Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

XOXO for MapleXO Recycled Skateboard Jewelry

Lindsay Holmes began her Portland-based jewelry company MapleXO back in 2005 inspired by her passion for skateboarding. She has since then been crafting vibrant jewelry from broken skateboards. Holmes has refined the process of drilling, cutting, shaping, and sanding the boards to preserve not only the amazing graphics of the original skateboard designs, but also to reveal the contrasting colors, wood grains, and layers inside the skateboard decks.

In this season’s collection she has expanded her line to create LeeMOXO jewelry pieces, a collaboration with origami jewelry designer Leela Morimoto, of LeeMo, and to produce a series of limited-edition iPhone skateboard cases in collaboration with Grove Made.

Holmes’s inspiration shows the natural link between the outdoor sports we love and a commitment to the environment. As she expresses: “Recycling the boards has been my way to give back to this community by reducing the environmental footprint of skateboarding and giving the old boards new life.”
More »

How I Wear Eco Fashion: Kristen Nedopak, Hollywood Actress and Geek Host

Kristen Nedopak is a force to be reckoned with. An actress with a serious comedic bent, she’s host of Think Hero TV and a weekly series onScienceFiction.com, a talented illustrator, superenergetic optimist, and a self-described geek. Her life resembles a fantastical movie montage wherein the heroine dons amazing costumes, interviews stars and up-and-comers everywhere from festivals to red carpets, and behind the scenes, works her bum off (with red hair pulled back into a sleek French twist while wearing nerd-cute glasses of course). And did I mention she throws some of the most kickass parties in all of Los Angeles?

Kristen fills us in on how she puts together her always-unique looks:

My job is to give people an experience to remember, whether I’m interviewing a celebrity or expert or sharing my thoughts about a favorite TV show, it’s up to me to inspire viewers to watch—and continue to watch—the show. I like my attire to be super creative, but it can’t be too over the top. I still have to be recognizable on camera and it has to be comfortable enough to wear all day. It comes down to piecing together an outfit with the right period-esque details to strike a perfect balance.

More »

Walk in OMBU Shoes and Reforest Our Planet

I’d wager that you never thought you could purchase a pair of shoes while helping with the world’s reforestation efforts. But it’s true. We now live in an age where more and more consumers recognize the merits of products made responsibly. OMBU is a fresh, young company intent on providing a product that you can feel proud of, with each and every stride.

OMBU shoes is committed to giving back to the planet and helping their customers do the same. The company provides a tree seed with every purchase of their shoes and also plants a tree on the customer’s behalf for one of the Trees for the Future Foundation Projects. To date, the eco-conscious shoe brand has planted thousands of trees around the globe!

But back to the shoes. The Miami-based company gave a traditional Argentinian shoe called “Alpargatas” a complete makeover. OMBU transformed the ugly duckling into a sexy, irresistible flat. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, and shopping their site is like walking through Dylan’s Candy Bar. The shoes look so delicious and enticing, you’ll want everything you see in your size.

And with prices between $35 and $45, you can indulge in a pair or two, guilt-free. Their sequins pattern are perfect for a night on the town while the polka dots and checkers are a bit more playful for day. If you’re feeling bold, go with their camoflouge pattern. And the classic solid will go with everything, I promise. Whichever OMBU shoes you decide on, rest assured they’ll be delivered right to your door in recycled fabric bags rather than wasteful boxes.
More »

WASTE Bags: Junk Transformed into Fab Bag For Any Occasion

Envision a typical day for yourself. The hustle and bustle likely has you switching gears and bags at light-speed. Whether you’re hitting the gym, taking your pup for a stroll, walking the kids to the park, lunching with clients or enjoying a cocktail with friends, chances are you’re swapping bags and crossing your fingers you don’t forget anything all at once. The never-ending transitioning during a hectic day is maddening!

If you struggle with bag issues like me on a daily basis, I’ve finally found an answer to our prayers. I discovered WASTE bags while scouring the internet for a bag that could take me from day to night, with ease. They’re sleek-looking and so versatile that you’ll place the countless bags you own in the back of your closet.

Aside from getting you seriously hooked on their bags, WASTE is committed to reducing their impact on the environment. The hip company re-purposes rejected materials from the auto industry. Undesirable scraps of leather, polyester, rubber and seat belts, once regarded as junk, are transformed into WASTE’S elegant bags. The unique materials used make each bag a one-of-a-kind gem, sure to capture attention and garner more than a few compliments.
More »

Fall Eco Fashion Beats the Chill In Style with Keds, Loomstate and Eileen Fisher Organics!

It’s official. Fall is off to a cool start! The best part about fall is the chance to start anew: new initiatives (turn off that a.c. and switch to eco-bulbs), new motivations (make lunch), and new clothes! You want to look street smart even when it is cold and this new apparel is both warm and eco-chic.

The limited-edition eco-conscious Loomstate poncho!

Since there’s been a chill in the air, there’s never been a better time to sport a cute overlayer. But with the season not quite winter the hustle and bustle of a thick wool coat overwhelms. Eco-Chick has a solution! In mid- October Loomstate, a men’s and women’s eco-conscious brand, presents their limited edition poncho in celebration of Barney’s CO-OP’s 25^th Anniversary.

Pair the chic poncho with organic denim and prepare to be enviable!

The poncho is made from organic cotton canvas and recycled blankets. It’s cute brown and blue colors make it an essential wardrobe piece to pair with the cutest of cotton organic skinny jeans, for they go the best with the sneaks, like these from Eileen Fisher. Not only are these jeans made from cotton grown without pesticides, they are dyed (jean dyes are notoriously polluting) under the Global Organic Textile Standard. And if you’re not into this style, Eileen Fisher offers a whole line of organic denim on their site and in stores.

Made from non-polluting organic cotton canvas, these sneaks are eco-chic.

Sneakers are a must – whether you’re running around, walking home from work, or taking a stroll in a local pumpkin patch. Whatever you’re up to, cute comfortable sneakers are essential! Keds are superclassic and come in various colors – but this month they’re eco-chic too! Introducing Keds Organic Champions, chic footwear made from one-hundred percent organic cotton, stitched eyelets, and tea-stained laces. The sneakers are 55$ and can be purchased at www.keds.com. 

Don’t back down for the fall chill. Beat it. Sport this super cute outfit and be an eco-chick.
More »