Green Week Finale - Eco-Living

What a week! I've talked about anything and everything on eco-products. From cosmetics to shoes, we have learned about the importance of saving the planet using products that are made in a sustainable way. To wrap up Green Week I'll bring you Eco-Living. Eco-Living is more than the ever growing trend we have been seeing lately is a way of life, a philosophy, and it seems that more and more people are getting into it. Who doesn't know about the now infamous "I'M-NOT-A-PLASTIC-BAG" bag? It can be said, arguably, that that was the bag that started it all! Now accessories house Hayden-Harnett came up with an eco-bag to support politician turned environmentalist Al Gore. The bag was inspired by Gore's documentary on global warming "An Inconvenient Truth", and the proceeds go to help environmental causes. Even big companies, like uber-chic retail store Barneys, came up now with their own line of eco-clothing. Barneys Green, a line of eco-sportswear, will continue to develop the line with collaboration of guest designers. Hot Topics is stocking in Zoe Tees made with earth-friendly fabrics. Also kudos to jeweler John Hardy who's very much involved in a bamboo reforestation project, sustainable workshops and even a complex of green villas to be built at his property. How visionary is that?! So to help you jump in the green van wagon in style here's the latest you can find in green living, from clothing to home-decor. Have a happy earth, have a happy heart.


Barneys


Loomstate for Barneys Green Slave Mini Skirt $138.00. Available at www.barneys.com


This skirt is certified organic and benefit 1% for the planet.


Green With Glamour


Green With Glamour " Perfectly Imperfect" Cami Dress $117.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

This dress is made with 100% certified organic cotton.


Anna Cohen Pleated Shirt $375.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

100% organic natural colored cotton.


GWG Barrel Bag Red $270.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

This accessories company are redefining vintage! They reuse and re-purpose materials from other vintage designs.



Charmoné Espresso Been Ginseng Heel $315.00. Available at www.greenwothglamour.com


Charmoné Grass Print Ginseng Heel $315.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

These shoes are made using a high quality Italian microfiber that feels just like leather so no cows were harmed during the making of these shoes. Vegan Power!



iWood Eco Designs Tigerwood Aviators Sun Glasses $315.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

These super chic sunglasses besides from being 100% UVA/UVB protection, are also made with eco-sustainable wood.


Deana Bracken Float Like A Butterfly Pillow $175.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

This whimsical pillow is made with 100% organic sustainable cotton.



Woodson and Romefield Sunset Scalloped Mirror $1890.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

A beautiful touch for any room and it is finished with non-toxic paint.




Michael and Nora The cocktails and Lace Chandelier Lamp $3250.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

Beautiful!



GWG Gardenia Soy Candle $23.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

Deliciously scented, this clean burning candle will fill the room with gardenias, white flower and a hint of Jasmine.



The Sustainable Kitchen Cook Book $25.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

Cooking responsibly never was so delicious. This book will teach you how to take advantage of locally grown products in your kitchen.



Hitoshi Tanaka Natural Edge Shallow Cherry Bowl $160.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

This bowls are made with cherry tree wood from trees that had already fallen due to storms.



Esque Decanter and Cups $598.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

The company making these work in a wind powered studio designed to reduce waste and gas consumption. How great is that?!



Vidreco Recycled Glass Pedestal Bowl $65.00. Available at www.greenwithglamour.com

Made with 100% recycled glass and so pretty!

Prius from Toyota Hybrid $22,175.00. For more information visit www.toyota.com

As everybody knows this baby is very planet friendly and gas efficient since it runs on an electric motor also for less gas usage and emissions.

GE Energy Smart CFL Lightbulb 13 Watts (60 watts equivalent) 12 pk $19.76. Available at www.walmart.com

These bulbs use 2/3 less energy, generate 70% less heat and if every home in America replace just one bulb we will save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a whole year and prevent green house gases equivalent to 800,000 cars!

Now the light bulbs contain mercury which can be harmful but only if you break them. Although the bulbs are quite sturdy, just to play it safe, DON'T BREAK THEM!

