I can’t believe it’s been three years since I first heard about b green organic clothing.  I visited their green festival booth back in March of oh-nine and made a purchase right then and there: b green organic classic bikini-cut panties.  To this day, they’re still my favorite pair!

I recently wore my b greens during a workout (I’m using Running Mate – similar to Couch to 5K – to get myself back in shape) and was surprised at how well they held up: no bunching, wedgies, or weirdness.  If that doesn’t constitute a panty party…well, I’m having one anyway, so too bad.

While I love my lacy, mesh, frilly stuff, there’s something to be said about a pair of classic cotton panties.  b green carries lots of different styles, but they’re all cut to the same four forms: bikini, thong, brief and short:

• Organic Classic Bikini
• Organic String Bikini
• Organic Bikini with Lace
• Organic Boy Short
• Organic Hot Short (yowza!)
• Organic Hot Short with Lace
• Organic Hi-Cut Brief
• Organic Thong
• Organic Thong with Lace

Oh, and that’s the other theme: every pair of b green panties is made using 95% organic cotton.  Their absolute commitment to eco-friendly materials is as important to them now as it was when they began.  Consistency!  I love it.

Along with panties, b green also makes classic tees, menswear (including organic cotton boxers and briefs) and my current obsession, activewear.  I recently resolved that I would only buy green workout gear from now on (including the recycled Under Armour top we found at Nordstrom Rack last week) and am really excited that I have b green as an option for yoga pants and a hoodie – which I am sorely in need of.

Organic Athletica Hoodie

Organic Sports Cami and Organic Yoga Crop Pant

Speaking of active, have you recently started a new fitness routine?  I’d love an accountability buddy!

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You may have noticed our new advertiser, New Factory, Friend, hanging out with us over there in the sidebar. I’m excited to officially “introduce” them to you, because I think you’ll really like them!

And by “them” I really mean she: the enigmatic Max Schroder, owner and founder of New Factory, Friend (which I also sometimes call NFF). I’ve been chatting with Max for months as she’s altered and tweaked her growing business into something really amazing: a line of classic wrap tops and button-down shirts made using socially responsible practices and sustainable materials, all produced in the USA.

New Factory, Friend: Eco-Friendly Wrap Tops

“Where does the name New Factory, Friend come from? The name is an homage to the Japanese designers Rei Kawakubo, Issey Miyake, and Yohji Yamamoto who continually inspire and broaden the limits of what we think is possible in how we view the world.”

Along with their worldly name, New Factory, Friend has a dedication to its local roots.  Everything is manufactured in the San Francisco area, and every person that helps create an NFF organic or hemp top is paid a fair wage.  They also donate a percentage of their profits to a local organization, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, which supports fledgling entrepreneurs in every aspect of their business creation, and to KIVA, which supports entrepreneurs worldwide.

New Factory, Friend: Eco-Friendly Button-Up Shirts

NFF’s collection is inspired by classic mid-twentieth-century button down shirts, sewn with a modern twist and added functionality for the present day.  Their goal is to make button-downs and wraps that fit today’s woman, both aesthetically and functionally.

Botton-down shirts and wraps used to be two styles I feared.  If you have large breasts, you know that fear as well as I do: it’s called the gap, and it falls squarely between the buttonholes of my shirt, right at the bustline – or, in a wrap, makes me afraid that a “wardrobe malfunction” could happen at any moment.  (I just can’t keep ‘em contained.)  However, with their modern styling and interesting details, New Factory, Friend actually got me wondering if maybe, just maybe, I could try a wrap again.

Do you want to try a wrap?  Because you can.  For free.

Oh yeah, baby.  It’s time for a giveaway!

New Factory, Friend: Wrap Giveaway!

This is the J Church wrap, which is named after the train line that rumbles by Max’s house each day.  It’s made of 100% Surplus Slub Rayon and, of course, all manufacturing is done in the USA.  The J Church wrap is available in black or silver grey, and if you win, you get to choose which color and size you’ll receive.

Entering is easy:

• Go to New Factory, Friend’s online store and comment on this post with your favorite design.  (I adore the Dalva wrap in navy.)
• While you’re at it, check out their Fabric Guide, which is really informative, and their Fit and Style Guide, which makes my boobs less afraid of exposure every time I read it.

