Compostable sunglasses! / Gafas compostables!

Here’s some powerful information you might have not paid too much attention to before. Sunglasses. We all have them, use them, and love them. Some of us have dozen different ones, others buy a pair right after losing one (which could even be every other week!), and most people throw away sunnies without thinking about their afterlife. Reality is, almost all sunglasses are made of plastic- a petroleum based material that takes hundreds to thousands of years to decompose. It harms nature, our animals, our oceans, and our future. You’ve seen the news! The detrimental consequences of plastic products are finally being revealed worldwide, but none of this matters if YOU don’t do something about it! Get informed and become a wiser consumer! Even with little steps as simple as choosing the brand of your sunglasses consciously. It counts! Why? Because 100 million eyewear frames are sold every year resulting in about 20,000,000 lbs of plastic (product AND packaging) destined for our landfills. How about that for irritating numbers? Now, here’s some positivity to sweeten the frustrating sensation of the plastic industry: there are incredible brands reshaping the world with their products, missions and practices! Pela is one of them! You have probably already heard of Pela’s biodegradable iphone cases, right? Well, they have now added biodegradable and compostable sunglasses to their earth-loving portfolio! These sunnies are made of flax straw and cellulose acetate derived from cotton and wood, and verified to be 100% biodegradable (based on ISO standards). In other words, once your sunglasses have reached the end of their life, simply pop out the lenses to recycle them, and throw the frame into your compost. Or, you can also send your sunnies back to Pela in order for them to clean them up and give them to someone in need, or turn them into new products, or even compost them through our Pela 360 program.

Have you checked them out already? :) Head to Pela for more!

——————————————————-

ESPAÑOL

Aquí les comparto información poderosa a la que quizás no le hayan prestado demasiada atención antes. Gafas de sol. Todos las tenemos, las usamos, y las amamos. Algunos de nosotros tenemos una docena de diferentes tipos de ellas, otros compran un par justo después de perder uno (¡lo que podría ser cada dos semanas!), Y la mayoría de las personas se deshacen de ellas sin pensar en su futura vida. La realidad es que casi todas las gafas de sol están hechas de plástico, un material a base de petróleo que tarda cientos o miles de años en descomponerse. Daña la naturaleza, nuestros animales, nuestros océanos y nuestro futuro. ¡Lo han visto en las noticias! Las consecuencias perjudiciales de los productos de plásticos finalmente se están revelando en todo el mundo, pero nada de esto importa si TÚ no haces algo al respecto! Infórmate y conviértete en consumidor más sabio! Incluso con pequeños pasos tan simples como elegir la marca de tus gafas de sol conscientemente. ¡Sí, cuenta! ¿Por qué? Por que 100 millones de gafas se venden cada año, lo que da como resultado a aproximadamente 20,000,000 libras de plástico (producto y paquete) destinados a nuestros vertederos. ¿Qué tal esto para los números irritantes? Ahora, aquí hay algo positivo para endulzar la sensación frustrante de la industria del plástico: Hay marcas increíbles que están cambiando el mundo con sus productos, misiones y prácticas! ¡Pela es una de ellas! Probablemente ya hayas oído hablar de los covers biodegradables de Pela para los celulares, verdad? Bueno, ahora han sacado gafas de sol biodegradables y compostables! Estas gafas de sol están hechas de paja de lino y acetato de celulosa derivados del algodón y la madera, y verificadas que son 100% biodegradables (según los estándares ISO). En otras palabras, una vez que tus gafas de sol hayan llegado al final de su vida, simplemente saca los lentes para reciclarlos y pon el marco en tu compostaje. O también puedes enviar tus gafas de sol a Pela para que las limpien y se las den a alguien que las necesite, o los conviertan en nuevos productos, o incluso las composten a través de su programa Pela 360.

¿Ya las han chequeado? :) Vayan a Pela.

In Partnership with Pela.

Eco won't kill your vibe! / Ser eco no arruinará tu vibra!

When I talk about sustainable fashion with friends, or even total strangers, the words I hear usually revolve around:

-is not cool

-is not sexy

-is not luxurious enough

-is only for hippies

-there are no options

I hope this post, and all the ones I’ve been sharing change your mindset. Sustainable and ethical fashion can be ANYTHING you choose to make of it. I choose to make it boho-chic, comfy, story-telling and fun. Always! Here’s one more look I’m proud to rock.

