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

Stop and Think with Brett Dennen Before You Shop for Spring

Brett Dennen is my favorite artist of 2009 (so far); his lyrics speak to me about many things, including the beauty of life, appreciating each day, and retaining perspective on love. I’ve been listening to his three albums, “So Much More”, “Hope for the Hopeless” and his first, which is self-titled, on repeat for a month.

I really think he is the voice of this generation, of change, of everything I care about. Please listen. Brett is proof that art still matters (and maybe is one of the few things that does, or ever did).

I’ve been putting together some Spring fashion stories, and Brett’s songs, about consumerism, and how we connect to the rest of the world, are not only humorous, sad and point-making, but they’re damn catchy too. I hope you enjoy as much as I did! (The first video is funny, and Mandy Moore is in it. The second video made me cry though, so be forewarned!)

(This is why I prefer to buy from independent designers, who know the people who make their clothes, and know they don’t pollute the Earth in their production).

Read the lyrics for both songs After the Jump!

More »

Eco Chick Third Birthday and Book Party: Fun for All (Species)!!

Eco Chick is three years old! To celebrate her growing up (there are over 900 posts!) as well as the launch of my book, based on the blog, The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to Be Fabulously Green, called for a kid’s themed party of course!

Eco Chick Founder and Editor, Starre Vartan, with Eco Chick Writer Kim Jordan Allen

I didn’t know how I was going to pull it together, but in just two days, the fabulous Kate McGregor, owner of Kaight, my favorite ecoboutique, and Arina Vikdorchik (AKA Arina Greenaholic for her eco party-planning fabulousness) offered me a venue, and some extra time and hands to help, and I HAD to go for it!

Kate McGregor and friend, and party guests!

I will, of course, be FOREVER indebted to Kate McGregegor of Kaight, for not only helping me dress fabulously, as well as GREENly but giving me such an amazing space to have my party. Thank you, thank you, thank you Kate! You are an honorary Eco Chick!

Singer/songwriter LiliAna Rose and art director for The Daily Green, Gloria Dawson

Soon, 360 vodka and Wolaver’s organic beer (both of which I buy, drink at home and serve when I entertain!) hopped on board as sponsors, which made me very happy since I consider them ‘my’ fave brands. Natura organic wines joined in with a delicious Sauvignon Blanc donation, and though I’d hadn’t heard of them yet, I was so glad they came to my party (with their wine!).

Ama the Bartender, and one of the many pooch attendees

Thanks soooo much to 360, Wolaver’s and Natura! A party without booze is no party at all (unless it’s a tea party, but this wasn’t).

Starre Vartan and Seth Leitman, author of Build Your Own Electric Vehicle, and Tiffany, Tatiana Gelfand and friend.

I am SO proud to say that all my food sponsors come from AMAZING women-owned businesses! Babycakes, which couldn’t be MORE local (it is about 3/4 of a block around the corner from Kaight) made up pretty purple and green vegan cupcakes, vegan and gluten-free banana bread, and brownie bites. They were so amazingly tasty I walked around with the box at one point but was just mostly eating them myself, hee hee. (I am NOT the kind of girl to skip eating awesome treats at my own party!) Babycakes was founded by the retro-cool Erin McKenna- thanks to Erin and her nice-as-could-be staff!

Brian Clark Howard, editor at The Daily Green, AKA DJ SocialPyramid

One of my favorite snacks, Laura’s Wholesome Junkfood, also supplied sweet vegan treats (their oatmeal raisin bitelettes are my fave low-guilt dessert when I’m at home of an evening). Laura’s is such a cool company, started by a doctor (named Laura!) who started her own good-for-you food biz. Thanks Dr. Laura!

Bonnie Hulkower and Emma Grady of Treehugger, and Boho Magazine‘s assistant editor Ashley Kittelsen and Boho fashion editor Margo Helliwell

SweetRiot, whose founder, Sarah Endline, I met years ago at NYC GreenDrinks holiday party, gave us lots of their directly-sourced, fair-trade, dark chocolate covered cocoa nibs in lovely martini glasses (I was so afraid there wouldn’t be enough chocolate!). And they were even nice enough to give me extras to take home after the party in their cute (recyclable, and original art-covered) tins. Thanks Sarah!

