My partner and I tend to fight over how to style the bedroom.  While he’s a fan of soft colors and clean lines, I gravitate toward patterns and strange images.  He wants something calm to fall asleep to, and I want inspiration for my dreams.

One thing we don’t argue about is blankets: we love them.  The more we own, the better, and the more varied they are, the better. (…Because it gives us more options to…fight about?  Hmm.)

Until Tuesday, February 7 at 8am, one of our Top Five Eco-Friendly Sale Sites for 2012, Fab.com, is offering some absolutely beautiful quilts by Karma Living at 49% off.

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When people find out that I write about eco-friendly fashion, their most common response is, “I can’t afford that.” And while I could point them to Etsy, consignment shops, and, um, this website, I understand how hard it can be to slog through the muck to find that perfect item…and have someone tell you that it’s not good enough; that it has to be organic, or recycled, or BPA-free…

With that in mind, it’s high time I share one of Lindsay’s and my ethical fashion secrets: eco-friendly sale sites. Earlier this month we featured the budget fashion websites we’re most excited to shop about in 2012 on Broke & Beautiful, and now it’s Awakened Aesthetic’s turn! Every site below either caters to all-eco-fashion or features hoards of US-made, fairly-traded and organic designs.

#1: OpenSky

OpenSky isn’t the most eco-friendly – it can’t be, with curators from all walks of life spanning the design, health, food and fashion categories – but with bombshell vegans like Alicia Silverstone and green mavens like EcoStilleto, you have a lot to choose from.  I spend sooooo many hours on this website: following curators, adding organic foods to my wish list, swooning over eco-friendly clothing and vegan shoes.  It takes some fortitude, and also a lot of snacks, but my wish list grows strong.  (Time to go back to the health and fitness section again…)

And that, to me, is the best thing of all: OpenSky isn’t just about fashion.  Or beauty.  Or whatever.  It spans all of my obsessions, allowing me to order new headphones, gluten-free cookies (must…replenish…snacks) and a Five Bamboo dress all at the same time.

I follow an absolute symphony of people, and I won’t force you to slog through a list a miles long, so instead I’ll give you a short and dirty list of my favorite curators on OpenSky right now:

• Michele Varian, a designer who features products using sustainably harvested and reclaimed wood;
• Keri Glassman, a dietitian with a penchant for organic tea;
• Cynthia Rowley, whom I bow to (she also often features indie designers and organics);
• Carolyn Murphy, a local-loving model featuring lots of US-made fashion and food;
• Shopafrolic – see that ostrich clutch above? It’s faux, and they feature it!;
• Bradley Bayou, whose choices encompass everything I want in my home and on my body;
• Alicia Silverstone, one of my first choices to follow, only features sustainable, vegan products; and
• MarcellaVallodolid, whom I’d never head of before I fell in love with the organic bamboo cutting board she’s currently featuring.

#2: LovingEco

Awakened Aesthetic partnered with LovingEco last September, and we’d do it again in a heartbeat.  What I love about LovingEco is the way they sneakily educate you as you shop:

• Next to the price of each sale item is a list of icons that tell you the ways in which the item is ethical (biodegradable, fair trade, handmade, vegan, etc.);
• Beneath the price is the name of the non-profit you’ll be donating to with each purchase; and
• Each week, LovingEco features TasteMakers, who have a chance to support their own favorite charity.

Every time I visit LovingEco I learn more about the brands and charitable organizations they’re involved with…and I’m doing it while shopping.  For things that are on sale.  Um, yeah.

Did I mention that their sales last all week?  Because I don’t have to rush through the typical one-day sample sale, I can take my time deciding exactly which Mata Traders dress I have to have, knowing that my purchase does something good for multiple eco-aware companies.

#3: Pure Citizen

Pure Citizen is moving up in the ranks!  Along with our feature in 2010, they’ve also been discussed on Refinery 29 and CNBC – and with good reason: Pure Citizen does flash sales right, sending its subscribers short daily emails (the Daily Love) with a list of the ethical brands they’re featuring each day.  Each sale lasts 72 hours and offers organic and vegan fashion at between thirty and ninety percent off.

Those high discounts have…well, it’s not a catch, per se.  More of an incentive.  If you think you’re getting a screaming deal, you can choose to donate part of they money you’ve saved to charity – directly, with one click, through Pure Citizen‘s website.  They’ve already raised thousands of dollars!

I’m a huge fan of Pure Citizen’s Last Chance Sale, which always features ethical brands at deep discounts – it’s like a flash sale clearance section.

#4: Citizens Planet

I get kind of giddy about maps.

Citizens Planet aims to “bridge the global fashion gap” by offering its members a chance to learn about and purchase from designers and brands from around the world.  They do all the legwork – chatting with locals, scouring small boutique stores – and are focused on finding brands that best reflect the culture surrounding them, allowing a girl in Seattle to wear real, localized, classic French fashion without paying an arm and a leg.  This is the kind of site I get excited for, because it immediately reminds me of all of the cool places and people in the world – and makes me strive a little harder to see them someday.

