02.09.10
Posted in Green Fashion at 3:50 pm by Administrator
Give credit to Marty Stevens-Heebner of Half the Sky Designs for inventing the recycled rice sack handbag. She had the idea of taking rice sacks and recycling the colorful, funky designs into gorgeous tote bags, clutches, even yoga mat bags.
Armed with a rough idea of the concept, she went to the Philippines to track down rice suppliers and purchased the used sacks and yes; they thought she was crazy! When she returned to the States, her company Rebagz was born
Rebagz Rice Sack Graphic handbags are sturdy, since they were made to carry 50 or 100 lbs of rice. So if you get dirt or liquid on your bag, just wipe it off with a damp sponge and it’s as good as new. Love it!
The recycled rice sacks used for the bags have those amazing graphics already printed on them, any screen printing is uneccessary. They’re just that gorgeous all on their own. Rebagz are made under fair labor conditions over in the Philippines with Green America’s Seal of Approval so you know that your are getting a wonderful bag and helping others at the same time.
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02.03.10
Posted in Green Fashion at 3:49 pm by Administrator
Do you know what your baby’s little lovey blanket is made of? Why should you care? Well, if your baby is anything like mine, they will be snuggling up with it and chewing on the corners everyday for months and it’s important to create and maintain a chemical-free environment for your child’s development.
We’ve got a inexpensive, super-cute company for you: Babysoy
Babysoy is the first company in the world to create baby’s newborn wardrobe using soybean protein fiber. Soybean protein fiber is a sustainable and botanical textile fiber made from renewable and biodegradable natural resources – the leftover soybean pulp from tofu and soymilk production. Its 16 amino acids are healthy and nutritional for our skin. It is a green textile fiber that possesses the superiorities of many natural and synthesized fibers.
The colors of the blankets, bibs and clothing are beautiful! Deep pinks, chocolate browns and vibrant blues make up the line of baby kimonos, signature soft blankets and accessories. They are also proud to support Healthy Child Healthy World, an organization dedicated to protecting the health and well being of children from harmful environmental exposures. With most of their items under $25, Babysoy makes giving your baby a green start affordable too. Check out the Babysoy collection at Natural Luxe today!
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01.26.10
Posted in Green Fashion at 8:15 pm by Administrator
Combine original artwork, organic cotton and babies and you get Fierce Hugs.
Started by friends Tina Fusari and Hani Hong, Fierce Hugs is a welcome alternative to the world of cutesy baby clothes. The bright colors and fun graphics stand out from the crowd, paired with organic cotton and made with fair-trade labor Fierce Hugs is on it’s way to securing a spot on the must have list for babies.
Fierce Hugs commissioned Italian artist Silvia Osella to design the graphics for their spring and summer line. She came up with prints that are both whimsical and edgy, a perfect addition to a green baby’s wardrobe.
We love the unique designs but we also were struck by the gift ready eco-friendly packaging. Cute and convenient!
Natural Luxe is excited to offer Fierce Hugs online and in our Charlotte location. We think you will love them too!
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01.24.10
Posted in As seen in, Green Fashion at 11:24 pm by Administrator
It’s cold, dreary and rainy here in Charlotte today but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming of my next trip to the beach. It helps to carry around a recycled sailcloth tote bag that puts me in the mood for sea, sun and fun.
When Ella Vickers completed her job as first mate on a classic Americas Cup winner, she wanted to keep the memory alive, so she took the discarded sailcloth and created a set of bags. Soon she had folks buying them off her arms everytime she took one out. From that moment Ella Vickers Recycled Sailcloth Collection was born!
All items are handcrafted in the USA using yachts sails from around the world, saving 20 thousand yards of sailcloth from the landfill each year. They make the perfect beach tote or a great bag for a rainy today because of course they are waterproof.
Real Simple Magazine recently featured the recycled sailcloth open tote bag as one of their “Seaworthy beach bags”
Pick one up today and get ready for beach season!
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01.14.10
Posted in Green Fashion, Green Giveaways at 8:55 pm by Administrator
If you live in Charlotte you must know the WaxMAMA. Daily emails that keep you up to date on everything that is fabulous in the QC (that’s Queen City). This week is Fab Freebie week and we are so excited to be a part of the fun!
We are giving away an awesome multi-colored opal clutch from one of our favorite companies, Mad Imports. Featured in Lucky Magazine, this is the bag you want to carry this spring season, just looking at it makes us think of the warm, sunny days to come.
If you can’t wait to see if you’ve won – check out the entire Mad Imports collection at Natural Luxe.
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01.12.10
Posted in Green Fashion at 5:39 pm by Administrator
Paper or plastic? “Yes, both please!”
