Plum and Sage melted pieces of reclaimed Sterling silver to form these little earrings.  Their surface was given a soft brushed finish and then stamped X O – for hugs and kisses of course.  The oxidized surface is intended to make the letters stand out.  The earrings can also be adorned with a loved one’s initials instead of the default XO.

Each custom made order comes in an eco friendly, black gift box perfect for gift-giving.

$22 @ plum + sage’s store

Fair Trade and hand crafted by artisans in Ecuador, NYC-based, The Andean Collection introduces two fine, new, naturally beautiful necklaces for fall.

(photos above – from top to bottom)

• The new Circle Chain – a combo of metal chains interspersed with sexy Tagua loops, comes in either Military Green or Pink Sugar ($98).
• The Cascade Necklace – awash in acai and pambil palm seeds, featuring a soft but durable handwoven fabric clasp, ($138); comes in lilac, salmon, sea green and teal.
• I bought my sister CarriLu the acai berry wrap bracelet (in tangerine), and she loves it.  The bright color makes her feel happy.  She wears it often, and receives lots of compliments on it.
• Check out the transformation of raw materials — from the Ivory Palm’s Tagua nut to a pretty bracelet.

You can find eco chic fashion accessories ranging from $12 to $225 @ theAndeanCollection.com, where social responsibility meets sustainable style.

(above) I’ve fallen head over heels for Tom’s classic wedge.  Stroll about in comfy elevation this summer in kicky stripes and transition to autumn’s first light in solid ash, cranberry, midnight blue or black canvas, ($69).  For maximum use, pick a color that will complement the primary palette of your wardrobe.  As always, one pair of Toms shoes is donated to a child in need for every pair purchased.  be moved @ Toms.com.

• BP Gears Up for Two-Phase Effort to Plug Gulf Oil Well – cnn
• Perhaps real estate development shouldn’t be a state’s major growth industry…Everglades and Madagascar Forest on Unesco Danger List – bbc
• I hope their populous embraces them more warmly than we have the wolf…India to Reintroduce Cheetahs into Grasslands – myway
• Not the best way to evaluate oysters or a blind date…La. Fisherman Wrinkle Noses at Government ‘Smell Tests’ – yahoo! news
• Take off that lobster bib.  This special crustacean will be spared… Very Rare Yellow Lobster Found in Rhode Island – aol news
• Title of of the day…Monkeys go Bananas Over Flying Squirrels – livescience

We all know one – now how can we get them to wear this t-shirt?  Designed and screenprinted by StrandRedesign – the tee is made from organically grown, fairtrade cotton and is manufactured in Estonia.  Printed with water soluble, eco-friendly textile ink. Features a feminine scoop neck and a comfortable waist and lower width.

Catch the buzz – our latest green stimulus package for your eyes, ears and mind:

• With gratitude and thanks — we’re tickled pink to be included in Amy Cook’s roundup of 50 Fabulous Blogs for Green Fashionistas.
• First, Aqua Man (Adrian Grenier of Entourage and Alter Eco) dives in to help save Bluefin Tuna: oceana.org.  Now Discovery helps raise awareness to help protect sharks from humans (role reversal, right?) during Discovery’s Shark Week – beginning tonight, Sunday at 9pm, ET/PT.  We need better policies to protect sharks from overfishing and the practice of shark finning.  Discover more and pledge support @ oceana.org
• 350.0rg has a small pool of money to support your local climate solutions projects for 10/10/10.  Submit your plan by August 7th, get enough people to vote on it, and you could receive a grant of $1000 USD to make it happen.  learn more @ 350.0rg.
• Check out Paul Greenberg’s new book, Four Fish, The Future of the Last Wild Food.  As Sam Sifton of the NY Times reports:…”an important and stimulating new book which takes as its subject the global fisheries market and the relationship humans have with tuna, cod, sea bass and salmon. Giant bluefin tuna have been overharvested here and abroad as they travel north and south, east and west, heedless of international borders or treaties, their population hovering on the brink of total collapse.”  Published by Penguin, ($25.95)
• This message is bought to you straight from our music and jeans loving pals at Reco Jeans…Calling all NYC DJs!  In an effort to bring you a monthly giveaway/event reco jeans®, the true recycled denim brand is hosting a DJ Competition! They base their eco-fashions on the recycling of fabrics to create an authentic material for your jeans. Uniquely similar to how a DJ takes bits and pieces from music and manipulates it into a tapestry of original soundscapezzzz!  RULES:
  1. Visit Reco’s Facebook Fan Page 2. Post a link of your DJing skills 3. Have your friends “Like” your link 4. Top 5 “Likes” will be selected PRIZES:
  Grand Prize – $500 Gift Card from Sam Ash. Runner ups – Free pair of reco jeans® The join us @ Sapphire Lounge.  (The 1st venue in NY Lower East Side to have a legal dance floor) on August 19th 2010 when the top 5 will spin live.  Sincerely, The reco jeans® Team