[Green Thursdays] The Best Way to Buy a Leather Bag

Now, I know most people don't consider leather handbags/shoes/etc to be sustainable clothing. And if you're vegan they're just a no-go.

But if you really must buy leather (and sometimes, really, you must), there's no better way to do it than to buy it through an independent designer or crafter. Props if it's a one-woman show.

Take, for instance, these gorgeous bags from Valhallabrooklyn on etsy. She's just one woman making wonderful handbags in New York. I especially like the green leather one that I found via coco + kelley. Custom orders welcome!

So, okay, maybe this isn't green per se, but that green leather bag is killing me.

[Food + Drink Wednesdays] Cocktail Time!

Everyone needs a pick-me-up when the middle of the week rolls around. So mix up a cocktail, kick up your feet and enjoy the fact that you are that much closer to the weekend.

Recipes and photos from Coco+Kelley

Grapefruit Mimosa

1/4 cup cranberry juice
1/4 cup pink grapefruit juice
Champagne

Pour cranberry & pink grapefruit juice into a champagne flute or thin glass. Top with your favorite champagne or sparkling wine. Serve immediately. Serves 1.

Rosemary Infused Greyhound

1 oz Grapefruit Juice
1 oz Herb’s Rosemary Infused Vodka (or make your own!)
1 tsp Organic Sugar
1 Sprig of Fresh Rosemary for garnish

In a shaker, add rosemary vodka and grapefruit juice. Stir and serve over ice in a sugar-rimmed (technically this makes it closer to a Salty Dog - don't sugar your rim for a more classic Greyhound) rocks or martini glass. Serves 1.

[Music] Wait, what?

This is the new Ricky Martin song feat. Joss Stone... is this the same guy who did "Shake Your Bon-Bon?" I'm confused:

http://perezhilton.com/2011-01-11-ricky-martin-the-best-thing-about-me-is-you

[Get Involved Tuesdays] Keeping Up with the News

source

We all know we should be reading the WSJ & NY Times, perusing Time and CNN, etc. And we probably read them periodically, a few times a week. However, with the wonderful world of blogs, I have built a list of news blogs that are specific to my activist interests; they allow me more specific knowledge about what is going on in the world of feminist news and culture. Although it is important to stay abreast of more general news, I like hearing about opportunities specific to women's rights and change, while hearing news pieces that are less mainstream. In addition, many news blogs allow a quasi-customizable reading scheme, so you can subscribe to blogs on a variety of issues, depending on what interests you. For instance, Change.Org offers blogs on Human Rights, Sustainable Food and Poverty in the US, among others.

My favorite news blogs include:

1. Jezebel

2. Feministing.com

3. Acumen Fund Blog

4. Ms. Magazine Blog

5. Change.Org Women's Rights

What are your favorite news blogs?

January Whole Living

I just picked up the most recent issue of Whole Living and it's chock full of ideas for starting the year off new and clean. I love how much they focus on DIY beauty treatments. They've also just released a new book, called Power Foods.

This is probably my favorite magazine on earth right now, even if it is from the Martha Stewart people (they keep that on the downlow).

[Music Monday] Coeur De Pirate

En route to London and listening to Coeur De Pirate - I'm relaxed rather than stressed.

Coeur de pirate - Coeur de pirate (2008) - 05 - Berceuse by lnogueira

Coeur De Pirate - Intermission (Jamandahalf.com) by jamand1/2

Coeur de Pirate - Comme des enfants by user7292600

[Girl Crush] Tina Fey

1. She's hilarious

“I like to crack the jokes now and again, but it's only because I struggle with math.”

“I was a mostly happy child, though I had a pretty rough puberty. Growing up as a girl is always traumatizing, especially when you have the deadly combination of greasy skin and getting your boobs at ten. But I think it's good to grow up that way. It builds character.”

2. The only thing funny about Sarah Palin is Tina Fey's impressions of her:

3. She shows how you can be beautiful and sexy in Hollywood without selling yourself short.

4. She reminds Carrie and I of ourselves - which means hopefully we'll be like her in a few years:

“I was the editor of the school newspaper and in drama club and choir, so I was not a popular girl in the traditional sense, but I think I was known for being relatively scathing.”

[Things We Adore Sunday] Forts, Kiera, Free People and Soundcloud

1. This adorable fort Miss James from Bleubird Vintage made with her daughter, Milla Plum. No boys allowed and fondue and ice cream - can I get an invitation?


2. These Kiera Knightley photos by Ellen Von Unwerth (Vogue Italia January 2011). I hate her, kind of, sort of, but these photos are so glamorous and beautiful.




3. Everything from the new Free People catalog, the theme of it being 'Paris.' I want the clothes, the life, the surroundings... EVERYTHING




4. SoundCloud - the easiest way to embed songs in your blogs... I was doing the youtube thing for awhile, but this is so much easier. And for your Sunday pleasure, a little Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros:
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - Desert Song by IndieRock Universe

[Friday Link Round Up]

Eek thanks to Carrie for keeping up with the blog when I've been MIA in Santa Cruz! Love you girl!

And now for our links:

1. Shop Alison Milner prints - absolutely gorgeous!

2. Read The Saveur 100 Chef's Edition for "a grab bag of chef-recommended tools, tricks of the trade, must-visit restaurants, beloved books, amazing drinks, guilty-pleasure foods, and much more."

3. Browse through these gorgeous photos styled by Alison Conneelly

[Green Thursdays] Why Eco-Labeling Isn't Good Enough

A Well-Rounded Meal, Of Course

Here is a prime example of why buying foods/clothes/basically anything marked "sustainable" or "green" or "organic" is not a sufficient way to eat sustainably. 

Think before you buy. Even if that Gap t-shirt is made of "organic cotton", it's quite possible that the cotton was certified organic, but the workers still weren't paid enough to eat a well-rounded meal. 

Just a thought.