sodafine

Eco-Cheap from Head to Toe

by grechen on October 9, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

As a follow-up to my recent “How to be Cheap & Eco-Chic” article (and just to have a little fun), I put together an outfit made entirely up of sale items or items you can use coupon codes on. I tried to keep things as inexpensive as possible…really, I did…but I absolutely could not skimp on the bag :)

I love this pretty dress by Feral Childe, which is $66 at Sodafine, the TOMS wrap boots are growing on me…and they’re on sale for $76 at Greenloop, and I couldn’t help but feature an Ashley Watson handbag since Kaight is offering a 25% discount code (“fall”) now.

toms wrap boot Ashley Watson Bag 25% off

And for the cooler weather, you’ll need a sharp denim jacket, like this one by Anna Cohen, $92 at BTC Elements, and for accessories, a cool wood cuff ($20 with 20% off using code “grechens08″ at Nimli) and this recycled vinyl record “tree” necklace from Ecoist (save 10% off the price of $25 with code “GRECHEN10″)

DENIM ROCKER JACKET $92.00 by Anna Cohen Betty B Sono Wood Cuff 20% off at Nimli Recycled Vinyl Record Necklace at Ecoist

The entire outfit is just a teeny bit over $500, but in my opinion, all the pieces are versatile enough you can wear them with multiple things already in your closet. A denim jacket is a must-have, as is a FABULOUS handbag that goes with everything, and when you buy the boots, TOMS will provide shoes for a child in Latin America. If you need to buy, buy “green” (from smaller boutiques and designers) and buy with coupon codes…or on sale!

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Feral Childe

by grechen on October 8, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

Ah…the call of the wild. In Brooklyn. Friends Alice Wu and Moriah Carlson, designers of Feral Childe started by faxing each other their designs during their “day” jobs, shopping for fabric in their off hours, and then modeling their creations around the city. People stopped them on the streets and in “stairwells” (hm. kinda creepy) asking them about their clothes, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now, Feral Childe is sold at boutiques that feature primarily independent eco-designers like Beklina, Sodafine, and Olio United among others. I love the interesting, bold & graphic designs of most of their pieces; my favorites are the skirts. Most of their designs aren’t complicated – they’re actually quite simple – but the details and their use of color and pattern make each piece interesting.

Feral childe Feral Childe

How is Feral Childe eco-friendly? “FERAL CHILDE is Brooklyn-based and locally produced. From the silk-screened original textile prints to the sewing and finishing of the garments with sculpted resin buttons, FERAL CHILDE is made in New York.” Also, some of their pieces are made of organic cotton jersey soy blends. That’s it, no sweatshops, no mass production, just handmade goodness.

Where to buy Feral Childe online

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10 Eco-Pieces You Need This Fall

by grechen on September 23, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

Happy Fall! This is it, the official beginning of Fall, my favorite season next to Spring. It’s finally starting to get a little cooler, and I can’t wait to pull out my sweaters and scarves. Whether you’re just starting to “green” your wardrobe, or you only need to add a few pieces, Fall is a great time to start adding some quality, environmentally-friendly pieces to your closet. (and if you’re anything like me, you’re itching to go shopping for clothes after a summer of wearing tank tops and sundressees)

Happy Shopping!

  1. Grace and Cello Tencel (fabric made from the cellulose found in wood pulp) & Wool turtleneck at Nimli for $90 (take 20% off with code “grechens08″).  This is the perfect layering piece – wear it under a super-warm coat, a sweater, or under a dress for some added warmth.

  2. Cri de Coeur Boots – made from distressed cotton canvas, 100% vegan.  Awesome boots for wearing with dresses, skirts and tucking jeans into.  $340 at Nimli (take 20% off with code “grechens08″)

    3. cri de ceour vegan boots coupon code

  3. Peligrosa Knits Cashmere Cardigan – dyed with low impact fiber reactive dyes and using fair and ethical labor practices. $248 at Fashion Ethic. Save 20% with code “grechen.”  Cardigans are always my go-to sweater; they’re easy to take off if I need to, and add a polished look to any outfit. You also can’t go wrong with a great pullover – this v-neck sweater by Stewart + Brown is on sale for $110 at Equita.

    4. peligrosa knits cashmere cardigan

  4. Doie Designs Organic Wool/Silk Coat. $450 from Doie Designs. Save 20% with code “grechen08.”  I love the cropped style of this wool coat, and the slight swing shape for a more flattering fit.  (The Fin trench at Equita, where you can save 20% with code “grechen20,” was a runner-up choice though! Or, if you’re into leather, check this one out by John Patrick Organic)

    5. doie designs wool jacket eco-chic fin trench at equita john patrick organic leather jacket

  5. Del forte Organic Denim “Marina” trouser: on sale for $97 at Tobi. Save 20% with code “grechen20.” A dark wash, trouser style jean is perfect for a casual working environment, a night out, and the weekend; it’s the most versatile denim style in my opinion. The Juniper style, available at Equita (save 20% with code “grechen20″) is also a great work-to-casual jean.

    6. del forte organic trouser jeans del forte denim

  6. Skin & Threads scarf at Beklina, made in Australia from 100% untreated merino wool. I never leave the house in cold weather without a scarf – if my neck is cold, I’m cold. I love that this one is lightweight, which makes it more useful for not-so-cold days. Buy any sale item and get 20% off you regularly-priced items with code 2sale20G at Beklina. I also like the colors and length of these Organic cotton scarves by Organic Giraffe at Shopbop

    7. skin and threads scarf Organic Giraffe Organic Scarf

  7. 73% organic cotton tights at Sodafine for $25. LOVE these. A good pair of opaque tights is hard to find, and I would venture to say that finding a good pair of organic cotton opaque tights is even harder. Today only (9/23) take 20% off with code “Grechen2day.”

