water bottles, a 22% reduction in package size produced with 100% post consumer recycled paper, a postage paid envelope to recycle the phone the customer is replacing and a consumer-friendly take back program at the end of the life of the phone.

You can purchase the phone directly through Motorola or the T-Mobile store. Now you can sport your Green every day. Don't you just love it when you can be green and fashionable at the same time?

--till next week restore, refresh, recycle, renew

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Footwear that Cares

2009-04-28T03:07:00.000-04:00

Last week got away from me and I am sorry to say I missed a post. This week I am picking right up with footwear.

According to recent ads in Footwear News, Groundhog will expand their environmentally friendly product line while continuing to reduce their global footprint through all aspects of sourcing materials, construction and business practices.

From the use of semi-vegetable dyes, to bamboo linings and ornaments of coconut, wood and tree sap, Groundhog promotes an environmentally friendly philosophy & lifestyle. As you know from past posts, I do take issue with some of the practices, however, the website offers a wonderful tool which allows you to trace each aspect and draw some conclusions of your own.

Groundhog shoes are distributed in North America by Bos & Co.

Clothing Swap with Valerie Keller

2009-04-14T03:00:00.001-04:00

Listen to the podcast interview with Valerie Keller of Big Tea Party from the live MLK Day clothing swap on NexusRadio.

--till next week restore, refresh, recycle, renew.

About Project Rainbow

2009-04-07T03:00:00.000-04:00

Listen to a podcast interview with Jen Bowles of Project Rainbow from the live MLK Day clothing swap on NexusRadio.

--till next week restore, refresh, recycle, renew

A Project Rainbow Story

2009-03-31T03:00:00.000-04:00

Listen to the podcast interview of a Project Rainbow resident from the MLK Day live clothing swap on NexusRadio.

till next week -- restore, refresh, recycle, renew

Vote with your $$$

2009-03-24T02:12:00.000-04:00

Hear the podcast re-broadcast of How Green is Your Closet? on NexusRadio on 14 january 2009.
This segment discusses practical ways to vote green with your green!

till next week -- restore, recycle, refresh and renew

Demystifying Garment Labels

2009-03-17T02:05:00.000-04:00

Hear the podcast re-broadcast of How Green is Your Closet? from NexusRadio on 14 january 2009. This segement explains garment labels and how they effect conscious consumer choice.

Green Dry Cleaners in the Philadelphia area from Daily Candy Philadelphia, May23, 2007
Available at Kim’s Cleaners, 414 South 20th Street (215-546-5595); Green Cleaners, 897 Southwest End Boulevard, Quakertown (215-538-1006).

till next week -- restore, refresh, recycle, renew

Popeye Skin Care

2009-03-10T02:01:00.001-04:00

Hear the podcast re-broadcast of How Green is Your Closet? from NexusRadio on 14 january 2009. This segment covers organic ingredients in skin care.

Till next week -- Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew

Consuming With Conscience

2009-03-03T08:55:00.003-05:00

Hear the podcast re-broadcast of How Green is Your Closet? on NexusRadio 14 January 2009. This segment discusses ways to be a conscious consumer.

Till next week -- Restore, Refresh, Recycle, Renew

Planet Green

2009-02-24T09:59:00.003-05:00

I wanted to take a time out from my reposts of the radio show to draw your attention to Planet Green on cable. There are some very interesting programs in the line up, especially one called Renovation Nation. Great info on how to green your home as you renovate.

till next week -- restore, recycle, refresh and renew

Consumers with Conscience

2009-02-17T09:21:00.001-05:00

How can you become a conscious consumer? Listen to this podcast rebroadcast of How Green is Your Closet from 1/14/09 NexusRadio and find out.
--Till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew