Upcycled Clothing for under $100

In the next hundred years, Americans will be known for many things, but one of those things that we will most certainly not be forgotten for is our WASTEFULNESS.

We are certainly a culture of waste...
"Americans' total yearly waste would fill a convoy of garbage trucks long enough to wrap around the Earth six times and reach halfway to the moon. It is estimated that this year 222 million tons of waste will be generated by Americans."
-from Environmental Sustainability Committee
This is for ONE year...ONE! In the words of beloved Bart, "Holy cow."
This upcoming year, in an effort to remain cognizant of my own carbon footprint, there is going to be a strong emphasis on vintage and upcycled goods here on D&OC. Reduce, reuse, recycle...that's the name of the game folks and that includes our clothing!

I adore the shop Supayana for offering upcycled, affordable, cute clothing. Here are my favorites:
triangle front blouse-small $59


Parisienne top Small $59


grey reconstructed top-your size $59


creamsicle ruffle dress $80

{all images via Supayana}
Oh, and speaking of vintage and upcycled goodies, I'm working really hard to expand the vintage section in my own shop. This weekend I'll be listing quite a few vintage earrings for the non-pierced crowd (I know you're out there!) You can see some new vintage pieces here and here.

Kindly Eco Friendly

I was stoked to see this new eco-friendly online shop on Modish the other day. As you know, I can't keep good finds like this to myself, so I scoured the site, Kind Boutique, and found some affordable goodies I'd like to share.

Dress up old shoes with these adorable shoe clips.
Black Grosgrain Rosette Shoe Clips $25


Keychains make for great stocking stuffers.
Cloud Key Chain $14


Someone please buy these gorgeous heels before I do. They're in my size!
Bittersweet Heels $24


This dress is exactly what the title implies, darling.
Darling Dress $38


I'm loving grey nail polish this season. This is the perfect shade.
Oleaster $12.50

{all images via Kind Boutique}
Enter code "HOLIDAY09" at checkout and get an extra 30% off! Oh and I was kidding about someone else buying the heels, I think they NEED to be mine.

Folksy Owl

Weehee, it's Monday! How was your weekend? B and I watched a visually stunning movie, I finished reading this wonderfully honest book of short stories, and I added lots of new items to the shop. Needless to say, I could definitely use another day off (which will come to me this week in the guise of a furlough, ugh). Since Mondays are always a little tough to get into, I thought I'd bring in the new week with some "modern yet folksy" paper products from Night Owl Paper Goods. (pssst, it's an eco-friendly company!)

2010 critter calendar $24


penelope pirate owl jotter $8


squirrel gift 'thank you' set of 6 $16

pup doily flower journal $18

all photos via Night Owl Paper

What do you get when you combine puppies + doilies? A product I MUST have. Does it get any cuter? I think not.

Giveaway: Reverie-Daydream

I have sooooo been looking forward to this giveaway for a few reasons:

1) I fell in love with the boutique Reverie-Daydream on my first visit and I know you will too.
2) Melissa, the owner and blogger, unbelievably kind and obviously passionate about her shop.
3) This boutique's philosophy is embodies so much of what I strive to support in my personal life and with this blog.
"We are an environmentally and ethically conscious company...the desire of Reverie-Daydream is to encourage our shoppers to make responsible buying decisions that will improve the lives of people and their valued culture and our beloved planet...We use 100% recycle paper for our gift bags, gift boxes, envelopes, and receipts."
If I could, I would give Melissa a giant hug and high five for standing out, for making an extra effort to maintain a higher level of integrity, and for being friggin awesome.
4) Finally, it's my birthday weekend and if I could choose a shop to celebrate with for a giveaway it is absolutely this one!
Now, let's get down to business...
Melissa is offering an amazing giveaway. The winner (whom I will probably have to rob) will get his/her choice of one of these lovely items...
This a cute, chic, handmade, hand glazed "trio of sweetness." These sparrows were designed and created by San Francisco Bay artist, J. Menodcino. Ummm, can you seem them in your house because I can see them in mine.
Three bird set $60
If you're anything like me, you realize one can never have enough toss pillows. This "pocket pillow" is hand silk screened on hemp/cotton and stuffed with repurposed batting. It's adorable and sweet and need I say more?
MoonTea Artwor: Je t'aime Heart Pillow $28
If you're still using plastic bags for your groceries, please reconsider and choose one of Alena Hennessy's Organic Cotton Twill Bags instead. You can choose between Living Tree (light beige) or Le Jardin (brown). These are super roomy and would be great to take to work, overnight trips, or the local farmer's market.
Alena Hennesy: Organic Cotton Twill Bags $40
Who doesn't love a well designed, fragrant candle? These candles are made from "high quality fragrance...blended with 100% soy wax...provides 60-70 hours of burn time and is guaranteed virtually soot free." These are not your normal, average candles. You can choose between purewhite or cambiere and your fragrance which you can find by clicking on the hyperlink below.
100% soy wax candles by minedesign $28
These products are only the tip of the iceburg when it comes to what this shop has to offer. Whew.
To sweeten the deal, Melissa is offering Free Shipping to all U.S. orders over $25...