    8. organic cotton tights

  8. Grace and Cello Keyhole Dress: 67% Bamboo 30% Organic Cotton 3% Spandex, $167 at Nimli. A dress is so easy to wear in the Fall – it looks great with a trench over it, or a cardigan, and perfect with some opaque tights and a pair of tall boots…Take 20% off your order with code “grechens08.” I also like this Sublet dress at BTC Elements (save 20% with code “grechen”). It’s easy to layer, and great for the weekends with tights & boots.

    9. grace and cello keyhole dress sublet dress

  9. Ashley Watson Recycled Leather “Plover” bag at Nimli. It’s no secret, I’ve been in love with Ashley Watson bags for a year or so. I love the “rustic” look of the pieced-together leather, and her color selection. I would choose this brown to add a great contrast to any outfit that features darker dresses & coats. If you’d rather have vegan, check out the Japanese Paper line from Matt & Nat.

    10. ashley watson recycled leather handbag matt & nat vegan handbags

  10. Organic Cotton Lounge Set by sheandme at BTC Elements. For the days when you just want to lounge around at home by the fire, with a good book. Take 20% off your order at BTC Elements with code “grechen”. (This organic cotton robe by under the canopy is also a good choice)

    11. organic cotton lounge set

That’s my list…what’s on yours?

If you like this article, please consider sharing it. I appreciate your support :)

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Deal! 20% off at Sodafine

by grechen on September 22, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

Sodafine is one my favorite sources for eco friendly, organic, fair trade, local designers, handmade and vintage clothing and accessories online; they consistently introduce new designers and innovative pieces. Today and tomorrow (9/22 & 9/23), take 20% off your order with code “Grechen2day.”

My favorite new pieces are by Spanish designer, Raasta, made from organic cotton and wool/silk:

raasta sodafine coupon coderaasta sodafine coupon coderaasta sodafine coupon code

And I can’t help but love these Recycled/Recyclable Plastic shoes by Melissa:

melissa shoes coupon code

(greengrechen’s list of LOTS more coupon codes to online eco-chic boutiques)

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Interview: Sodafine

by grechen on June 20, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

(originally published at grechen’s closet on June 20, 2008)

Interview with Erin of Sodafine

sodafine coupon code

First, I’d love it if you can share with our readers what you’re wearing today? What’s your favorite piece in your closet?

Yoday is hot and sticky in Brooklyn, so I’m wearing a vintage floral cotton dress. it’s probably from the 50′s and has patch pockets on the front so it’s perfect for keeping cool, but looking like I’m keeping it together! I’m also wearing my chie mihara nami sandals from last spring, and my hair pinned up in a messy bun. I don’t think I have one item in my closet that is my absolute favorite, but I will say that i have quite the vintage dress collection from over the years. I’d say that about 70% of what I wear is vintage, and the other 30% is indie-designer or eco-friendly (and the new stuff is usually from sodafine!)

What inspired you to open an eco-boutique? Do you have a brick & mortar store and your website is an extension of that? or is your boutique only online?

Sodafine is a bricks & mortar boutique, the online shop is an extension of the Brooklyn shop.

When sodafine first opened in 2002, it was mostly a vintage boutique. we started carrying handmade items and I found that more and more of my friends were making clothing… it was a very organic process from vintage and handmade to carrying eco clothing. the diy craft movement really seems to encourage understanding how items are made and what the real value of the labor that goes into the production of consumer goods from start to finish. I think once you’re clued into those ideas, it’s really hard not to make the decision to support the most ethical path possible. one thing that really stuck with me from art school is the idea that an artist has a responsibility to the content of their work. as a maker- it’s important to consider how and why you make things. I think that applies to what I’m doing with sodafine as well- I don’t want to sell things that I don’t stand behind.

What are some of your best-sellers? What are some of your personal favorites from the boutique?

This is sorta hard to say because so many items that I stock are one of a kind or very limited, so I’m not selling more than one or two of any item before it’s completely gone! and most items I choose are things that I would love to wear myself!

melissa recycled plastic shoes

Right now some of my favorite things in the shop are:

This organic cotton skirt from Madrid based line Raasta

Anything by Dear Birthday:

The Teresina shoe by Chie Mihara:

chie mihara shoes on sale

And these one of a kind tanks from American Myth:

american myth tanks

I believe in taking a “holistic” approach to greening my wardrobe; while I’m not opposed to buying organic cotton t-shirts from Banana Republic or Wal-Mart, I prefer to support smaller boutiques and designers who focus only on earth-friendly design & production; I love the idea of as few steps as possible between me and the products I buy. Do you agree? Why do you think it’s important for consumers to consider the company behind the product, as opposed to just the product?

Absolutely, I agree 100%, although I will go a step further and say that i don’t personally shop at walmart, h&m, forever 21 and most other big box stores. I just don’t see the point. for me, it’s like turning off the tv. after you cut the cord, you realize you don’t need all that stuff in your life! and it’s much more satisfying to make a dress for myself, or buy a dress from a talented young designer who has sourced organic and ethical fabrics.

Do you have any eco-living tips for our readers? What are some small things we can do at home, and in our closets to make a difference?

Realize that you don’t have to throw away everything in your closet and replace it with eco-labels. use what you already have, and when you feel like it’s time for a new dress or pair of jeans- be more conscious about your choices. wash your laundry in cold water on the smallest load setting, and you don’t need as much detergent as you think!

If it’s at all possible where you live, ride a bike! I hardly ever even take the subway in NYC anymore, I feel great, I know my way around the city so much faster, and I save money!

(check our list of coupon codes for the most recent Sodafine coupon codes)

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