Whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall, fresh food art is always in season. From juicy fruits to earthy acorns, we’ve got you covered with five delectable pieces to incorporate into your closet this season.

1. Lemon Print Pointed Hem Skort by Topshop, $68

A little sweet, a little bit tart, this adorable skort (pictured above) is the perfect addition to any wardrobe. Its color palette harmoniously complements any season with pops of sprightly-hued yellow and muted shades of green. Edgy  but tasteful, the chic pointed faux-wrap hemline gives the wearer all the sass and none of the worry that can come from a gusty breeze. When life gives you lemons, wear them.

2. Apple of Abundance Charm Bangle by Alex and Ani, $28

Fruit charms on jewelry never seem to go out of style. Year after year, we see these cute, little fresh foods dangling from earrings and necklaces, adding just the right amount of sweetness to an ensemble. This Alex and Ani bangle is no different. It’s simple and versatile enough to be worn with any outfit either alone or stacked with multiple bracelets. It has a super easy adjustable clasp that slides for the perfect fit and is available in a silver or gold tone. Be sure to rock this bangle on a trip to the apple orchards this fall!

3. After 5 Clutch by Mary Frances, $285

Grapes are inherently fancy. They were fed from the vine to gods and goddesses of millenia past and they’re the main ingredients in most bottles of wine today. So it’s only appropriate that they would be highlighted in a food art design on this most lavish clutch by Mary Frances. Embroidered with floral accents and heavily embellished with prestigious, three dimensional bead-work, this clutch is the absolute perfect accessory to take out on the town á la Carrie Bradshaw. It features a clasp closure, is fully lined inside, and also comes with a beaded shoulder chain for hands-free comfort.

4. Cold Shoulder Print Dress by Jean Paul Gaultier, $550

This sleek, sophisticated dress has all the makings of nature’s bounty: fresh foods and florals. Made in Italy, it’s graceful silhouette is balanced nicely with the modern shoulder cut-out detail and sheer overlay. It’s fully lined and slips right on which is ideal if you need to look sharp and are in a rush to get out the door. The flashy yellow of the lemons and roses accompanied with deep tones of red and slate-blue make this dress an amazing transitional piece to have in any closet.

5. Cable Collectibles Acorn Charm with Pearl by David Yurman, $150

Nothing says fall quite like this stylish acorn necklace charm. Wear it and bring on the nostalgia of total coziness and pumpkin spice everything. The humble acorn has been given a major makeover in this charm featuring a bleached white cultured freshwater pearl set in sterling silver. With great adaptability, this charm is a clip-on and can be worn on any chain to complement any style or outfit choice.

Browse and shop all of the foodie inspired pieces here:

What’s your favorite way to incorporate food art into your wardrobe? 

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The post 5 Food Art Inspired Stylish Wardrobe Ideas to Bring the Table to Your Closet appeared first on EcoSalon.

The carry-all gets an upgrade: vegan backpacks are all the rage and for good reason.

Out of the way simple, basic bags! Backpacks are taking over the world and we’re totally jazzed about it. The past few seasons have been boasting some pretty stylish, inventive, and functional designs, proving to be much more versatile than a purse. Can you say “hands free?!”

And now, you can wear it in style and without any guilt as these vegan backpacks are gorgeous and functional.

1. Vegan Convertible Backpack by Free People

Nothing says biker babe chic quite like this backpack (pictured at top)! Constructed of black vegan leather, free-flowing fringe and studs, this one is an absolute showstopper. With its removable and adjustable straps, it can alter into a backpack or a purse to fit whatever mood you’re in with perfect storage inside for the essentials of a night out: id, money, phone, and lipstick. Throw on your favorite pair of distressed denim jeans and a white tee and hit the town looking super badass.

Free People, $108

2. Prim Lady Backpack by French Connection

For the girl who’s more of a minimalist, you’ve just found the perfect mate in a backpack. This vegan backpack is perfect for on-the-go purposes without sacrificing style. With its “top-down” zipper closure and flat based bottom, you can toss your iPad, some fashion mags, and a notebook in the main compartment and drop your phone and keys into the two cotton slip pockets located inside. You can run about town, coffee in hand, and take the world by storm without missing a beat. Choose from colors white, black floral, and hazel.