Boots: they are made of recycled and vegan materials such as recycled PU, recycled resin (for shoe bottoms), post consumer cardboard, and faux suede made of recycled plastic by Beyond Skin. Their production is also ethical and located in Spain.

Skirt: made by one of my favorite brands. Reformation. Every piece is not only fair-trade but also made with materials that are kind to your health and our planet, like recycled fabrics, tencel (eucalyptus fiber), organic cotton, linen and others. They are also one of the few fashion brands that has been Carbon Neutral since 2015!

Sweater: cruelty-free, sustainable, ethical. Naadam is reshaping the cashmere industry! All their animals are hand-combed (not sheared!) and are cared for and treated humanely as a WAY OF LIFE, not merely a practice. They also pay their herders 50% more and…. (wait for it!)…. use ahimsa silk! This is silk that has been produced by waiting for the silkworms to hatch from their cocoons and later boiling the empty cocoons rather than the boiling the live silkworms like ordinary silk methods. Naadam also uses clean energy-powered manufacturing, non-toxic dyes, and is rolling out biodegradable plastic bags! This is the only cashmere brand that is Cradle to Cradle certified for their high standards focused on protecting the earth and basic human rights. 

__________________________________________________

ESPAÑOL

Cuando hablo de moda sostenible con amigos, o incluso con extraños, las palabras que escucho generalmente giran en torno a:

-no es cool

-no es sexy

-no es lo suficientemente lujoso

-es solo para hippies

-no hay opciones

Espero que esta publicación, y todas las que he estado compartiendo, cambien tu forma de pensar. La moda sostenible y ética puede ser CUALQUIER COSA que elijas crear de ella. Yo elijo hacerla boho-chic, cómoda, llena de historias, y divertida. ¡Siempre! Aquí hay una tenida más que estoy orgullosa de compartir.

Botas: están hechas de materiales reciclados y veganos como plástico reciclado, resina reciclada, carton de post consumo y PU reciclado por Beyond Skin. Su producción también es ética y localizada en España.

Falda: confeccionada por una de mis marcas favoritas. Reformation. Cada pieza no solo es de comercio justo, sino que también está hecha con materiales que respetan nuestra salud y planeta, como telas recicladas, tencel (fibra de eucalipto), algodón orgánico, lino y otros. También es una de las pocas marcas de moda que ha sido Carbono Neutral desde el 2015!

Chompa/suéter: libre de crueldad, ecológico, ético. Naadam esta remoldeando la industria del cashmere! Todos sus animales se peinan a mano (no los rapan/rasuran/cortan!) y se cuidan y tratan humanamente como un manera DE VIDA, no simplemente una práctica. También pagan a sus pastores 50% más que el mercado …. (¡esperen!)…. usan seda ahimsa! Esta es seda vegana y pacífica que se produce esperando a que los gusanos de seda salgan de sus capullos, e hirviendo los capullos vacíos en lugar de hervirlos con los gusanos adentro y vivos, como hacen en los métodos de seda comunes. Naadam también utiliza energía limpia, tintes no tóxicos, y está lanzando bolsas de plástico biodegradables! Esta es la única marca de cashmere que tiene la certificación Cradle to Cradle por sus altos estándares centrados en la protección de la tierra y los derechos humanos.

