Eco Fashion Friday Feature: Windy Hill Fibers Has A New Fan…Me!

Last Friday was my birthday and this year I didn’t want there to be any confusion about what I wanted from Matt so I just sent him the link. I had a feeling I would end up getting this gorgeous dress from Windy Hill Fibers!


Made from 100% organic cotton, this hand made frock (the Lily Sash Dress) is easily going to become the most worn item in my wardrobe this summer. With temperatures soaring into the very muggy 80’s & 90’s almost every day I have been on the hunt for comfortable, easy dresses that fit and look good.

Christine Vivian is the owner and designer behind Windy Hill Fibers, her Etsy shop was opened in September of 2007 and with a 100% positive rating that’s three solid years of good business! It is easy to see why. 

The dress is impeccably created, the stitching is straight and even and there are no gaps when the garment is on. In fact she didn’t just create a small/medium/large dress but took my measurements for the best fit possible.

I know Matt only put in the order a week or so before my birthday and that was likely a mad-dash rush for Christine but she was such a trooper to get it done so quickly without sacrificing on her quality!  (Thank you!!)

With prices that range from $50 - $135, each piece is moderate to high but I can not stress enough how much of a staple this dress is going to be for me. I’ll probably get Matt’s money’s worth by mid July!

Complete with darts at the bust line and a super generous length of sash to wrap around, or tie in front/back, the dress cinches itself to the perfect fit. She even used the cut off fabric as the bow for the gingerly wrapped package.

On top of everything else that makes Windy Hill Fibers so awesome, the shop is also a part of my team -- Eco Etsy!

Because Christine has such a strong eye on the planet through her use of organic materials and support of a fantastic Green team I am granting Windy Hill Fibers a three and a Half Leaf Rating!

Thanks so much for caring Christine, I hope to chat with you at a team EcoEtsy event one of these days! ♥love♥

Eco Fashion Friday Feature Organic Cotton is All the Rage in Band Tees

A couple weeks ago a bloggy friend of mine sent me the link to a sale going on in the tee shirt shop** of one of GLR’s favorite eco-conscious musicians, Jason Mraz. Back on October 10th, all tees in the shop were to be listed at $10; it was called the 10-10-10 sale. I decided to give a look as it had been a while since I had purchased a tee, least of all from this guy’s cool shop and what I found had me really excited!

This tee is made from 100% organic cotton, as are many in the online shop, but best of all it showed off Jason’s strong commitment to a healthy environment through the wind turbine and mountain graphic; something I would wear proudly about town. I placed my order right away.

When it arrived I was excited to try it out but as with all clothing I buy, it was washed first. The tag indicates “This EarthPositive shirt was manufactured solely using renewable green energy from wind and solar power.” Sweet!!

Flipping the tag over for washing instructions however I was slightly confused as it suggests to “save the climate wash cool - line dry”. It did not indicate that it should not go in a dryer, just that it was a suggestion for a more Earth friendly alternative. Since line drying is not possible in my apartment building, I opted to set the dryer on the lowest setting.

When the shirt came out I was definitely disappointed. It appears that the fabric pieces were not cut on the correct line of the weave and the side seams had turned about an inch and a half toward the front / back of the shirt (a semi bias cut). The neck and shoulder placement maintained alright and the graphic remained intact (I also always turn graphic tees inside out) but I was wholly disappointed by the shrinkage. Luckily I had snapped the photo prior to washing and I was happy to have only spent $10 on this tee (although shipping was almost as expensive at just under $8).

I will continue to wear this shirt but sadly it would never have fit as comfortably as it should have due to the fabric twisting incorrectly because of the cut, it is just more noticeable now after going through a low dryer. In the future, I will likely reserve my band tee purchases for after the show and will always remember to check the fabric weave for any signs of ill construction prior to purchasing!

