Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Shades of Green. All views are our own. We only showcase brands we truly believe in. Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make the world a better place!

Shades of Green Uses A Strict Evaluation System Before Adding Any Products to Their Sustainable Marketplace

While I’ve featured several stores on this blog with high standards for sustainable goods, I don’t think any place does it quite like Shades of Green. Their guidelines cover every aspect of a product’s life, so you can feel completely confident you are receiving a quality, lasting product that is kind to the planet and its people. 

A Little History of Shades of Green

Founded by Angela Wade, Shades of Green was created to bring design sensibility and brand trust to the sustainable marketplace. Starting at a young age, Angela has approached life from a holistic perspective after facing some health challenges. Her holistic lifestyle prompted the opening of Shades of Green with a proprietary Product Evaluation System. This system was her way to educate consumers who were shopping for sustainable products while helping support healthier lifestyles.

Aesthetics is Never Compromised for a Sustainable Product

An unfortunate stigma sustainable products have received a lot in the past is that they aren’t as beautiful as conventional products. These notions were a big reason I started Sustainably Chic. I wanted to show others sustainability & aesthetics can effortlessly intertwine. So naturally, it was very easy for me to gravitate towards Shades of Green. Not only are their products healthy and eco-friendly, but they are beautiful, too. Just a few seconds on their website, you can already tell how much thought is behind their curations. Presenting sustainability in this type of light makes it much more inviting. 

What is their Product Evaluation System? 

I keep mentioning their Product Evaluation System, but I want to break it down for you so you can understand the complete picture. This system feels like the gold standard for allowing a product in a sustainable marketplace. 

Each product is evaluated on a scale from 1-5, with 1 being ‘healthier and greener than most mainstream products’ and a 5 ‘exceptional eco-friendly products that meet all our evaluation criteria and epitomize earth-friendly design, materials, manufacturing, and performance’. So know that all of their products are already very conscious and sustainable, and that sustainability is then scaled.

They created this system because they understand most consumers don’t have time to do research when purchasing a new product for their home. As someone who has written about sustainable brands for over seven years, I can tell you it truly does take a lot of work to figure out what brands are actually sustainable and which ones are greenwashing. You can read more about the topic of greenwashing and why it can make shopping so complicated. This is where online stores like Shades of Green come in handy. They do all the work for you and are as transparent as they can possibly be with the shopper. 

The 5 Life Stages of a Product

Have you ever thought about the life stages of a product you’ve bought? The life stages start at the very beginning from when a product is created to the end of its life. 

These stages are 1) Sourcing, 2) Manufacturing, 3) Shipping, 4) Use & Performance, and 5) Lifecycle. I love how Shades of Green breaks down questions with each of these stages -

• Sourcing: Where do the materials come from? Are any of them toxic to humans or the planet? How?

• Manufacturing: Is the process for making the product safe for humans and the environment? Does the manufacturer have sustainable practices in place?

• Shipping: How far does the product have to travel to get to the consumer? What kind of materials are used to package the product?

• Use & Performance: Does the product perform as required or designed? Has it been designed for long-term use or simply one-time use?

• Lifecycle: Was the product designed for recyclability? Can the product or its parts be reused as something else?

These are all the stages Shades of Green looks at when adding a new product to their site. By understanding each of these stages, you can make a better-educated purchasing decision when shopping sustainably. 

Their Sustainable Product Categories 

Now that we have gone through their Product Evaluation System let’s talk about the actual products they have chosen to add to their marketplace. 

• Shades of Green is broken down into 6 categories:

• On the Go: Features zero-waste everyday items. 

• Home Decor: Features sustainable goods like blankets, throw pillows, baskets.

• Bed & Bath: Carries over from home decor but also features eco-friendly bed sheets. 

• Indoor & Outdoor Living: Features products you can easily move in and out of the home. Great for outdoor entertaining. 

• Kitchen & Dining: Features eco-friendly products like cookware, serving bowls & utensils, and dinnerware.

