You’ve heard it phrased a million different ways: essentially, green is the new black. 2012 brought us many new options for livin’ the green lifestyle. Whether you switched to a hybrid vehicle or didn’t get a chance to “go green” last year, there are lots of ways to easily transition to a more eco-friendly way of life.

Here are a few of the easiest, most impactful, and most affordable green ideas;

FOOD
Surprisingly, what we eat has more impact on the environment than the kind of vehicle we drive! But how can we know what the most eco-friendly diet is? There is so much conflicting information out there!

Well, let’s take a look at the facts and see which foods are kindest on Mother Nature while also providing us with absolutely radiant health.

Surprise, Surprise: organic fruits and veggies always come out on top!

Want a planet and a body that are fit for a king? Focus on eating more fruits and vegetables, and slowly reduce your consumption of animal products and grains.

MEDICINE
Pharmaceuticals are wack, on so many levels. One of the quickest ways to take back control of your health and stop financially supporting chemicals as “medicine” is to go natural. Homeopathic Treatments are a powerful, natural way to heal just about any illness. Plus, they are far more affordable than prescription medicine and don’t have any dangerous side effects.

COUPON: Save 12.5% on homeopathic remedies from Forces of Nature using coupon code “tweetdeal2″

BOTTLED WATER
You already know what happens when you leave a water bottle in a hot car, right? If water bottles are proven to be that toxic, then why would you gamble your health by using them at all? You deserve a better bottle, bro!

The Mable’s Team upgraded our water bottles in 2010 and we’ve been pleasantly astounded by the results. Our VibesUP water bottles have a funny little coaster glued to the bottom of the bottle, which uses simple quantum technology to make the water easier to drink. But here’s the really weird part… we’re not sure how, but this weird “vibration raising” technology makes it so that our water bottles never smell. You know how often you have to clean reusable water bottles, right? Not with VibesUP!

CLOTHING
Here’s a fun way to make a stylish and eco-friendly change: update your closet. When the time comes to replace any part of your wardrobe- from shoes to jeans to accessories- look for sustainable style. According to the Organic Consumers Association, “Cotton accounts for 50% of the world’s fiber needs, 24% of the world’s insecticide market and 11% of sale of global pesticides, making cotton the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet.”

Thankfully, there are many great retailers of organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo clothing such as XYLME, and Blue Canoe. Amazon also has a growing selection of more affordable organic clothes, as does magical eBay

There’s a new company, Fashioning Change, that we’re really interested in, because they help us find eco friendly clothes based on our unique style preferences. Just choose your favorite style icons and designers, and Fashioning Change will match you up with gorgeous choices.

Plus, if you share the love and invite a friend to shop at fashioning Change, both you and your homie get $10 off.

Stylish. Safe. Sweatshop Free. Save Money. Give Back. It is our vision to help shoppers make better purchases and create bottom-up change in the fashion industry. ~ Fashioning Change

Another rad option is 10 Tree, which plants a whopping TEN trees for every item purchased. When people ask you how much your top cost you can be like, “$35, and it came with ten free trees. No big deal.”

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Upcycle?
This is a broader concept that challenges how we think about every area of our lives. You’re probably familiar with the first 3 concepts, but “upcycling” is quickly gaining momentum in the handmade community. Etsy has a great article that discusses how everyone can learn to “repurpose” trash-bound items into something useful. Not only can you upcycle your own goods, but you can also purchase products that are made of upcycled or recycled material.

Feeling DIY? Upcycle That will keep you inspired all year long.

Have you decided to go green this year? We’d love to hear your experiences and tips; please leave us a comment!

Continuing our series of New Year’s Resolutions from the previous Get In Shape article, Take More Pictures is next. Most people enjoy looking at pics on Facebook, Picasa (or other preferred photo viewing option) and reliving some great memories. As much as I enjoy doing this, I often wish I’d taken more pictures during trips, events, and especially everyday pics.

Here are some reasons I didn’t take more pictures throughout the year and the possible solutions. Maybe you can relate?

Problem: Wrong camera
If you’re bummed about how your camera is too slow, too bulky, poor-quality pics, not enough features, low battery life, etc., then a camera upgrade is going to be a weight off your shoulders. How do you know which camera is for you? Common sense wisdom: evaluate what your needs are and choose the best camera for you. Read the specifications and other people’s reviews and pay attention to their details (e.g. Did it capture good in low light? Quick to boot up? Easy to navigate menu?) Also, start asking your friends about what they do and don’t like about their digital cameras. The Amazon carousel o’ magic below can also help you find the perrrfect camera.

