Now some of you are going to think I have completely lost my mind with this one but trust me, this item is SERIOUSLY poised for a comeback! I’m sure most of you thought you had seen the last of the humble bum bag (or fanny pack to you, my delightful friends across the pond) in around 1995, but word on the street is that these handy belt-like handbags are about to storm back in an unprecedented fashion.

For those of you lucky enough not to remember them the first-time round, and to remind those of us who would rather have forgotten, let’s take a moment to reacquaint ourselves with all things fanny pack. Originally designed for travellers, cyclists and hikers for ease of access and protection from pickpockets, the pack reached popularity within the general public in the late 80’s to early 90’s. Their ease of access however made them a popular choice for gang members to store loaded handguns, which some consider to be the beginning of their demise.

While their popularity seriously dwindled by the mid 90’s, some designers have attempted to utilise the quirky irony of a bum bag by rebranding them as packs, to limited effect. However, while the hardcore 80’s revival is waning, subtle touches such as visors, skinny belts and the bum bag/fanny pack are the perfect accent to accompany the neons, block colours and geometric influences of this season.

So, what bum bags are available for those brave enough to embrace the biggest comeback since the legging?

Bisadora (available from ebags.com) offer a reasonably priced Hip Purse with chain belt that doesn’t scream bum bag, and is just a teensy bit chav-tastic. If you want to run with the trend, the obvious choice is to go vintage, and pick up an original pack from the past. Take it to the extreme with something vivacious and zany featuring wild patterns rocking a classic design, or keep it simple and on-trend with block colours. A great idea is to really commit to your look by adding matching nail polish.

Built by Wendy does some sweet-as-a-button fanny packs and this Brooklyn-based designer is seriously backing their momentous return with a price tag of $108 each!

However you decide to embrace all things fanny-tastic, the most important thing is not to take this look too seriously. And don’t be afraid to team your new best friend with jeans, flowing skirts or even a cocktail dress. Anything goes!

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When my father, remarried I was eleven and incredibly anxious to move into my new stepmother’s “fancy” house. The southern wall was all windows. It was the first time I had seen a landscaped garden and I was incredulous, “No grass?!” Lore welcomed my sister and me with a blank slate: two raised garden beds. We planted vegetables and roses, settling in to grow up next to them.

I moved to the big city at eighteen, eager for a career in theater but unwilling to give up the simple pleasures of my childhood backyard. No need; with a little ingenuity even a studio apartment can harvest a delicious salad. Outside of our homes, the backlash against industrialized food is reaching the boiling point – so consider these tips a call to arms.

• Open those curtains; let in the sun and take note. If your apartment faces south, you’re in luck – most anything will grow and grow big. Western light will support a good veggie patch as well, especially when the days are long. Holed up in a basement or smacked against a brick wall? Embrace limitations: blueberries, succulents, kale and chard all thrive in partial light exposure.
• Plants that grow quickly will yield 2-3 “crops” a summer. Tomatoes should definitely make the list, because the grocery store versions are weak sauce compared to homegrown. Good light? Check. Now give it somewhere to go. You don’t have to be a carpenter to build a pretty tomato trellis. I use ceiling hooks and link chain; $5 and no tools necessary.
• Get a water meter so you can accurately gage how thirsty your lettuce gets on a June afternoon. Avoid over-watering – if you’re doing the indoor thing with pots, they can develop root rot if left to sit. How will you know if the roots are rotted? The dirt won’t soak up the water.
• It’s no coincidence that the classic Caprese ingredients go well together. Basil is a natural aphid repellent and those pesky green mites LOVE tomatoes. Stick your basil right under the tomatoes and you’ll be using the smarts nature gave you.
• Toss those powdery kitchen spices. Herbs can be kept in very small pots, concentrating the flavor.  Fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano, cilantro, dill and chives will turn your kitchen into an Italian palazzo.
• Whether you rock plastic buckets for a buck fifty or spend $150 on locally thrown ceramic, some plants need at least 3 gallons to be worth the effort: bush beans, snap peas, broccoli rabe, kale, spinach and baby lettuce are best grown in 3-5 gallon pots.

