There are millions of products out there marketed towards parents and families, but certainly not millions of good ones. So, how do you know when a product is good? Everyone knows that the best advice comes from the people you can trust, hence, the incredible value of diapers.com’s 2011 Cribsie Awards! Created to recognize the “best brands, products, services, and websites for babies and tots,” the Cribsies are a great resource for every family! The best part? Every product was chosen by people like you (who have actually used the products, might I add)!
Here at Practically Green we’ve taken it a step further and combed through the great nominees to find our personal favorites, meaning of course, some of the greenest options!
Photo Credit: Happy Solez Organics
Nursery:
California Baby (Skincare)
Halo (Organic fabrics)
Aden + Anais (Organic cotton muslin wrap)
Seventh Generation (Diapers)
Nature Babycare (Diapers)
Under The Nile (Security blankets)
MiYim (Security blankets and toys)
Best Way To Recycle Used Baby Stuff (GREEN GREEN GREEN Category!)
Most Comfy Way To Wear Your Baby: Ergo; Baby K’Tan; Moby Wraps; BobaPine; Sleepy Wrap (All have an organic version, which is the greenest way to go.)
Fashion:
Photo Credit: Hank & Jojo
Play:
BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance (Organic cotton version)
Mealtime:
Happy Baby, Earth’s Best, Tasty Baby, Sprout, Ella’s Kitchen, and Nurturme (All organic!)
The Think Baby (Stainless steel)
Green Sprouts (Glass cubes)
Annie’s, Plum, Little Duck Organics (Choose the organic options which are much healthier and don’t contain the yucky stuff)
Born Free, Dr. Brown’s, Green To Grow (These companies make glass bottles which are safer than and therefore preferable to plastic)
Remember: The more legitimate certifications, the better, and always read the product information.
We look forward to hearing the winners announced on March 25th!
News Picks:
Photo Credit: Leah Nash for The New York Times
In New Food Culture, a Young Generation of Farmers Emerges: I love love love this article from Isolde Raftery of The New York Times! Featuring Tyler Jones, 30, and his wife Alicia, 27, of Corvallis, Oregon, this article examines a new generation who has chosen farming as their livelihood. With better agricultural practices driving their passion, the Joneses represent a much larger demographic. Read this article and learn more about the driving force behind a profession rising so quickly in popularity.
30 of the Best Garden Designs: Looking for a little motivation to get your garden going? Believe it or not, it’s not to early to start planning, raking, and hoeing. These absolutely beautiful gardens featured by iVillage will have you dying to get started. Pictured to the right is my personal favorite, #9. Check ‘em out and get started on those PG Points!
Apple Unveils Thinner, Lighter iPad 2 – But is it Greener?
This is a great article from Diane Pham and Mike Chino of Inhabitat, and as you might imagine, very timely. It seems as though everyone I know, whether they own one or not, is talking about the iPad and iPad2. But are they green? Pham and Chino break it down nicely. Check it out!
Multi-Media Pick:
‘How to recycle rain water for use at home’ by SmartPlanetCBS is a great video, featuring a husband/wife team that changed their lifestyle to save water. With commentary from their own rainwater expert, and great footage of their home, the type of rainwater harvesting system this couple used might be exactly what you and your family were looking for! Remember: this one can get you 150 PG Points. Wahoo!
New and Cool Pick:
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a sweet new bag, and have I got a good one for you! Boston based Couture Planet makes their handbags out of old newspapers, that way your handbag is always one of a kind! They have tons of different styles and you can actually tell them if you prefer The New York Times, or The Boston Globe as well as your favorite section! Personally, I’d go for the Clutch in The New York Times Travel section, how about you?
This week's PG Picks created by Sam Roach
News Picks:
Toxics Leaching from Plastic Food Packaging & What You Can Do: This Great article from Jenelle Sorensen (one of our wonderful inspiring action planners!) of Healthy Child Healthy World is helpful and informative. Jenelle offers solutions that remind us to make smarter choices in our everyday lives. Remember, earn your PG points for packaging-related actions!
I recently discovered an awesomely refreshing blog that I just had to share. If you’re looking for something to lighten the environmental mood, you have to check out Laugh Green! With pictures, videos, jokes, and witty cartoons, you’re bound to find something to share with your friends.
Herman Miller’s GreenHouse Factory Generates 15 Pounds of Landfill Waste Per Month: Sound crazy? It’s true! This article by Lloyd Alter of TreeHugger is one of the more inspiring things I’ve read in quite some time! Read this article and learn more about what makes it so efficient. I’m hopeful that Miller’s recipe for success becomes commonplace. 
Photo by Sara Hurt
Just when that post-Valentine’s Day lull was moving in, a great article from the TreeShagger column on Grist by Holly Richmond: 10 great green date ideas. These ideas are a must try, and some great excuses for a date night! My favorite? The photo scavenger hunt! Remember: use these titillating ideas as an excuse to earn your Date Night Badge!
Multi-Media Pick:
Michael Pawlyn: Using nature’s genius in architecture: This recent TED Talk is a good one! I’ve always believed that in order to maximize benefit and minimize harm to the environment, we must look to nature itself for help. Michael Pawlyn is astute and creative. The projects that he explains, which focus on resource efficiency from nature, are inspiring and eye-opening to say the least. Enjoy!
