Get Cozy with Horny Toad Blushfire

Starting to get chilly?  Horny Toad has the most wonderful fleece for cold weather coziness.  Their Blushfire Fleece is so butter soft, furry and plush, it's sure to become a winter favorite.  The Blushfire Pant is comfortable and warm, perfect for hanging out at camp or at home.  The fit is true to size, a tiny bit long on me with a 31" inseam (I'm 5'5), but doable, especially with shoes.  I wear an 8/10 and the medium is a good fit.  There's some give, and a drawstring inside to adjust the waist.  Two pockets on the back add style and make them less sweat-pant looking and more street-wear.

The Blushfire Hoodie is super cuddly, so prepare for people wanting to touch you when you wear it.  The hood comes up in the front to keep your neck warm.  And I do mean Warm.  This thing is toasty, so wear a layer underneath so you can take it off if you get too hot.  I love the Dark Smoke, which is a soothing gray blue slate color, and the softness is just pure heaven.

Both are really nice post-swim.  I swim laps on weekends and when I'm finished, I love slipping into this warm soft fabric before heading out with wet hair.  They are bulky pieces, particularly the hoodie, so I wouldn't recommend them for travel if you are doing carry-on, but for car camping, and winter weather, they are divine.  Horny Toad is an eco-minded company with well made stuff; find Blushfire fleece and more wonderful pieces HERE. 

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Icebreaker Cascade Hood

Need something bright and cheerful to ease the transition into winter?  Icebreaker has come out with a Magenta hoodie that is a great tonic for gray-sky blues.  The Magenta Cascade Hood combines feminine looks with rugged function.  It's Real Fleece, meaning real wool that's soft, cozy, and fuzzy on the inside.  Wool is awesome.   It's a sustainable material that keeps you warm in the cold and wicks away moisture when it's hot, so it's ideal for outdoor activity.  When you break a sweat hiking, for instance, the wool will wick that moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry and warm.  It's also odor resistant, so when you're camping or traveling and can't do laundry for extended periods, no big deal. 

The Cascade Hood has figure flattering lines, and I love the pocket on the front just big enough for an id and credit card.  As for fit--this is where things get tricky.  Icebreaker runs small and tight, so I recommend sizing up.  If you like your clothes a little loose, the way I do, consider sizing up two sizes.  Normally I take a medium in most things, I'm an 8/10.  In Icebreaker that translates to large and in this case, extra large.  Once I figured it out, the fit was perfect. 

Icebreaker makes some fabulous undergarments too--really nice in cold weather, and I spotted some on their site in this fun color.  Sizing for undergarments was true for me (mediums), go figure.  If you purchase directly from Icebreaker, they exchange sizes for you without charging shipping, so it's low risk, and once you find your fit, you'll love their stuff.  Find the Cascade Hood HERE. 

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Patagonia Reflip Chip Flip Flops

I'm the pickiest person in the world when it comes to flip flops and only started wearing them when I discovered Reefs.  They're the only ones that were comfortable to me--until now.  Patagonia's Reflip Chips are at least as comfortable and even better, they are made from soft recycled materials and are totally recyclable through Patagonia's Common Threads recycle program.  The fabric that fits between your toes (what can make flip flops so uncomfortable) is sewn perfectly and is soft and thin and barely noticeable. Perfect for travel, they are super light weight and comfy enough to support some extended walking. 

They're vegan too.  And did I mention they're cute?  They come in three colors, all bright and cheery and perfect for summer.  Find them HERE.

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Horny Toad Spring-Summer

Green clothing company, Horny Toad, has some new Spring-Summer arrivals to get you ready for the weather.  I got hooked on HT a couple of years ago when I discovered their butter soft eco friendly fabrics.  Their stuff is travel friendly, low on wrinkles and heavy on comfort. 

Check out the new Long Island Dress.  It's a maxi length, very sleek, and has a panel around the waist area with some ruching that is very figure flattering and forgiving.  It's made from a bamboo blend and runs true to size.  I'm 5'5 and typically an 8/10 and the medium fits perfectly. 

This dress looks great with a pair of flip flops.  You can dress it up, or dress it down and wear it at the beach or to a more formal dinner.  It's elegant and beautiful and comes in different colors and even a print.  It has adjustable straps, a shelf bra for support and a secret stash pocket on the hip, perfect for your id and credit card or cash. 

