How to Make Your Money Work for You and the Planet

image courtesy of Teen Vogue

We all buy stuff, there is no way around it. But, a lot of us buy too much. The average American spends between $30 and $60 on clothing each month. So, how often do you buy new clothes? Do you really need them? Are there greener shopping options that you've been meaning to try but haven't? Here is how you can test if you need to make a change:

1) Look at your spending for the last month and make a note of what percent you spent on clothing. If it is more than 5% of your monthly paycheck, you should re-think your shopping habits. 

2) Did you buy more than one item of clothing in the past month? Was it practical?

3) If you bought clothing last month - have you worn it yet?

4) Did you look at vintage, thrift, or fair trade options for clothes before making your purchases?

Today is Fashion Revolution Day

Turn your clothes #insideout today and tweet / instagram it as part of the first annual Fashion Revolution Day. Today marks the one year anniversary since the tragic garment factory collapse in Bangladesh. For people around the world, this was an eye-opening moment. Our clothes are often made by unethical and unsustainable means, but as consumers, we have the power to change that. Be part of the movement today!

Boston's Green Events Happening this Week

First and foremost, good luck to all of the Marathon runners today!!! We will be cheering you on!

MONDAY

• Help keep Boston clean during and after this year's marathon by properly disposing of waste and encouraging fellow race viewers to do the same.

TUESDAY

• Earth Day!
• EcoMotion Sustainability UnConference
• Greening Rozzie Spring Potluck
• USGBC MA Earth Day Gala
• Earth Day Meals at Restaurants affiliated with the Chef's Collaborative 

WEDNESDAY

• Remind yourself why spring is green

THURSDAY

• Fashion Revolution Day
• Monthly Planet Southie Meeting
• Project Blue Pride Lecture & Screening at NEAQ

FRIDAY

• April Walk/Ride Day

SATURDAY

• Investing in a Sustainable Future: Economic Growth and Environmental Constraints
• Dorchester Bike Festival

SUNDAY

• Doing yard work? Reduce your impact by gardening smart

Spotlight: Osmium

Its not often that I cover menswear on Boston Green Blog, but lets be real, women aren't the only ones who shop! Luckily there are some great green clothing options for men in the Boston area. One such brand is Osmium, based out of Stoneham. All of their offerings are made in America, including 80% of their products that are produced in Everett! This helps reduce the customer's carbon footprint since the average t-shirt usually travels through 4 countries before reaching its final destination.

One of Osmium's shirts takes sustainable style to the next level. The Chandler is made of Tencel, an eco-fiber derived from Eucalyptus trees. It is made by breaking down sustainably-harvested eucalyptus pulp with a non-toxic organic solvent, then forcing the slurry through small apertures to create fibers that can be spun into thread. This process also uses 5-10% less water than is needed to process cotton. So, do your part to support the local economy while also being mindful of the earth's resources by checking out Osmium! 

The Hempist on Newbury

The Hempest on Newbury St. in Boston's Back Bay opened in 1995. Since then, they've continued to sell hemp clothing - made from the rapidly renewable cannabis sativa plant which requires fewer resources and pesticides than other fiber-producing plants. Many are hesitant about hemp as a fabric material because it is derived from the cannabis plant, but others see this as a viable way creating domestically made, organic and ethically sourced clothing for Americans. Hemp is also incredibly durable, making it both versatile and long lasting. The Hempest offers hundreds of sustainability-sourced items to Bostonians, so make sure to check it out on your next shopping trip.

Spotlight: Second Time Around

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STA made thrifting cool years before the Macklemore song did! In fact, the STA chain of consignment shops has been around for 35+ years. They now boast 40 locations across 12 states, including 11 in Massachusetts. We know that purchasing clothing second hand is a greener way to shop, and STA makes it easy for fashionistas by carefully curating their stock. STA is perfect for people that are new to thrifting, or are wary of anything pre-owned. Early spring is the begining of gala season, so do the earth, and your wallet a favor by considering purchasing a dress from STA! 