Check it out here. $88

3. ‘Betsy’ Faux Leather Backpack by Emperia

If you like to travel, be sure to bring this little gem as your companion. The smooth cognac shade of brown vegan leather and zipper tassels add a cool western vibe while the scalloped detailing and metal hardware in the studs and carrying handle make it a bit more savvy. This backpack contains tons of storage with interior and exterior pockets and a zipped enclosure on the front. The easy-access side pockets located on the outside make it perfect for temporarily storing your phone or passport. Why would you ever leave home without this amazingly convenient backpack?!

Available here, $48

4. Super Embellished Convertible Backpack Purse by Rusty Spur Couture

Ever wonder why your crazy grandma kept a box full of random buttons in her drawer? Maybe she wasn’t so crazy after all because this button embellished backpack/purse combo is pretty marvelous. Shying away from the typical, grittier studs we normally see on everything, we get a daintier version of edgy. Made of super soft vegan leather, this cool contraption can change functions in a snap! It can go from a backpack to a purse with just one slide of a strap. It has a secure closure with a drawstring and a flap that folds down and even has a pocket inside perfect to fit a phone in. It can be purchased in a sleek black or creamy white color. Don’t go stealing grandma’s buttons now…

Open Sky, $89.99

5. Rosalind Backpack by Free People

This backpack is all about the free-spirited, gypsy wanderer. Comprised of an indigenous printed fabric with vegan leather accents, the overall essence is a true boho vibe. The gunmetal hardware and toggle clasps make it a great accessory for adventure whether you’re hiking a trail or hanging around a bonfire with your best buds. It’s an amazing carry-on for travel as well because of the side cargo pockets and a hidden zippered pocket on the back. So grab this backpack and go exploring in style!

Free People, $298

6. Nosis Backpack by Aldo

Most of us are always looking for clothing and accessories that can easily transition our ultra busy lives from day to night without a hitch. This sleek and stylish backpack achieves just that, all the time, every day, every night. You can easily go from the office to happy hour without delay. Oh, and the compartments are endless! The drawstring closure opens to reveal interior zip and slip pockets and is equipped with a flat base to neatly hold your belongings. Then on the outside you have two buckled front pockets and the fold-over flap doubles as storage as well! Also extremely versatile, this is another backpack/purse blend complete with a top carrying strap and removable arm straps. It is available in either black or brown. This backpack was made for flaunting and that’s just what it will do!

Get it here. $50

7. ‘Cynnie’ Sling Backpack by Elizabeth and James

Those Olsens always know exactly what they’re doing. The design concept behind this creation is imaginative and super cool. You can wear this backpack three different ways: as a purse, slung over your shoulder, or the obvious, as a backpack. There’s something simple yet so originative about this backpack. The structure and drawstring closure emit chic simplicity, but then you have the folky woven print and the vegan leather tassel that pulls down to reveal a whole front exterior pocket… It’s just too cool in the best sort of way. You also don’t need to worry about quick wear and tear of the backpack because it comes with protective metal feet on the bottom. Olsens, you’ve done it again. And we’re so glad you did.

Check it out. $545

Check out and shop all of these cool vegan leather backpack packs below. Happy shopping!

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How many times has it been jammed down your throat that coconut oil is absolutely, positively the most amazing miracle oil to ingest and slather all over your body? More times than you’d care to count, I’m sure. But is it really true? Is coconut oil good for your skin or just a crock of coconut sh… You know where I’m going with this.

It works wonders, they told me. It’s great to use as a facial moisturizer, they said. So now here I am with a face I almost don’t recognize. Who does this skin belong to? Certainly not me. I did everything they said. I followed steps and regimens. But alas, this is my skin… My comedone sprinkled and inflamed skin. It’s pretty upsetting when you’ve gone most of your life having primarily flawless skin. Then it finally dawned on me one day. Nothing else in my beauty regimen had changed except… My moisturizer. I caught myself staring in the mirror, bewildered and perplexed, asking myself: “Is coconut oil good for your skin or have you just made a grave mistake?!”