If you want extra entries…

• Follow New Factory, Friend on Facebook;
• Follow Awakened Aesthetic on Tumblr; and/or
• Subscribe to The Ethical Rag, our bi-monthly newsletter that is also currently running a giveaway.  Easy peasy!

When you’re all set,  fill out the form below.  Don’t forget your name and email address, so I can contact you if you win!

I love Valentine’s Day, and one of the reasons is that my partner and I decided, at the start of our relationship, that we would do nothing romantic on Valentine’s Day. (New Years Eve is our “romantic holiday.”) Instead, we’d hook up with our not-paired-up friends and do whatever the hell suited us. Still, I’ll take any excuse to buy a new dress, so I almost always wear one on V-day.

Whether or not you have a partner, I suggest that you find something interesting or unique to do on Valentine’s Day: go to a live show, take a winter hike, or eat a kind of food you’ve never tried before. Do something memorable, whether or not you do something romantic.

And do it in a dress.

When it comes to classic, versatile, eco-friendly dresses, Gaiam is so underrated. I love the modest high neck on the Rose Pleated Dress, and would wear it to a Valentine’s dinner, then bring it out again for a spring wedding. Similarly, the Kimono Dress goes with anything and everything. It’s snowing in Seattle, and I’d still wear it – with black leggings, cute snow boots and a cardigan. In a few months I’d pair it with a big, chunky necklace and wood-heeled wedges. The Empire Waist Maxi is so classic v-day, with its bright red color and low v-neck, that it’s probably the most “obvious” choice for this list. And red is such an underrated color! More people should wear red.

All three dresses are made from bamboo and organic cotton.

God, how I wish the ASOS dress was available in more sizes. It’s so casual, but also interesting, you know? Both the FIN Oslo dress and the Cangiari dress would be GREAT for food babies. (It’s Valentine’s Day, which means I will definitely be eating dessert. Lots of it.)

Barring the silly names – Senorita dress? Really? – I whole-heartedly approve of these organic cotton dresses by Athleta. They come in so many colors! If you’re doing anything physical on Valentine’s Day – and I’m seriously considering going on a winter hike – this dress, under or over other warming layers – would be really fun.

Eye-catching organic cotton dresses are hard to find, but it is possible. Annie Greenabelle’s aesthetic is feminine and vintage – sometimes almost so feminine that it’s saccharine. This is one of Greenabelle’s more mellow dresses, but you can find her others the dress section of ModCloth.

And Theory…oh, Theory. I can’t wait until I have the funds to wear Theory dresses all the time. They’re so stunning! This beauty is made from silk and bamboo, so please don’t wear it hiking. Thanks.

This is such a “Valentine’s Day, whatever” dress. When I first saw the striped version I thought, “Uh, yeah, big chunky boots, obviously,” and though the second is a little more feminine due to its purple-ness, it’s still a little more chill, and easier to punk up, than some of the other dresses on this list. If you’re feeling bitter over Valentine’s Day, please wear this dress, and also wear too much eye makeup, and also listen to early nineties grunge bands.

(I’m so demanding.)

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One of our first Panty Parties featured Clare Bare, an eco-friendly lingerie brand based in New York.  This week, our partners in TasteMaking, LovingEco, are featuring Clare Bare at half off!

Criss Cross Bralette ($32 $16) and Boy Short ($48 $24)

As a quick reminder, Clare Bare uses organic cotton, bamboo jersey and vintage fabric to create their designs.

Firefly Racerback Bralette ($32 $16) and Firefly Cinched Boyshort ($48 $24)

Not only will you get 50% off of Clare Bare’s designs by purchasing through LovingEco this week; 3% of the proceeds from your sale will go to Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit that promotes local produce accessibility to under-served communities.

Scoopneck Romper ($78 $39), Bow Bralette ($46 $23) and Cinched Panty ($32 $16)

And it gets better: for an extra 10% off anything on LovingEco’s website, use code EcoJanuary. (Valid through January 31.)

This might be the perfect time to order some organic lingerie for Valentines Day, no?

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We just redesigned Awakened Aesthetic (what do you think?) and every time we tweak the look of this, the color of that, I think about how much my first glance at a website affects my opinion of the products (in this case, the organic cotton panties) offered within.

