Who among us has not walked to their closets and dresser drawers with dread, bored to tears of everything inside and knowing that they can’t just buy a whole new wardrobe just because their picky heart desired it?  Sometimes all that is needed is a creative spark of inspiration, scissors, some string and/or thread, and nimble fingers.

I’m talking about renewing that wardrobe by reusing the clothes in fun inventive ways, so essentially recycling the wardrobe items.  Need some ideas?

With strategic snips of the scissors and skilled ribbon use, a shirt can get new ruched sides that will flatter the waistline and draw visual interest!

Sleeves can be tinkered with by cutting them completely off, shortening them, cutting slits into them for butterfly sleeves.  A strategic cut into the neckline can create a v-cut neck to the shirt.  With a glue gun and crystals or a bedazzler, exciting sparkle can liven up even the most dull shirts.  If feeling really adventurous, mixing up a bucket of dye and changing the total look of the shirt is an idea.  Fabric markers or decals can also be used on the shirt for personalized designs.  There are many options for the thrifty soul who wants to make totally new items from their old shirts.

Jeans that have become ratty on the bottom can become broken in, just like new capris or shorts!  Cut off the bottom part of the jeans as short as you are trying to go and then either leave the hem frayed for a cut-offs look or hem the new pair of shorts.

Have a plain item of clothing that you want to look different?  Buy ribbon or extra materials and add spizazz to it!  No need to have boring looks if you don’t want them.

A rather ingenious way to turn old clothes that you are tired of into something enjoyable is to create accessories out of them.  That outdated denim skirt can become a totally cool clutch handbag with the right sewing!  Love the pattern on a skirt but utterly tired of the fit?  Cut out strips and make it into a headband!  Belt loops on a pair of denim shorts can be cut off along with the rivets on the on the jean’s pockets, glue the rivets onto the belt loop with hot glue and seal it into a loop for a cute new ring.  Turn that old college sweatshirt in to a one-of-a-kind bag!

Seeing the same old clothes in a wardrobe can be oh so boring, but refashioning them in an unexpected, fun way can liven it up enough that it all seems like new!

Each day, as you shower and get ready to face the outside world, do you think about what in your beauty products actually makes your hair shiny or your lipstick last? You should. According to Safe Cosmetics, beauty and body care products of all kinds contain tons of chemicals, many of which are linked to cancer. The average woman in the United States uses about 12 personal care products a day, and men use about six—and each of these products contain a dozen or more chemicals! Of these hundreds of chemicals, less than twenty have been evaluated by the industry’s consumer safety panel—so it is a big mystery what they are doing to us!  Thankfully, there are ways to replace these dangerous chemicals in your daily usage with natural products that won’t make you sick. Here are five of the best, natural solutions to our beauty (or handsome-ness) dilemmas:

1. Need to control your frizz? Instead of Infusium 23 Complete Frizz Control Treatment, try Got2b Glossy Anti-Frizz Shine Serum. Where Infusium contains eight ingredients known to be dangerous to your health, Got2b has infinitely fewer ingredients and only one that may be questionable.

2. The shampoo you use to wash your baby’s hair is also a place where dangerous chemicals hide. Instead of Johnson’s Head-to-Toe Baby Wash, use Method Baby Squeaky Green Hair + Body Wash. Method’s product only contains only four ingredients of low concern, while Johnson’s has over 30 ingredients, nine of which pose some health concern.

3. When you are washing your own hair, look out for Nexxus. Their Botanoil Botanical Treatment Shampoo contains at least one ingredient that is a suspected immunotoxicant, not to mention the company’s disregard for the climate and ethics in their manufacturing practices. Instead, use Dr. Bronner’s Magic Citrus Hair Rinse—it contains only ten ingredients, most of which are natural oils, and only two of low health concern.

4. If lipstick is your thing, switch out Stila for Peacekeeper’s colors. Stila’s lipstick has an ingredient, Oxybenzone, that is a suspected skin or sense organ toxicant. Peacekeeper’s Paint Me Accepting Lipstick has no ingredients that raise a health concern, and they make their product while reducing climate change emissions and giving back to their local community.

5. We know you can’t live without your deodorant—or at least, we don’t want you to. Instead of Arm and Hammer’s Ultramax Victory deodorant, which has the very dangerous Triclosan in it, try Burt’s Bees Herbal Deodorant. It has no ingredients that raise a health concern, and is made of five ingredients that are all natural.