When you are asking about the collection of handbags and accessories from Engage Green we will always take both paper and plastic. Engage Green, founded by artist Leonor Mendoza, designs fashionable and eco-friendly bags that are made from woven recycled paper, recycled plastic (PETE), organic cotton/hemp and cork.
It takes 18 post-consumer 16 oz. plastic drinking bottles to make one yard of the material used to make their recycled plastic handbags. Recycling used soda and water bottles keeps billions of containers out of the world’s landfills and oceans, conserves crude oil and reduces harmful air emissions that lead to global warming. Currently only 3.5% of all plastics generated are recycled.
One of the best things about Engage Green’s products – the price! Handbags range from $28 to $90 (told you we would take both!)
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01.05.10
Posted in As seen in, Green Fashion at 9:20 pm by Administrator
Giveheart – GiveGreen – GiveBack = GiveBetter.
That is the movement that Dogeared Jewelry would like you to join this year. Based in California, Dogeared Jewelry specializes in jewelry and gifts that spread positive energy into the world. Their popular karma and make a wish necklaces have been a favorite of ours for years and can be seen in tons of magazines and TV shows.
This year they have started the GiveBetter campaign. We love the idea of gifts that give twice! Here are a few examples:
The Grateful Heart Limited Edition Necklace
100% of net profits from the Grateful Heart necklace are donated to one voice
One Voice is an outstanding non-profit organization dedicated to directly affecting and changing the lives of people in need. They have various programs devoted to helping families living at the poverty level within the Los Angeles community.
Their amazing efforts include a scholars program, which sends inner city youth to some of the best colleges in the country, as well as family assistance and holiday programs that draw a remarkable 2,000 volunteers each year!
Find a Cure Breast Cancer Make a Wish necklace
Net profits from the sale of the Find a Cure wish necklace are donated to Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance
Make your gift giving even more special with one of Dogeared’s GiveBetter gifts!
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01.04.10
Posted in Green Fashion, News at 9:25 pm by Administrator
Wow, we didn’t even get our hands dirty with this one!
Tees for Change is is an eco-friendly apparel company dedicated to the power of positive thinking. Adorned with uplifting messages such as LAUGH OFTEN, TODAY MATTERS, DREAM BIG and CHOOSE HAPPINESS, our organic cotton and bamboo tees are super soft and have a great fit. So what makes Tees for Change different from the other eco-tee comapnies out there?
They plant a tree for every t-shirt they sell. Partnered with Trees for the Future, they’ve already planted 10,000 trees since the company started in 2007. The last tree planting Tees for Change participated in helped to plant over 5000 trees in Cameroon. What have your tees done for you lately?
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07.20.09
Posted in Green Fashion at 3:19 pm by Administrator
The BYOB (that’s bring-your-own-bag) trend is hopefully becoming a way of life and not just a fad. San Fran’s ban on plastic bags is now almost two years old, and many other cities are considering following suit. Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently proposed a charge of six cents on every plastic bag New Yorkers need at the checkout. Ikea and Whole Foods are eliminating their use in all of their stores
What’s a grocery shopper to do? Check out Blue Avocado’s new Cool Kit Gro-Pak, a sustainable shopping system that includes five different types of shopping bags, including a main tote Pak, an insulated Chil bag for hot and cold items, a Mesh bag just for veggies, a Stuff N’ Go bag that folds up really small, and a sturdy Multi-Use bag. The entire system fits into the main Pak for easy storage at home or in the car.
All of the bags are made from recycled materials and come with an audited carbon label that lets you know you’re taking a stand for the planet. If you avoid three plastic bags each time you go to the grocery store, you’ll save an average of 200 bags per year. That’s 9.5lbs of CO2 or the equivalent of not driving 11 miles, making Gro-Pak the perfect cross between conscience and convenience.
This article appeared in The Alternative Consumer
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07.16.09
Posted in Green Fashion at 2:31 pm by Administrator
New York-based WEAR YOUR MUSIC creates eco-friendly jewelry that turns the used guitar strings of an eclectic range of famous musical artists into stylish bracelets that proclaim both your love of music, and your donation to charity.
The bangle-style bracelets are crafted from guitar strings donated by over 150 artists ranging from rock luminaries Eric Clapton and Pete Townsend to contemporary artists like My Morning Jacket, Death Cab for Cutie, Jack Johnson, Carrie Underwood and Ani DiFranco. I have my eye on the under-appreciated Steve Vai bracelet ($150).
The fine silver used on each bracelet is also 100% recycled, as is the DVD case each bracelet comes in. Each piece is sold with a certificate of authenticity.
A portion of each sale is donated to charities like Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation and The Grateful Dead-affiliated Rex Foundation.
The company also makes a line of guitar string fashion bracelets (no rock star heritage) that start at $7.00
This article first appeared at The Alternative Consumer
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