Push for World's Clothing Manufacturers to Clean Up Global Supply Chain

Push for World's Clothing Manufacturers to Clean Up Global Supply Chain Until this happens you can always follow my suggestions in my blog post on shopping ethically and consciously from earlier this week.

Great vintage and mostly Made In USA dresses from a Georgetown thrift boutique in Washingon, D.C.

Eight Budget Friendly Ways to Shop for Fashion, Ethically and Consciously

I read a heartbreaking article in the New York Times about the factory fire in Pakistan, that took over 262 lives in horrific ways (burning, boiling and suffocation). Sounds like something that would have happened in western countries at the time of the industrial revolution, when there were wild, wild west conditions in factories and laborers were the Native Americans. The entire article was basically an indictment of auditing systems that are supposed to be in play by large retailers to prevent these situations, governments that don't give a crap about poor people, poverty, greed and human indifference. I could go on, but in response to a commenter on the article who wanted to know what her options were around putting her money where her values were, I have developed this list of eight ways to shop ethically and consciously with your wallet and still look gooood. Wanna hear it? Hear it goes:

1. Shop Your Closet - clean/organize your closet and find awesome stuff that you totally forgot about! Take pictures of various clothing combinations and store in your smartphone for ideas on those days when you feel you have nothing to wear. This would be a great project for a teenager to do for you. Donate items that you don't, can't or shouldn't wear to a friend or non-profit organization.
2. Catwalk with Friends - have a fashion show with friends featuring some of those clothes from your closet that are still in good condition, but you just don't love anymore (or they don't love you...).
3. Go Thrifting - you will be amazed at what you can find at thrift and consignment shops. Great and unique jewelry, coats, formal wear, amazing shoes and designer fashions for a fraction of the cost of retail. Checkout The Thrifyshopper website for stores near you. Once you experience consignment shopping, your life will not be the same. Even well paid celebrities find vintage and retro clothing add value and zest to their wardrobes. eBay is a great source for thrift, vintage and gently used finds. My son purchased a very nice designer shirt there for $.99! Patagonia, one of the world's most ethical brands, even sells it's gently worn and lifetime guaranteed outdoor wear on eBay. Who knew?
4. Buy Fair Trade - most of us are blessed to have access to some retailers in our communities that sale fair trade goods. There are dozens of shopping sites dedicated to promoting fair trade fashions and even fair trade cities (Chicago). The problem is fair trade can be prohibitive for many of our budgets. It helps to think and shop for long term usage. How can an item be used over multiple seasons and with multiple outfits? Putting my banker hat on, I make a cost per usage calculation ($90/30 uses per year minus the cost of human suffering vs. $25/10 uses per year plus the cost of human suffering, is a pretty good deal to me). The value of eco-ethical shopping sites is that you can often get some really good deals. I recommend, JP Selects, SweatFree Shopping and Eco Fashion World to start. A caveat is that eco doesn't always mean fair trade, so be sure to look for ethical and fair trade in your filters. Another site for great scarves, hats and gloves is Ten Thousand Villages - I volunteer occasionally at the Cleveland store. I often purchase work appropriate dresses, tops and skirts from Revive. If you are in the UK, support African Fair Trade fashionistas by visiting the new Sapelle's online store.
5. Hire an Image Consultant - No really. I invested $50 for one hour with a wonderful image consultant on a color consultation and it was one of the best investments of my life! Armed with a booklet of my optimal colors, I now save time and money by investing only in colors that look great on me and work well together. AICI is the best source for locating an image consultant. If you are in Cleveland, Dawn Waldrop of Best Impressions is the best!
6. Buy Made In The USA - Now I know that there is an argument for supporting imported items as our purchases impact impoverished and disadvantaged people. But at what cost? Enough consumers will continue to purchase cheap imported goods to ensure job security for most overseas factory workers. It is however, essential to be part of a growing chorus of conscientious consumers that send the message with our wallets and our letters, that we can do better. What brands are still made in the USA? Spanx, American Apparel, some New Balance and some Lane Bryant. In addition to one of my favorites, Texture Clothing, Business Week compiled some not so familiar made in the USA brands to consider.
7. Learn How to Sew - easier said than done, but many craft stores and community centers offer sewing classes.
8. Think Minimal - Have a little fun with yourself and do this exercise. You are going on a trip in which you would be engaging in a variety of activities - meetings, partying, gallery hopping, people watching, community service - and can only take 15 items of clothing. What would you take? You may find that you really wear a small percentage of your clothes the majority of your time. So why burden yourself with buying so many clothes when you can keep life simple with 15 items that you absolutely love? You keep it fun and fresh with accessories like scarves and jewelry! I have a skirt that I can wear five different ways, including as a dress. Most of my dresses are worn year round via layering up or down, depending on the season. What would be on your list of 15? 