Problem: Don’t get to ENJOY digital photos
Not everyone is computer savvy and can manipulate digital photos into works of art, or simply print one out to frame. You can buy your own printer and photo paper and try it on your computer, or you can visit a web site, upload some pictures and have them delivered to you in many different forms. Some of my favorite ways to enjoy my digital photos are to have them printed out in different formats and displayed around the house to become a part of my everyday life.
- ImageKind: They offer framed prints, canvas, posters, cards, laptop skins, water bottles, and other fun surfaces for your favorite photos.
- Snapfish (first 50 prints FREE!)

Problem: Forgot the camera
Okay, this one’s easy. You always remember to bring your phone with you, right? Make sure your phone has a good camera, so even if you forget to bring your primary camera with you, you have a reliable backup.

Problem: I’m not a good photographer
Yes you are! You just don’t know it yet. I promise, the more you take pictures and flip through them with your favorite software the more you’ll become aware of what looks good and what doesn’t. Besides, the point of the photo is to capture a moment in time, not to see who can take the “best picture”. Believe me, getting an oddly cropped/slightly blurry photo is still better than getting no photo. But if you feel you need some training, you can take a FREE digital photography class online. How easy is that?

For more choices and crazy-awesome digital camera deals be sure to check out eBay!

Now get out there and take some pictures!

Photo Credit: Edwin Pijpe

With last year just days away, you’ve probably got New Year’s resolutions on the brain. Amirite? There’s definitely something about a fresh calendar year that jump starts our desire to make positive changes. Being surrounded by friends, family, and co-workers who are also brainstorming ways to improve makes this an especially ideal time for such endeavors. Bonus!

Over the next few weeks we will be exploring some of the most popular New Years resolutions in a new series of blog posts. Be sure to come back and let us know which of the featured resolutions that you will be committing to, or to suggest tips for sticking to new resolutions.

The most popular New Years resolution is always… drumroll please… Get In Shape!
There are countless ways to do this, and here are a few of my favorite tips and fitness products.

The best in-person fitness option is Groupon
Seriously, Groupon just obliterates your excuses for not trying something new.
The discounts are insane, and you get lots of local options to choose from.
Bootcamps, personal trainers, and unlimited fitness classes for a month are just a few of the fitness related Groupons I’ve seen listed.
Why not try a new style of exercise this year? Who knows, maybe you’re a Capoeira master and you just don’t know it yet

The best at-home fitness option is a Kinect.
An Xbox 360 with Kinect was totally The Best gift I got this Christmas!
Nike+ Kinect and Hip Hop Dance Experience are my favorites for straight up fitness.
There’s just something about workin’ and twerkin’ at home in my undies
But you know what? Even the non-fitness game titles – like Adventures – give a pretty decent workout, too.
Plus, there is a huge variety of niche exercise games like Zumba, UFC training, and of course lots of dance games.

No matter what option you choose, be sure to set clear fitness goals for yourself, get plenty of rest and pure water, and maybe most importantly…

Be playful about fitness!

Studies show that when we approach a task with a playful mentality – also called “beginners mind” – we reach our goals faster and have a better time along the journey.

So speak kindly to yourself as you’re transforming your body, and remember to approach exercise like a game.
You’ll have more fun

Robots and Cupcakes. File this combo under Why The Fluff Not?
Or Deliciously Dangerous.

New gadgets roll out so fast that it’s hard to remember a life where I couldn’t bake up a half dozen mini cupcakes in 5 minutes.

And someday, your robot nanny will sit your child on it’s knee and explain that we used ovens for cooking before lasers became the norm. Ahhh, progress.

Here are a few of the electronic-bakery highlights;

$3.49 – $44.99

Welcome to September, dearlove. The month of guaranteed change… The Mable’s Team just relocated to southern Florida from Orange County, CA, and we’re really feeling the shift. New time zone, totally new seasonal cycles, and oh so much curl-enhancing moisture in the air!

Ya know, among other things

So what’s new with you, pussycat? Got any tales of sudden change to share? We’d love to hear about it in the comments.

And now, the best and brightest in vintage fashion for the week…

Don’t feel like waiting until next Friday? Just follow @VintageMable on Twitter for your daily dose of vintage love.

• LOVING the vintage swimwear from @RetroRocketGirl especially this #80s thong suit! http://ow.ly/duvak
• Hypnotic… RT @smallearthvtg: 1930s delinquents, Game of Thrones-inspired fashion & a glittery gold lipstick holder! http://t.co/XNVvsDjI
• 60 days until Halloween. Excited! And a bit shocked at how the summer flew by… from @VintageMable
• 1950s styling, midi skirts & tea length dresses from Duyos: http://ow.ly/dxtBR from @natashabailie #fashion #designer
• YES! RT @karinadej: The topic of #authenticity has been touched during every panel @ #IFBCON . Stay true to yourselves. via @thecoveted
• Can you believe the shapes & details on these Edwardian hats?! http://ow.ly/dxqZj from @adoredvintage #photography #vintage #fashion
• Adorable progress w/ the covers! RT @retroruth: On The Blog: My Vintage Volkswagen Westfalia – Progress Report #3 http://ow.ly/1mhr3o
• Are you swooning over these Pastel Retro Shoes like we are? http://ow.ly/dxs6N from @JoyHey #vintage #fashion
• Kim Gordon!!! RT @slvintage: Some Like it Vintage: Trying on A Piece of Rock History http://t.co/S4BA4B3b #fashion

Image credit: Natasha Bailie Blog

Happy Labor Day weekend, lovelies!