But what about the blueberries you’re demanding? Who grows fruit in their 3rd story loft? Allow me to pass on the wonder that is www.raintreenursery.com. Coel and I just received a columnar apple tree and blueberry bushes for under $100. Once you’re harvesting your own blueberries, you’ll guffaw at anyone who would pay three bucks for four ounces. This dose of perspective taking root in an urban landscape is key. Be street-wise AND plant-wise, get my drift?

photo by jocelyn durston

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If you don’t live in Southern California, where the water shortage is not only heavily publicized but also threatens to restrict, ration and even impose charges for unnecessary water usage, you may not be fully aware of the dire concern for our world’s drinkable water supply. Politicians and conservationists in other southwestern states dealing with similar drought conditions are emphasizing the impact individual consumption has on the crisis, and how small changes in the use of one of our most precious resources can save gallons of water a day.

Although the immediate attention in America is focused on our arid climate, the imminent water shortage is global and severe. As we casually water our lawns, carelessly toss half-finished bottles of water and run our dishwashers twice a day, children in Africa and other countries are dying of waterborne diseases where finding clean water is its own war. As population and overall temperatures continue to rise, many researchers estimate that by 2025 one-third of all people — including those in the U.S. — will endure desperate scarcity of clean water.

Governments, environmentalists, health organizations, corporations and even inventors are brainstorming ideas of how to cure or at least slow the earth’s hydration problems. In the meantime, here are some conservation tips we should all be considering:

Load Up. Do full loads of laundry and make sure you completely fill the dishwasher with dirty dishes before running a cycle.

Reuse. Catch the water you use to rinse vegetables and reuse it to water flowers in the garden. Use unfinished water bottles to fill your pet’s water dish.

Refuse. Ask your waiter at the restaurant not to bring you water if you know you won’t drink it. Or ask for water without ice.

Make It Quick. Shorten your shower. Turn water off while you lather or shave. You also can shut it off while you brush your teeth.

Let It Be. So your car is a little dirty…it certainly doesn’t mind. Neither will the sidewalk in front of your house, your deck or your garage door.

Ms. Fix-It. Take the time to stop that leaky faucet, toilet or hose from dribbling.

Don’t Dispose. Your sink’s garbage disposal requires a lot of water to operate properly. Try composting food waste as an alternative.

Talk About It. Create awareness in your home, at work, at school and in your community by encouraging others to conserve.

photo by joost nelissen

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We all know that driving SUVs and smoking cigarettes are harmful to the earth, but how many of us pass over that $20 party dress at H&M to save the environment? A cloud of black exhaust doesn’t hover over the hanger and a thin wisp of smoke doesn’t trail behind after you’ve slipped it on, but that cute little number leaves a not-so-pretty pollution footprint all the way to your closet.

For starters, let’s talk fiber. With the consumer demand for cheap, fashionable clothing on the rise, man-made fabric is once again being manufactured so the fashion industry can keep up with the latest trends at affordable prices. Polyester — the most widely used fake fiber — is made from petroleum and the process uses a lot of energy while requiring crude oil. Many textile manufacturing plants produce mass amounts of harmful emissions into the air. The by-products of production include acid gases and other virulent compounds which seep into the ground surrounding facilities and make their way into water. Workers at these plants are required to wear protective gear and sometimes end up suffering from respiratory complications.

Cotton is okay though, right? It’s natural and softer than polyester at least. Cotton may not require the manufacturing synthetic fabric does, but it certainly contributes to the deterioration of the environment. The growth of the cotton crop depends heavily on pesticides, which are sprayed into the air, contaminate the soil and not only kill insects attacking cotton plants but also non-threatening bugs beneficial to the earth. When the cotton is ready to harvest, herbicides are applied to make picking easier, exposing manual laborers to toxins that increase the risk of cancers as well as respiratory and neurological disorders. The wind carries all of these toxins to the trees and water affecting surrounding wildlife and the natural ecosystem. In the United States alone, non-organic cotton crops account for a quarter of all the pesticide used. In developing countries, where regulations on pesticides are even less strict, spraying cotton plants and other crops is often more toxic.

Fiber is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how clothing manufacturing affects the world. International outsourcing of labor to ensure lower prices in stores accounts for abusive working conditions across the globe. It also requires transcontinental shipments of goods, widening the environmental footprint of manufacturing.

Designer styles are practically disposable today — especially for women — but before you trade that Andrew Jackson for a one-time-wear outfit, consider the consequences of its creation. Swapping apparel, shopping consignment and mending clothes looks even more appealing now — thanks to the state of the economy and for the sake of the planet.

photo by taryn domingos

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When the package arrived in the mail, I have to admit, I was excited. I ripped open the small manila envelope and went straight for the instructions because I had no idea what to do with the two little sea sponges that were now in my hands.