Now there you have it everybody. This was Green Week a small effort to help create a conscience on the need to save the planet. I hope I'd touch someone. I hope I'd at least get someone curious about what's going on so they can dig and ask and find out by themselves and hopefully they will want to do something. It can be done, you don't have to do everything just whatever you can, that's all. Even if it's just changing ONE light bulb.

Have a happy earth, have a happy heart!

Bare Naked

This season the fashion trends in rigour are not for the faint of heart; therefore, a conscious fashionista must proceed with caution. Recently, I read a post about layering irresponsibly, which was extremely funny and enlightening. So I felt, as a fashionable citizen, that it was my civil duty to raise awareness on another issue, color over-use. I've seen gals on the verge of leaving people color blind due to pigment over exposure. So, for the ones who are Chromatophobic ( fear of color) or the ones that just want (or need!) to tone it down a little there's a solution. Designers are taking nude color and giving them a flair. Now the latest accessories come in natural tones and luscious textures such as patent leather, lace and satin perfect to compliment high pigmented clothing pieces. You can either match a beautiful primary color dress with neutral pumps, which also has the effect of elongating your legs, or pairing a neutral outfit with colorful accessories for a bang. Either way you wear your colors just remember that balance is key. After all, you don't want to look like if a rainbow had vomited all over you ( see exhibit A below).

Exhibit A:

Fined! for color over-use AND irresponsible layering.


Josie Natori Kace Top $140.00. Available at www.neimanmarcus.com


Polka Dot Blouse $19.80. Available at www.forever21.com


DVF Crocheted Shift Dress $425.00. Available at www.neimanmarcus.com


Halter Sparkle Dress $26.50. Available at www.wetseal.com

Valentino Histore Patent Satchel $1695.00. Available at www.saks.com

Nine West Francesca Large Patent Satchel $85.00. Available at www.ninewest.com

Brian Atwood Slick Pumps $560.00. Available at www.saks.com

Nine West Lucero Pumps $79.00. Available at www.ninewest.com

Yellow !!!

The weather has been marvelous lately here in the mid-west and everywhere. Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and you just want to shine. And what's the best way to feel sunny and spring-y? Yes! flirty, playful, girly sun dresses in the color of the moment, YELLOW! This bright color flatters most complexions and gives you an instant glow. Yellow was king of the runways at the collections and will dominate the scene this season. Pair it with white and neutral tones for an easy laid back look or with black or red to dress it up. Either way you wear it yellow is sure to make you shine, you little Miss Sunshine.



Romina Lanaro RTW S/S 2007.

BCBG Max Azria Swiss Dot Bubble Mini Dress $300.00. Available at www.saks.com

Amelia Dress Forever21 $15.80. Available at www.forever21.com

Other must have in yellow:

Chinese Laundry Pumps on sale for$45.99. Available at www.macys.com


Gwen Bag Forever21 $20.80. Available at www.forever21.com

Marc Jacobs is Dead... At least to me.

Today is a very, very sad in the world of fashion, or at least in my world. While reading one of my very favorite fashion magazines, In Style, I got excited at the pictures of the celebrity packed fall fashion shows. Every single A-Lister looked glamorous and sophisticated wearing the latest trends, but the horror happened, I spotted a picture of LIL'KIM... WHAT!!!??? No! I thought my eyes were lying to me so I looked again, and then the whole world crumbled in front of me. It was in fact a picture of LIL'KIM with a caption that reads as follow " Marc Jacobs muse LIL'KIM kicked back in the VIP section at the designer's post show bash..." LIL' KIM? Marc Jacobs's M U S E!? What can possibly be so inspiring about the walking fashion DON'T that is LIL'KIM? Instead of his muse she should be more like his pro-bono extreme makeover project. How did this happened? How can I ever look at my MJ Stam Bag without felling disgusted again? Why!!!??? OH, Whyyy!!!??? If that picture caption is true, then Marc Jacobs (tears streaming down my cheeks) is dead to me! I will NEVER wear anything inspired by that human atrocity that is LIL'KIM. Marc Jacobs (1963-2007) R.I.P.



