Recyclable Rubber Shoes

These shoes are no ordinary eco hotties, these beauties were created in a science lab...possibly by a mad eco scientist/genius/fashionista! Cause what they came up with a is special patented plastic formula called MEL-FLEX that is totally hypoallergenic, safe to wear against your skin, recyclable, odorless (but they also say the shoes smell like candy), and totally cute. It's like when you saw a magical purple pair of Jellies for the first time, but Melissa's Mel-Flex is for Jelly sophisticates. :)
Melissa's has so many funky styles (flats, flip flops, wedges, disco heels), plus rocken' colors to choose from- including a rhinestone & glitter flocked collection.
Check them out @
www.melissaphilippines.com

Put Together A Hot Eco Outfit With Etsy

I was feeling a little sad when another eco blogger (who shall remain anonymous) said icky things about my true love www.esty.com being mostly crunchy and a home EC Project. So I put together this hot little heels & dress combo which is 100% eco, and not at all granola- but certainly 80's punk rock, and maybe even a little punk slutty too. ;) All the crafters on Etsy are working hard to bring us cool hand crafted things, something greatly needed in our overly manufactured modern lives. I really appreciate the love, thought, time and patience put into handmade goods... spread the love by choosing handmade over sweatshop slaved.
(Dress is made of Soy & Organic Cotton Blend, and the pumps are vintage!)
PS- What's so bad about crunchy Home EC anyway?

Solar Shower To Go

Now this is just so awesome, I am in awe! This 20 liter water pouch is a solar shower that you can take anywhere the sun shines for 3 hours, and get 3 warm baths out of it. They recommend it for camping, but it made me so excited I dream of ditching my hot water heater and hanging this genius gadget outside my bathroom window... what do we really need hot water for other then showers? I personally don't use hot water to wash anything but my body. Ooooh Yay! Annual usage of your regular ole' hot water heater is between $200- $450, while the Hi Gear Solar Shower is only about $20... hmmmm. This may be an experiment I have to try ;)
http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/hi-gear/hi-gear-solar-shower/

These Vintage Boots Are Made For Walken'

I could lust after eco made shoes all day, but no matter how much I drool over them it doesn't make my bank account any bigger. When I saw www.thegreenset.com blog about getting your re-wear shoes on, by buying from www.ebay.com...well, it got me thinking. Buying previously loved shoes is super ecologically kind because no new materials are made - although we all want something new every once and a while too and that is what Terra Plana, El Natrualista, and Autonomie Project are all for. But when you want that funky one of a kind vintage pair, buying used can save the planet and big bucks. I bought the boots pictured above on www.etsy.com, where there is a huge mind boggling amount of gorgeous hand selected vintage shoes. I got these babies for less then $20...truly. Vintage prices can range from $15-$150, but I have to say the average price is only about $30-$45. So, now i can drool and buy. Yay !

Gaia Conceptions Revisited

Super Dee Duper Good News::: Gaia Conceptions will be @ www.theokobox.com this spring, with her beautiful designs that are kicken' butt on her Etsy Store. Designer Andrea sources the finest quality fabrics, including local organic cotton, hemp and raw silk, and then hand dyes each piece with low impact dyes. This type of in house production is the most eco friendly you can get, next to buying used/re-wear clothing. The fabulous thing is each design is made special for you when you order, and she carries sizes XS-XL (which not all organic designers do). And with pages of feedback like this: "I must say that this is my new favorite skirt! I couldn't be any more pleased. The color is great, material soft, and it fits perfectly. Thank you!" You know you are in for an organic treat ;)

Sneak Picture Peek: The Oko Box

Coming this Spring 2008 @ The Oko Box !!!!

Mini Maxi Troll Bag

"Reisenthel Foldable Trolley is a smart, helpful companion for urban / commuting shoppers. Proven German design is a hit in Europe and new to the US. Holds about the same as two standard brown paper grocery bags. Folds into itself creating a zippered pouch with carrying handle. Easy to carry when empty. Once ready to be filled with groceries or other items, simply unzip, snap wheels into place, and pack."
Ok so this troller won me over on www.reusablebags.com, and the fact that it had like 30 reviews and 5 stars was pretty convincing too! I was so super happy when it arrived quickly in the mail (much quicker then they predicted) and it came in this cute little compact briefcase-ish carry bag (which is the bag itself folded into itself- and that's me holding it in the picture.)This is what I will walk your Oko Box packages to the post with and get my organic & market groceries in :) !