Tommy Hilfiger's eco jean collection!/ La linea de jeans eco de Tommy

In my ideal world, everyone would swap clothes, buy second hand or reuse as much as possible. But reality is, we are not there. Most people still support fast fashion and non-sustainable brands because they are convenient. Therefore, when I hear that big brands like Tommy Hilfiger are reshaping their missions to have our planet and people in mind, I smile. These brands are the trendsetters and if they go green and ethical, other companies will follow. They have the power to reshape the second most polluting and cruel industry in the world (fashion), while we set that change in motion with our demand. The products we buy, the brands we support, and the lifestyles we lead. We ask for sustainable and ethical, they listen. That’s how we move. How we grow. How we change. Reshaping our present and future.
I’m proud to announce that Tommy Hilfiger will launch their first 100% recycled denim collection made of recycled cotton, recycled plastic bottles (for the stitches), and even recycled logo patches. All using 70% less water (95% of the water gets recycled and reused) and chemicals, vegetable dyes, no stones (no stone washing), and producing less CO2 emissions and waste. And regarding fair-trade practices (truly important when it comes to....everything!), Tommy is one of the companies owned by PVH that joined the “Accord on Fire and Building Safety” in Bangladesh to stop further tragedies and create a culture of health and safety in the factories. They also partnered with “Fashion For Good” last year to focus on transparent social and environmental innovations. Their recycled denim jeans and jackets are coming to stores this spring, and their organic cotton tees and a “Better Cotton Initiative” line is in stores already! All you have to do is read the labels!

I got a first sneak peek of the entire process in their Amsterdam Denim Lab and even got to customize my own @waterthruskin jacket. Lifestyle with a conscience, world. Always! That’s my type of progress.

_________________________________

ESPAÑOL

En mi mundo ideal, todos intercambiarían ropa, comprarían de segunda mano o reutilizarían lo más posible. Pero la realidad es que no estamos ahí. La mayoría de las personas siguen apoyando a la industria de “fast fashion” y a marcas no sostenibles porque son convenientes. Por eso, cuando escucho que marcas grandes como Tommy Hilfiger están cambiando sus misiones para tener a nuestro planeta y gente en mente, sonrío. Estas marcas son las crean tendencias y si ellas se vuelven ecológicas y éticas, otras empresas las seguirán. Tienen el poder de reformar la segunda industria más contaminante y cruel del mundo (la moda), mientras nosotros ponemos en marcha ese cambio con nuestra demanda. Los productos que compramos, las marcas que apoyamos y los estilos de vida que construimos. Nosotros pedimos sustentable y ético, ellos escuchan. Así nos movemos. Así crecemos. Así cambiamos. Remodelando nuestro presente y futuro.
Me enorgullece anunciar que Tommy Hilfiger lanzará su primera colección de jeans 100% reciclados hechos de algodón reciclado, botellas de plástico recicladas (para la costura) e incluso parches de logo reciclados. Todos utilizando un 70% menos de agua (el 95% del agua se recicla y se reutiliza) y productos químicos, tintes vegetales, 0 piedras (sin lavado de piedras) y produciendo menos emisiones de CO2 y desechos. Y con respecto a las prácticas de comercio justo (realmente importante cuando se trata de moda y todo comercio!), Tommy es una de las compañías de PVH que se unió al "Acuerdo sobre la seguridad contra incendios y construcciones de edificios" en Bangladesh para detener más tragedias y crear una cultura de salud y seguridad en las fábricas de ropa. También se asociaron con "Fashion For Good" el año pasado para enfocarse en innovaciones sociales y ambientales transparentes. Sus jeans y chaquetas 100% recicladas llegarán a las tiendas esta primavera, y sus camisetas de algodón orgánico y la línea "Better Cotton Initiative" ya están en las tiendas! Todo lo que tienen que hacer es leer las etiquetas!

Tuve un primer vistazo de todo el proceso en el Denim Lab en Amsterdam e incluso personalicé mi propia chaqueta @waterthruskin. Estilo de vida con conciencia, mundo lindo. ¡Siempre! Ese es mi tipo de progreso.

Reformation will leave you eco-breathless!/ Esta marca los dejara sin aliento...ecológicamente!

This dress and brand are one of my favorites. I’m sure you have all heard of Reformation? If not, this is a sustainable brand you might want to check out. Especially for wedding and cocktail dresses, as well as every day boho looks. They have made it their mission to follow practices that are as “holistic as possible, taking into consideration water input, energy input, land use, eco-toxicity, greenhouse gas emissions, human toxicity, availability and price.” Which means that every piece is not only fair-trade but also made with materials that are kind to your health and our planet, like recycled fabrics, tencel (eucalyptus fiber), organic cotton, linen and others. PS: they also have some great sales at the end of the year….every year! :) If you live in Miami, they opened a store in Design District. They also have some in NY, CA, TX and DC.