Until the government regulates the chemicals that are allowed into beauty products, our choices are frequently going to have to be between the greater and lesser evils. To see how your favorite products rank in terms of health, environment and ethics, check out www.goodguide.com. If you can, switch to products that will help you, rather than hurt you.

When it comes to fashion, innovation is the name of the game.  Create what has never been seen, use materials that one wouldn’t expect, blend colors in an inspiring way, and most of all, blow people’s minds!  If you are not the talk of the town, then darling, you aren’t fashionable!  With all things “green” being on trend, is it any wonder that fashion has led the way in creating cool new looks out of the totally unexpected?  Feast your eyes on these expected designs made of unexpected materials:

This incredibly unique dress begs to capture the eye and make the wearer the belle of the ball, who just so happens to be ecologically mindful.  The dress is made from recycled bottle tops, cardboard packaging, plastic bags, and recycled cans.

That's what I call "eco chic".

For the mommy who wants her baby to be “green” chic, why not purchase booties made out of discarded packaging?  Even babies can give back to the enviroment! Purchase at MoJoTrashion’s Etsy Shop.

Teaching kids about recycling and style from the early age.

Gala attire for that Earth Day fundraiser can be completely gorgeous and yet made from distinctly unusual products.  Why not have a dress made from juice boxes?  This creation was worn by  Naturevsfuture designer Nina Valenti for an outing at Carnegie Hall.

Juicebox dress...not much else to say.

For the showstopper who wants to make an entrance, why not make headlines by showing up in a couture dress composed of discarded newspaper?  Not only will you be chic, but you can haughtily tell of the virtues of recycling in this gown dreamed up by Gary Harvey:

I wonder about the rustling paper sound though...

Looking for a great place to move (or at least take a trip to) to see what the future will look like? Check out these five great, green cities— they are just the first to take the steps necessary to help our planet support us into the future. They’ve all done it, and done it well— so there is really no excuse for the rest of the world. If you can’t make it out to any of these places, just take some ideas from what they have done and bring them to your town hall, governor, or neighbor. If we clamor for change, we will bring it around!

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

This is one place that will certainly suffer if global warming has its way! They’ve done their part to ensure that energy alternatives to fossil fuels are put into practice through a fleet of hydrogen buses. The entire country’s heat and electricity comes exclusively from renewable geothermal and hydropower sources, as well—a feat unmatched anywhere else in the world. They plan to become fossil-fuel-free by 2050, and it seems that they are well on their way to reaching their goal.

2. Portland, Oregon, U.S.

This is the first U.S. city to enact a comprehensive plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, something that will be completely mandatory everywhere eventually. They have mastered green building, as the city boasts 92,000 acres of green space and more than 74 miles of hiking, running and biking trails. Additionally, their transportation system is ruled by light rail, buses and bike lines to limit the number of cars on the road.

3. Curitiba, Brazil

The lucky citizens of Curitiba have a bus system that is recognized as one of the best in the world, a flock of 30 sheep employed with trimming the grass in municipal parks, and over 580 square feet of green space per inhabitant. No wonder 99 percent of the locals are happy with their hometown.

4. Malmö, Sweden

This town is known already for its huge parks and large amount of green space, but the urban planners behind Sweden’s third-largest city are not resting on their laurels. Many neighborhoods have undergone massive, green transformations on the city’s way to becoming an “eco-city”.

5. Vancouver, Canada

The largest city is British Columbia draws 90 percent of its power from renewable resources, as it is a worldwide leader in hydroelectric power. They plan to replace the remaining ten percent with wind, solar, wave and tidal energy. What they can’t accomplish immediately is surely included in their 100-year plan for sustainability.

Plastic bags are one of the worst things for the environment that we can think of. Research suggest that 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags are consumed each year. And only one city in the United States has banned their use in markets and pharmacies—San Francisco.

So, they aren’t going away. But what can we do with them to make them more useful and keep them out of landfills?

You can make plastic bag yarn!

(pic courtesy of hellejorgensen.typepad.com)

You can then use it to knit, and even make clothes and bags from it! They’ll be waterproof! Consider using plastic bags from your old shopping trips to knit a tote for a new way of shopping! We promise, you will be forgiven for all the bags you used before. You can also make rugs and placemats as well.

You can also make better, stronger totes by fusing bags together to incorporate their designs into a new, better one. The same technique can be used to make an awesome dress like this!

Fusing can be done with a simple iron and parchment paper, but be sure to do a little research before getting melting or you may have some difficulty. Then, the plastic “fabric” can be sewn together into anything you want to make.