PS - it comes in three colors : Black, Red or Orange.

Hand Wash Hang Dry

I just moved to Asheville NC, so I haven't quite got my whole clothes line routine going yet (hence the crooked swooping hemp rope slanting off the deck). But for the last 5 years I have been hand washen' and hang dryen' my clothes. Even when a washer & dryer are sitting right there in my rented space. Spring is my favorite time of year for hang drying clothes- they smell so yummy and fresh after. The electricity in dryers is what causes all that static and started the whole dryer sheet stench addiction. If you stop using dryer sheets for a while and let the cells in your nose regenerate from the past onslaught of deadening carcinogens, the smell of those static sheets will suddenly become much more offensive. (This actually goes for toxic detergents too.) Not to mention hang drying clothes saves tons of energy, lowers your impact, and is a peaceful soothing way to take care of your clothes.
If you don't have a yard you can still hang dry clothes in a open window, sunny window, on a balcony, roof, or near a vent where you have air or heat blowing already. :)

Calculate Your Environmental Impact

Thanks to Siel from Green LA Girl for finding this cool carbon footprint, water usage, all around environmental impact calculator! The eco bone I have to pick with the Low Impact Living survey is IF you don't own your own home, you can not really do 80%-90% of their suggestions to lower your impact. I found this pretty frustrating, also with the fact that they ask you if you have a lawn but don't ask what you mow it with. There are more then traditional mowers these days, there are also low impact solar mowers, the good ole' push mower, and the ancient tool that I use a SCYTHE. My Scythe is a modern update though that has jagged blades on both sides. I find this tool really useful when say, uh, I need to practice anger management (or you could call it mindful thinking).
I am proud to say my LIL score was "You're pretty low impact - nice work!"
Try it out, it's fun, weird, and important to see how much "runoff" you cause-www.lowimpactliving.com

Sustainable Yarn

For those of you who LOVE to play with yarn but don't want to settle for supplies that are socially unconscious, there are finally some options available. Cool new yarns made of soy, organic cotton, bamboo, eco wool, milk fiber AND banana fiber are all at our needle tips! Knit For Brains is one of a few new organic knitting stores popping up on the web, meant to be cruelty free, vegan friendly and light on the earth- you can check out their awesome eco yarn selection @ www.knit-for-brains.com .
If this leaves you thirsting for more, there are eco knitting & crocheting supplies on www.etsy.com and www.organicimaginings.com !

Natural Hair Extensions, Hair Falls, Punk Hair, or Whatever ya Call It

Hell Yes! This is the kinda fake hair that rocks the world and according to the Etsy Designer may scare your boyfriend too. These Lovely locks are made from all sorts of natural materials (some of which you may or may not take issue with depending on which side of PETA you are on): including Alpaca Wool, Colonial Wool, Rabbit Hair (AKA Mohair),corn silk, and Cashmere. Style N Flair makes these extensions in various lengths, colors, plus some curly, some dready, some straighter. Whatever way you like it, this crazy hair is sure to get you many glances, or er, long stares. I would suggest wearing it to important business meetings, church, funerals, honor societies, & grandmaw's house... YAY!
Pictured above is the "Lapis Lazuli Funky fine Fibers Hair falls extensions Scare your Boyfriend A New You" ...um, awesome... and you can buy these @ www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5689354

Katharine Hamnett's Political T's

These pocket tunic tanks by the famous political designer Katharine E. Hamnett are totally cute. The Choose Life Shirt is being revived from her 1980's T worn by WHAM in the "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" Video. Now I thought it meant "choose life" as in support of AIDS research, in support of the earth, in support of choosing to live a positive life- and not in support of the anti-abortion movement...?!?! But What would you think this meant if you saw it on the street?
"The "CHOOSE LIFE" slogan, which in the context of the day was directed at drug abuse and suicide, has since been adopted by the pro-life movement, even appearing on license plates in Florida. However, Hamnett herself has stated that the slogan was never intended to be an anti-abortion message and that she believes in women having a choice."
At least with the "CLEAN UP OR DIE" Tank there is no question about it ;) ... it's all about choosing life too.
Availability of these are very limited, look for them later in the season @ The Oko Box!