New and Cool Pick:
Stuff We Love: 30 Fantastic Green Finds: This great slideshow from Erin Renzas of iVillage is packed with cool, new, green products you must see. I found myself writing down a bunch of things I want to order ASAP. From ventless fireplaces to eco-friendly dog beds, this article has it all.
This week's PG Picks created by Sam Roach
News Picks:
Cambridge, MA. Photo by reachisles via Flickr.com.
Too Much Snow? Dumping it in Waterways Is Not the Answer: This article from Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer of NaturallySavvy.com (featured on Treehugger this week), addresses some of the weather-related issues facing the Northeastern United States (and other areas for that matter). I can’t help but wonder: where is all of this snow going? We’ve got quite some time before it melts (yikes, can you say FLOOD), and we’re simply running out of places to put it. The simple answer may be “waterways,” but there are some serious consequences.
If you haven’t heard of Let’s Move, the First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood obesity in the United States, you’ve got to check it out. It’s only been a year, but the progress they have made is astounding. Combining good nutrition with physical activity, Let’s Move is changing kid’s lifestyles for a healthier future! Watch the introduction video with Michelle, and learn how she was inspired!
If you’re like me, you have about 10 phone books in your house, most of which are out dated and covered in dust! They end up being one of those permanent (unwanted) accessories that I’m not quite sure what to do with. That is, until I found out about The National Yellow Pages Consumer Choice and Opt-Out Site. How to recycle your Yellow Pages Directory, the 2010 Sustainability Report, and Customize or Opt-Out of Directory Delivery are just a few of the features provided!
Yellow Pages Association
Looking for a cozy spot to hibernate until Spring? I came across a great article on Whole Living: 13 Ways to Cozy Up at Home. From adding textured fabrics to strategically placing furniture, these tips will give you a warm and welcoming place to call home. Whether it’s 20 degrees or 80, you’ll find these homey tips worth your while!
Multi-Media Pick:
This week from Daily Grommet: a great video with Wendy Chandor and Jeanne Connon, Healthy Living: Ways to Stay Healthy. Featuring several cool products that will he
lp you live a healthy lifestyle, this video is informative and fun. From an exercise monitor to a neti pot, Daily Grommet has the latest gadgets to keep you going!
New and Cool Pick:
Photo Credit: Marielle van Leewen for Oat Shoes
Oat Shoes – Sneakers You Can Compost: I want this product! Featured in an article from Colleen Vanderlinden of Treehugger, Oat Shoes are 100% biodegradable! I don’t know about you, but I would feel much better about shoe shopping if I could just bury the old ones…literally! Check ‘em out!
This week's PG Picks created by Sam Roach
News Picks:
Photo Credit Bart Nagel
The (not so) New Agtivist: Organic movement leader Bob Scowcroft looks back: This interview from Samuel Fromartz of Grist gives some great insight into the world of organic farming and food. Bob Scowcroft, founder of the Organic Farming Research Foundation, tells us a lot about where we’ve come from with organics, and where we should go next. Reading this interview reminded me of the importance of eating organic, and getting PG points while I’m at it!
Photo: The Daily Green
12 Natural Ways to Prevent and Cure the Cold and Other Seasonal illnesses: It seems like everyone I know is sick this week! So, I had to include this article by Dan Shapley. Hopefully it’s not too late for some of you! There are some great tips here, including carrots for headaches (who knew?) and some of the old stand by’s (oranges to prevent colds).
City Is Looking at Sewage Treatment as a Source of Energy: Check out this great article from Mireya Navarro of The New York Times; looks like we’re finally thinking outside the box! New York City is beginning to look at their sewage treatment system as a potential resource for renewable energy. This is definitely a topic to keep your eye on!
Photo Credit Raymond McCree Jones/The New York Times
Multi-Media Pick
I recently watched a very cool video on TED, that is a must-see! Architect Kate Orff explains her dream of “oyster-tecture,” a method of oyster farming that filters water to create the urban landscape with endless environmental benefits. I haven’t heard an idea this cool and innovative in a long time! Check it out!
New and Cool Pick:
Photo: Proof
Sustainable Wood Sunglasses Support Eyesight Surgery in India: I bet we will be seeing this awesome product, (featured in this article by Emma Grady of Treehugger), everywhere! You can buy Proof’s awesome do-good/sustainable eye wear here!
This week's PG Picks created by Sam Roach
It’s one of those Separated at Birth stories.
Amy and Melissa, the Swapaholics
Melissa Massello and Amy Chase grew up within 50 miles of one another. Unbeknownst to either of them, they both loved shopping and being fashionable — so much that they began swapping their clothes and accessories with friends at a tender age. This continued in high school and college. When a mutual acquaintance introduced them two years ago, Melissa says “I felt like I’d found my long-lost sister.” The Swapaholics were born.
Swapaholics’ first event was a smash success: “It was amazing. We sorted 2 tons of clothing for that first swap! We really hit a nerve, and it’s grown like crazy. The age range is from 13 to some people in their eigthties. 90% are women, and we’ve seen sizes 00 to 28.” Melissa and Amy have helped host fifteen events all over the U.S. since then. “We had 400 people come to our event during Boston’s Fashion Week in September – that was a big success.”
“Swapping is the most social of shopping experiences,” they say. “People LOVE knowing that their favorites things are going to have another life. All the leftover stuff goes to Goodwill. They are a great partner for us…. Anyone can get involved! Get in touch with us and we’ll give you everything you need to host a successful swap!” – anyone from “the girl who wants to get 5 friends together in her living room to the guy who wants to host a 500+ person public book swap.”
