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Though I have tried to “opt out” of junk mail, certain magazines and catalogues, I still get my fair share of junk in the mail.  I Hate Junk Mail – 10 Uses for Unwanted Junk Mail gives you a few creative ideas for your junk mail. Blog: dk Mommy Spot

10 Surprising Ways You’re Killing the Earth Without Even Knowing It by Carolyn Friedman goes into just that. From not eating farm raised fish, to not ignoring home inspections, she outlines a few changes we all can make in our day-to-day lives.  Blog:  Becoming a Radiologist

Before I started Green and Chic, I was told time and again that it was going to fail.   Though I have had thoughts of giving up Stop Thinking You Are Going To Fail Just Because Someone Says You Should really helps put things into prospective.  Blog: My Wife Quit Her Job

Giveaways

EarthLust Review and Giveaway - Win a BPA free, eco-friendly stainless steel water bottle  from Simply Stacie blog. Giveaway ends on March 4, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.

Giveaway – Tropical Traditions Teeth Cleaner Set by Sweeps4Bloggers. This delicious coconut oil based teeth cleaner is free from artificial flavors and foaming agents.  Giveaway ends on March 8, 2010 at 8pm PST.

Seventh Generation Review and Giveaway Seventh Generation is offering one Free and Clear Cleaning Starter Kit. Giveaway ends on March 10, 2010.

So far, the year started with a bang, and time is going by faster than I can count the days.  Its a beautiful today because unlike in other parts of the country, the weather has been very mild (50′s) and sunny… in Portland!  I actually had to break out the sunglasses if you could believe it!  I hope it stays that way, at least for another day or so.

Did you know you can recycle your old bras instead of tossing them?  Ecouterre tells you why and how in Recycling Old Bras, Eco-Fashion Dire Straits, Faux Fur Pas

Its amazing how much food we as a nation trow away.  David of  The Good Human talk about the Environmental Implications Of The Food We Throw Away

Do you want to know how to How To Boost Your Metabolism In 3 Minutes 29 Seconds? My favorite fitness blogger, Kat of Body Incredible will tell you how! Trust me, you will not be disappointed – (wink wink!)

Is it realistic to have a home office space this clean?  Is yours?  Maybe at the end of the day after you clear off your desk and throw everything in a box, I suppose.  A Showcase of Minimalist Workstations by Web Designer Depot leaves me a little disoriented.

Win a Dandelion Earth tote bag from Focus Organic: Giveaway! Dandelion Organic Cotton ‘Keep it Green’ Tote Bag. Giveaway ends February 20th.

Blogging (what else?)

If you have a blog, what are your blogging goals for 2010? Barbara Swafford with Blogging Without a Blog poses the question in her post: Looking Forward

If you have an eCommerce business, do you really need to blog?  This article: Do I Really Need a Blog For an eCommerce Business by Nate Moller of Thou Shall Blog gives you the answer you’re looking for.

Are you having a hard time just getting started with writing/blogging? Joanna with Confident Writing gave us a list of resources to help us get started (or continue) in 10 Posts to Help with Getting Started.

Fashion, crafts and green living

Though I try to avoid buying anything, if possible, I still love browsing online stores and boutiques. Top 10 Online Eco-Boutiques by Ecosalon kept me occupied for a while.

I’m currently on a sewing binge and Fab Fabrics: 2009 Retrospective by Crafting a Green World gave me additional ideas and inspiration for 2010.

Just Say No to Plastic - We all know just how toxic and destructive plastic is.  The problem its everywhere and its sometimes easy to forget that we should avoid it.  Lisa Sharp asks, “what are you doing to reduce plastic this year?” and offers a few suggestions.

Happy Hump Day!

I rarely talk about food and nutrition here on Green and Chic, but I’ve recently stumbled across a few blog posts that are worth sharing.

What Passes For Food in America by Cheeseslave is an eye opening account about what’s severed in many hotels and certain restaurants.  Did you know that the scrambled eggs served in many hotel buffets are not real eggs?  Many times, its powered or artificial eggs made from a substance called “oxidized cholesterol”.  You will be floored when you find out what that is.  If I’ve ever eaten that in the past by mistake, I don’t think I want to know.

21 Ways to Sneak More Vegetables Into Your Diet by RawFoodsWitch gives us some very appealing ways to incorporate more vegetables into our diet.  Foods such as zucchini “pasta” and kale chips will have you forgetting that what you’re eating is good for you!