So there you go. No excuses for not redirecting more of our fashion dollars for the love of strangers. Tis the season!

This is one of my favorite dresses. It is from Texture Clothing and can be worn year round, dressed up or down, is very forgiving and extremely comfortable! I wear it with tights, sandals, sweaters, tees, turtlenecks, blazers, ankle boots, knee high boots, barelegged, you name it. Go to www.textureclothing.com and www.revivestore.com to purchase one for yourself.

Stylish Eco-Friendly Shoes: Naya Shoes

Looking to support a shoe company with a soul for the earth? Consider Naya Shoes. I discovered this line of shoes while checking out Nordstroms portfolio of eco-conscious products. I must say that these shoes are very stylish! I did ask a company representative if they carry an animal friendly line of shoes, not currently, but hopefully they will strongly consider doing so, given the growing number of vegans in the marketplace. See the features below that make for a greener shoe:

1) Vegetable-tanned leathers and linings
2) Natural or recycled content fabrics
3) Foot beds and outsoles containing natural cork
4) Water-based cements
5) Boxes made with 80% recycled paper pulp
6) Soy-based inks and water-based glue
7) Reusable shoe bags and shoe forms made with recycled PET
 
The company seeks to follow the triple bottom line in its approach to operating its business. Composting, recycling and waste reduction are integrated into business operations. Naya's key designer also lives a green and active lifestyle. She drives a hybrid, enjoys the outdoors and enjoys spending time with her two dogs.

Eco Ebay?

I keep forgetting about all of the goodies available on ebay for a fraction of the cost to my wallet and to the planet. Buttons are an inexpensive way to customize a thrift or vintage find. Check out these buttons I found from the ebay vintage button retailer, So-cal-button-gal.

The problem with vintage buttons is that it is difficult to find a set, so I had to settle on vintage looking for the ladybug buttons that I will use on my newest thrift store dress. Hope they are the right size!

Want to learn more about styling with vintage fashion, this book is great!

Spring Eco-Friendly, Thrifty and Not So Thrifty Fashion Finds

Check out these spring fashion finds on both ends of the spectrum. The dress was found at a thrift store for $18 bucks, the tie dyed skirt was found at a Green Roots Collection, an eco-friendly fashion boutique, for a bit more, but well worth the money - it is made in the USA with organic cotton and the hat, which is made out of recycled material can be purchased at American Apparel. So there are many ways you can green your fashion - buy used, buy local and organic and buy clothes from recycled fibers/plastic. Doing so keeps shopping interesting, encourages the creation of new businesses from these alternative practices and makes the planet happy!

I will switch out the buttons on this dress, to something fun - maybe ladybugs!

I could not pass up this amazingly soft and swingy tie dyed maxi skirt.



Made of recycled yarns.



Eco-Friendly Fashion at Nordstrom

Tom's, no animals were harmed in the making of these hemp and recycled P.E.T based shoes

Renown for service excellence, Nordstrom is making a splash with eco-friendly fashion tips and merchandise, from jeans and jewelry to sheets and shoes. Check it out. Oh, and there are plenty of items for you conscious men out there ;).

Timberland "Earthkeepers" "Yele Haiti" Boot



Naya, dyed with vegetable dyes



Back to the Garden with Free People Clothing Boutique

Ahh! Spring is finally here, though for some in not such a pleasant way. I would like to extend my prayers and blessings to the families and individuals affected by the tornados recently. Some are suspecting that our warmer climate may be the culprit, but that is a topic for another post. In addition to a maddening need to get out in the dirt and plant everything that I can think of, I also get the urge to checkout warm weather fashions. Alas, the two interests merge in the Free People "Vintage Loves" collection - Back to the Garden. As most of you know, I try to spend at least 20% of my clothing budget on vintage, thrift, fair trade and/or organic fashions, so I'm always on the hunt for unique and awesome items in these categories. The two items pictured are only what I was able to save as a photo from the website, there were some really cute dresses and a cool shoe rack, if you want to see the entire collection (warning - a little pricey), then you have to click on the link here.

