Sustainable & Affordable. Let's compare! / Sustentable y accesible. Comparemos!

Options for EVERYONE.

A question I get asked often revolves around “the high prices of sustainable living”.

My response: it all depends on how willing you are to step outside the box!

Let’s focus on fashion today. Yes, prices for products made by brands that have both nature AND our people in mind (fair-trade) will be higher since they are paying higher wages and employee benefits, and use earth-friendly and nontoxic materials that most of the times are higher in quality or have a more detailed and lengthy production processes. This increases the cost of each piece made.

Here, I give you two options I apply to my lifestyle when it comes to sustainable fashion.

1) Second hand shopping. (The stepping outside the box part) Erase the idea from your mind that used clothes are trash. It is estimated that the average consumer throws away 70lbs of clothing EVERY YEAR. This is clothing that can be reused, repaired, gifted, donated or sold! Supporting second hand fashion is honestly one of the most sustainable actions we can take to reduce this unnecessary waste.

Look #1: Every time I got to GoodWill to donate clothes, I also choose to support them by buying used clothes or used books. This entire second hand look cost me less than $20. The vegan shoes were $4, the jumpsuit was $2 and the belt was a gift from Salve Bolivia (second hand store in Bolivia).

What to do with these “used” pieces? Once I get home, I wash them with nontoxic products, and clean their energy by burning copal or dried lavender from our garden- using the smoke they release to create circles around the clothes while I set my intention. Good as new!

Look #2: similar look but supports a fair-trade and sustainable brand that is redesigning the fashion industry: Etica Denim. They use 90% less water, 63% less energy, and 70% less chemicals than industry standards. Plus, their labels are made of plantable seed paper!

See? Earth-loving options for every lifestyle and budget!

Which one are you? How do you minimize your closets’ environmental footprint?

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(ESPAÑOL)

Opciones para TODOS.

Una pregunta que me hacen a menudo gira en torno a “los altos precios de una vida sustentable”.

Mi respuesta: ¡todo depende de lo dispuestx que estés a dar un paso fuera de la caja!

Centrémonos en la moda. Sí, los precios de los productos fabricados por marcas que tienen en cuenta tanto a la naturaleza como a nuestra gente (comercio justo) serán más altos ya que están pagando salarios y beneficios más altos para los empleados y artesanos, y utilizan materiales ecológicos y no tóxicos que la mayoría de las veces son mejores en calidad o tienen procesos de producción más detallados y prolongados. Esto aumenta el costo de cada pieza fabricada.

Aquí les dejo dos opciones que aplico a mi estilo de vida cuando se trata de moda sustentable.

1) Compras de segunda mano. (La parte de salir de la caja) Borren de sus mentes la idea de que la ropa usada es basura. Se estima que el consumidor promedio bota más de 31kg de ropa CADA AÑO. ¡Esta es ropa que se puede reutilizar, reparar, regalar, donar o vender! Apoyar la moda de segunda mano es, sinceramente, una de las acciones más ecológicas que podemos tomar para reducir desperdicio innecesario.

Look # 1: Cada vez que llego a GoodWill para donar ropa, también elijo apoyarlos comprando ropa usada o libros usados. Todo este look de segunda mano me costó menos de $20. Los zapatos veganos costaban $4, el mono $2 y el cinturón fue un regalo de Salve Bolivia (tienda de segunda mano en Bolivia).

¿Qué hacer con estas piezas "usadas"? Una vez que llego a casa, los lavo con productos no tóxicos y limpio su energía quemando copal o lavanda seca de nuestro jardín. Uso el humo que liberan para crear círculos alrededor de la ropa mientras establezco mi intención. ¡Como nuevos!

Look # 2: look similar pero apoya una marca sustentable y de comercio justo que está rediseñando la industria de la moda: Etica Denim. Utilizan 90% menos de agua, 63% menos de energía y 70% menos de productos químicos que los estándares de la industria. Además, ¡sus etiquetas están hechas de papel de semillas plantable!

¿Ven? ¡Opciones eco-responsables para todos los estilos de vida y presupuestos!

¿Y ustedes? ¿Cómo minimizan la huella medioambiental de sus armarios?

Shop wisely. Do good!

Now, here’s a look you probably didn’t see coming. Sustainable, ethical and mission-driven head to toe! Let’s start with the shoes which might leave you speechless, and then we’ll go all the way up.

Shoes: biodegradable and compostable! They are made of organic cotton and corn by… (wait for it!)…Reebok! This is their new collection called “Things that grow”.