Come Join Responsible World Citizen

If you own a sustainable business, and are looking for a new innovative forum to make connections, the Responsible World Citizen is a great place to get started.
"Sustainable conscious business consulting. Incorporating environmental practices. Improving reputations by promoting sustainability reporting and business transparency. Cultivating conscious business via authenticity, community, and integrity. "
Come and Join with The Oko Box ! http://www.responsibleworldcitizen.com/

Getting Felt Up

Want to try something insanely beautiful, original and organic ? Hmmm, because this necklace is made entirely of Organic Merino Wool that has been wet felted using a special soap washen' process that makes it malleable and magically transformed it into this fairy princess neck art! I would like to sport this baby everywhere - the woods, the bank, the bookstore, the post, in front a camera, for my boyfriend... you get what I am saying. It's a showstopper that might get ya felt up & is handmade in Israel by Shirel's Felt Boutique @ http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5555904 .
PS- She also makes beautiful Felt Flower Broaches !

Shop With A Reusable Bag, B*tch !

Or so says the tote here... he he. Now I am all for world peace by showing your eco friendly attitude by being a subtle sweet example and well, friendly...but I LOVE THIS TOTE ! And it's so affectionate in that mean sort of tough love way :) . The Angry Little Girl shop has more comical totes to entertain fellow grocery shoppers in line with you. Check out other giggle worthy bags like "I'm A Lover Not A Fighter" and "I Hate Meat Eaters" , plus other crass little diddies @ http://angrylittlegirls.com/index.html . And tell this Be-otch to print these totes on organic cotton so I can buy one ! ;)

Condom Couture Dresses

These gowns are made entirely out of reject factory tested condoms! You heard me right...condoms that broke during testing (makes me squeamish to think of it), and now they are designer works of wearable art. If you are super fascinated by condom clothing go to http://inventorspot.com/bertini_condom_couture to learn what makes these a political & eco statement. In the meantime, gawk. :)

Treehugger : How To Green Your Sex Life !

There isn't a better eco friendly sex guide out there than Treehugger's witty fun all you could possibly want to know green sex article. Everything from sex toys, contraceptives, lubes, outfits, aphrodisiacs, porn and dating sites to find yourself an eco loven' lover at! Woo.... so get started with this hot little helper :
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/how-to-green-your-sex-life.php

Love= Feline Pine Litter

Holy Toodles! Do I love Feline Pine !?!! This litter is completely natural being that it is made of 100% pine pellets and has zero fragrances added...meaning it smells like a lovely forest or the lumber aisle at Lowes. And it actually does what all cat litter claims to do, and that is neutralizes the funky urine odor you wish your indoor cat didn't produce. To me, Feline Pine is the most hypoallergenic cat litter on the market, although there are other natural alternatives made of wheat & corn, pine is not a common allergen to cats or humans. Puuuuuuurfect ! It's so awesome that my cats get excited when I pour the fresh pine in their box ...although they never seem to stop being scared of their own poo (you know when they use it and then haul ass out of the room). Meow !

Blogging Extremes- What Can You Live Without ?

