It's The Shoes, Stupid!

The answer to what makes an outfit.
We women have the pleasure of buying a pair of shoes that revitalize our entire wardrobe. Shoes connect our stems to the earth, give us our sexy stride, and express our certain je ne sais quoi. I have been guilty of buying loads of these at discounted prices from the nearest shoe barn. But after my fifth pair of cheapy shoes, I began to wonder where they came from, who made them, and why the plastic smells weird. I decided to seek out the green in the shoe world and begin to change my ways, (no I didn't throw away my old cheapy shoes, I'm not goin' cold turkey ladies).

Ye olden shoes....
Did you know that way way way back in the day people used to get their shoes repaired!! In fact just the other day I passed by something called a 'shoe repair store'. Ladies I do not lie. Once upon a time, shoes were well-made by hand, and people would re-sole them periodically. It's hard for me to imagine that kind of quality, but what could be greener than investing in consciously made shoes and giving them nine lives? Go to shoes.about.com for local shoe repair shops.

Green shoe-sites
I know you think that all eco-shoes are over sized hemp tennies (and some are), but allow me to blow your mind with some websites that keep fashion and fun a priority while consciously constructing a green pair of kicks.
charmoneshoes.com
for the champagne of eco-shoes
mooshoes.com
vegan shoe company from New York
simpleshoes.com
closer to the hempy look, but they have cute tennies!
mohop.com
a cute do-it-yourself eco-idea that keeps shoes designs fresh
tomsshoes.com
comfy shoes that kind of look like vans. For every pair you buy, they donate a pair to a child in need. That's gotta feel good!
friedson bros
For your down-home country fix, try these boots that are made entirely in the U.S.A. Local is a great way to be green.

Green Girl

Being Green can be Glamorous!

This blog is a guide for girls who want to shop with their minds and hearts without giving up their fashion-forward eyes.

I began green shopping around Christmas. I couldn't bear buying or receiving any more crap, (do you know the feeling?) In the meantime, the recall of toys from China appeared in the news. We have become so ignorant of the origin of our purchased goods that we are literately poisoning our children with lead toys. And we women think nothing of a garment that supplies additional buttons because the company knows the originals will fall off within a month.

I'm tired of poorly made products with chemicals and carcinogens. I'm disgusted by lipstick with lead in it. And wearing a "cute" skirt made by child labor weighs heavily on my conscience. But I love fashion!!

So I'm posting the best places on the web to find gorgeous clothes, jewelry, gifts, make-up, etc. that are Green. Green meaning sustainable, sweat-shop free, union-made, made in the USA, local, organic, etc.

And let me tell you, there's no shortage of shopping in this category. We are way beyond the Birkenstock hippie-girl. You can get your fix on shoes and jeans and lotions for hours while faithfully remaining a Green Girl.

My father makes clothes in the USA and has watched all other companies go overseas for cheap labor. I want to show him that buying local and from people paid a fair wage is still alive in this country.

The rest of my family is full of fabulous, fashionable women who love to shop. I want them to be able to express their beauty while doing what's best for the future women in my family.