Ready for the rules (You can enter twice)!
1) This giveaway is open to everyone. (If you don't have a blog where I can contact you be sure to leave your e-mail.) You don't have to be a follower, but it is my birthday and you'd make me happy with a little commitment:)
2) Leave a comment letting me know which product you would choose if I happen to pick your name.

3) You can double your chances of winning if you post a link to this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter. Just make sure you enter a separate comment telling me you've done so.
Winner will be chosen next Tuesday at 6pm-ish.
Good luck and happy weekend to you! I will be celebrating another year of life so I may not be updating the blog until Monday. As always, thanks for reading and for being such supportive and fantastic readers!
~Christina

Hope for Paws

So last night as I was catching up on my weekend blog reading and feeling like poopy, I came across this post on Desire to Inspire. Instant tears...seriously, instant. The story behind this little guy is so touching and sad...

From Desire to Inspire, I linked to Hope for Paws and immediately purchased this book. This non profit, that strives to rescue even the sickest of animals, is raising money to ensure that the good work that they are doing can continue.
I've been looking for coffee table books and for $9.95, I think this is a win-win situation.

Exotic shopping and you won't even get jet lag

Global Goods Partners has a good thing going on and if you haven't checked it out, I urge you to. The company is "dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting social justice by strengthening women-led development initiatives and creating access to the US market for maginalized communities in Asia, Africa, and the Americas." The organization functions on grants and, depending on the item, boasts either fair trade, eco-conscious, sustainable, promoting human rights, etc. Besides all the obviously good work this "shop for change" site is doing, I think it's pretty neat that when you choose an item you know exactly where it was produced and you get info (and pictures) about the community that produced it. How cool is that? If you want to support a specific area, just search the country and you'll see a list of goods. Here are some of my favorite pieces (oh, and I forgot to mention, it's all VERY affordable).

I'd layer a bunch of these with a simple outfit.
Eco Friendly Two-tone Bangles $5.50
country of origin: India
Needing a place to store your new business cards?
Silk Business Card Holder $10
country of origin: Cambodia
This necklace is a bit bohemian, a bit funky.
Circular Tagua Necklace $26
country of origin: Colombia
This would be a great gift for your school-aged child (or your boring desk). Oh and giraffes are my favorite animal, in case you were curious.
Giraffe Pencil Sharpener
country of origin: India
Well, you already know my growing obsessions with mobiles. This one is super cute and would be perfect in a baby's room.
Silk Elephan Mobile $22
country of origin: Cambodia
B and I are in need of coasters for the new, white coffee table. These are perfect.
Recycled Paper Coaster Set $20
country of origin: Cambodia
So go on, do more with your money! Visit the site...I think you'll be impressed.
{Click on the Bison to the right to enter the giveaway...last day is tomorrow!}

Guest Post: Recycled wood @ Homemade Grits

If you've been peeking at this blog for any amount of time your may have notice two things: I heart recycled goods and eco friendly products, and secondly, I am a big fan of Lesley at Homemade Grits. I am very happy to be guest posting on Lesley's wonderful blog about one of my favorite topics...recycled wood (you saw that coming, didn't you?)

source: Environment Furniture

If you'd like to see my picks for recycled wood options for the home please hop on over to Homemade Grits and check it out here!