I love reading stories about bloggers and book writers who are trying really extreme things like the guy living with all his trash in his apartment for one year, the lady living without ever purchasing plastic, the Manhattan family who doesn't use toilet paper for der' bunghole but a wet towel in a bowl next to the toilet instead, and the various ladies who have tried to only buy sustainable clothing for one year. I realized yesterday in the shower, I too had done something really extreme... I have not used soap or shampoo for 6 years. Seriously I kid you not, not a drop of soap, no conditioner to soften my thick hair, not a bit a shampoo to create that special shine. Why on earth would I ever do this ??? Well, it all started when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease which requires a strict as 'H-E-double hockey sticks' gluten free diet. But it's more then that, I can't have gluten in ANYTHING I use, including care products. I had been eating and washing myself with all organic products already, and was super sad to learn ALL the products I used & on the shelves contained wheat...Darn-it! So I said F-it and went without any soap and shampoo, at first as a temporary thing till I could find something organic & gluten free to lather myself in. Then suddenly year after year passed and I forgot about soap and shampoo, my hair and skin adjusted (if not seemed healthier in many ways). Now I won't lie, the first few months my hair looked rather...um...odd and kinda yucky or sticky, but that quickly went away. I learned a few natural tricks like if you have build up or greasy hair just squeeze a lemon into your hair and it comes out looking like you scrubbed it in expensive conditioner! Yay! Boiling Lavender (the herb) with lemons & then rinsing your hair with that smells sooooo yummy and leaves it silky smooth. (The pic above is my shampoo free hair on an average day.)
What do you live without or think you could live without ? What's your extreme ?

Mason Jar Blender Trick

Here's a blog post from TINY CHOICES that was too good to not pass along !!! www.tinychoices.com

"Stop the presses!(what presses?)
Did ya’ll know that you can screw mason-type jars directly onto the base of a blender, thus bypassing the regular blender container, so that your chopped/whipped/blended/ground stuff ends up directly in the jar, which you can then use for storage? This also saves the steps of washing the blender container, which thusly saves water/soap/time.
This is going to come in SO handy for:
*Making a smoothie for when I’m running out the door and need to take it with me
*Making homemade peanut butter, OH MY GODDESS.
*Making whipped cream directly in a jar, for when I need to bring it along to a party or picnic
*Pre-grinding flax seeds for smoothies and as an egg replacer for vegan baking. I’ve pre-ground flax before and kept it in the freezer for use as needed– does anyone know if this negatively effects the nutritional content of said flax?
*Pre-chopping walnuts and storing in the freezer for my favoriate amazing banana bread (I modify that recipe by using all whole-wheat flour, no sugar, and adding walnuts and/or dried cranberries. And I make two loaves at a time, because I pretty much eat a whole one the day it’s baked.)
Apparently you don’t want to try this trick using hot liquids. Pressure, explosion, ouchy. Also apparently, you don’t want to use thin glass jars (such as mayonaise jars) but only thicker ones (such as pasta sauce, canning jars, etc).
As an aside, from the same site, these banana cookies look delicious! Again, I’ll try them using whole wheat flour, little to no sugar, and egg replacer… heck, I live on the edge. I love my vegan baking attempts, though my 5-year old nephew just said he doesn’t like my cookies. Broke my little heart. Though not deeply enough to start using white flour and processed sugar. :)
Do ya’ll have any handy kitchen tips like this, which our grammas probably knew but we didn’t learn because we were young whippersnappers? Share yours in the comments!
[Image via Elise.com] "
Thanks www.tinychoices.com !!!!

The Esty Eco Panties Round Up !

Devil May Wear : (Organic and Eco Fabrics) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=56341 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Louella Bloom Organic Dainties: (All Organic Fabrics) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5639845 ------------------------------------------------------------

URBAN FOX : (Bamboo and Organic Cotton) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5485698---------------------------------------------------------------

Clare Bare : (vintage fabrics and organic cotton liners) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=61657-------------------------------------------------------------------

On The Inside: (Uses organic cotton liners, but is not fully eco otherwise) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5298883 -----------------------------
SANDMAIDEN : (Bamboo, Rayon and other Eco fabrics) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5160446----------------------------------------------------------------

MADONNA BAIN : (Organic Cotton) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5279141--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All these eco designers are the reason I LOOOOoooOoOove Esty ! Smooches ! :>*

Why Air "Freshener" Stinks

I nearly freaked when my boyfriend happen to read off the warnings and ingredients on a random air freshener bottle in a work van he was driving. After complaining about the smell, he finally picked up the bottle and examined, only to find nearly comical (in the B horror movie type way) sentences like "wear a mask when spraying, avoid contact with eyes, skin...call paramedics if one stops breathing" and then directly after saying "use when you would like fresh clean air". The reason you might want to avoid breathing, touching, or using air freshener is because it actually releases a nerve deadening agent & poisons the air, with a toxic recipe including not so fresh ethanol and propane. It also makes air flammable which Sarah Cooper from Great Britain (pictured here) discovered when part of her kitchen had a plug-in freshener induced fire.