So, before we continue, I must ask you to not judge FaeriesDance.com by its web design.

It’s not that it’s bad, really; it’s just sort of 1995, and our focus on this website is just sort of 2012…but let’s not dwell on that.  Instead, we’ll dwell on a pretty set of bikini-style panties made by six eco-friendly lingerie companies.

Eco-Friendly Bikini Sampler Gift Set

These ethical panties are gems, my eco-babes, and include one of my old-school favorites, bgreen.  (That link also showcases some three-year-old photos of me.  Those bangs were intense.)  Here’s a full list of the lingerie brands and styles of panties included:

• Bamboo Bikini (from Spun Bamboo, regularly $10)
• Low Cut Panty or Bamboo Low Panty (based on size availability – from Blue Canoe, regularly $20/$22.50)
• Lace-Trimmed Panty (from Perfectly Imperfect, regularly $19)
• Classic Bikini (from bgreen, regularly $10)
• String Bikini (from bgreen, regularly $10)
• Eternelle Bikini (from Peau-Ethique, regularly $20)
• Contrast Trim Bikini (from Echo Verde, regularly $14.50)

The Contrast Trim Bikini by Echo Verde is really catching my eye – it’s the one in the front of the photo, and I love the pretty shades and classic cut.  (Now that’s a “green” panty, eh?  Ehhhh?*)

The whole eco-friendly set costs $99 and ships for free.  That’s $14 per panty, which is pretty cheap for high-quality, booty-tested organic cotton and bamboo.  Buying the set piecemeal would cost $103.50 – $106, and that price is still cheap: Faeries Dance prices all their products below suggested retail price in hopes of being able to offer ethical products to a wider audience.  (I. Love. This.)

Don’t like the colors? No problem: choose your favorites or let Fairies Dance pick them for you.  Options!  We can has them!

So okay, Faeries Dance: I may not love your web design, but your organic lingerie selection is growing on me.  Time to check out your other offerings…

*Now that’s a bad pun, eh?  Ehhhh?

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I am so ambivalent about ModCloth. I love that they introduce me to independent designers – they led me to today’s independent fashion designer, Kelly Lane – but hate that they change the name of every design they feature. Give me the designer’s vision for the piece, ModCloth. Words have power. Let the designers’ titles speak to me!

I did manage to find the real name of each of Kelly Lane’s designs, so I’m going to give you both until ModCloth gets it together.

Orbit Dress: $219.99

See what I mean? Kelly Lane calls this the Orbit Dress, and ModCloth calls it the Be Right Block Dress. That’s so “ho hum” to me, especially when I look at Kelly Lane’s background: she’s always had a “passion to create,” and the first sentence on her “about” page mentions both color and concept. Concept! That’s words, ModCloth!

(Do you think someone at ModCloth might see this and listen? I could be a dress-naming hero! Maybe there will be a parade.)

Still, the match between ModCloth’s vintage style and Kelly Lane’s patterns and themes is perfect. They’re meant to be together.

Aurora Dress (aka Living la Vida Local): $209.99 $146.99

“During childhood, my canvases were many: smooth, concrete basement floors in my parents’ new home, textured wall-paper in the hallways, etc.”

…can you imagine, as a child, painting on a cool basement floor? I don’t know whether that’s what she meant – she mentions wall paper, so likely not – but it makes me want to find every photo of a design-inspired concrete floor on Tumblr and save it in my “look at this in ten years when you’re thinking about kids” folder.

Meteor Skirt (aka What’s Your Tri-Angle): $94.99

Are you seeing Kelly Lane’s astronomical theme yet? Her 2011 Fall/Winter collection is inspired by the stars, “from the ruddy textures of a lunar landscape to the blinding center of a vibrant supernova.” It’s lovely to see a vintage style mixed with a starry palette…without it looking kitschy.

Shooting Star Dress (aka Daily Dose of Darling Dress): $189.99

…and, of course, everything is made ethically. All of the designs featured here are composed of hemp, organic cotton and/or tencel, and the tags are even made of recycled paper! All designs are crafted in New York, too, so there’s a really cool local element to her work, too.

Adromeda Dress (aka Composition Book): $189.99

This is, hands down, my favorite dress in the collection. The color-blocking and patterns are very post-holidays forgiving (ahem) but the cut skims the body in a sexy, bold way that I really adore. It would definitely be my “Stylish Party With Too Many Delicious Appetizers” dress.