** Please note all tees are temporarily sold out.

Robbie Adrian is Helping to Raise an Eco Conscious Generation

As a gal who loves to curl up on the sofa with a warm cup of tea on a cold day, a soft and warm throw is a must in my house. When I received the sample from northern California based company Robbie Adrian that indicated just how warm and soft their products are, I was intrigued. After reading up on the item and finding out it was created from organic cotton and silk I was suddenly picturing lots of afternoon naps every weekend this winter!

Robbie Adrian sent me a sample size of their product in the form of a baby’s Lovey. Since I do not have children I plan to gift this to a good friend of mine with twin one year olds. Hopefully they do not fight over it too much because this roughly foot square of fabric is soft and plush.

The motto of the company is that they “marry elegance with earth friendly, beauty with sustainability” and it shows. With organic cotton that is not only certified back to the originating bale but further certified by the company to accompany each item that is created they take their business very seriously.

Products are available to purchase direct from the website as well as in retail stores. The blankets are available in twenty seven of the fifty United States in a slew of locations (including five right here in Massachusetts) as well as in Australia, Canada, Indonesia and New Zealand.

There are two concerns I have regarding this line of blankets, first is the price being out of reach for many. All children’s blankets (with and without trim) range from $38 (for the 25” x 19” fleece ‘Lil Robbie) to $270 and adult fleece throws range in price from $132 - $226. A new line of blankets consisting of less trim retail for $26 - $78; the Lovey I received is part of this new line which the company calls “recession friendly” as the customer receives the same luxury for a little less money due to a little less silk.

My second concern is the use of real silk. As silkworms must be killed to create this thread it is a bothersome concern for many environmentalists. The piping style utilizes less silk overall and would be the less impactful choice, but the company does not offer a silk free design as of this time.

Overall the organic cotton is warm and a good alternative to synthetic fibers found in so many youth and adult throws so I am granting the Robbie Adrian collection a Three and a Half Leaf Rating!

With a 100% organic cotton version of this blanket I think it’s safe to say your Leaf Rating could soar to Five pretty rapidly so keep up the innovative work Robbie Adrian! ♥love♥

My Earth Too Is Doing Their Part in Creating a Trendy Green Planet

As I mentioned yesterday, The Chuckie Goodnight Foundation is a not for profit based in Brewster, New York that is committed to a better Earth and they complete this goal by educating our children. In a bold move to even further spread this vibe, founder Cherie Ingraham co-founded My Earth Too.

The company is committed to creating clothing made out of organic cotton. They sent me two shirts to check out -- a Men’s XL and a Women’s L. At first I was concerned that the shirt was going to be huge and I might have to borrow a ‘how to reconstruct a tee shirt’ book from a friend but when I put it on I found that it actually was fairly snug, and I am usually a small! I wondered -- perhaps they sent a youth L by mistake? Either way, it fit fine and was so comfortable; I gave the XL to Matt.

Made from 100% organic cotton, the fabric is very soft. The graphic logo takes up most of the front of the shirt but is primarily an Earth that has been reshaped to form a heart so it is attractive and pretty cool to show off.

They indicate the desire to make organic clothing an affordable option and they mean it. Only logo items are available online for clothing pieces (all other items with and without a logo can be purchased in a retail store) and they range from $12 - $18 depending on the item.

Overall the mission of Chuckie Goodnight, with My Earth Too as the clothing pioneer in supporting that effort, is a great one and I am granting a Three Leaf Rating to My Earth Too!

Thanks for setting the trend in the right direction My Earth Too, I will look forward to seeing your items in lots of stores in my area! ♥love♥

The EcoBags Series -- Day Three: Reusable Canvas Bags

In the final day of our continuing series I am going to be reviewing this super sturdy canvas bag that EcoBags has sent me to try out. It is a fun bag and definitely does the job.

You probably all remember I reviewed another reusable bag in the past; for trips to the grocery store that would still be my first choice because it has the reinforced square bottom but this canvas bag from EcoBags is going right into my car so I don’t forget it when shopping for everything else!

The straps impressed me because they are long enough to go over my shoulder. Most canvas bags only provide hand held sized straps so this will be ideal when out walking around a fall festival or craft fair or even at the mall. The seams on his bag are double stitched to avoid fraying, just like their produce bags.