Upon my frantic internet research, desperate for an answer, I came to terms with the unfortunate fact that not nearly enough websites or blogs acknowledge the negative characteristics or side effects of coconut oil. Instead, too many online sources dedicate their entire existences to worshipping and praising this oil. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m actually a huge fan of the stuff. I use it for cooking and baking, as a replacement for butter on my toast, and as a moisturizer for my hair. I’m not completely bashing it, but I felt largely disappointed that basically only two or three blogs were actively trying to bring to light that coconut oil ain’t all that and a bag o’chips (maybe I should’ve just wiped chips all over my face instead?).

After what I thought was turning out to be a fruitless attempt to find an explanation for my dilemma, I finally stumbled upon a blog for all things coco-related. A post I saw about coconut oil clogging pores sang to me like an angel from above. What I learned completely blew my mind. It turns out coconut oil is not as universal as it’s been made to seem.

After being fed so many pieces of general and misleading information, I read on to find out that using coconut oil on your face is actually person-specific. Meaning, not all of us will have the same reactions. Some of us will see positive results and others (myself included) will have a much less desirable experience to report. It apparently all comes down to what type of skin you have. So if you’re asking, “Is coconut oil good for your skin?,” I recommend thoroughly examining your skin and doing a little detective work online.

Image via Veganbaking.net

Coconut oil is considered a comedogenic. I KNOW. I was just as surprised as you to read something not so nice about this popular oil. A comedogenic substance is one that can possess the ability to clog pores. This is where it’s beneficial to know if you have larger or smaller pores. Larger pores are undeniably more susceptible to clogging. Wait a minute, smaller pores. You’re not in the clear yet, either. Small pores can still get clogged, and when they do, it can be much worse.

The rumors aren’t always true. Yes, coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. No, it is not always the perfect solution for acne prone skin. Coconut oil can actually have a negative tendency to be unconducive to acneic skin. If dirt and oil are getting all up in your pores’ business, coconut oil might decide to join the party and become trapped with everything else, further exacerbating the situation instead of fighting to clear it up. Now cue the painful breakouts and bumpy textured skin.

If your skin is naturally pretty oily or you aren’t a stranger to blackheads that generally means you have larger pores so it may be unwise to go slapping the CO on your face. It’s also been said that overuse of coconut oil on the face is not very successful due to its high fat content which can instead lead to the transpiration of future skin issues. If you’re going to use it, use it in moderation. I also read some suggestions stating that mixing a bit of coco oil in a cleanser is a much better idea than just using it solo. So if you’re hell-bent on continuing to use this stuff, you shouldn’t use it alone!

My final tips to you, fellow readers, coconut oil enthusiasts and critics alike, are to fully research the effects of coconut oil being used topically, study your own skin thoroughly, and don’t believe everything you read or hear. Don’t let the coco get you all cuckoo! Good luck!

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The post Is Coconut Oil Good for Your Skin or Just a Pain in Your Pores? appeared first on EcoSalon.

Let’s get creative, folks! As the summer months are racing to the finish line (slow down already, for the love of ice pops and flip flops, sheesh!), don’t spend them in the garden of boring. To end your craft-tastic summer with a fun bang, we’ve rounded up our list of planter ideas using some of the most funky and unusual items we could find. Martha Stewart would be so proud!

Funky Planter Ideas

1. Old Floppy Disk Planter

Listen, technology isn’t just digital anymore and floppy disks are not obsolete, contrary to what you may have been told. You can prove it to all of  your pals too by making some of these quirky little floppy disk planters. Who’s the smarty-pants now?? This is a fantastic way to reuse an old object that would otherwise be tossed out for the cooler, sleeker, keychain-size USB stick. All you really need to make them is glue and maybe a small square box if you need a guide to build around. So floppies, don’t cry! You still serve an important purpose… On a sunny windowsill next to someone’s brand new MacBook.