• Wedding Gift Ideas: Features products from their other categories that would make the perfect sustainable wedding gift. 

---

Our Favorite Sustainable Products for the Home

Rechargeable Candle & Grill Lighter

I am all for adding as many zero-waste alternatives to our home as possible, and this rechargeable lighter is the perfect product for my candle-loving self. This lighter comes with a lithium-ion battery that can be charged by simply hooking up a USB to the computer. You’ll know it is completely charged up and ready to go once the green light disappears. The lighter uses plasma lighting technology, so you don’t have to refill it. Plus, it’s meant to last forever, and they are shipped in recyclable packaging. 

---

Alpaca Indigo & Gold Throw

I love to get cozy on the couch with a super soft blanket, and this one looks luxurious! Alpaca is one of the best fibers to have in a blanket because they are hypoallergenic, smooth as silk, have moisture-wicking properties, and naturally insulating cores. This particular blanket is made from small batches of alpaca yarn sourced in the Highlands of Peru. They even repurpose yarns that are wasted during production!

---

Beeswax Candles

​​Are you looking for classic taper candles for your home? These Greentree Home Candles found at Shades of Green are hand-poured from 100% pure North American beeswax and individually finished in central New York state without any added fragrance! As someone who loves candelabras, tapers are a staple in our home, and I trust Shades of Green to find the best quality there is! You can also find beeswax votive & tealight candle sets.

---

Our Favorite Sustainable Products for Kitchen & Dining

Cast Iron Skillet

This is a gorgeous cast iron skillet made from 40% recycled cast iron!! This food-safe, 10-inch skillet from Kana Lifestyle is sustainably considered from manufacturing to the consumer. This brand offers several cookware options and participates in 1% for the planet, and is currently going through the application process to become a B-Corp brand (you can find more information on this sustainable certification here).

---

Palm Fiber Line Placemat

The aesthetic these placemats bring to the dinner table is just lovely. I love a natural-looking product because it feels like it brings nature into the home. These placemats are Handmade from Iraca palm fibers in Colombia, sourced locally by the artisans and families in the region. Myto (the brand who creates these placemats) combines cultural traditions and quality craftsmanship while creating local jobs and supporting the Colombian artisanal economy.

---

Live Edge Cutting Board

Years ago, I learned the plastic cutting boards I used for years were not ideal for kitchen use. We all know the toxicity of plastic, but it’s especially important to stay away from it in the kitchen. This cutting board is what you should be using! Made from 100% upcycled wood and natural oils, this cutting board by Spencer Peterman is made to last. Sometimes words like ‘recycled’ and ‘upcycled’ can feel like a product doesn’t have the best materials, but that is definitely not the case here. This brand sources wastewood from local woodworkers in their town of Gill, Massachusetts, and hand-craft a beautiful range of kitchen goods.

---

Shades of Green Also Offers Sustainable Design Services

Ellen Strickland is their LEED-accredited Chief Sustainability Officer and Co-Designer and is there to help you with your sustainable home designs. From just a simple update to a big home remodel, you can make an appointment - here - to start discussing your future plans!  

We look forward to chatting more with Shades of Green about sustainable interior design soon, and bringing back all the knowledge and great tips to you! 

The Rewards Program

Want to earn money to shop at Shades of Green? Click here to sign up to become a Rewards member. This program enables you to give your friends a $10 coupon to join Shades of Green Rewards. If they join and make a purchase, you'll get $10 added to your account for your next order! Such an easy way to save money on beautiful, sustainable products. 

Click - here - to shop Shades of Green's entire sustainable online marketplace and follow them on - Instagram - to stay up-to-date with beautiful new sustainable products.

---

MAKE SURE TO PIN THE PHOTO BELOW TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

---

WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

---

RELATED READING YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

---

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by M.M.LaFleur. As always, views are genuine and brands are truly loved. Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

M.M.LAFELUR SECOND ACT is   SUPPORTING the  SECOND HAND
clothing   INDUSTRY!