Skirt: made of recycled plastic bottles by Maggie Marilyn. This brand is ethical and made in New Zealand. They also use GOTS certified organic cotton.

T-shirt: made of bamboo and organic cotton by Storyteller. The purchase of each item in their website helps fund educational projects around the world! ps: they also have the most amazing keychains to collect personalized flags of each country you’ve visited. I have mine already :)

Head-tie: biodegradable and ethical. Made of flax fiber by Vegan Resort Wear.

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ESPAÑOL

Ahora, aquí hay un “look” de ropa que probablemente no se imaginaron. De pies a cabeza sostenible, ético y con una misión lindísima. Comencemos con los zapatos que los dejará sin palabras y luego subiremos producto por producto hacia arriba.

Zapatos: biodegradables y compostables! Están hechos de algodón orgánico y maíz por ... (¡esperen!) ... Reebok! Esta es su nueva colección llamada "Cosas que crecen".

Falda: hecha de botellas de plástico recicladas por Maggie Marilyn. Esta marca es ética y hecha en Nueva Zelanda. También utilizan algodón orgánico certificado por GOTS.

Camiseta: Hecha de bambú y algodón orgánico por Storyteller. La compra de cada artículo de su página web ayuda a financiar proyectos educativos en todo el mundo! ps: también tienen los llaveros más increíbles para recolectar banderas personalizadas de cada país que has visitado. Yo ya tengo el mio :)

Headband: biodegradable y ética. Hecho de fibra de lino por Vegan Resort Wear.

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Biodegradable is better!

Barefoot everywhere (but we already know that)✔️
Organic coffee✔️
BIODEGRADABLE and ethical fashion✔️✔️✔️
Yes! You read right. Bio and fashion in the same sentence! I’m wearing a 4-way top made of banana fiber and organic cotton by Milo & Nicki, and my favorite shorts made of flax fiber by Vegan Resort Wear (use code “waterthruskin” for discount”). Both vegan, fair-trade, eco-friendly, and made with plant dyes! Didn’t see that coming, did ya? Like I’ve been repeating for 3 years now, sustainable fashion can be anything you choose to make of it!

In case you wonder, the hoop earings are made with sustainably sourced crystals by Krystle Knight.

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ESPAÑOL

Descalza por todas partes (pero eso ya lo sabemos) ✔️

Café orgánico✔️

Moda BIODEGRADABLE y ética✔️✔️✔️

Sí! Leyeron bien. Bio y moda en la misma oración! Tengo puesto un top que se puede usar de 4 maneras, hecha de fibra de plátano/banana y algodón orgánico de Milo & Nicki, y mis pantalones cortos favoritos de fibra de lino de Vegan Resort Wear (usen el código "waterthruskin" para obtener un descuento). Ambos veganos, de comercio justo, ecológicos, y hechos con tintes naturales de plantas! No se lo imaginaron, verdad? Como les he estado repitiendo durante estos tres años, la moda sostenible puede ser cualquier cosa que ustedes quieran!

En caso de que se pregunten, los aretes están hechos con cristales de origen sostenible de Krystle Knight.

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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.

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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.
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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! 

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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. 

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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.

 

 

Ethical, Sustainable, Boho & Cute!

Fashion. It's the second most polluting industry after oil. Did you know that? Or that through fast fashion, the hands that make your clothes get paid less than $2 each day? Or that we produce 4 lbs of waste every day? Or that old (non biodegradable) clothing pieces are part of these piles of trash that sit on landfills for years? These, and many more, are the reasons why I opted for a sustainable and fair-trade closet four years ago. Finding new conscious brands has become a part of my routine, and there's honestly nothing that makes me happier than discovering brands like Arizen. This one-of-a-kind brand designs beautiful and comfortable clothing pieces using sustainable fabrics and nontoxic dyes. Some of the earth-friendly fabrics they use are made of wood pulp, tree cellulose, flax, cotton and others. Arizen also works with artisans in Bali, empowering them through fair wages, humane working conditions, and fair work opportunities. And, as if all this weren't wonderful enough, Arizen will also blow your mind with their packaging. Each clothing piece comes in a biodegradable and compostable "plastic" bag made of cassava! They had me at hello. Seriously! Below are my favorite pieces and styles. 

Pants

Shorts

Top

 

 

Nature-filled Walls & Eco Brands I adore!

