For those who don’t know, Livia Firth is an eco-fashion warrior champion badass who happens to be married to Mr. Darcy Colin Firth.

She first caught our eye when she announced her Green Carpet Challenge where she proclaimed that all her red carpet dresses for the year would be sustainable – and she did it! (Beautifully, no less.) When I heard that she was planning on debuting a line of sustainable dresses, I was more than impressed. I’m definitely please to see that her Green Carpet Challenge was a success! (I definitely get excited when I see a sustainable designer’s dress on the red carpet.)

She’s working with one of our favorite websites, Yooxygen, and Reclaim To Wear - an system that aids designers in using reclaimed fabrics, saved from the trash! Recently, she debuted a dress from her line, inspired by a vintage dress from her grandmother.

Gorgeous silver! Not into it? Well, it comes in five colors. Five. 

In case you’re still not impressed, her line is also charitable.

I love this dress in the dark brown!

Yep! – it benefits an organization in Livia’s native country, Italy, called Cooperativa Rinascere. All of this heartwarming stuff is making me start to wonder if Livia is trying to compensate for something. Maybe she’s an ex-assassin who is trying to seriously realign her karma. Maybe. She’s probably just a really nice person. And, yeah… probably not an assassin. (Damn.)

Here line definitely falls into the “eco-friendly luxury fashion” category, as the price is $832. Ouch. But, hey… It’s good fodder for my daily afternoon fantasy, aka the only place where I could actually afford this dress (and trust me – if I could, it would be on me right now).

What do you think of the dress? How would you style it?

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(Top Row, L-R) Henrietta Ludgate Striped Dress, $540; People Tree Plaid Dress, $156; From Somewhere Black Dress, $256; Goodone Sleeveless Dress, $290.
(Bottomw Row, L-R) People Tree Wrap Dress, $91; CANGIARI.me Grey Dress, $293; From Somewhere Blocked Dress, $315; From Somewhere Lace Sleeve Dress, $466.

What better way to start of an eco-friendly 2012 than in a sustainably produced, glamorous dress sipping organic wine on New Year’s Eve? Yep, every one of these dresses was sustainably produced from fibers like organic cotton, or from reclaimed and upcycled materials. Henrietta Ludgate sources and produces their garments locally (in the British Isles!), From Somewhere uses almost 100% recycled materials, and Cangiari.me used 100% organic cotton to create that super comfortable and adorable, grey dress you see above!

What will you be wearing this New Year’s Eve?

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I was hunting for post-worthy recycled clothing options and found…this.

I mean, really. What the hell?

American Apparel, I don’t understand you. You’re into these weird softcore porn advertisements…and this.

How does this make me want to buy anything?

The only reason I ran across these shirts is because they’re made of vintage men’s button-ups. But really – really – are you going to buy that shirt? Really?

And if you are, why?!

I think this shirt (and the others) could be styled in a more sell-able way…but maybe that’s the point. American Apparel’s ads have never felt truly sell-able, to me at least. Maybe I’m getting old. Maybe this is some ironic trend thing that I just don’t understand.

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December seems to be the month that the time change really starts to hit home. The sun starts setting around 5pm… Then before 5pm… Then at 4:15… It gets depressing. In the summer, my living room is full of amazing, light from a south-facing picture window. As the seasons change, that lack of sunlight is directly related to my level of energy – and definitely affects my mood.

To counteract the life-sucking power of daylight savings time, I fill my darkened afternoons with dreams of a home that’s lit from within.

Over a lengthy Etsy-session (you know what I mean), I came across three shops that have fanned the flames of my passion for creative design/functionality.

West Vintage Trading Company

An installation made with four Metal Letter Signs ($90 each).

Vintage Industrial Arrow Sign | 2 or more, $125 each

West Vintage Trading Company has stolen my rugged heart. These lighting fixtures are so antiquated and gorgeous. They’re a dream for a rustic typography lover. They call their style “farmpunk,” which I am completely in love with. Excellent concept, and the aesthetic is spot on!