I'm also totally in love with the Swifty Racer Tank.  Super soft tencel fabric wicks away moisture and dries fast, making it perfect for summer adventures.

The Lapis is a soothing blue-gray that I can't get enough of.  Please Horny Toad--more of this amazing color!  It reminds me of twilight, when the sky is a dreamy calming purpley blue.  A built in shelf bra makes it even better.  It's got a lot of give to it, it's not your typical tight fitting yoga or fitness top, you could wear it under a blazer to work and it wouldn't look out of place.  This would be a great base layer for your on-the-plane outfit, it would be great for yoga, camping, and every day.  

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prAna Spring is Here!

A friend asked me the other day if I'd seen any signs of Spring yet.  Robins?  Buds?  A little, but it's still a bit early. Happily, there is one fabulous sign of Spring I can point to--prAna's new Spring line.  I love prAna, it's one of my favorite clothing companies.  They are ethical, socially responsible, use eco friendly materials, and I trust them.  Not to mention, the clothes are gorgeous and functional.

Check out this new Berry Scallop fabric in the Quinn Dress.  I think it should be called Flaming Lotus.  It's an energizing sumptuous beautiful print that flatters.  The Quinn dress is one of prAna's best pieces in my opinion, it's butter soft and crazy comfortable, doesn't wrinkle and is light weight making it perfect for travel.  It's the kind of garment you can wash in a hotel sink and it will dry very quickly, hold its shape, and look fabulous throughout your trip.

It dresses up or down and flatters the figure, and there's a built in shelf bra for support.  This dress is made of 45% recycled content so it's eco friendly to boot.  It's a wardrobe must have, find it HERE. And by the way, if you need something stunning for Valentine's Day, it's available at stores like REI--go treat yourself!

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El Naturalista Yggdrasil Boots

Need something to make your spirits bright this holiday season?  How about a pair of eco friendly,  super comfy boots inspired by Nordic mythology?  El Naturalista is a brand that makes an art out of green footwear, making their shoes and boots as environmentally healthy as possible while infusing each pair with a beautiful backstory and great looks.

These Yggdrasils are derived from sacred Finnish legend unifying earth with universe and translates to Tree of Life.  The gods planted an ash tree with roots that went from the center of the universe and branches wrapping all around the earth. 

Reinforced stitching throughout, The "Frog Shock System" removable recycled insole combined with the cushy sole made from post industrial rubber waste is comfortable and gives you a little height.  There's a side zip as well as the cute buttons and they easily slip on and off.  The hide is naturally treated with river stones, not harsh chemicals,  Find them HERE.

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Fabulous prAna Yoga Tops

prAna has fantastic yoga clothing that also works as great street and travel wear.  Here are two tops that are super comfortable, allow full mobility, and pack down small without getting wrinkled.  The fabric is fast drying and you could easily wash them in a hotel sink if need be. I think they look great with jeans and skirts with a little hoodie.

Check out the Abi Top in that dreamy Purple Pixel.  Isn't that gorgeous?  Pairs great with black pants or a black skirt and has a built in shelf bra.  Comfy soft recycled poly, and a beautiful watercolor pixel print make this top shine.

The Quinn Top has feminine lines, is really pretty around the neck, and comes in many colors and patterns.  It is made with recycled materials, is very soft, and has a shelf bra for support. 

They say purple is the color of wisdom.  For me it is soothing and refreshing at the same time and I especially love it paired with calming blues.  Prana offers several fabrics with these and other mood enhancing colors and I don't think that's an accident.  I think they put a lot of effort into color and pattern--both tops featured here are almost mandala-like. 

I love these tops so much I ordered a few on Amazon--they have incredible prices on prAna right now with tops as low as under ten bucks and dresses under twenty.  Time to stock up!  What brilliant inspiration for maintaining your yoga routine throughout the holidays.  You can find a bigger selection HERE on prAna's site. 

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HORNY TOAD Must Have Fall Pieces

Horny Toad has some exciting eco friendly pieces in their Fall line.  Check out the Chaka Long Skirt, a butter soft blend of Tencel and organic cotton.  I love the little stash pocket that's perfect for a phone, mp3 player, or id and credit card.

The length is just right for fall and will look great with boots this winter.  It has a little flounce at the bottom which is feminine and flirty and fun.  It's one of those wardrobe staples that offer enough versatility to go from office to dinner and right in the suitcase for that trip to the tropics to be worn with a strappy tank top and sandals.

