Alternative Apparel Blog

We've All Got A Friend In Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Our music giveaway this week is from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.  Get excited!

But first, something a bit more exciting than that: a few months ago when Edward Sharpe et al. released their debut album, the band raised money for the Gulu Widows Group in Uganda.  Many of the women in this group have lost their husbands and their children, who were forced to fight in a civil war in northern Uganda.  The money that the band helped raised paid for a farm for the widows so that they would be able to sustain their community.

Just last week, this video popped up on the internet - a group from the widows' community singing the chorus to the Edward Sharpe song "Home".  If you can't make it out exactly, these women are singing "Home / Let me come home / Home is wherever I'm with you."  Watch:



I teared up a few times just writing this post!  I think we're all better off with folks like the Edward Sharpe gang in the world.

Now, back on to the music... we've added the original version of "Home" to our music player, so take a listen and enjoy.  Their album Up From Below features "Home" and other feel-good tunes, and we've got three copies of the album on CD to give away!  We're also gonna give each of our three winners one of our very own unisex organic cotton v-necks.

How do you enter to win? Just leave a comment on this post by Sunday, 12/27 - we'll announce three (3) winners on Monday, 12/28. Best of luck!

Wanna learn more about The Voice Project to assist women's groups in Africa?  Visit their official site at voiceproject.org.

Ten Tips for a Greener Workplace

 
By Davida Heller of Ecospire

The United States makes up about five percent of the world’s population, but we use 25 percent of the world’s resources and create 40 percent of the world’s waste. It’s not surprising, then, that our businesses are the biggest contributors to this environmental footprint. Thus, a new measure for business success has taken hold, referred to as the triple bottom line, which takes into account not only financial performance, but social and environmental performance as well. Taking steps to create a green workplace has a number of benefits. A green workplace often has healthier and happier employees, increased job satisfaction and productivity and reduced absenteeism. Involving employees in the process promotes leadership, personal investment and pride in the office environment. Moreover, being eco-friendly connects a business to the local community, which in turn increases awareness of the company. Here are ten tips for going green in the workplace.

1. Implement a "grab a glass" policy. Get rid of plastic water bottles in the office. Americans spend upwards of $15 billion a year on bottled water with no clear health benefit. According to the NRDC, government and industry estimates indicate that about 25–30 percent of the bottled water sold in the United States actually comes from a city’s or town’s tap water. So filtered water is just as safe, if not safer, than bottled water. Instead, have a filtered water station and grab a glass, which can be refilled throughout the day. This will reduce trash, save money and promote sustainability.

2. Decorate the office with plants. Not only do plants brighten up a workspace with color, but they also clean the air, absorbing toxins and CO while increasing oxygen. This improves indoor air quality, creating a healthier work environment.

3. Use green cleaning products. This will help improve indoor air quality and reduce toxins in the workplace. Commercial cleaning often involves toxic chemicals, which are released into the air and are then absorbed into our bodies. These chemicals cause serious health problems as well as infiltrate our water supply. Green cleaning products are less toxic and healthier for janitorial staff and all employees, thus creating a healthier work environment.

4. Check and maintain heating and air conditioning systems regularly. According to the EPA, our air quality is two to five times worse indoors than outdoors. A great deal of dust and toxins find their way into our HVAC systems and we breathe them in all day as air is circulated throughout the office space. It is imperative to make sure ducts are sealed and filters are changed regularly in order to reduce health issues among employees, especially for offices that do not engage in natural ventilation, such as opening windows. Reducing air leakage in ducts will also result in increased energy efficiency and save money on energy bills.

5. Create a paperless office. Review office practices and assess if printing is necessary. When printing is unavoidable, always print double-sided and use 100 percent post-consumer waste FSC-certified recycled paper. This way, you know the paper is certified to be produced from sustainable resources. As demand for recycled paper products increases, prices are going down. Also, there are now paper products made without using any wood fiber at all.

Read more tips after the jump.

Holiday Gifts by Style, Part Deux

 

Earlier this week we gave you some fab suggestions for the ladies on your holiday shopping list. Now, here are a few positively brilliant ideas for your fathers, brothers, friends and lovas.

