When we do a photoshoot, we usually have a canine friend (or several) hanging out in the background.  This time though, our little friend Lili insisted on getting in on the action!

Lili, like all of our doggie buddies, is a mixed-breed pup rescued by an adoption center. If you’re thinking about adding a new four-legged family member, please consider adopting from an organization like Save a Dog. Or if you’re bored, just browse all the cute puppy pics online…

For the shoot we were going for a funky artsy vibe infused with a sense of sophistication…who doesn’t like a girl who’s multi-dimensional?

Meet the Model

Our model is Hannah Naomi, stylist, blogger, and designer of her own line of fair-trade and recycled jewelry (which you can buy on Nancy’s Gone Green). We love how she styled herself, with the perfect mix of vintage, modern, recycled, and organic pieces. We also can’t get enough of her bright poppin’ lipgloss. Nobody ever said organic had to be dull…

Hannah is Wearing

Peace Silk Jacket by Jonano

Vintage Lace Belts by Re:awakened

Organic Cotton T-Shirt by American Apparel

Chunky Necklace by Andean Collection

Recycled Newspaper Bag  by UrthBags

We are so proud to be offering a chic new line of jewelry by Andean Collection, a socially conscious company that works with artisans from Peru and Ecuador to battle poverty while producing beautiful designs.

This fair trade environmentally conscious collection uses seeds and nuts from the rainforest floor, dyed gorgeous, vibrant colors. Their collection process is environmentally sound, and evenhelps protect the rainforest by creating a profitable, low-impact use of it’s materials.

We are so impressed by Amanda Judge, founder of Andean Collection, and her commitment to making the world a better place. She has identified skilled artisans in areas of deep poverty, helped them get started with all the materials they need, and helped them earn a living wage for the beautiful work they do.

The best part of the line? Everything is drop dead gorgeous, and entirely wearable.  We’ve been wearing the jewelry, to work, out to dinner, and everything in between.

Wear these pieces, and you’ll be sure to get noticed. The best part? When somebody asks you where you got your necklace,  you can tell them all about how you are making the world a better place. Now isn’t that nice!

Shop Andean Collection

Nancy’s Gone Green’s Re:awakened line was recently featured on Resweater, a blog devoted entirely to recycled sweaters and all the wonderful things you can do with them!

Say’s the author Kris, “I stumbled upon this online store, Nancy’s Gone Green!, and I’m glad I did! Their Re:awakened line is all recycled wool & recycled cashmere. I am in love with those cashmere hats. That has got to feel so decadent!”

She especially loves our Gone to Paris style, made from recycled cashmere and antique buttons. They are available in tons of colors, so get yours now!

We are so excited about the up-and-coming spring collection from Re:awakened. You can look forward to cute handbags and skirts, plus several new belt designs all made from vintage fabrics and antique lace…

When we were looking for a location for our first home-page shoot, we never dreamed of finding something this cool! This abandoned vintage car was just sitting there, waiting for us right smack in the middle of the woods.

Now, we are not trying to recommend this as an environmentally friendly method to dispose of your old car. We would much rather see you donate it to charity…but this old clunker was a work of art just waiting to be photographed. From the crackling teal paint, to the windowless frame, to the rusty wires bursting forth from what used to be headlights, this untouched treasure was begging for some attention.

Meet the Model

Ok, so you may already know her. We kicked things off with Mary, one half of the mother daughter team behind Nancy’s Gone Green. You can read about her on the left side of the screen <–

Each month we’ll be featuring a new model on our home page, styled in the latest from Nancy’s Gone Green! We’re always on the lookout for dynamic, intelligent, eco-chic ladies – and we can’t wait to introduce you to them!

Mary is Wearing

The Jonano Bamboo Sweatheart Dress
Recycled Wool Cardigan by Re:Awakened
Andean Collection Necklace Bracelet and Earrings
Vintage Ferregamo Boots – SOLD
makeup by nancy cosmetics

Jewelry designer and expert stylist Hannah Naomi just feautured two of our products in her Without a Thing to Wear blog!

This incredibly chic and ultra flirty outfit features our Jonano ecoKashmere Bamboo Sweater Vest in Midnight Blue. We love how Naomi is wearing it – buttoned at the top, belted, and wide open at the bottom.

On her fingers, Hannah Naomi is wearing jewelry from her very own line. You can pick up some of her adorable jewelry made from recycled wire right here on Nancy’s Gone Green!

When it comes to sustainable style, it’s not all about what you buy – it’s also about how you care for it. Washing your clothes in an earth friendly manner will immediately reduce toxins that enter the earth AND have the long term effect of giving your clothes a longer life. Great for the planet and your wallet too!

Here are our tips for doing your laundry sustainably:

Front Loading Machines

If you are in the market for a new machine, choose a front-loader. These machines much more energy efficient and also much gentler on your clothes than traditional top loading machines or indusrial laundromat front loaders.