Also the same as with the produce bags, the more of these that are purchased, the price will come down. One bag sells for $16.00 but two or more are only $13.99 each. For a printed and unlined canvas shoulder bag I was impressed with the price point. Additionally, a portion of the purchase price is donated to the Environmental Media Association.

This is just one of many options available in the canvas bag line; the printed line alone offers twenty fun designs. All the canvas bags are created from responsibly harvested cotton and this one in particular is 100% organic.

I am a little concerned at the cost, as I have seen bags that have more pockets and a similar size selling for less.

Overall I am thoroughly excited to have my car canvas tote to ensure I never go with paper or plastic again and feel this bag is deserving of a Four Leaf Rating!

Thanks for keeping a responsible eye on the planet through use of your socially and environmentally responsible practices and products EcoBags, I can not thank you enough for the opportunity to test out your cool products! ♥love♥

Eco Fashion Friday Featured Designer Bamboo Couture

Pink ruffles, skin hugging fabric, dresses and undies. These articles rarely conjure up visions of the bamboo plant but the ultra mod company Bamboo Couture, based out of Los Angeles, California and run by Tanya Marie, is making their mark on the fashion industry by changing all of that!

These folks carry dresses, Capri pants, gloves, bloomers, bra tops and tank tops in their line. The current offerings could not be more feminine as the latest collection includes a flirty ruffle on every piece they sell.

In addition to organic bamboo, some of the other materials utilized in creating their funky fashions are organic cotton and low percentages of spandex. Embellishments tend to be sourced from recycled materials and they even claim to use as minimal (or recycled) packaging as possible for shipping. Speaking of, they will ship anywhere in the world!

As far as price is concerned they are surprisingly moderate for an eco-couture collection line but it is still a bit out of range for the everyday gal. Their most expensive item is the Dreamcatcher dress at $198 and prices go down to $32 for the gloves.

The available items are somewhat limited as most collection couture tends to be but each piece does come in a variety of sizes and colors which helps to somewhat expand the options.

With all of this in mind I am granting a Four Leaf Rating to Bamboo Couture!

Thanks for keeping an eye on the planet while still providing some seriously funky fashions Bamboo Couture! ♥love♥

Musician Seth Glier Gets a Little Green on Tour

Everyday more and more musicians are getting on board with the fact that touring Greener is not as tough as one might think so when I read about Seth Glier making the jump I was totally excited to feature his story.

My mom turned me onto Seth’s music some time ago after seeing him in Marblehead. My mom played his cd Space for me in the car and I was blown away. Not a chance this kid was only about seventeen, his voice was amazing! I became an instant fan and started following him on Facebook right away.

About a week ago I saw his update that he was about to kick off this tour dubbed G3 - Glier Goes Green: Offsetting the Trouble Tour. I was completely intrigued and looked into it. Turns out, not only is Seth doing all he can to create a 100% carbon neutral tour, he is asking his concertgoers to do the same.

Some of the awesome initiatives include:

☼ Using recycled or sustainable papers for marketing materials
☼ Soy/veggie inks and sustainable fabrics (organic cotton, hemp, bamboo) for all tees
☼ Purchasing energy credits (wind power) to offset his carbon emissions
☼ Using email as opposed to paper
☼ Touring in a Hybrid vehicle
☼ Reusing cups/plates/utensils instead of disposable options
☼ Visiting Farmer’s Markets and other local produce vendors at every stop on tour
☼ Guiding concertgoers to a forum where they can discuss carpooling to shows
☼ The Trouble Makers (street team coming soon) meeting with fans to plant trees locally

In addition to these solid efforts Seth and his street team kicked off their Green tour in Athol, Massachusetts by literally getting a down and dirty by planting trees, flowers and shrubs in Fish Park. He invited his fans to bring their own shovel and plant of choice then pitch in to not only beautify the town but to add some oxygen into the air. Hooray!