Fusing can also make beautiful, funky jewelry and hair accessories.

By making anything from plastic bags—or even carrying them for another use—you help keep these volatile landfill-mongers out of our earth a little bit longer.

Pic courtesy of craftster.org.

Two New Zealand researchers recently suggested that at over 2 acres, dogs carry a larger carbon footprint than a SUV. Cats are comparable to a small Volkswagen, a pair of hamsters compare to a plasma television, and goldfish have a carbon footprint that is comparable to two cell phones.

Cats and dogs are carnivorous, so they actually live higher on the food chains than humans, because humans are omnivorous. Meat requires much more land and energy to cultivate than anything else in our diets.

Now even your dog or cat can be green! How, you ask? I’ll tell you—and it doesn’t involve dye. Many products, from food to toys, are being made from sustainable materials that keep your pet’s carbon footprint to a minimum.

1. Catupon Pet Mat by Aster and Sage is a great use for recycled plastic soda bottles. This small, brushed mattress in two colors is perfect for cats and dogs alike. $16 per mat

2. Zanies Eco-Friendly Mice Cat Toys are an official “green” pet toy as a result of their low-impact dyes and reusability. $44 for a large package of mice

3. Simply Fido Organic Plush Hemp Dog Toy is made from low-impact hemp with chemical-free fillers and dyes, so if your dog gets hungry you can be sure that this little owl won’t hurt their tummies. $7.64 per toy

4. A Cheerful Pet Tugzees Dog Toys are made from 100% boiled wool and are handcrafted by Nepali artisans. They are natural, durable and washable, and are sold under fair trade guidelines. $19.99 per toy

5. Doggles Sillypulls Dog Toy is a kind of wacky tug-of-war toy made for larger dogs. It is constructed from ballistic, recycled nylon, so even if your dog doesn’t know that he is doing good by chewing on it, at least you will!

And of course, only buy your pet more toys if they need them or if you are already looking to buy some. Reduce what you buy, reuse what you have, recycle what you don’t need.

With trendsetters singing the hallelujahs of eco-alternative products, many companies produced their pro-earth answers, stuffing the market with the ubiquitous green leaf label. But how can a consumer know if the product actually does no harm? First, research as much as possible to know what’s behind the label. Don’t get “greenwashed”—the frightfully easy practice of labeling products “green,” when in actuality, they fall short of EPA standards. For example, the organic foods market often greenwashes the public, and some products are only organic in strictest sense of the word. Try to avoid these five products that contribute to the greenwashing scheme by falling short of their green claims.

1. “Eco-shaped” Water Bottle:

Since this single-use bottle design uses 30% less plastic than regular bottles, Poland Springs proudly boasts that they are “Doing their part.” The truth is, there is no need for plastic water bottles at all, and most plastic bottles end up in landfills, no matter their shape. Plus, the energy that goes into creating and transporting these bottles nullifies any “green” claim. You’ll live greener by drinking out of a reusable bottle made of stainless steel or aluminum.

2. Simple Green Household Cleaner:

This popular household cleaner labels itself as nontoxic and a “safer alternative” to other cleaners. However, a toxic solvent called butyl cellosolve is one of Simple Green’s key ingredients. Butyl cellosolve is also found in some traditional all-purpose cleaners. It seems Simple Green is aware of this problem, because its label warns customers to not “dispose near storm drains, oceans, lakes, or streams.” Simple Green maintains that the cleaner is nontoxic, but acknowledges the presence of butyl cellosolve. The company says they will soon launch a truly all-natural cleaner to meet customer demand, but in the meantime, stick with homemade mixes of water and baking soda.

3. Green Trash Bags:

Although marketed as biodegradable or compostable because they break down faster than normal trash bags, green trash bags must be used correctly to earn the green title. If not, they negatively impact the environment. If you fill a green bag with leaves, for example, the leaves break down along with the bag, and repurpose as mulch. On the other hand, if the bags are stuffed with empty containers of bug pray, bleach, cleaners, or similar, more common forms of “garbage,” the composting bag leaks whatever is inside. A regular plastic trash bag, although not itself good for the environment, contains whatever it holds and prevents toxins from getting out.

4. Toyota Prius:

Along with the recent safety concerns, the first—and most popular—hybrid car may or may not be an eco-friendly set of wheels. New, albeit conflicting, scientific reports take note that although the Prius claims to get up to 6o mpg, gas mileage is the last factor to weigh when considering the green qualities of a vehicle. The production, raw materials sources, and the shipping methods all matter more, and in these areas, Toyota definitely does not measure green. For example, the Prius’ battery contains nickel mined in a Canadian mill nicknamed “The Superstack,” because it produces miles of wasteland and pollution. The mined nickel then travels to Europe, China, Japan, and the United States for different steps in the production process via freighter—costly in both dollars and carbon emissions. Other studies debunk these, so do copious research before shelling out for any hybrid vehicle.

