eco-chic design

layer up for winter in sleek and sustainable style

The hardest part about going green for me has been to find contemporary clothes. That’s why I’m always glad to see a company with socially and environmentally responsible business practices create more stylish designs like the Patagonia Women's Down With It Vest. It has a great contoured fit with a removable hood and is made of all-recycled polyester.

Patagonia’s website has a section called The Footprint Chronicles that lets you track the environmental impact of some of their clothes. You can view the supply chain of certain styles and see how far they travel to end up in your closet. I applaud the company for their transparent approach. For example the Patagonia Women's Down Sweater uses down from humanely raised geese and has a light shell of recycled polyester. But the product is not yet recyclable. Then you can even view the travel distance, energy consumption, carbon dioxide emission, and generation of waste. I couldn’t find the vest on their list. But I’ve been wearing it for the last few weeks and really like it. It has been great for fall and will carry me through winter with its 600-fill-power premium European goose-down insulation. You can choose between black and two plaid colors: Goji Berry and Raven. The eco-friendly vest has been perfect for running errands on the weekends and spending time in Central Park. It really motivates me to go outside and get my daily dose of sunshine vitamin.

give the gift of giving with a nature-inspired beauty pouch

After a super-soothing massage at my favorite eco-friendly spa in Manhattan I discovered these adorable pouches on my way out. Maybe I was too relaxed thanks to the amazing treatment at Pratima Ayurvedic Skincare Spa but I really loved the nature-inspired designs. I learned that Pratima created the Beauty in Giving Bag in collaboration with The Hunger Project. The eco-chic beauty pouch is made with 100% organic hemp and lined with 100% organic cotton. The graphic pattern uses water-based paints and is naturally dried in the sun. It’s designed by Valentine Viannay and personally hand-silk printed by the artist with the help from a local women-run business in San Diego. The design reflects the pure herbs, roots, and flowers of the Pratima products. Every pouch looks slightly different and 100% of the proceeds from each purchase go towards The Hunger Project Initiative in India.

Pratima Ayurvedic Skincare Spa is LEED-certified with a décor that includes natural cork, bamboo flooring, and flaxseed or hemp carpets. The walls are coated with non-toxic paint or natural earth clay. You can also buy the natural skincare line that uses botanicals from sustainable farms in the US and India. It’s chemical and preservative free. So far I only used the refreshing mint eye gel made of a botanical blend with organic Mint, Aloe, and Triphala but really like it. Since the stressful holidays are approaching quickly I might also try the calming organic bath salts soon. And take a deep breath.