Dragonflies on an upcycled wooden cigar box – an interesting amalgam of ideas, materials and messages….This steampunk inspired handmade bag is neatly lined with upholstery fabric.  The satin cord handle measure 24″ – the bag measures 7 x 7 3/4 x 3″

$95 @ thesteampunktrunk’s esty shop

The thumbnail:  PlayBack Clothing makes great looking and great-wearing tees, sweatshirts and hoodies, and they’re all made from recycled post industrial materials.  Look a little deeper and you’ll find a company that’s truly serious about sustainability, from the extraction of their product’s raw materials to the process of shipping, dying, and ultimately, the disposal of their duds.

PlayBack’s’s recycled cotton t-shirts and sweatshirts are made from post-industrial cotton scraps, and plastic and glass bottles.  They sort the material by color and then brake it down into fiber form which is paired with other fibers, (recycled cotton or polyester, depending on what they started with), to add softness and durability.  The fibers are then re-spun into yarn and knitted into PlayBack t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies.

The company emphasizes that they make real green clothes for real green people, affordably priced, sustainably made and stylishly worn.  As we like to say, “it’s a lifestyle thing.”  Prices range from a very reasonable $20 to $55 @ playbackclothing.com

Her bio reads like a Who Who of Green — a veritable powerhouse of living an ecofriendly, sustainable lifestyle.  Over the course of the next year, Rebekah Green (pictured below) is poised to kickoff food, clothing and shelter merchandising — all in the name of green.

I’m currently wearing a pair of shiny studs, compliments of this rising star.  They’re pretty, lightweight and well-made.  Although they glisten like diamonds, these faux rocks are part of Rebekah’s new earring collection, created from recycled gold and fair trade gemstones.  Working in partnership with designer and master craftsman, Eduardo Correa, her “ECOnomical” and “ECOluxe” lines feature elegant studs, drops, dangles, hoops, chandeliers and adorable styles for kids.

Each piece is hand-crafted, hand-set, hand-polished, and made in L.A.  Five percent of the net profits from each sale will benefit Global Green USA, Charity: Water and Heifer International.  Prices range from a very reasonable $20, (kids styles) to $35 and up, (ladies).  If you’d like a custom design, she’ll happily put her design team on it.  Purchase 3 or more pairs at once or at least one pair per month (club membership), receive 10 percent discount and free shipping on all orders.  

highlights of Rebekah Green…
Story goes, beginning in 1998, at the ripe young age of 21, Rebekeah Green “hand built three homes using 100 percent natural construction methods.”  A year later, she became a founding contributor in development of guidelines and materials used in today’s U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building certification program.  At 25, she “singlehandedly founded a multi-million dollar full service real estate development design and build firm.”  Letting no stone go unturned, at age 32, she officially formed the brand, Rebekah Green, Inc.  As it appears, everything Rebekah Green touches turns to gold, we look forward to more eco reveals.
find @ rebekahgreen.com

We spent a few days in Wellfleet on Cape Cod a couple of weeks ago – visiting old friends and partying with new ones at the annual Oyster Shucking Festival. Despite the pouring rain, the 2-day contest, featuring the world’s fastest oyster shuckers, was attended by hundreds of happy fans who stood huddled, elbow to elbow, juggling beer and fresh oysters while getting completely drenched. Only hearty New Englanders could survive the bone chilling conditions.

In the bay, we made a few casts off a low lying bridge with hopes of catching some tale but to no avail. The blustery winds of a nor’easter won that little battle. Although wet and soggy, the rain didn’t dampen our spirits as we continued our sojourn through quaint Provincetown ducking into pubs, shops and eateries, soaking in the last of the season, happy to be one with the water.

Along the way I made a mental note to try and find a nice neck warmer for winter.  Inspired by our freezing but relaxing trip, I did a little digging and uncovered a few handmade fineries, all made in the USA of natural fibers. Cowls make stylish, cozy alternatives to scarfs.  Add some cool gloves and they’re a great way to update your cold weather wardrobe.