Another killer reason to avoid packaged foods by Food Renegade – Think mercury is only in fish? Think again. Mercury can also be found in a lot of prepackaged and processed foods containing HFCS (high fructose corn syrup). Read more about it here.

The Secret To Losing Stomach Fat No, this is not one of those Google advertisements that promises you a 6-pack if you drink magic berry juice. Kat Eden with Body Incredible gives us effective ways to lose that belly fat though diet, exercise and overall lifestyle.

Why Go Organic Now? by Green Girls Global gives us a few great reasons why we should “go organic”.

Are you still using bleach in your laundry and to clean your home? I remember when bleach was the be all end all of cleanliness while growing up. Little did we realize how toxic it is.   Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Bleach by The Good Human gives us a few great alternatives.

Several months ago, Sommer Poquette of Green and Clean Mom wrote an article on kids and bleach in Bleach Prescribed to Relieve Eczema Itching: Talk About a Toxic Bath! I found it hard to believe that bleach is an actual recommendation for dealing with eczema (especially for babies).  What else can you do?  Sommer gives us good suggestions.

Do you own one of those Swiffer (mops) that requires disposable wipes? SquakFox has a great alternative to buying and tossing out those disposable Swiffer wipes in  4 Swiffer Cleaning Hacks for Cheaper Dust-Free Living. Not only will these hacks help you save money, but it will reduce waste.

Though we should be very concerned about outdoor and environmental air quality, according to the EPA, research indicates that some people spend 90% of their time indoors. That would include the sick, people with limited mobility and the elderly.  My guess is this is especially true if you live in an not so friendly climate – especially in the winter.  Indoor Air Quality by Focus Organic gives us basic steps on how we can improve the air we breathe.

Keep your eyes peeled for another eco-friendly pet product giveaway in the coming weeks.

Its hard to believe summer is almost halfway over!  Here is some good information to help get you though the dog days of summer.

Guide To Finding Safe, Eco-Friendly Sunscreen by David | The Good Human offers a great deal of information about sunscreen and sun protection.  David outlines what a higher SPF really means, UVA verses UVB and some of the chemicals used in these products.  There is also a list of the top five sunscreen recommendations rated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), and top five of the least effective sunscreens with a higher health hazard rating.
Follow The Good Human on Twitter

Making The Most Out Of Farmer’s Markets by Low Impact Living is a great guide on shopping at your local farmers market.  Farmers markets is one of my favorite places to shop due to the fact that its usually outdoors and the vendors tend to be very passionate about what they have to offer.  Between the coffee kiosk that offers locally roasted, fair trade organic coffee, the oyster booth, and all of the beautiful  local produce, I’m in heaven.
Follow Low Impact living on Twitter

Organic Food: The Raw Debate Over Benefits of Organic. Is it really beneficial to buy organic food (particularly produce?) Nathalie with Raw Foods Witch gives a balanced overview of organic food complete with the upsides and downsides.  She also offers great tips in case you cannot buy organic produce due to cost or availability.
Follow Nathalie on Twitter

Say No To Bottled Water by Green and Clean Mom and Bottled Water Problem: Its not just the bottle by Fake Plastic Fish speaks about the  problems with bottled water that goes beyond the bottle and the waste it causes. You will read that there isn’t a bottled water standard for DEHP, which is a hormone-disrupting phthalate. You will also learn more about the energy it takes to manufacture water in a bottle.
Follow Green and Clean Mom on Twitter
Follow Fake Plastic Fish on Twitter

Eco-Friendly Friday Tips Volume Fifty Five – Dry Cleaning by Focus Organic gives you the scoop on what organic, eco, green or chemical-free dry cleaning really means.  There is also a link to help you find a dry cleaners that uses methods that’s healthier for you and for the environment.
Follow Focus Organic on Twitter

10 Questions to Help You Declutter by Simple Nest should be your first stop if you need tips on decluttering your home.

Have a great week everyone!

Its about time I spread more love in the blogosphere!

Green Jobs: Where are they? by Low Impact Living offers a large list of  resources to help you find your dream “green job”.  Pass it on to anyone who is looking for work.

How To Compost Without Raising a Stink If you need step-by-step instructions on how to compost without creating a huge barrow of slime (like I did), this post is definitely a good start.

Ever since I found out about the  Pacific Gyre Plastic Trash Island, it frightens me every time see photos or graphs of it. This is a “trash island”  located in the Pacific that’s twice the size of Texas and 30 feet deep.  The Chic Ecologist goes in to how this happened, the problems that its causing and possible clean-up solutions.