& we are here for it! Almost a year ago, I wrote about how secondhand shopping is growing 21x faster than traditional retail and how many brands were starting to create their own pre-loved sites to keep their clothing in circulation rather than at the landfill. That’s why when M.M.LaFleur came on our radar, I knew this would be the perfect example to showcase on Sustainably Chic.

Did you know buying one pre-loved item reduces its carbon, waste and water footprint by 82%? 

Like I’ve mentioned many times before on this blog, secondhand shopping is one of the easiest ways to contribute to the sustainable fashion movement. Not only are you saving more clothing from entering the already crowded landfills, but you are saving money - and who doesn’t want to save money while shopping? While I find M.M.LaFleur is decently priced for what they offer (superb quality, great fabrics), I think you are getting an amazing deal in their Second Act store.

A Little Bit About M.M.LaFleur

“When women succeed, the world becomes a better place. Our goal is to take the work out of getting dressed, so that you can focus on the work that matters to you.” - M.M.LaFleur’s core belief. This female-founded startup was created because of frustration with the lack of women’s workwear options. In 2013, Sarah LaFleur teamed up with Miyako Nakamura - the former head designer of Zac Posen - and Narie Foster to launch M.M.LaFleur.

What Makes M.M.LaFleur Clothing So Special? 

When you typically think of workwear, the words ‘comfortable’ and ‘chic’ don’t usually come to mind. There aren’t many sustainable workwear brands for women; that’s why brands like M.M.LaFleur are genuinely unique. Their clothing is entirely machine-washable, they have hidden buttons to prevent gaping, their waistbands are stretch & comfortable, they have adjustable pant hems and memory foam in their shoes. Pretty much everything you look for when finding the perfect workwear! 

And, of course, they also have a solid commitment to sustainability! They know precisely where their fabrics come from and the families who run and operate the fabric mills. Their fabrics are all made with you in mind, so you can easily wash and wear them for many years. They even created Recycled WonderTex, a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. They also use a Crepe fabric made from wood fibers from sustainably managed forests that guarantee reforestation. To avoid textile waste, M.M.LaFleur partnered with FABSCRAP to recycle materials left behind during production and have saved over 6,000 pounds of fabrics from ending up in landfills.

How To Sell on M.M.LaFleur Second Act

Do you happen to have M.M.LaFleur pieces in your closet that you are no longer wearing? Well, here’s how to sell them so they can be loved by someone else: 

Click - here - to list your item. They will ask you a few questions about what you are selling. Typically, your item will be listed for about half the original price. Once it is sold, just drop it in the mail with the prepaid USPS shipping label they provide you (you have up to 6 days to ship the item). Then, get paid the way you want in either a cash payout or store credit. If you love shopping at M.M.LaFleur, the store credit is the way to go since you earn 100% of the sale price (you earn 70% if you choose cash). I believe all brands should have this available for shoppers. Crossing my fingers, it’s the near future! 

What I Purchased Off M.M.LaFleur Second Act

This was my first time shopping at their Second Act shop, and it was incredibly easy. I purchased 3 different items, and they all arrived pretty quickly - 2 of them only took a couple of days. Everything fits perfectly, and I am in love with the quality of this brand! I even found a pair of shoes that hadn’t even been worn! Those are always gems in second hand shopping. 

Since this is a customer-to-customer marketplace, you have 24 hours to accept your package and ensure it is exactly what you ordered. 

The entire outfit I am wearing in this post came from their Second Act store. I purchased The Monroe Skirt, The Emerson Cardigan, & The Grace Loafers. I am so happy with this outfit, and it fits in just right to the new workspace I’m renting! 

This type of shopping gives me so much hope for the future of sustainable fashion, and I can’t wait to see more brands take note!

Click - here - to shop M.M.LaFleur Second Act!