They also have a new wool and cotton blend blazer called Ablaze that is soft and cozy and looks awesome with skinny jeans and boots.  I love that it's not stiff at all but can give you a professional or dressy look that won't compromise your comfort level.  Dress it up or down, this piece will give you some sophistication when you need it.

Horny Toad clothing is super comfortable and consists of earth friendly fabrics and fibers.  They make clothes for women who enjoy feeling feminine but insist on comfort and function too.  Find more of these must have clothes HERE. 

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Aventura Eco Friendly Swimwear

Need a cute new bathing suit or cover-up for the Summer?  Check out Aventura's new line of Recycled Poly Swimwear and Cover-ups.  I have recently discovered this brand and can't get enough, their stuff is so cute, comfortable and functional.  

Look at the outfit pictured above, isn't that wonderful for a trip to the Famers' Market for snacks, then off to the beach?  It's the Kaleidoscope Tankini worn with the Hayden Capris which have a cute little tattoo graphic detail on the back band.  They are quick dry, and perfect for travel and adventure.  The pants pack up very light and would be great on a camping trip or European holiday.  The tankini top would easily double as a top--you could wear it to a restaurant and no one would know the difference, it's just like a regular tank top.  But after lunch, you can head out onto the lake for some paddle boarding, how cool is that?  Find these and other great options HERE.

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Aventura Organic Cotton Dresses

Need a cute dress for Spring-Summer?  And I mean Really Cute.  Check out Aventura, a new clothing line that highlights organic and sustainable fashion.  This Schaffer Dress is so flattering and perfect for anything from the Farmers' Market to a nice dinner.   If you are having a figure-conscious day, just put this on and you'll instantly feel ten pounds smaller, it's a slimming feel-good dress.

Wear it with a hoodie for a more casual look, or a pretty shawl or cardigan on chilly nights.  It's soft and comfy and versatile, and it's even prettier in person.  I hope Aventura hangs on to this style and offers it in more colors and patterns.  Sizing seems true, I wear an 8-10 and the Medium fits great, though a bit tight in the chest.  Larger chested women might want to size up.  Those little gathers on the front are feminine as well as the scrolls at the bottom, it's something different in the world of sundresses.  

Another adorable option from Aventura is the Willows Organic Cotton Dress.  I love the little flower detail on the front and the versatility of this dress.  It's dressy enough for an evening out, but it's also great for the beach.  The cut is forgiving and would work for different body types.

Both of these dresses are perfect for travel since they are so versatile and comfortable.  Find these fabulous pieces and other eco friendly and organic options HERE.

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Cute and Comfortable Riding Your Bike

Have you noticed a growing trend of just normal regular people out riding their bikes?  For a while it seemed like here in the US when you saw someone on a bike, they would be wearing spandex racing clothes.  In the last few years it seems like more and more people are riding bikes for reasons other than competition or getting exercise.

I love seeing people wearing their regular street clothes on their bikes, riding for transportation and dressing for the destination. Would you rather be wearing a cute little dress or spandex?  The cute dress immediately makes riding your bike more fun and also more accessible.  If you're dressed in normal clothes--cute clothes--you are open to all sorts of things.  It also takes the pressure off to just think of yourself as simply a person on a bike.

So how do you keep warm enough while looking so cute?  If you're living in a climate like mine, Summer seems like it will never get here.  The weather changes at the drop of a hat and you can leave the house looking great and feeling comfortable and come back freezing or soaking wet.  The solution?  Smartwool undergarments.  I can't believe it's taken me all these years to discover Smartwool's Cami Tops and Lightweight Leggings.

Wool is the perfect material for those of us who have allergies and don't do well with synthetics.  It breathes.  Wool keeps you warm when it's cold and cool when it's hot.  If you get caught in the rain, the wool will help to wick the moisture away and it dries quickly.  It's perfect to wear under that cute dress.  I like the footless leggings for bike riding because you can wear sandals and because they're cooler than tights.  You can easily slip off a pair of socks if you start to get too hot rather than taking off the whole legging.  They'll keep your legs warm under a dress or skirt and they look cute too.