Spotlight: Sustainable Fashion Collaborative of Boston

Many people buy clothing without thinking twice about where they were produced, who made them, or event what materials they're made of. An organization that is working to better inform people on the complicated field of fashion ethics is the Sustainable Fashion Collaborative of Boston. The Sustainable Fashion Collaborative is a community of designers, retailers, consumers and thought-leaders that aims to initiate the conversation about ethical fashion and what it means to be a socially-responsible brand, as well as a conscious consumer. Their mission is to bring together and support a sustainable fashion community in the greater Boston area and promote a socially-conscious marketplace through innovative, collaborative and educational endeavors. They achieve this mission by hosting events and workshops. Most recently SFCBoston hosted a clothing swap - which is the easiest, cheapest, and most fun way to green your wardrobe! I'm keeping a close eye on their calendar and hope to attend their future events!

To keep up to date on SFCBoston events and other environmental happenings in Boston, please check out the Boston Green Blog Events Calendar.

Pencil it in: Sustainable Fashion Collaborative Clothing Swap

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WHEN: January 12, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

WHERE: Bella Luna Restaurant, 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

WHY: Join the Sustainable Fashion Collaborative of Boston  for a night out of pizza and clothes swapping! Bring 5-10 gently worn pieces (clothing/accessories). You have the night to shop through other "pre-loved" items, have a drink and grab a bite. You'll leave the event with "new-to-you" pieces, revitalizing your wardrobe without spending money on new clothes! Register here. 

New Perspectives: Tips for Selecting Great Used Boots

Men's fashion should be two things: simple and functional. Any "look" (try to avoid "looks", by the way) that deviates too far from these two qualities is unlikely to be around for long (looking at you deep v-neck t-shirts).

As far as I can tell, all fashion trends experience a regression to the mean - that is to say, there's a great chance that the clothes men will wear 20 years in the future will closely resemble the clothes worn 40 years in the past. This is especially the case with boots.

That's good news too, considering how easy it is to find used boots from thrift shops and online that look just as dapper on you when you're hanging out with your lady as when you're treating a client to lunch. And we've failed to mention the sustainability angle of re-owning leather footwear. I mean, I'm no vegan, but surely wearing fewer dead cows on your feet is better than wearing more, right?

Then there's the matter of style and quality. If a store is selling boots several decades older than the employees working there, there must be a demand for the shoe, and the shoes must be well-made to have held up for that long. Trends come and go, but boots that stick around for generations are usually solid.

Here are some qualities to look for when buying used boots and some tips for caring for them.

What to Look For

Fit:  A good cobbler can do many things, but making a pair of boots fit your foot isn't one of them.

Too Small is Too Small: I bought a pair of cowboy boots once that were a half-size too small because I thought they looked great and wanted to wear them for a gig I was playing. That was a huge mistake.

The Heel: Heels made from wood or leather are far better quality than those made of plastic or rubber, and thus far easier for a cobbler to work with.

The Last: Look for hand lasting over machine lasting. This is important for quality and fit.

Red Flags: If the boot exhibits any of these qualities, think twice about buying.

• Sole pulling away from the shoe.

• Tears in the leather away from the seam.

• The lining is cracked, flaky, falling apart.

• The boots are far cheaper than you expected.

Care

Clean Them: Jerry Seinfeld has a bit about leather ideally being about to withstand all of nature's forces, just like the cow it came from. Unfortunately this isn't the case. It's important to brush dirt and residue off boots because they lessen the boot's water repellence.

Oil Them: Like human skin, leather dries out over time. To keep leather strong and durable, it needs to be oiled. Synthetic and natural compounds work equally well, although natural compounds darken the shade of the leather whereas synthetics do not.

Find A Cobbler: If there's a downside to buying vintage boots, it's that they come with miles on them. Find a cobbler who can do occasional repairs and give you maintenance tips.

Old, But New

There are many pairs of vintage men's boots looking for a home. The most important thing to remember when buying them is that while you can re-sole a boot, you want the boot to be well made. Look for full-grain leather, wooden or leather soles instead of straight rubber or plastic, and, of course, look for a boot that looks timeless.

