June 25th, 2009
![31KrFVqCa6L[1]](http://www.myfashioncornerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/31KrFVqCa6L1-300x176.jpg "31KrFVqCa6L[1]")
As anyone who has tried yoga knows, the most important piece of equipment is your mat. It can be difficult to find one with just enough cushion that also grips the floor, your hands, and feet well. Many of the economy mats flooding the market are too short and tend to slip. Additionally many of the mats on the market today are made of PVC, EVA, and other artificial or petroleum based products.
Jade Yoga produces what they claim to be nature’s best yoga mats. The Jade yoga mat is crafted of natural rubber tapped from rubber trees and contains no heavy metals, ozone depleting substances, PVC, or other synthetic rubber. Natural rubber is tapped, like maple syrup, from rubber trees, making it a sustainable, renewable resource. In fact, Jade prides itself on producing mats using only components approved by the FDA for use for rubber in continuous contact with food. Though I am not sure I would want to eat off my yoga mat after class, knowing there are not dangerous chemicals being absorbed into my body from contact with the rubber is a comforting thought.
In addition to using only environmentally friendly components, all Jade mats are manufactured in the United States, in compliance with all US environmental, labor, and consumer safety laws. That means their products are not only eco-friendly but fairly and ethically produced. Plus, for every mat sold, Jade plants a tree. So not only are you choosing a product that has minimal environmental impact, you are buying it from a manufacturer who is helping to improve and beautify the earth and its communities.
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June 17th, 2009
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June 11th, 2009
In part two of this series, I tried to answer the question
What are the differences between natural and organic fabrics?
Natural fibers are those found, well in nature. The most common natural fibers used to make clothing are cotton, hemp, ramie, linen, wool, and silk. The use of natural fibers extends back beyond recorded history with archaeological evidence indicating that wool and flax were being woven into fabrics by the sixth century BC. Natural fibers can be split into three main groups.
Vegetable fibers come from plants. Some of the most common are cotton, hemp, and flax (used to make linen).
Protein fibers come from the wool and hair of animals. Among these are wool, alpaca, and cashmere.
Silk is made from strong elastic fibrous secretions of silkworm larvae in cocoons.
Organic fibers are produced of natural fibers that are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. That means your 100-percent cotton T-shirt may be an entirely natural fabric, but nowhere near organic. The best breakdown I have found of different types of Organic fabrics comes from Annette Stelmack at GreenBuildingAdvisor.com. It is a bit lengthy, but it has good information, so I decided to post in its entirety (photos added).
As an eco-nerd at heart, I love researching and reading up on products. Here is what I’ve found when sourcing sustainable natural fibers for fabrics and rugs.
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June 9th, 2009
With all the buzz about going green and being eco-friendly, I decided to see how living green could be applied to the fashion industry. I quickly learned there is a lot more to the topic than I originally thought and that the post I was planning would be best split into multiple parts.
“Going green” or being eco-friendly are tems that relate to products and/ or lifestyles that are environmentally friendly. This can mean consuming less natural resources, using sustainable resources, using organic products, recycling, creating less waste, and much more. The more septs in the production process that are eco-friendly, the “greener” the end product.
In fashion, the most effective way to be eco-friendly is to simply buy less clothing, shoes, and accessories. The next most effective is to purchase used items from garage sales or thrift stores, reducing the amount of new products that need to be manufactured, keeping goods from ending up in landfills, and often making a charitable contribution at the same time. Another good option is to Freecycle which is a great way to get (and give!) free stuff locally. With the average American throwing out 68 pounds of clothing and textiles a year, it is easy to see how these options can make a huge difference.
Now, I am not denying these are great options, but in my fashionista heart of hearts, I love clothes, I love shoes, and I certainly love my handbags. Most of all I love shopping, the thrill of the hunt, and capturing that elusive great deal. For shoppers like me, there is still a glimmer of hope. Team Treehugger gives the following tips for building a green wardrobe on Planet Green. Read the rest of this entry »
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June 9th, 2009
I love my iPod silicone case! I am obsessive about preventing scratches and fingerprints on shiny surfaces. Before I started using a silicone case, by I was constantly trying to wipe smudges and finger prints off my beloved MP3 player. I even tried knitting an “iPod sock” for it, but I had to take it out to access the controls, causing those obnoxious prints.
My mother gave me an
iPod silicone case for Christmas, and it has seriously lowered my frustration level. I am able to see the screen and adjust the volume while protecting it from marks and keeping that beautifully shiny silver back scratch-free.
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June 9th, 2009
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![thihighs1[1]](http://www.myfashioncornerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/thihighs11-84x300.jpg "thihighs1[1]")
One of the hottest fashion trends this fall is the thigh-high boot. If you are like me, hearing that immediately conjured visions of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman- pre ladylike makeover. It isn’t too hard to avoid crossing the line from sexy to smutty, if you know how to wear them. Here are a few suggestions to pull off those fabulous boots.
