Spotlight: Shake the Tree

Last month my co-authors at Just Us Gals and I hosted a gathering of Boston Bloggers at one of our favorite local boutiques - Shake the Tree. This beautifully curated space on Salem St. in the North End is the perfect spot to find gifts and trinkets made by local artisans. While not all items in the store are locally made, the friendly staff are knowledgeable on the origins of each piece and can easily point you in the direction of a Boston-based jeweler or candle maker. Enjoy!

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! 

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. 

Green Tip Tuesday: How to Be an Eco-Savvy Party Guest

source image courtesy of JessicaBellMadeThis

It is cookout season! Lots of fun outdoor parties going on, especially with the Fourth of July holiday on Thursday. Here are some tips to keep in mind while attending BBQ's (if you're the host, read  how to throw a green party for the 4th)

1. Mind your drink. Recycle all bottles and plastic cups. If you don't see a recycling bin, ask the host if there is a bag or container that is for recyclable items. If you plan to have more than one drink, reuse the same cup. 

2. Choose your meal wisely. Skip the burgers and dogs, and stick to the vegetarian options. After all, summer parties are known for some mean potato salad!

3. Bring an ethical hostess gift. Organic wine, fair trade coffee, local fruit are all great eco-aware gifts that your host will love. 

4. Wear something eco/ethical as a conversation starter. Just got some sweet Warby Parker sunglasses? Tell your friends about WP's one-for-one program. Or when someone compliments your bracelets from Ten Thousand Villages, tell them about the product's origin.

5. Be a tidy guest. If you are walking around, grab stray bottles and trash and dispose of them properly. Not only will your host appreciate this, but plastic/glass is more likely to end up in the recycling rather than the trash. 

6. Carpool or take public transit to the party. 

And of course, have fun! 

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.

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!

Green Gift Ideas Continued: Treehugger Guides

Only 14 days left until Christmas! So far Boston Green Blog has featured eco-friendly gift ideas from
The Nature Conservancy, The New England Aquarium, Lauren Conrad, and Jess Rizzuti  . But if you need a more comprehensive guide, take a look at TreeHugger's 2012 Gift Guide. TreeHugger composes the best  gift guides on the web, so you're sure to find something for everyone on your list!

Some of my favs that I found through TreeHugger are:

Agate Plates & Coasters from VivaTerra

Earrings from Lulu Frost

Upcycled Clutch Made from Books from Conduit Press

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

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.

"We Do Care" Bracelets

Recently I received a gift of three Siykatala bracelets from South Africa. Not only are they gorgeous, hand-crafted pieces of jewelry, but they also support impoverished Zulu families. Siykatala means "we do care" in Xhosa. The Siykatala co-op was founded in 1994 and has continued to help Zulu women find sustainable business opportunities. To learn more about Siykatala and their artisans, visit their website.    

Bracelets Made from Recycled Flip Flops

Stacks of colorful bangles are a great way to add a little summer spirit to any outfit. Recycled flip flop bracelets are fun to use for stacking because not only do they look cute, they are a great green conversation starter!

Each jelly-like bracelet is less than $1 and creates a demand for recycled materials. They are made by Free Trade company in South Africa. Order them here.

image courtesy of Ecouterre.com

Review: BeadforLife Lip Balm

image courtesy of beadforlifestore.org

Pros                                                                                  Cons                              

-All purchases benefit families in Northern Uganda              -Not rated on EWG skindeep database

-Good/unique shape and size                                              -Not widely available. (purchase here)

-No artificial fragrances, dyes, petrochemicals, parabens

-Smooth feel

Conclusion: One of my favorite aspects of being a green living blogger is discovering products that are both environmentally and socioeconomically sustainable. I love my Tom's shoes, my Humps sunglasses, and all of my fair trade jewelry, so it is no surprise that I LOVE BeadforLife lip balm. BeadforLife is a nonprofit organization that sells handmade products like jewelry, loose beads, soaps, and lip balm in order to benefit 750 impoverished families in Uganda. The program gives women jobs creating these items and aims to have families able to make a good living independent from the program within 18 months. Not only that, but the shea butter lip balms are actually good for you! The ingredients are simple, natural, and effective, and though the product is not yet rated on the skin deep database, there are no intimidating items on the ingredient list so I'm sure the lip balm will be ranked well. 