Wash Clothes on Cold

Trust us! You really don’t need hot water to get your clothes clean. The heat actually causes your clothes to break down and age faster. Let your detergent do the cleaning.

Choose an Organic, Biodegradable Detergent

They’ll get the job done. For set-in stains we’ll allow the occasional spot treatment with the tough stuff – but please, promise us you won’t fill your whole machine with harsh chemicals. It pollutes the environment, and it’s also  bad for your clothes!

USE A CLOTHESLINE

instead of drying in the machine. Drying machines use enormous amounts of energy, and they are the quickest way to shorten the life of your clothes. Leaving clothes in too long just spells disaster. You will not believe how nice your clothes will feel, and how long they will last, if you just spare them the trip to the dryer.

If You Must Use the Dryer…

try not to dry your clothes all the way. Air dry your clothes to remove the final 10% of moisture. If you absolutely must dry your clothes all the way in the dryer, then please turn off the heat for the final 25% of the cycle.

Dry Cleaning

First of all,  many products that say “dry clean only” on the label only say that to protect the manufacturer. Take a look  at each garment, read it’s content labels, and decide for yourself whether it really needs to be dry cleaned. With the exception of formal wear and fine silk, most “dry clean only” clothing is fine to hand wash using a gentle detergent. Lay flat to dry.

For products that require drycleaning, please select a PERC-free cleaner. Most drycleaners out there use perchloroethylene, a hazordous chemical cleaning solvent, to wash your clothes (more). If possible, opt instead for a drycleaner that uses Wet Cleaning or CO2 Cleaning. Both methods are endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Let’s Review

So, using these tips will help protect our environment, save you money on your energy bills, and prolong the life of your favorite clothes. What are you waiting for?

Be sure to visit Nancy’s Gone Green! eco boutique on Polyvore! Also make sure you join our group, eco fashionista and submit sets of your own. If we like your set, we’ll feature it on our blog and send you a $5 giftcard! We’re planning on holding some styling contests and members only promotions as well, so please join us!

A skirt is only made up of two (possibly three) measurements: the length and the waist (if the skirt is fitted, the hip measurement is also important). Therefore, if you’re a size 12 you can fit into a size 10 or 8 if you wear the skirt higher up towards your natural waist. Or, if you’ve found a great skirt in a size 14 or 16, one or two really simple alterations will allow you to wear those sizes just as easily.

How many pants do you own that you never wear? Most women have anywhere from 3-7 pairs of pants that are out of style, too small or too big, or just plain unflattering.

What if there was a way to magically transform those outdated pants into styles that will suit and flatter your body shape, while looking modern? Well, there is — tailoring.

The first step is to identify the problem. Pull out those outdated pants and figure out why they are unflattering.

Is the waist too large? Are the pants legs too long or too shot? Are the pant legs too wide (at any point)?

If you have some old bell-bottoms, take in the flare! An alteration like that might only cost about $10,  much cheaper than buying new pants.

The second step is to pin your alterations as you need them. If the waist of your pants is too large, pull it away from your body by the back seam (opposite the button or zippper). Pin it down for an easy drop-off for your tailor.

The last step it to give away or donate those pants that you’ll never wear again. Having a closet full of clothes that don’t fit you can subconsciously lower your self-esteem.

Typical Pant Alterations

Take in the waist — $20

Take in the side seam at any point — $15-20

Take in the length of the pant leg (Hem) — $10

Extend the length of the pant leg ** — $15 plus cost of materials

Remove pockets — $7

Add buttons — $5 plus cost of buttons

Replace zipper — $7 plus cost of materials

** This is an easy alteration if the pant leg is cuffed at the bottom (which means there is extra material sown inside); otherwise your tailor can attach a different material to the end of the leg to extend the length

If you’re shopping, make sure the pants fit your largest part comfortably (ex. your waist, hips, thighs, etc.). Everything else can be altered at the seams.

Since my largest part are my hips, I usually have to take pants in at the waist and in the leg. For my own convenience, I determine which pants I will wear with heels or flats, and alter the length accordingly. This way, none of my pants get frayed and damaged at the bottom.

For a minimal cost, you can transform your clothes to fit your body perfectly. And a great fit will change the way you feel in the clothes you wear.

So when you shop around, consider all these alterations. You may find some clothes that you like, and with the help of a tailor you can alter them to fit you perfectly.

Have a great week!

Naomi

nancy says…

Hi everyone! I’m spending the hurricane weekend stormed in on Nantucket making my first set of recycled cashmere Naughty Elf Hats. I’m working with my special friend and “junior consultant” Nelly, age 8, and she is helping me to pick out which antique buttons looks best on which bright pastel and neutral hats. Nelly has requested that if we make a child’s version, we call it the “happy elf hat” instead because she doesn’t want to be naughty…

Shop Naughty Elf Hats