Green 4 Life With a Little Pink Water Bottle

Hi everyone...Here's a new post from Elena Lipson, the amazing EcoDiva. She's been my green angel this week swooping in and saving the day with her informative posts while I recover from having all 4 wisdom teeth extracted. Let's see what great info she has for us this week!

Over the last several years, we have all learned about the long term damage that plastic causes to our environment. According to the CRI - Container Recycling Institute, 'Each day in the US more than 60 million plastic water bottles are thrown away. Most end up in landfills or incinerators, and millions litter America’s streets, parks and waterways." This is quite a wake-up call and should make each one of us pause a moment before grabbing the next bottle of Fiji. Unless you are an avid recycling genius, there must be a better path for us than choosing an item we will use for a few minutes then inevitable toss.

In my own home, I have a filter in my fridge and a portable pitcher filter that I fill and use several times a day. I utilize these two filtration systems to fill up our stainless steel bottles before leaving the house. The problem I've found in filling the bottles at home is that when I'm out and about, I am out of luck.

I have to admit that I've been guilty of buying plastic bottles in a pinch. I've been told how clean the county drinking water is, but I guess I've become a bit picky about wanting filtered or spring water whenever possible.

Recently, a great new product caught my eye a few months back and last month that makes perfect sense. A beautiful pink bottle arrived in my mailbox and made me very happy. The amazing thing about this lovely pink , seemingly normal stainless steel bottle (besides the great color) is that hidden inside, is it's very OWN FILTER!!

The facts from the company: 'ECOUSABLE INC. introduces Ech20, a 25 ounce stainless steel water bottle with a built in filtration system. It utilizes EcoUsable's proprietary ionic adsorption micro filtration system, which eliminates more than 64 contaminants. Each 25 oz. 304 food grade stainless steel water bottle is non-leaching, BPA-free, reusable, lightweight, and taste-neutral.

The Ionic-Adsorption Micro-Filtration System is an entire water filtration plant within a portable bottle. The patented Ionic-Absorption Micro-Filtration reduces up to 99.99% of the following zones of contamination:

* Aesthetics: unpleasant taste, odor, clarity, chlorine, sand, sediment and Radon 222.
* Biological: Pathogens such as cryptosporidium, giardia & other cysts and spores.
* Chemicals: toxic chemicals, detergents, pesticides and other harmful industrial and agricultural wastes.
* Dissolved Solids: heavy metals such as aluminum, asbestos, copper, lead, mercury and others.

Now I don't have to worry about running out of water. I do have to wait a few seconds as the water filters. But that hasn't seemed to be a huge deal. One thing I would change is the straw attachment which is the only way to drink the water from the bottle. While it's easy to use and flip up as needed, I found it to leak a bit. Barring this one correction, I think this idea is AMAZING and will save many, many plastic bottles from lingering in a landfill thanks to your truly.

Check them out for yourself....https://www.ecousable.com/store/store.php/products/Metallic-Red-Filtered-Stainless-Steel-Water-Bottle--25oz {https://www.ecousable.com/store/store.php/products/Metallic-Red-Filtered-Stainless-Steel-Water-Bottle--25oz}


Here are some more amazing features of the ECH2O:

* removes up to 99.99% of pollutants as you drink
* drink from tap water, streams, rivers, lakes and pools
* emergency preparedness survival bottle
* filters everything but salt water
* 100 gallon capacity - 378 liters
* replaces up to 757 half liters of bottled water
* safe alternative to plastic
* high-quality food grade 304 L.N. stainless steel
* durable, lightweight, reusable and 100% recyclable
* BPA Free
* non-leaching & toxin-free
* no inner lining, clean tasting
* non-slip base
* holds 22 fluid ounces (650 ml) with filter inserted


Enjoy!

Signing off...EcoDiva
Check out more amazing Ethical Luxury finds at EcoDiva.blogspot.com

Welcome to Green Lingo 101:

Today’s lesson is to help build your knowledge and understanding of the “green” terminology. What are the words we associate with the “green movement” and what do they really mean. I’m sure you’ve all heard at least one of these words or terms being tossed around, but maybe you’re not quite familiar with what they mean… I’m here to break it down for you.

Let’s start with some of the basics (I learned these from Bob Folkart, the Vice President of Live Life Organics. This green apparel company focuses on creating more positive energy in the world and channeling it to sustain ourselves, the earth and our fellow man).

Eco-friendly: suggests a product or process than has a reduced impact on the environment.

Eco-fashion: is a general term describing organic clothing that has addressed the needs of the environment as well as socially responsible working conditions.

Sustainable: refers to natural products that can be preserved and renewed. It is connected with the term "recycling" - when natural products are re-used like rubber (for tires, shoes) or wood (for recycled furniture). They are made from or made into recycled, carbon based products.