________________________________________________

Este vestido y marca son unos de mis favoritos. Estoy segura de que todos han oído hablar de la Reformation? Esta es una marca sostenible que les va a fascinar. Especialmente para vestidos de bodas y cócteles, así como para el look boho diario. Reformation enfocó su misión en seguir prácticas que sean lo “holísticas posible, teniendo en cuenta el consumo de agua, el consumo de energía, el uso de la tierra, la ecotoxicidad, las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, la toxicidad humana, la disponibilidad y el precio”. Esto significa que cada pieza no solo es de comercio justo, sino que también es hecha con materiales que respetan nuestra salud y planeta, como telas recicladas, tencel (fibra de eucalipto), algodón orgánico, lino y otros. PD: también tienen buenas ofertas al final del año ... cada año! Si viven en Miami, abrieron una tienda en Design District. También tienen otras en NY, CA, DC y TX.

waterthruskin

LALF making World Elephant Day happier!

Just in time for World Elephant Day, here's a brand I'm beyond excited to share with you!

LALF (Love Animals Love Fashion) is an ethical, sustainable and vegan fashion brand that creates beautiful and comfortable tees made of organic cotton and natural dyes without the use of chemicals and toxic pesticides, which are poison to our health and planet. Are you smiling already? Then... get ready to smile even bigger! For each product you purchase from their limited edition collection, LALF donates 25% to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and their mission to rescue and protect elephants and rhinos in Africa. How about that for World Elephant Day?! Go check them out! They launched today and you can browse their entire collection on their website!

The tee I'm wearing is the IVY and it came in the most adorable and eco-friendly box, which can be reused or recycled! The box was made with recycled materials and it reads LOVE ANIMALS LOVE FASHION.

__________________________________________________

ESPAÑOL

Para celebrar este Domingo y el día mundial de los elefantes, les quiero compartir esta marca divina, ecológica y ética! 

LALF (Love Animals Love Fashion) es una marca de ropa sostenible, vegana y ética que crea franelas/poleras/tees de algodón orgánico con colorantes naturales y sin el uso de pesticidas ni químicos que son tóxicos para nuestra salud y planeta. Ya están sonriendo? Bueno, prepárense para sonreír mucho más! Por cada producto que compren de su edición limitada, LALF donará 25% a la fundación David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust cuya misión se enfoca en rescatar y proteger a elefantes y rinocerontes en Africa. Qué les parece esta noticia tan linda para alegrarnos este Domingo y día mundial de los elefantes?! Vayan a espiar los productos de LALF! Hoy lanzaron la marca y todo esta en su website!

La polera que estoy usando es "IVY" y vino en una cajita hermosa que puede ser rehusada o reciclada. La caja fue hecha de materiales reciclados y muestra el logo y motto de LALF "LOVE ANIMALS LOVE FASHION". 

Clay, Fishing nets & Tourmaline into Products!

Clay, fishing nets, tourmaline. What do all these have in common? I’m using them! I wore this look to a sustainability public speaking event last week and everyone liked it so much, I just had to share the deets! So, here goes...

The skirt is handmade by artisans in Africa who bring ancient traditions to life in each product, like dying this skirt and creating shapes with clay! By Akoma 1260.

The booties are handmade in Italy and made from old fishing nets and cork by Verdura Shoes.

The blouse is fairtrade and made with organic cotton by Jan n June.

And my coffee mug is handmade with ceramic and tourmaline- a crystal that releases negative ions when in contact with heat alkalinizing and purifying my coffee/tea/matcha! By Live Vessel.
———————————————


Barro, redes de pesca, turmalina. Qué tienen todos estos en común? Los estoy usando! Usé este look para un evento de sostenibilidad la semana pasada y les gustó tanto a todos, que decidí compartir los detalles con ustedes! Aquí van:

La falda de Akoma 1260 está hecha a mano por artesanos en África que dan vida a tradiciones ancestrales en cada producto, como teñir esta falda y crear formas con barro!

Las botas de Verdura Shoes son hechas a mano en Italia de redes de pesca viejas y corcho.

La blusa de Jan n June es de comercio justo y está hecha de algodón orgánico.

