Crafy Recycling At Ecologue

I admit I do this too.. keep your cell phone charger in the plug. Did you know that this is one way you are using needless energy? Appliances on stand-by can consume up to 20% of your electricity. In a study by Environmental Energy Technologies Division of the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory:

Miscellaneous electricity use now accounts for about one-fifth of all electricity used in U.S. homes, and it’s growing quickly,” says Marla Sanchez, lead author of the study. Miscellaneous uses are becoming relatively more important because some of the conventional uses of energy have become much more efficient (due to EPA and DOE’s voluntary ENERGY STAR Programs, efficiency standards, and other policies) and because people are buying more energy-using appliances that fall into the miscellaneous category.

Ecologue is a site that’s very concerned about these miscellaneous energy uses and wants to do something about it. “Ecologue is dedicated to enabling and inspiring healthy, practical, eco-friendly changes to homes, gardens and everyday life.  With hundreds of videos, articles and practical tips, Ecologue.com helps the new-to-green consumer make easy, everyday changes.  Visitors to the site can learn to save money with home efficiency upgrades, keep a greener lawn, shop for healthier foods, select stylish eco-friendly home designs and more”.

It’s the sister site of HGTV which addresses the concerns its viewers had. I really like the site’s design and seems to have a wealth of information for the concerned consumer. Check them out and tell them that Jolly Green Girl sent you there.

There are those who will not buy any kind of leather because they feel its cruel to buy one. Then there are those who can not give up their leather obsession. Well here’s a compromise. How about recycled leather purses? These are stylish, hip, and yet are gentler to the planet by reusing what’s already here. ReFind Originals are all handmade and crafted by one talented woman.. and I have to say they are in par with top fashion designer purses that goes for much much more.

 You can score one of a kind design that’s also Eco-conscious by reducing waste by reusing what’s already there. I am not a big fan of leather bags and shoes in general, but I do own a couple (with an extremely guilty conscious) so its nice that you are not furthering the exploitation of leather in the name of Fashion. It’s hard to give up leather though, so if you must have one… then try ReFind. The handmade bags are simply to die for. No pun intended.

  At ReFind Originals, we deconstruct, clean and restore discarded leather apparel and upholstery, transforming it into stunning, one-of-a-kind leather handbags. Each purse is totally unique, buttery-soft and super easy on the environment. Through our craftsmanship, we hope to demonstrate that greener choices in our everyday lives can be beautiful. 

I had the pleasure of personally speaking to Anita and not only is she talented; but very gracious as well. Her craftmanship and design abilities are incredible. Purses go for about $250 a pop. These stylish yet classic bags are something you will treasure forever; not only for a season.

After comprising my  Eco-fashion fall style look; I received a press release about another Eco foward fashion designer, Indigenous Design. I LOVE LOVE LOVE their Eco-friendly knits. Not only Indigenous Design purveyers of Organic fabrics but they are also Fair-trade. A definite plus in Jolly Green Girl’s eyes. These stylish duds are J- Crewish but made Eco-conscious in their use of Organic cotton and knits.

Indigenous Design support Fair Trade by establishing cooperatives with textile artisans from all over the world. “Each Indigenous garment is handmade in Indigenous-initiated fair-trade cooperatives in which the female knitters generally make two to three times more than they would have made otherwise.” And now you can get these Eco-fashion duds in World of Goods by Ebay. In a press release by the Press Room:

Consumers have come to trust and recognize the Indigenous brand to stand for integrity and quality in fair-trade and organic apparel,” said Indigenous CEO and co-founder Scott Leonard. “We are involved with WorldofGood.com because we believe the site furthers the message of fair-trade values to consumers and empowers them to make socially responsible decisions.”

By joining World of Good, Indigenous will have the opportunity to reach eBay’s more than 84 million active users, exposing them to the Indigenous’ high-quality, organic and fair-trade apparel that honors both people and planet. Way to step up the game there Indigenous. It’s nice to see that a company will get a high profile exposure while maintaining their green standards.

 

Check out all her designs at http://bottledupdesigns.com/index.html

By Veronica Cannon

I have an affinity for fall. Maybe because my birthday is in September, so I have always been a fall baby. Maybe it’s the leaves turning into different and vibrant colors, and the weather becomes cool again.. Mabye it’s because I have a thing for boots and knits…. especially about scarfs. I have a crazy obsession with scarfs. It’s my thing. Unfortunately, since I live in Florida, this is something to be missed. Well a green girl can always dream. Eco-fashion have come a long way. No longer are the clothes drabby and boring. Designers like Stewart + Brown, Truly Organic Apparel, and Del Forte Organic Jeans have made being green fashionable and stylish.

Jolly Green Girl has compiled a stylebook to inspire you to dress up this fall with organic jeans, luxe yet Eco-conscious knits, and vegan boots.

Boots by Cri de Coeur

Knitwear by Stewart+Brown

Pants by Truly Organic Apparel

Skirt by Del Forte

Scarf by Panda Snack

Hoodie Ecoganics