Guest, Elizabeth Harrington of Greenopia, and freelance writer Beatrice Aranow

Continuing with the women’s-owned theme, publisher and ecofabulista Gina LaMorte gave us a stack of Boho Magazines for our goody bags (My book is reviewed in the current issue-yay!!); the bags themselves were donated by Whole Foods (where I shop so much I feel like I practically earned those free bags, haha!). The bags are the cool new reusable Sheryl Crowe shoppers and so pretty! John Masters Organics, who makes my fave new haircare products, offered up samples for the goody bags (thanks!)

Arina Vikdorchik and Starre Vartan

I couldn’t have done this without the dogged persistence and unflagging energy of Arina Vikdorchik, who pulled all the nonsense together and made it make sense. Some unvarnished PR- use Arina next time you want to plan a party, green or not!!!

From left to right, Glenn Michael Gordon, Brook Wilensky-Lanford, Christina Rumpf and Rachel Carter, all of Columbia University’s MFA writing program.

From left to right, a friend, Josh Garrett-Davis, and Rob Verger, Columbia nonfiction MFAers

Thanks too, to all of you who came, including the incredibly supportive and loving cast of characters (I mean colleagues!) from Columbia’s University’s School of the Arts nonfiction (and fiction too!) writing program, my agent, Mary Ann Naples (didn’t get a snap of her, darn!!) of The Creative Culture, my publicity team, Emily Fry and Stephen Lee of St. Martin’s (who do a lot with very little!), Brian Clark Howard, my friend, DJ, proofreader for the book, and URTH Guy, my amazing girlfriend Cara Joy, who started off her day at her farm in Vermont gathering eggs and ended up at a book and blog party in the LES, and was indispensible the day-of, helping everything get done, and of course, Danelle Marqui Brown and Kim Jordan Allen, long-time Eco Chick writers, supporters, and fabulous, amazing, inspiring women all-around.

Shane McQuade, CEO of Voltaic systems and Margaret Lydecker, founder of NYC Greendrinks, and Meiling Chen, ecofashion designer

A big shout-out to my friends and colleagues at Greenopia, who are mostly on the West Coast, and whose NYC guidebook (and online listings) are indespensible for navigating this growing green world.

Arina Vikdorchik and Danelle Marqui Brown, Eco Chick writer

Starre Vartan, Michelle Legro, producer and host of Storyville and nonfiction MFA student at Columbia U. and James Yeh, fiction MFA student at Columbia.

Two people who could not attend but to whom I owe debts of gratitude are Dan “Mobius” Sieradski, Eco Chick’s webmaster, who’s single-handedly kept the site running all these years, and my Dad, who has supported the site since its inception, given me great ideas on how to promote it, and encouraged me to keep going with my ideas and aspirations.

Emily Fry and Stephen Lee of St. Martin’s, and Michael Schwarz, writer and animal advocate

Party Guests and a Pooch, and Starre Vartan and ecofashion designer Christine Marchuska in one of her own designs

Party Guests!

7 Sexiest Green Stars of 2007

The results are in!
Well, not really. This list is based on my humble blogger opinion. Use the comment section to claim which celebs float your green boat. With enough feedback, I hope to compile a list based on “popular,” not personal, opinion.

Sheryl Crow
2007 was a great year for Sheryl Crow. In addition to advocating “one square per restroom visit,” the singer raised mainstream green awareness by touring the country in a biodiesel-powered bus. With Laurie David at her side, Crow threw the smack down on Karl Rove. After the former senior White House advisor scoffed at global warming evidence, Sheryl got feisty. “You work for us,” the singer said famously. Now, flip me a burger . . . b*tch!

Brad Pitt
Obviously! No “sexy list” is complete without this corn-fed, Oklahoma-born, man-boy from Missouri. Rugged good looks and a hard body (PEOPLE named him Sexiest Man Alive . . . twice) are fascinating, but thanks to the stalkerazzi, we’re also privy to this benevolent gentleman’s every good deed. Following a laundry list, Pitt finished off 2007 with a massive green building project in Katrina-devastated New Orleans. Pitting (ahem, excuse me) a team of world-renowned green architects for projects, Brad is determined to start an unprecedented green building trend. Adopt a green house (not one of his children) at MakeitRight9.org.

Sienna Miller
It’s hard to keep track of this British beauty’s breakups, make-ups . . . and then again breakups; yet, Sienna’s eco-record is as clear as the see-through bra she sports in Hippie Hippie Shake. An ambassador for UK-based climate-change campaign, Global Cool, Miller recently launched the carbon-neutral clothing line Twenty8Twelve. In October 2007, Sienna received an EMA Futures Award—an honor given to those who use their talent and celebrity to draw attention to the problem of global warming. Yay! Now we can raise our beers to eco-activism and sexy starlets . . . it’s Miller time!