Swapaholic event
Next Friday, January 21st, is National Swap Day, with a kick-off event in Somerville, near Boston, on Thursday the 20th. YES, that’s next Thursday! The Swapaholics are supporting twenty swaps nationwide – and counting. The campaign is planned to go through February 15th. If you want to go to a swap or host your own, click here, or email Melissa and Amy at swapaholics@swap.com.
It didn’t take long for Swap.com, with one million members, to notice Swapaholics and acquire the company. Presto! They’ve become “the spokespeople for modern swapping.”
The Swapaholics are the official in-person event hostesses for Swap.com, and are national sustainable style and collaborative consumption experts based in Boston, MA. The Swapaholics are dedicated to reviving the age-old clothing swap, spreading the love for secondhand style, and sharing their trendsetting take on budget fashion with modern swappers nationwide. By fusing each event with a fresh and fashion-forward take on recycled fashion, accessories and beauty products, co-founders Melissa Massello and Amy Chase are leading the retail revolution of swapping before shopping.
Follow them on Twitter @TheSwapaholics, and follow @NationalSwapDay. Join National Swap Day on Facebook. See them on You Tube and review photos on Flickr! FYI Melissa emailed us, “Pfew! We really are taking over the interwebs. :) ” We love these enterprising swappy women.
For more clothes-related ideas, visit Practically Green! And look for a Swapaholically Inspired action to join our database of 400+ green and healthy suggestions soon.
News Picks:
19 Easy Home Winterization Projects: The Daily Green gives some great tips on warming up your house this season without turning up the heat! From the draft snake to caulking and weatherstripping, this article provides lots of energy-saving ideas to help you save money and earn PG points at the same time!
Rhoost Baby-Proofi
ng Products: This video from Daily Grommet introduces a line of child-safety devices made of recycled materials with no screws or adhesives, without BPA, PVC, lead, or phthalate. The line, Rhoost, was created by Vianka Perez Belyea and Tavinder Phull, two mothers sick of the traditionally complicated baby-proofing methods. The products are also portable: perfect for visits to Grandma’s!
BaaLLS: Another great alternative to traditional dryer sheets! These reusable, handmade, wool dryer balls reduce drying time for a full load by 40%! They are also unscented, use no chemicals, soften clothes, and reduce static. Made in the U.S. of 100% pure virgin wool, these dryer balls are a great way to earn PG points!
Multi-Media Pick:
Air-Powered Car, AirPod: The Future Of Urban Transportation? This article and video from The Huffington Post covers the latest invention in transportation. In the UK, a tiny car was created running on — that’s right, you guessed it — compressed air. Emitting nearly nothing, with speeds up to 50 mph, this little car could be the future! It may seem out of reach for the average motorist, but for now there’s always the hybrid! Purchase or lease one today and earn PG points!
Interested in fashion? Sheila Viswanathan of The Good Guide gi
ves a great interview with Howard Brown, co-founder of Stewart+Brown on his sustainable clothing label. The interview discusses Brown’s reasons for creating a sustainable fashion brand, what we can look forward to in the 2011 collection, and the importance of product transparency when promoting sustainability.
New and Cool Pick:
On cold winter days like these that we can’t help but dream of our next vacation. How about instead of a regular hotel or resort, yo
u look to something different. The 5 Cool Eco Friendly and Green Hotels, from Montana to Botswana, chosen by the Travelphant Travel Blog are just the tip of the iceberg. Next time you schedule a trip, look for hotels like these! From organic food, to recycling waste, these destinations have it all when it comes to green.
This week’s PG Picks created by Samantha Roach
News Picks:
Steve R
Still looking for New Year’s resolutions? How about changing your transportation habits! The year ahead in bikes, an article by Elly Blue on Grist, discusses getting around on two wheels in 2011. Better infrastructure, more bike-sharing programs, and environmental urgency could propel bike usage forward! Remember, you can get PG points for committing to bike-related actions in 2011.
Nike Print Pack: Shoes Made from Old Magazines: That’s right, magazines. Just when we thought Nike couldn’t get any cooler! I have a bunch of friends that would love a pair of these recycled kicks. Just another way to reuse!
School gardens i
mprove health and academic performance, reduce discipline problems:
In an article on world.edu, Jennifer Copley gives some great insight as to why education continues to become a crucial aspect of green living. The article provides explanations of major health and behavioral benefits of school gardens, including some helpful statistics. Advocate for your child’s school to start a garden today and earn some PG points!
Multi-Media Pick:
A vision
for sustainable restaurants: As green living continues to spread, it’s no wonder the restaurant industry has begun to take the hint. English chef and restaurant owner Arthur Potts Dawson is a pioneer. Watch his talk on TED and be inspired to visit a dine-green certified restaurant near you…and of course earn some PG points!
New and Cool Pick:
Giving Those Old Gadgets a Proper Green Burial: Mickey Meece’s NY Times article sheds light on some of the most difficult recycling challenges of today. Old chargers or remotes you don’t know what to do with? The article suggests many helpful and unexpected places to turn including Best Buy, Target, Apple, and cell-phone service providers, many of whom offer trade-in programs which will also earn you PG points!