2. Mini Cork Magnet Planter

Now we’re not trying to condone excess drinking over the weekend (or are we?). Really though, think about it for a minute. After a grueling work-week, you know you’re going to let loose with your ladies and probably get a little friendly with one or three bottles of wine. Instead of throwing out all your cork tops from weekends current and past, hang on to ‘em and recycle them into little homes for some baby succulents! Glue a magnet onto them and VOILA! Your refrigerator just got a whole lot snazzier. You can now justify drinking like a fish because you’re playing your renewable part in society.

3. French Press Terrarium

Where are all the coffee lovers at?! This one’s for you. Nothing like a good cup of joe to get those inventive juices flowing, are we right? French presses are the bomb-dot-com, so why stifle their amazingness by just utilizing them for coffee! Spread a little whimsy in your kitchen by creating a teeny, tiny, enchanted world for your countertop.

4. Repurposed Dresser Planter

Instead of growing a wardrobe, give back to Mother Nature and let your garden grow. Repurposing an old dresser for gardening is definitely one of the most unusual items used as a planter, but so lovely when done right! Finding a used dresser is pretty easy too. See if your neighbors are chucking any treasures or scour a local antique shop. Sand it, paint it, re-finish it, the design approaches are endless. You’re bound to stumble upon one fit for a fashionable fairy princess.

5. Retro Stereo Planter

Get all “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” with yourself and break out that boombox to bump some flowery beats. Hell, the idea of a boombox used as a planter makes us want to get all “Carlton Banks” with ourselves, how about you? Whoever it was that imagined this grand idea, we seriously commend you. Stereos are certainly unusual items used as planters, but we’re sure glad that some talented genius could potentially be saving hundreds of these archaic gems from littering landfills where they can now instead sing some sweet sustainable tunes.

6. Gumball Machine Terrarium

Terrariums are too cool so we had to throw another one on the list. Let your inner child get its hands dirty by transforming a simple gumball machine into a mini sphere of life. Gumball machines are the absolute perfect size and shape, inexpensive, and relatively easy to find. However, we don’t recommended stealing candy from a baby, catch our drift? That would just be mean. So trade your sweet tooth for a green thumb! You’ll be so glad you did.

So much DIY, so little summer left! So hop to it and start getting crafty! What are your favorite planter ideas?

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The post 6 Planter Ideas Using Funky and Unusual Items appeared first on EcoSalon.

Instead of cowering under your covers or rocking a baseball cap and enormous Olsen twins-style sunnies every day, check out these breakout-banishing all natural remedies for acne. Your skin will give you a glowing ovation for sure!

It’s a major bummer when you’ve reached your 20s and 30s and all of a sudden your skin decides to take a walk down preteen memory lane. The age-old myth is that every seven years your hormones change which is usually code for “get ready because your skin is about to freak the f&^% out!” These all natural remedies for acne can help.

1. Honey

Honey in its purest form is hands down the champion constituent in natural methods of zapping acne and blasting those unsightly blemishes. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties are endless and you will save many pretty pennies by switching to this sweet stuff than opting for drug store solutions that usually fail.

When picking out honey for cleansing or masking, you must be label-alert. Look for raw, unheated, and unfiltered honey. This type consists of all of the essential nutrients needed. If there is propolis (“bee glue” that holds the honeycombs together) present in the jar, even better. Propolis reduces breakouts due to its antibacterial quality. Raw honey contains glycolic acid, which aids in balancing skin’s natural pH making it amazing at helping to heal skin and brighten the complexion. It will gently remove impurities and daily grime from yucky, clogged pores, but won’t strip the skin’s natural oils. Throw in a dash of cinnamon for its killer antimicrobial properties or squeeze some lemon in it for a little exfoliation. Whether cleansing or masking, you can leave your honey-mix on for 10-15 minutes twice a day for maximized results. Get a ton of sweet honey facts right here.

2. Papaya

The worst and hardest type of acne to battle is cystic. For lack of a better description, they are deeply rooted, hard pustules that are full of trapped bacteria and oil, sore to the touch, and a major bitch to fight off. Don’t give up just yet because there’s a very simple and easily attainable remedy. Papayas aren’t just for fruity cocktails and health-conscious smoothies. After rinsing your face with some H2O, try mashing some papaya up and spread it all over your face, letting it sit for about 15-20 minutes before washing clean. Papaya possesses the ability to remove dead skin cells and excess lipids and even has an enzyme called papain, which in my opinion, is the best feature because that will vanquish pus before it can begin to form. Say goodbye to that cystic crap! Another tip: as per the norm when purchasing produce, choosing organic if possible is always most beneficial.