The wall that reminds me of my solo trip to the Amazon and how I told everyone that asked “Yes, me Jane. I know, latina Jane. Nope, no Tarzan. Just Jane. But you can call me Valeria.” 😂🌿 I’m working on posting every little detail of the 4 days I spent in the Amazon, by myself, sleeping in an eco-friendly treehouse 80ft above ground, powered by the sun, in the middle of the jungle, with howling monkeys and singing frogs and lots of mosquitoes and me defying every fear and enjoying every single second of it! It’s coming!

 In the meantime, I leave you guys with this wall and a head-to-toe sustainable and fair-trade look! Proof that nature makes everything look better!

T-shirt: GOTS certified organic cotton t-shirt that reads “Infinite Love & Gratitude” (my daily mantra) by Ipsilon Paris.

Skirt: made of reclaimed fabrics gathered from large companies that would have discarded them by Stormie Dreams. Also, all designs that don't sell get cut into children's clothing and donated to nonprofits Stormie Dream works with.

Shoes: Black sneakers made of organic cotton, plant-based dyes and renewable tree rubber by Z Shoes Organic. Use code "waterthruskin" for discount. 

Earrings: Handmade and empower women in Colombia by MP Wears. Use code "waterthruskin" for discount. 

Bag: A backpack- I’m absolutely in love with- made of vegan waxed canvas, organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles by LiveLikeAnAce.

Comfy...Chic...Kind.

Here's another sustainable outfit for all my conscious souls. Comfortable, vegan, ethically made and planet-friendly with a sexy twist! Even the reusable coffee cup! :)

Pants: fair-trade and made with organic cotton and natural dyes by Monkee Genes. Their motto is all about "No slave labour, no child labour, no blood, no sweat, no tears.’

Open-back Top: fair-trade and made with natural fibers by VeganResortWear,

Heels: Vegan leather heels I’ve rocked for over two years by Cult Of Coquette. No, vegan leather is not eco-friendly since it's made of PVC. I didn't know this years ago. Now that I do, I've chosen to wear and reuse these heels as much as possible instead of sending them to our landfills. 

Earrings: fair-trade and handmade by artisans in Colombia by MPWears. They also help empower women and keep old traditions alive. 

Reusable coffee cup: made of wheat. No plastic. No guilt! Sustainable and fair-trade. I bought it at Whole Foods. 

 

 

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. 

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. 

 

 

Sustainable brands for the Summer!

Dressing sustainably is getting easier by the day! This look is charity-oriented, comfy, vegan, eco-friendly and chic. What's your excuse? Think about it! 

Skirt by Stormie Dreams: Sustainable maxi skirt made with reclaimed fabrics gathered from large companies that would have discarded them. Also, all the fabric that doesn't sell gets cut in to children's clothing and gets donated to nonprofits Stormie Dream works with. Use code wtrthrskn20 for discount.

Shoes by Turquise: fair-trade, vegan, charity-oriented and comfy. For each pair sold, Turquise donates 10% to different charities. To make the design even more fashionable, each pair comes with different pins. From smily faces to ice cream cones. I have both :). You can shop the shoes at Nomad Tribe (online or in Miami).

Necklace by 31Bits: It is made with recycled paper and vegetable glue by women in Uganda. 31Bits created programs in Africa to educate and empower women, and help them rise above poverty.

Sunnies by Wuudz: I've talked about this brand before, as well. The sunglasses are made with bamboo, wood and plantbased acetate, and the box they come in is eco-friendly and has the following encrypted  at the front: "Avanza con los pies en la tierra y la mirada en el infinito" which translates to something like: "Grow with your feet on the ground and your sight on infinity". Handmade and fair-trade too!

Vegan heels with a twist!

I want to share a really cool shoe brand with you today: Veerah. The reason why I get excited about this brand is because the heels are not only made with cruelty-free and vegan materials, but also with a plant-based memory foam interior that provides arch, heel and ball support. The shoes also have an anti-friction pillow in the back, organic cotton lining on top of the memory foam, and an antimicrobial plant-based cushion for breathability and comfort. For all my female babes, it doesn't get better than this! These heels are like the vegan Ironman of the shoe industry! Did I mention they also come in the most beautiful box made with soy ink (free of toxic materials) that makes it easier for the ink to be remove during the recycling process? Or.. you can also keep the box and use it to store things. Like I did! In case you're wondering, Veerah means "warrior" in Sanskrit, and this wonderful brand is a female-run B Corp (which means Veerah defines their goals based on positive impacts on society, community and the environment) and gives back to our world big time through their 1-10-100 project.