It feels like such a bittersweet time of year as the seasons start to shift and the blazing heat begins to temper itself toward Autumn. May you enjoy this gloriously hot 3 day weekend in whatever way brings you, and your loves ones, the most happiness…

Now let’s kick the party off with the week’s best and brightest in Vintage Clothes & inspirational design!

Don’t feel like waiting until next Friday? Just follow @VintageMable on Twitter for your daily dose of vintage love.

• Happy Labor Day weekend! Are you retiring your whites? Or going #fashion rogue? (You know we’re doin the latter!) http://ow.ly/dn3QI
• Geez, right after we leave Cali! Famous Vintage Shop from #London moves to our old hood in North Park #SanDiego http://ow.ly/dhHUf
• The Hull Vintage Fair is coming this Saturday! UK fashionistas, you are so lucky! http://ow.ly/dkmxg
• Would you rock an authentic vintage swimsuit? Or do you stick to reproduction vintage swimwear? http://ow.ly/dn3yg
• @mandaMiskabelle shows you how to recreate some of @kimbramusic‘s vintage + modern styles on the cheap: http://ow.ly/dkpht
• @whvblog wants to know your fave Beatles song. Picking just 1 feels like choosing a favorite child: I can’t do it! http://ow.ly/dkpzc
• @bloomingleopold Absolutely stunning work on reworking that #vintage blazer, Lauren! http://ow.ly/dkpRv #inspiration
• #Win a pair of glasses from bonlook on the @calivintage blog: http://ow.ly/dn1E9 The vintage inspired pair Erin is sporting are SO cute!
• The kaleidoscopic glory of Klimt + Vintage #60s Couture on @ModCloth http://ow.ly/dn2VH #photography #inspiration #fashion
• Great finds! RT @vintagestyleme: I just blogged the best place for bargain & awesome vintage online! http://t.co/r6RmlC1T

Image credit: ccgdallas on Polyvore

Happy Friday, you fierce fashionista, you!

Today we’ve got a lot of mid-century cuteness.
A tutorial for 40′s style nails, a new vintage shop that focuses on the 50′s, a gorgeous 50′s lingerie photoshoot and of course some genuine 1950′s items that you can add to your ever-growing collection.

Don’t feel like waiting until next Friday? Just follow @VintageMable on Twitter for your daily dose of vintage love.

• Just discovered @qsdaydream blog & Etsy. Incredibly cute custom made #vintage inspired fashion! http://ow.ly/cWiZ7 #40s #50s #inspiration
• #Win a $50 gift certificate to @ModCloth by making outfits on #Pinterest: http://ow.ly/cWkqJ #contest ends 8/17
• Gorgeous & true! “You do not have to be in a relationship to be sexy, feel sexy, or wear sexy under garments” ~@VintageVandal http://ow.ly/cWla8
• There’s a new #vintage shop in Midtown #Sacramento! Welcome Rack’s! http://ow.ly/cWmgg #50s
• Featured Vintage Shop: @LoveCvC “Personal style is about exploring yourself & what makes you feel happy & strong!” http://ow.ly/cTiIn
• Lovely purse & great shop name! RT @melissarighero: LISTED! #Vintage 1950′s Beaded White Fern Purse by PalmReaderVintage http://t.co/n5bPc6nh
• “When I was growing up I would dress up in my dad’s #70s concert tees & bell bottom jeans” http://ow.ly/cOcaS #vintage #fashion #inspo
• RT @iddavanmunster: NEW BLOG POST: About my nails. Half moon – step by step. http://t.co/16On22MC #40s #vintage #style
• Congrats! Love how you came full circle RT @thriftcore Proud to be selling antiques in my favorite bohemian part of town: http://ow.ly/cZUr3
• Which style are you loving right now? Boho or disco #70s fashion? http://ow.ly/cOdcf

Image credit: vaniasb152 on Polyvore

This heat is crazy bats insane, yes?

The kinda hot that – for better or worse – melts away your worries about how you look in a pair of booty shorts!

We at Mable’s take the “what you resists, persists” approach,
and have stripped down to our vintage bikinis
while keeping our glasses of cucumber-spiked spring water full.
Oh, so refreshing.

