Really.

With population growth, industrialization and limited resources, access to freshwater has become a crisis. 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water – that’s more than one out of six people. Every 20 seconds a child dies from a water-related illness. Water is such an issue that it is a key component in achieving the United Nation’s Millenium Development Goals.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

So far, the winter of 2011-2012 ranks as the fifth-warmest on record. And if temperatures continue to hover around the 40s through February, we’re set to break that record. For some, winter is as full throttle as it always has been. In fact, in some parts of the world, winter is even more hellish than it’s ever been. For those of you craving that white stuff, here’s some pretty reminders of what you could have if you were in the right place.

Green jean, baby.

In 1873, Levi Strauss & Company invented the first blue jeans, a durable pair of trousers that could hold up to the task of constructing America. The rest is history. Today, Levi’s 501 jeans are the world’s best-selling item of clothing, and the blue jean, whether skinny or bell-bottomed, has been a global fashion staple for as long as most of us can remember.

From debugging the grill of your car to cleaning pots and pans, there’s more than one way to use a dryer sheet. 

You’ve probably heard the tip about putting dryer sheets in your vacuum or bottom of the trash can to keep things smelling fresh. You haven’t? Well, it’s true. And here are ten additional ways of fluffing up your abode with downy freshness (we always suggest using non-toxic dryer sheets!)

The Fall/Winter 2012 presentation from Crop by David Peck featured versatile dresses, separates, and evening gowns inspired by the designer’s personal history. 

For his latest collection, designer David Peck went home, both metaphorically with his design inspiration and literally with his garment production.

The Fall/Winter 2012 presentation for Crop by David Peck, held at the LEED-certified Crosby Street Hotel,  featured designs inspired by the multiple layers and textures contained in his background and that of his wife. The idea struck during a visit to New York’s Lower East Side Tenement Museum, where the restored homes of former immigrants ignited an interest in the couple’s own history.

10 top eco-friendly picks for a weekend away from this month’s Fashion sponsor, Clary Sage Organics.

Clary Sage Organics‘ Co-owner, Patti Cazzato, spent over 20 years in the retail industry honing her chops with the likes of industry giants like the Gap and Levi’s before starting her own consciously curated company with partner Daniel Kalish.

“We believe in empowering people to live healthy, thoughtful, and ecologically responsible lives,” says Patti. “Toward that end, our store serves as a center for holistic wellness, offering the best organic fashions, sustainable beauty products, and a comprehensive array of time-honored natural medicine programs.”

That’s what we call a sustainably rounded business.

Almonds, salmon, blueberries and 17 more foods that will make you more alert, energetic and ready to take on the world.

It’s three in the afternoon, your energy is flagging and all you want to do is take a nap, but instead you have to sit through a boring meeting. While you could just have a second – or seventh – cup of coffee, you could also have some pumpkin seeds, an apple, a few red bell pepper slices with hummus or a piece of dark chocolate. These 20 foods can help relieve fatigue, sharpen your focus and give you the jolt of energy that you need to avoid falling asleep at your desk.

What’s your nude?

Adding yet another thing to the list of stuff white people take for granted: Undergarments that more or less match their skin tones. While I distinctly remember thinking the “nude” crayon in my big box of Crayolas seemed strange (and indeed, after public outcry, it was changed), and that “skin-colored” bandaids were anything but for darker people’s scraped knees or banged thumbs, I never thought about lingerie. That’s probably because I’m white.