Cute Totes

I have been looking for a great tote to haul to school and such. Its been difficult to find one that is environmentally friendly and has all the features that I'm looking for. Some of the features are great organization, big enough and durable.

First tote is from Neiman Marcus and can be found here. Fair trade, made in cambodia and can be wiped clean are features of this spectacular bag! Colors are bright and fun. The price is great at 32 dollars and some change. A eye pleasing tote to take your workout clothes to the gym or go to the beach with!

I also enjoy totes that are made from candy wrappers, pop cans or newspaper. My favorite can be found on Ecoist. Price is expensive at $138. I see them as artwork about modern society.

Another option is hemp once again. Natural fiber weaved into beautiful bags. Like this one . Bag perfect for your laptop and a few bags. The brown and green look very nice together.

Last but not least is a beautiful quilted tote. I know that this isn't made out of recycled materials or anything. It is made in the United States, so you don't use as many fossil fuels to transport this bag. The brand is Cinda B and I personally love this tote. Its not traditional earth friendly but it does support workers in USA and has a lower carbon footprint than other tote bags being shipped from China or other far places of the world.

Peace out,
Bekkah

The Luggage Condreum

I am in search of great quality luggage for my travels to India and I want it to be fabulous. Being fashionable and eco-conscious is a choice but a very important choice. Most luggage is treated with a PVC or chromium which are both cancer causing chemicals to make luggage last longer. Then after as little of a year of use, they are thrown into the landfill and are polluting are water supply or worse. I've searched and searched the internet to find the best deal possible.

Here are some ideas of picking your new luggage:

Find a great consignment/thrift shop. Consignment shops will carry higher quality brands for about the same price of the brands you would buy at Target or Kohls. The higher quality brands would last longer and you will be using something that would otherwise be trash. If done right, you can find great brands of luggage that are dedicated to protecting the earth at these shops.

Choose leather. The tanning process of leather can be done eco-friendly by using vegetable oils and other things. Leather is also known to be long lasting and would outlast a fabric luggage. If you're interested in leather, check ebay to buy some great second hand pieces and you would get that vintage look that any fashionasta searches for. Another option is that some people are starting to develop brands that use old leather to create new stuff with the coined phrase of recycled leather. Here are a few designers: I love the large sora for a carry on but no price is listed, ReMade USA is great(it is pricey) and I love this bag by Beth Springer. All of the recycled leather bags that I have found have been carry on sizes and that could just mean that it is just simply to expensive to produce. Leather is pricey but it does add a stunning look to travel. I am sad to say that it is out of my budget.

Hemp is a great material to consider. It is a favorite among greenies because of its durability and can biodegrade. This is an easy to find item on the internet. Bags come in various sizes from carry on to pretty big bags. Here are some of my fav hemp luggage: large duffel , rolling duffel , and 2 piece luggage set.
All of these are great pieces. My favorite of all them is the Eco-Traveler Expandable Carry on Luggage Set because it looks like a normal suitcase and fits carry on standards. I think its great that it comes with a tote for everyday use. A good duffel like the one at sativa would be useful for weekend trips and as a carry on. There is a variety of styles out there to suit your needs.

There are many other options to consider in the world of eco-friendly luggage. You can basically find any material that has been recycled and refashioned into luggage. I personally love hard cased suitcases and hoping to save enough money to buy this luggage set. It is from Heys USA and I just love the turquoise color. I found it on: Ecocase . Many other colors are available. It can also be found on ebags with the price being at 360 but not in the same color. The plastic has been recycled and I like that it is lightweight. I like that it comes in a variety of sizes. I have awhile to save so hopefully I find a great alternative to conventional luggage!

Welcome!

This is my brand new blog. I'm going to scour the internet for the greatest ethically and green clothing. I know that you might think that this is hard to find affordable looking pieces. I'm not only going to look for green certified clothing makers but also ones that have a heart in the organization to help others and improve people's lives. Green is something to strive for in our everyday lives and I want to achieve this in my life. Americans have power with their pocketbooks by saying yes I want things to be made in an ethical way and this is tremendous power! Happy reading!