Now, in case you don’t know about TOMS already, it’s built on a one for one business model: you buy a pair of shoes, they give a pair of shoes to a child in need. Simple. No percentage of profits or percentage of sales, just a simple buy one, give one. Since starting in 2006, TOMS has given 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina, 50,000 pairs of shoes to children in South Africa, and this past holiday season, gave 37,000 pairs of shoes to children in Ethiopia. I love the simplicity, yet profound impact of the TOMS Shoes business model - brilliant.

As I mentioned in the video, these shoes had to grow on me a bit. When they first came out two years ago, my initial reaction was “no thanks, not for me.” They reminded me of the slippers my grandfather used to wear, and didn’t really look like something I could incorporate into my wardrobe. But since I received these, I can’t stop wearing them. I still don’t think they’re THAT flattering on me (I love them on girls who can wear skinny jeans, with smaller calves than me) but I wear them anyway. When I took this video, I was wearing them with a knee-length black skirt and thought the outfit looked generally cute; I got quite a few compliments on the shoes wearing them this way!

My TOMS Shoes are also very comfortable - kind of like I’m wearing slippers. And if you’re asking why I chose the blue sparkley ones, instead of something more subtle if I wasn’t sure I could incorporate them into my wardrobe? Simple, I just wanted a super-fun pair of shoes. And whenever I wear these, I can’t help but smile. Mostly because I know that my purchase directly benefited a child in need, but also because they’re sparkley…I do like to be girly sometimes!

Oh, and the video was taken with my new Flip MinoHD video camera. I’m obviously still getting the hang of taking videos, but the Flip is SO easy to use it’s silly…I love it.

And P.S., just read in Lucky Magazine that you can take 25% off TOMS Shoes at their website with code “luckybreaks10.”

Anybody else have a pair of TOMS? Do you love them? what color did you get?

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“Skinny Bitch” no friend of Environmentalists, Manolo Blahnik
Shoppers in ‘09: Too Broke to Buy Green? - now you guys KNOW how I feel about that subject LOL!

Ethical Style also produces an online “magazine” every month - which is also very good, but I really enjoy the blog more (and you can’t comment on the magazine articles).

I so enjoy reading Ethical Style - mostly for the irreverent style and totaly honesty of the writers (I can relate to that), and that they’re not afraid to discuss controversial issues.  oh, and also for the fashion.

Do you have a favorite eco-blog? Please share, I love to read new stuff!!!

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• Enter To Win Luella Bartley Designed Tees from Tonic
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• Why Are We Here? and Where Are We Going?
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• Deal! 20% off at Sodafine

Then again, this is one of my favorite things about shopping online - you have access to wonderful independent designers you wouldn’t have otherwise, and the opportunity to shop from boutiques all over the world. So, maybe I don’t need to move to Portland…but I do think that there is something about the aesthetic and the design world there that resonates with me.

Take these fabulous pieces from Olio United, for example. I love each of them for their stories and their unique-ness; and all of them are by local Portland designers.

1. Feel Design Cork Forest Bag
2. Amy Bengston Necklace
3. Paperdoll Argyle Woven Sweatshirt
4. Katie Kulper Handkerchiefs
5. Kiki and Polly Walking the Dog (print)
6. Paperdoll “anti-theft” leggings

I should qualify here, not all of these items are made from eco-friendly fabrics, but all are made to be as environmentally friendly as possible in Portland by independent designers in small quantities. Paperdoll uses recycled fabrics and bamboo in some pieces, the Feel Design bag is made from 100% wool and leather that has never been treated, and how cute are the Katie Kulper handkerchiefs? They’re almost too cute to use, but if you do, they’ll save boxes and boxes of tissues during flu season!!

What do you think? Do you know of any other Portland designers? please share your favorites!!!

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• Use Coupon Codes to Save Green in 2009
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I’ll be featuring different code every week, but you can always check the coupon codes page for the full list. For now, take another look at BTC Elements, where you can save 20% with code “grechen.”

I am currently obsessed with this glasses case made from vintage kimono fabric:

And how cute are these soy/hemp tea towels? I love to have pretty things in my kitchen, it’s so small and cluttered, that nice things here and there somehow make up for the lack of space…

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Fig+Sage
NEWSFLASH: Brand New Organic Beauty Mag Hits Newsstands Before Year End {Plus EXCLUSIVE Interview With Editor-In-Chief}

Green Cotton
Be Carbon Neutral for a Day: Participate in Campaign for a Brighter Planet

Victoria Everman
Small, sustainable wedding favors + the first in a long line of green wedding planning posts

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• This Week in Eco-Chic
• This Week in Eco-Chic…

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You’ve heard it before: Going green is too expensive, Buying organic costs too much more, I can’t afford to be eco-friendly. What do all of those statements have in common? They’re excuses, and they’re not always true. I’m going to start with looking at organic cotton clothing below, but first let me say a few things.