I never use any type of fresheners or perfumes not only because they are unregulated chemical cocktails, but also...well... they f-ing stink. And now I know they can also burn my house down.

So here's a typical ingredient list for a spray bottle freshener :

ethyl or isopropyl alcohol
glycol ethers
surfactant (quaternary ammonium salts)
perfume
water
propellants
metazene (4.0%)
petroleum distillates (6.0%)
aluminum chlorhydrol
bromsalicylanilide 2,3,4,5-BIS(2-butylene) tetrahydrofural
cellosolve acetate
dichlorodifluoromethanol
ethanol
fatty esters
lauryl methacrylate
methoxychlor
methylene chloride
o-phenylphenol
p-dichlorobenzene
pine oil (toxicity like turpentine)
piperonyl butoxide
pyrethrin
synthetic surfactants
trichloromonofluoromethane
wax
zinc phenolsulfonate

Pretty Fresh huh ? Try opening some windows instead, and let real fresh air take care of the problem. :)

Sustainable Seed & Nut Jewelry

I love jewelry, but not the metal kind. Sustainable, natural, made from seeds, hemp, tagua nuts, glass, stone, shells... and this is not a hippy preference but a healthy one. Metal on my skin gives me a reaction (as in red itchy blotches and rashes). The seed necklace pictured here is from the Etsy shop NOMAD - which is so totally natural that they ask you to lovingly oil your seed necklace and keep it from getting wet (will it sprout if exposed to neck sweat...if so, that would be very cool !?!)
Tagua Nuts also make fab sustainable accessories that look similar to the seeds here, and need not be oiled ;) . Tagua is known as "Vegetable Ivory" cause it's rock hard, can be carved like tusk ivory, is smooth like a piano key, it's harvested sustainably and nobody killed an elephant to make it. Vegan & Eco Friendly- the perfect combo!
To see just how fabulous a tagua nut can be check out http://www.gaiaccessories.com/materialgaiatagua.htm .
And get your seed necklace @ http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5228847 .

ReUsable Everything

The concept of recycling is pretty awesome and I think it really could be taken much further into mainstream materialism, where it really belongs. We have created alot of junk and what better way to make new junk then with the old junk, and even better is to buy reusable recycled everything so that more junk isn't created. Totes, grocery bags, drink containers, lunch boxes, batteries... why make anything that's not recycled or recyclable even available (um except that it's a free country and free to destroy ). This lunch tote pictured here is made from used juice cartons and re-fashioned into this cute bag by a women's cooperative in the Philippines. There are so many cool products like this available now I truly believe one day this WILL be the mainstream way of making things.
If ya haven't already go get your very own reusable bag, Thermos, lunch tote, everything @ http://www.reusablebags.com/ - and if you want your groceries carried in something hempy from ecolution go to http://www.theokobox.com/ .

Recycled Leather Bags

These recycled leather bags made by designer Ashley Watson are absolutely gorgeous and made from 100% re-used leather- making them far more earth friendly then their new leather counterparts filling up malls. While I feel recycling any product into something new instead of creating waste is a good thing, I also understand the ick factor some vegans may feel about ever carrying around a leather product - recycled or not. Much like Umbra from Grist says about Fur, wearing old used furs still promotes the use of fur...does this go for using old leather too? If you are more on the everything recycled is cool side (which I lean to these days) these handbags rock the recycled world- they are so vibrant, well styled, and each one is handmade and unique. "Vancouver based designer Ashley Watson handcrafts her one-of-a-kind leather products using exclusively recycled material. She began designing handbags with recycled leather in early 2005, inspired by the original features of jackets purchased from charity thrift stores. She ultimately incorporates these features, such as pockets and seams, into each unique bag or wallet design. " Check out the plethora of styles, including make up bags and clutches too @ http://www.ashleywatson.net/main.html

