You may have noticed new labels popping up at some of your favorite clothing brands. Things like “Made from Recycled Polyester” or “Made from rPET”. But what exactly does that mean?

It’s all part of the 2020 Circular Fashion System Commitment which was signed back in 2007 at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit. 90 companies, representing 12.5% of the global fashion market, signed and committed to focus on four key areas of circular fashion: design, collection, reuse and recycling.

The purpose of the commitment is to transition from the unsustainable linear textile system to a circular textile system.

With clothing being manufactured, bought, used, and discarded, the fashion industry has been one of the biggest offenders to pollution.

But the Fashion Industry is waking up! From Fast Fashion and Fitness to Luxury Brands the fashion industry is making some super GREEN changes.

H&M has the Conscious Collection, Zara has the Join Life Collection. Luxury brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and more are utilizing recycled materials. Fitness brand Nike has the Move To Zero Movement where apparel labeled “Sustainable Materials” is made with at least 50% recycled content and shoes with the same label are made with at least 20% recycled content.

The new circular textile system aims to collect all used fibres, repurpose, reuse, and recycle them. The goal is to transform the textile industry from a producer of greenhouse gas emissions accounting for more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined to a sustainable and ethical business.

When it comes to textiles polyester is the bad boy. It’s the single biggest polluter yet nearly HALF of the world’s clothing is made from polyester. With so much polyester being produced it’s a no-brainer that we need to try to lessen it’s footprint on the planet.

What is Polyester?

Polyester is a type of plastic made from petroleum.  It was developed in the 40s, created from the reaction of chemical components. Back then, it was a groundbreaking fabric that matched the need for efficiently made and cheap materials. Durable, stretchy, easy to take care of  it became wildly popular in the 70s. We use it like crazy in our everyday lives.  Just look down at the leggings you are probably wearing, they are polyester.

Recycled polyester, also known as rPET, is obtained by melting down existing plastic and re-spinning it into new polyester fiber. It gives a second life to a material that’s not biodegradable and would otherwise end up in landfill or the ocean.

Recycled polyester not only contributes to the reduction of petroleum extraction, but it also consumes less energy than the regular method.  Which allows for a much longer life-cycle of the garment. Since the recycling process can be repeated instead of disposing of unwanted garments, it lessens the environmental impact that comes with garment waste.

Totally avoiding polyester is nearly impossible so keeping an eye out for these new labels and making a conscious effort to purchase pieces made with recycled Polyester you are helping to keep the circularity of fashion going!

It doesn’t stop there. This bad boy of fashion may have cleaned up his act a bit but he still carries some baggage. Remember to wash your polyester pieces (even recycled ones) in bags like the Guppy Friend to limit the amount of micro plastics slipping out into our oceans!

What I’m Wearing: Blouse and Skirt from Zara Join Life Collection | Anthropologie Coat | Dior Saddlebag | Hue Tights| Inc Boots|

I don’t know about you, but the stresses of the past year have wreaked havoc on my skin.  It feels like I have been in a never ending battle with breakouts, redness and dehydration.

To help get this skin situation sorted I decided to try something totally new. A skincare line created by celebrity dermatologist Dr. Zenovia which was developed specifically to address the visible signs of hormonal imbalances in the skin.

Hormonal imbalances can happen at any point in life. In fact women can experience hormonal fluctuations throughout SIX stages of life: puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause and post menopause.

“Studies show that 80-percent of women are suffering from issues due to hormonal imbalances happening within the body,” says Dr. Zenovia. “The skin, being our largest organ on the body, is the first place to reveal these imbalances occurring within.”

With medical-grade active ingredients, Dr. Zenovia helps to bring hormone-impacted skin back into balance. Her products contain NO phthalates, parabens, mineral oil, artificial colors and other questionable ingredients plus they are cruelty free and all of their packaging is made with recycled products.

I have been using Dr. Zenovia’s Essentials Collection which is focused on correcting dehydration, loss of elasticity and uneven tone. After a few weeks of using the line my skin is finally looking like itself again!  No more flaky patches, redness or weird acne like spots! I’m back baby!

