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.

We asked Patti to pick some of her favorite things from her shop’s shelves. If you like these picks (or your own even better), just got to the Clary Sage Organics site, enter the code LEAPYEAR at checkout and get 20% off!

The post Clary Sage Organics: Top Ten Picks for a Weekend Away appeared first on EcoSalon.

SponsoredA fresh (and free) financial service for women delivers no-nonsense tips and advice.

Money. Women are earning more than ever, yet when it comes to finance, many of us aren’t quite as savvy as we could be. Consumer culture is epitomized in women’s glossies. We’re taught to spend, spend, spend – and told we don’t know how to save, save, save. A life that’s both sustainable and stylish: right. Saving for that trip to Paris – that’s going to happen how? Working an eco-friendly wardrobe, forking it over for a Prius, and shoring up that nest egg Suze Orman has drilled into our brains that we must have? Even the most cash-flush could use a tip or two.

And while it’s more societal stereotype than truth that women aren’t as skilled in managing their money as men (boys do like their toys), talking about money is uncomfortable. We’d just as soon hear our moms talk about their sex lives. We dish with our girlfriends about divorce, dating, kids, husbands, friends, our periods, or moods, our careers, our bosses, our up-to-the-minute status reports of our latest gray hair, yet money is often a topic that induces awkward silences and coughs for another round of cocktails.

Enter DailyWorth. Fuss-free, no-nonsense, wouldn’t-even-think-about-patronizing financial tips, guides and advice for women. From growing your savings, making your money work for you (instead of the credit card company), and ensuring you negotiate a pay raise on par with the guys, DailyWorth takes women and money seriously. Because we’ve come a long way, baby, and so have our bank accounts.

At EcoSalon we explore the conscious approach in every facet of life, from health and food to sex and living to style and design. We may come from a place of holistic green values, but it’s the other green – money – that still makes the world go round. It’s time we all start talking about it. No woman, whether designer or barista, architect or attorney, should feel she isn’t in charge of her finances. That’s why we like DailyWorth and are happy to feature them for you (Alicia Silverstone over at The Kind Life likes them, too).

Subscription is free, so we encourage you to try DailyWorth today! Delivered daily to your inbox, with just the right amount of kick in the pants.

Daily Worth: Know Your Worth.

Editor’s note: This is a sponsored post. We are sharing this service with you because we believe it is a valuable offering for you, our readers. Feel free to send us feedback about this and any sponsored post to editor@ecosalon.com.

The post DailyWorth: Because We’re Worth It appeared first on EcoSalon.

The wonderful thing about pretty lingerie is that even though most people don’t see it, we know it’s there. Underneath our daily suits of armor there’s a softness that can’t help but make us feel sexy.

Boss undermining us? Sexy.

Car needs $1200 in repairs? Sexy.

Ex boyfriend just walked into the coffee shop with his new girlfriend? Sexy.

You get the point.

Cache Coeur Bra and Panties, bra, $45, hipster panties, $29

Thankfully, Faeries Dance, a sustainable shopping site filled to the brim with organic intimates has provided us with all the pretty choices we’ll need to get through all those rough patches. Although they have several clothing categories, I immediately gravitated to the lingerie trimmed in lace and made out of organic cotton fabrics that urges one to choreograph her own show stopping number, Aguilera “Burlesque” style.

Faeries Dance has their assortment right, with an eye on the stylish woman who desires those playful undergarments but is more than likely guided by the principle that her beauty is most evident when she’s comfortable. (Because how can you feel sexy when you’re uncomfortable?) The mission is fitting, as well; all  Faeries Dance products are consciously, thoughtfully sourced and made.

Polka Dot Padded Push-Up Bra, $50

All of the intimate separates featured on the site are sure to hold you together in organic loveliness – or just make you feel ready for action should the world want to rock you in ways you were not prepared for. Feeling sexy isn’t about who sees you, after all – it’s about how you feel.