Bryce Vickmark for The New York Times
This week's PG Picks was produced by Samantha Roach, Practically Green intern, Northeastern University '13
News Picks:
Great gifts for energy geeks: This great list of energy saving products was recommended straight from our founder, Susan Hunt Stevens. Susan couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw this list, it’s pretty much the exact replica of her Christmas wish list! From LEDs, to smart power strips, watt-meters and solar-and wind-powered chargers. The list curators probably put it best, when giving these energy smart gifts: “If they grumble, tell them they won’t need to change it until Christmas 2027.” Get PG points for saving energy.
A Healthier, Happier, Non-Stuff Holiday: In this blog post from Healthy Child, Healthy World, Practically Green’s own Sarah Finnie Robinson has a holiday revelation. Why do we need so much stuff over the holidays? Try some of her great gift options, such as an experiential gift, toys that get kids active, and homemade cards and CDs.
Greening high fashion: Stella McCartney, one of the celebrities behind Meat Free Mondays is sharing her eco-side on her website with a new “Green Me” section. Here is gives environmental tips, shares what her company is doing to stay eco-friendly, and charities she supports.
Multi-Media Pick:
Urban farming on the rise: As more people want local food as close as they can get it, it makes sense that farms are popping up in urban areas — like this one in Los Angeles. This farm has composting toilets, solar-powered showers, and gives workshops on sustainability for adults and children alike. Visit TreeHugger to watch the video, and get PG points for eating local.
New and Cool Pick:
Takeya tea maker: As seen on Treehugger, this tea maker is perfect for brewing a cup or two in the cold winter months. If your tea kettle is on its way out, you should consider investing in this tea maker, made of acrylic “AcraGlass,” which is sturdy and BPA free. It also comes with a little jacket, to help keep your beverage hot or cold for hours.
photo credit: style la-mimi.com
If you’re a woman who likes make-up and skin-care products – and if you’re intent on finding products that 1) perform well and 2) don’t have sketchy ingredients — you’ll love the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.
Skin Deep contains information and online safety assessments for:
- 63,824 products
- 7,786 ingredients
- 2,748 brands
When you consider switching to healthier cosmetics and skin care at Practically Green, you’ll see a frequent recommendation to consult Skin Deep. Savvy and eco glamoristas rely on this resource, which ranks more than 60,000 products from zero (safe) to 10 (please avoid). Log in and search by product type, ingredient, or company. Presto! “It’s a quick tool that gives people an instant solution,” says Leeann Brown of the Environmental Working Group, headquarters for Skin Deep.
Nneka Leiba is on the team of six constantly updating the Skin Deep listings. A native of Jamaica, Nneka got a Master’s in Public Health at Johns Hopkins in 2006.
I really wanted to work at a nonprofit that was trying to move mountains in this arena. EWG was a good fit. We’re toxicologists, chemists, public health professionals, and database managers. We’re always updating it, adding more toxicology profiles. We use more than 50 regulatory or academic databases; we’re an aggregator of all the info. We look at the broad spectrum of health effects ranging from irritation to cancer.
How influential is Skin Deep?
Very.
With the strong voice of the consumers, many companies have reformulated their products. We’ve seen a lot of movement in the market toward safer products. … For example, we have a sunscreen report that we release every year, and we’ve noticed that many companies have moved away from the harmful chemicals as active ingredients.
Nneka’s advice on how to start making sure that your cosmetics bag is healthy:
Don’t get overwhelmed! When you look at the back of a shampoo to read the label, there are a lot of long chemical names. Don’t overhaul everything at once. Go for little things at a time.For instance, you might decide to avoid synthetic fragrances — and that’s a plus! Identify the ten ingredients you want to avoid most, and start there.
Enjoy discovering which of your favorite beauty secrets are also healthy to use. And when you commit to switching to all-natural products, have fun racking up the points at Practically Green!
1,859 companies
News Picks:
Small Business Saturday: On Saturday, November 27, shoppers all over the U.S. launched a new impetus to shop small and support local businesses. For those who love to shop during this season, it’s great new holiday retail oomph! Please refer to our blog here for suggestions. If you don’t see your favorite eco-store on the list, please add a Comment with the business name and location, and tell why you love it!
Hollywood goes green: On the set of the new film “Black Swan,” eco-minded director Darren Aronofsky banned water bottles for all cast and crew. The director provided everyone with green containers to cut down on waste. Get points for switching to a reusable water bottle.
Ten “stay-healthy” during the Holiday season tips: With your food coma from Thanksgiving likely over, take a peek at these tips to stay healthy amidst a sea of surgery food, alcoholic drinks, and cold germs. To celebrate responsibly eat your greens, hydrate, take Vitamin D3 for immunity, and more.
Multi-Media Pick:
Man’s best friend goes green: We found this adorable video of one pup’s efforts to go green on Dominique Browning’s blog. This lovable pug recycles, uses a reusable water bottle, uses a reusable shopping bag, takes public transportation, and more!
New and Cool Pick:
Solar Messenger Bag: This bag, which made from chemical-free leather and naturally dyed canvas, has a solar panel on the front that can charge your cell phone or iPod as you carry it around. Elegant and functional: What will they think of next?
Eco-friendly nail salon pops up in San Francisco: Nova Nail Salon skips harsh chemicals along with dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde, and toluene-laden nail polish. These chemicals are linked to cancer and birth defects. The salon hopes to offer customers a completely healthy and natural experience. We can’t think of a better way to pamper! Get PG points for switching to all-natural nail polish.
200 Bloggers, 200 Green Books, 1 Day: This last Wednesday, November 10, bloggers showed support for books printed in an eco-friendly manner by publishing reviews of these eco-friendly books. The 100+ books are all printed on recycled paper or FSC-certified paper. Check out the site for a full list and great book recommendations!