OCA Discovers Carcinogen In "Green" Products

Bad and Good news...
The Bad : Half the "green" care products tested by the Organic Consumers Association came up positive for a known carcinogen called 1,4 Dioxane, which caused cancer in laboratory rats and is declared hazardous to humans by the EPA. The tricky part has been that labeling laws for natural products really aren't that strict- neither for the claim to be "natural" and "green" or for the ingredients involved if they are present in low enough amounts. Sadly some of these companies being ratted out are huge well respected Green Companies that have literally spear headed the organic care products industry. Seventh Generation (GASP!), JASON (no!), Kiss My Face (OMG!), Nature's Gate (tears), Method (go figure) and Alba (suck!) are among some of the companies who had products containing the chemical, which those who conducted the testing said is "barbaric" to have done in this day and age. Now not every single product these companies make contains 1,4 dioxane but some of their products definitely do, so it may be safer to find those products who are truly certified organic.
The Good: You won't be lathering your head and dishes with 1,4 Dioxane anymore! And that is good news. I used Nature's Gate shampoo for nearly 10 years in a row so I know first hand how dedicated we are to our fav organic care product. It's best to be informed and glad the cat is out of the faux "green" bag. (Although I'm shedding major tears for Seventh Generation who may be sued by OCA and Dr Bronners.) There are still safe and certified organic care products out there, and you can search this data base http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1 to select the most safe care products. TerrEssentials, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Nourish, Aubrey Organics, Burt's Bees, Desert Essence, Dr. Hauschka, EO, Zia Fresh, and Avalon Organics were all given two thumbs up on safety, since they are certified organic by the USDA under the same regulations as food. The OCA also gives this 3 step advice for choosing products that are chemical free :
1) Opt for products with the organic seal, 2) Avoid products with these suffixes or words in their ingredient list: myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth, any other eth, PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, or oxynol, and 3) Avoid products with unpronounceable ingredients in general.
This advice is technically good, but probably you were already perusing the labels that way. If you are really hardcore (as I am) you can write out the list and bring it to your local Health Food Grocery to be certain which chemicals to avoid.
For more details (like what happened to the lab rats) on this study check out the LA Times Article here:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-natural14mar14,1,6535224.story?track=rss .

Upcycled Skateboard Jewelry

As a former skateboarder from New Orleans, and the former girlfriend of many skateboarders in my ((wink)) younger years ((wink)) I am totally thrilled to see these old boards being made into something cute and new! Designer Lindsay Jo creates hoop earrings (big and small), pocket mirrors (to look at your earrings in), and bracelets for those who love piling on jellies but want something much cooler & earth friendly, ALL created out of skateboards that ollied into their prime. These are freaken awesome, and hope to be having them at http://www.theokobox.com/ very soon...
In the meantime, pick them up from Lindsay Jo @ http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5090476 !

Organic Style's Edible Bonsai

Organic Style has some rad little bonsai trees, which make perfect long lasting gifts that keep on giving as they grow. The Tangerine and Grape Bonsai make yummy smelling flowers and then edible fruit. If cramping a plant into a tiny pot and watching it grow tiny fruit in a tiny eco system doesn't do it for you, they have some other great edible plants, like Blood Orange Trees and Olive Trees - which my Olive Tree is now making Tuscan olives! I don't know how it happened, but I tried using my fingers to pollinate it just in case that would help. :)
Check out their selection of organic potted plants (which in my opinion are way better then cut flowers, even organic cut flowers...) : http://www.organicstyle.com/c_167/organic-potted-plants.html?viewall=1

Eat In Season & Local

The ideal environmentally friendly (plus healthy) diet would be to buy local, organic & in season all at once... and although this is like a huge challenge during the winter, spring is upon us and now is the time to support your local organic farmers! I am all over the local farmers market, the way fag hags are at glittery drag queen shows- I am a dedicated follower of the local produce scene. Every year I grow some of my own produce too, which is an awesome fun way to get exercise, play in the dirt, and taste what food is really like before it sits on a store shelf for who knows how long. Yum yum !

To find out what is in season in your state, check out this nifty guide @ http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/eatseasonal/ .

Global Goddess

http://www.esty.com/ is a organic fashion dream come true! Not everyone has access to endless advertising money and inside designer secrets, not to mention the fashion industry itself it's pretty hardcore... just look at those mags in the grocery line. I love Esty because it is place for eco fashion & crafts to bloom, without all the cut throat BS of trying to climb to the top the old school way on the runway. Etsy IS the new runway! Pictured here is a super cute Deer Dress from GLOBAL GODDESS, who uses all sustainable, recyclable, organic fabrics to create her comfy & unique eco designs. Many of them have cute appliques like the deer, birds and plant life - plus she makes the most ginormous crochet hoop earrings you can ever ever find! In my opinion the more huge the hoop, the more tough you are :) - and the better!
Check out her globe and goddess friendly shop @ http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=68999 .

Indigenous Designs Is Worken it

This lovely Organic Kimono Wrap Sweater by Indigenous Designs is made of 55% organic cotton and 45 % tencel making is luxuriously soft and silky smooth. Hand Woven by villagers in the most remote & impoverished regions on the globe, these are clothes that come with a purpose, a story, a triumph, and native craftsmanship passed down for many generations. That is what really makes it awesome! Indigenous works their butt off at social justice, fair wage, fair trade, high environmental standards, and flawless quality of design. They totally succeed at covering all categories of concern - all this planet saven' plus being nice & fair to people all over the world too! YAY!
The papaya colored Kimono Wrap Sweater will be available this spring @ http://www.theokobox.com/ :)

Spring Eco Fashion Arriving

Bit by Bit... from sexy, to practical, flowy and french, The Oko Box spring shipments are beginning to arrive. But you won't be seeing them on the current website, it will all be on the new Oko Box website launched this month ! The Kelly B bikini has arrived and it's so super adorable, plus the recycled denim mini's are ready, and the shipment from Machja is on it's way from France. Get ready to have one fun spring & summer, flaunting your beliefs in eco style ! :)

One ReUsable Pad At A Time

"Goods 4 Girls was started to help young women gain access to better menstrual products. Our goal is to help these girls live their lives and go to school without fear that what they are using during their period will fail. We provide coordination for women who are interested in sewing or otherwise donating new, reusable menstrual pads to areas of Africa where obtaining high-quality products is difficult. Working in concert with aid and relief organizations, we identify areas of need and have the ability to distribute the donations where they are most needed."

Donating is relatively easy. Just follow the steps below and you'll be on your way.
If you want to send a cash donation:
1. Make your check payable to "Goods 4 Girls" and mail to the address listed on the Contact Page.
Or
If you want to sew your own pads:
1. Follow one of the many patterns listed on the Patterns page. Make sure the pad pattern includes "wings".
2. Select a fabric that is cotton flannel and include a waterproof barrier in the pad.
3. Choose a fabric pattern that is simple. Solids, stripes, checked or other simple patterns are what we are looking for. Keep in mind that some "fun" patterns may be considered offensive in other cultures.
4. Mail the pads to the address on the Contact page.

If you want to buy pads for donation:
1. Visit one of the many online stores* that sell pads fitting the descriptions above (i.e. cotton flannel with a waterproof barrier in simple prints and with "wings").
2. Have the online provider mail the pads to the address on the Contact page.
Update: We are also looking for donations of waterproof carry bags to add to the kits that will be sent to the girls. You can find them here and here.
*Online stores Dianne's Diapers -: Buy 4, get 1 free + free shipping (delivered locally!) on orders donated to Goods 4 GirlsMamaCloth: : Buy 4, get 1 free on orders shipped to Goods 4 GirlsNew Moon Pads - : Get 30% off + free shipping on orders donated to Goods 4 GirlsLunapads -: Offering Goods 4 Girls kits and G4G Lunapanties kits at a discounted price GladRags - : Offering Goods 4 Girls kits with free carry purseParty in my Pants -: Buy 2, get 1 free on orders donated to Goods 4 GirlsRCD Boutique -: Each pad $3 + free shipping on orders donated to Goods 4 GirlsPunky's PadsWallypop Pads
If you are a provider of menstrual cloths, contact us if you would like to be listed.
At this time, donations are not tax-deductible.
:::VIA Goods 4 Girls :::

Here's What Happened So Far (Picture Diary)

Oko Box Relocation

YAY ASHEVILLE !

This pic is from when me and my kitten Toots arrived in the city limits of Asheville NC yesterday !

Looking forward to joining the already eco friendly culture here, making new friends, and shopping at Greenlife Grocery :)

Asheville already has a few sustainable clothing stores for adults and children, many vegetarian and vegan serving eateries, 3 health food groceries, several natural medicine schools and even an eco village/commune. Basically this place rocks the eco front! Downtown used to be nearly abandoned 8 years ago, but now it is a vibrant, self created, local shop mecca !

The Oko Box is Moving to Asheville !

Hey Ya'll ! Me & The Oko Box are moving to Asheville this week, and so there may be a slight lapse in blogging. There will be an online notice about a delay in shipping once I'm on the road... wish me luck :)

PS - the new website will be up any day now and spring eco fashion arrives at the end of march! Yay!
(The outfit I'm wearing in the pic is all organic and vintage : Organic Vote Tank, Organic Velour Jacket, Oko Necklace and Vintage Belt can be bought @ http://www.theokobox.com/ - the Organic Jeans are Loomstate, and the shoes are thrift store. )

Tiny Choices Survey

TINY CHOICES SURVEY! Come take it with me !
*Vital statistics (name, age, location*, link to website/blog)?
Leslie, 30, North Carolina, http://www.theokobox.com/ , http://www.oko-organic-clothing.blogspot.com/

* How do you reside (apartment or house, roommates)?
(I'm about to move but...) Tiny one bedroom, one bath house downtown Waynesville.

* Are your housing decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
Necessity, in that I have health problems(environmentally friendly seizures) which prevent me from driving almost ever- and so even though I live in a rural area I live in the heart of the town so I can walk to the post, health food store, craft store, thrift store, ...... And money & health also dictates which town I live in.

* How do you travel (transit, car, etc)?Are your travel decisions dictated by choice or necessity? Please explain.
I travel on foot mostly(necessity), very rarely I drive a truck I have had for a while, but only within a 3 mile range of my house and it takes about 6 months to use a tank of gas. My town is too rural for buses, but there is some county van that will come pick you up...I have never used it.

* Tell us about a Tiny Choice you’ve made in your life.
To go to the farmers market every week & to start promoting eco lifestyle choices through my eco fashion store. Alot like "Wildlife Works", it's activism through consumerism, which gets at the heart of our pollution problem.

* What is the one environmental dilemma you personally struggle the most with?
Flourecent energy saver light bulbs, the weird light they put off hurts my eyes so bad I can't use them. Instead I try to keep lights off most of the time by opening the shades and using sunlight, and buy long life bulbs.

* What is one Tiny Choice you can make in that direction?
To always turn off lights (which I do), to use low wattage lights (which i do), and to use natural sun and moonlight too (which i do :) )

* What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you make that people question (in either a positive educational or a negative hassle way) you the most about?
Using Non Toxic Cleaners. People really do want to believe that no one would ever sell them a product that could harm their health. And so, I hear alot, with many environmental issues, that if it was reallllllly that bad, they wouldn't sell it or do it.

*What is the one environmental Tiny Choice you would like every single person to adopt?
Stop shopping at walmart & the mall and support your local community instead. Eat Organic and Local too !

* Do you feel like you make sacrifices for environmentalism? Please explain.
Bagging recycle isn't a hassle, eating organic is yummy, walking is way more interesting and healthy then driving, keeping lights off doesn't take any effort- it all seems pretty easy to me. The only hard part is $affording$ it - it takes a little more income to keep up, but is so worth it in the end.

* Are you generally: optimistic, pessimistic, neutral about environmentalism and the future?
Optimistic in every way- humans are inventive and adaptable. If people are informed, have choices, and see what is happening, if they are effected directly by it they will get motivated. Creation and Destruction are the natural cycles of life, I look forward into a future of helpful inventions/decisions and try not to focus on what we've already destroyed.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN ! :) Go take the Tiny Choices Survey @ http://tinychoices.com/category/tc-survey/