The good news is that you don't have to pay a million dollars for these types of finds, check out your local thrift or consignment shop for more affordable goodies like this. Your wallet and your planet will thank you.

Happy Spring!

Shoes With A Soul

I have committed to spending 20% of my clothing purchases on thrift, fair trade or organic items, so I'm always on the hunt for cute items with a conscious. These Toms shoes definitely fit the bill. With every purchase of Toms shoes, a child in need gets a pair too! Can you imagine not feeling guilty about buying another pair of shoes? Click here to read the "Giving Report". There are plenty of wonderful and funky styles and designs for men, women and kids. Vegans will be happy with the vegan line of shoes. You can even take photos of you and your family sporting your Toms and upload then to the photo gallery. Who says going green isn't fun? I'm having a blast being black and into green! Pass it on.

H&M Unveils Recycled and Organic Fashion · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader

H&M Unveils Recycled and Organic Fashion · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader For you conscious fashionistas and fashionisters that don't have a fair trade store in your town, you may be in luck! H&M, which started offering low cost, organic fashions a few years ago, is expanding its offerings via its "Conscious Collections". According to the article, it may be an effort to remediate its image after it was busted throwing perfectly good new clothes in the trash, a policy it no longer it adheres to.

A Green Year In Review: 2010 Personal Green Goals

Banker Appropriate Fair Trade Earrings

It's that time of year again. Time to look back once last time to evaluate your progress in achieving those milestones that you set for yourself. Here are my 2010 green goals and my scorecard of achievement:

1. Take the bus to work once a week. Nope. Maybe $5 gallon gas will do the trick.
2. 20% clothing purchases from thrift, 20% fair trade or organic. I definitely achieved this goal for my casual clothing purchases, but didn't do such a great job for work related clothing items. Now that I'm in a less formal work environment, this should be easier to achieve. I have also found some nice work related options from an awesome fair trade store called Revive. The good news is that there are more fair trade shopping options available and more traditional fashion sites are offering vintage options. Check out http://www.freepeople.com/ and Modcloth to see for yourself.
3. Obtain LEED Accreditation. Decided against this one for now, too narrowly focused (green buildings), though the LEED for Neighborhoods is interesting. I'm going to investigate some certifications in other sustainable areas, such as business operations or urban agriculture, given my passions for entrepreneurship and gardening.
4. Green renovations for the bathroom. No. Unexpected auto maintenance expenses, nixed this one, but I'm hopeful for this year! Any ideas?
5. Energy Star appliances. See number four.
6. Apply permaculture principles to the garden. Of course! This was easy. My broccoli  and arugula didn't fare so well, but my curbside figs were awesome. This year, I should see the first harvest from the blackberry vine I planted. Pie anyone?
7. Host green events. I did incorporate a green business panel discussion for the Women's Economic Development Trade Show I co-chaired. It was very well received.
8. Promote Power of Place Based Education Principles. Got the ball rolling. Introduced the concept to our local US Green Building Council Green Schools Action Circle. Would like to expand upon this in 2011.
9. Act as a green coach to an African American business. Yes, Though one could say it was more about providing marketing coaching to a green business. A friend of mine launched the Summerville Farmers Market in Cincinnati's Avondale neighborhood last year. She did okay, but didn't start working on getting farmers until June, which is way too late. She needs to start looking for farmers, right...about...now. I suggested that she work with her local chapter of the Urban League to help her put together a solid business plan. I'm also going to suggest that she develop an internship program, so that she can get some help from local able bodied college students pursuing sustainable agriculture, marketing or urban planning degrees.
10. Make Five Green Business Presentations. 20% hit ratio on that one, but based on the number of green businesses I encounter in my new profession, our folks are keen on sustainable enterprise. I decided to concentrate my efforts on finding a new career, but God blessed me with a two-fer! How amazing is that?!

So, while I didn't hit all of my milestones, I did meet many of the key goals that I set and built a path towards even greater green successes in 2011. How did you do with your green goals for 2010? What were your obstacles, motivators? What are your green goals for 2011? I haven't finalized mine yet, but you will be the first to know, when I have them.