(Pssst...while you're at it, check out the rest of her blog too.)

Use your recycling

I meant to make this post yesterday, in honor of Earth Day, but there simply aren't enough hours in the day lately. I ran across some recycled glasses at Two Ellie a few days ago and it got me to thinking that I really don't know what's currently on the market in terms of recycled drinking glasses (I can't keep up with everything!) I recycle, I have for quite some time, but I'm not very good at purchasing recycled items (I'm sorry but recycled toilet paper is just too scratchy, there, I said it!). The recycled glasses I found, though, come in numerous styles and I feel like I have a lot of options for when B and I are in need of new drinking glasses.

These were the ones posted at Two Ellie that I think are so sweet. They aren't clunky (which is fine if that's what you're looking fine) and they're decently priced.
Recycled glass drinkware from $5.50 - $12
source: West Elm
I was also pleasently surprised to find that Target is carrying a line of recycled glasses.
Luigi Bormioli Green Collection $24.99 (this includes what you see here!)
source: Target
I'm not going to lie, I love a good beer glass (ahh the pool).
Recycled Glass Beer Glasses set of 2 $19.99
source: are naturals
I love the classic look (and pretty color palette) of these "Boylan Pop tumblers." These glasses were made from bottles rescued from NYC restaurants and kept out of landfills (pretty cool).
Cherry Pop set of 4 $32.50
source: the green glass co.
Perhaps you're in need of some margaritas? This glass definitely has presence and it's hand blown for that extra something special.
Miguel margarita glass $7.95
source: Crate and Barrel
If you're looking to make more of a statement w/your drink wear, why not go for green (literally)? These are unique because they're recycled from wine bottles (so they have the concave bottoms). The artist guarantees that these are made w/sustainable materials using only sustainable processes. The artists states that he/she actually finds the bottles at restaurants, takes them home and converts them into these beauties.
Recycled wine bottle glasses $70 (set of 8)
source: Cosa verde
Red Stripe is one of my favorite types of beers so I was pretty thrilled to find these. Glasses like this would make a great gift. This Etsy shop offers all sorts of different 'labeled' glasses so you might your favorite beverage.
Pair of recycled beer bottle juice glasses with fire polished rims
(currently sold out, but hopefully more will be made).
source: Rewined Recycled Glassware
Last, but not least, I have to mention a glass that is perfect for Coke or Root beer floats (I've said 'beer' a lot this post, haven't I? Hmmm).
Set of two Coke Bottle Sunday Float glasses $25
source: Windy City Glassblower
Who knew there were so many options for recycled drinking glasses? Do you own recycled dishware? Would you buy recycled drinking glasses?

Earth Day shopping!

I have a couple of posts planned today in honor of Earth Day! Obviously, I'm not the only one that's thought about Earth Day shopping, therefore, there are some deals out there you might want to take advantage of...here are my choices from Etsy. This is a great day to support handmade and those artists that are putting extra care into making eco-friendly products.

Do you think having cute bags to pack your lunch might motivate you to actually pack one? I know it would help me (I bet your kids would like them too)!
Pack A Lunch- Starling-Sanwich Bag and Two Snack Saks $17
Here's a bag on sale for $0.20 as an Earth Day special!
source: greensteetbag's
In need of some soap (who isn't?) Check out this Earth day special- buy 3 bars for $10. That's cheaper than the average "organic" drugstore soap.
I wouldn't mind trying this yummy mango/coconut combo.
source: Nature's Edge Herb Farm
Most of us have friends that have babies, or you might have young ones of your own. I adore this mod pattern set of organic washcloths.
Organic terry washcloth set for babies and kids- SET OF 3 BLUE MOD DOT $7
source: peanut tree designs
I'm liking this cheeky twist on the uber trendy "Keep Calm and Carry On" prints.
Keep Calm and Live Green and then Carry On Print $9.99
source: The Lobster Pot
We currently have four bikes in our house (can't leave the precious babies outside) and B is always constructing and deconstructing one of them. He bikes pretty much anywhere he can in Athens; I'm terrified of being hit by a car, but I can show my support of alternative transportation with these fun earrings.
Earth Day Sale- I want to ride my bicycle- Free Shipping $5
source: Alliteration
My love for polka dots know no bounds...
Dog Leash-Eco Friendly- Red White Polka Dot-Recycle and Save $28
source: Annei's Sweatshop
I hope everyone has a wonderful hump day, mine is looking to be a bit busy... Any special plans for Earth Day?