3. Banana Peel

They’re delicious and nutritious… for your skin! Eat a banana then rub the inside of the peel all over the surface of your face until you’ve reached the desired coverage and leave it on for 30 minutes or so. It sounds silly, but this fruit packs serious acne ass-kicking skills. Lutein, an antioxidant found in bananas, has the capability to decrease redness, inflammation, and swelling of the skin. It can also help generate new cell growth. This is likely the most effortless of all natural remedies for acne out there… You can literally eat a banana in your car on the way home from work and smear it on your face to reduce and regenerate, paying no mind to those who may look at you like you’ve totally lost it.

4. Willow Bark Extract

This is an all natural alternative to the harsh drug store version of salicylic acid. Willow bark is anti-inflammatory and an awesome exfoliant. It clears out clogged pores and aids in shedding dead skin cells that would otherwise end up being the cause of the cursed clogging. Willow bark is the perfect spot treatment so you can stop going to bed with Colgate toothpaste spots sprinkled all over your face at night. You’re welcome.

5. Potato

Oh yeah, you’re totally reading that correctly. Potato. Believe it or not (I almost didn’t), potatoes are a great source for all natural remedies for acne. They’re teaming with brilliant elements such as potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, and chloride. All of those mentioned assist in decreasing those pesky pimples while the antioxidants also found in ‘taters speed up the birth of new cells. The task of application is another simple one, it’s actually almost stupid-easy. Grate a potato and take its shreds and juices and rub generously on your face using circular motions. Allow it to dry for 15-30 minutes and then rinse it all the way off with tepid water.

Now get in your kitchen and start concocting!

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The post 5 Breakout-Banishing All Natural Remedies For Acne: Beat the Endless Zit Battle appeared first on EcoSalon.

Earth-conscious eyewear brand, Eco, is changing the way we view glasses one pair of frames (and a tree) at a time. Who said glasses were only for nerds? Pshhh, whoever said that has got it all wrong. Eyewear that makes the best use of recycled materials is where it’s at.

The eyewear world is a major and profitable market with so many of us relying on some extra assistance to maximize our vision. Unfortunately, most of us never got that much coveted 20/20 vision gene. It’s a bummer for some, but I actually don’t envy anyone who lucked out with perfect, crystal clear eyesight. I’m positive you must be thinking I’m a bit loony, but hear me out.

Think about how many people you see wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasses have become less of a necessity and more of a fashion statement. Trying to choose which pair of sunglasses complements my hairstyle or outfit that day is almost more stressful than deciding which freaking pair of shoes match better. Damn near puts me into a sweat-frenzy. All perspiring aside, I appreciate my poor vision because it’s my excuse to flaunt some sweet specs.

What’s really fun is a whole new door has opened for us, exposing an eyewear option that seems too good to be true. In 2008, boutique eyewear firm, Modo, unleashed its version of a sustainable design approach to eyewear called, Eco. The essence behind Eco is to change our world in an environmentally replenishable and proactive way while taking care of the fellow human. That is an all-around win/win. Eco is currently the only brand in the world that can say its product is made from ninety-five percent recycled materials! This brand is so legit, it has validation for its eco-friendly composition. I’m talking about Environmental Claims Validation from the Underwriters Laboratories Environment, which just so happens to be the world’s number one product evaluation organization. Phew, that’s serious stuff. When you purchase a pair of Eco glasses, you have the ultimate guarantee that you’re getting ninety-five percent recycled stainless steel and plastic and none of that phony bologna, falsely labeled “green” stuff.

