Stay Warm This Season with 3 Eco-Friendly Winter Outfits

It’s your Eco-nista again! I know how difficult shopping for that perfect winter look can be, not to mention when you’re considering the environment. Well look no further, these 3 eco-friendly outfits are full of great separates that can be mixed and matched until the sun comes out (which is hopefully sooner than later).



Great for walking around the city, staying warm and chic.

a. Jacket
b. Scarf
c. Beret
d. Bracelets
e. Boot
f. Sweater Dress
g. Leggings



This is such a great outfit for everyday wear.

a. Top
b. Vest
c. Bag
e. Jeans
f. Booties




Cozy up next to the fire in this comfortable, eco-friendly, lounge outfit and accessories.

a. Cami
b. Pillows
c. Cardigan
e. Stuffed Animal
f. Sweat Pants
g. Slippers

Welcoming Summer with 3 Eco-Friendly Beach Outfits

What’s in this season? GREEN, of course. And I don’t just mean Green the color. With all the fun eco-friendly clothing and accessories popping up it’s becoming increasingly EASY to be green. Therefore, I’d like to introduce myself as your new Eco-nista. Going green never looked so good! I’ve scavenged the internet in search of 3 perfect eco-friendly beach outfits. And for your shopping convenience, I’ve made sure to include links to where you can find these great outfits! Enjoy!



a. This striped racerback top is perfect alone or layered. Link

b. This statement necklace is made of natural red seeds from the rainforest. Also, a portion of proceeds go to charity. This is a must have item for any occasion. Link

c. I adooore this purse! The color of this bag will turn your everyday clothes into an outfit! A color this bold needs to be carried confidently so wear it proudly! Link

d. A classic item with a modern twist. These capris are made of 100% organic cotton. Link

e. Organic swimsuits are a must! This simple black suit will flatter almost any figure and the halter strap adds fun fashion flavor. Link

f. These boating shoes are not only adorable but they’re practical too. Check them out! Link



a. This is one of my favorite discoveries. Not only is this bag incredibly unique and super cute, but it’s a fair trade item made of natural palm leaf in Vietnam. Super purchase-worthy!! Link

b. Keep the sun out and the good vibes in. This fair trade hat is a summer sun necessity. Link

c. I am obsessed with these recycled denim lavender peep toe pumps. Link

d. The shape of this muted pink dress is old-school with a contemporary twist. Link

e. Sunglasses have never been so cool! These bamboo glasses are not only super chic, but a portion of their proceeds go to charity. I am in love! Link

f. This frilly bikini is the perfect addition to this already super cute outfit. Link



a. Hand crafted to perfection these sunglasses are epic. Link

b. This retro dress is so cool! I’m addicted to the super cute vintage buttons and peacock stitching details. While checking out this dress available on econsciousmarket.com search the awesome site for some Maxim products! Link

c. Gracefully sit poolside in style with this stunning swimsuit. Link

d. A white bag is the perfect accessory to this outfit, not to mention one that’s really cutely shaped!! Link

e. These gorgeous yellow pumps add such a hip element to this already fantastic outfit. Link

Recession Retail Madness Ctd: Organics Will Prevail!

My Recession Retail Madness experience at Saks, described in the last post, is a rare opportunity, a spur of the moment occurrence based on the thrill of getting fashion for less, not anything like an organic shopping experience. Organic shopping comes with deep value. Values live beyond a sale or fashion trend. It's not like fashion where "one day you're in and the next day you're out." It's more like, once you go organic you'll never go back.

But, what are the numbers saying and do numbers outweigh values and trends?



The past four to five years have seen the largest growth in organic sales, anywhere from 20 - 30%. Here are some pre-recession statistics about the growth of organics that will tickle your green pickle:

- A study by the Soil Association shows retail sales of organic product sales at over $4 billion in 2007, with an average annual growth rate of 22%.

- “Sales of organic personal care products rose last year almost 20%, eight times the rate of overall sales of cosmetics and toiletries, according to some research.” (PLMA Scanner Spring 08)

- A survey of organic industry leaders by the Organic Trade Association forecasted that everyday use of organic products of all kinds would be both accepted and routine by the year 2025. Such a forecast is evident in the OTA’s 2005 Organic Non-Foods Category Sales Percent Growth figures provided below:


Organic Non-Foods Category Share, 2005
-----------------------------------------------------------
05 Sales % Growth
Organic Categories ($Mil) 2005
------------------ -------- --------
Organic Supplements $238 29%
Organic Personal Care $282 28%
Products/Cleaners $ 19 29%
Organic Pet Food $ 30 46%
Organic Flowers $ 16 50%
Organic Fiber (Linens & Clothing) $160 44%
-----------------------------------------------------------
Total Organic Consumer Non-Foods Sales $744 32.5%


Here are some recently sited in-recession statistics that aren't so ticklish:

- Nielsen, a consumer marketing research company, reports "While 52-week dollar sales of UPC-coded organics are up 21% vs. last year, the most recent four-week period ending October 4, 2008, shows growth of only 11.2%. Last year, organics saw 27.1% sales growth during the comparable four-week period ending October 6, 2007."