Sorry but I couldn't bare the sight of LIL'KIM any longer; therefore, I'm taking down the pictures.

No Chip, No Kidding

Now, I'm not a nail polish fan. Why? Well, because despite all of my efforts and the gazillion nail polish brands I've tried, my manicure doesn't last me two days. I've found that my Chanel polish is as good as my Wet N Wild and that OPI may last me a little longer, but nothing to fuzz about. Although, I must confess that I've learned some tips to make your manicure last, like buffing your nails since the ridges actually make them chip faster and having an oil free nail base since your natural oils prevent the polish from really adhere to the nail. But all this may only make a very little difference until I discover Sally Hansen NO CHIP 10 Day Nail Color. At first I was skeptical, but at $4.49 it was worth the try, so I put this top coat up to a challenge. If it lasts me at least 5 days I would be more than happy. Well, I painted my nails with a beautiful, but cheap, Cover Girl pink color and coated it with Hansen's No Chip Top Coat. Today is the fourth day and it looks as fresh and shiny as the first one, I'm not kidding, my nails are so shiny they actually look like patent leather. How awesome is that!?! Sally Hansen NO CHIP 10 Day Color is keeping its promise. So far, so good. I'll keep you guys posted on the final number (of days with an intact manicure), but this is the longest I've gone without my polish chipping off so I'm sold.




Sally Hansen NO CHIP 10Day Nail Color in 01 Clear $4.49. Also available in 23 beautiful colors. Available at www.ulta.com or your nearest drug store.

Spring's 9 Must Have from Saks!

This spring the fashion trends are just adorable. From dresses to vibrant colors everything screams sunshine and good times. And although there are countless "must-have" lists and every single glossy grace their covers with "The-All-You-Need-This-Spring-Shopping-List" a girl can never get too much advice on how to look your best specially if it comes from our much beloved Saks Fifth Avenue. This is why I bring you Want it!, courtesy of Saks. Want it! is a line created to take trends from runway to real way that includes daywear, evening-wear, bags, shoes and much more. The line is also full of fashionista's favorites such as Dolce and Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Valentino and VeraWang Lavender label. Even the guys can enjoy the Want it! line with the 9 top trends from Ermenegildo Zegna, Diesel and Prada Linea Rossa. It doesn't matter if you are fashion challenged or a hard core fashionista Saks has something Hauté for everybody. Happy Hunting!


The High Waisted Belt

W. Kleinberg -Krung Snake Belt $325.00

The Flat Shoe

Marc Jacobs Keyhole Skimmers $395.00

The Chic Day Dress

Burberry Chech Shift Mini Dress $430.00

The Floral Fragrance

Clinique Happy $49.50 for 3.40oz. ( Although I personally recommend Clinique Happy Heart)

The Cocktail Dress


Carolina Herrera Strapless Cotton Eyelet Dress $3490.00

The Crisp White Shirt

Robert Rodriguez Pleated Blouse $286.00

The Platform Shoes

Le Silla Crisscross Platform Sandal $610.00

The Handheld Bag

Versace Quilted Satchel $2115.00

The Shorts

Piazza Sempione Seersucker Shorts $405.00

All available at www.saks.com

Naughty Girl

Have you ever felt like you just want to give someone a piece of your mind? Or maybe you're just a naughty girl who loves to tell everybody exactly what you think, but a screen shirt that says "I'M WITH SUCKER" won't cut it anymore? Well, look no further you little devils, I give you Locher's. A Parisian brand of deliciously mean clothes and accessories that will reveal exactly what's in your mind only if people get too close. The tops are beautifully embroidered with whimsical flowers and birds, and an intricate message intended for those who dare to cross the line. But don't worry about offending your neighbor, co-workers or even your boss, because if they dare to get that close to you maybe they deserve that "FUCK OFF" on your blouse. So go crazy and unleash your inner bitch while looking very ladylike.