There is also a Clear Complexion Collection that tackles all kinds of acne.

Whether you adopt the full Essentials or Clear Completion Routine or simply add a few of its high-tech anti-aging products into your existing regimen, you’ll be working against the clock to ensure that signs of hormone imbalances don’t show up on your skin.

Here is a breakdown of the products I have been using:

Bakuchoi Hydrating Cleanser is formulated with bakuchiol (also known as “nature’s retinol”), REG-ulate360 complex, powerful blend of antioxidants Green Tea & botanicals. This cleanser is soap-free, clinical grade and pH balanced and suitable for any skin types, even the most sensitive.

Retinol Recovery Eye Cream is one of Dr. Zenovia’s must-haves to address signs signs of hormonally imbalanced skin around the delicate eye area. She describes it as a “powerful, yet gentle” formula that helps address loose skin around the eye area and dark circles.

Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer is a deep moisturizing cream that helps enhance skins tone & radiance while helping firm, plump and strengthen skins barrier to boost elasticity. It contains a unique combination of bio-equivalent ceramides, humectants & emollients to retain and distribute moisture. This is a great night cream and is fabulous for dry winter skin.

For evening Inflam-Aging Night Repair Treatment helps reduce inflammation and brighten the overall complexion. The treatment contains active ingredients green tea, caffeine, and medical-grade resveratrol, which Dr. Zenovia describes as “a robust antioxidative combination helps repair the tissue and helps heal the inflammatory process associated with aging skin.” It’s especially powerful for sensitive skin types, including ongoing skin conditions like rosacea (like mine). In the morning, you wake up with firmer-feeling, plumper-looking, even-toned skin.

Click to SHOP Dr. Zenovia’s Essential Collection:

Click to SHOP Dr. Zenovia’s Clear Completion Collection:

Over the past year we have spent ALOT of time in loungewear. So much time. So much loungewear.

Joggers and sweats have made a worldwide comeback and along with them their natural companion- the hoodie.

Hoodies have become a modern-day wardrobe staple and this comfortable classic isn’t exclusively for lounging around the house.

Ok so, Hoodie’s are a “thing” but the question is How to Style a Hoodie.

Just scroll through your Instagram feed and you will see a million iterations of hoodie styling.  From celebs to athletes, rock stars to the fashion elite.  everyone is trying their hand at the hoodie trend.

Not sure where to start? There is one ultimate, no fuss trick to looking effortlessly chic in a hoodie.

It’s tomboy meets grown man meets celeb meets streetstyle star with this simple styling trick. Trench + Hoodie= Instant “I just woke up and look this effortless” outfit.

Throwing a trench or long coat over your hoodie instantly dresses it up and gives it a nonchalant yet trendy feel. It allows you to add dimension and texture to your look, while still being practical for the weather.

Hoodies are surprisingly versatile and can be worn in a lot of different ways. Layer a hoodie under a statement coat in the winter to stay warm, use a hoodie to offset a pair of statement pants, style it with a smart blazer…the list goes on.

Whether it’s designer, vintage, an ode to sports or something totally kitsch layering a hoodie into your look will totally boost your fashion cred.

What I’m Wearing: Batsheva Hoodie | John Varvatos Trench Coat (this is a men’s trench)| Farm Rio Skirt | Alexander McQueen Knit Bag | Hue Tights | INC Boots|

Click to Shop Chic Hoodies:

Welcome to 2021!  We made it!

New Year’s Eve gets all the hype, but if you ask me, New Year’s Day is where the real fun is.

Don’t get me wrong, I love donning a party hat and toasting flutes of champagne while counting backwards from 10 as much as the next person. But New Year’s Eve always leaves me with an underwhelmed feeling, and occasionally a throbbing headache.

If you ask me, New Year’s Day is where the real fun is. Although this year we will be missing the Rose Bowl Parade and the NHL Winter Classic– two of my NYD traditions- New Year’s Day is still full of optimism, resolutions and of course, brunch!