#5: Fab.com

Ohmygodyouguys. Fab. If you haven’t gotten into Fab.com yet, now is the time. They’re this sexy beacon of independent art and design, featuring artists that span style and era while playing with the idea of function and form. Fab’s like that cool artistic guy you met in college and wish you had the stones to talk to, but he’s just so cool… – except in this version of events you and Fab meet at a party and he’s actually really down to earth, and later you realize that you’re an interesting, sexy person too, so there’s really nothing to be nervous about.

All this to say that Fab features tons of unique designs, but it all seems somehow relateable – you know?

Have you found a new favorite eco-fashion website?  Tell me about it!

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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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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Christmas is over, and I am so sore. I hosted this year, and all of the furniture moving, (organic free range) turkey basting and bar tending has left me with little physical mobility or brain power.

It’s a perfect time for online shopping.

Gilt is having a whole bunch of “Up to 80% off” sales, and if you hunt, you can find a few ethical designers in the mix. Dresses by EDUN, which are normally way out of my price range, are running from $59  to $89.

Silk Shirt Dress ($378 $79) and Jersey Cut-Out Dress ($298 $69)

Silk Tiered Ruffle Tank Dress ($445 $89) and Jersey Asymmetrical Dress ($268 $79)

I love the shirt dress and asymmetrical dress, and the ruffle tank dress is a perfect ethical new years eve dress.

There’s also EDUN outerwear, ranging from $89 to $249.

Stretch Wool Scarf Jacket ($550 $89) and Leather Shrunken Flight Jacket ($770 $229)
(more at Gilt.com)

I’m going to continue playing in the post-holiday blowout muck – because I otherwise plan on doing absolutely nothing productive with the rest of my day – and will let you know if I find any more ethical blowout sales by either posting them here or on Facebook.

I’ll also take some pictures of the lovely handmade, organic and ethical gifts I was given this Christmas…if I can find the motivation to shower first.

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This week, Awakened Aesthetic is being featured as a Tastemaker on our favorite ethical sample sale website, LovingEco!

Like most private sale sites, LovingEco offers deep discounts on beautiful fashion and beauty products…but they’re revolutionizing the realm of limited-time fashion discounts in two ways:

1. Everything item on sale is ethical. From clothing to accessories to beauty products, LovingEco is ethically on-point. Their products are eco-friendly and healthy, and they even offer a full-page Product Key to explain the merits of each green product.
2. Proceeds are donated to an eco-related charity. Three percent (net) from each purchase supports a vetted charity – either social or environmental in nature – including national eco-awareness charities like Global Green and worldwide community organizations like Village Empowerment.

Lindsay and I were asked to work directly with LovingEco to choose our favorite items from this week’s sales, as well as a charity to support with our choices. Here are our favorites:

Charity: Farm Sanctuary

Farm Sanctuary “works to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living.” As Lindsay and I learn more about ethical eating, we’re excited to have the opportunity to support an organization that works to promote those values.

ecoSkin

LovingEco doesn’t know this, but they have great timing: we both love ecoSkin, and it was hard to choose two favorite styles from them as our Tastemaker choices. We decided on the Magpie Top and Lyrebird Dress, which are both fair trade, organic options for your staple wardrobe this fall.

Essence of Vali

Lindsay and I keep making promises to our bodies: she’s promising to start running, I’ve promised to start getting eight hours of sleep each night…yeah. No. Not happening. When we saw the offerings by Essence of Vali, she was immediately drawn to a balm that would sooth her sore muscles, and I went for a soothing mist to help me get away from the computer and into bed.

farrah b jewelry

Look at these cute necklaces! farrah b jewelry takes vintage finds and combines them with new products to create beautiful, old-timey pieces with an interesting kick. The poet in me loves the Wish Necklace, and Lindsay gravitated straight to the Cherished Vintage Locket Necklace.

Check out our Tastemaker picks on LovingEco, as well as all of the other gorgeous options available this week. What are your personal picks?

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Alternative Apparel just reached 50,000 Facebook fans (are you one of them?) and to celebrate, they’re offering a full 50% off three of their most popular items!

I bet you want to know exactly what 50% off means, because I certainly do. Here’s the skinny:

The Rocky is regularly $50, so if you use the code FB5050, it’ll only run you $25.  This unisex hoodie is made using organic and non-organic cotton, along with polyester (some of which is recycled) and naturally occuring rayon.

The Weekender, made using 100% cotton and double-washed leather trim, is regularly $118. With the code, it comes to a measly $59. Early autumn rode trip, anyone?