Fun, Elegant, and E-Mailable Cards: Check out this fabulous post by our own Sarah Finnie Robinson for Babybites on Paperless Post. Just think of how much time, money, and waste you can cut down on by sending out an online holiday card or shower invitation — and without sacrificing style or humor!
V
V
Multi-Media Pick:
Designed for the Dump: Well folks, she’s done it again. Annie Leonard describes why our electronics are poorly designed (unhealthy and dump-destined), and what we can do to green them. Enjoy!
New and Cool Pick:
Green your Jeans: If you can’t shop at Brooklyn Without Limits like 30Rock’s Liz Lemon to get eco-friendly yet bootylicious jeans, you’re in luck. Levi’s is unveiling a new “waterless” jean that uses up to 96% less water during its lifecycle. The jeans will be available in January, and the the 1.5 million pairs Levi’s expects to sell in its spring 2011 line will have saved 16 million liters of water. Get PG points for saving water here.
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff is not into guilt; she’s into information. She’s not about forcing you to change; she’s about giving you alternatives. “Because everyone wants to make a difference, but no one wants to give up the little things that we love. Making a difference doesn’t have to mean making a huge change in your lifestyle. Sometimes it just means considering the alternatives.”
Rachel grew up going to pow wows – the real-live kind. “My dad is a Native-American studies professor at UCLA, and I had more exposure to environmentally conscientious options than most people typically do. I thought of myself as pretty green, but in fact I was still cleaning house with chemical cleaners, and using nail polish and lipstick that had bad stuff in them.” For years, Rachel wrote about fashion and beauty for publications like Women’s Wear Daily and Self. When she was pregnant with her third child, she had a second look at the products she’d been using:
I realized there were so many more amazing options: Lipstick without lead? Mascara without mercury? Organic cotton? Upcycled clothes? The light bulb went off. Here was the truly revolutionary fashion and beauty that I’d been waiting for. These products really were doing something different: They worked, without any side effects on me, or the Earth.
Rachel wanted to write about it, so she created EcoStiletto: “eco-friendly solutions for an ecoista shopaholic.” And today she has 30,000 subscribers.
“The Big List of Things that Suck” is one of her favorite features on the site. “I was beginning to repeat myself, telling why organic cotton is so important, so rather than repeat myself, I started a list. And I invented words, like Sustainabully. The list is intended to make you laugh and think a little bit, not necessarily in that order.
(That’s Sustainabully as in, “I might use biodegradable toilet cleaner, but I’m not about to deny my kids the occasional restaurant hamburger and fries—though I can’t help reminding them what factory farming is doing to the planet. I live by example, but I’m not a sustainabully.”)
By now, Rachel’s List is enormous. She guesses it might run 40 pages if you printed it out. Luckily, it’s arranged alphabetically.
Here’s MICROWAVING IN PLASTIC, for example:
Please don’t microwave food in plastic containers. Yes, it’s quick and easy, but it also speeds up the migration of cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting BPA chemicals into your food. Yummy.
Where to find it: TV dinners; lazy cooks.
Suck less: Glass or dishware is safest for storing and heating food. See BPA.
Rachel’s great on translating pithy environmental definitions for a growing audience that’s interested in green but not interested in sacrificing verve to get there:
Going shopping? Before you hit the mall think about this: The average American generates 11.8 million tons of textile waste—10 pounds for every person—every year. That’s four million tons of solid waste every year, or four percent of the content of our landfills, just from the clothes we throw out!
Bottom line: if you like your green info served up with cosmetic swagger, celebrity interviews, and shoe give-aways, EcoStilleto has some fantastic information with attitude. Perfect for an ecoista shopaholic.
Typical giveaway: Cri de Coeur shoes, made of vegan materials
Follow EcoStilleto on Twitter @ecostilettor
Join them on Facebook
Read Rachel’s new site, MommyGreenest, about her life raising three kids.
News Picks:
National Costume Swap Day: Do you cringe every time you purchase that costume your child desperately wants, knowing there’s no chance for reuse unless she dresses like a fairy for the next four years? Green Halloween is stopping this madness with National Costume Swap Day, October 9th. Check online for an official swap site near you.
Exercise your right to line dry: Project Laundry List is on a mission to promote line drying and cold water washing for an easy way to save energy. Visit their website to get involved, there are tons of chapters or you can start your own. Once you’ve done your part, get PG points for line drying your laundry.
The Whole Deal: Whole Foods Market has always been known for having organics, but also been known for being expensive. We think they’re finally catching onto this, because in this month’s issue of their “Whole Deal”, they have tons of coupons, money saving recipes, and meal plans, even a “veggie Monday.” Maybe we’ll stop calling it “Whole Paycheck?” Get PG points for participating in Meatless Monday.
Multi-Media Pick:
Healthy eating with a hands-on approach: This is a great video about a D.C. public school that is taking a pro-active stance on healthy eating, by bringing the children in the garden to explain how to eat healthy, and why. The children also get a chance to appreciate and recognize real food in an outdoor environment. Education, heathy eating, and outdoors in one program? Sign us up!
New and Cool Pick:
Jazz up your jack-o-lantern: Though Halloween is weeks away, get a head start on decorating, and you can enjoy it for the weeks to come. Here you will find 32 creative ways to decorate your pumpkin. You can paint, dress, etch, adorn, and of course, carve your pumpkin into a masterpiece. It’s also a fun activity for the family to do together!