Lingerie Wash Bag, 3-pack, $27 or $10 each

Don’t forget the essentials for keeping your sustainable collection looking beautiful for years to come: a gentle organic wash and of course, wash bags. They really do make all the difference in maintaining the shape and fabric of your pieces, and they’re so inexpensive I’m amazed more people don’t remember to use lingerie wash bags. This version is a sustainable exclusive from Faeries Dance, and a great deal, too.

P.S. The lusciously cozy Rosalba nightgown at top is just $59.

Images: Faeries Dance

Editor’s note: This is a sponsored post. We will always tell our readers when a featured product or brand is sponsored, in full compliance with FTC regulations. Thank you.

The post Sustainably Pretty Lingerie? Yes, Please appeared first on EcoSalon.

Early adopter that I am (Pinterest, check, About.me, check, Foursquare, check – related: why do I feel compelled to be the mayor of the corner coffee shop, check), if it can’t integrate with my beloved Firefox or my necessary Facebook, I am less likely to get hooked. Enter Rightcliq, a simple new shop-and-share-and-buy browser tool from Visa. It’s seriously simple: whether you see a cute product on a blog or are perusing an online catalog, you can save all your favorite things to Rightcliq with…well, a right click. The tool is integrated into your browser which makes it a snap to add, change and manage your favorite finds.

Once you’ve clicked the toolbar icon, you’ll see the “Wishspace,” where your discoveries are saved. It’s neatly customizable in that you can cluster things however you want (organization freaks will love this) – or not, if you want. But here’s where it gets really useful. Not only can you compare pricing and product information (a given for online wishlist services), but you can enlist your friends’ opinions and reviews via email and Facebook.

It makes the act of online shopping a little more thoughtful, which we dig. As in, hold your horses before making that impulse buy so your best friend can remind you there’s an organic alternative and what are you thinking. So, for example, if you’ve been hunting around your favorite eco retail boutiques online trying to put together the perfect look for a holiday party, you can save multiple items from various sites with a simple right click, and then organize them as, say, “Holiday Party”…or perhaps “In Which I Will Knock ‘Em Dead”. You can then invite any and as many of your friends as you like to give you their thoughts on said get-up so you know if the outfit is more word-to-your-mother or simply Meh.

Personally, I see this being incredibly useful for managing my Etsy addiction, and though it’s not a listed use, I see it quickly becoming an easier way to share design and fashion post ideas with our editorial team in lieu of hobbling through the Stumbleupon tool together. (No disrespect meant to the Stumble.)

But back to knocking ’em dead. If your trusted team says your ensemble is a go, purchasing and shipment tracking is integrated, of course (and Rightcliq handles all your info no matter how many sites are involved). Simple. Intuitive. Yep, we like.

Editor’s note: This post is sponsored by Rightcliq by Visa. In accordance with FTC policy, we will always tell you when we publish sponsored posts. We hope you have as much fun with Rightcliq as we do!

The post Get Friend Reviews on Tonight’s Outfit (or Tomorrow’s Gift) with Rightcliq appeared first on EcoSalon.

There’s the trove of holiday gifts for loved ones in the cabinet that has been assembled at the ready since June…of 2009. Then there’s the one person on my list I inevitably forget: say, my own mother. I’m working on this, I really am, but if you’re like me and have yet to check off that last special someone, join me in the quest to save some face with something lovely. If you order any of these gifts by 2 p.m. EST tomorrow (yes, the clock’s ticking uncomfortably fast – we’re slacker shoppers, remember?), you’ll have your present in time for Christmas with standard shipping. And they’re all under $100 (most are under $50), so no sweat, sister.

So go. Done! Whew.

For your fashionista friend or new pal:

Montmartre fingerless gloves, handmade and organic, just $29

Kids and your favorite savers:

Glass piggy bank, $39

For your best friend:

Believe necklaces, prices vary by piece, $19-59

For the hostess or the boss:

Organic lavender caramels, (spring for the 12-piece, you), $29

For the guys:

Living ecosphere, $89

For mom, because you’d never really forget:

Reversible silk throw, $98

(Items shown in clockwise order from top left. This post is sponsored by green retail partner VivaTerra.)