Carbon Footprint: is a descriptor of environmental impact. It describes the consumption of carbon based natural resources or the production of carbon by-products like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or "greenhouse emissions". It's about lifestyle and the amount of carbon based resources we consume through transportation, climate control, manufacturing etc. Basically it relates to how much each of us consume in terms of natural resources to meet our needs. In general each of us should be committed to reducing the size of our "footprint" to sustain resources for present and future generations.

Green: is a generally positive term referring to the environment, organics or even a green lifestyle to be discussed shortly. Conscientious Clothing describes organic clothing has addressed environmental, ethical and socially responsible standards. It is essentially the same as organic in a general context. Organic may also refer carbon based products, issues or concepts such as carbon footprint, sustainable, fossil fuels, organic agriculture, organic food, organic apparel etc.

Organic or Green Lifestyle: refers to living with a strong commitment to the environment. In addition, it addresses compassionate and positive thinking. It means choosing a lifestyle with charitable deeds and social responsibility. Organic living includes compassion for the environment and others. A green lifestyle means being proactive and incorporates spiritual growth leading to ethical thinking.

Fair Labor Practices: are not necessarily restricted to agriculture but generally support fair wages and healthy working conditions.

Fair Trade Certification: "...guarantees consumers that strict economic, social and environmental criteria were met in the production and trade of an agricultural product."(www.transfairusa.org)

Stay tuned for my next lesson…The discovery of eco-friendly fabrics. What are they really?

xoxo,
Mia

P.S. - Please feel free to hit me with any questions. I hope this lesson was helpful!

A Sustainable Goddess’ Sundress

Girls throw on your sundresses! It’s a warm, sunny day here in NYC… perfect weather for a Memorial Day BBQ with friends. I’m eagerly awaiting the fruity sangria & good eats off the grill. There’s no need to fret about what to wear either. I’ve got a style recommendation for you today that’s simple… find yourself a comfortable dress that has a flattering cut that’ll show off your best features (e.g. legs, shoulders, neck, cleavage, back). I’m particularly head over heels for the Grecian inspired Catilin dress by Sublet.

This Sapphire blue dress is simply demure. The gathered bust and flowing skirt compliments almost every figure. Plus, the pleated placket and collar pumps up the style factor by adding an unexpected touch of structure. It’s the ideal dress for a day of eating and socializing in the sun because of its comfort factor. The light weight, thinly strapped dress is made from a breathable blend of mostly organic cotton (30%) and bamboo (67%).

For a chic casual daytime look, pair it with your favorite gladiator sandals and some chunky jewelry. If you’re planning a night out afterward, switch into some heels and don’t forget a cardigan or sexy little fitted jacket to fend off the cooler evening air.

To learn more about Sublet’s sexy sustainable styles, visit them online. I’m a huge fan of this duo-design team. I recently wore the Catherine dress to the 19^th Hole Magazine’s fashion & golf event and received tons of compliments.

Me with celebrity stylist Keino Benjamin

Enjoy your day!!!!

xoxo,

Mia

The Age-Defying Serum that Affirms Your Beauty

You know you’re a beautiful person inside & out, but let’s face it; it never hurts to have it affirmed by others. Now you can join the ranks of celebrities such as Halle Berry and Jennifer Aniston and affirm your beauty daily with the use of Pure&True’s Affirm Multi-Vitamin Age-Defying Serum.



Pure&True’s Affirm serum battles the onset of wrinkles with its infusion of age-defying vitamins (A, B, C and E) and rejuvenating oils and hyaluronic acid. The combination of these ingredients have been shown to plump and firm skin. Affirm is light and hydrating. It’s designed to be applied on a cleansed face in the morning and night. It’s suitable for all skin types, and especially recommended for oily, mature, and sun-damaged skin. The active ingredients prevent pores from clogging, and improve the appearance of visible pores…a concern I often worry about. I know you can’t shrink your pores, but it’s important to me to keep their appearance as small as possible.

I’ve been using Affirm for several weeks now and found that a very small drop or two goes a long way. Unlike some other creams I used to use, Affirm’s serum glides on like silk. I apply it to my entire face and neck, but really enjoy using it around my eyes. It’s the only product I’ve found thus far that doesn’t have me pulling and tugging on my sensitive skin just to spread it.

I don’t think it’s ever too early to begin protecting your skin and trying to improve the signs of aging. Pure&True has a variety of other products I’ve been testing as well such as microdermabrasion scrubs & masques to fight cellular damage. I’ll let you know my thoughts on them soon too.

To read more about Pure&True and other products I've tested, visit EcoDiva.

XOXO,
Mia

Sustainable Living Conference in Italy

All over the globe people are coming together to discuss how we can live more sustainably.