Author: Seth Sosebee is an eBay.com community contributor, where he muses about vintage footwear and a wide variety of other men's fashion and lifestyle topics.

Warby Parker is One-for-One

Me, learning about Warby Parker's One-For-One Program

Image courtesy of Brian Annis at Warby Parker Boston

Warby Parker makes this year's it sunglasses and reading glasses. The super-chic company just opened a showroom on Newbury St. this spring. The boutique  shows off the company's modern, stylish, and most importantly, affordable, aesthetic. But, my favorite part of Warby Parker is that all of their glasses are one-for-one (meaning that for every pair purchased, a pair of reading glasses is donated to someone in need). Ethical and fashionable? Sounds perfect! Check them out!

Green Tip Tuesday: 7 Steps to Shopping Ethically via Refinery 29

image courtesy of Refinery 29

I regularly check Refinery 29 for the best girly-girl stuff: shopping and style advice. Just a couple weeks ago they featured an article with some of the best shopping advice yet: 7 Steps to Shopping Ethically.
Their steps, which I briefly summarize here, are great basic principles to keep in mind whenever you're at a store of any kind.

1. Educate yourself.

2. Pressure brands to reform.

3. Go for quality, not quantity.

4. Go vintage/used.

5. Shop local.

6. Give back.

7. Choose goods from eco manufacturers and brands.

Tonight: EcoSession Sustainable Textiles & Techniques Spanning India & Boston

One of my favorite blogs, Magnifeco, is hosting a series of sustainability themed events in Boston this spring. The first of which is tonight at MassArt. All are invited to this FREE event to explore Indian textile arts that have been practiced in villages and through folklore for centuries and their role in modern, sustainable manufacturing and design.


Panelists:

Jennifer Varekamp -  is an Associate Professor in the Fashion Department at MassArt. She is a costume and clothing designer with a deep interest in sustainable fashion including the traditional techniques and artistry found in cultural dress. She was a selected participant in the “Creative Industries and Sustainable Design” Tour of Germany in 2009 and has participated in numerous conferences and workshops on sustainability in the US and abroad.  She was an invited guest lecturer at NIFT in Delhi, India on this topic. She currently teaches a summer course on Sustainable Fashion at MassArt.

AvniTrivedi - India’s native designer Avni Trivedi is not a newcomer to the industry of fashion design. Avni was born into a textile and fashion immersed family. All of Avni’s designs are crafted from fabrics that are 100% hand-dyed and woven by individual artists while commissioned exclusively by Avni. By requisitioning these fabrics, Avni helps maintain economic stability for her villages of root and keeps these ancient arts alive.The dyes used in Avni creations are chemically free, using herbs and plants to create colors. Avni’s naturally dyed fabrics are created by urban artisans from Mumbai, who use their talents to create the environmentally friendly fabrics.

Seema Krish -  Bombay born Seema Krish is known for her ‘Modern Traditional’ aesthetic in the medium of textiles. In her Boston studio, she creates contemporary textile designs that are combined with traditional textile making techniques. She finds inspiration for her unique visual vocabulary in living between two cultures- East and West. seemakrish the fabric line, founded in 2010, is a unique line dedicated to producing artisanal textiles created by a select group of Indian artisans. The mission is to enhance the lives of both the users and the producers. The products are simple, beautiful, environmentally and socially conscious.

Learn more and RSVP here.

"Just Us Gals Boston" Launch

I am very excited to announce my new project: Just Us Gals. I've teamed up with my friends Suzanne (web designer & DIY expert) and Meredith (real estate broker & stylista) to create a new blog designed for specifically for the ladies of Boston. I hope to be the green voice of the blog, while also writing about some of my other passions like art, books, and cultural events. So if you ever get tired of reading my green living tips, definitely go check out Just Us Gals for some fun and feminine posts!

If you like it, follow us on the following platforms:
Twitter: JustUsGalsBos
Pinterest: JustUsGalsBos
Instagram: JustUsGalsBos

I'd love to hear any comments, suggestions, or questions about the new blog!