(above, L to R)

• 3-button Cowl Neckwarmer, by bizzybcreations, 70% wool/30% soy, ($45)
• Cowl Neck Brown by Lulu Caswell, 100% fisherman’s wool, ($30). Not pictured, but also available in a shabby, rugged style with rollup ends @($25)
• Infinity Scarf with Buttons, alpaca & wool with Indonesian wood buttons, by corrugatedfiber, ($55)

(above, L to R)

• Ribbed Cowl in Charcoal, Pima Cotton & Merino Wool, by trishafern, ($32).
• Slate Cowl bamboo/wool/angora with 3 buttons by corrugatedfiber ($52).

U.K. based Finisterre has moved way beyond its original surf apparel roots, and now focuses on the goal of manufacturing the best outdoor technical apparel, with minimal environmental impact.  The company’s ‘World First’ production initiative evaluates the impact of each product’s entire life cycle and weaves innovative thinking throughout its entire production process.

Just a few of Finisterre’s cutting-edge approaches:

• Biomimicry – the imitation of systems present in the natural environment and the application of their design to man-made products.
• Natural Advantage – solutions built by nature.
• Reclaim, Reprocess, Reuse – a multi-option recycling program relating to what happens to the garments after their life.
• Eco-circle – the world’s first closed loop polyester recycling scheme.

The company’s products are designed in Cornwall and manufactured in some of the most ethically advanced factories on the planet.  Finisterre considers it to be one of the greenest product lines in the industry.  The line extends from merino wool boxer shorts and designer tees to high-performance jackets and outerwear.

Pictured above: the Matanuska MKII a light woman’s jacket suitable for antiques shopping or mountain climbing.  The jacket has been impregnated with beeswax for water resistance.

Organic cocktails, tasty vegan snacks & treats, good company and eco fashion wall to wall – all the fixings for a fun soiree…see you there!  RSVP@inhabitat.com

Relax, mingle and browse the latest in sustainable fashion at KAIGHT (15 percent off everything for one night only).

WHAT: Ecouterre Official Launch Party!
WHERE: KAIGHT NYC, 83 Orchard between Broome and Grand, New York, NY 10002
WHEN: October 29, 2009 (Thursday) from 6-9 p.m.
WHO: Team Ecouterre and Inhabitat, including Jill Fehrenbacher, Jasmin Malik Chua, Abigail Doan, Yuka Yoneda, Rebecca Paul, Dan Mendes, and of course, KAIGHT founder and owner Kate McGregor!

Several cities are considering putting a tax on sugar-laden sodas and soft drinks.  Bravo!

Perhaps as plastic soda bottles become less abundant the value of this cute bracelet made from the remains of an evil soda bottle will increase as it becomes a collector’s item.  Or maybe not…but you will look good while making an eco fashion statement about recycling.

$11 @ ArtworkbyKD’s etsy store

Besides supporting indie fashion designers who care about the environment, derive an extra hit of good karma when you shop by donating a portion of your purchase to the cause of your choice.

Cutting-edge independent designer online hub moxsie.com just launched Eco Shop which features more than two dozen eco conscious indie fashion designers from around the world and allows you to “shop for a cause.”  Choose from eleven organizations such as: The Sierra Club Foundation, The Hunger Project, Save the Children and Dress for Success, and feel good knowing that moxsie will donate a portion of the proceeds of your purchase to your preferred non-profit.

Take a peek at the collections of clothes, shoes and accessories made of organic, sustainable and reclaimed materials for both men and women @ http://shop.moxsie.com/ecoshop.

update – more good moxsie vibes… just heard from the company — at checkout you can receive 15% off your purchase by simply entering code:  Altconsumer.

Ever consumed so much organic saki that you can’t remember your apartment number? If you live in apartment #6 this necklace could help…as long as you remember wearing it.  This vintage brass number dangles from your choice of thin or thick antiqued gold chain.  Numbers 3, 5, 7, 9 and zero are also available.

all this minimalist style for just $17 @ (of)matter’s supermarkethq.com store

Is the highway of your life strewn with blown out truck tires and debris?  Why not pack all your gizmos, gadgets and paperwork in a big roomy, waterproof messenger bag created from the remains of one of those very same truck tires.  The Blow Out Messenger Bag, which is designed to last a lifetime, is largely made from recycled bomber truck tire inner tubes.

$140 @ green-logic.net