The post Slacker Shopper? Last Minute Gifts You’ll Get in Time appeared first on EcoSalon.

When celebrating a commitment large or small, shouldn’t the symbol of that sentiment come from a company just as committed as you are to conscious choices? If you haven’t discovered them yet, Turtle Love Co., an online retailer of handmade artisan designer jewelry, should be first on your list for jewelry you can feel thrilled about. Based in Portland, Maine, this eco-friendly, people-friendly brand is the brainchild of Adrianne Zahner and was founded in 2009. Zahner brings together talented designers to offer unique engagement rings, fine jewelry, and everyday pieces handcrafted with care and a commitment to the planet.

We talk a lot about the challenges of eco fashion production and marketing here at EcoSalon. The truth is that it’s not enough just to be green – a brand that develops a following must not only be green, but better than the competition that isn’t green. It’s not every day that a values-driven business can deliver products, service and an experience that stand out on their own merits. It’s a tall order and the people who pull it off inspire us – and deserve success. Just take a look at Turtle Love’s customer review page. The love for product, planet and people is so evident. Turtle Love Co.’s mission is a simple one, Zahner says: they want to thrill you. Count us in.

Here are a few of our current favorites.

I love how modern and strong this simple diamond engagement ring is. $3,300.

This Silver Equinox Moon Necklace is just what Santa wants to get for me, I can tell. $170 (Turtle Love Co. does engagements right, but they also feature a large assortment of pendant necklaces, which are so perfect for every day mixing and matching.)

Delicate Nest Diamond Stud Earrings (also in silver) are also at the top of Santa’s list for this editor. $475

You can also check out the new, exclusive collections by designers Michele Scholnick, Laura Serrafero and Adel Chefridi (something tells me those stacking rings won’t last long). Even the packaging is mindfully made!

We’ve all heard of “conflict diamonds,” but the importance of staying away from the Macy’s jewelry counter can’t be emphasized enough. A gift of jewelry is special, and the piece should be sourced, produced and sold in the spirit of what the piece represents: an honoring and a commitment to a special person (even if it’s you!). That’s love.

Editor’s note: Turtle Love is a proud sponsor of EcoSalon. We feel great about sharing their earth-friendly, people-friendly products and story with you, and would love to hear your feedback. We rarely publish sponsored posts, so when we do, you can be assured it’s a brand we believe in and think you’ll love, too. (And we will always tell you.) Feel free to drop us a line at contact at ecosalon dot com or leave a comment sharing your thoughts.

The post Big Love for Turtle Love Co. appeared first on EcoSalon.

Most individuals are aware of the basic methods of recycling which serves to mitigate daily damage done to the environment. Common practices are the recycling of aluminum cans, the turning off of lights when the room is left, and the turning off of water while brushing teeth. Despite this, the Environmental Protection Agency has reported that discarded televisions, cell phones and computers consist of approximately 2.25 million tons, only 18 percent of which is reported to be recycled. The rest of these items are typically dumped into landfills.

Most people do not realize how essential the recycling of cell phones is.

Sell Your Used Cell Phone

Selling an old phone both helps the environment as well as provides the seller the opportunity to make some money. Several companies exist today which specialize in the purchasing of used cell phones in order to recycle, refurbish, and resell them. Many of these companies will provide the seller with a list of old phone models along with their current value. The seller would then select the phone that they are trying to sell and complete a form for the company. The company often provides the envelope which the seller will use to mail the phone. Once the phone is received by the reseller, they will run several tests in order to ascertain the condition of the phone. After this is done, the seller will receive prompt payment for his/her phone.

Several companies resell these phones at a lower price to poorer countries of the world and to rural areas which benefit greatly from the use of these cell phones. The addition of cell phones also increases various job opportunities in rural and poor communities.

In some cases, it may not be possible for the damaged phones to be brought back to working condition. If this occurs, the phones can be sent to companies which recycle. There, the phones are tested and it is determined whether or not they are able to be refurbished, whether certain parts can be removed and used, or whether the phone can simply be recycled. Even phones which have been irreparably damaged can be used for their plastic and mineral components.

