Where to buy Eco Friendly Shoes?

Every women loves her shoes, it's simply just a natural instinct to her. But if you're an environment loving lass then that your love for shoes can leave you in quite a muddle because let’s face it, fashion doesn't always put nature first.

Are you now frowning and thinking about how you'll have to submit yourself to a lifetime of wearing the more casual styled eco-friendly footwears such as hemp sandals, organic cotton flip-flops and organic cotton canvas slip-on flats?

If you are, then stop because all is not lost. I agree that most eco-friendly shoes you find sold are casual in style and often leaving you parched for choice, they also don’t make for very suitable accessories/necessities in formal work space.

I’m sure you’d agree it wouldn’t be very professional looking to enter the courthouse in a pair of eco-friendly moccasins. Don’t get me wrong, they are lovely and absolutely comfortable but again not very well suited, matched with a power suit.

Making Jewelry From Recycled Objects

Making recycled jewelry is a great rainy-day or family activity and not only helps chips away at the amount of waste we usually toss, but also makes unique and fashionable pieces for wear. Here are three methods of using recycled objects to make personal jewelry pieces.Silverware: Flatware is a popular starting point in jewelry making. Real silverware can come in beautiful designs and mis-matched pieces are easily found in antique shops and at flea markets. Bracelets are some of the most popular bangles to make, but rings and earrings can also be crafted. 

If you choose a piece of flatware, heating is not usually necessary, and so by using tongs and pliers with some strength a bracelet can be easily crafted by bending to spoon so that the handle end is sitting inside the bowl of the spoon. This can also double as a pendant for a necklace. If you choose a fork, the tongs can either be spiraled for a unique design or curved to fit the wrist. 

Unique, Earth Friendly Gift Giving

It’s not just the poor economy that turns people to homemade, handcrafted gifts this season. Instead of purchasing more unnecessary goods this gift-giving season, why not use what you have and create beautiful items you know your recipients will use, and love. 

• Homemade Jewelry: Homemade jewelry does require some skill to make, especially more intricate pieces, but jewelry is a notoriously heartfelt gift, even more so if it is personally crafted. Craft supply stores feature a wealth of beautiful beads and materials for earring, necklaces and bracelets.  If you don’t feel comfortable making your own jewelry cites such as Etsy are great ways to find hand-made crafts and gifts from individual artisans. Not only will you receive a completely unique gift, but you’ll also be supporting small craftspeople and local economies.  

Sustainable Shoes Can Be 'Simple'

With the change of the season comes the hunt for shoes to brave the cold with. But shoes, like many other clothing articles, are most often manufactured from durable plastics or leather, which can be a less-than-desirable clothing option for earth and animal friendly people. 
A new shoes company has emerged to cater to earth and ethics friendly individuals seeking reliable footwear. Simple Shoes produce a variety of sneakers and sandals made from all-natural and recycled materials including hemp, bamboo,

Recycling Re-useables

Reusable containers are a great way to cut down on unnecessary waste from common household items like bottled water and Styrofoam dishes and cups, but even out reusable containers sometimes wear out. Then comes the question; how do you recycle your worn-out reusable containers? 

• Ziploc: Because Ziploc bags are in fact plastic bags, many recycling operations will not accept them at the curb, even if it is marked with a recycle code. The best way to get the most out of your Ziploc is to rinse and re-use it.

Cleaning House and Moving Home

As I enter the final stages of the transition to adulthood, I find myself in the midst of a number of housewarming parties. In all this I’ve come to learn that when moving into a new residence, you begin to realize just how much you own- and how much you don’t. But moving doesn’t need to be a disparaging event. Instead, “cleaning house” can be a great way to get off to a new, eco-friendly start.

The first step is donation. When moving out, decide what you use and what you don’t. Donating old clothes, furniture and electronics to companies like Purple Heart, Goodwill

Weekly Challenge: Reuse Your Stuff

You know that little green arrow triangle: "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." I'm doing the recycling; I'm buying fewer packaged products and I always try to fix before I replace; if you read my previous post, you'll know that I am trying to get better at the reusing part of it.

My challenge this week is mainly directed at myself: reuse. Reuse. Reuse. Reuse. Find a way to get new life and new use out of that stuff that is so often thrown away without a second thought. I like to get myself thinking of creative reuses by pretending I don't have a store around to run to. You can bet I'd be getting creative with the stuff I already have if I didn't have the option to go get more. I bet you would get more creative, too.

Plastic knives make great garden markers, and old shower curtains give you an easy way to transport mature plants. Read more on gardening reuse at Frugal Gardening

At Home Paper-Making

Even the simplest act of conservation can go a long way, not to mention providing some really interesting results. This is exactly the case with at-home paper-making. Making your own paper is a fun craft that not only helps use waste from oft unrecycled materials, but also gives a wealth of unique designs perfect for gift-wrapping, scrap booking, card-making, or printing.

To start you’ll need a variety of old papers, anything from tissue paper to junk mail. I like to add interesting fibers too, like fringed hemp or twine, or even flowerpetals (just make sure they’re not completely dry or they’ll crumble.) Colored tissue paper will add colour, while cotton fibers help give the paper a stronger consistency. In all; Experiment! It’s half the fun!

You Will Need:

A large bowl or wash tub.

A blender.

A sponge.

Lint-free cloth.

Colorful Bags for the Green Girl

For me, it started about a year ago at my favorite SuperFresh store. I saw the colorful sacks hanging next to the registers and knew, for only $1 each, I must have them.

From then on I’ve found the reusable bag an invariable craze, with chains like Target, and even the lesser-known Acme market