Reuse · Eco-Chick

Browsing all posts tagged with reuse

On Trend for Spring: Five Vintage Graphic Looks with Indy Flair

Guest post by Barbara at Chronologie Vintage.

Sometimes it’s hard being a “green” fashionista. We love expressing ourselves with clothing, but we worry about the impact that clothes—even organic ones—have on the earth.

I started Chronologie Vintage Clothes in 2011 because I wanted to share my vision with other women. I believe all of us deserve to feel good in our skin and our clothing: When we take care of ourselves in this way and other ways, we have more to give the world.

Vintage clothes offer endless ways to express our individuality, and feel good doing it. Vintage (which is generally defined as at least 20 years old) is often better made than newer clothing, usually fits better, and is a whole lot less generic than much of what’s sold today.

Vintage clothing is more than just “used” stuff, though. In my shop, everything has to have some outstanding feature—a terrific color, fantastic fabric, unusual style, etc. I know what I like, and that’s my guiding principle in everything I buy.
Here are a few current favorites from my shop.

I found this one-of-a-kind dress last summer at a vintage market in Brussels. I got lost trying to find my family when I was done in the market. With no cell phone, I had to figure out a solution with a few euros and some bad French. This dress rode back to the US clutched in a bag on my lap…and I think it was worth all the effort.

This black silk blouse came from the same vintage market (yes, as I was lost in Brussels I was toting around a huuuge shopping bag). This blouse is so beautifully handmade by a tailor for some unknown European woman. It dates to the 1980s, but I think the cute tulip print looks like something you’d find at Urban Outfitters—very indie/hipster.
More »

60's, 70's, chronologie vintage, clothes, eco fashion, eco friendly, reuse, upcycling, vintage

10 Simple Ways to Reuse That Gift Wrap this Holiday!

2 Comments

by Lindsay E. Brown · 12/23/11

I don’t know about you but I find much of the traditional gift wrap sold in stores to be – how to say this – tacky. But what’s even tackier is all of the waste that’s created from people opening up a gift, crumbling the paper into a ball and then tossing it in the trash.

You’re better than that.

Since you’ll likely be given gifts wrapped in a number of ways, many of which won’t be green, keep these very practical and easy ideas in mind for re-purposing the gift wrap you’re given this season.

1.) Store the wrapping paper and re-use it. You can iron out any kinks on low heat.

2.) If it’s crumbled beyond repair, keep it anyway! You can just shred it and use it as the filler in gift bags.
More »

Christmas, holiday, Recycling, reuse, upcycling, wrapping paper

How I Wear Eco Fashion: Model Citizen Summer Rayne Oakes Rocks the Uniform Project

No Comments

by Summer Rayne Oakes · 03/29/11

Over the past month I’ve been taking on the Uniform Project challenge and helping raise money for Charity: Water through the kindness of the community’s readers. It’s been exciting because we’ve already raised enough money to build 1 1/2 wells and hope that we can hit our $10K mark over the next couple days to build two wells.

It’s been tremendous fun as it’s allowed me to maximize the creativity of my wardrobe. And it’s been great to share with the readers my personal style and also invite them in as a “guest” by giving them a 31-day snapshot into my personal-professional life. As I mentioned in previous post, they have seen the “whimsy and wunderkammerness of my little abode. Brightly painted walls…tendrils of ivy and philodendrons…terrariums of exotic insects…and a collection of honeys, tea, bibelots, and collectible from all corners of the globe.”

Not to mention the breadth of the programs I’ve been lovingly laboring over – from Source4Style to the environmental film I’m working on in memory of my greatest mentor and long-time friend, Tom Eisner.
More »

eco fashion, Fashion, model, NYC, reuse

Repurpose or Reuse Common Household Items in Your Home Decor

1 Comment

by Starre Vartan · 08/27/10

The following is a guest post by the contributor of DIY-Guides.com, where you can find other useful decoration tips. Photo by suzette.

If you have an old household item that you just don’t use or maybe even don’t like any longer… why not give it new life and use in your home? It will be more eco-friendly – by not filling up our landfills, and help on the pocketbook at the same time. It’s a win-win situation.

So don’t think of a piece of furniture or household item as “old” or “useless” – repurpose it into something useful that will fit and even enhance your home decor.

While searching for some ideas, I found some great ways to repurpose some old items I have hanging around the house. One of them is on how to make new pillows. I happen to need new pillows for my guest bedroom – without having to trash the old ones and spending more money.

I fell in love with this first idea. In fact, I’m working on the pillows right now. And plan on giving these other ideas a try, too. Maybe you’ll find them useful as well:

Turn a Shirt into a New Pillow

As I said, I was looking for a way to make new pillows, so this idea was up my alley. My husband had several button-down shirts in his closet that don’t fit anymore or have had small stains on the sleeves. Perfect. And my guest bedroom is blue and white so blue, white and white/blue striped dress shirts are just what I’m looking for.

Here’s the easy to follow instructions to make your own button-down pillows at MarthaStewart.com. I also ran across another idea using old blankets. So I’ve decided to use one of my son’s baby blankets to make a special pillow as a keepsake. Here’s an easy how-to at DIY Guides.
More »

craft, decor, DIY, Home, reuse, upcycling

Eco-Chic Decor from Bacchus-Inspired Aesthetics

4 Comments

by Starre Vartan · 09/13/09

Guest post by Shireen Quodosi

What comes more easily in this economy than an assortment of empty wine bottles after you’ve just thrown a smashing get-together? With the preference being on sourcing cheap entertaining ideas, most people now see staying at home with a good meal and great wine as a viable alternative to spending money on restaurants and clubs.

Wine Bottle Ideas:

There are a number of ways to reuse wine bottles. Among the more common ideas are reusing them as water pitchers, votive vases, torches, and flower bed liners. However, there are dozens of other smart options that are rarely explored.

Rewined Recycled Glassware – Get uniquely hued wine bottle glassware made from orphaned bottles left behind at local restaurants and bars.

Water Feeders – On a very hot day or when you’re away, fill the bottles of water and stick them into the pot or soil near your plant. The water will slowly percolate from the bottle and into the soil.

Wine Bottle Chandeliers – In addition to the popular row lighting and pendant lighting, Pottery Barn put together an interesting chandelier with wine bottles strung around it. Even though four dozen other people will likely have the same statement piece, at least you know it’s a unique sustainable element in your home. Plus it catches the light beautifully during the day and especially at sunset.