Affordable Organic

You have to applaud a company that attempts to bring high fashion, eco-friendly clothing to the general (budget conscious) public...so in that regard, I applaud you Target. The new collaboration between Target and design team Rogan Gregory and Scott Mackinlay Hahn's environmentally conscious clothing line, Loomstate, will certainly be blogged to death in the fashion/style community and, hopefully, for good reason. I say hopefully, b/c I post this without having seen the clothing in person. I haven't touched it (so I can't tell you about the quality) and I haven't tried it on (so I can't tell you about potential wearability) but I can tell you that I like (some of) what I see. As soon as I can get my very tired hiney to the nearby Target, I will let you know my final opinion, but I'm thinking my hopes are high. The line launched today so if you've tried it on or purchased any of the items, let me know! This is a good chance to try 100% organic clothing for a lot less (why can't it all be this affordable?)
Here are the two pieces I will definitely be trying on...
This is the type of dress I want to wear while running errands or having a lunch. It's no fuss, easy, and still stylish.
Knit dress $29.99
source: Nylon
I'm a sucker for bird prints...period. This tank would be perfect on a hot summer day.
Bird Print Tank $22.99
source: Target
This line has a lot of options for the guys, so I'll have to get B's opinion. Some of the pieces are too casual for me and I'm also not a fan of mass marketed screen printed t-shirts (I hate to be a t-shirt snob, but hey). What do you think about the line? Do you like the beach casual look for everyday outfits?

Baskets to aid Rwanda, Cambodia and Indonesia

I came across the Rwanda Basket on Decor8 yesterday, and I have to tell you, I am really impressed with Macy's. If you've been wondering what to get you mom for Mother's Day, here you go...not only will this gift be a very cool thing to receive, your mom will appreciate the fact that more than one woman benefited from the purchase. Here's the deal:

"A beautiful blend of old and new, the Path to Peace Collection offers traidtional baskets like those woven for centuries in Rwanda...available only at macys.com through a unique partnership focused on trade instead of aid, the sale of these baskets puts real, sustainable income in to the hands of the artisans who create them, changing their lives in remarkable ways."
"Beacon" Fruit Bowl, 12" $40
"Big Sky" Fruit Bowl, 12" $46
"Pilgrimage" Bowl $30
Aren't these beautiful?? Well, I know what I'm getting my mom, and I think I'll buy one for myself too (this is too cool to pass up). So come on blogging community...let's spread the word and support a good cause celebrating woman artisans across the world. Are you with me? If so, would you consider doing a bit of a post about it or adding a link?

Lunchbox for an eco friendly adult

I've been looking for a lunchbox that isn't boring and...well... boring. My criteria for this said lunch box would be that it would be "eco friendly." Well, on my daily reading through blog land, I came across Rebel Green on Twig & Thistle. I imagine this company is going to be on many a blog, and as much as I try to be unique, I don't care b/c this is something to get excited about. Anyway, I think I found my lunchbox.

Peace Girl $24 (and it comes with a reusable napkin!)
I also like this one:
Bubble Girl $24
A bit of info for you:
-all of these products are made in the USA
-guaranteed cruelty free
-use of 100% organic cotton and low impact dyes
-% of their profits got to clean water initiatives and to fight hunger
Have a died and gone to eco design heaven?
Thank you Twig & Thistle for pointing me in the right direction! (My lunchbox is going to be so cool!)