Calling all GreenGirls!

C5 company, just announced that if we can get 500 facebook fans by February 28, all fans will be automatically entered in a drawing to win the gorgeous, sustainable emerald pendant necklace shown below.

The eco-friendly necklace features a 1.4 carat Chatham, emerald-cut, deep green emerald gem in recycled 14K yellow gold on a 16″ 14K yellow gold chain. (Retail value = $1000).

Chatham is the leader in lab-created gems. The emerald featured in the pendant was produced above the earth’s surface in a laboratory, as opposed to below the surface of the earth by nature. Though it is physically and chemically identical to its mined counterpart, the lab-created gem is not marked by the same negative social and environmental impact as a gem that has been harvested from the earth. C5 company, a leader in sustainable fine jewelry, carries only the finest ethically sourced diamonds and gems including fair trade mined and lab-created.

Become a fan of C5 on facebook and tell your friends. By doing so, you are automatically entered in the drawing and are helping to support ethical and responsible jewelry practices.

Learn more about sustainable, ethical and responsible jewelry.

Contributor: Meghan Connolly Haupt is the founder of Sulusso, an online marketplace dedicated to sustainable luxury and has her own sustainable jewelry brand, C5 company. 

You love the feel of your cozy fleece jacket, but sadly, it isn't the look for a night on the town.

Introducing FLEECE-A-NISTA! Fabulous looking comfort is finally here.

Growing up in Portland, Oregon, FLEECE-A-NISTA founder Jeanne Feldkamp got acquainted with fleece early in life. But as a fashion designer, she thought something was missing: Fleece wasn’t sexy. Jeanne was determined to blend a high-fashion sensibility with the luxurious comfort, lightweight warmth, softness, and durability of fleece. She began designing pieces that are equally at home in the city or on the slopes—and FLEECE-A-NISTA was born.

There's only one thing that Jeanne loves more than mixing fleece and fashion - that's creating positive change through business. In addition to offering unique tops for women, FLEECE-A-NISTA, is committed to fighting climate change, minimizing their impact on the environment and promoting responsible apparel industry practices.

Most apparel companies throw out the fabric scraps that are left over after cutting—which adds up to millions of pounds of wasted material every year. Jeanne believes that small changes in the production process can add up to create significant change. All scrap material from FLEECE-A-NISTA is shred and used as filler inside their super-snuggly floor and throw pillows. A portion of the profits from these pillows benefits the Business Council for Peace, or Bpeace. This organization trains women in Afghanistan and Rwanda to expand their businesses, create employment, and build a peaceful future for their communities. 

Introducing Sulusso.com!  

Sulusso launches today as the first online marketplace dedicated to sustainable jewelry.

The growing collection of fine jewelry available on Sulusso represents works by some of the world’s most talented designers and artists who have made a commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Sulusso’s featured designers include Alberto Parada, who is recognized as a leading "green innovator" in the jewelry industry. All Alberto Parada pieces are manufactured in the United States using 100% recycled gold, conflict-free diamonds and fair-trade gems. In 2007, Parada was selected as the featured designer in the first ever Green Fashion Week, which took place in Seattle.

 
Sulusso also carries jewelry from other renowned designers including Gary Ptak, Dawes Design, Okomido and C5 company. Okomido jewelry, uniquely made only with recycled metal and reclaimed gems, is available exclusively on Sulusso.

With Sulusso, you don't have to sacrifice luxury for sustainability (or sustainability for luxury).

Sulusso is offering a 20% discount to The Green Girls community for the entire month of October.

Use the promo code "TGG2010"and shop sulusso today! Feel free to pass along to friends and family.

There are a lot of great eco-wonderful companies out there to patron, but I am so excited to share with you my latest find (and obsession). Saffron Rouge, a woman-owned company, is a terrific resource for all of you fabulous green girls.

Saffron Rouge is the first beauty retailer in the world to focus exclusively on organics. Offering more than 1,000 organic beauty and aromatherapy products, Saffron Rouge makes purchasing organic skin care, cosmetics and aromatherapy easy. They do all of the ingredient research, so that you don't have to. Products are selected based on a lengthy process and are evaluated on a proprietary 12-point standard.

Saffron Rouge was founded by Kirsten Binder and is the perfect synthesis of her values as an eco-conscious mother and her education in herbal medicine. If it's not organic, it is not at Saffron Rouge.

Don't be turned off by purchasing online. They offer terrific customer service and even offer a 15-day lowest price guarantee.

Contributor: Meghan Connolly Haupt is the founder of Sulusso, an online marketplace dedicated to sustainable luxury and has her own sustainable jewelry brand, C5 company. 

HIMANE and Greenbees are two (women-owned) visionary companies turning landfill junk into chic, sensible fashion.

Did you ever think about what happens to old, broken umbrella's? In the past, they ended up in the landfills, but now Brooklyn-based company HIMANE is turning them into stylish coats, dresses and handbags.

And what about tires? Every one (made from half a barrel of crude oil) that is rescued from the landfill by Greenbees results in a new pair of eco-awesome shoes.

Reducing landfill waste while looking fabulous....that's a treasure for everyone.

Contributor: Meghan Connolly Haupt is the founder of Sulusso, an online marketplace dedicated to sustainable luxury and has her own sustainable jewelry brand, C5 company.