This tour continues through, well it appears next year on his website! He has tour dates posted all the way up through the 2010 South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in March.

I hope that the Green efforts Seth and all are initiating this month as they hit the road to rock this amazing country will continue on every day. Thanks for being a forward thinking member of the musical community Seth, I greatly look forward to checking out the show this fall at one of your many Massachusetts locations!
♥love♥

Eco Fashion Friday Featured Designer Enuwbe

As a member of Team Eco Etsy it pleases me to locate and feature other team members who showcase their amazing work, so when I came across Enuwbe’s shop I was immediately impressed. Using only organic, sustainable and recycled or reused items throughout the shop, Jen states that she is attempting to toss absolutely nothing into a landfill. Nice!

Personally, I am a nut for comfy clothing - cotton, bamboo, any fabric that is soft and will move with my body - so to see that organic cotton is the number one material of choice here definitely draws me right in. Normally I need to touch an item but for some reason I can just tell how comfortable these clothes will be simply from a photo. It makes me want to curl up and drink some Yerba maté tea on a cool fall morning, come home from the beach all cozy and comfy, or cover up after a relaxing yoga class. Simple comfort.

Enuwbe has the right idea with shipping by utilizing recycled materials of all kinds from business cards to shipping boxes. When selecting the fabrics she uses, Jen does not simply see that it is organic cotton and grab a bolt, she researches the company for their own sustainability and consciousness prior to purchasing. Then she utilizes every last scrap of material she purchases by creating the item, using scraps for appliqués and the teeny pieces unusable for clothing she turns into stuffing for pet beds. Very cool.

My one and only concern is the cost of her items. Not to say that for the time and effort Jen puts into this shop and each hand made piece that the prices are not reasonable, they are, just for the average gal they are a touch high. Most tops hover in the $40 - $69 range, dresses and skirts from $65 - $95, pants $47 - $69 and her cuffs are $14 (they have a pocket too, sweet). There are also maternity clothes, shorts, accessories and one formal dress available in the shop.

With such a strong focus on the planet and sustainability I am awarding Enuwbe a Four Leaf Rating!

Keep up the amazing work Jen, I can not wait to test drive that hoodie pictured above!
♥love♥

Eco Fashion Friday Featured Designer Revenge Is

Last week I featured the Revenge Is tee as part of the Eco Fashion Friday series and while researching the company I was so utterly impressed that I knew they deserved their own review and feature!


Right away the tag line “Making activism fashionable” greets you as you enter their website. They could not be more right on. Utilizing organic cotton in their tees is just the beginning. How about recycling 3-5 plastic bottles and after melting them down turning it into a fiber that creates clothing. Not a joke, these folks are using upwards of 65% RPET (recycled plastic) in their shirts. A market tote they sell is 100% RPET, now that is eco-fashion! They create tees for men, women and kids to spread the word about environmentally responsible practices.

One might think the cost for such innovative design would be through the roof but overall their price is right in line with other graphic tee designers as they hover in the $30 range. Not bad for keeping a whole bunch of plastic out of landfills. The shirts are screen printed using soy based inks and the children’s tees also contain no PVC, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Heavy Metal, or APEO to ensure the health of kids.

Then there is the shipping method they use -- all tees are shipped in Tyvek bags to reduce weight, potential of damage and conserve space on the delivery trucks. Oh yeah and they encourage reuse of the bags by turning them inside out but if you don’t want to they allow for returns of the bag so they can properly recycle it either at Tyvek’s facility in Virginia or at Revenge Is offices in Los Angeles, California.

The way I see it, Revenge Is…a Five Leaf Rating! Top honors for such a top notch company doing all they can to make a difference in this eco fight.

Keep on keeping on and get your Revenge! ♥love♥

Eco Fashion Friday Feature This One Is For the Dudes!