Blog Spotlight: Green Bride Guide

Green Bride Guide is a great resources for couples planning the celebration of their lives! Weddings require a lot of attention to detail and can potentially be quite wasteful, but the Green Bride Guide can help future brides (and grooms) plan a responsible wedding. From decor to dishes to dresses, the Green Bride has tips for everything you may need - and has real wedding examples and photos! Definitely check it out this wedding season.

The "real green wedding" of Hannah and Marc

And don't forget to sign up for the Wedding Season Swap & Shop with The Swapaholics. Use the code "BostonGreenBlog" for 25% off tickets!

Wedding Season Swap & Shop (and DISCOUNT!)

The Swapaholics are hosting the First Annual Wedding Season Swap & Shop next week. Dressing for a wedding can be fun, but stressful too because you want to look polished without repeating the same outfit you wore to all the June weddings last year. Hence The Swapoholics' genius idea of having a wedding outfit swap! The event is next Wednesday evening from 7-9pm at 40 Berkeley St. in the Back Bay/South End.

To find out more information or to RSVP, click here
AND.....use the code "bostongreenblog" for a 25% discount! (standard tickets are $10, but by being a BGB reader, they'll only be $7.50!!!)

Tomorrow is Ecolissa's Spring Fashion Show

Ecolissa, the best Massachusetts-based eco clothing company, is hosting their spring fashion show in Marlborough! The event is free, but there will be a raffle to benefit Dress for Success!

Ecolissa's Spring 2012 Fashion Show

DruMais Hair Salon

31 Springhill Ave 

Marlborough, MA 01752

Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (ET)

Click here to register and to see more info.

Earth Day 2012 Pinterest Board

As part of Ecouterre & Hovey Lee's Earth Day Contest, I've created a Pinterest board for Earth Day 2012! Let me know your thoughts and what you think I should add before the big day on Sunday!

Fair Trade Accessories for the Gold Gala

This weekend I'm heading down to NYC to attend the Gold Gala, a fundraiser for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, hosted by some of my Tri-Delta sisters from SLU. I am excited for the event, but I am even more excited that the goal of the event is to raise at least $35,000 for St. Jude. I have my dress and such all picked out, but I needed some accessories, and what better place to get fair trade and environmentally responsible jewelry than Ten Thousand Villages.

I bought these beautiful mother of pearl bangles made by the Metalworkers of Noah's Ark in Moradabad, India:

I highly suggest checking out the Ten Thousand Villages location in Downtown Boston to satisfy any jewelry craving!

Green at the Academy Awards

Yes, yes, yes! There was some eco-fashion at last night's Academy Awards! 

Meryl Streep in Lanvin for the Green Carpet Challenge. Best actress and my pick for best dressed!

Livia Firth in recycled PET plastic gown by Valentino and sustainably sourced pink diamonds by Calleijia, and Colin Firth (probably also wearing something sustainable, but sadly I haven't found any info on it yet!)

Viola Davis in Vera Wang. While I'm not sure the gown is eco, Viola has signed on to the Green Carpet Challenge, which may be why she rocked her natural hair last night (which looked great!).

Using Polyvore for Ecofashion Roundups

I just made an account on Polyvore that I will use exclusively to create eco-roundups! Here are my first two:

Above is an eco black tie outfit featuring an organic cotton dress, recycled & fair trade jewelry, and vegan shoes.

This fall outfit features an organic top and skirt, all natural nailpolish, recycled necklace & earrings, and vegan shoes and clutch.

To see more of my favorite eco looks, make sure to follow "Cameron Bruns" on polyvore or on pinterest!

My Cute New Earrings from Ecolissa!

Last week I won an Ecolissa giveaway! My prize was this pair of modern looking earrings made from recycled materials:

So exciting! I will definitely be wearing these to some green events - maybe even to next week's Boston Green Drinks Meetup. Ecolissa is a great (locally-based) website for finding eco-aware jewelry and women's apparel, and they have great sales!