---

PIN THE PHOTO TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Obakki. As always, views are genuine and brands are truly loved. Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

Obakki is A Purpose-Led Brand Connecting You to World-Class Artisans

This isn’t the first time I have written about Obakki on this blog. When I was creating a candle post, I found their Totem Candles and fell in love with their entire mission. Not only do they offer some of the most beautiful products I’ve ever seen, but they also go above and beyond to ensure the things we enjoy are supporting sustainable livelihoods for the talented people behind them. There are so many incredible artisans all over the world, and this little space on the internet has blended some of the best altogether for us. I’m going to share with you all the reasons why this may be your new favorite place for all things home decor - and wardrobe! 

All of their pieces are Artisan Made with Sustainable Partnerships.

This is my favorite part about Obakki. They seem to truly care about the well-being of their partner artisans. I’ve been fooled in the past by brands who have taken advantage of skilled artisans and some brands who have merely just given handouts rather than genuine support through jobs and sustainable incomes. Obakki is far different from them, and they work on creating long-term partnerships by traveling to each region and building strong relationships. They always ensure a local market is established, so the artisans are not solely dependent on Obakki. With the #PayUp Campaign going strong, it’s refreshing to see a brand state they pay fairly and promptly while sometimes even advancing funds early and offering sampling budgets. 

Their Handcrafted Goods are Absolutely Stunning

I highly recommend you take some time to go through all of their product categories. From mouth-blown Italian glassware to nourishing skincare, everything looks luxurious and skillfully made. Their products are co-created to respect and preserve the traditions of the artisans. Plus, everything is made slow and in small batches to help maintain an ethical, transparent supply chain. My absolute favorite section is the Kitchen & Dining. There are so many beautiful bowls and flatware I would love to grace my table. If you are looking for gifts, they have a few specific, helpful lists for you - Gifts that Give Back, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him and Under $100. Make sure to check out the new Essentials Collection clothing line, too, which I will talk about more in a bit! 

The Obakki Foundation supports communities even further

Not only is Obakki allowing gorgeous artisan goods to enter our homes, but they are continually supporting the communities with which they partner. When you donate to the Obakki Foundation, 100% of your contribution goes directly to their many programs. Today, they have partnered with 300 artisans worldwide, provided clean water to 3 million, and given access to education for 20,000 children. I like the fact that their programs focus on income generation for people and their communities to give back while establishing economic stability. You can learn more about this wonderful foundation here. 

The Essentials Collection

Obakki launched a sustainable collection of basics clothing pieces, all made from either 100% organic cotton, 50% organic cotton & 50% recycled post consumer plastic, or 30% hemp & 70% organic cotton. The Essentials Collection is completely landfill-free, has a low-carbon footprint and is produced in America using holistic manufacturing. There are designs for men, women, and even a couple for the kiddos. I own a couple of their tees, and they are very comfortable, a great fit and overall a lovely addition to the staples in my wardrobe. Their hoodies and sweatshirts are next on my list because they look like something you could live in for weeks! Plus, for every piece sold in this collection, they purchase one basic needs kit for a woman or girl in Bidi Bidi, Uganda.

Take a deeper dive into what organic cotton actually is, and why you should care about it!

What Organic T-Shirts I’m Wearing

Women’s Cropped Heathered T-Shirt

Women’s Long-Sleeved T-Shirt in White

Check out Obakki’s entire Essentials Collection - here - and shop their gorgeous home decor - here -

Make sure to follow all the beautiful photos and designs over on Instagram

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by 2°EAST. As always, views are genuine and brands are truly loved. Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

2°EAST Makes Sustainable Watches That Don’t Cost the Earth

If you've been reading this blog for a while now, you know how much I love a versatile product, especially when it comes to accessories. So I'm very excited to share this new sustainable watch brand with you and discuss all the great things they have to offer. 

A Little History of Sustainable Watch Brand 2°EAST

Like many eco-friendly brands, it started with a simple question: "Is it possible to produce a quality, everyday watch that doesn't cost the earth?". After several years of searching for the best materials and ethical production, Sally & Ron finally released their collection of watches they also refer to as #watchesforkindness. 