The Cami is a wardrobe essential.  I want one in every color--this is the ideal cami top.  It's perfect for bike riding because it's nice and long, it's great for travel or outdoor activities like camping or hiking.  It's the ideal layering piece because it will help to regulate your body temperature.  It will keep you cooler and also warmer than a cotton cami.  You could also wear it more as a tank top, it would look great with jeans.  It's comfortable and it comes in my favorite wardrobe basic colors--black, gray and white.  The shoulder straps are adjustable to customize your fit and it's soft and comfy.  I wish Smartwool would make a slip-version of this, it's just wonderful.

Smartwool's stance on sheep is that they care about how their sheep are treated, stating, "We would never hurt sheep, we love our sheep."  They are involved in environmental initiatives and work to improve production of this sustainable material.  Their sheep live on small farms in New Zealand, and are free range.  The Smartwool Advocacy Program focuses on the environment, the sheep and economic stability for the farmers. 

Opening Image Credit: PortocalaMecanica

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Simple Shoes Summer Find: Take On Elastic

All shoe companies should take a page out of the Simple Shoes book.  By using eco friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled wool, hemp, and recycled car tires and employing eco friendly manufacturing practices, Simple Shoes proves that shoes can be made in a more sustainable manner.   I wish there were more options like this on the market.

Look at these adorable organic cotton canvas shoes.  The Take On Elastic is a light weight slip on that is as comfortable as it is cute.  These would be perfect for travel as that second pair of comfy shoes.  Wear them to the beach, Farmers' Market, working in the garden, riding your bike or on the plane.  I think they'd look nice with a dress or with jeans or cropped pants. 

Normally I like shoes with a chunky sole as I prefer as much shock absorption as I can get.  But these have a cushy and biodegradable EVA "ped bed" which really does the job.  The soles are made from recycled tires and natural rubber.  The uppers are a blend of organic cotton and recycled PET.  Pictured here in "Goat," I love the splash of cool colors (available in warmer colors) and the versatile cocoa gray.  These are perfect for Summer, find them HERE. 

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Horny Toad Hoodies for Spring and Summer

Hoodies are fabulous for this time of year when the weather is touch and go and they'll see you right through Summer and the beginning of Fall.  They're good for layering or for when the temperature drops and you want to cover your head or get a little shetler from a rain shower.

I love Horny Toad for their eco friendly fabrics and versatile styles.  They travel well and the colors mix and match to give you maximum options.  The Delectable Hoodie is soft and cozy and has a flattering neck line and raglan sleeves.  It's great to keep in your backpack for when you get chilly and it works for sportier occasions as well as daily casual.  That neckline serves to dress it up and it just looks nicer than your average pullover.

The Zennie Jacket is a zip-up hoodie with some detail seams that create slimming lines.  It's ultra light weight and perfect for Summer.  I'd wear this with jeans or a dress.  Horny Toad is a company with a sense of humor and a heart.  They seem to try to make all their clothes your favorite--you know, the clothes you wear to tatters while other stuff sits in your closet because it just doesn't feel as good.  They use green materials like organic cottons, bamboo, and tencel and are made for comfort and durability.  Find them Here.

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Must Have HORNY TOAD Dress: Eco Friendly Fashion

Do you ever find a piece of clothing you love so much you want one in every color?  That's this Rosalinda Dress from Horny Toad.  It's ridiculously comfortable first and foremost, being butter soft and cozy.  It's completely versatile taking you from the Farmers' Market to a fancy dinner, and it's eco friendly for your body made from organic cotton and tencel.

I got this in the purple--which is a gorgeous saturated grapey purple that is not done justice by the photos on the website--and I immediately went to REI and got the charcoal grey version as well.   The colors are all so pretty, I want the green too.

It's very simple, clean lines with three quarter sleeves great for bracelets and mobility.  There is an empire seam and a little ruching at the v-neck for added detail which makes a nice feminine touch and flattering lines.

This is the perfect dress for travel.  It doesn't wrinkle and would pack well and also serve many functions on a trip.  It can be worn with boots, leggings, over jeans, with heels or sandals, and it's great for all seasons.  It would be wonderful for upcoming holiday parties and it's appropriate for work situations as well.

It's the dress for women who want to feel feminine and look pretty but don't want to spend a lot of time on it or feel uncomfortable.  Throw this on and go.  You can't go wrong with this dress.  Highly recommended! Find it HERE.  By the way, the Horny Toad website is fun.  It's an eco friendly company with a great sense of humor and a great aesthetic, I'm eager to try more of their versatile clothes.