I paired these Veerah heels with Jeans from Gap's sustainable line. (Yes!! Gap is taking new initiatives to reduce water use and pollution and is part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition where companies are evaluated on material types, products, facilities and processes based on a range of environmental and product design choices. They are also planning to add measures for labor and social standards. Read more about it here). 

The top, I bought 4 years ago at Urban Outfitters and still wear it. Reuse and recycle, peeps!

On The Run With Clothes That Do More Good Than You Imagine!

This outfit! It is everything! It is comfortable, fashionable, boho (my essence), but it also helps me step on this earth kindly and consciously! 

Black Dress: Softest and most comfortable dress I've worn in a while! I liked it so much I wore it for two consecutive days! (Don't tell anyone though :p) It is made with natural fibers and organic cotton sustainably-harvested from beechwood trees from Austria, and provides fair benefits to everyone involved in the manufacturing process (from living wages, high workplace standards, workers rights, to social fairness). Plus, this dress was made in Austria and France, which means that it traveled less than 800km from raw product to finished dress! And, as if that were not enough, with each purchase, "Les Sublimes" provides 1 month of education to girls in need worldwide! How wonderful is that? Use CODE: SUBLIMEWATERTHRUSKIN10 for discount!

Gladiators: vegan leather!! I purchased these babies 3 years and wear them still! It was love at first sight! 

Bag: I've talked about this brand before, and will do it again because each of BigBubbleBag's designs are unique, sustainable and flawless. Fair-trade and made of recycled plastic and bubble wrap. You can now get them on Amazon and Sawgrass Mall (for my Miami soulmates!) Use CODE: WTS15 for discount!

Sunnies by Wuudz Sunglasses: I've talked about this brand before, as well. The sunglasses are made with bamboo, wood and plantbased acetate, and the box they come in is eco-friendly and has the following encrypted  at the front: "Avanza con los pies en la tierra y la mirada en el infinito" which translates to something like: "Grow with your feet on the ground and your sight on infinity". Handmade and fair-trade too!

Jean Jacket: I bought this one at a vintage store, washed it, saged it, and then painted mandalas and more things on the back of it. Great way to bring an old recycled jacket to life. 

Sustainable Winter Look!

Temperatures drop and we, planet-caring peeps, panic! What vegan leather boots to wear? Where to find a cruelty-free faux wool sweater? And what eco-friendly bag to match that all with! I've been there, believe me! Researching the web for hours in the hopes of finding sustainable fashion brands. Well, I've decided to save you guys the hours of research and post this winter look. Let me know your thoughts!

Poncho by The Onikas: Fair-trade, vegan, and empowers artisans in Ecuador. Each piece is delicately made by hand by Andean people that use weaving as a form of expression and as a process that brings them even closer to nature. The textiles are made with 100% natural fibers. Learn more here. Use code: WATERTHRUSKIN for 20% off your oder. 

Black Boots by Melissa Shoes: Recycled plastic, water resistant, candy-smelling, and SUPER comfy!! Melissa is one of my favorite shoe brands. They reuse 99% of waste, water, and unsold stock from previous collections!

Bag by Big Bubble Bags: Recycled bubble wrap and water resistant! A car factory bought massive amounts of bubble wrap to then decided they were not going to use it. Big Bubble Bags bought the bubble wrap they were going to throw in the trash and created a bag line. Recycle and reuse. Always! Use code: WTS15 for 15% off your order!

Sunnies by Wuudz Sunglasses: Another pair I love. I have three already! They are made with bamboo, wood and plantbased acetate, and the box they come in is eco-friendly and has the following encrypted  at the front: "Avanza con los pies en la tierra y la mirada en el infinito" which translates to something like: "Grow with your feet on the ground and your sight on infinity". Handmade and fair-trade too!

Hat by Artesano: It's been really hard for me to find non-wool hats. There are not a lot of brands out there, and most vegan hat designs have men as their main target. As you may know,  sheep grow a lot of wool on a yearly basis and it can become dangerous to their health if they don't shed some of it. Sadly, nowadays, brands have taken advantage of this and have capitalized on the practice of producing wool. They focus on faster and cheaper production, which means sheep endure terrible conditions, treatment, abuse and even death. Most of this wool comes from Australia. Luckily, there are some brands, like Artesano, that work directly with Ecuadorian farmers (and not massive Australian companies) to find the most ethical and cruelty-free wool supply. Artesano designs all their winter hats with ethical wool and donates a percentage of their sales to Techo; an organization building homes for people in need worldwide. 