How Were They Able to Create a Sustainable Brand that Was Also Considered Affordable within the Watch Industry? 

Not only are these watches consciously made with the planet in mind, but they thought about our wallets and budgets too. I've added in a great little graph on how they price compared to traditional watch retailers who mark their products 5x-10x the cost. 2°EAST can do this because they own their assembly factory and sell directly to you to cut out the middleman. They also don't own any brick-and-mortar shops. You know how important sustainability and accessibility are to me on Sustainably Chic. When brands can do everything in-house and sell directly to consumers, it makes sustainable fashion so much more accessible to the masses. 

Are These Watches Ethically Made? 

If you haven't read what makes a product 'sustainable,' I suggest you go over this post. Ethics plays a significant role in the sustainability of a product, and transparency is a big thing I look for when partnering with a new brand. I love the fact 2°EAST is so open about its manufacturing and where everything comes from. You can tell Sally is so passionate about sustainability and creating a genuine product in this post here. She even discusses her issue with certifications within the supply chain, with which I very much agree. Once they have financial stability, they will begin the application process for B Corp Certification. But as a quick, short answer, while no brand is ever perfect, I definitely would say these watches are ethically made, and you can feel good about purchasing them. 

Since they are ethically made, are they also made with eco-friendly materials? 

Another big part of sustainability is the environment and the materials that make the product. 2°EAST has a page dedicated to their materials and everything that goes into the watch. For example, their zero waste ion plating is 10x thicker than standard plating. It is made with conflict-free rose gold that 'is applied using a zero-waste dry plating process that eliminates air emissions, wastewater and hazardous wastes associated with traditional plating techniques'. This is the first time I have read this while working with a watch brand, and I love it! The easily interchangeable straps are also made from veggie-tanned leather and 100% post-consumer recycled PET (RePET). Even their packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable kraft paper and board with eco-friendly ink on all printing. Plus, they have made sure to minimize the size of the boxes and the ink to reduce their packaging footprint. 

What About the Third Part of Sustainability, Society? 

We covered manufacturing, the materials, but what about the last part of sustainability - society? This is when you can really tell if a brand is truly genuine and trying to be as sustainable as possible. Brands that fully embrace the concept of sustainable fashion will give back to communities that aren't directly associated with the production of their goods. For 2°EAST, their focus is on planting trees (30 for each watch or strap sold, to be exact) through their partner Trees for the Future. This non-profit aims to end hunger, poverty, and deforestation by training farmers to regenerate their land. Their Forest Garden Approach is a 4-year training program where farmers plant thousands of trees to nurture the ground and grow many fruits and vegetables. It's a circular concept in which the farmer's income is increased, people are fed, and the environment is supported. 

Now, The Watch & Straps I have added into my Sustainable Wardrobe

I had fun making a little reel of this watch with 5 different straps. The straps are very easy to switch out, and I think the quality of this watch & its straps is wonderful. I really am excited about this brand and seeing these watches on more wrists! 

NATO Strap (Black) w. Black Rose Gold Dial Watch 36mm

I started with this style and chose the black dial. I have yet to have a black watch, so I instantly gravitated towards this one’s sleek look. The black strap is made from 100% post-consumer RePET recycled plastic bottles.

NATO Strap (Triangles)

This is a funky strap that adds a little character to your outfit! I love that they have so many options for recycled plastic bottle straps. This type of material is easily one of my favorites because it keeps waste out of the landfill, & it's an accessory that won't go into the washing machine, so you don't have to worry about microplastics shedding into our water systems. 

Rose Gold Mesh Strap

Are you looking to dress up your look a bit more? This beautiful rose gold mesh strap is just the thing you need to complete your look! This one utilizes the zero waste ion plating to apply the rose gold. 

---

NATO Strap (Fruity)

A cute recycled strap design by Alenka Karabanova, the fruity print is perfect for summer and springtime! And something to note about the interchangeable straps, they are pretty affordable at only $36. 