Along with its steadfast, no-nonsense attitude for the good of the earth, Eco has an enormous heart. For every pair of eyewear purchased, they plant a tree! The goal is to hit 1 million in trees planted and at the moment in Cameroon, the company has planted 791,202 trees… Almost there! This brand also believes in giving back to the less fortunate. Eco is partnered up with OneSight, an organization that collects and distributes mildly used eyewear from Eco’s donation program and other retailers and independent eye doctor offices. There are about 314 million people who need glasses and don’t have the resources to see a doctor and get adequate help, so Eco’s donation program is truly a blessing.

The use of recycled materials doesn’t have to be the definition of expensive either. Eco’s eyewear ranges from $69.00 to $195.00, which is amazingly affordable and you can trust you are getting a top quality product. If you check out the EcoBonus feature, you won’t regret it, my friend! It’s a neat, little rewards program that gives you a code with each purchase that you can earn points with and redeem them for other earth-friendly purchases.

Eco deserves an A++ for its momentous vision to reach people on such a global level through means of highlighting eco-friendly standards. This is absolutely a commendable use of recycled materials. We’ve been given such an awesome (and fashionable, ahem) opportunity to be a part of the cause to initiate substantial change in the world we live in. Believe me, there is nothing cooler than making an outstanding difference and knowing you look damn good doing it.

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The post Eco Optics’ Use of Recycled Materials is Helping the World See a Bit More Clearly appeared first on EcoSalon.

We all know how hard it is to find all natural or organic hair salons.

Strip malls and plazas are littered with the typical, run of the mill chemical infested hair salons. “Oh great, I’d love to dye my hair a shade of Crayola blonde or get some cancer-curls while I’m here, totally!” SAID NO ONE EVER. Lucky for you, here’s a round-up of five fabulous organic hair salons throughout the nation!

1. Los Angeles, CA- Primrose Organics Salon and Boutique

This cute little place is full service, all organic, and odorless (no stinky chemical stench!)–from the products used to the actual structure of the space. Founded in April 2009 by celebrity hair stylist, Felicia Howe, Primrose Organics Salon and Boutique set the standards high with sustainable integrity ever present from the moment you walk through the doors. With her honorable and eco-friendly skills and expertise, Howe’s dream was to make each and every client not only feel beautiful, but to also assist in educating and guiding them in a more health conscious direction. Aside from the toxin-free, all organic product lines used and carried here, Primrose Organics uses recycled foil for treatments and is also equipped with energy-saving blow dryers! The furniture inside is all second-hand and was sourced from Craigslist while the drywall has been stabilized with formaldehyde-free compound and VOC-free paint was used to color the walls. Doesn’t get more sustainable than that, does it?

2. East Village, NY- Salon Eco Chic

Located in the East Village of the ever so chaotic NYC, is Salon Eco Chic. Welcoming clients in from the fast-paced streets of the city, Salon Eco Chic’s goal is to provide the most serene atmosphere accompanied by the best quality hair care. You can expect to come in and receive on-trend European inspired styling while being pampered with certified organic products. Everything used is plant-based and sulphate, ammonia, and chemical-free! Salon Eco Chic believes in sustainable beauty without sacrificing ones wellness. This is the place to go when you really want to take care of yourself and get away from the city madness.

3. Seattle, WA- Hazel Salon and Organics

A salon that not only is an advocate for organic hair care, but also gives back to its community?! That’s a double doozy of pure goodness right there. Seattle-based hair salon, Hazel Salon and Organics, specializes in outstanding style and highly reputable, cruelty-free products that are also free from ammonia, sulphates, parabens, petrochemicals, and formaldehyde. This salon bears an extensive line of organic products such as Organic Color Systems, LOMA, and Osea, to name a few. The other very respectable aspect to this salon that sets it apart from a lot of other organic hair salons is that it believes in supporting its community by participating in different charities. Doesn’t that just give you the warm fuzzies all over? Hair care is not their only forte either. Feel free to go there to get your lashes done up, get some hair removed (by means of sugaring or threading- no waxy gunk), or some rejuvenating organic skin treatments.

