re-fashioNYC

You guys know how big I am about thrifting partly because of the great deals but, also because of the benefits for the environment! The City of New York is thinking the same thing and has started the re-fashioNYC program in response.

 

Annually NYC residents throw away approximately 200,000 tons of clothes, towels, blankets, curtains, shoes, handbags, belts, and other textiles and apparel. Frankly I think that can be attributed to laziness on their part but, the city of New York is going to make it ridiculously convenient for people who don't donate due to the lack of convenience.

re-fashioNYC is a partnership between the City of New York and Housing Works  to make clothing donation through convenient in-building drop-off service at no cost to the building or taxpayers. The program is expected to grow slowly in response to participation requests and Housing Works ability to expand its services. 

If you're interested in participating in this new and convienient clothing reuse program, fill out the form here!

Question: Where Can I Find Eco-Friendly Interview Clothes?

As I have mentioned before I work in HR and in my time functioning as a Recruiter I have seen alot of hilarious resumes and cover letters, met some "interesting" people, and gotten a good amount of questions. One of the more difficult questions was posed to me by a college student at a job fair. I remember complimenting her on her suit (I feel as thought those people are more serious about their search. First impressions, people!) then we proceeded to discuss a greening initiative that she had worked on at former internship listed on her resume... standard job fair stuff. The two topics melded together and we talked about the accessibility of eco-friendly products and clothing made out of organic/sustainable materials which led her to the questions, "Where can a college student on a budget get an eco-friendly interview outfit?"

To be honest, I was a little stumped... OK fine, really stumped! There are lots of places to buy eco-friendly products made out of organic materials or repurposed items but, where are all the suits? Either way, I was hard pressed to find anything particularly affordable in the standards of a college budget. My best solution: thrifting!! What could be more green that using the resources we have and not consuming or expending more? I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. That should be the answer to all of life's issues.

You can get a beautiful suit that someone was tired of or doesn't fit into anymore for a small fraction of the price. More importantly, I don't think I've ever seen a suit in a thrift store that cost more than $25! If you don't have one of the big name thrift stores by you you can shop Goodwill online or smaller consignment shops. Anyway you go about it there is a gigantic potential there to find what you are searching for at an affordable price if you take the time to look. Plus, it keeps those discarded clothes out of landfills. Where else would you look?

I love these questions!! Keep them coming...

May 17, 2010

This is a Monday when I could definitely have called out sick (as if there is any other kind) after the whirlwind weekend I have had but, I am being a responsible adult and going to work! Here are some shots from the wedding, BF steals the camera so there are always more pictures of me...

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Today is going to be a whirlwind day as well. My boss is in Bermuda (lucky) so I will be the point person on projects we were working on together also I also have interviews and the same old day to day stuff. 5 O'clock where are you?

• Top: blue ruffled blouse, Atelier via Loehmanns; tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: gray plaid pencil skirt, from mom via Kohl's
• Shoes & Accessories: nude patent leather pumps, Apt. 9 via Kohl's; Tiffany & Co. silver bead earrings; V'ta cut steel necklace; black Fendi spy bag

April 22, 2010 - Happy Earth Day!

Also, Happy Belated Administrative Professionals Day! I totally forgot, silly me. Though, when I realized that it was I became a little bummed because no one did anything for me this year. While technically I'm not sure if I fall into the category of "Administrative Professional", I got free lunch last year, what gives?

In the spirit of Earth Day I scoured my closet for something to wear that I felt would be a good representation of "being green". I decided that I would try to find things that are second hand and throw together an outfit with that because the average American throws away 68 pounds of textiles per year only 10 of which are recycled. Thrifting and buying vintage isn't only for style it's to help the Earth!

Thankfully, when my dear friend Melissa moved to London I inherited a bunch of her clothes during the closet purge/packing extravaganza and my mom is always giving me things after she wears them once or twice and decides that's enough for her... In the end, I think this entire experience is a movement towards "being green" because it's more about working with what you have not, buying tons of thing to make new outfits and adding to it. It's no Uniform Project (which is wrapping up in 10 days, kudos! see here for more info) but, it works for me! How are you celebrating Earth Day? On to my outfit:

• Top: orange button down Eddie Bauer shirt via Melissa
• Bottom: beige tweed Ann Taylor Loft skirt via Mom... definitely thrifted
• Shoes & Accessories: taupe Steve Madden pumps; blue Foley & Corrina city clutch, V'ta moonstone earrings and "bubble gum" bracelet.