Local EcoFashion: GreenLine by K

I recently learned about  GreenLine by K, a small clothing company based in Mashpee, MA. Their new spring line just came out last week, which features some great pieces (pictured) - and by purchasing one of these items, not only are you supporting a local business, you are also supporting its charity affiliates including the Starfish Project (helps improve the lives of exploited women in Asia) and Habitat for Humanity Cape Cod. GreenLine by K features natural and organic materials, and fair trade accessories. Definitely something to consider next time your wardrobe needs a revamp!

Big Event? Rent a Dress!

Ladies of all ages love to get glammed up for big events. The tradition of beauty rituals like manicures and a blow out add to the excitement of the day, but of course, the most important and exciting aspect of any event is the dress. Picking out a fancy dress is a lot of fun, but it can also be bittersweet to know you'll probably only wear it once or twice. It seems a bit wasteful, doesn't it? Luckily, over the past two years, dress borrowing websites have become popular. Websites like Rent the Runway give all the thrill of getting a new dress, without creating so much waste (and come with a much lower price tag!). For your next big night out, borrow a dress from a friend, or check out Rent the Runway to cut your carbon footprint!

Grace Potter at House of Blues this Weekend

There are many reasons to love Grace Potter in the Nocturnals besides their incredible and original music. For one, Grace's stage style is simply iconic (see below). Secondly, the band started at my alma mater! And thirdly, they are devoted to promoting local consumption and small businesses. The Vermont band has partnered with Cabot Creamery and other local businesses as a way to bolster the local food movement. She has even been known to throw locally produced goodies into the audience! 

Below is a video that explains the band's commitment to going local. If you don't have time to watch the whole thing (its about 10 minutes), just start about 7 minutes in, and you'll get the best segment. 

I am super-excited to be seeing Grace Potter and the Nocturnals tomorrow night at Boston's House of Blues! Going green, rocker style.

Cyber Monday Discount Codes & Tips

Finish all your shopping from home by participating in Cyber Monday (TODAY!).
Shopping online is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, and find exactly what you want without the added stress of the crowds.

Where to find the best deals:
-Boston.com's list of 40+ checkout codes and sales
-Rue La La Cyberthon
-Gilt Free Fall
MY FAV: Kate Spade Surprise Cyber Sale

Where to find the most eco deals:
-Ethical Ocean
-Ecolissa
-Fashioning Change
-Nau (get 25% an order of 2 or more items with code: 2FOR25

Required Reading: Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano

Not unlike Starre Vartan's Eco Chick Guide to Life, Gorgeously Green is a fun, girly, and informative guidebook to making your daily life as sustainable as possible without giving up style or little luxuries. The 8-step guide is a great resource, I want to carry a copy with me whenever I go shopping! It has lists of chemicals and products to avoid, product recommendations, and even recipes. The book also corresponds with Sophie's website Gorgeously Green - which has countless more green lifestyle ideas. The book and the website have checklists and quizzes to test your progress (like a girls-only version of Practically Green). 

Gorgeously Green is a New York Times Bestseller and has been recommended by many of the world's most stylish women (I mean, come on, the foreword is written by Julia Roberts!). Its easy to see why people love this book - it is super user friendly. I highly recommend checking out a copy from the Boston Public Library or surfing the website. 

Sustainability at Paris Fashion Week

The runway of the Chanel show at Paris fashion week was lined with huge wind turbines, and the catwalk was made to look like solar panels. Chanel head, Lagerfeld,  chose the turbines for their sleek modern design and because "energy is the most important things in life." He said that the turbines were chosen more for aesthetic reasons than political ones, but I am a fan of the set-up nonetheless!

Read more about the show on Ecouterre.

Best Dressed at the Emmys

Who wore the most stunning eco-conscious designs to the Emmys? Take a look:

Mindy Kaling accesorized with eco-friendly jewelry by Cathy Waterman

Maria Menounos wore an Oliver Tolentino gown made of pineapple leaf fibers.