Donate Your Used Cell Phone

There are several locations to which used cell phones can be donated. Many manufacturers, cell phone retail stores, charities, network carriers, as well as solid waste companies have established these donation and/or recycling programs. A great example is the program entitled Donate Cell Phones for a Soldier. As the name implies, this program donates used cell phones to soldiers who can personally benefit from their use. Most of these programs allow you to securely erase your personal data from the phone. Some other examples of these programs include the Hewlett-Packard Trade-In Program, LG Electronics Free Mail-In Recycling Program, NEC Display Solutions Total Trade Program, Best Buy Electronics Recycling Program, and Verizon Wireless’ Hope Line Program.

Choose “Sim Card Only” Deals

Many phones are now available which can be run on different SIM cards. Therefore, instead of using a new phone, a new SIM card can simply be inserted into the old phone, which can be reused. These plans allow the user to text more as well as receive more minutes in comparison with other plans lasting 30 days.

Incentives for “Green” Broadband

Several companies, such as Green Mobile and Landline Company, offer green incentives such as agreeing to plant trees when a customer signs on to the service or donating a percentage of the customer’s bill to conservation groups and programs. Another such company is the Apple Computer Corporation which provides 100 percent recyclable laptops to broadband users.

Use a Smartphone

Smartphone plays an integral role in the environment by providing devices which can serve numerous purposes, thereby removing the need to purchase numerous electronic devices that provide music players, phones, cameras, internet browsing capabilities, clocks, and video recorders. This multi-purpose technology eliminates large amounts of potential waste and toxic materials which would otherwise enter our environment when these extraneous devices are discarded.

Green Apps

There is great apps for your Smartphone that will help you on your path to green nirvana. They range from information and tips for a more eco friendly lifestyle and directories of the most environmentally conscious businesses in your local area to product scanners to help you check the environmental impact of any product before buying it. Green apps can be an essential way to make your lifestyle more environmentally healthy. There is also an app to help you stop overcharging your Smartphone, which is just unnecessary energy usage, and an app to even help you become more environmentally conscious driver. There is a full list of Green Apps to check out over at Tech Bible Techcrunch.

Editor’s note: This is a guest post by James Helliwell of Firespin from London, UK.

The post How to Combat Cell Phone Pollution appeared first on EcoSalon.

Tweed, camel, natural materials and textures, and understated elegance: could these snuggly boots be any more perfect for fall 2010?

They say all the things you would want to say if you could actually afford an outfit from those outrageous Aspen catalogs, minus the unfortunately high-wasted jeans look said catalogs still insist on, and the unsustainable manufacturing practices and materials. (You know the catalogs. Lots of shining beautiful people lounging around impeccable bedecked ski lodges looking successfully anorexic and conveniently rich in designer velvet jodpurs. It’s marvelous how many different leather-elbowed sweaters one can wear just going from vintage Range Rover to distressed leather fireplace-adjacent armchair, isn’t it? Oh, the hairspray of it all.) Distaste for daddy’s hunting trophy wall aside, we all lust for gorgeous chunky sweaters and beautiful boots to wear at a price point we can swing.

These beauty booties are a vastly more conscious approach to being ruggedly glamorous in the country (or on the porch), and they’re also just ever-so-slightly more attuned to the current economic realities at a reasonable $169 a pop. That’s not much more than a pair of Uggs, and these have the benefit of actually being attractive. Not to mention on-trend.

They’re also 100% eco-friendly, being made of natural, not synthetic, fibers like rice husks and latex. (Note: maker VivaTerra employs genuine vegetable-tanned sheepskin, so vegans will want to opt for the wool tweed version.)

They say comfort. They say clean. They say swaddled in sustainable style. And they can be yours!

To purchase at a discount you can feel cozy with, click here and enter SNUG at checkout for $25 off the retail price. That’s just for you, EcoSalonners. You can also win a pair outright by simply leaving a comment on this post. Good luck!

