Planning a graduation party, family reunion, or just a backyard barbecue with a few friends? Grill up a tasty feast without the big carbon footprint.

If you’re planning a Memorial Day cookout, big or small, you’re probably tempted to reach for the old standbys: paper plates, plastic cutlery, canned beverages, and packaged meats. Unfortunately, along with ease and convenience, these American barbecue staples come with a lot of unnecessary waste and negative environmental impacts.

With a little planning and some flexibility, you can plan a gorgeous cookout with delicious food that …

With the increased popularity of natural and organic skincare and cosmetic ranges fueled by some well known celebrities even launching their own lines, there has been more attention drawn to the many harmful ingredients in everyday personal care products like nail polish, and the benefits of going ‘chemical free’.

Most of us are becoming more mindful of what we are putting on our faces each morning, but one cosmetic item that perhaps hasn’t been in the spotlight, is nail polish. With summer soon upon …

Not all sunscreens are created equal.

Every summer for the past decade, the media has issued staunch advisories reminding consumers to wear sunscreen. But this year, their tone has changed. Studies are showing that not only are many sunscreens filled with potentially harmful chemicals, but also that sunscreen wearers can actually be more susceptible to dangerous skin cancer strains like melanoma. Too much time in the sun can increase the risk of damage, but too little can lead to vitamin D deficiencies. What gives? This week’s Behind The Label …

ColumnChoosing simplicity in what we eat.

Last week, I wrote an article about what ingredients may or may not be regulars in your shopping cart. You know, beetle shells and all that. As often happens on the internet, it did illicit quite a few comments, many of them defensive. I had worded it carefully, and ultimately, in my mind, the point of the piece was not to say “if you eat X you are also consuming Y and Z,” but to be a reminder of all the potential things that …

The summer may be a time to shine, but the season also poses a threat to the vitality of your skin, hair, and body.

Sun and heat exposure can make your skin flaky and pigmented, your hair dry, and your body sluggish. The following 5 summer tips to keep your skin, hair, and body beautiful are just what you need to keep in mind in battling the season’s elements.

1. Eat and Apply Antioxidants

According to research, antioxidants may very well …

Tempting style lovers out of the mall and into museums for a low-impact fashion experience, fashion-focused  museum exhibits are increasingly entertainment-driven.

Beyond last week’s red carpet fashion frenzy–the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as the “Met Ball”–the event marked the opening of the Costume Institute’s latest exhibit: “Punk: Chaos to Couture.”

Since the MET’s landmark Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty show attracted huge crowds in 2011, museum programming committees have got the message and planned more fashion-themed exhibits. Capturing the imaginations of fashion’s growing …

Stylish camping essentials to pack for your camping trip this summer.

Summer is essentially here, and for outdoorsy types that means one thing — camping. We’re dreaming of hitting the road in a stylish Cricket Trailer or eco-chic VW Microbus. But a nice little tent will do as well, as long as it’s pitched in a gorgeous spot with …

Italian fashion label Pinko teams up with Fashion for Development (F4D) to nurture artisan traditions and develop economic independence in Ethiopia.

Pinko’s most recent fashion foray was initiated by Italian ethical fashion ambassadress Marina Spadafora, who collaborated with the label to create a collection of ethnically designed handbags. Spadafora’s inspiration came from the lively body painting traditions of the Omo Valley people in southern Ethiopia, which she discovered through Hans Silverster’s photography of the area. The result of her work is a refreshing take on the tribal trend in the form of tote bags and sweatshirts handmade from 100 percent African cotton.