Happy New Year!

Two New Blogs I Like

I have been rewarded for posting this week, with the discovery to two wonderful blogs. The first is by a sister in Birmingham, Alabama with a passion for green living. It is Life The Green Way. She does a great job of covering eco-friendly products and gift ideas and she will knock your socks of with more amazing uses of vinegar! The other is from Scotland and is called Allotment 2 Kitchen. Grab yourself a cup of tea and a pen for taking notes, because you will enjoy the colorful photos of great vegetarian delights (recipes included), gardens and nature. I personally want to try to brussel sprouts pie and the lavender brownies!

A Great Green Year in 2010!

Well  friends, it has been a while. What can I say? First, I would like to apologize to my awesome readers, for taking such a long hiatus. The last quarter was one of wonderful and great changes in my life, which caused me to have to put some things on pause for a minute. It has been a while since we chatted, so given the time of the year, I thought we could share our top seven  great green highlights for the year. Check out my top seven below:

1. An Awesome New Career (with a Eco-Friendly Twist) - access to capital for women and minorities
2. Next Gen interest in the environment - my teen son decides to pursue environmental law as a career interest
3. Sustainability is Here to Stay - takes a giant leap into the mainstream consciousness of America
4. My Very Green IRA portfolio generates new green wealth
5. Expansion of awareness and selection of  fair trade and/or organic groceries and fashions
6. Green energy and technology bring access to modern conveniences to rural African areas
7. Local Food, Urban Farming, Edible Landscapes and Farmers Markets are all the rage (let's keep it that way)

So that's what has been up with me. I will elaborate on some of these over the course of the next week. What are some of your great green highlights of 2010?

Give The Gift That Gives Back: Fair Trade Gift Baskets

The InterReligious Task Force on Central America is taking orders for fair trade gift baskets which will be deliverd during the upcoming holiday season. These baskets are an innocuous way to introduce high quality fair trade goods to your family, friends, teachers, associates and clients.The gifts support small farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Click here for an order form. If you are in CTown (Cleveland) on October 9th, stop by John Carroll University to meet fair trade vendors, farmers, supporters and advocates in person at the Ohio Fair Trade Expo.

Fair Trade Fashions

Check me out with my fair trade gear - earrings, a skirt from Uganda and a comfy top from Nepal. There is a store in Cleveland called Revive, which sells nothing but fair trade goods. Merchandise includes clothing, cosmetics (including Alaffia), accessories, home goods and coffees/chocolates. I love shopping there! The selection reminds me of items I would normally find in Anthropologie, but I don't have to read labels. I have the satisfaction of knowing that a fair wage was received by the employees and women are being lifted out of poverty and gaining economic independence. I feel good about wearing these fashions, drinking this coffee and eating this chocolate.  By the way, I read that a large coffee company is looking at incorporating fair wage principles into its business model. This is why I try to shop with my conscious, because eventually big business catches wind and the practices go mainstream - improving the lives of individuals around the world. Back to the fashions.....

Made in Bali, supports gender equity and prohibits exploitation of women and children.

Top from Nepal and tiered knit skirt from Uganda.

Made in Nepal, where workers receive living wage, vacation and work in a clean, healthy environment.

Created by artisans in Gulu, Uganda. Made with style, comfort and versatility as design principles.

First Quarter Results: 2010 Green Goals

Hanging tomato plants for the curbside garden and a blackberry vine for the front yard arbor.How cool, sexy and fem is this dress?$30.My Indian inspired sundress. $20.70's vintage. $15. Very retro with a pair of jeans. Ties in the back.

We financial types like to evaluate quarterly results, so I thought I would evaluate my performance to date on my 2010 Green Goals. So here you go:

1) Take the bus to work one day a week: Not quite. Maybe warmer weather will make this a reality
2) 20% of clothing thrift or consignment, 20% organic or fair trade: Yes and it has been fun and rewarding experience. See photos. The jacket is 70's vintage. How cool is that? $15 baby! Who said green isn't affordable?
3) Obtain LEED accreditation: Not yet, probably in the fourth quarter.
4) Green renovation of the bathroom: Competing priorities for funds, but a low VOC paint job is very doable as well as the low flow shower fixture
5) Take advantage of tax credits for Energy Star appliance purchase: Third quarter.
6) Apply permaculture principles in the garden: Yes, mixing edibles in with the decorative plantings. Tomatoes, brocoli, blackberries, arugula, sunflowers and purchasing a cold tolerant fig tree.
7) Host green events: Yes. Included a green business panel into the programming for the Women's Trade Summit I co-chaired and will do a garden party in June.
8) Promote Power of Place Based Education principals. Yes. Shared this info with my Green Schools Action Circle.
9) Act as a Green Coach to an African American business: Working on it! Your referrals are welcome.
10) Make five green business presentations: Getting there. Counting the panel discussion as one, upcoming workshop at an AME women's retreat in June, and a health event in August