Would you like a drink? Gettin’ Crafty in the Kitchen: Infused Vodka gives you step-by-step instructions on how to make delicious vodka infusions. Try it with vanilla bean, basil, cucumber or even garlic! Its simple, creative, inexpensive and delicious!

Are You More Frugal or Green?: Balancing Multiple Goals Which camp do you fall into?  Tyler goes into the trap of being too frugal or cheap at the risk of neglecting green-oriented goals.  He also states that  “…as noble as it may seem to shirk financial gain in favor of saving the world at all cost (forgive the pun), how many people can really sustain such a life?” The question is, how can you strike a balance?

Mountains of the Moon Giveaway by Green Grechen is another fabulous eco-fashion blog giveaway. The contest ends June 28th so hurry!

Inspiring Vertical Gardens for Small Spaces I am a huge fan of unconventional gardens and growing wherever you can.  This post gives you an idea of where and how you can have a garden when you have very little space to work with.

How To Stop Receiving Paper Junk Mail and Save Trees by Money Blue Book gives you a list of resources and websites on how to stop paper junk mail from making its way to your mailbox.

Stay tuned for more giveaways and a Green and Chic price reduction announcement in the weeks ahead.

Its not just the aesthetics of the blog that I was drawn to though.  Jennae’s blog is your one stop shopping for everything having to do with eco-friendly and chemical free home interiors. You will find everything from furniture,  paint, rugs, kitchenware, for baby, bath, pets,  to linens and more.

You can check out all of the nominies here and vote for multiple blogs in other categories as well.

Vered of MomGrind
Vered was one of the first people to post a comment on the original and short lived WordPress.com hosted Green and Chic blog.  I didn’t really know much about blogging at the time so my strategy was and still is to emulate the bloggers who are doing well at it and Vered is one of them.

Vered writes about various subject matters, some controversial, some that will make you laugh, cry, angry or somewhere  in between.  Some of my favorite posts includes In defense of the nine to five grind and Blog Monetization: Why is it such a big problem?

Kim Woodbridge of Antisocial Development
To me, Antisocial Development is the ultimate WordPress user guide. Posts such as 3 WordPress 2.7 Auto-Upgrade Issues have seen me through some rough times. If you still don’t have a self-hosted blog and ready to cross over to the dark side of  having your blog on your own domain, stop by Antisocial Development.

Three most popular posts

Besides the giveaways I host such as the TWIST Natural Cleaning Products, there are a few early posts that are still getting a lot of attention.

Petroleum jelly possible cancer risk

Nine ways to avoid household toxins

“I have a headache!” -  A word about perfumes

Again, I would like to thank all of my supporters that have seen me though this past year.  Here’s to another year and beyond!

]]> http://greenandchic.com/blog/where-did-the-time-go-belated-birthday-for-green-and-chic/feed 9 http://greenandchic.com/blog/eco-fashion-thrift-stores-and-a-little-link-love?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eco-fashion-thrift-stores-and-a-little-link-love http://greenandchic.com/blog/eco-fashion-thrift-stores-and-a-little-link-love#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 20:05:55 +0000 Carla Rose http://greenandchic.com/blog/?p=1171 Photo credit: Empracht

Previous posts in this series:
Eco Fashion: What is it?
Eco Fashion: Do it yourself – Organic Fabric
Eco Fashion: Do it Yourself – Yarn
Eco Fashion: The Cost of Eco Fashion
Eco Fashion: Consignment

Thrift stores are another type of second hand store.  Unlike consignment stores, thrift stores are usually non-profit, charitable organizations.  Depending on the store, the proceeds benefits local hospitals, disease fighting organizations such as the Out of the Closet chain that’s owned by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), and the famous Goodwill and Salvation Army.  In general, I find that the clothing and accessories from thrift stores are cheaper than  consignment stores.  You may have to do a little digging  to find a diamond in the rough.

More inspiration

Stephanie with Eco-Chic shows you how you can Rock That Thrift Wardrobe! She demonstrates how you can be stylish, yet not break the bank.

Discarded to Divine by Ecofabulous highlights a charitable organization that transforms discarded clothing into fashion worthy of a couture department store (or something like that!)  The proceeds from the events and fashion shows benefits the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The Thrifty Chicks blog had many great “thrifty” posts such as Dump That Retail Mindset!

The street style photos at Thrifty Fashionista demonstrates how you can be fashionable from thrift store findings.

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