- Mintel, a leading tracker of consumer product intelligence, reports "the price of all food at home increased more than 7% in the past year. “To cope with higher prices, many shoppers are simply opting not to buy pricey organic or premium brands,” explains Mogelonsky," a senior analyst at Mintel.


It's funny that this year Mintel is projecting a slowing of organic sales, when just last year they were predicting steady growth in organics as reported in "Organic Becomes Mainstream," showing that no projection or report could have ever predicted the recession were in now. This doesn't mean that "Organics are Recession Proof," but I would say they are trend-proof.

Sure organics have been on trend for the past few years, which is what some analysts are saying caused the tremendous sales growth indicated in the "ticklish" statistics first presented, but organics go beyond trends, especially when it comes to necessities and clear health threats, like the dangers of dioxin and the irritation caused by synthetics in conventional feminine hygiene products (had to plug my products here because they really do serve as a good example). Some women have no choice but to stick with organics because of the confirmed negative repercussions of choosing otherwise.

In observing and speaking with the people around me I feel confident in saying "organics will prevail!" Just today I spoke with a Sales Associate in the Organic and Natural department at NYC's very busy and bustling Fairway Market who described the mood of the Organic Shopper as extra conscious on where her dollars are being spent but not sacrificing her need and value for organics specifically in places where it really counts, like feminine hygiene. I was also very happy to see one of my close friends whom I know lives paycheck to paycheck is still stocking his Method, naturally derived biodegradable cleaning products; for him it came down to a re-prioritizing of his spending habits, like his own coffee in the morning instead of stopping at Starbucks on the way to work.

Like the way organics make us think twice about what we're putting inside and on our bodies or the way we're treating our environment, the recession is making us think twice about where we're spending our money. For many people it's a great time "re-access" their spending habits. The only difference is a recession is like a fashion trend, "one day it's in and the next day it's out." This recession will pass, just like tube socks died with the 80s, but Organic lifestyles are more intrinsic and here to stay because they are value driven.

Recession Retail Madness - The Positives In Fashion

I used to love to shop; that was before I started paying all my bills, had the time to browse through the racks for good deals and as of late, before the recession (or so I thought on this last point)....

Never in my young shopping years have I seen so many sales and great deals, especially before the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday. If I get one more email about my favorite retailers' special sales, I will begin the unsubscribing process. All of a sudden I'm every retailers' "friends and family." I remember when that discount actually applied to friends and family only and made you feel special. Thanks to the recession we are all special now...I urge you to TAKE ADVANTAGE of this one ironic double edge sword positive of the recession as I did at Saks Fifth Avenue yesterday.


Now I'm not your typical Saks Fifth Avenue Shopper. Once in a blue moon I might treat myself to that incredible designer dress (Diane Von Furstenberg is my woman of choice) or impossibly unique item that can not be duplicated by any design imposter retailer wannabe, whom my wallet and need for style are extremely thankful for. My typical shopping experience at Saks involves what I like to call "fashion shopping," browsing the beautiful windows and floors to get a taste of the latest trends and styles and then heading to H&M, the more affordable design imposter wannabe retailer, across the street to find them at an eighth of the price. That all changed yesterday when Black Friday came a week early with Saks sales prices equivalent to that of H&M. I'm talking up to 70% off almost all their inventory!!!!

The funny thing is that Saks' sale is the one email I didn't get and when I asked the sales associate about it she said "we're relying on word of mouth." Are times that tough that a huge retailer like Saks can't even afford advertising or emails about their huge pre-Black Friday sale?

According to an article published in the New York Times at about the start of Saks' huge sale, "Saks lost $42.8 million for the three months that ended Nov. 1, compared with a profit of $21.6 million for the period a year ago" or another way to look at it is "Saks sales fell 11.5% for the period compared with a sales gain of 11.4% for the same period last year."

Yes, these numbers are scary, but as always in life let's look at the bright side as I did yesterday when I left Saks with my Diane Von Furstenberg purchase that totaled $65.00, originally marked $325.00.

In my next article we'll take a look at how this recession is affecting less superficial fashion values in the world of organic and natural living, but in the spirit of Black Friday and Thanksgiving I wanted to make sure to share this sale information with you and extend some sort of thanks for once for the recession.

Happy Turkey Day!