If it’s important to you to “green” your home and make an effort to buy more organic cotton and eco-friendly clothing, you will find a way to do it and stop whining about how much it costs…take a look at your priorities and cut your expenses somewhere else if it’s “too expensive” to buy organic produce.

(I’m kind of unsympathetic here, sorry. We all make decisions in our lives, and we have to prioritize. I spend more money to shop at Whole Foods because I don’t have to worry about the food I buy having crap in it, and I know I can choose an organic alternative for nearly everything. Because this is a priority to me, I cut my cell-phone bill, canceled Netflix, walk more so I don’t need to spend so much money on fuel…get the picture?)

I really don’t believe you can have your cake and eat it too - when you live on a budget (and we all do), there’s only a finite amount of money to spend - if you want to increase your grocery budget, you have to cut your “eating out” budget. It’s all about YOUR PRIORITIES.

It’s such a common misconception now - that organic anything automatically costs more - kind of along the same lines as calling Whole Foods “Whole Paycheck” - that it’s hard to overcome, but if you actually take the time to do the research, you’ll see that it’s not necessarily true. But then again, paying more for one thing of high quality can actually cost you (and the environment) much less in the long run than buying three cheap, questionable quality items.

Take buying organic cotton clothing, for example. Generally, if you’re looking at the same designer, an organic cotton t-shirt will cost more than a conventional cotton t-shirt (these EDUN-live t-shirts are $22 and $28 for the organic cotton). Converting a conventional cotton crop to organic costs money, and takes three years, so naturally those costs will be passed on to consumers; I don’t find a problem with that. It’s worth it to me to pay $6 for more organic and know that I’m not contributing to tons of pesticides every year threatening wildlife and people.

You can find basic organic t-shirts now for as little as $6 all the way up to, well, infinity. I am a t-shirt addict; I LIVE in them, I know exactly how I want them to fit, and I require that they hold their shape over many, many, many washings. Over the years, I’ve bought $4 t-shirts from the Gap, $15 t-shirts from J Crew, $9.99 t-shirts from Target, and and $45 t-shirts from James Perse. Guess which t-shirts I STILL have in my closet? James Perse. I’ve collected by now about 20 JP t-shirts, short sleeve, long sleeve, v-neck, crew-neck, you name it, I have it. I’ve tried everything and settled on James Perse because I like the fit, I know they will keep their shape, and they will hold up after many, many, many washes. Unfortunately, he doesn’t use organic cotton, so I’m exploring other options, but I have yet to find a favorite.

It’s up to you to shop around - try everything - and find your favorite organic cotton tee based on the kind of fit you like, and how long you want your items to last. I will argue here, that if you’re trying to be more environmentally friendly, you should aim to purchase things that will last several years, so you don’t have to replace them often; ultimately the less you buy, the better. And another thing when buying organic cotton is to BE SURE AND READ THE LABEL. Don’t fall for greenwashing, aka: only 5% organic cotton, and pay attention to where your garments are made. Personally, I’m willing to pay a bit more for items that are made closer to my home, than for items that are made thousands of miles away, then shipped here. But those are my priorities, yours may be different. As I keep repeating here, I’m just encouraging conscious shopping: know what to buy, where to buy, why you’re buying, and most of all, when NOT to buy.

So here are some very basic organic cotton tees to try - ranging in price from $6 to $42:

C&C California Organic Tee - $39	Norma Kamali for Wal-Mart Tee - $6	District Cotton Organic Tee - $15	Spun Organic Cotton Tee - $42
Maggie's Organics Cotton Tee - $16	American Apparel Organic Cotton Tee - $18	Alternative Apparel Organic Cotton Tee - $28	Edun Live Organic Cotton Tee - $28

I used basic organic cotton t-shirts here because they’re much more easy to compare than other types of clothing. But of course, I try to buy as much organic clothing as possible: dresses, sweaters, tank tops, etc., and if you browse through the reviews here, you’ll see some of my favorites. Also, take a look at our list of shopping sites for links to designers and boutiques that sell eco-friendly clothing. When you buy anything, it’s always important to shop around, and there’s a lot of trial and error involved with finding your FAVORITE t-shirt, or pair of jeans. But once you do, it’s the greatest feeling in the world - ESPECIALLY if it’s made from organic cotton.

What do you think? Is it worth it to pay more for organic cotton? Do you have any favorite organic cotton t-shirts? Please add your .02 to the discussion!!

You might find these other articles interesting:

• 50% off at Green with Glamour
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• Use Coupon Codes to Save Green in 2009
• Introducing New EDUN Live Organic Tees