This is the last in my special series of fantastic giveaways from our sister company VivaTerra. I personally adore these new products and I think you will, too. Let me know if you want me to feature more giveaways in the future by dropping me a tweet @ecosalon. Contest and discount end next Thursday at midnight, so scoot.

(Legalese: Giveaway rules and FTC compliance.)

The post These Boots Were Made for You and Me appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ahem. We’ve been longing for this bag in a big way. Lusting for it. Pining and yearning and possibly drooling, too. We’ve more than once reminded our mothers we have a birthday coming up*. Equal parts stunning and sustainable, the Ruffled Hemp Bag by VivaTerra is the best everyday bag of the season, and today…we…give it away.

You lucky duck.

To win, just leave me a nice comment below. The contest runs through next Wednesday midnight (last week’s Apple Dutch Oven winner will be announced tomorrow), and your odds are pretty good, sweet cheeks. But in case you can’t wait, you can still get the bag for a fantastic deal – do it before it runs out of stock! – by using the discount code HEMP at purchase. $25 bucks off the purchase price of $198? Done!

It’s eco. It’s chic. It’s the kind of ruffled sweetness J. Crew just wishes it had thought of. And, I have to say, this bag reminds me of a certain not-at-all-green leather Valentino bag from a season or so ago that I really loved but wasn’t about to buy owing to its toxic credentials (well, that and the fact that it cost nearly three thousand dollars). This one is better, not just because it’s 100% sustainable, but because it’s an almost unbelievably great price for a luxury tote bag. I love that it has a (removable) shoulder strap as well as traditional bowling handles. The black leather is recycled (of course it is!) and we all know how strong hemp is. Hemp = the spidey fiber of the apparel world, so you can take this baby from the office to the beach to the art show without a second thought, all season long. The slate hue is a perfect contrast for all the red and camel you’ve got flying around this fall, too.

Good luck, and grab this bag before it goes!

*Okay, maybe that was more me than we.

(Legalese: FTC and giveaway rules.)

The post Really, Really? Yes, Really! Fall’s Must-Have Bag Giveaway appeared first on EcoSalon.

Do you have fond memories of a childhood spent chasing fireflies through the dark, playing soccer in an open field, and going on family nature hikes? Sadly, many kids today don’t: They spend more time playing baseball on their Wii consoles than they do hitting the ball around at the local park, and many parents are too worried about perceived dangers lurking outside the house to let their kids head off into the woods unsupervised.

Yet an increasing body of research indicates that kids who spend time in nature are happier, healthier, and smarter than those who don’t. So, to help turn children’s attention from the computer screen to the green, the nonprofit group Nature Rocks has launched a website full of great resources for parents.

The site features maps and listings for tons of local outdoors activities all over the United States, a database of nature-oriented games suitable for every age group, and plenty of other great tips to help get kids off the couch and out the door.

Whether you’re a parent or not, you can give kids a hand by supporting Nature Rocks through shopping at eco-apparel and furnishings retailer VivaTerra, between today and December 23rd.

“We’re excited to participate in VivaTerra’s Gifts that Give Back program,” says Meighen Speiser of Nature Rocks. “Not only are the products beautiful, well made and sustainably produced, they will also now help us show more families and kids how much Nature Rocks.”

When you make your purchase, simply enter the promotion code NR0920 to save 10% on your order price, and an additional 10% will be donated to Nature Rocks to support their programs to help families connect with the natural world.

“As a working mom with two young children, I appreciate useful ideas that improve my and my family’s lives,” says Speiser. “The Nature Rocks website offers loads of easy-to-use tools, tips and over 100 fun activities like nature art, weekend camping, hiking at a nearby park or an impromptu neighborhood nature scavenger hunt. Like all parents, I want what is best for my kids. Nature Rocks helps us and all families to get out the door and enjoy fun and relaxing quality time together.”

Pick up some stocking-stuffers (and a little something for yourself) at VivaTerra today, and do your part to bring the Great Outdoors a little closer to today’s children.

The post Hey Kids, Nature Rocks! Games, Tips and a Special Offer appeared first on EcoSalon.