5. Artificial Christmas Trees:

These faux pines have long been lauded as a green alternative to chopping down a natural tree, but the unsafe levels of lead and PVC (and smell!) remain a concern, as many come from Chinese warehouses. As artificial trees age and spend most of the year in storage, they begin release lead dust. Artificial trees are also very difficult to throw out; the plastic does not decompose and cannot be recycled. Although pesticides are sometimes used on real Christmas trees, environmentalists say that real Christmas trees are the best option from an ecological point of view. Besides the fact that there’s no PVC or lead dust releasing, real Christmas trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. 
Christmas tree farms exist only to grow Christmas trees, so your purchase does not contribute to deforestation. You can even opt for an organic Christmas trees by looking up farms in your area.  Environmentalists also suggest purchasing a tree you can replant after the holidays, but if not, at least compost the tree or drop it off at a local area dedicated to repurposing the tree as mulch.

If you even further proof that going green is difficult, according to a study noted on the Freakonomics blog, new research concludes that green products negatively affect behavior. People who purchase green products “act less altruistically and more likely to cheat and steal after purchasing green products than after purchasing conventional products.” So going green makes you feel better, but act worse. And with SUVs and pesticides making eco-friendly claims these days, don’t trust the label. Do the research.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States generated 249.8 million tons of trash in 2008. Organic materials—including yard and food waste, wood scraps and paper products—made up more than two-thirds of this trash.

All of this could have gone in a compost pile.

Composting, an at-home method of nutrient recycling that takes nutrients left in organic waste and gives them back to plant and animal life, is an easy way to make a difference in the amount of garbage that our nation produces. Here, we’ll dispel the myths about composting and give you the tools to start your own pile.

Composting is not gross! If you do it right, there should be no smell and no attraction of vermin. Keep dairy, meat and fat products out, and there will be no odor. Vegetable scraps, paper products, vacuum lint, fireplace ashes, and even hair and fur can all go in the pile without problem.

You don’t need a big pile, though. Plenty of companies offer small, designer-styled composting cans that will fit right in to the green kitchen. If you are still worried about odor, these cans include a charcoal filter that will take care of any potential smell. If you don’t have a yard, you can still compost! Even if your home “garden” only consists of a few windowsill flower boxes, your flowers can still benefit from the nutrient concentrate that is compost—just transfer it from your kitchen pail. Or, if you have no plants that could use your organic waste, see if your city has a compost removal company that will come and get your compost for free.

If you do have room in your backyard, consider getting a container that will aerate the pile will storing it. Check out the rolling compost bin that can be rolled to your yard waste, filled up, and rolled to your plants to unload. The rolling action will add air to the pile and speed up the composting process dramatically. While creating a heap is possible, it will require time to mix it and could be violated by pests, making it less likely to produce good results. If you don’t want to have a container in your yard, consider digging a shallow pit for your compost—the warm temperature will increase the speed of compost production.

Besides reducing your waste and maybe even the cost of your waste removal, there is nothing better for your soil than compost. It can loosen clay soil and help sandy soil retain water, suppress plant diseases and pests, and increase yield.

If limiting your family’s waste production sounds like something you would be interested in, check out the EPA’s website for more information.

These days, being fashion-aware doesn’t simply mean wearing a cool dress. It also means knowing of what that dress is made of and how it affects the environment. It is a challenge for many, but luckily, there are tons of hip and happening fashion lines that incorporate eco manufacturing trends into their trendy designs. Wearing the following 5 fashion lines will ensure that you are in style both as a fashionista and as a responsible human being.

Sworn Virgins: Instead of making their soft, knit party dresses out of cotton, which is treated with killer pesticides and chemicals during harvesting, Alex Amini and Roshanne Aghevil decided to make their line out of bamboo, a sustainable resource. By blending spandex and bamboo, they get a great cotton replacement fabric that keeps the Earth in mind.

Beau Soleil: Few fashion designers keep fair trade and labor, organic, raw materials and sustainability in mind when they design haute couture. New York-native Anne Salvatore Epstein does, though don’t assume that that translates to boring, plain clothing. Elegant draping and studs combine to create truly imaginative and special clothing that would make any eco-activist smile.

