Blog Review: EcoSalon

I've been working towards a greener lifestyle because it enhances my overall health. The more I reduce  the amount of toxic chemicals I bring into my home -- and send out into the world -- the healthier I feel.

Just a few years ago "going green" meant "going granola." It meant sacrificing style and donning shapeless,  hemp sack dresses and always smelling faintly of patchouli and coconut oil. Hey, if that's your thing, great. But a lot of eco-conscious designers and stylists decided we should have a few more options, and that style and sustainability can be friends.

Lately I've been spending time on EcoSalon: The Green Gathering. It's a website dedicated to stylish, earth-friendly, and socially responsible green living.

The writers and editors pick out great eco-friendly finds like paraben/petrolium/synthetics-free Kitten Vixen lip gloss, watches made from recycled materials, furniture made from bike parts, and eco hammocks. I admit, I do love the "look at this cool stuff you can buy" web genre, but products are not the sole focus of EcoSalon. They take their environmental consciousness seriously and offer much more than eco-consumption.

In the lifestyle section, in fact, you'll find nary a product endorsement. Instead it's resources, links, tips, and essays on green living, like encouragement to bike more often and criticism of not-so-green products (I love what Vanessa says, "Sometimes the greenest gadget is your brain."). In the fashion section I read about Refashionista, who dares you to pledge not to buy any more new clothing for two months. In decor I found out about a new show up at MOMA, Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling. I appreciated the list of seven delicious (and tofu-free) meat alternatives and the control freak's guide to good living. And just to remind us all that it's not all about us, EcoSalon covers news of innovations like the Lifestraw, a personal water-purification device for people living in drought-stricken areas.  

I think that's why I really trust EcoSalon. They know you can't just buy your way to a better planet, but they also know we want to have fun on the way to a greener life.

Comments

[Katie]

A little off topic, but I got Meme'd and tagged you and WELLalarm. Participate if you like!
http://fashionmista.blogspot.com/2008/06/ive-been-memed-read-on-and-learn-more.html

ps: like the red. ;)

[Sara]

Stephanie,

Thank you so much for the lovely review. It's wonderful to get feedback from our readers. I'll be passing this along to the team - we're certainly honored to have earned your trust as a resource for green living. Have a good one!