No Time to Fuck $76.00

I Really Need A Fucking Coffee $79.00 ( My personal favorite!)



Fuck Off Pendant $66.00

All available at www.lochers.com

Candy Couture

If it wasn't enough that fashion designers are partnering with mass retail chains, cell phone companies, and whoever has something to sell left and right; now they are teaming up with Hershey's, makers of the York Mints (R) for a "Designer Series". But this time is different because it is for a beautifully good cause which makes it worthwhile. The beautiful contemporary designs were created by designer Nicole Miller and Nicky Hilton to benefit the Young Survival Coalition. The Y.S.C. is an international network of breast cancer survivors dedicated to address the issues of young woman with a history of breast cancer through action, advocacy and awareness, medical research, and to persuade them to address breast cancer awareness in women 40 and under. The limited edition mint tins come in two different designs, a black and white vintage-like flower pattern design by Hilton, and a black and ivory intricate pattern created by Nicole Miller ( my favorite by the way) that will be selling for $25 each and are available only in the Internet. York Mints will make a fantastic double duty accessory since it freshens up your breath and help the Y.S.C. Now, isn't that sweet?!

Nicole Miller's Design

Nicky Hilton's Design

If you would like to help and make a donation just visit the website. And remember girls to do the breast self exam once a month, it takes just a couple of minutes. An early detection makes a great difference in survival chances, you're never to young to start getting serious about breast cancer. To learn more about breast cancer visit The Breast Cancer Society.

Columbus Fashion Week? Why not?!

This morning, while having my coffee, I went thru my daily routine of reading my favorite fashion blogs and stumble into a Coutorture's featured post via Pink Rock Candy that commented on the very first Columbus Ohio Fashion week. Apparently, Columbus is aiming high, with big ambitions of being a hauté fashion capital. Who would have thought?!? I would recommend you all read Pink Rock Candy's post since it is a very interesting, well written and well thought point of view.

This is their opinion on the matter... "As impressed as I probably should be, I'm still very skeptical. I'm originally from the Midwest, Michigan to be exact, and I just can't imagine Columbus, or any other Midwestern city for that matter, become a fashion capital. There are tons of talented people that come out of the Midwest, but it will be more than a challenge to shake the overall-wearing, cow-tipping persona that goes along with the Midwest"..."The fashion industry is just like high school; cities like NY, Paris, and Milan are the cool kids and cities like LA, Tokyo, and Madrid are their lackeys who are only popular because the cool kids say so. Columbus, or any other Midwestern city for that matter, isn't even on the cool kids radar"..."Can a smaller less metropolitan city break into the fashion world and become a fashion capital that rivals the big guns?" - Pink Rock Candy

Well! I'm surprised I never heard anything about this since I live in Columbus, Ohio. But to tell the truth I don't see Columbus being a fashion capital anytime soon, not in this century anyways. But I really have to say that since OSU is the epi-center of Columbus it nurtures from a melting pot of international students with very individualistic takes on fashion making Ohio's capital a trendier city than many people expect it to be; however, I don't think that would be enough to make it a fashion capital. N.Y., Paris, Milan and other fashion power countries have centuries of experience that can not be defeated by a small Midwest city. Also, I don't think L.A., Tokyo and Madrid are the B-list team, that would be a very narrow point of view. They are fashion power countries, as well, that didn't get the media attention they deserve until recently. Due to globalization they can easily be on the spotlight now and also because fashion is more democratic N.Y., Paris and Milan can not hold the monopoly any longer. Nevertheless I think it is wonderful that Columbus is cat walking their way out of those overall and thinking high fashion seriously enough to aspire to be a fashion capital. THAT is ambition and I respect them for having it. After all, who would have thought that a little kid from, The Dominican Republic, a third world country was going to be a highly respected, celebrity adored, fashion designer? Just ask Oscar de la Renta.


To read Pink Rock Candy's complete post visit Pink Rock Candy or Coutorture

To learn more about Columbus Fashion Week visit the website.

What do you think?