The V-Gan, another unisex option, is made of 100% organic cotton. If you purchase the color Pink Ribbon, Alternative will donate 10% of the wholesale price to Susan G. Komen for the Cure (and they’ll send a guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000 no matter what). Susan G. Komen isn’t my favorite breast cancer charity (they’re more focused on awareness than an actual cure) but it’s still a positive donation toward a good cause, and since they’re donating 10% of the wholesale price, the fact that you’re paying 50% off – $15 instead of $30 – won’t change how much money is donated from your purchase.

The sale does have a catch: Alternative Apparel is only offering 50% off for 50 hours. The sale ends on Friday at noon eastern time. Will you be taking advantage of it?

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Some of you may already be vegan, some may be considering trying it out this month, others may just prefer to avoid leather goods as best they can…and you’ll all want to get in on this Matt & Nat sale.

You read that right: MATT & NAT is offering an extra 10% off their sale items (already reduced 30%) with the above code. There are seventy-seven products in their sale section, including handbags, wallets, backpacks and belts, ranging in price from $32 (a cute coin holder, originally $45) to $171 (a checkered laptop bag with faux suede lining, originally $255) – and that’s before the 10% discount.

All MATT & NAT products are vegan and made with recyclable materials, including PET from plastic bottles. They’re also durable and have lasting fashion cred. If you pick something up, please comment and tell us what you got!

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The first piece of eco-friendly clothing that ever jumped into my wardrobe was generously given to me by Sara at SPUN. One of the several reasons I fell for the brand was their commitment to quality. The other reasons? Sara’s passion, of course, and (being a budget fashion blogger) – affordability.

Jumping into the eco-fashion pool was a lot easier when the water was warm and wallet-friendly. Weird analogy, but you get what I’m saying. Going green by spending a small fortune on a Stella McCartney dress was definitely not my cup of tea, and while it might have been the most orgasmic fashion moment of my entire life, it just didn’t fit my lifestyle. (Though, I have to admit, shopping at Whole Foods in a Stella dress seems oddly appropriate…)

Fortunately, as days turn to months, and months to years, more and more eco-fashion collectives are springing up. While I want them all to get enormous piles of ethically-achieved cash from their ventures, I enjoy their competition because, of course, competition means sales. Discounted ethical clothing is my new bread & butter.

In honor of my love for an amazing deal, here are a few of my favorite things under $30.

Going Green on a Budget

Ethical fashion picks under $30

While I love everything about this image, I’m mostly attracted to the edgy, charitable I Want More Privacy shirt by Privacy Wear, and a portion of the proceeds will go to funding breast cancer research.

Ever since I saw my first silverware-turned-ring, I’ve coveted them. This one is, obviously, made by Vera. You know – Vera. Vera loves repurposed silver!

What kind of post would this be without organic, cotton bloomers with fuzzy hearts on the butt? I mean really?

On a serious note, this organic cotton scoop neck top has me hypnotized… I cannot think of one body type that it wouldn’t flatter. Plus, if you’re interested in hitting a trend, try this one for neon size!

I’m going through a really serious purple phase right now, and – while this Mata Traders Tulip dress wouldn’t have made me look twice, four months ago – I can’t stop thinking about throwing tights under it for fall.

I know summer is waning, but I can’t help myself from ogling straw and jute bags. I’m a sucker for silhouette designs like these Memento Bags have – I am all over the teal.

As you may know, we’re rigorous supporters of Jus Animalium (or as they’re known now – Jusani). Their Clearance section is always ripe for a great deal – these tees are only $24!

What’s your favorite eco buy on a budget? (I am a sucker for reusable grocery bags!)

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Lindsay and I get together to “work” every Saturday. I say “work” because our day mostly consists of drinking too much coffee, shopping and giggling. (More on that in The Ethical Rag, Awakened Aesthetic’s brand new newsletter.) During the “dear god, let’s try to focus for five minutes” part of our day, Lindsay hit the eco jackpot.

Joining Jasmere and Pure Citizen on the eco sample sale bandwagon, LovingEco has managed to beat back our skepticism without so much as a shrug. At first look we saw sales on two of our “favorites we can’t afford at full price” list: Stewart + Brown and Cri de Coeur. This week, Stewart + Brown is back, and joining them is one of our favorite eco-lingerie lines, Eberjey.

Not only does LovingEco solely sell ethical items – check out their “What is Eco?” guide – they also give 3% of the net proceeds from each purchase to a worthy social or environmental cause. For those playing at home, that’s double karma points. (Something else I like: they don’t use “get friends to buy and get a discount” bribery. In a fast fashion, fast purchase economy, that’s pretty brave.)

“LovingEco is about introducing the best and most innovative eco-friendly and healthy products and brands that you can discover without compromising on style. By working closely with the top brands, we bring you amazing discounts through private sales. We recognize that people will continue to consume, but as we change our purchases to products that are better for the environment, healthier for our bodies and committed to doing good, we together will help change the world.”

Added bonus: because LovingEco is new, they’re offering an extra 10% off when you enter DISCOUNT10 at checkout. Do the math, freak out a little, and enjoy!