My interest in alternative feminine hygiene products had been spurred by a little research into tampons:

-Most tampons are bleached, and this process creates Dioxin, a toxic chemical
-Dioxin exposure and the synthetic fibers of tampons put your body at risk for some serious things, including TSS (toxic shock syndrome) and even ovarian, cervical and breast cancers.
-20 billion bleached pads and tampons end up in our sewage systems each year, affecting our oceans and air pollution levels.

All of this was enough for me to type in my credit card information and click the “buy now” button on JadeandPearl.com. Using sea sponges is advantageous because they’re a renewable resource and you can re-use one for up to six months, making them quite cost-effective as well.

For the most part, it works like a tampon without an applicator. You wet the sea sponge, squeeze out the excess water and slowly push it inside. If it’s uncomfortable, you can trim the sponge to fit your body. For me, this wasn’t necessary. And once it was in, I forgot about it (much like a tampon). The tricky part is coaxing it out of your body, since there is no string. The brochure mentions that you can sew a piece of dental floss to the sponge if this becomes problematic, but I didn’t find a need to do this. I discovered using a scooping motion with my index and middle finger was sufficient enough.

If you think sea sponges might be for you, keep the following in mind:

-You must squeeze out as much water as possible. One of the first times I used it, a few drops of water leaked out and I was terrified there was blood all over my pants. Other than that, I didn’t have any problems with leaking.
-I had read that it was fine to have sex while using a sea sponge, but I don’t recommend it.
It doesn’t make sex on your period any less messy and it makes getting the sea sponge out a lot more difficult.
-I only changed my sea sponge at home. The idea of carrying an extra one and putting the used one in a Ziploc bag, in my purse, did not appeal to me. This makes it slightly less convenient than tampons.

There are other alternatives to bleached tampons as well. The first is buying tampons made with organic cotton. The second is the option of using a menstrual cup (brands include The Keeper and the Diva Cup), which is literally a small silicone cup that you to catch the menstrual blood. Also look for re-usable pads and panty liners that you can simply wash and re-use.

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I’m having tea, an aromatic ginger maicha blend, with my friend Blu when the conversation turns – as it inevitably does – to biking. There’s still the gossiping over Sex and the City reruns or even a shared workout at the gym, but riding is what we have in common, something that runs deep in our mottled lives: Day jobs, night joys and grocery store runs – all on two wheels.

So, Blu and I chat about biking just like we do boyfriends. There’s always something to talk about because, as chicks who ride, it’s elemental.

My other friends marveled when I made the choice to go from four wheels to two:
“You’re going to bike everywhere? Even in February?” Elizabeth exclaimed.
Unfortunately, my ‘just watch me’ attitude seemed to hit below the belt for some, as if I was making a judgment on their cars, their unchanged lifestyles. People are quick to tell you why they love to drive, as soon as they find out that you don’t.

“It’s all about the independence of being able to drive wherever I want” tops the charts. Makes sense, right? Then again, if racing myself down a two mile hill with the wind in my hair isn’t freedom, I need a lesson fast.

Seriously though, let’s not compare a bicycle to a registered lethal weapon. When I get on the saddle each day I don’t have any choice but to embrace the obvious differences.

My thighs
My calves
My breath
Green air (strange concept, I know)

I propel myself through this city, like a bullet thrust down a pavement barrel.  At 5′3” with a 47” Novarra Corsa, I am frail compared to the next girl, cozily ensconced in a grand of steel. But once you take on a bike, the power surge of endorphins that come with constant exercise will send you to the moon.

There’s a dark side, of course.

I bought my first car upon graduating college and was always behind the wheel. I routinely drove the thirty miles south to visit my parents. Road trips to Portland were always rolling. So, when two years later, I decided to give it all up for a fifty dollar Peugeot picked off Craigslist I was very VERY BAD AT BIKING. I didn’t know a hybrid from a fixie! I kept the bike in the lowest possible gear (when your pedals spin really fast), unabashedly rode on the sidewalk and walked up hills.  Plus, it’s scary. I’ve had a few gnarly crashes and once was hit by a car (in a crosswalk no less) so with a macabre slideshow of various medical emergencies drifting through my subconscious, I always expect the worse from even a Volkswagen Beetle.

You want to know the secret? That laundry list you just read? I’m not complaining. The downsides to this lifestyle don’t have anything on the benefits that come from making a conscious choice to go against the grain, to go green as a stunning exception: that girl who rides her bike.

photo by pat castaldo

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What do Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney and Brad Pitt have in common? They are all ecosexuals! A new term has been coined on the West Coast that puts metrosexuality to shame, it’s called ecosexuality and describes people who look for mates that share the same environmental concern.