There have already been ten featured artists in our continuing Eco-Fashion Friday series but only a couple of those designers were guy approved and some of my male readers may have begun to wonder if good planetary fashion sense was relegated solely to the ladies. Not at all! So in an effort to share some of the funky and cool designers I have discovered for the Earth conscious boys out there, I am going to pull an entire outfit together, literally from head to toe, and you can let me know what you think. My Leaf Rating at the end is going to be my own interpretation of the collective awesomeness of this outfit and I am also assigning a 'brief review' Leaf Rating to each piece and the designer who constructed it. OK let’s get our guy style on!

Of course the first thing every hip dude needs is a really great hat for those days where he wants to be noticed. This one by U.S. based company Miller Hats, in a classic black and white houndstooth pattern, can easily dress up or down. Since it is made from 100% wool it is good for the planet as well. An easy Three and a Half Leaf rating!


Heading out does not always mean a T-shirt, this button up hemp and cotton blend long sleeve shirt from Emmett Brown is a clear Four Leaf effort from brand Planet Earth! They focus on outerwear and accessories, not to mention the planet.

Off to a meeting and need to spiff up? How about wearing this Three Leaf rated necktie from Me and Matilda? It is cotton and washable and they ship everywhere! Don’t like the pattern? They have eight pages of awesomeness in their shop, sure to please everyone; even bowties!

(Don’t forget after the meeting is over to strip the tie and unbutton the shirt to reveal your killer Blend Apparel graphic Tee!)

No guy’s outfit would be complete without a nice pair of sturdy pants. How about a twist on the standard blue jean and go with these Duck Pants from Patagonia. Made from organic cotton by a company who states “we seek to build the best product and cause no unnecessary harm” I’d say these are worth at least a Three and a Half Leaf rating!

Um, can someone say Five Leaf Rating? Hemp and organic cotton upper, recycled tires for the sole, recycled plastic laces, certified Vegan, post consumer recycled paper forms, water based glue, even the box is made from post consumer recycled content and soy based inks. Oh and they are cheaper than that brand they will remind you of. And of course they’re hot. Visit Simple to check out all their shoes (women’s too!).

Though flip flops or sandals are comfortable those shoes need a nice comfy pair of socks. How about this offering from HT Naturals in 100% bamboo fiber? They come in natural (shown) or black. This company is killer in their eco-mission and even aiming for carbon neutrality on shipping. A Four and a Half Leaf Rating is in order!

While perusing the sock collection from HT Naturals why not check out some boxers made partially from soy and organic cotton?

Does it get cooler than recycled inner tubes? Only when it is turned into a funky belt and this belt is a fun addition to the already hip outfit above.

Want to see how it looks all together (minus the accessories)? Yes I had a little time on my hands so I compiled this in Photoshop. Not too bad huh?

Overall the average Leaf Rating on this outfit is hovering somewhere around a Four Leaf Rating with some higher and some lower of course but all of these companies are striving to make a difference in the world of men’s fashion by their materials, shipping methods, price, environmental practices, fabric selections and a whole slew of additional ways.

Now admit it ladies, wouldn’t you notice this guy walking down the street? And once you found out he was sporting such planet friendly gear wouldn’t you find him that much more awesome? Get Green guys! ♥love♥

Eco Fashion Friday: Follow-up With Jon Marro of Blend Apparel

As promised yesterday here is the interview with Jon Marro from Blend Apparel.

I've had the distinct honor of interviewing Jon a couple of times in the past and I keep reaching out because he's such a positive force in the eco-fashion world. Not to mention the man is just an all around open and honest business owner who truly cares about what he does and how he shares his passions with the world. 

Please take a minute to say hello or give him a virtual high-five at the end of the post!


It's been a while since we last spoke, how have things changed for Blend Apparel in the last year? 

Things are truly amazing. Orders are more consistent; we have a few new designs and discontinued a few others. We also have a super big-hearted and phenomenally devoted intern named Julz. So she's been really freeing me up with answering emails, doing product research, and shipping out orders and the corresponding love notes we send. This of course has allowed me to stay creative, and focus more on the visionary aspects of the company-which I am so grateful for. Basically, we've grown and broadened our "communi-tee" -some of whom you can see on our website gallery. 

