Dirty South Come Hard: Athens Style Goes Green

If you attended a big ol' public university in the south like us GSpotters (TarHeels, Baby!!) then you probably already know about the homogeneous fashions worn by most of the Sorority girls. No hate, we have friends who were in sororities. Even our wonderful roomate Erin was in one. But just saying, they all pretty much adhere to a strict uniform made up of of North Face polartec jacket, Sperry deck shoes, Croakies brand sunglasses string, Sevens or Citizens Jeans, New Balance tennis shoes, and pearl earrings the size of plums.

How completely unexpected and wonderful then to come across UGA STYLE, a site devoted to the more quirkier and fashion forward folks Athens, GA.

The site's blogtastic proprietor, Allie, is also a contributor to Ethical Style and wrote this piece about Athens' up and coming green fashion scene, specifically the boutique Nourish.

Way to go Allie! Keep the photos of the daringly stylish kids Georgia coming and don't let the homogenity get you down. And keep reminding your fellow Bull Dawgs that unless it's around their dorm rooms, just Say No To UGGS!!!

Shout Out to Recycling Professionals!

A couple nights ago outside of the C-Town grocery store in Astoria, Queens, we GSpotted this guy recycling. His name is Sidney and he is a professional recycler. When we met Sidney, he was man-handling a whole lot of cardboard and compacting it in his nifty truck, afterwhich it is driven to the dump to be made into something new.

We asked Sidney if he considered his job eco-friendly. He answered, of course he did. We then asked if he does anything else eco-friendly. He said, "Oh my goodness. There are all sorts of things. Just being friendly alone helps."

From the mouths of recyclers. Because what is "going green" or environmental stewardship if there isn't kindness and goodwill between humans?

Speaking of which, yesterday at the Goodwill Thrift store near the CTown where Sidney was recycling, we witnessed a slight altercation between an over-worked (and presumably underpaid) sales associate and an opinionated customer standing in the check out line line. So Mr Opinionated Customer makes a comment about an overpriced suitcase another gentleman was purchasing, which is arguably not his business in the first place. Ms Pissed Saleswoman proceeds to tell him that it isn't his business and he should stay out of other people's transactions. Mr OC promptly answers, why don't you let me have my own conversations, to which Ms PS retors, "And that's why you probably lost your job in this economy. I got a job, but with all these layoffs and opinions like yours - I bet youd don't." From there it just degraded into a 5th graders word flinging fight.

In an attempt to calm the mood, we GSpotters began mumbling about recycling clothing, a new administration, Change, what-have-you- but to no avail. We left the store wishing that everyone was like Sidney. Because being eco-friendly starts with being friendly, and all ultimately leads to a higher consciousness and connection with the earth.

Lucky Eco Girl

Hey GSpotters! It has been a while since our last entry, and for that we apologize. But with our new President working so hard: raising automobile fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2011 and re-committing funds (that our last Prez cut) towards family planning and the United Nations Populations Fund, we were inspired to get off our duffs and get to work. So here we go:

Yesterday, GSpotter Margaret had a day-long photo shoot with Lucky Magazine. The photos will go in a section called My Foolproof Outfit, highlighting working women and transitioning day attire to night without having to head home. Margaret's glossy debut, with a summary of her daily work with eco-blogs like Strawberry Earth and The Lazy Environmentalist will be in Lucky's annual Green Issue hitting stands come April. True to strict ethical and fabulous standards, all of the attire is manufactured with fair labor standards and sustainabley sourced materials. Thanks to Photographer Susan, Hair/Makeup Stylist Renee, and Lucky Editor Heather for making our little GSpotter Margaret look hott!

Speaking of Snowboarders

Last week we rapped about the greener-than-ever snowboard industry and so to complement that entry, here's an interview with former pro-snowboarder- turned crunk rocker Trouble Andrew and his band, which G Spotter Margaret scored for BlackBook Magazine. Special corporate shout out (wait a second?!) to Burton for aiming for 50% sustainable materials in all boards by 2010 and for sponsoring the two time Olympic snowboarder, Trouble Andrew.

Also, check Trouble Andrew's song Push sung over a looped Lil Wayne song, which is kinda gnarly, bro.

What is a Real O G? Is it Green, necessarily?

Usually, the content of this blog pertains to spotting G as in Green. But when there are other, meaningful G* sightings, like this one, it only seems right that they too should be posted.


These two brothers and a girlfriend (gf of one of the brothers) were waiting at the Prince Street stop on the train a few days back. I couldn't pass them without being dazzled by their thoughtfully synchronized outfits.


From the matching bros Yankees fitted hats to the to the identical Nikes on all three of them (though hers were the "girl" version) these cool kids were just working it. Even if the garb wasn't "green" per se, it was conscious and sustainable; the three were interacting with such kindness and love that their "look" clearly went beyond just precise wardrobe.

In 2009, may we all put this kind of thought into our style and interpersonal relationships.




* Also known as an Old Gangster, O G, or Real O G, you definitely know a G when you see one.

Green Snow Boards Go Faster Than The Rest

Big news for all y'all conscious snowboarders (shout out G Spotting Bro, Gabe): green boards are here and even more are coming.

Today's NY Times Article about eco-sourcing for snowboards is badass, especially that by the 2010 season, big boy boarding co. Burton will be using 50 percent sustainable materials in ALL of their boards.

What does that mean? How about a Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood core, a lacquer-free top sheet, 90-percent recycled steel edges, 100-percent recycled sidewalls and a 50-percent recycled base.

Green snowboards have been done before, namely by Arbor, which has been using renewable materials like Koa wood, cork and bamboo since 1995. But industry leader Burton's shift to sustainable boards signifies a real shift in the industry, and we can't lie: we're hyped.

Happy New Years! Eco Resolutions

Here is G Spotter Margaret interviewing folks about 2009 for Sprig.com's "Green Girl on the Street."

Happy 2K9