Adrian Grenier
Unlike the character he plays on TV, Entourage star Adrian Grenier cares about the environment—no he doesn’t drive a bright yellow Hummer in “real life!” Grenier prefers driving a Prius, living in a fully “green” house (solar roof, reclaimed floors, recycled blue-jean insulation, blah, blah, blah), and offsetting. In 2007, Grenier drew massive attention to Charity Water, a non-profit initiative that sets up drinking water and sanitation infrastructures in the world’s most impoverished communities.

Word in the ‘Hood says Grenier is “fully committed to educating any lady who dares walk into his green life.” According to environmental gossip site Ecorazzi.com, Grenier said, “if a woman isn’t environmentally conscious, she will be after going out with me.”

Too bad, I’m already environmentally conscious . . .

Al Gore
I had to! This greenie may lack chiseled abs and cheekbones. Nonetheless, in 2007 Gore turned us on with unbridled activism and inspirational gusto. You go Gore!

Hayden Panettiere
Emerging from the cesspool of Disney celebs comes Hayden Panettiere. Though best known for her kiddy-porn appeal and role on NBC’s Heroes, Panettiere is raising praise and eyebrows as a young advocate.

This past October, Panettiere thoroughly pissed off Japanese fishermen during their annual dolphin hunt in Taiji, Wakayama. The young star paddled a surfboard out to a cull of captured dolphins. Though blocked from freeing the enmeshed porpoises, Panettiere’s kafuffle drew great attention to animal conservation and her bubble-butt.

Dolphin saving aside, Panettiere reportedly continues to drive a pimped out Porsche SUV . . . ugh, teenagers!

Leonardo Dicaprio
Hardly jaded by my accolades, international stardom, Oscar-nominations and embarrassingly attractive girlfriends, Leonardo DiCaprio has become one of today’s most prominent environmental voices—many say he is following in Al’s footsteps. In 2007 he produced and narrated the 11th Hour, said to be an unofficial sequel to An Inconvenient Truth. Leo’s film stars my favorite environmentalist of all—and someone who should be on this list: David Suzuki.

For more from Olivia Zaleski check in with her on The Huffington Post.

Liveblogging from Live Earth!

—Giants Stadium, 2:45 PM EST
I’m here at Live Earth in New York, which is the last show in the worldwide music celebration so we can Save Our Selves (SOS).

KT Tunstall

KT Tunstall is up first, after a lackluster intro by Mr. Six-Degrees-of-Kevin-Bacon. Are you watching? If not, you can tune in online here. What do you think so far? KT is wearing some really cute metallic leggings under black shorts.

A Tip form uber-tan Carson Daly in the press room:
“I’ve learned when I stay in hotels and I leave for the day to unplug my blackberry and cell. And when I go to work I’ve started taking a mug for my coffee….or beer!”

Thanks Carson. Always a fount of useful information and pithy comments! NEXT!

4:05 PM EST

Checked out the musical stylings of and Keith Urban and Alicia Keyes, Taking Back Sunday, and Ludacris. Personally I’m waiting to hear Dave Matthews, Smashing Pumpkins and The Police.

When asked about what she does at home, KT Tunstall came to talk to the press and had some smart things to say (the girl really knows her environmental issues!) A couple comments:

“I do a lot of little things at home, but I’m rarely at home. I’m getting my flat in London renovated, and I’m using sheep’s wool insulation, reclaimed wood, and solar panels. As a touring musician I have to fly, but…I’m offsetting my carbon with Global Cool.

With this (concert), I thought god, six other massive events are going on just like this. I think everyone is aware of (global warming), but not that many people know what to do about it. Short films, and information available on the Live Earth. For me the best thing about it is promoting respect for other people on the other side of the planet. It’s about creating a relationship beetwen us and people in China and India and showing that we’ll help eachother and are connected to eachother.”

4:45 PM EST

And the music just keeps coming!! I feel like I can barely keep up with these 30-minute sets!

Taking Back Sunday photo by Brian Clark Howard

Backstage, Taking Back Sunday had this to say about their ‘greenie’ ways, which were surprisingly comprehensive. What was most interesting to me about them was that it seemed that Fred Mascherino, was the most environmentally-oriented of the group, and he in turn got the rest of the band, and then their team and their fans, involved in being eco. See how it only takes one person to make change?