News Picks:
When told to eat their veggies, Americans order fries: This is a topic that has been trending in the health community lately. (The New York Times, PoliticsDaily and Life360 to name a few.) The concern? Despite several efforts such as health initiatives, strict dietary guidelines, and the baby-carrot campaign we told you about last week, only 26% of adults are eating veggies three or more times a day. Encourage your friends and family to not be part of this statistic!
It’s not just the New York Jets field that’s green: The NY Jets recently installed the largest solar-powered system in the NFL, drastically reducing the stadium’s CO2 emissions. Another way to green your football season!
Riding pretty: For those of you PG’ers who think of unflattering spandex shorts in obnoxious colors and drab tennis shoes for bicycle-wear, you may reconsider. This article speaks of how bicycles have become a very chic mode of transportation, and just because you may sweat a little doesn’t you cant wear your favorite jeans and wedge heels. We love how some cities and towns are making it easy for people to adopt biking as their main mode of transportation — and now commuter bikers can look fab, too!
Multi-Media Pick:
Mini aces of cakes: These pint-sized bakers are too cute for words. Kids from KIWI magazine’s 2010 Next Great Young Chef contest appeared on the Nate Berkus show to show off their recipes. The contest winner is featured below: Lily Phipps with her “monkey business chocolate rice pudding” that includes bananas and organic chocolate.
New and Cool Pick:
A new way to be prepared: This Emergency Bra, which doubles as a gas mask to filter out harmful airborn pollutants may seem a bit extreme, but the creator was inspired by his own experience with the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster. The bra can be used as an everyday bra, a nursing bra, a strapless bra, and two face masks, and also won the 2009 lg Nobel Public Health Prize.
Of all the dreary, sad chores in life, one of the dreariest and saddest must be going through the closets of a loved one who has passed away. We’ve all heard of bereaved children, parents, and spouses who can’t bear to do it. But when it came time for me to clean my parents’ closets, I had no choice: we were selling the house.
And as I realized that there were items here that my kids and I might enjoy wearing, the chore became a bit more fun. I could imagine that Mom and Dad would like the idea of their stuff going out to dinner again, or snuggling in for a rainy-Sunday read.
Mom's Pucci shirt
This was one of the prizes from my mother’s closet: a Pucci blouse of tender cotton. Beautiful colors, right? — and Pucci! I stuffed myself into it, ignoring the fact that my mother was a size four, that my shoulders have deltoids and hers were exquisitely tiny, of an era when women didn’t lift weights.
What to do?
First I consulted my dictionary, which gives three definitions for vintage [vin-tij], adjective: 1) high quality of a past time, 2) being the best of its kind, and 3) old-fashioned or obsolete.
Needing more, I consulted my friends. And this way, over the past few days I’ve collected a treasure trove of advice and stories from some of the most chic women I know, and I want to share it with you. I hope it’s helpful, and I hope to hear yours!
SIZE:
When buying Vintage, make sure it really fits. Some shops will try to sell you that dress that is just a 1/2 size too small. Too small is too small, and alterations are going to show. In Vintage, there will only BE one size, so it’s sad if it is not yours, but be honest.
Don’t think too much about the size on the label. If you like it, try it on.
Don’t count on being able to let a garment out or the hem down, but the opposite direction usually works.
Don’t keep it if you will NEVER be that size again. I don’t mean just shoes. That’s just being mean to yourself. If it’s really great, and you can’t bear to give it away, EBay it.
Or, lend it to someone who is the right size:
I hit the mother lode a few summers back after unearthing a practically perfect Chanel Sailor’s Midi Jacket at a local tag sale for The Boys & Girls Club…. The jacket had aged gracefully, unlike its previous owner, and although a tad tight on me, it looked unbelievably chic on my daughters, who have fought to wear it with jeans or minuscule dresses. It’s back in my closet, with a bit more history attached, hanging next to other vintage favorites destined to land in the next dress-up box for my daughters’ future children…or for me to wear, once I fit into my old favorite jeans. Which ever comes first!
Julie's Tag-Sale Chanel Jacket
CLEANING, TAILORING, AND BAD VIBES:
Clean it, mend it, and wear it like it was new. Vintage doesn’t work as Style if it looks dirty and unloved.
I don’t normally go way back in time, style-wise, but I did just buy a wool jacket from the 1950s at a Buffalo Exchange in San Francisco; changed the buttons and added some decorative ribbon to the lining & now I have a sort of Mad-Men-looking item.
I do worry about buying /inheriting a piece with bad vibes, bad tragic history–at least get it tailored and dry cleaned. Then put it out in the fresh air for the day! This: a memory about how to handle an afghan burka brought to me by my daughter, from Kabul. These historic pieces do come bearing an energy of their own. Vintage is good- but figuring out what’s in it besides fabric and shape, is good too.
BEST BETS: PURSES, JEWELRY, ACCESSORIES:
Had to share this great leopardskin clutch originally belonging to my husband’s grandmother, Emma Sala, who was the Lodi, CA grape harvest queen of 1918 and who is famously depicted on the raisin box in her queenly garb. My sister-in-law, a multi-media artist, gave it to me recently and the gift meant a lot because she has used it in a lot of her noir-ish photographic still lifes posted on-line at her website: CeceliaChapman.com.