The Artist

Painter, musician or poet, this guy needs a gift with some thought behind it. Tap into his sensitive side with some eco-friendly attire like organic v-necks and henleys. He’ll look super-stylish and help save the planet at once.

The Gentleman

Steer clear of too-trendy styles and go with classic items like polos, button-downs, sweaters and vests (perfect for sitting in his library reading Chaucer and drinking a single malt scotch).

The Jock

He’d rather die than give up his favorite team jersey. Instead of going behind his back and throwing it away, help expand his wardrobe with some stylish, sporty pieces. You’ll hit a homerun with baseball tees, track jackets and hoodies.

For more gift ideas, shop our complete Holiday Gift Guide.

Holiday Gifts by Style

Gift-giving is no easy task. To make things a little easier on yourself, think about who you’re really shopping for and consider their personal style. Here are a few suggestions when shopping for the ladies on your list (inspired by our very own Alternative staff members, of course).

For the Fashionista

She’s up on the latest trends, so don’t even think about giving last season’s goodies to this gal. Go for the season’s hottest looks like draped and shaped tops, skinny leggings and versatile dresses. If you’re pretty sure she’s already got everything, turn to the tried-and-true gift card.

For the Free Spirit

She’s already all stocked up on granola and has plenty of patchouli-scented candles. In addition to your peace, love and happiness, she’ll love clothes that are just as comfortable as they are stylish: think long, flowing tops and tunics, and chic, comfy wraps.

For the Working Girl

Honestly, she’s so busy at her 9 to 5 that she probably wouldn’t even notice if you didn’t get her a gift. Then again…she probably has your gift exchange penciled into her calendar. You can’t go wrong with office-ready pieces like vests, button-downs and sweaters.

For the Yoga Addict

Probably as socially conscious as she is health conscious, she’ll love gifts with a hint of green. The perfect solution? Yoga gear and loungewear made with eco-friendly fabrics like Alternative’s Eco-Heather and 100% Organic Cotton.

For the Surfer Chick

Don’t try to go too glam with this gal. Show you know her style with casual, comfortable clothes that she can wear anywhere from the beach to a Dave Matthews concert. Sleek hoodies and long-sleeve raglans will keep her warm after she hits the waves.

For more gift ideas, shop our complete Holiday Gift Guide.

New Music From As Tall As Lions, Plus New Alternative Tees!

New music today from alternative indie band As Tall As Lions - check out the song "Circles" on our music player!  The song comes from their latest album entitled You Can't Take It With You, which has been described as a "tour de force of soundscapes, vocal harmonies, melodies and insightful lyrics about the modern world."  It has also been described as "real good" by me.

Our giveaway this week includes a copy of the album as well as an autographed poster from all the guys in the band!  You'll also win a super super new Alternative item - the unisex Versailles Slub V-Neck.  This item is part of our Spring 2010 collection and is arriving in stock next week!  Be the first one on the block to own this!

How do you enter to win? Just leave a comment on this post by Sunday, 12/20 - we'll announce five (5) winners on Monday, 12/21. Best of luck!

P.S. The awesome tour photos of the band come from Kaley Nelson.  Thanks K!

Layer it On

 
Every year it happens like this: first, the excitement of fall (Oh look at the leaves changing!); then, the initial charm of cold weather (Yay, I get to break out my winter wardrobe!); next, the excitement turns to annoyance and utter disdain (I’m freezing. Is it spring yet!?).

With winter rapidly approaching, the best thing you can do to stay warm in style this season is to go for the layered look. Layering allows you to create a variety of looks and ensembles and have fun with your wardrobe. Mix and match different fabrics, colors and patterns for a vintage vibe with a modern twist.

Here are a few ideas for this season’s most popular layering trends: look boho-chic with knee-high boots and leggings beneath your skirts and dresses; go for the classically preppie woven shirt or oxford worn beneath a vest or sweater and topped with a blazer (sleeves rolled up, of course); let a tank peak out from beneath your favorite tee and then layer on a hoodie or sweatshirt for casual layering (Check out the Runyon Racerback Tank, Eco-Heather Deep Hoodie and The Champ Eco-Fleece Raglan pictured above).

The possibilities are endless, and the best thing about layering is that you can look as funky, preppy or put-together as you want. And don’t forget to layer on a complementary scarf, hat and bag for the finishing touches.