4. Chicago, IL- Splendor Salon and Spa

“Find a better way to beauty” is the motto of Chicago-based organic salon, Splendor Salon and Spa. This fume-free no-ammonia salon doesn’t play games. Aside from the plethora of organic, cruelty-free, and biodegradable products used, their packaging is also majorly eco-friendly! “Synthetic,” “toxic,” and “non-renewable” are not in this salon’s vocabulary. All product packaging is completely sustainable by utilizing recycled and plant-based materials. They even use soy ink on the labels! Splendor Salon and Spa offers a multitude of beauty related services without punishing the earth in the process. Why go anywhere else?!

5. Fort Lauderdale, FL- John Bruno Hair Salon

This is one salon you actually do want to tangle with. (See what I did there?) John Bruno Hair Salon located in Fort Lauderdale is an environmentally friendly force to be reckoned with. Recognized for outstanding customer service and eco-friendly products, they actually received a huge shout out in The New Times for being the Best Hair Salon in Fort Lauderdale/Broward County! Their popularity is understandable. All of their products are organic, vegan, and cruelty-free. Have no fear, you can trust your tresses to this remarkably health conscious salon.

So there you have it! If you live in or near any of these areas, stop wasting your time, money, and health in toxic hair salons and treat your body (and the earth) to a little guilt-free TLC!

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The post 5 Awesomely Hair-Raising Organic Hair Salons in the U.S. appeared first on EcoSalon.

Air conditioners and central air systems are energy wasting mechanisms that come with a high price tag each month during the summer season. Thankfully, there is an interesting alternative to cool your house naturally: the Cold Pot, a low-tech device that takes the simple occurrence of evaporation and makes it that much more significant.

Clay, a natural substance so menial to most, probably never thought of much, actually has some cool tricks up its sleeve. It’s been around long before the dinosaurs were roaming freely about and embodies an abundance of common (and uncommon) uses. From beauty remedies and products to external and internal medicinal treatments down to pet litter, clay plays an exceptional and health conscious role. Now, in a most unusual portrayal, clay is actually wonderfully useful in altering the warm temps in your home.

How exactly can clay cool your house naturally you ask? French-born designer, Thibault Faverie, has given us the answer with his terracotta Cold Pot invention that utilizes the organic process of evaporation to our benefit. Clay is extremely absorbent so that was the obvious main component used in the design. Cold Pot resembles what most would compare to a flowerpot. It does indeed appear that way, very sleek, simple, and compact in size and shape. But inside is where the magic happens.

Behind the clay exterior lays aluminum cooling slices, connectors, an aluminum pipe, and a fan. The outer pot converts heat through a wide opening at the bottom of the pot while absorbing the water on the inside as the fan propels, releasing it up through the cooling slices and pipe to the outer surface. Once water and air meet, evaporation occurs and a cooler temperature is dispensed. The contraption is so low maintenance it only requires 2 liters of water!

It hasn’t yet been specified how large or small of a room it can cool off, but if the Cold Pot actually ever goes into production, it would make a great little investment. It’s incredibly energy efficient, so no refrigerating gas needed which means as friendly as it is to our environment it also keeps our wallets in mind.

There’s also a major health benefit to the Cold Pot! The air you’d be breathing in would be renewed air, not re-circulated! Re-circulated air is the culprit of many airborne illnesses and germs as well as the lack of moisture, resulting in dry air. Dry air equals possible nosebleeds and sore throats. Renewed air gives you fresh, moist air helping to eliminate the issues mentioned above. Who would’ve ever thought a simple terracotta pot and the age-old philosophy of evaporation could sequentially help cool your house naturally? That’s some pretty awesome, progressive stuff!

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Image by thibault-faverie.com

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Hong Kong based upcycling brand, Lastbutnotleast, is stepping up to the plate to take a swing against mass production, inferior quality, and unethical working conditions with their inventive upcycled clothing ideas.

Today it’s almost too easy to go to a chain retail store and find an article of clothing for super cheap. You can find an item such as a shirt for as little as five or ten dollars. Fast fashion is an obscene epidemic the industry and more upcycled clothing ideas like Lastbutnotleast are changing the way we view fashion.