So take a break from the sweltering temps, and enjoy the cool breeze of another hand-crafted Vintage Fashion Friday!

Don’t feel like waiting until next Friday? Just follow @VintageMable on Twitter for your daily dose of vintage love.

• American Archive Vintage is our newest featured vintage shop. You owe it to yourself to see their crazy selection!
• I wish all brick-n-mortar #vintage shops were this gorgeous! Pretty Penny in #SanFran: http://ow.ly/cMvhk from @HummingbirdGrls
• Vanity Who Now? I love this #Vintage Version of the Best Dressed List 2012: http://ow.ly/cMvwX #VanityFair #fashion
• In honor of the Mables.com relocation to #Miami: Retro Beach Photos to Fall For: http://ow.ly/cMvUN from @ModCloth #photography #inspiration
• 5 Great Tips on How to Buy #Vintage Clothing: http://ow.ly/cMxfk from @frenchgarden
• Lovely @DitaVonTeese in blue talking about her collection of vintage cars. What a life! http://ow.ly/cMxmZ
• VIDEO: Man Freaks Out Over Vintage Train Pulling Out Of Station: http://ow.ly/cMxAi LOL this is what I sound like when I’m thrifting!
• Win a #Vintage Hermes Birkin Bag: http://ow.ly/cMxVA #contest
• 15 #Vintage MTV Promo Spots You’ll Cherish for Eternity: http://ow.ly/cMxYg Thanks @mashable!
• VIDEO: The Perils of being an Office Worker in the #50s: http://ow.ly/cMyAQ #lol #funny #vintage
• Modern Vintage in White: http://t.co/VtEjCFtC from @mandamiskabelle #50s #60s #70s #80s #90s #fashion

Hello, gorgeous. Time to revel in the fresh fabulousness that is Vintage Fashion Friday!

Don’t feel like waiting until next Friday? Just follow @VintageMable on Twitter for your daily dose of vintage love.

• So pretty & inspiring RT @honeykennedy: My roaring 20s shy girl party over on @tout_moi’s lovely blog http://t.co/6TDGtEG2
• Celebrity Looks for Less: Plaids! http://ow.ly/cDByZ from @mandaMiskabelle #fashion #vintage #inspiration
• All stunning! Elizabeth Taylor’s 8 wedding dresses: http://ow.ly/cDCIZ from @whvblog #vintage #50s #60s#70s #80s
• #Win a lightweight cream colored vintage 80s sweater from @friedasophie http://ow.ly/cDDIn #contest (ends Aug 5th)
• Just discovered @fashionforestry blog & omg time traveling nature fairy artist #vintage #fashion #inspiration for days! http://ow.ly/cDEFm
• I love blogs & vintage shops owned by designers. Always pretty & a pleasure to shop/read. Great Example = @candimandi! http://ow.ly/cDFKt
• Really, truly epic weekly outfit roundup from @calivint. Just found several new vintage fashion blogs to follow! http://ow.ly/cDFcr
• @deargolden You get the Unofficial Best #Vintage Shop Update this week. Breathtaking dresses! http://ow.ly/cHEOH

Image credit: hayley16 on Polyvore

Hey party people, it’s that most glorious of days again: Vintage Fashion Friday!

We’ve been scanning the horizon all week with our eagle eyes, putting together this list of vintage inspiration for you.

Hope you enjoy it, and if you do, share the love by sharing this post!

Don’t feel like waiting another week? Just follow @VintageMable on Twitter for your daily dose of vintage love.

• California Vintage Connect is our newest featured vintage shop! Find out how 9 years on eBay made CVC leaders in California boho fashion, and get great advice on how to create your own unique vintage styles.
• The revamped #vintage clothing creations from @maevintagepoint are so on point for #summer! http://ow.ly/crvkh
• Enter the @ModCloth “Style Icon of the Times” Contest on #Pinterest! http://ow.ly/cxXAa #vintage #fashion (ends 7/29 at 4 p.m. PT.)
• There’s plenty of #Summer left so you can still find a dynamite vintage swimsuit for yourself!
• RT @lesleys_girls: #Vintage vixen with sewing ability? See our HUGE range of sewing & knitting patterns http://t.co/eNBbrvIO
• Learn to make a super cute #vintage inspired peplum top w/ this simple sewing #tutorial from @bloomingleopold http://ow.ly/crzK9
• RT @cutandchic: Feelin sentimental? Just listen to our latest music mix #18 – The 1950′s http://t.co/A1j4RMIt #50s #vintage #retro
• RT @myvintagevogue: This Sunday is the Vintage Clothing & Textile Show July 29th #Burbank #California more info @ http://t.co/FVaS3Qjl

Now get off that Internet contraption and go enjoy the weekend!
Hug your homies.
Bask in the sun.
Live like you mean it.