If you think “environmentally friendly” or “socially conscious” men are limited to the dirty hippie stereotypes, think again. Ecosexuality combines GQ sexiness with a heart for something more than just a big bank account and fancy car.

Personally, I’ve done a lot of dating over the past few years and the men who will always occupy a little part of my heart were those who were, in some way, green. Whether it was the guy who told me he once donated to PETA, who loved An Inconvenient Truth, who refused to buy farmed salmon or who made energy efficiency a bigger priority than affordability when buying a car, they all had an unforgettable effect on me.

To me, nothing is sexier that a man who has a heart for saving the environment. This doesn’t mean he has to be David Suzuki, but that he cares for it enough to make green decisions in his life, like asking for the most sustainable hard wood floor at Home Depot. It just screams compassion – and that he’ll probably be a better lover and father because of it.

Now this is not to say that there is no hope for the man you’re currently dating or interested in if he’s not green. I’ve educated many men over the past who have now become full-fledged greenies.

So what if you decide you want to date an ecosexual but don’t know where to turn? No problem! With green lifestyles becoming so chic in mainstream media lately, it’s no wonder that men’s ecosexual traits would now become dating criteria.

Dating websites are popping up at an alarming rate where one can now choose mates based on their carbon-neutral, fair-trade consumption or vegetarian lifestyles.

And if you’re not sure whether or not you qualify as an ecosexual, you can now take the fun ecosexual quiz.

So whether you prefer to love global and date local or are looking for Zero-carbon love, ecosexuality is where it’s at.

Enjoy green dating!

Hear more from the Urban Green Girl at her blog about green living solutions for urban girls.

photo by roger mateo poquet

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Roz Savage, a record-setting eco-rower, has proved that change occurs one stroke at a time. In 2005, she rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Then, in 2008, she became the first woman to row alone from California to Hawaii—the first stage of a three-leg journey geared toward raising awareness about ocean pollution.

Savage is doing this three-part adventure from California to Australia to bring attention to crises impacting the oceans. The Britain-native said it took her 99 days and 1 million strokes to make the 2008 voyage from California to Hawaii, but Savage said it takes many small steps to make a change.

“I want to be living on a comfortable and safe planet in the future,” Savage said. “I think we’ve realized we are living together on this little planet and this is all we’ve all got.”

In addition to her public speaking engagements, Savage is spreading the word about ocean pollution utilizing social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace and Youtube. When she is not blogging, she is tweeting on Twitter.

In May, the five-foot-four, 120-pound adventurer will begin the second leg of her journey to become the first woman to row solo across the Pacific. Her mission: row from Hawaii to Tuvalu, 2,620 miles of vast open water.

Using hand-held cameras, Savage will document her entire voyage through what has been dubbed by marine experts as the “garage patch” of the Pacific, or the North Pacific gyre. Plastic pollution in this area outweighs plankton 30 to 1, according to the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.

“We are just trying to figure out how to get people to care.” Savage said. “If we’ve got sick and dying oceans, we’ll have sick and dying people.”

Savage needs $25,000 in total for the next trip. And with about 60 more days to find the funds, Savage is unyieldingly optimistic. To meet her financial needs, Savage is soliciting contributions from the public at www.rozsavage.com.

“The more funds we have the more we can do with our outreach.” Savage continued, “And I really believe if I’m doing the right thing for the right reason. The money will turn up.”

The data networking technology company Brocade is Savage’s main sponsor, contributing about $100,000 for the entire Pacific row. Go Pro has donated cameras, but funding is still needed for other provisions such as freeze-dried food, among other necessities. Tech-savvy volunteers are also needed to help upload Savage’s archived blogs.

Safety is something Savage will not compromise to cut costs. She knows firsthand the dangers of the sea, as her first attempt crossing the Pacific (from California to Hawaii) ended with a U.S. Coast Guard rescue. Then on her second and final attempt rowing from California to Hawaii, Savage nearly ran out of water. She was helped by fellow seafarers and hydrated enough to complete the journey.

The launch date’s looming, but Savage has not slowed down. She will speak at the Blue Planet Summit this month along with Philippe Cousteau. “To be honest, I don’t get a kick out of the rowing, but I get a kick out of helping people,” Savage said. “I really enjoy the correspondence and I love doing the motivational talking.”

Before growing her sea legs, Savage had a lifestyle most would covet: a lucrative career, a husband, and a red sports car. Jaded about her corporate life, Savage wrote two forms of her own obituary. The exercise helped her realize her potential. Savage got a divorce and became a nomad. She has been rowing ever since.

