Eco Conscious Holiday Goodies for the Road… or the Sofa

Retrospec’s NRDC Collection

When we spotted Retrospec, an e-commerce brand that offers active-lifestyle products for adults and youth across bike, skate, paddle, snow and fitness, we had to inform our readers as they just launched a Second Nature Apparel Collection with 100% of sales donated to NRDC, the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Since 1970, the NRDC has worked to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. They combine the power of more than three million members and online activists with the expertise of some 700 scientists, lawyers, and policy advocates across the globe to ensure the rights of all people to the air, the water, and the wild.

A great cause married to a great collection which includes a long-sleeve ($34.99), crewneck ($29.99), sweatpants ($29.99), baby onesie ($24.99) and a mug ($14.99).

I’d say that’s a stylish feel good reason to shop this holiday!

Eco-Friendly Bag Find

I was lucky enough to meet this cool chick in college named Jennifer Silbert. She went on to become an architect and, one day on Facebook, I noticed she was making some of the coolest recycled bags I’d ever seen.

Here’s her story.

And get that bag of hers!

“We started Rewilder 4 years ago after strong careers in fashion (Lisa) and architecture (me), where we were distressed with the waste we were creating. I was teaching a Materials Innovation class at Art Center in Pasadena when I started doing research on post-industrial waste and came across some incredible materials being thrown away on a massive scale. It’s truly overwhelming. 

So now we use these amazing materials to make the best bags for the planet. A few other bags out there claim to be sustainable but we are 100% – zero waste, high quality, made in LA. Nothing excites us more than making something amazing from unconventional, industrial materials that would have ended up in a landfill.”

Need we say more?

She’s a gem, her cause noble, and so are bags.

rewilder.com

Get Geared Up For Coachella

Coachella Style

Yes, we’re already looking toward Coachella 2013 (and damn that Bowie rumor… is it true?!). So, from the fashionable to downright fundamental, that will help you survive six intense days of musical mayhem that is Coachella. Trust us, you’ll get dusted and drunk, but enjoy every minute of it. Well, minus the ‘finding your car’ part at the end of the night if you’re not camping (or glamping) onsite.

1. Find a go-to outfit to look hot and stay cool. Try Element Eden Shannon tank and concert shorts from their Spring 2013 collection.

2. Keep your essentials within reach with this Element Eden backpack for Summer 2013.

3. Think cool thoughts with these VonZipper Cletus sunglasses from their Frostbyte series.

4. The VIP pass is optional, sunscreen isn’t. Save your skin with Epicuren’s X-treme Cream sunscreen with SPF 45.

5. Brave the wild world of the Girl Talk crowd with Spirithood’s new Coyote from their Spring 2013 line. Too hot for fur? Their Summer 2013 line includes NEW Terrycloth Spirithoods!

6. Channel your inner Feist-iness with Element Eden’s Polynesian Tea maxi dress for Summer 2013.

7. Another no brainer. Never be caught without a bottle of water. Icelandic Glacial Water is the perfect refreshing choice.

8. Missed Deadmau5’s set because you were sidetracked at the new beer garden? Keep track of time with NEFF’s Flava watch.

9. You might be hot in the daytime, but don’t forget you’re in the desert. Stay warm at night with Stance “Kingston” socks.

10. Let’s face it, your shoes are going to get dirty, but these Etnies Woozy hi-tops, from Spring 2013, will look cute in the process.

11. Stuck in the long entrance line? Start your own dance party with the portable wireless Phoenix speaker by Beacon. Try one of the new spring colors for these tiny speakers.

12. Keep safe from the sun with the Bungalow hat by Element Eden from Summer 2013.

Holiday Must Have: Recycled Jewelry from Africa

Amleset of Ethiopia making jewelry for Raven & Lily

Happy Holidays! We know it’s December 25th so it’s a little late to have something on our wishlist, but this lovely necklace features layers of delicate, beaded strands, cinched to the side with an antique-inspired silver tube. Designed in partnership with Tiffany Kunz, these gold and silver strands will add elegance to any outfit.

The best part?

Antique Tube Collection – Raven & Lily Necklace

The necklace is handmade from melted bullet casings and recycled metals (brass, silver, copper) by HIV-positive women in Ethiopia. In addition to providing sustainable economic opportunities, Raven + Lily returns proceeds to fund healthcare and literacy programs for women and children in this community. For example, Amleset, one of the designers, and her husband were able to move off Entoto Mountain and into the city in early 2011, thankful to be back in the city and not feel ashamed or discriminated against because of their disease. The purchase from the Entoto jewelry collection has brought them a better life that would have otherwise been impossible.

So we think these gifts are great for a belated Christmas gift or for the New Year!

Recycled Jewelry 

Tiffany Kunz: Antique Tube Collection Necklace
$156.00