Basically hypnotized by the breathtaking terrariums of Paula Hayes – so self-contained and perfectly arranged – like little verdant haikus.
But what about a living fashion? A garment that functioned like an ecosystem, that evolved a bit each day, that never lost your interest because it passed through seasons, breathed, lived, surprised you with its tenacity the way life does?

What does the word sustainability mean to you?
It’s relatively straightforward, according to Merriam Webster. But when you apply that term to a certain industry or facet of your life, this simple definition can twist and turn.

Last night my boyfriend made me watch”National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” For the hundredth time…
One of my favorite characters is Clark’s kooky Aunt Bethany. The poor old lady has clearly lost her marbles–but she’s still fabulous. Not only does she still dress well, but she’s got the green gift giving down. Granted, I wouldn’t recommend wrapping your cat up in a box, but the upcycling gifts is definitely relevant. There’s a ton of great tips out there, but here’s what I’m planning on giving this Christmas.

There’s always been a general belief that EcoFashion should be Slow Fashion. Stemming from the ideas of the Slow Movement, these incredibly complicated terms and beliefs have come to be stated into two overly simple ideas: Slow Fashion= Good, Fast Fashion = Bad. But can two complex ideas really be turned into something so black and white?

Over the past couple years, the amount of green and DIY weddings have increased exponentially. A combination of the impact of the recession and the growth of the green movement, we’ve all seen the impression that green/recycled/DIY has had on fashion, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see that transfer over to weddings.
(images c/o thegreenbrideguide.com)

After a series of really interesting comments on my last post (It’s Not Easy Being Green), I started thinking a lot about the question: What does it really mean to be green? It seemed like everyone has a different answer, and everyone has a valid point.

Controversy is certainly no stranger to the fashion world. From model catfights to sweatshop exposés, there’s usually more than enough drama to go around.
Of course, Ecofashion is no exception—and more often than not, the drama stems from greenwashing. While may eco consumers remain cynical about many so called green products out there, there are also many lines and names that active eco consumers feel like they can trust.

If you haven’t heard about Portland based Nau, you should definitely take a peek at their line.
This NW brand has been doing green long before it became cool. Their clothes are so fantastic, Nau has converted a lot of people to the green movement just because of the incredible style and quality of their clothes.
This year, Nau sponsored it’s first annual $10,000 Grant for Change. The idea was to support people who have started and created lasting and positive change in the world around them.

Lighting up the grill is one of the classic joys of summer, especially in the United States, where we like our meat–and we like a lot of it. But, as pleasing as the sooty scent of grilled burgers can be, it’s become relatively well known that grilling can be toxic for the environment.

There’s always a way to one-up the typical camper by investing in a few simple solar powered products. With so many advancements in technology going towards environmentally friendly products, there are more than enough ways to make your camping trip completely carbon free!

You just purchased your new electric car, and you faithfully recycle your newspapers. You are bragging to the neighbors about doing your part for the environment. But are you really living green inside your home?

“A good walk spoiled.” That’s how Mark Twain described golf, obviously referring to his frustration with his skills on the links. But there are other ways that golf may be spoiling a good walk. How about the pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, and the vast amount of water needed to manage all the golf courses in the U.S. alone?

When my mother makes her yearly visit from Toronto, we take a morning walk together around my rural neighborhood in Tesuque, New Mexico. Inevitably she takes in a deep breath and exclaims, “Ah, this air is medicine!” — meaning it has the power to heal. I believe that she is right. The air in nature is oxygen and ion rich.

You know why I find the Green movement so engaging? Because it gathers people from all over the political spectrum. From CEOs to single moms, from blue-collar workers to white-collar scientists. Consequently, the Green movement cannot be pigeonholed like a conventional political party. There’s real merit in that alone!

Over the last couple of years I’ve been an eyewitness to residential solar energy and the various hurdles to its adoption. From working as a salesperson and hearing customers’ concerns while sitting in their living rooms, to creating a website that distills the solar incentives available per region, to co-founding a community buying club for solar.

Back in 1992 I took a job with PC Connection, the computer reseller then based in the tiny hamlet of Marlow, New Hampshire. My relocation from the Boston area involved saying goodbye to an 1828 Federal colonial home that I had lovingly restored and completely adored.

Okay, it’s been bugging me for too long. It’s time to get this out of my system, so get ready for a rant. We’re all familiar with those catchphrases encouraging us to change the way we do certain things in order to “save the planet”, “help the environment”, or (my favorite) “because the Earth will say thank you”.

A bottle of wine, soft music, a vase of red roses, chocolate truffles… the accoutrements of romance laid out on a soft white sheepskin in front of a hot air vent. What’s wrong with this picture?

Carrot or stick: which is a more effective motivator? That’s a no-brainer. Like a human law of gravity, reward wins over punishment. Fun trumps oppression.

You’re stressed out –- the economy’s free-fall is getting to you; those deadlines at work are impossible to meet; and the kids are home with gastric flu.