How has the economic crunch in California impacted you personally or professionally or both? 
Honestly we haven't noticed a difference at all. Things around here have been steady. Sure we have our good weeks and our not as good weeks, but overall-we can proudly say we're still doing really well. I feel at times like this people actually want to be a part of something transformative. Something that questions the ways things haven't been working so efficiently (whether it's the financial or political systems, expressing love, generosity, self-worth, or any other issue Blend tries to have its wearers and viewers consider). 

As an artist and human-I'm always looking at the whys of the way things are, and I try to offer up questions for different, more "heart-minded" views on life. Really it’s the famines, the wars, the recessions that really call me into action. I can see they are all results of some kind of fear or perceived scarcity. I'm acutely aware that there's no less money in the world right now. The money didn't go anywhere. It's all still out there-people are just holding more tightly on to it. Thus, it's not flowing. 

So yes. The economic crunch has totally affected me as someone who's sensitive to global issues. But this is the stuff that really fans my creative fire and gives birth to new ideas and images. Also, I feel it really gives us all an opportunity to shift our resource reliance on community versus bank or institution. 

Carpool, share groceries, clothes swap. Instead of "mine. mine. mine." It can become "ours." I truly feel the only way out of a lot of the knots we've collectively got ourselves into is by getting past our individual (and limiting) beliefs and [come] together in a unified stand for what best serves the whole.

Are you finding an increased awareness in the Green movement is also leading to an increase in understanding what Blend is all about?
Whether it’s "the green movement" or just people  starting to wake up-I'm so thrilled it's happening. People are becoming way more self-aware and privy to ways they can make a difference, and that our planet needs a difference made. I feel there's a cultural and I'd go as far as to say, global inherited belief that "I don't matter." So we have all these people running around the globe thinking they don't matter, what they say doesn't matter, and what they do doesn't matter. It's no wonder the planet is in the state it's in.

So for me personally, I think it's awesome that it's currently hip to be green. There's always been a green movement. I live in Berkeley, and I promise you it's still alive and well. I'm glad it's found some limelight through celebrities and the media.

I've also heard people say that green is just [a] trend and that it too is has been over-commodified. That now we'll have a new problem of a zillion METAL water bottles as opposed to plastic ones. And honestly, I can see their point. The green movement can become like anything else if we're not committed to creating a sustainable system for it. A system that naturally creates a future for us (and future generations) to live into, not just creating more products.

For us, we feel t-shirts and living more sustainably never go out of style. Our shirts are designed to really just teach ways of BEING. BEING more loving. BEING more generous. BEING more aware. So while I am all for the green movement, our commitment is to who we're being about our lives.

It's my belief that the being gives way to the doing, and not vice versa. For example: using green materials (the doing) doesn't necessarily make you committed to the environment. BEING committed to sustainability and the planet's future will naturally transform the doing/using green resources. Again, this isn't "true" it's just the practice I feel gives me a powerful place to lead and create from.

Speaking of creating, now that more people are creating clothing from bamboo have you considered increasing the use of this fiber, or are you happy with the current, literal, Blend?
I love the feel of the material. The blend of 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton that we're currently using, we've found holds up better. Being a product oriented company, we're completely committed to giving our customers the best product we can find with the greenest possible materials. I'm always open to new ideas, but really am more concerned with the footprint we're leaving then trendiness.

What is your favorite new design & why do you love it so much?
I love the reciprocity shirt. It's SO brilliant to me. You can't tell if the hand on the left is placing the love in the palm of the hand on the right or taking from it. It's this infinite give and take. A cosmic sharing.

What has been your greatest personal or professional achievement in the last year?
Jason Mraz (part owner with myself and our other friend Jeff Goss) wore the “?eace” shirt on American Idol. There were 80 million+ viewers who watched that show and thus saw my shirt***. That's pretty amazing to think about. And to be honest to continue to have people such as yourself interested in what we're up to-lets me know we're up to pretty cool things. We've had people hand write us letters thanking us for all we do, and almost daily emails with similar sentiments. It's amazing.