The dedicated enthusiast behind this movement is fashion designer, Toby Lam, who has observed the fashion industry first hand with all of its skeletons hiding in the closet. Lam’s dream of a happy marriage between style and sustainability became a reality in 2013 with Lastbutnotleast. The purpose of Lastbutnotleast is to not only present fun, new upcycled clothing ideas, but to also raise awareness of how dangerous fast fashion is to us and our environment and shed light on the unfortunate practices in the industry. There must be a better way to handle clothing that’s either old, no longer a trend, or damaged, and Lastbutnotleast is showing us how.

Clothing items that no longer serve a current purpose can be sent to Lastbutnotleast with the person’s new and refreshed idea for the garment. Lastbutnotleast will offer design sources and then go through the brainstorming process. With a deposit, a sketch of the new look is made and once the client gives consent, alterations can begin. Then VOILA! Just like that, you have a top that was formerly a pair of pants!

Lastbutnotleast’s upcycled clothing ideas are always unconventional and uncommon, in the coolest ways of course. It can take anything and transform it into something completely unfathomable. Shirts become pants, pants become a dress, you name it and it can be done just like magic. No fabric or material is ever wasted either. Any leftover scraps are constructed into added details on a garment.

Bringing the attention back to the concept of fast fashion for a moment, mass produced items that come at a cost of enslaving human beings, torturing our animal friends, and trashing our planet is outright inconceivable and unacceptable. Is there really even a point to buying a $9.99 top that will be worn once and then tossed in the garbage to sit in a landfill for years? Is it okay to force someone against their will to stitch labels for over half the day with just a few coins as compensation? Why are beautiful, innocent animals being abused or killed for human vanity? Think about it.

Through the efforts of Lastbutnotleast, we are given an opportunity to start turning things around for our earth and our future while supporting a small business. We need to start considering the fact that if we don’t stand up for the sustainability of our world, we will exist in a very dim factory-like environment. Lastbutnotleast has come to us at the perfect time to help us protect our surroundings, our animals, and our people.

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Image via Lastbutnotleast

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Brooklyn based brand, Bergwerk, is setting the tone for a more eco-friendly fashion industry with its environmentally positive approach of scouring the city to find recyclable materials that can be magically transformed into a completely unique garment.

Established in 2013, through the ingenious mind of Gertrude Berg, Bergwerk is the culmination of an ecological metamorphosis. In a simpler phrase, take the old and make it new. Berg grew up in Austria and crossed the pond to study at the School of Fine Arts in Boston where she obtained an arts degree. She took an interest in sculpture, which inspired her original take on shape and the idea of reusing components that are already in existence. New York City is littered, for lack of a better word, with recyclable materials that most people bypass regularly. It’s encouraging to see brands such as Bergwerk take a second glance and envision someone else’s “waste” as something better, something refreshed.

Upon hunting down discarded fabrics from the fashion industry, the formerly hopeless textiles are salvaged and repurposed into a brand new garment. The soul of Bergwerk’s transformation process is behind Berg’s influence of the city and the art of sculpture resulting in avant-garde layering and precise stitch-work. There are no other alterations made to each individual piece besides the stitching, which means there is no extra cutting of the fabric. Just like in centuries past, the practice of utilizing all of something still rings true today in Bergwerk’s designs. Nothing is left to waste.

An awesome aspect of Bergwerk is that every piece is one of a kind. No two are the same, which really allows the wearer to fully express their individuality. Not discriminatory to age, no matter how young or old you are, its garments are appropriate for all. Anyone can take part in helping our planet in a stylish and conscious way by purchasing an original Bergwerk design.

The style focus behind its design process is women’s overall beauty and confidence at the forefront. Nothing is more beautiful than feeling amazing in something that has potential to change habits and generate a new, sustainable direction for the future. Another super cool fact about Bergwerk is all of their garments are hand-wash only! So not only does it rescue scrapped textiles from a trash-hell, it also promotes energy efficiency! Buh-bye, washer and dryer!

Bergwerk is sort of like Cinderella’s fairy godmother to recyclable materials if you really think about it. It takes sad scraps and transforms them from rags to ecofriendly riches. Bergwerk is continuing to pioneer the way for our world to stop dreaming of a better place and in fact start making it a reality, one refurbished piece of fabric at a time. It’s true someone’s trash really is someone else’s treasure.

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Image via Bergwerk

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