Founded in 2007 by Jenny Pao, a Holistic Healing Practitioner who specializes in Flower Essence Therapy, Nectar Essences was borne out of Pao’s custom formulas for her clients, meant to create emotional and mental balance. For Pao, health and “wellness” begins with a balance of they body and the mind–emotions and health are so closely intertwined. Flower essences and aromatheraphy really help harmonize the two.

If you had told me two months ago to go ahead and throw lemon juice, yogurt, and avocado in a blender and then proceed to have me put in on my face, I would have said you were crazy. But for some reason LUSH made me want to do it. Ever since I have discovered their fabulous little store on San Francisco’s Powell Street, I have become addicted to shopping their amazing assortments of affordable organic and vegan beauty products.

In times like these where cash flow may not necessarily run as abundantly as before, it’s a sure bet that (almost) any means of coming up with some spare change is not out of the question! Here’s a thought to chew on- the concept of getting green for going green. Plato’s Closet is a chain of stores that brings new options to recycling used clothing. Started by the same team who opened Play It Again Sports, the store is based off the concept that customers receive cash for the clothing they recycle

A few fashion sites that we’re big fans of…
White Apricot is one of those all-encompassing green fashion sites for women’s beauty and clothing. Its staff not only scours the internet on a daily basis for the best eco friendly fashion deals, but it also features an inside glimpse at fashion that more and more green shopping sites are starting to offer.

A lot of larger retailers have been hopping on the Eco-Movement bus and starting new lines of clothing, shoes, or accessories and slapping the green label on them. But, if the prices are lower, what corners are they cutting to meet that price point? Are these stores only trying to save face, or are they really making a concerted effort to participate in the movement? Take a look, and decide for yourselves!

In order to get more of an inside glimpse of the green fashion industry, the owners of two of San Francisco’s finest green boutiques were gracious enough to do a Q&A with Green By Design. Their answers were truly inspiring. It’s great to see people so passionate about what they do.

Just a few sites (recommended by our readers!) to find fashionable and green clothing, at prices that might make a smaller dent in our wallets (but just as small of a carbon footprint!)

Working from home, doing what you love, and getting paid for it. Is this the new American Dream? We have heard the term cottage industry; but does it apply to our modern life?