***Editor's note -- At about :25 there is a sweet shot where Jason’s jacket opens on the way down the stairs & the shirt is in full view. Yippie!




How does it make you feel to see so many people send in pictures of themselves wearing one of your shirts, be it celebrity or everyday normal guy?

I love it. That’s the whole point of this crazy/foolish project. To plant as many seeds of love and awareness as possible. So that the wearers become beacons and seeds of transformation. Spreading smiles and ponderings across the land.

Honestly it's a dream come true. It's so cool-that I get to wake up everyday and walk into a world I helped create. I really am so proud of the work I do.

What is the furthest from California you have shipped a shirt?
We've had some Indonesia and South Korea [shipments] out there. Australia too. And Chile. We're on 5 continents so far. I'd love to get onto Antarctica without the help of global warming. It's not exactly t-shirt weather there so we may just have to offer some Blend parkas or mittens or something.

What kind of new stuff is on the horizon for the second half of 2009? Do you see the company growing?
New stickers. A few new tees. And it’s my goal to have a hoodie for the holiday season. I totally see the company growing and I had an insight recently, where I realized I've been waiting for Blend to "get big" or for it to be discovered some how. Within that realization I decided that I wasn't living very powerfully and am choosing to take on passionately inspiring and enrolling people in the possibility of Blend.

To invite our fans to take on spreading the word and help create the world we want to live in. I see this whole crazy experiment as my responsibility as an artist to fill the world with as many smiles as possible. So yeah, if I were to go all algorithmic on you, my calculation for 2009 would be something like this: more shirts + more smiles = more love.

Please visit Blend Apparel and help spread Jon's message of love!

Yes I Am Already Talking About Tomorrow

A few weeks ago on our second Eco Fashion Friday, I featured a company called Blend Apparel, owned and operated by the incredibly awesome and loving Jon Marro out in Berkeley, California. I discussed that Jon was gracious enough to allow me to interview him last summer when I was writing for another blog, The Organic Mechanic, so I contacted him to see if he would be interested in doing a follow up interview; a where are they now if you will. Not only was Jon receptive to the idea he was just about as overjoyed to get and respond to the questions as I was to create and send them!

This guy is one amazing interviewee so I wanted to somewhat pimp the interview in advance by sharing the fact that he was kind enough to take his time to do it.

Seriously, if there is only one Eco Fashion Friday you ever read, make it tomorrow.

I am also going to request a little help from readers tomorrow as well as a way to share in that love. When you get to the end of the interview, if your heart is swelled as much as I think it will be, I am going to ask for everyone to grab a copy of the thumbnail with the Blend logo and link back to the GLR interview post as a way to continue to spread that love all over the blogosphere! All of you fine readers have readers that I don’t have and I truly feel that everyone should be able to share in Jon’s words.

Yes I am serious, and tomorrow you will understand just what I mean.

Thanks Jon, I am greatly looking forward to posting all of your awesomeness tomorrow!

♥love♥

Eco-Fashion Friday Featured Designer - Green Is Black

Summer. Cabanas. Warm weather and fruity drinks by the pool or seashore. Suntan lotion and surfing. Ah yes, and in every one of these scenarios the all important bathing suit creeps in. While on the search for environmentally conscious swimwear I came across Green is Black, a company who carries just about any type of clothing imaginable (up to and including Vegan footwear) for both men and women. On their homepage I was immediately impressed as they boldly state to provide “Liberation from the burlap cliché”. In reviewing their entire collection it is clear they mean it!

With swimsuit season on the way my intent is to focus on this particular collection but for the guys out there please do not be disheartened! There is an entire line of clothing for men including pants, shorts, T’s (really cool graphic ones at that), vests, jackets and even button up collar shirts. Check out the men’s line here. For the ladies who dare to bare all in a bikini this summer, read on for my review of Green is Black’s swimwear.