Veggie-Tanned Leather Strap

If you are looking for something more classic, this is the strap for you. It's a color that goes with everything, so it can easily be your next everyday strap.

---

These Watches are For Everyone

Before I finish this post, I have to mention that these watches are not only great for women, but men and children, too! I think the NATO straps are great for kids, and I look forward to the day my toddler lets me put a watch on him. 

- Make sure to follow 2°EAST on Instagram and shop their entire collection here -

A Rental and Shopping Experience for Children’s Sustainable Clothing

It’s no secret children grow way too quickly to spend a lot of money on clothes they will only wear for a few months to a year. We have been fortunate to receive lots of hand-me-downs from friends, but I’ve been amazed at how many clothes we’ve gone through when doing our 6-month closet clean-out. For Elliott, we mostly thrift his clothing if we don’t have something given to us by a friend; however, I never thought of the idea of renting him clothes until Borobabi came on my radar. I find this company to be such a brilliant idea, and I would have loved to have had this from the beginning!

If you have children ages newborn to 6, please keep reading to see how you could benefit from this service and all the deets on how it works…

Reasons to Love Borobabi

Save Time:

Why would this save you time? Well, it’s because they have personal stylists who create a bundle of clothing for you. I’ll explain how this works further down in the post, but it makes life so much easier. No more spending hours scrolling through clothes to find what you want; they do it all for you! 

Save Money:

Sustainable fashion brands for children are not cheap and easily accessible to everyone. Renting clothes makes it easier for more people to participate in the sustainable fashion movement without spending much money. You can even create bundles of used clothing with Borobabi, too, so you can save additional money going this route. 

Lower Your Carbon Footprint:

This probably goes without saying, but you are significantly lowering your carbon footprint by renting clothes and returning them for someone else to love later on. With over 80 pounds of clothing waste per person ending up in landfills each year, renting has never looked so appealing. 

Support Sustainable Brands:

All the brands at Borobabi have high regard for the planet and people. As an advocate for the fashion industry, I don’t believe in buying just secondhand. We need to support the brands who are doing it right to help clean up the entire fashion industry. I find renting from conscious brands an excellent alternative to thrifting and buying new.

Super-Cute Clothes:

I have to add this into reasons to love because I loved Elliott’s bundle so much! I feel like they picked everything out so perfectly for him. Also, if you end up falling in love with something you can’t part with after a few months, you always have the option to buy! 

How Borobabi’s bundle service Works

You can always purchase or rent directly from their shop page, but the bundle service is where it’s at. Borobabi curates stylish, ethically made bundles of sustainable children’s clothes just for you and your child. Your first step would be to complete an easy style quiz, and then their team of real mom stylists will curate 7 items for you to shop from home. This is where you can also choose if you would like to receive new or pre-loved items, and then once you receive your bundle, you have five days to decide what you would like to buy, rent or return (& you do all of this right on your phone from a text message link). Each bundle comes with a return label in case you need to return anything you do not like. If you buy or rent all 7 items, they credit back the $1 curation fee! 

A few more important things to note… 

On average, parents rent for 4-6 months, and items are charged monthly. You can get a better idea of renting prices by checking out their main shop here. By renting, you can save 75% off retail prices. If you choose to purchase an item, Borobabi gives you a LIFETIME RETURN CREDIT where you can send it back when you no longer need it, and you receive 20% of the original purchase price to use as store credit. This way, they can close the loop and support circular fashion. Also, they understand kids can be messy, and they accept clothes in any condition without penalty. 

As someone who has personally used this service, I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s so effortless to use, and they do a fantastic job at curating the perfect bundle for your child! I look forward to using this service again & again.

Start Your Borobabi Bundle - here - & stay up-to-date with them through Instagram! 

PIN THE PHOTO TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER

This post is sponsored by Borobabi. As always, views are genuine and brands are truly loved. Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

LOOKING FOR More SUSTAINABLE BRANDS?

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes.

---

related reading you may also enjoy: