2 Big Name Brands Surprisingly Going Organic

These fashion giants will never be totally green, but if you happen to shop at Target or Wal-Mart, why not stroll over to the racks where they now offer AFFORDABLE, sustainable clothes…

Here's a breakdown of a few of my recommended fashion picks!

Target - Icon by Marika: Organic Side Slit Bermuda Short Black

Priced @ $19.99

If you're a bit more conservative, or at an age where you probably shouldn't be wearing mini shorts anyway, I suggest picking up these Bermuda shorts. They create a classy, hip look because they offer more coverage. The best thing about Bermuda's is that they can be worn at any age!

Product Description

• Spandex
• Elastic Waist Closure
• Straight Hem
• Roll Over Waist
• Athletic Fit
• Pull-On Bermuda Shorts
• Slit-Leg, Straight Leg
• Knit
• Made of 95% Organic Cotton 5% S
• Double Stitched for Added Detail and Durability

Target - Icon by Marika: Crisscross Cami Organic - Blue

Priced @ $24.99

Want a tank that's considered "athletic," but can be worn casually on a hot summer day? Then here's another Icon by Marika look to consider. When it's boiling hot outside, I dread getting dressed in my nice clothes. I hate feeling like I'm sweating in "work" clothes. That's why I'm a fan of the crisscross organic cami because it's meant to be worn during sweating activities such as going to the gym. In that case, I don't mind sweating in it as I'm schlepping across the city running errands.

Here's an Insider Tip that'll help you save some loot ($$$) too! The price of the cami on Marika’s website is $38, but if buy it at Target, you can scoop it up for a third less!

Product Description

• Basic Athletic Cami
• Knit
• Made of 95% Organic Cotton 5% Spandex
• Cross-Back Shoulder Strap
• Straight Hem
• Drawstring Waist
• Regular Fit
• Lightweight Construction for an Airy Feel

And finally...drum roll please...I've saved the best news for last. Loomstate, one of the leading eco-fashion brands on the market, has now teamed up with Target to offer a men's & women's organic collection exclusively at Target!! I can't describe my glee when I heard the announcement.

Loomstate For Target® Cotton Silk Dress - Ebony

Priced @ $39.99

I love wearing adorable little dresses in the summer so I'm excited that I'll be able to slip into this one for less than 2 double deuces ($40)!

Product Description

• A-Line Dress
• Junior Fit
• Sleeveless Cut, V-Neck
• Pretty Key Hole Back, Tie Back, Side Zipper Closure
• Made of 100% Organic Cotton

Loomstate® for Target® Woven Men's Shirt - Rock

$27.99

As you can see, Loomstate didn't forget about all the men who want to be sexy & sustainable too!

Product Description

• Made of 100% Certified Organic Cotton
  
• Plaid Pattern
  

Planning a trip to Wal-Mart instead? Let's face it, we all used to laugh at Wal-Mart's clothes when we were younger, and we didn't want to be caught dead in them, but in all honesty, they've really stepped up their fashion game. Wal-Mart is now offering organic clothing options @ bottom of the barrel prices. I don't think I know anyone who's going to say no to buying a Seed Supply Co. $4 organic ribbed cotton tank, especially during this awesome recession! $4?! That's less than two slices of pizza here in the city. Shoppers all agree that the organic tank's fabric is super soft and comfortable. It's perfect to wear while exercising or to pair with casual shorts or a skirt. Don't be shy. Go ahead and grab the tank in a variety of colors. These tanks are the cheapest way for you to brighten up your summer wardrobe. Also, you might want to try buying one size up to get the best fit.

Product Description

• Organic cotton rib knit
• Scoop neck
• Sleeveless

Tell me, what do you think about these brands' efforts to go greener?

Simple Lifestyle Changes Everyone is making to Live Greener

Here's a message from my good buddy James P.

"So I now keep a folded-up canvas sack in my briefcase for when I stop by the grocery store, CVS, etc. after work - 90% of my shopping trips can be contained in 1 canvas sack. I am, after all, a single dude."

This is his tip for living a sexy sustainable lifestyle - Set yourself an Outlook reminder to pack an empty sack in your briefcase or work bag so you have it with you on the way to work the next day. You never know what errands you might run during the day so it's great to always have the sack with you. "It's empty = no space taken up."
Thanks for the tip James!!

I just recently picked up a stylish reusable shopping bag by a new company called Tymel Style. Launched in late 2008, Tymel Style is addressing the needs of eco-conscious consumers who wish to go "green" without sacrificing their style or budget. They've accomplished this goal by offering a line of custom, high-quality, reusable bags made from recycled plastic polyfabric. Their bags are display bright, bold, and creative patterns that make a design statement.

I took my new Tymel bag to Central Park this past weekend and got several compliments on the colorful bamboo print.

Check out the wide variety of reusable bags Tymel Style has to offer. They've got bags for everyone (adults & kids).

Still not convinced that reusable bags are better? Want to know why you should SAY NO to plastic & paper? This is what I learned from the owners of Tymel while I was speaking to them at the Go Green Expo:

Each year, approximately 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. Over 1 million bags are used per minute and billions end up in landfills and waterways. Plastic bags take up to 1000 years to degrade. Approximately 14 million trees are cut each year to produce 10 billion paper grocery bags used in the U.S. alone!

Let's live greener in a stylish way.

xoxo,
Mia

NYC's "Eco Week" Fashion Events Recapped

Project Earth Day's celebrity guest judge Kevin Christiana from Project Runway Season 4

"Eco Week" has sadly come to an end, but just because the media buzz has died down, doesn't mean that eco-awareness is out of mind. I've been approached by a number of enthusiastic people these past few days who have wanted to share their excitement with me about their new found discovery of eco-fashion. It was great to hear people talk about the fresh new eco-designs they recently saw or heard about at events such as Project Earth Day & Vivons Vert’s fashion shows. Here are a few behind the scenes looks from the two shows.

Watching models get ready back stage.


Me with TEICH handbag designer Allison McGowan

Vivons Vert after the show scenes...check out cmarchuska's sexy new party dresses in black & the colorful palate of new eco-fashion designer ELSAandME's line.

Evelina, aka the Vegan Queen, was also in attendance at the show! The models loved her bags.

Facial Detox with Sibu Beauty - Rid yourself of Dirt & Makeup

I love pampering myself with beauty products whenever I get the chance. I especially love testing out the new products in the sibu beauty collection. Sibu is a special beauty brand because they feature a unique blend of a powerful berry called seabuckthorn. Found high in the Himalayan Mountains, seabuckthorn is considered to be the, “Holy Fruit of the Himalayas” because of its powerful nutritional benefits.

After a long afternoon of shopping in SoHo looking for the perfect outfit to wear to the 2nd annual Fashion & Football draft party tonight, I hurried home to start getting ready. The first thing I did as soon as I got home was drop my bags and reach for my sibu sea buckthorn bar of facial soap. The sun was in full force today and I was perspiring a lot. Aside from feeling sweaty, my face felt even dirtier because I kept wiping the shiny beads of sweat off with my hands. I generally like to use face scrubs & cleansing creams versus what I think is regular old soap, but my curiosity about this “Holy” berry was too great to resist. Does it really work well? I wondered. The earthy bar of soap immediately caught my attention because of its natural color and smell. I was pleased to see that sibu’s beauty bar wasn’t some wacky shade of blue, green, or pink like some other soap brands seem to promote.

I pulled my hair up into a ponytail, splashed warm water on my face, and began to wash. Instantaneously I noticed how creamy and gentle the lathered soap felt against my skin. Often I rush to wash my face because it’s such a tedious task, but I certainly didn’t feel this way when using my sibu beauty cleanse & detox facial soap. The subtle aroma of the creamy soap captivated me. My nose was intrigued by the citrusy and “woodsy” smells. After rinsing my face, I felt clean again and I my skin tone looked balanced and bright.

This paraben-free facial soap is perfect for all skin types because it doesn’t contain any dairy, wheat, gluten, sodium, yeast or preservatives. When they say 100% natural, they mean it. Another great thing about sibu’s bar is that its ingredients act as a natural astringent, inhibits bacterial growth, revitalizes skin cells, and does more. Read more about sibu beauty now & how you can get your hands on their amazing products. I have to admit, I’m kind of looking forward to waking up tomorrow and washing my face again. I can’t wait to test the other sibu products as well. Some of them are ingestible!

xoxo,

Mia

Earth Day Recap...Now Get Ready to Celebrate with a Post Day Party

I hope everyone had a great Earth Day! The weather here in the city wasn't as cheery and bright as I'd hoped for, but my day was still full of outdoor activities. I primarily celebrated Earth Day by running around the city like a maniac. First, I rushed off "umbrellaless" in the misty rain to visit the Vegan Queen. She had several new handbags for me to pick up so I could deliver them to a few of the designers @ tomorrow's Vivons Vert charity eco-runway show. THEN, I splish splashed across town on my way to meet up with Allison McGowan, designer of TEICH handbags. Allison was also donating a few of her bags to be used in the show as well! By the end of my meetings, let's just say I looked like a total BAG LADY. Wait, I literally was a bag lady! I was carrying 3 tote bags filled with 8 different handbag designs. If only I had enough arms to wear each of those beautiful bags. I'd be a human octopus, but at least I'd be accessorized in style. Such a pity.

So anyway, after a long eventful day as the "bag lady," I finally made it home and had a chance to catch up on my girl Tia Walker's blog, The Quest For "It." As I was reading through her recent posts, I came across her Earth Day blog & I just had to share the link she found on the Huffington Post about greening your sex life. HAHAHA Seriously...that's the subject: Earth Day Night: 5 ways to green up your sex life. Sustainability in the bedroom. I love it.

xoxo,
Mia

OK! Magazine throws an Eco-Fabulous Party this year

I made my way over to the OK! Magazine party last night @ Greenhouse (NYC's hottest eco-friendly club), and let me tell you, the party was more than just okay. It was fantastic! Upon my arrival, I cruised the red carpet with my sexy Vegan Queen red Lolli Pop clutch and posed for a few photos. Check out the one of me below with celebrity fashion stylist Keino Benjamin! I'm on a mission to have him start styling me this summer. He's all about styling for red carpet events...exactly where I want to be.


Once I got inside the OK! party, the night really kicked off. I happily indulged in gossip, fashion, food & drinks! Greenhouse was filled with so many beautiful people including, The Real Housewives of NYC star Bethenney Frankel. If you're not familiar with Bethenney, she's not only a celebrity socialista with a hit reality show, but she's also an amazing natural food chef & author of a new book called Naturally Thin. It's a book that educates readers on how to eat healthier, and curb their "Heavy Habits." I also bumped into Steven Ward at the party. He's the host of VH1's hottest new reality show, Tough Love. Let me tell you girls, he's a cutie... With a background in matchmaking, I'm thinking maybe I should talk to him about finding some sexy sustainable love! :-)



My next adventure after OK!'s party was uptown to the T-Mobile Sidekick party. That's where I ran into the founder of ALEX the Magazine, Alexander Everett. Alex and I were having a conversation and he explained to me that he's a supporter of going green and even incorprates that into his magazine! I'm excited to say that I may team up with him soon on a big eco-friendly event he's hosting.

Overall, my night was eventful, but the rain definitely put a damper on the evening. Thankfully, the Vegan Queen DOESN'T use leather (hence the name vegan) & my beautiful Lolli Pop clutch made it home unscathed.

The Vegan Queen is Claiming her Thrown on the streets of NYC

You've seen pictures of me all around the city sportin' my "The Queen Goes Green" tote, but I'm thrilled to say that the Vegan Queen just hooked me up with some smoken' hot new bags last night! Stay tuned for pictures of the latest styles to hit the streets of NYC.

Here I come OK! Magazine, T-Mobile, & Terrance J. ;-)

NYC’s Eco-Hot Spot this Week: Vivons Vert Eco-Fashion Show!

BAM! The NYC Go Green Expo this past weekend was the perfect ingredient to get what I like to call, “Eco Week,” sizzlin’. At this point, I think we’re all aware that Earth Day is April 22nd, but it doesn’t mean that green enthusiasts won’t be celebrating & creating eco awareness ALL week long. Heck, if the NFL can celebrate their 1-day draft for a weeklong – aka “Draft Week,” (which is this week too) then sexy sustainable lovers can have their “Eco Week!” So what can possibly be better than Earth Day AND gorgeous, athletic football players coming to NYC for draft week?


The Vivons Vert Eco-Fashion Show on Thursday, April 23th headlining the hottest new green collection by cmarchuska. Consider this eco-fashion event the best, “day after, after party” to Earth Day. (Don’t you love the wording of that phrase?! – I thought it was catchy.) Not only will you see featured designs by cmarchuska, but you’ll also preview hot new emerging eco-designers’ such as Maja Svensson & her collection called ELSAandME.

In addition to all the sexy sustainable fashion, you’ll be movin’ & swayin’ to the beats of special guest DJs - Baya Voce (from the Real World Brooklyn & my personal birthday bash), PLUS 3X Grammy Winner, HEX HECTOR! Last, but not least, there will be an OPEN BAR sponsored by SVEDKA vodka from 8pm-9pm.

This is the ultimate event for anyone who loves fashion, music, cocktails, & the environment. You won’t want to miss it!

Here are all the details you need to know.

When: Thursday, April 23, 2009: 8:00pm – 12:00am

8pm-9pm Open Bar (sponsored by SVEDKA)
9:30pm Eco-Fashion Show

Where: Ultra
37 West 26th Street (Between Broadway and 6th Avenue) – NYC

Tickets: $20 payable at the door

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Nature Conservancy- "Protecting nature. Preserving life." Visit www.nature.org for more information

To RSVP please e-mail epoto@omertaentertainment.com or smaxwell@omertaentertainment.com and be sure to include your Full Name, Affiliation and E-Mail Address.
A confirmation e-mail will be provided prior to the event.

What's the Go Green Expo & America's Next Top Model have in common?!

Sexy Sustainable Style with America's Next Top Model judge, Nigel Barker!

The Queen Goes Green all the way to the Go Green Expo @ the Hilton NY in midtown this weekend. You may have noticed that I've been off the radar this weekend, but that's because I've been a very busy bee cruisin' the floor of the Go Green Expo here in NYC.

The green expo has over 200 exhibitors who are eager to educate everyone interested in learning about environmentally friendly goods & services they can use in their modern everyday living. All aspects of living a greener life are covered - from transportation, home construction & appliances, fashion & beauty to beauty, and organic foods & beverages (including liquor)!

There have also been:
• Interactive Seminars / Speeches
• Film Presentations
• Demonstrations & hands on activities

I had the opportunity to speak with, “noted photographer Nigel Barker,” of America’s Next Top Model yesterday. He’s such a sweetheart & his accent sounds sexy. Hehehe You may be familiar with seeing Nigel as one of Tyra Banks’ ANTM photographers & judges, but did you know that he’s also spokesman for the Human Society?! He’s on a mission to bring awareness to animal cruelty & save the seals that are being hunted around the world and specifically now in Canada.

I’m headed off to the last day of the expo to see if I can catch up with Julie Edelman aka “the accidental housewife.” You need to check out her site, she’s hilarious and has the best tips on keeping things clean without losing your sanity or your total fashion sense.

Stay tuned to learn more about the great people I met & the wonderful product samples I picked up. Oh by the way, I also got to meet the folks from the Green Connoisseur, and I was so excited to hear that they're big fans of Sexy Sustainable Style! If you haven't checked out their site, I suggest you do so now. It's filled with tons of info about living a luxurious eco-conscious lifestyle.

xoxo,

Mia