Here's what a friend told me about what's going on right now in Rome, Italy!

"Starting May 21st, in the spaces of Macro Future in Rome, luxury cultures will meet low cost concepts and mutate towards new, more ethical, sustainable and essential ways of living.

"The Essential Luxury" will showcase a three-day event organized around panel discussions and workshops with world-renown designers, sociologists, artists and architects, but most importantly with the human beings behind those titles.

Three days to reflect on the development of everyday life-styles that can be at the same time luxurious and sustainable, affordable as well as socially responsible.

A moment of confrontation and dialogue to communicate a new way of luxury: different, yet identical in quality, technology, research, creativity, curiosity and expertise. A chance to understand and experience a new culture of luxury which makes us aware of our conscious side, and puts it in charge."

The Surprising Facts of what's in Your Clothes!

My girl Rachel @ EcoStilleto just put me on to this funny, but very informative clip she made about the realities of "regular" fabrics vs. eco-fabrics. It might shock you to learn what your threads are really made of...

Check out this EcoStiletto TV link now!

xoxo,
Mia

Viper Black Tees – A New Playground for Street Art

Back in the 70’s & 80’s, the streets of New York weren’t paved with gold, but rather sprayed with paint. It was a playground for graffiti artists who would tag (a.k.a. bomb) their marks on virtually any surface - i.e. buildings, benches, and most importantly subway cars. Their public markings could be simple written words or elaborate wall paintings worthy of being displayed in galleries and exhibits. Sometimes graffiti was even employed to communicate social and political messages. Artists freely expressed their thoughts through imagery, but sadly their era began to deteriorate in the early 90’s during the cultural shift of New York to clean up the city. Graffiti artists stood stunned as they watched their work be washed away…

One of those artists was Jedrek Speer (a.k.a. SEIZER-ONE). Jedrek, an internationally well-respected graffiti artist, longed to bring back real art. Art that was raw and created with a free imagination. He wanted to create art that was sustainable…something that was environmentally friendly and couldn’t be washed away. In 1996, Jedrek teamed up with his cousin Russell Vare and created their first t-shirt line. Ten years later (2007), they launched a new authentic and sustainable line called Viper Black Clothing. The inspiration for Viper Black was based on duo’s love & appreciation for street art and comfortable clothes.

Viper Black is a socially and environmentally conscious company (Russell’s background is in renewable energy & alternative fuels). They are strongly dedicated to creating the highest quality clothing with the lowest environmental impact. Their green efforts go far beyond their clothing -- which is made from 100% organic cotton. Organic cotton means no pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or toxic chemicals were used. Plus, all Viper Black clothing uses non-toxic, low impact dyes and water-based inks.



The men’s & women’s shirts come in a variety of styles such as v-necks, crews, and tunics. I love wearing my “foreign harbor” Viper Black tee. The graphic on my tee makes me feel like I’m creating a portal to the old school days when graffiti art was at its height. The cream colored tunic tee is incredibly soft, and perfect to wear on a hot day because the fabric is thin & breathable.

Check out the hip & edgy styles Viper Black has to offer everyone and read more about this great company! I can’t wait to get back out to L.A. to meet up with the guys (that’s where they’re based) and learn more about what they’re doing.

A Naturally Fruity way to get Your Teeth Pearly White!

We all want whiter teeth, right? Marketers prey on us because they know we’ll go through great measures to avoid having a dingy gray smile… Think about it, we’re bombarded with tons of commercials & print ads that promise us whiter teeth in a matter of hours or days. All we need to do is just apply strips & trays with gooey whitening gels… Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not really sure what these OTC whitening products are made from & if they’re healthy to use. Whitening strips are not regulated by the FDA so they don’t go through the same testing as drugs & medicines do. Is the promise of brightening your pearly whites with chemicals really worth the potential dangers they can have on your teeth enamel & body?

I’m super excited to share that I’ve discovered that teeth whitening CAN be accomplished naturally with strawberries! “A red fruit?” you ask. Yes. Apparently strawberries contain a lot of malic acid, a tooth-whitening agent, among having many other benefits.

According to Health.com, here’s how to make strawberries brighten your smile!

Ingredients: 1 strawberry and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

Instructions: Crush the strawberry to a pulp, mix it with the baking soda until blended. Use a soft toothbrush to spread the mixture onto your teeth. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then brush thoroughly with toothpaste to remove the berry–baking soda mix. Rinse. (A little floss will help get rid of any strawberry seeds you find lingering in the nooks & crannies of your teeth.)

This is a cheap, and incredibly simple and healthy way to whiten your teeth. Plus, there is no additional garbage like you’d have with boxes of whitening strips.

I’m giving this fruity idea a try! I’d love to hear if this whitening method has worked for any of you or if you’re about to try it for the first time as well! Please share your results!