And what goes better with brunch than a mimosa? This New Year’s Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail is a posh version of a mimosa that combines, rosemary, honey, blood red oranges and of course champagne to create a seasonal must-have for a boozy brunch.

Blood Oranges are one of my favorite flavors.  They are a natural mutation of sweet oranges that taste like a cross between an orange and a raspberry. Their vibrant flavor combined with Rosemary is what gives this cocktail that extra kick for the New Year.  I recommend this delicious aperitif for New Year’s Day brunch but it can be enjoyed day or night throughout the Blood Orange Season (December-March).

New Year’s Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients:

• Rosemary Syrup (rosemary and honey)
• Blood Orange Juice
• Champagne
• Rosemary Springs and Orange Slices for Garnish

Mix It:

For the Rosemary Syrup- add 4-5 springs of Rosemary to 2 cups of water.  Bring to boil then let simmer for 20 minutes.  Strain out the Rosemary and allow to cool.  Once cool combine with 1 cup of honey and set aside.

For the Cocktail- in a champagne glass combine 1 Tbsp. Rosemary Syrup and 2 Tbsp. Blood Orange Juice. Fill glass the rest of the way with Champagne and garnish with a spring of Rosemary and a blood orange slice.

 

The holiday season is winding to a close and soon it will be time to take down all of those holly jolly decorations.

Before you toss that Christmas greenery in the trash here is a great way to repurpose your Christmas Tree into a simple, aromatic fire starter.

There’s nothing quite like the smell of a Christmas tree especially when you blend that scent with other wintery fragrances! Although the holidays may be in the rearview mirror, winter is far from over. Which means many chilly nights ahead.

If you are lucky enough to have your own fireplace, here is an easy way to make that cozy fire, even cozier.

These fire starters are super easy to make and are a natural alternative to those chemical-y starter logs. You can craft a bunch at a time and leave them next to the fireplace to use all winter long.

If you don’t have a fireplace these cute little bundles can be used in outdoor firepits or as stovetop simmering potpourri. They also make great New Year gifts to warm the hearths of your friends and neighbors.

There are several ways to make natural fire starters, some are with wax and pinecones, but this is the way my Grandmother always did it.

All you do is add dried pine clippings (you can add dried herbs too), dried citrus peel and cinnamon sticks to the middle of a piece of kraft paper. Then wrap it together tightly and secure it with natural string or twine.

I used pine clippings from the garland I had as a Christmas centerpiece which was plenty dried out by now (lol), dried eucalyptus leaves, lemons from my lemon tree, blood red oranges left over from a cocktail creation and a cinnamon stick.

SUPER IMPORTANT: Make sure everything is completely dried out before you put it in the fireplace or else it will cause the fire to pop.

Repurpose Your Christmas Tree

What You Need:

• Dried Pine Clippings
• Dried Eucalyptus Clippings
• A Citrus Ingredient (I used Lemon and Orange Peels- and dried/dehydrated a couple of orange slices for decoration)
• Kraft paper
• Twine

Arrange all of your components on top of the kraft paper. Then wrap the paper around it like a bouquet and secure with the twine.

(If you are using them as a stovetop simmering potpourri, remove ingredients from kraft paper first then place in a pot of water. Let simmer for as long as you like while the fragrance fills the air. Make sure to keep an eye on it so that the water doesn’t run out.)

Don’t Throw Out That Tree!

Real Christmas Trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes.

Most communities offer Tree Recycling Programs. Here in Las Vegas the Springs Preserve and the Christmas Tree Recycling Committee sponsor tree recycling. Each year from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15, you can take your cut Christmas trees to one of more than 30 convenient drop sites throughout the valley, to be recycled free of charge.

If you are unable to deliver your tree to a drop site, a local company called Move It will do it for you for a $25 fee. Use the discount code TREE25 when reserving your pick-up and drop-off at gomoveit.com

For more information visit SpringsPreserve.org