So there you have my accounting and progress report on my efforts to live healthier for myself and the planet and to spread the word. How are you doing with your 2010 Green Goals? What are your challenges? What have you been blessed with?

Re-New Beginning: African American Owned Consignment Shop

Today after a 4G (4 generations - grandma, dad, me, son) brunch at one of Cleveland's best brunch spots, The Vine and Bean (also a green restaurant), we stumbled upon a consignment shop, which lo and behold, was owned by a black woman! Nice. I spotted a couple of items that I am going to go back for tomorrow, including a vintage, yellow, gingham shift dress with ruffles on the bottom. Actually my son spotted it as we were heading out (he has a good eye). It reminds me of something you would find at Anthropologie, but without the financial sacrifice and I'm certain, it wasn't made in China. I will take a photo of it for you to see next week. Consignment shops are great places to find shoes, bags, jewelry, hats and evening wear at great prices, in addition to the usual clothing items. This place even had a plus size room with lots of good stuff.

Check out the website: http://www.re-newbeginningconsignment.biz/

Timberland/Yele Launches Bootwear Collection To Benefit Haiti Environment

Strap on your Tims and give Haiti a helping hand. In November, Timberland and Wyclef Jean's foundation, Yele Haiti launched a partnership as part of Earthkeepers 2009. Timberland introduced a collection of t-shirts and 16 eco-conscious boots, made from recycled and organic materials. Two dollars will be donated to Yele for the purpose of rebuilding Haiti's de-forested environment. Deforestation was becoming a problem in Haiti, as poor citizens were using the trees to make charcoal for fuel. Deforestation causes many latent environmental problems, including, increase in carbon emissions, erosion of soil, loss of wildlife and the balance it brings, increased temperatures and vulnerability to hurricanes. So this was a huge need in November, you can imagine the depth and breadth of the need in the wake of the earthquake, which is why funds are being reallocated towards the relief efforts. Click here to view photos from the launch party.

Cool, Ethical, Organic and Tres Chic Fashion

Okay, I know we should be buying local, but I couldn't pass up sharing information about this French organic fashion website, Machja. Les vetements sont tres chic et belle!

Vintage eBay

Found these pre-screened vintage clothing eBay sites in the December issue of Lucky Magazine, though blogger, Jennifer Romolini did all of the work!

• Bleubirdvintage
• Liebermarlen Vintage
• Linda's Stuff (80's fashion)
• Gene's Vintage Eyeglasses

For those of you that live in Chicago, check out Haystack at 2934 N. Broadway, for organic lingerie with a 20's vibe (another Lucky Mag tip).

Logon to www.Luckymag.com for a chance to win one of five $100 eBay shopping awards.

My Very Green Africentric Christmas Table

My holiday table features an eclectic mix of vintage and new, fair trade and TJ Maxx. The tablecloth was purchased from a Cleveland area fair trade retailer, Revive. It is hand sewn in Mumbai, India and colored using vegetable dyes. It is one of many products produced by a women's cooperative there. The napkin in the fruit basket was purchased at a flea market and the organic fruit provides a wonderful fragrance when you pass the area. The large leafy plates in the place setting are made in Portugal and were a TJ Maxx find and the lovely cranberry colored plates were purchased at an antiques mall. I love sipping eggnog and holiday tea out of the gold leafed Lennox mugs that I purchase many moons ago from Macy's. Pinecones and ornaments dating back to my mother's childhood, surround the fruit bowl. The teacups will be filled with candies, nuts and dried fruits. I love this metal nativity scene. It was made in Haiti and purchased from Trade Winds, another fair trade retailer.Animal print touches were a gift from my son's grandmother. I had a lot of fun putting this eco-friendly table setting together and didn't have to buy anything but the fruit!