Ecoskin: Another clothing line that utilizes bamboo as a fiber used in the fabric, Ecoskin also uses toxin-free tencel, a fiber extracted from wood pulp. Ecoskin’s dresses are perfect for day or night.

Linda Loudermilk: This former costume design student at Oxford knows her stuff, both ecologically and stylistically. One of the originators of earth-friendly clothing, Loudermilk makes luxury items that won’t harm the earth. Check out her upscale, tailored suits and long dresses made with incredible attention to detail.

Of course, the mantra of the green movement is reduce, reuse and recycle, but I am sure that Mother Earth won’t mind if you buy a few new things from these designers.

Staying green on vacation doesn’t mean spotting a single fern in the hotel foyer or that the facilities are a long walk a way and lit by flashlights. Here are five of the best eco-resorts in the United States that are luxurious to their guests and to the planet.

1. The Gaia Napa Valley Hotel

“Gaia” means “Mother Earth” in Greek, so it’s fitting that this hotel was the world’s first building to be certified gold in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The United States Green Building Council awards LEED certification to buildings after judging them in six categories, including Gaia’s expertise: sustainability. In the 130 rooms, the tiles and carpets are made of recycled materials, and all the wood comes from managed forests. The lush, green lawns never feel fertilizer’s negative impact. Located in the heart of coastal California’s wine country, Gaia’s spa specializes in vinotherapy, a relaxing treatment made from local grape extracts. Rooms start at $89 a night.

2. Inn By the Sea

Inn By the Sea, a luxury beach destination, overlooks Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. They invested in a multi-million dollar renovation in 2008, updating the 57 guest rooms and building a new bar, a glass-enclosed restaurant with ocean views, and a full-service spa–all environmentally conscious endeavors. The staff cleans each room with non-toxic solutions, the fitness room has recycled rubber floors, and solar panels heat the pool. The Sea Glass restaurant tries to only serve indigenous fare from the surrounding farms and sea, and the menu reflects their attempts, offering Maine-foraged mushroom tarts and steamed, wild Maine mussels.  Double rooms start at $189 a night.

3.  Oil Rig Platform Resort and Spa

Ingenious architects refurbished and transformed one of the 4,000 oilrigs in the Gulf of Mexico into a luxury eco-resort and spa. Using all renewable power sources, they took an iconic source of dirty energy and created an eco-haven. A giant, vertical wind turbine and solar panels power the resort. The luxury spa offers all the usual services and takes advantage of being surrounded by water and offers boating, kayaking, snorkeling, and diving adventures.  Other unique aspects include a glass lobby floor to see the ocean below, and every room’s windows boast endless views of the Gulf. In the central core of the former rig, a gigantic tube filled with water can be seen from every single room, and acts as a ballast for the entire rig. Entertainment shows, like Cirque du Soleil’s “O,” are scheduled to perform in the central core at this one-of-a-kind eco-resort.

4.  The Lodge at Sun Ranch

The Lodge is not your ordinary dude ranch. Hidden in Cameron, Montana—the River Valley—genuine cowboys man this 26,000-acre expanse of property and tend to more than 1,500 head of cattle. The lodge has six rooms and two private cabins, all with breathtaking views of the mountains.  Indulge in western adventures and ride horseback, fly-fish, and go on a hike or boat, all the while knowing that this resort goes the extra step to reduce its carbon footprint. Sun Ranch donated a ten-year lease to Trout Unlimited to guarantee the waters on the property remain free of irrigation. They also removed all barbed wire so wildlife can roam the grounds, and they used recyclable materials to renovate the main lodge. They consistently purchase their produce from local farmers for daily, fresh meals in the restaurant. Rates start at $1,400 a person for a three-night stay, including all meals and excursions.

5. Lova Lava Land

Lova Lava Land is woman-owned and ran, three-acre, 100 percent off-grid, 100 percent solar-powered eco-resort on Hawaii’s Big Island. In every way possible, they tried to use green, sustainable, and recycled materials in constructing the resort construction. Accommodations range from a complete, round Yurt, to retro, renovated VW Camper Buses, all which feature composting toilets. Visitors can enjoy creative amenities like a lava-rock shower from rocks harvested from their own land, walking tours that highlight the local flora and fauna, and play coconut Bocce Ball. Rates start at $40 per night.

Escaping from your daily life on a relaxing getaway doesn’t have to mean taking a break from the green life. Visit the website of one of these eco-resorts to truly enjoy your vacation, guilt-free.