“For many many years I had dreams, but I didn’t’ think I could do them.” Savage added, “I found since I started living life this way—life has been just brilliant.”

photos courtesy of roz savage

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The three R’s of environmental education have been etched in the minds of Americans for decades. Across the country, households reduce energy waste by turning off lights and unplugging electronics. They reuse plastic bags and take out containers for trash liners and Tupperware. And plastic, glass, and cans are instinctively deposited into recycle bins.

This environmentally conscious trio has now evolved into a potent quintet of buzz words with the addition of two new R’s. Refuse and repair arm us with new ideas to combat waste and remind us how small gestures can initiate big change.

Here are just some of the ways you can refuse instead of consume:

•        Banish unsolicited junk mail by removing your name from marketing databases and credit card companies. Call any credit card company that keeps contacting you to stop receiving unwanted offers.

•        Buy loose fruits and vegetables — not a package of three peppers or a bag of apples.

•        Don’t ask for double bagging at the grocery store. Better yet — altogether refuse a bag for just two or three items.

•        Let friends and family know you prefer donations in your name or nothing at all as opposed to unwanted gifts.

•        Pick up seasonal and local produce rather than favoring imported goods.

•        Forgo disposable products by using a rag instead of paper towels and a handkerchief instead of tissues.

•        Don’t be afraid to shy away from products made by companies who harm the environment.

•        Adopt a no gimmick policy. Not every monumental event in your life requires a “How To” book or stack of magazines.

Prepare to save some green by opting to repair instead of replacing certain items. Socks, boots, furniture, small electronics, watches and jewelry can be fixed as opposed to tossed in most cases.

Despite the ongoing encouragement to save the planet, we are constantly tempted and inclined to buy inexpensive, expendable goods that break quickly and can be replaced cheaply. Especially in this time of economic difficulty, our tight budgets favor our impulse to find ways to get the most out of the products we invest money in.

The two new R’s expect consumers will take a moment to consider their choices and make thoughtful purchases. Refuse asks us to decline convenience packaging and unnecessary products. Repair depends on consumers saving up for a sturdy kitchen table that will last a lifetime or taking the time to reupholster that comfy couch with vintage fabric instead of placing it out on the curb. Whether there are three or five R’s, taking care of the environment is ultimately our responsibility.

photo by king desmond photography

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Junk parties. That’s we called them back in junior high. My two best friends and I would organize one on a school holiday or to pass a rainy Saturday. We would meet at one of our houses, each with a bag or two full of our own junk — clothes that didn’t fit, makeup we didn’t use, jewelry we were sick of, and a whole hodgepodge of books, scrunchies, trinkets, and anything from our own bedrooms we considered expendable.

We would dump everything out, rummage through the clutter and refill our bags with each others salvages. For hours we modeled clothes, tested lipsticks and eye shadows to see which worked best, draped necklaces around each other and traded treasures. While we were each happy to see someone else have our one-time junk, we were also just relieved to be rid of some of the clutter from our own lives.

Although the three of us live in different states now and don’t get to have our parties too often, we reminisce about our junk parties and take retrospective pride in our ingenuity. We were saving money, recycling, and having a blast.

Organize a more sophisticated version of a junk party. Here’s how:

•    It’s all in the name. First of all, call it a Clothes Swap. It sounds more appealing (not to mention more rewarding) than “junk party.”

•    Narrow down your target party-goer. A small group of friends, co-workers or even your whole book club or pottery class would love to swap.

•    Choose a venue. My apartment was great for a clothes swap. A friend of mine thought big though and involved her whole congregation by setting it up as an event in the basement of the church.

•    Select your party favors. Decide to stick to apparel or broaden the exchange by setting up separate tables of makeup, books and movies.

•    Display case. As guests arrive, help organize their stuff into neat piles and have hangers on hand to display coats and dresses. Toss belts and scarves in a box and have an area to lay out jewelry and line up shoes.

•    Food for swap. Supply appetizers and drinks or include food in your swap fest by going potluck.

•    START SWAPPING!

•    Leave no leftovers. After everything is picked over, take what is left to a donation center or a women’s shelter.

Swapping instead of shopping feels great. I love altering my wardrobe without walking into a store and without spending money. It’s an awesome feeling to know in some small way I am reducing, reusing, and recycling instead of consuming, replacing, and disposing — and simultaneously encouraging others to do the same.

photos by ask dzign and jodi marr

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