Green Grechen Eco-Friendly Fashion and Shopping Online » designers

melissa shoes sale at ideeli

grechen — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:47:38 +0000

Oh..today at 12 noon EST, Melissa Plastic Dreams shoes go on sale at ideeli <--sign up via my link if you're not a member already. In case you're not aware of Melissa’s plastic shoes already, they’re recyclable, made in Brazil, and sustainably produced from start-to-finish.

For those of you who cringe at the idea of wearing plastic on your feet; don’t knock it ’till you’ve tried it I will admit, I’m not a big fan of many of the non-sandal styles, or the heels, but I am absolutely in love with both my pairs of Melissa flat sandals. They are CUTE, comfortable, perfect for crazy rainy weather like we’re having in Austin right now, and they always get tons of compliments. I’m getting at least one more pair during this sale…what are you getting?

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eco-friendly deals & steals this week: July 28

grechen — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:15:28 +0000

Green with Glamour

Starting tomorrow (7/29), all Spring/Summer items are marked down 40-75% off at Green with Glamour. I’ll take this Perfectly Imperfect organic cotton tunic (made in California) when it goes on sale:

C&C California

C&C California is offering an extra 40% off all sale items with code SUMCLRX40 + free shipping on orders over $100. This hemp/cotton dress is now marked down to $59, so it would be $35!!!

Claire Vivier

Thanks to Daily Candy this week, use code DCSUMMER for 25% off Claire Vivier’s lovely handbags. Not all of her bags are made from recycled leather but CLAREVIVIER is a socially conscious company, mindful of the local manufacturing community for the jobs it produces and the low carbon footprint the company inhabits. These clutches ARE made from recycled leather, and I’ve been dying for one…

Gretchen & Grace Greenwear

Through August 15, use code “summer40″ at Gretchen & Grace for 40% off your order (including sale items). I’m quite smitten with this organic cotton wrap dress, in this pretty print (it’s only $68, and it’s available up to size XL!)

Stewart + Brown

Organic pioneers, Stewart + Brown are offering 50% off everything with code FIFTYOFF – I’ve mentioned before how much I love Stewart + Brown dresses, I tend to have on one every couple of days in warmer weather. This petal smocked slip dress has been on my wishlist for a while…

20% off reMade USA recycled leather bags

grechen — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:23:57 +0000

reMade USA by Shannon South is having a 20% off sale until the end of the month (expires 7/31) when you use code SUMMERLOVE. Call me crazy, but I’m craving a smaller bag right now (maybe because I have so many HUGE bags?) and the Dobbin fits the bill perfectly. Bonus: it’s convertible from a clutch to a shoulder bag! What’s more environmentally friendly than recycled materials and 2-bags-in-1?

What’s so Eco-Friendly about Silk?

grechen — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:22:00 +0000

I’ve come across quite a few silk dresses I’d like to have in my closet lately; many that are featured at some of my favorite eco-boutiques – but I wonder, why is silk considered an eco-friendly fabric? Should it be?

The most comprehensive article I found about the issue was written in 2007 for OrganicClothingBlogs.com and is definitely worth a read, but I’ll try to narrow it down to a few issues:

Silk is sustainable – the moths can be raised on farms and collected in the wild and according to the authors:

silk fabric when produced by weavers on handlooms has a near zero energy footprint and satisfies most of the guidelines for sustainable fabric production
If you’re a vegan, you wouldn’t want to wear silk that was not produced “ethically;” look for peace silk or wild silk. It’s not pretty what traditional silk manufacturers do to the moths to get them out of their cocoons without damaging the silk (they gas or boil them).
If you’re looking for organic, and a “healthier” end-result, look for raw silk, which is pure silk fibers without any chemicals or treatments added, and even sometimes taken from cocoons that have been abandoned already by the moth.
handloomed silks are the most energy neutral option
silk is biodegradable

As usual, I encourage you to look at the whole picture when considering whatever you buy (consider where the final garment is produced, under what conditions, the ethics of the company & designer…) – and don’t be afraid to inquire with the designers to learn more about where they get their silk and how it’s processed, whether it’s raw, or peace silk, etc. Honestly, it’s unclear how silk stacks up to conventional cotton, although silk does not require as much water or chemical pesticides to “grow” than cotton, it IS chemically processed under most circumstances, and the working conditions under which it’s woven can be bad, and the living conditions around the garment factories unhealthy.

Right now, this is my favorite silk option (thanks to shiny squirrel for featuring Bahlo today )

This dress by Bahlo is 100% Matka Silk, which is raw silk and seems to be obtained from the cocoon AFTER the moth leaves (the story continues with her being crushed to death after laying eggs though…). The dress is then garment produced by Thanapara Swallows, a Fair Trade organisation that provides work for over 200 women in rural Bangladesh, and profits help cover the costs of the village school for 300 children. That makes me feel a bit better about the poor moths.

what do you think? Will you buy silk? Do you believe that it’s an eco-friendlier option?

Colorful Hemp Dress by A Fortes

grechen — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:54:02 +0000

It’s rare that you’ll catch me wearing anything other than black/brown/white/navy clothing (well, except yesterday); I can really work my neutral pieces! And honestly, I’d rather carry a bright bag with an otherwise neutral outfit, than wear color on my person. When I do wear/carry color, my favorite is orange – or some variation. So this hemp/cotton lined dress by A Fortes TOTALLY speaks to me…

Available at Kind Boutique for $152. Made in Portland, Oregon

Melissa Sin Sandals: THE BEST THONG EVER

grechen — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:09:03 +0000

And they’re on sale at Epaulet for $40 in several sizes (I’m an 8 and they fit true to size in my opinion) in the great blue color:

Since I got my Melissa Sin sandals a few years ago, I’ve given up all other flip flops; they’re so much more stylish, they’ll hold up WAY longer, and they’re made of sustainable rubber. And just this year I got a 2nd pair of Melissa sandals, the Secret Love sandal in gold, which I also love, but the thong is a more flattering style on my foot, so I reserve the Secret Love sandals for wear with jeans. (I do get a TON of comments when I wear mine though, people love them!!)

Anyway, if you don’t have a pair of Melissa sandals yet, this is a good pair to try. Also keep your eye on the online sample sale sites, Melissa pops up here and there…

Hanky Panky’s (organic) Cotton with a Conscience Collection

grechen — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:25:12 +0000

It’s no secret that I love Hanky Panky (it’s the only underwear I wear), and I’ve posted before about their organic cotton boyshorts, but now they’ve recently launched an entire collection of organic cotton pieces, and they’re fabulous! I love my lace boyshorts and bralettes, now, when I have to replace them, I’ll be doing it with these:

And I’ve been wanting a square neck cami lately…

Junker Vintage ARMY Uniform Travel Bags

grechen — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:21:00 +0000

These are insane. I love them, although the prices are high (starting at $450). Each one is handmade to order from vintage Army uniforms though, so worth the price…maybe…anyone up for a DIY?? Available at THE BAR.

Must Have: Organic Cotton Tank by She-Bible

grechen — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:09:47 +0000

I love the v-neck detailing on this tank – no need for a necklace? And I love anything that brings attention up towards your face…

Organic cotton by She-Bible, $50.

30% off organic cotton & hemp at C&C California

grechen — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:20:05 +0000

Now through 4/14/2010, use code FFAPR30 at C&C California to save 30% off your order (and receive free shipping on orders over $99). They’ve really stepped up the game recently with their organic cotton and hemp offerings, which are very cute, and very affordable, now with the 30% off