This handmade wall art from artisan Toby Fraley is like a breath of fresh air. The bold color usage drew me in, and the idea of learning from nature about freedom makes this piece so endearing to me. I love art that clearly communicates a message while remaining lighthearted and accessible.

Oh, and it features animals in clothes! Birds in suits and ties: is there a cuter metaphor for “living free”?

$120

Check out more unique sculptures from UncommonGoods. Most pieces are either handmade, created with recycled materials, or both.

Posted by Lauren in Household on July 28, 2008
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Look at my new vintage bathing suit! That beautiful blue and black polka dotted one-piece from eBay is my newest swimwear. A homemade bikini was actually in the works, because we took the Wardrobe Refashion Pledge. But like most great wardrobe choices, that bathing suit was love at first sight and I had to have it!

I haven’t worn a one-piece in years and frankly I didn’t think that a genuine vintage bathing suit would be very comfortable since a lot of them were wool. But I put those concerns aside and decided to be adventurous.

I’m so glad I did because not only is this skirted one-piece cuter than any of the bikinis I have been watching, and it’s made of super comfortable cotton. Even better, it was “new old stock” (commonly noted as “NOS” on eBay) so although my Lee Swimplay suit is probably from the 1950′s, I’m still the first one to wear it!

If you’re still searching for the perfect swimsuit (or one of many) and want something really unique for summer then you must see the selection of vintage bathing suits on eBay.

Left to Right: some girls vintage, Love Spy Vintage, and Mel’s Shoppe Vintage

Here are a few of the hottest vintage swimsuits being bid on right now. It surprised me that, almost without exception, one-pieces are the hottest sellers. Despite the popularity of the modern bikini – and I swear it’s not hyperbole to say that nearly everyone in southern California wears one – it seems that a new retro-loving generation is discovering the one-piece.

Some truly fantastic maillot swimsuits did come from seasons past; highly styled designer suits of the 40′s and 50′s, the profusely psychedelic prints of the 60s, deep V necklines and bias cuts of the 70s, and uber high cut legs and fluorescent colors of the 80s. Whether you’re a vintage fashionista or a lover of all things retro and ironic, there’s a style for you.

Find the perfect retro vintage inspired swimwear on our Vintage Swimsuits page for both women and men!

Posted by Lauren in Clothing and Accessories,Retro and Vintage on July 21, 2008
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SALE ENDS SUNDAY JULY 20th!

GreenLoop doesn’t fool around during their Summer Sale. It isn’t one of those sad “summer sales” where all the winter wear goes 10% off. They have discounted pretty much everything on their site at 20-70% off. If you’ve ever visited their store – or any green retailer for that matter – you’ve probably coveted lots of the sustainable, organic, recycled, Fair Trade eco fashion and accessories, but loathed the price tags. Honestly, they can be pretty ridiculous sometimes. But when they’re discounted up to 70% off, it’s a really smart time to pick up a few organic wardrobe cornerstones. Here are a few of my favorite picks;

• Stewart+Brown Organic Cotton Collar Scoop Shell
• Simple Green Organic/Recycled ‘Toe Stir’ Vegan Skimmers
• Anna Cohen Silky Soy Halter Dress

New items will be added all week long so check back every few days for fresh eco friendly fashion and accessories. And if you sign up for their newsletter, you will get a coupon for an additional 10% off. Shipping is always just $5 flat rate and it’s carbon neutral!

SALE ENDS SUNDAY JULY 20th!

Posted by Lauren in Clothing and Accessories,Green Living,Sale on July 14, 2008
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Did you know that, on average, kids throw away 67 pounds of trash every year from their school lunches? This costs schools much needed funds to collect and dispose of that trash, as well as being a huge ecological problem. (I wonder how much adults throw away during lunch.) But we can quickly make lunch time a lesson in zero waste. Participate in the Zero Waste Lunch program by bringing your lunch, and your childrens’ lunches, in stylish and reusable bags. Check out some tips to follow that will help reduce the amount of trash purchased, created, and needlessly thrown away.

For those that want to invest in a quality reusable bag we recommend checking out Nubius Organics’ zero waste lunch section. They feature a stylish line of insulated, reusable totes for transporting your lunch as well as some large bags that are made of recycled plastic bottles. Most, if not all, of their bags/totes are PVC free, teflon free, and lead free so you know your food is safe from toxins.

Nubius Organics also carries another Mable’s favorite: the Laptop Lunch System. Made famous by the Vegan Lunchbox Blog.

Posted by Sean in Green Living,Kids on July 6, 2008
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