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The North Face Glue Free (and cute) Suzy Q-Zy Shoes

The North Face has made great strides in the realm of eco friendly footwear with their first-ever glue free Suzy Q-Zy shoes.  Glues can be a nasty part of shoe making, containing VOCs and unpleasant chemicals.  This is no good for the people creating the shoe, the environment, or for consumers who want to vote green with their green.

By using TPU connectors, the shoes consist of layers that snap right together.    Shoes in the Suzy Q-Zy collection are not only glue free but are constructed using recycled materials.  These cute little ballerina flats come in different style and color combinations and are perfect through Summer, leading into Fall.  They look great with cropped pants, skirts and dresses and are comfortable and true to size.  The colors are neutral and go with many different things and they are sporty and feminine at the same time.  Find them HERE.

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The Urge To Adorn Belt Buckles with Recycled Belt

I love stumbling upon something I haven't seen before, something unique and exciting.  These belt buckles by The Urge To Adorn  are fabulous and come in so many wonderful designs, it's hard to pick a favorite.   Photographs, antique, artful and retro images create an interesting, funky accent to your look.

Choose either a leather or eco friendly recycled rubber belt, or buy just the buckle.  Pair with a tee shirt and jeans for some character and color.  Sometimes all it takes is one great accessory to create the look.  Each buckle is hand made using non-toxic materials.  This is wearable art. Find them HERE.

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NOVICA fair trade jewelry for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is right around the corner and what better thing to give to your mom than something that benefits other women too?  NOVICA, working in tandem with  National Geographic, provides a platform for international artisans and offers a huge variety of handmade jewelry perfect for Mother's Day.  Novica incorporates fair trade wages as well as 0% interest loan options for artists to get a good start.  This in turn builds stronger communities and livelihoods for talented artists as well as unique and wonderful jewelry for those grateful to have access to such pieces.

Novica is offering a 10% discount on select Mother's Day gifts.  Check out this gorgeous Chrysocolla bracelet from Peru.  I was so thrilled to find this as I had lost a chrysocolla necklace I bought at a street market in beautiful Cuzco.  Chrysocolla is not something you see every day and this bracelet is even prettier than the piece I had.

As you are shopping, you can read a bio on the artist who created each piece, which makes the experience more personal.  When the item arrives, it is gift wrapped and in a velvet bag (they may not all be that way, check the description to be sure).

If you are looking for something different for mom and like the idea of supporting a good cause, check out Novica for a special Mother's Day gift.  The site also offers other hand made products such as artwork and clothing.  Find them HERE.

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Indigenous Designs: Fair Trade Organic Clothing

I have recently discovered a wonderful clothing company, Indigenous Designs.  I tend to have a hard time finding organic clothes that work for me fashion-wise.  Sometimes it seems like the fashion industry doesn't quite get the market for organic clothes.  We want current fashion without the chemicals and poor labor practices at an affordable price.

Well, Indigenous Designs totally fits the bill.  My taste in clothes is clean lines, soft fabric, contemporary and comfortable, with an occasional quirky piece a la Anthropologie thrown in.   For me, Indigenous Designs is all of this and I'm so thrilled to have discovered them.  

The best part is they are responsible.  By using natural fibers, low impact dyes, and fair trade business practices with great respect for their artisans, Indigenous Designs are creating sustainable fashion.  

I got this Ruched Scoop top and I am in love with it.  It's simple and very soft, and has wonderful ruching details to add interest and femininity.  The fit is very flattering.  I can't wait to try more of their designs!  Check them out HERE.  

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GreenSewn Upcycled Sari Scarves

Check out this creative way to add some color to your day.  These beautiful wraps from GreenSewn are hand made using upcycled vintage silk saris.  Sections of old saris are pieced together by hand and given new life. You can view a slide show of the process on the GreenSewn website.   They come in many lovely saturated colors like greens, purples, reds and oranges.  I find these blue hues so soothing and tranquil.

I love the variety of color, the blending of different designs, and that they are using recycled materials.  They have two sizes. The thinner version scarves I think would be wonderful worn as a hair tie--turban style, a scarf, or a belt.  The larger ones can be worn as shawls or scarves.  They're vibrant, versatile eco friendly fashion and  I think they would make a wonderful and unexpected Valentine's Day gift.  A portion of the proceeds go toward planting trees in places where deforestation is a threat.  Find them HERE. 

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