Y mi taza de café de Live Vessel está hecha a mano con cerámica y turmalina- un cristal que libera iones negativos cuando está en contacto con el calor alcalinizando y purificando mi café / té / matcha! 

waterthruskin

Sustainable Summer! Verano Ecológico!

I haven't posted about sustainable and ethical fashion in a while, but now we are back with this ethical Summer dress and my instant reaction every time I hear "Robarte un Beso" on the radio! :p

This dress is by St Roche, a fashion brand committed to growing sustainably while preserving our planet and empowering artisans. They work with eco-friendly and natural fibers and GOTS organic cotton wherever possible. You can also shop this dress on MaisonDeMode's website. This is like the Net-A-Porter of green fashion! One of my favorite sites!

Earrings are handmade and fair-trade by MP Wears. MP Wears work with artisans in Colombia and gives them the tools and opportunities needed to bring old traditions to life in beautiful jewelry pieces. 

_______________________________________________________________________

ESPAÑOL

Hace tiempo que no publico sobre moda sostenible y ética, pero ahora sí estamos de vuelta con este vestido ético de verano y mi reacción instantánea cada vez que escucho "Robarte un Beso" en la radio! :p

Este vestido es de St Roche, una marca de moda comprometida con el crecimiento sustentable mientras preservan nuestro planeta y se apoyan a artesanos. Trabajan con fibras ecológicas y naturales y algodón orgánico GOTS siempre que sea posible. También pueden comprar este vestido en la pagina web de MaisonDeMode. Es es como Net-A-Porter de moda ética y ecológica! Uno de mis sitios favoritos!

Los aros son hechos a mano y de comercio justo por MP Wears. MP Wears trabaja con artesanos en Colombia y les brinda las herramientas y oportunidades necesarias para dar vida a sus tradiciones viejas y transformarlas en hermosas joyas.

 

 

Busy Busy Bee Green Mondays!

I've always loved fashion but it wasn't until I submerged myself in this conscious journey three years ago that I actually began to enjoy shopping. Before, it was more of an ego thing. I dressed to impress people I didn't like with fashion pieces I bought focusing mainly on the designer name behind them. Ethics and sustainability didn't play a role at all! Incredible how a human can take a 180, right? Today, every consumer choice I make on a daily basis revolves around being mindful and conscious of the consequences my actions may have on others and nature. That's the beauty of sustainable fashion. Every dollar spent supports brands that are protecting our planet and people, and helping heal the wounds our ancestors have created. Here are my favorite picks for today. Happy Monday!

Bodysuit by MiakodaNewYork: I have this bodysuit in every color. Literally! Black, nude, grey, white. Made from organic cotton and bamboo, and Miakoda provides the hands that make these products a fair wage and safe and human working conditions. 

Kimono by MiakodaNewYork: Beyond comfortable. You can wear it as a kimono or rope since it comes with a belt made of the same fabric. This fabric is the perfect combination of soy fiber (this is usually seen as waste in the food industry. It is the part of the soy bean that is not used to produce food), organic cotton and bamboo. 

Skirt by VeganResortWear: fair-trade and made with natural and vegan fibers! This skirt is beyond comfortable and light. Perfect for those hot summer days!

Booties by VerduraShoes: My newest OBSESSION! These booties are made from old fishing nets taken out of the ocean. Talk about recycling and upcycling at its best! They are also handmade in Italy! 

Eco Tote by WaterThruSkin: Limited Edition. Made from recycled NYC billboards and non-toxic dyes. It comes with a palo santo and a green aventurine crystal, and each purchase helps plant corals, restore our oceans and rehabilitate wild animals. 

Boho necklace: I bought this handmade beauty at an eco-friendly and organic nail salon and boutique in Miami. B-Livinn. 

Go-getter Friday Ethical Look

Here's another look I've been dying to share with you, and another example that dressing with- and supporting- eco-friendly and ethical brands is easier than we think! Remember that we, as consumers, have a great power. WE get to set the demand and, with every dollar we spend, we get to shape the way companies do business. That simple. Our purchasing power can make a difference if we choose to shop consciously and support the right brands!

Dress by StormieDreams: Fair-trade, eco, and made with reclaimed fabrics gathered from large companies that would have discarded them. Also, all unsold designs get cut into children's clothing and donated to nonprofits Stormie Dream works with! Use code wtrthrskn20 for discount.

