Jewelry can get expensive…especially really funky and unique jewelry. But screw that. Why not go through your old crap and make some awesome new stuff? It’s an awesome way to recycle things you no longer use, save money on your bling…and look cool doing it.

Just get your butt over to a craft store and pick up some basic items: earring hooks, hemp, chains, fasteners for necklaces and bracelets, and some glue.

Here are some tips I’ve got for you after having spent my entire childhood….and now, adulthood…in afternoon craft time.

You can make recycled jewelry out of items you may not have suspected:

-Loose items. Loose items alone can look really great on an earring hook or necklace chain. Consider some of these items: spare keys, mini locks, bolts, safety pins, and any other metal scraps.

-Flexible materials. Some items can simply easily be molded into bracelets, necklaces, and rings. Vinyl records, when heated, can be molded, for example. Eating utensils, plastic from bottles and containers, etc. Read More »

As with most large movements in history, young people nationwide are leading the way in the fight towards a more planet-conscious future.

College students from coast to coast are studying ways to reduce waste, toxic emissions and other harmful habits and creating more efficient and earth friendly alternatives. Others are simply making better choices; turning off lights, recycling old notebooks and using cold water for their monthly trips to the laundry room.

Some very conscientious students at various schools are even taking it a step further by living and breathing the Green lifestyle in Green Co-Ops.

Most people think of Co-Ops as Hippie Houses full of free love, pot and rarely-used showers. This new brand of Co-Op, popping up on campuses every day, may have some similar features (like pot, I’m sure), but is a far cry from the original. Read More »

Every day – without even trying, it seems – I see more and more people going green. And it makes me so happy! It seems like everyone’s catching the bug.

NBC did an entire week of prime time programming that incorporated green story lines, green facts, and tips for going green. Even I learned tons of new information and ways to reduce my carbon footprint a little more.

Also on last week was a small part of The Sundance channel’s large series called, Big Ideas for a Small Planet, “a documentary series presenting the forward-thinking designers, products and processes that are on the leading edge of a new green world.” The episode I caught covered clothing and the ways new earth friendly designers are creating products that help – not harm – our planet, while still being totally hot.

One fantastic Green company is Patagonia. Did you know their soft and furry jackets are made from recycled pop bottles? In fact, making Patagonia products actually keeps 2.5 billion pop bottles out of landfills each year! (And my Diet Coke obsession is not helping things…)

Even better, when your Patagonia jackets/shirts/anything get worn out and old, you can bring them back to any Patagonia retailer to be recycled. The material can be broken down and recycled into new products an infinite number of times! Think about all those materials you are saving. Read More »

Thanks to one Mr. Al Gore, I have been somewhat of a greenie (a friend of the planet, not the dog treat) for awhile now.

I have been spreading the word for months (like here) in hopes that I can get other people on board with me. Not because it is trendy or “in” right now, but because we don’t want our children to have to deal with such a mess of a planet later….or burst into flames because the earth has gotten so hot.

And I have met a lot of apprehension along the way:

“But I really love my Hummer.”

“It’s so hard to be earth friendly!”

“GO HUG A TREE!”

“Ew. Reuse someone else’s PAPER?!”

Ah; ignorance. How I loathe thee.

If people just sat down and listened for a few minutes they would realize just how simple it is to be earth friendly. I am not asking people to reuse their Ziploc bags (which I get made fun of for all the time) or stop using toilet paper. I am asking people to make teensy tiny changes to their daily routines that make virtually no difference to the user and a huge difference to the planet.

Since I last wrote about green items such as compact fluorescent bulbs and reusable grocery bags, a whole slew of new earth friendly products have surfaced. These hot new items are innovative, made from recycled products (to cut down on excess waste!) and yet another few easy ways for you to get a bit more green-ified. The best part, obviously, is that they don’t look like crunchy “Save the Planet” items; these are things you actually need and want. Read More »

As your favorite stores begin to fill their racks with sweaters and heavy denim, you may find yourself clinging to your favorite sundress for dear life.

Maybe it’s those killer new sandals you picked up last week or that adorable cropped jacket you haven’t yet had the opportunity to flaunt. Don’t despair! Stylebakery.com has compiled a list of ways to recycle your summer style into the fall months.

My favorite suggestions were the first three on the list.

1. Floral Dress- The fall is a colorful season. Why ditch your floral dress when the leaves turn from green to red? Stylebakery provides a number of options to keep this piece active. The main theme seems to be layer a cardigan on top of your dress and adding on some tights (or leggings!). A few accessories will add even more flare to your ensemble.

2. Bermuda Shorts- Bermuda shorts are versatile, comfortable, and cute. You may want to extend their time of use as they look good with everything from T-shirts to high heels. Slip some tights or leggings under these babies to help them hang in just a bit longer. For an elegant look, you may want to add a patterned or lace tight under your Bermuda shorts. To stay casual stick to opaque tights or jersey leggings. Read More »