“I’ve been passionate about this issue for years. But ever since an Inconvenient Truth, it’s helped me learn all the things I’m not doing. I recently purchased a vegetable oil burning 1982 Rabbit. I’ve also switched to wind energy in NJ, which only costs me about $3-$5 a month. ” (He’s referring to the option that most U.S. utilities have that offer alternative energy programs, for just a few cents more every year.)

My favorite quote from the group?

“(Global Warming’s) not just hippie folklore anymore, it’s mainstream.”

AFI

The band AFI, which admittedly, I don’t know very well, endeared me with a few cute statements, though they also kinda pissed me off when they mentioned that they weren’t polticial. WHAT? If there was a time to take up politics, it is NOW.

We are apolitical,” said lead singer Davey Havok. But when asked if he would date someone who’s not green, he said, “I’m vegan, so I can only eat green.”

LOVE IT!!

Dave Matthews Band, by Brian Clark Howard

Dave Matthews said (in his endearing, rambling way) that he sometimes feels like what he’s doing is insignificant, or not enough even though the band has been involved in green initiatives for years.

” I could turn cynical pretty quickly, I hop on planes and ride buses, and we’re aware of a certain amount of hypocrisy in that.”

He redeemed himself when he said,

“I grew up camping and can see that the world is finite. It doesn’t seem like it’s absurd idea that it can run out of gas. The idea of the well drying up doesn’t seem that far-fetched. In the end, what kind of world we leave for our children or grandchildren? I think it’s an effort we should make.”

And then he got apocalyptic when he said, “I’m not saying we can save the planet, but we may as well grab for straws as we go down.” Dave, where’s the positivity, enthusiasm and love for which you’re known?

When asked if he supports Al Gore in a run for president, Dave said, apolitically (BOO!!), “I want to see my Mom run for president!”

9 PM EST

I was up front and center (very up front, and very center) for Smashing Pumpkins’ set, which was musically amazing, though I’m disappointed Billy Corgan didn’t take the opportunity to plug anything other than the Pumpkins’ next album. EWWW. I’m a big fan of theirs, and was dancing like it was 1997, but why didn’t the alterna-god make a statement about what he is doing to alleviate the climate crisis? Billy, where were you?

OK, more tomorrow…Sting’s new passion, Randy Jackson’s domestic disputes over water consumption, Anne Curry’s inexcusable ignorance about green and Roger Waters’ enviro-inspiration from his fathers’ WWII war service (??)

But until then…what were your impressions? I LURVED Melissa Etheridge’s amazing speech about why we should all be in the streets to change the world (not to mention our current administration), and Robert Kennedy’s plea for us all to get involved. So I’m an issues dork. But also got into the Police performing “Roxanne”, and Roger Waters doing Pink Floyd’s “Money”.

What were your favorite moments?

Oscars Still Light Green

Well, the Oscars are over, and while there’s just no way that a party this big can be environmentally-friendly, efforts were made to make this Oscar greener than ever (though the website doesn’t detail exactly how impacts were reduced), it says:

This year, the Academy, the Oscar telecast producer Laura Ziskin and the entire production team endeavored to select supplies and services with a sensitivity toward reducing the threats we face from global warming, species extinction, deforestation, toxic waste, and hazardous chemicals in our water and food.

Independently, some stars did try to reduce their impact where they could, most notably by getting to the big event in a hybrid or other kind of alternative transportation (I’d love to see biodiesel shuttle buses in the future!), in a campaign by Global Green called Red Carpet/Green Cars.

And of course, Al Gore’s speech got a lot of claps and supportive hollers at the party I went to last night. Serious….and funny!

From this Reuters article, following is a list of some of the leading green celebrity players (and I have to mention, where are the women? This list is really dominated by the guys….):

- ROBERT REDFORD: 30 years on board of Natural Resources Defense Council,
founder of Sundance Preserve, winner of 1993 Earth Day award, 1987 United
Nations Global 500 award. In April 2007, launches weekly three-hour slot
called “The Green,” dedicated entirely to the environment, on his Sundance
TV channel.

- LEONARDO DICAPRIO: started the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 to
promote environmental issues, drives a hybrid car, currently writing and
producing a feature length documentary on global warming called “11th Hour.”

- BRAD PITT: co-creator of design competition to build 20 affordable,
reduced energy, environmentally friendly homes in New Orleans.

- STING: founder in 1989 of Rainforest Foundation to protect rain forests
and their indigenous peoples.

More »