Boots N Gus

2 Tier Mason Jar Chandelier, $100; Cascading Waterfall Mason Jar Chandelier, $185

The majority of Boots N Gus’ glorious, swinging chandeliers are made from mason jars and canning items. They have a wider range of colored jars available, including some gorgeous emerald and amber glass. They’re a little more modern than “farmpunk” and really well designed.

There is a hook in the ceiling in a barren corner of my living room… It may just have to be filled be one of these gorgeous hanging lamps!

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My favorite was the triceratops, but this will do.

This funny-eyed eco plush stegosaurus is the only gift I want to get the (older, less likely to swallow things) kids on my list this year. He is so cute, and so orange! He is also made of repurposed wool, eco-friendly felt, vintage buttons, recycled plastic bags and clean recycled polyfil. He’s $26, and he has many dinosaur friends available for purchase, too.

To see more of our 2011 Etsy Gifts of the Day, click here!

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Two words.

Cashmere panties.

Oh yeah. This might be the best Panty Party ever.

Do you want your girlfriend to walk around in her underwear more often?* Sure you do. I can guarantee that if I had cashmere panties, I’d walk around in my underwear all the time. And I’m a girl. So there’s that.

*I tried starting this sentence with “Guys,” then “People who like girls,” then “People who like people that would wear cashmere underwear,” and after that it started getting really complicated, so I decided to forget the whole damned thing. Sometimes post-gender ideals screw up my writing style. I’m learning to deal.

But wait! There’s more! People who like to wear boy clothes can walk around in their underwear, too!

You know that it’s a panty party when boys and girls are invited.

Sartoria uses recycled wool and cashmere sweaters to create their luxurious underpinnings, offering classic designs (like the undies up top) for the classically-cut kind of lady, and vintage high-waist panties for the vintage high waist kind of lady. They also offer long johns for men and women, undershirts and singlets, onesies and bralettes. So, everything.

Did I mention they’re all custom-made to your preferences?

Yep. The price you see is the price you pay for a fully-customized set of underpinnings, in your color, cut size…you even get to pick out the color of elastic used!

I know this sounds like the scariest idea for a holiday present: “What if I buy my panty-loving friend the wrong size or color or ugh, there are too many options!” But think of it as Panty Recon: I would swoon if my partner snuck into my dresser drawer, checked my size, then customized a pair of panties just for me. How personal! How…well…sexy!

(Some of you know my partner. This is a good time to IM him with a link to this post. K? K. Thanks.)

Find all of the details (ahem, these hips are a large) at sartoria.ca. And please, walk around in your underwear more often – guys too!

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Another designer crosses the threshold of sustainability in this past fashion week, and we really, really hope it sticks!

Manolo Blahnik released their first eco-friendly, sustainably produced shoes to date in a partnership with super-chic designer, Marcia Patmos (M.Patmos). And they are dreamy.

I’m willing to say, publicly, that these might be the perfect spring shoes. Not just because they are unbearably gorgeous in shape, but they’re the perfect set of colors to transition into fall afterwards. (Imagine that pretty, pale yellow against maroon or royal blue tights – amazing, right?)

The various pieces used to create these beauties are inspiring. Cork, raffia… discarded Tilapia skins? Usually, I’d be grossed out, but thinking about how a by-product of the food industry could replicate the luxe of snakeskin with less product waste… That’s pretty sweet. (Not like Tilapia skins are going to stay on the planet forever, but it’s still very inventive!)

Please forgive me for cutting out the rest of the M.Patmos collection from this post – I’m just hyper-focused on these saucy gam-gems. (Yeah, I went there.) While these are as interesting and responsible as ever – they’re still Manolo Blahniks - and that means that each style of the set are retailing for $825 and should be properly coveted until a discount is achieved (at least for this broke girl).

“I am always researching sustainable materials and developments. I love the idea of tilapia skin because it is a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise be discarded, but it’s actually a beautiful material perfect for small leather goods,” Patmos said of her decision to incorporate the material into her offerings with the shoe designer. “I love bringing the idea of sustainability into the luxury market — it doesn’t have to be limited to T-shirts and grocery bags.” - wwd

I can’t wait to see these in person! I will absolutely be haunting the Manolo Blahnik site until they materialize.