Vegan Glads by FreePeople: FREE PEOPLE! Yes, Free People has partnered with Peta to come up with vegan designs that are to die for! Go check them out!

Basket Bag by VeganResortWear: Handmade, fair-trade and made with vegan leather straps. 

Earrings by MP Jewelry: Fair-trade and handmade by women in Colombia. It is the perfect combination of Colombian and Indian traditions. It is also a 2-1 earring set with emerald studs!

Sustainable Bohemian Style

As you guys may have already seen on my Instagram feed or my blog, I'm all about that bohemian vibe! Like... if I could walk barefoot 24/7, I would be that happiest soul alive. Seriously! But, I'm also a social entrepreneur who is always on the go, which is the perfect opportunity for me to find ethical bohemian brands and give them with a "ready for everything" twist. This look is probably one of my all-time favorites. Eco-friendly, vegan, fair-trade, charity-oriented and sustainable. Doing good is as easy as choosing the brands you shop and support wisely! 

Skirt by Stormie Dreams: This is a sustainable maxi skirt made with reclaimed fabrics gathered from large companies that would have discarded them. Also, all designs that don't sell get cut into children's clothing and donated to nonprofits Stormie Dream works with! I have this skirt in black and peach, and love them! Light, eco, fair-trade, comfortable, sexy and beautiful. Use code wtrthrskn20 for discount.

Vegan Leather Gladiators: I've had these babies for over 3 years now and keep rocking them as if they were new. They are made with vegan leather by....wait for it.... FREE PEOPLE! Yes, Free People is coming up with vegan designs that are to die for! Go check them out!

Vegan Leather Backpack by OceansEnd: Designed in Hawaii and made with vegan leather. I received this backpack a few days ago and have been wearing it every single day! It is light, kind, ethical, gorgeous, and big enough to carry my daily essentials!

Crystal Necklaces by Joanne Stone: Besides ethical and sustainable fashion, crystals are another passion of mine, and there's nothing that makes me happier than being able to carry them 24/7 as jewels! For this look, I layered three different necklaces made by Joanne stone with raw crystals, gold, and a cotton cord. I'm wearing the following crystals with their healing purposes:

1) mini-kunzite: awakens the heart to unconditional love. Encourages self-expression and creativity, and has the power to connect intuition, intellect and inspiration. 

2) light smokey quartz: relieves stress and negative emotions, and promotes pragmatic thoughts.

 3) clear quartz point: most powerful healer and energy amplifier. It cleanses the soul deeply and protects from negative energy. 

Sexy Fair-trade Summer Outfit!

Here's another look you ladies might enjoy! I wore this one during my trip to Puerto Rico, as well! It is comfortable, light, bohemian, fair-trade, and just the right amount of spicy. :)

Guadalupe Maxi Skirt: fair-trade and made by artisans in India. This means the hands that made it were paid a fair wage and worked in humane conditions. 

Nomad Tribe Top: fair-trade and made in Peru with natural fabrics and recycled water. Again, the hands that made this beautiful top were paid a fair wage and worked in humane conditions. By supporting this brand you are helping preserve the traditions and secure a bright future for artisans in Peru. This is a top you can style in different ways! I used a size small. 

MP Earrings: Fair-trade and handmade by women in Colombia. It is the perfect combination of Colombian and Indian traditions. 

 

 

Beachy Sustainable Style!

Nothing like ocean tangled hair to set the mood for an outfit! Beachy and comfortable from head to toe with a huge touch of sustainability. <3 These brands have me completely head-over-heels! What do you guys think?

Shirt dress by Guadalupe Design. Fair-trade and hand-made empowering artisans in India. 

Vegan sandals by Melissa Shoes. Recycled plastic shoes reusing 99% of water and waste and unsold stock from previous collections.

Bohemian Tote by GuadalupeDesign. Handmade, fair-trade, AND VEGAN! Yes!! The straps are made with vegan leather! And look at those neon colors combined with beads and patterned fabrics! This baby made me smile nonstop while in Bahamas. Seriously!

Photos captured by Christine Michelle Photography.