 

 

And some people think sustainable fashion isn't cool?!

Let's start 2017 with some eco-friendly and cruelty-free fashion choices, shall we? I'm absolutely obsessed with this look. Head to toe! Especially my heels! After going vegan and leaving the Private Banking world behind for a life of consciousness and passion, I sold and donated all my designer shoes. The Christian Louboutins  (yes, I had those red soles!) hurt me the most. Not only because of the price I paid (I know, I had my mind somewhere else at that time!) but because the nude pumps I had made every outfit look beautiful. Until, I found these vegan heels! There's honestly NO EXCUSE, people. Dressing consciously should be an everyday thing. There are sustainable alternatives for every single product in your closet! Here are the details of this look.

Nude Heels by Cult of Coquette: vegan leather, fair-trade, handmade 5inch heels!!! 

Animal Print Clutch by Big Bubble Bags: made from recycled bubblewrap! Doesn't get more eco than this! Let's reuse the bubblewrap other companies throw away! Use CODE: WTS15 for 15% discount!

"Let's Stay Together" Tee by Thinking Mu: made with organic cotton and fair-trade! Use CODE: NTVH for discount!

Jeans by Gap: Yes!! Gap is taking new initiatives to reduce water use and pollution and is part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition where companies are evaluated on material types, products, facilities and processes based on a range of environmental and product design choices. They are also planning to add measures for labor and social standards. Read more about Gap Inc (Gap and its affiliate brands) here

Sunnies by Wuudz Sunglasses: This brand is everything! The sunglasses are made with bamboo, wood and plantbased acetate, and the box they come in is eco-friendly and has the following encrypted  at the front: "Avanza con los pies en la tierra y la mirada en el infinito" which translates to something like: "Grow with your feet on the ground and your sight on infinity". Handmade and fair-trade too!

Who said Boho can't be elegant?

A comment I get all the time when I talk about yoga pants or bohemian pants is that they should only be used at home while doing yoga....or cleaning! (Seriously?!) For that reason, I decided to style a head-to-toe conscious look focused on those bohemian yogi vibes with a little spiciness added to it! Let me know your thoughts! xo

Boho pants: Fair-trade, ethically made, and block-printed with natural colors by artisans in Bali. These pants are not only EXTREMELY comfortable but they can also be used with heels. Here's your proof!

Bodysuit: Ethically made in the USA from organic cotton and Bamboo fibers!! Softest fabric EVER!! I love this brand more than you guys can imagine. The designs are a must for your everyday basics AND....they come in several colors!!!

Heels: vegan and comfy!! 

Necklace: Handmade in Argentina. Necklaces are sold at B-Livinn Organic and Natural Spa in Miami.

 

 

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.

Dress made from recycled t-shirts? Hell, yeah!

As you guys may already now, Swim Week is currently taking place in Miami. It happens every year with hundreds of brands hitting the runways and thousands of fashion lovers attending the shows. This year I'm incredibly proud to participate as a fashion blogger but most of all because over 5 eco-friendly, fair-trade, vegan and charity-oriented brands are introducing their 2017 lines to the world! From bikini lines, to yoga wear, to high-end dresses. You name it! Consciousness is hitting Miami full force! (About time!)

Even though I'll be writing about Swim Week, the events and the conscious brands on the blog next week, I've decided to post this look now due to all the requests I received and also because this outfit has become by far one of my favorite sustainable outfits EVER! Can you believe the dress is entirely made by hand from recycled t-shirts?! How mind-blowing is that?! 

Dress by SeaJasperA sustainable fashion brand entirely made by hand using damaged t-shirts that would've otherwise found their end-of-life cycle on our landfills, dyeing them with natural colors made from boiled herbs, roots and spices like turmeric and saffron, and using different weaving and crochet techniques to create these beautiful and eco-friendly fashion statements!

Recycled plastic heels by Melissa: Who said heels had to be made with leather to look good? This pair is living proof that sustainable fashion ROCKS! They are made from recycled plastic and Melissa also reuses 99% of water, waste, and unsold stock from previous collections! (ON SALE!! Over 50% off)

Vegan Leather Clutch by Matt & Nat: I adore this brand! The bags are entirely made with different recycled materials such as recycled nylons, cardboard, rubber and cork. As if that were not enough, Matt & Nat also uses linings made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and is now adding recycled bicycle tires to the designs.

Photos by Christine Michelle Photography.