Would you wear these eco-shoes?

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I cut off my hair again – you know, as I am wont to do every few months.

I love juxtaposing boy stuff, like the shaved back of my head, with girl stuff, like precision-cut bangs and really high heels. So imagine how excited I was when I stumbled across a lovely new collection from tomate d’épingles:

bow tie necklaces.

Okay, yeah, and headbands, but the necklaces are what make me swoon. So cute, and totally recycled using old ties sourced from thrift stores. Buh. I die.

Plum and Turquoise Bowtie Necklace

Khaki and Gold Bowtie Necklace

Hi, yes, those ties are made for autumn. Also, a few friends of mine celebrate “Tie Tuesday” and, even though I don’t wear collared shirts and have therefore lamented not being able to participate, now I can. Take THAT, you adorable hipsters. (I’m looking at you, Cass and Greg.)

Double Grey Bowtie Necklace

Look how fancy she is! Perfect for a black and white event. Oh, you have a black tie event? Here’s a classic black bowtie, you rebel.

What do you think: Are bowtie necklaces the next most awesome thing, or will I regret the purchase six months from now?

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Were I to ever procreate, I am nearly 100% sure that the assets that will be handed down to my children would all be wrapped up in investment pieces. Seemingly contrary to our budget style philosophy, I fully support and advocate investing in high-quality, timeless, beautiful pieces of clothing and accessories and supplementing the ever-changing trends with lower-priced, time-sensitive stuff.

It seems that late summer is the best time to find these diamonds in the rough. I have a bit of a coat fetish (have you ever seen a vintage coat you didn’t like? Well, start snatching coats now, and you’ll make some kid, 30 years into the future, really happy). And, you have to admit – vintage, ethical fashion would be a pretty sweet hand-me-down.

This amazing cocoon coat by From Somewhere is exactly what I need to add to my own archives. It’s such a glamorous coat – you’d never know it was created from reclaimed wool!

This organic cotton dress has a pattern on it that almost makes it look shimmery from far away. (And it’s barely an investment at all at $150 – still a lot, but it could be worse!)

The perfect, vegan boot solution to every cold season for years to come. These beauties are by Beyond Skin. I am over the moon about the imprint on the sole…

I didn’t know about ACNE‘s eco efforts before, so I was really excited to see this beautiful trench made from organic cotton and controversial cupro (on one hand, it’s reclaimed cotton, on the other, it’s processed in some icky chemicals like ammonia). I love the added volume at the hips.

A really simple dress, like this one by Rachel Roy from Runway to Green, can sometimes end up being the most versatile item in your closet.

What would you splurge on, if you could?

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I know it feels like summer is fading away – it’s as good as gone now. Sad, but true.

It’s also the season of “I’m not walking around in the rain with these shoes.” I’ve embraced closed-toe already, and that doesn’t just mean heels. My trusty sandals and flip-flops have gone into hibernation until the temperature gets over 60 again.

That means: I need new casual, run around town, take the garbage out, cleaning day shoes.

Unsurprisingly, the first thing I think of when I think of “affordable, casual shoes” is “plastic, made in China, plastic.” There is so rarely any care or consciousness put into sneakers, and when there is, they usually come out looking like the plain oatmeal of the shoe world.

Enter: Simple Shoes.

It looks like a “real shoe” doesn’t it?! It’s the Simple “Aloha” in Charcoal/Snow White ($60).

Not only is it one of the cuter sneaks I’ve seen lately, but it also…

• Has been made from certified organic cotton, and eco-certified suede.
• Includes stripes made from recycled tires.
• Uses organic cotton laces.
• Has a biodegradable outsole created from recycled rubber.
• Includes inserts created from recycled paper.
• …will begin to biodegrade in 20 years!

What could make this shoe better? Why, various colors and styles, of course! Oh, and a completely affordable price point.

Simple “Aloha” in Charcoal | $40.99

Simple “Aloha” in Goat | $60

Simple “Aloha” in Snow White | $36.99

What a wonderful find! I have the charcoal and pink version on my wishlist already… Thought, I might have to collect them all.

Which are your favorite Simple Shoes? What do you think of this style?

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