Barbara's Leopard Clutch
I gave the clutch a loving restoration and plan to carry it everywhere. The next picture shows the restored red leather lining. I should note that the clutch has a matching leopard skin belt which has not survived into the 21st Century as far as I know. Maybe it is out there somewhere.
Restored lining
If you’re shopping eBay for accessories, put “authentic” into your search term and don’t look for crazy bargains. If you see an Hermes (“Hermes”) bag for $300, that is too good to be true. And, keep a tape measure in your drawer. You can’t tell scale from those teeny photos. Friend of mine bought a gorgeous Tods bronze lizard bag, only to find that it was actually 5″ x 7″, the size of a large index card.
Jewelry can last forever, so it is one of the best items for Vintage wear. If you are lucky enough to inherit jewelry, find ways to wear it! I am honored to have a pin that my husband’s Grandfather gave to my Mother-in-Law. When it was first given to me, I didn’t really wear pins. Were they out of style? Or was I too young? But I DID use the pin as a clasp for twice wrapped pearls. BIG success! Now I also wear it as a pin. I know people who have been left fabulous pieces that they never wore, and who have been brave enough to go to good jewelers to have the pieces redesigned, stones reset… The point of having things is to use them, wear them, so don’t lock it away.
WEDDING DRESSES:
What happened to wearing your mother’s wedding dress? Rosie has expressed zero interest in mine. She has watched a show called “Say Yes to the Dress” and had me watch a bit of an episode as she thought this Kleinfeld’s — some wedding dress store in NYC — might be worth visiting. It’s a wedding dress factory! Pushy women pushing to make the sale and move on to the next victim, in my humble opinion! Wasn’t that a wonderful tradition when we were growing up? I always wanted to wear my mother’s dress — I probably couldn’t have fit into it although I never got the chance. …. In these times when money is tight and a wedding dress you wear for a 6-hour stint costs anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, wouldn’t it make sense to wear your mother’s dress for practical as well as sentimental reasons?
OTHER GOWNS & EVENING WEAR:
Evening coats, wraps, great silk shirts, sweaters have great vintage potential. 1) They were/are expensive. 2) They mix and match wonderfully with the latest style of skirt/trousers/shoes. 3) They are unique now. I have a Pucci blouse, bought in the post Christmas sale at Saks in 1976. It looks fab. People go crazy when I wear it. I feel like a movie star…. I have one inherited gown, brown chiffon layers, Empire waisted, with two wonderful sort of trailing scarves hemmed with Marabou feathers. These can be draped over either arm like a skinny wrap, or allowed to drift along the floor in my wake, rather like tiny dogs. My Mom may actually have worn this gown to an Inaugural Ball! They don’t make them like this anymore.
VALUE & EXPECTATIONS:
If you are buying and not inheriting, don’t buy just because the price is low. Mentally add a zero; would you still buy it? Do you know what you’ll wear it with? Will you need new shoes, a new weird undergarment with straps going in strange directions? That would be a sign to leave the garment there.
You will not find the staple items of your wardrobe 2d hand. For black pants, that crisp white shirt, the everyday cotton turtleneck, you’ll probably have to pay full price, and new.
MANTRAS:
As you skim a rack of clothes, focus on the fabric. If you come upon a fabric you could contemplate wearing, then and only then tweak the item from the rack.
Vintage is good, but I think even better is, to own less, buy less, keep it longer.
Found treasures are rare, few and far between.
When my father died, he left behind three v-necked cashmere sweaters in his bureau. A few moth holes, yes, ineptly mended, but all from Trimingham’s and all utterly reminiscent of him. My daughters and I each keep one now. Dad was a prolific writer and thinker, and his size, men’s medium, works just fine for us. Now, when I need to write and think, I pull on that sweater. I guess we wear our “Papa” sweaters for comfort, to feel close to him once more. Who cares if this is a sentimental illusion: it works. Some stuff isn’t merely stuff: it’s vintage. And by that I mean, the best of its kind.
P.S. As for Mom’s blouse, I think I’ll keep it hanging up on that hook for a while, where I can look at it whenever I want to.
Third-generation cashmere: Louisa in Dad's sweater
Please note!!
This blog post is part of the must-read monthly Green Moms’ Blog Carnival feature about Clothing: What’s Eco, and What’s Not, hosted by our friends at Big Green Purse @biggreenpurse.
For next steps on donating clothes to a charity or adding to your wardrobe with vintage, visit us at Practically Green!
News Picks:
Ever stress that EVERYTHING is toxic these days? Here at PG we know you want the absolute best for your child in every regard, especially heath. Sometimes, however, learning every little detail about every possible toxin in every possible product can be overwhelming. Here is a great post from our friends over at Healthy Child, Healthy World on how to cope.
Do your soil a favor, use Fall leaves for composting: With Fall officially beginning this week, here’s a seasonal tip for you: try not to rake those leaves away into the windy abyss! Instead, start a compost pile! Not only will your garden thank you for it, you’ll get PG points as well. Throughout the Fall holidays, you can add apple cores, pumpkin rinds, and the like to build up nutrient-rich soil for spring bloom.
Share the Harvest: Speaking of Fall trends, if you’re in the Vermont area and have some free time tomorrow, you should take part in the Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival. The festival will include tons of family fun, local products, entertainment, and even agricultural education for kids! Not in the Vermont area? Don’t fret. Visit Local Harvest to find a farm near you and check out their events calendar. Get PG points for shopping local.