Speaking of which, I have a hankering for a really good party with really good food. Maybe a clothing swap? (If you’re in Seattle, you’re invited!)

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Ugghhhh, I’m so tired.  Can you hear the whine in my voice?  That’s my tired whine.  It is distinct from my other whines.  (I bet your whines are distinct, too; you just haven’t noticed.)

I have this awesome 100% cotton, horizontally-striped maxi dress at home, but it’s too short and, after my holiday fun, probably a little too tight. But I really, really want to be wearing a 100% cotton, horizontally-striped maxi dress because horizontally-striped maxi dresses are surprisingly forgiving when it comes to sleepy, overfull or otherwise…messy…kinds of days.

This long sweater dress by Splendid is perfect.  It’s made using organic cotton and hemp, and it’s sweater-y, and it’s long long long…but it only comes in an extra small and a small.  Sigh.

I’m trying to think of something else that, in one fell swoop, could make me feel as comfortable as a horizontally-striped maxi dress.  Do you have an “I’m tired so shut up and let me pretend these are my pajamas” outfit?

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The end of the year is so dangerous for me. It’s especially dangerous this year: I’ve just resolved that I’d like to buy a house, which means “save save save”…which actually means “quit buying all the things on the internet.”

But mooooooom, LovingEco is having a saaaaaale.

LovingEco, an ethical sample sale website that we adore so much we partnered with them in September, is currently offering eight different brands at up to 90% off. Some of our favorites are likely to sell out fast.

 
I love sassy models.

I want to wear the Long Sleeve Lengthen Tee (priced at $32 – 57% off) to work on my off days. Haven’t slept? Wear an over-size (but slim-fit) tee and pretend you’re still in pajamas. Woke up with a headache? Curl up with your hands shoved into the sleeves and make your most pitiful face.

So basically I want to wear it every day.

I’d obviously pair my sleepytime shirt with these vegan ballerina flats by Kailia. Be still my heart! They were originally $119 – now only ten bucks!

The sale of this limited edition necklace by actress Maria Bello and her non-profit organization, We Advance, supports women in Haiti. Each piece is handcrafted from recycled materials, and gives you an “ethnic” look without forcing you to jump on the cultural appropriation train. At $32.95, this necklace is more than 50% off.

Vaute Couture (pronounced “vote” – think “haute” with a V) makes all of its products without the use of any animal products, byproducts or suffering. I love the shirt on the right – called “Friends, Not Entertainment” – and the script on the left is delicious. Both shirts are on sale for $28.80.

There’s a lot more LovingEco temptation to be had: PeaceBOMB bracelets, Blissoma skincare, Cityzen Green clothing, and Sword + Fern necklaces. It’s all just becoming too much for me. Time to remind myself of my goals by looking at pictures of my dream house…

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I used to be the kind of tea snob that would only drink “real tea.” It had to be pure, it had to be brewed at the right temperature, and it certainly didn’t need any cream, sugar or bits of fruit in it.

Luckily, I got over that phase.

These days, I drink tea more often than anything else. I brew a jasmine green when I get to work, something sweet and herbal to avoid late night sugar cravings, and always a number of blends on hand for guests. (“Earthy, light, fruity or sugary?”)

One of my favorite Christmas presents this year was a caramel yerba mate by Treehouse Herbs.

The aroma is perfectly sweet – almost too sweet – but the yerba mate really shines through. I can’t wait to brew a cup for Lindsay, who turned me on to yerba mate in the first place.

It’s seriously yummy.

I could go on and on about tea, and I will, but not here. Instead, I’m going to send you over to Awakened Appetite, our ethical food blog. That’s where I should be tea connoiseuring (tea-o-seuring?), and I really want to coo at all of the other teas Treehouse Herbs offers. Enjoy!

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I ran across these adorable, organic silk shorts in a most unlikely place – an online sex shop (currently on sale for $24)! I couldn’t resist – they look so incredibly comfortable while remaining obviously luxurious. The brand, Violet Haze, is a sustainable brand that works with organic, sustainable and vintage fabrics. This just proves, once again, that you can’t judge a store by its specialty – there are gems everywhere!

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