The company offers the above bikini which really impressed me as it is created from repurposed denim outer and the lining is made from both organic cotton and bamboo fibers (known for antibacterial and absorption properties). The company is Canadian and the item is made in Canada, reducing emissions for transportation. What I was happy to see on this item is the availability of sizes in small, medium and large as I discovered on many of their items (both men’s and women’s) there is only one size available. The starting price point for this bikini was $78 but it has been marked down to $68. In doing a little research I had a difficult time finding any swimwear made from or including bamboo fiber or organic cotton. Denim was also somewhat difficult to track down; I wanted to do a realistic price comparison. Instead I opted to review specialty swimsuit sites and it became clear that the cost for the suit by GiB is well within reasonable for a custom design as I found suits anywhere from $50 - $280!

Overall I am fairly impressed by Green is Black and if I had the bod to pull it off I might even consider donning this baby on the beach this summer. For their strong environmental efforts and decent price as well as total company eye on ethical treatment of employees I am granting their swimwear line a Four Leaf Rating!

I might not be able to work your bikini but I will definitely be back to check out the rest of your amazing eco-friendly fashions! ♥love♥

The Feeling is Good Society and the Word Is Denim

Its eco-fashion Friday again, where do the weeks go?! In my quest for eco-fashion this week I inadvertently stumbled across an organization called Good Society and what I discovered about these folks really impressed me. They have a few divisions including: Pathos Water, Deconstruction Reconstruction, Fannypack and the division I will be reviewing today -- Sling and Stones which is all about denim for both men and women.


What sets the company Sling & Stones apart in the world of denim is their use of American grown, handpicked organic cotton to make their Supima denim, as it is a rare but natural fiber. In addition to the organic fiber, the indigo dyes are all natural and ozone friendly washes are utilized to finish each piece. The fiber is hand loomed at a small Japanese mill and the jeans are then constructed back in Seattle. Oh and did I mention that the rivets are created from 24K gold?

This should lead into the cost quite nicely (and it is the only draw back I could find because the company supports charities worldwide), each pair will set you back $260 - $350. The price is steep but if you are a lover of soft, easy to break in, last forever, high end denim, then the price will be well worth it knowing the environmental benefit each pair possesses.

With their efforts to employ workers in Peru, donate to such charities as suicide prevention in Japan and their use of organic and Fair Trade materials, Sling & Stones is on the cutting edge of eco-fashion awesomeness. I am granting the company a Three Leaf Rating simply due to the price point which would be out of reach to so many.

I will be keeping my eye on both Sling & Stones as well as Good Society as trail blazers in the eco-fashion world. Keep up the great work! ♥love♥

Eco Fashion Friday Featured Designer Jon Marro of Blend Apparel

Finally something for all the guys out there as well as the gals! The last couple Eco-fashion Fridays were definitely for the environmental gals but this week I am giving a major shout to Blend Apparel. This company is founded on one thing -- love. Love for each other, the planet, comfort and originality. How much more awesome does it get than that?

Jon Marro, Founder, Owner and all around Blend Apparel Guru, creates T-shirts from organic cotton and bamboo fibers using environmentally friendly inks/dyes and printing methods. Did I mention the company’s servers are also run using wind power? Did I also mention I have had the pleasure of interviewing Jon before? He shares a passion for art and how “iconography” can bring the world together. And it is all done with enormous love.


The average cost online for a plain old bamboo fiber or organic cotton T-shirt falls in the range of about $20, so considering there is a conceptual graphic design, applied using an eco-friendly processes on each shirt, the average price point of about $25 is well within reasonable. Never mind the fact I have spent more than that on a shirt from a concert which lasted half as long and was less than half as comfortable.

In all honesty I have read through their entire website (a few times actually, go ahead, call me a groupie) and attempted to find something wrong but Jon has such a big heart for the Earth it spills out all over his designs and I have no choice but to grant the company the very honorable Five Leaf Rating!

Keep up the amazing work Jon and we will keep spreading the word.
♥love♥