Multi-Media Pick:
The new baby carrots campaign: When we first heard about this “BABY CARROTS, Eat ‘Em Like Junk Food” ad campaign on Twitter, it struck us as a rather odd approach to selling vegetables. This campaign has come into fruition (no pun intended): a high school in Syracuse is getting a vending machine chock full of baby carrots! The carrots come in three different styles of packaging to catch students’ eyes. Unlike the other vending machines in the cafeteria, the baby carrots machine will be on all day, available for snacking. Take a look at this video from CNN’s “eatocracy” on the new program.
New and Cool Pick:
F. Rock Bags featured on NBC: We have told you before about F.Rock, a fabulous company that makes custom men’s bags that are not only gorgeous, but made from 100% reclaimed fabrics and leathers. Their bags were most recently worn by a character on NBC’s new legal drama, “Outlaw” — and F.Rock now makes an iPad Bag. Perfect for all of you busy moms and fellow bloggers on the go!
News Picks:
Sierra Club’s Green Life blog recommends a “How Green Are You?” Quiz. Yup, ours! So tickled! “Are you “sorta kinda green” or “wicked green?” Or perhaps somewhere in between? Take the “How Green Are You?” quiz over at Practically Green to find out how committed you actually are to living a healthy, earth-friendly life….”
Vintage Fashion is greenly chic: Although NYC fashion week is wrapped up, and last week we told what’s new, we love this article about what’s old — vintage, that is. No rotting hemline for Morticia Addams on an otherwise brilliant cocktail dress. She specializes in refurbished clothing and will soon have very own show on Planet Green, “Dresscue me.”
Be a farmers’ market professional: We at Practically Green definitely advocate buying local produce, but it is important to know the most effective way of shopping at your local market, to ensure your family gets the tastiest, freshest food. See these six steps for mastering the art of produce shopping, including knowing what’s in season and storing your purchases when you get home.
Multi-Media Pick:
The Inedible Egg: The folks over at Slow Food USA are encouraging everyone to learn from the numerous salmonella outbreaks. Why they are happening? This little video explains the gruesome practices that contributed to the salmonella outbreak, and the light at the end of the tunnel: regulated food safety.
Get PG points for supporting safe local farming efforts here.
New and Cool Pick:
Skin care in our [comfort zone]: Featured in the New York Times, “Sacred Nature” is an all natural skin care line by eco-friendly spa brand [comfort zone]. Their cleansing milk cleans your face without robbing your skin of all of its natural oils. It’s organic, has recycled packaging and reportedly feels luxurious – what an amazingly green way to indulge. Plus, you can get PG points for switching to an all-natural cleanser.
News Picks:
The Green Shows: New York fashion week is here, and what better way to celebrate than with eco-chic designers,
responsible and organic cosmetic lines, and natural hair products. The Green Shows exclusively feature eco-friendly, ethically sound, fair-trade fashion during New York Fashion Week.
Greening the Champagne Bottle: One more reason to enjoy that bottle of bubbly! The Champagne industry cuts back on the carbon dioxide it emits every year from transporting its millions of bottles around the world. Putting that hefty bottle on diet will make a huge difference!
BPA Laced Dental Sealants: Many dental sealants and tooth repair resins contain substances that degrade into BPA, a chemical that has been linked to health problems. But after a new study, dentists conclude it is safe to use the product on kids as long as the residue is wiped and rinsed away after treatment.
Multi-Media Pick:
Homes Built from Reused Materials: Wasted construction materials and other objects destined for the landfill are being used to build homes for low-income families. 80% of the materials used in these homes are found from construction projects, sidewalk curbs, or trash bins. What an effective and creative way to recycle and reuse materials!
New and Cool Pick:
Refill Water Fountain: Since everyone (well, almost everyone) is carrying their own reusable water bottle, this fillable water station from ElKay makes refilling your water bottle easy as pie. ElKay says that this EZH2O will help reduce our dependency on plastic water bottles by providing fresh filtered water. Good-bye to the small paper cup!
Get PG points for having your own reusable water bottle!
Photo Credit: PlumbingSupply.com
News Picks:
Think Green and Young: Children’s clothing and toy store Area Kids has a fabulous collection of eco-friendly duds for your little ones. The store is in Brooklyn, but offers products online. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice the “style” part of your “green lifestyle.”
Calling all Green Entrepreneurs: YouGoods is a design contest that challenges you to submit a product idea that is “practical, unique, and eco-friendly.” Act quickly, submissions are due on the 19th!
Are Chemicals Speeding up Your Daughter’s Childhood? There has been much talk in the news lately about exposure to chemicals such as BPA disrupting girls’ hormones. Hopefully the Safe Chemicals Act and the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act will help to put a stop on this disturbing trend. Click here to get PG points for your chemical free-cleaning.
Mulit-Media Pick:
Save That Stuff can help your business with its recycling needs by providing cost-effective alternatives to traditional waste disposal. See the video below for astonishing visuals of all the waste they recycle! The video is a little long, but everything worth seeing is in the first three minutes. Get PG points for recycling your stuff. Enjoy!
New and Cool Pick:
No more shoving a sponge into your Klean Kanteen: This cool brush made from recyclable materials will save you some serious time and effort. It’s hard to clean sticky drinks out of your eco-friendly reusable water bottle (my water STILL tasted like apple juice for at least three re-fillings), but this nifty brush makes it a breeze. It cleans both the inside and the outside at the same time.
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