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Do you know what your carbon footprint is? How environmentally friendly are your home appliances? These are a couple of questions you should take the time to ask yourself when it comes to how you contribute to your environment and your world. Your daily impact on the world isn’t going unnoticed: from your car’s emissions to the household products you use, you are either contributing positively or negatively to the environment and especially to your wallet!

Take heed to these small but effective tips to be more environmentally friendly and save yourself some money too this Earth Day.

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From YourTango

I firmly believe that a woman should not feel obligated to date every guy sent her way just because she might feel negative about her single status or “anxious” to get into a relationship. When it comes to finding that ideal significant other, we all have our list of desired traits along with the drop-dead deal breakers that we refuse to compromise on. Also, going out on too many bad dates will drain you of your positive energy, which is so vital to dating success.

Some women go a bit overboard in the rejection department and write off potential matches for reasons that I believe are short-sighted and irrelevant to a happy relationship. Remember, your goal is to be in a committed, happy relationship that will lead to marriage. So here are some things that I believe you should not reject a guy over.

1. His clothing. On two separate occasions, I tried to set up women with men I suggested because they didn’t like the way they dressed. They felt the men weren’t “sharp” or cool enough for them. Admittedly, they were clueless in the clothing department, but I told these women that I thought they were making a big mistake by rejecting these men who were both highly intelligent, successful professionals and really nice guys — only based on their style (or lack thereof).

I guess living in big cities filled with metrosexual, GQ-reading men on the cutting edge of fashion trends can distort the reality that lots of great men are ignorant when it comes to style. They either don’t know or don’t care, so they continue to dress like college frat boys or Revenge of the Nerds extras. I can totally see how this can be a turn off to women who put so much effort into looking their best.

But here’s the reason why it shouldn’t matter: Most men will gladly upgrade their wardrobe for the right woman. Most men would love for a woman to take them shopping and help them pick out clothes. In fact, they probably wouldn’t mind if you went shopping on your own and just brought them back stuff to wear. It’s that simple.

In most areas you need to assume that a person will not change, and you must accept them as they are. Clothing style for men is not one of them. Once you’re in a relationship, you can style your man. So don’t reject a guy just because he can’t figure out what to wear!

Check out the other four reasons on YourTango.com.

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Thrift shopping is a very cool endeavor that not only allows you to find one-of-a-kind pieces, but is eco-friendly as you recycle clothing items; but taking the time to search for items that you like, in your size, that are still of good quality can be quite a daunting task. There are often racks and racks of merchandise to be sifted through for that one great find. Yet, taking just a few key preparatory actions can make your shopping simpler, helping you to navigate in a way that scores you the best stuff.

Do your research – Check in with stylish friends, read blogs, do Google searches, read reviews at the Better Business Bureau website, post questions on social media. Whatever your preferred method, find out where the reputable thrift stores are in your area—ones that have been in business for a while, and are known for quality merchandise with fair prices. If you want to dig a little deeper, you may even be able to find the ones that suit your style specifically—whether you are looking for high-end items, items of a certain style or even from a specific decade.

Get friendly with the owner/staff – Thrift shop owners and staff are your absolute best resource at finding the items you want. They take in the merchandise from donations, they are savvy about the history of the pieces they sell and they often know when or from whom pieces are coming. Half of the battle in shopping at thrift stores is getting to the merchandise before someone else can pick it up. Give yourself a leg up by being friendly so that you know when items are arriving—bonus if they offer to put items you would love aside for you to preview first. You’ll probably even learn a thing or two in the process about the designers you love, specific periods or collections, authenticating items, etc. depending on the store.

Look for unconventional ways to wear conventional items – Can that dress you spied also double as a top? Would that pair of men’s jeans have the perfect amount of ‘boyfriend’ style slouch? Can you rock that fedora with a feminine menswear inspired business look? Would that bulky sweater be great if it were belted? Keep your eyes open for opportunities to layer or transform items that make them look totally unique when you put your personal spin on them.

Image via Belk’s publicity

Most athletes start sneaker lines, but Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers quarterback, has decided to start his own fashion business. The NFL star has inked a partnership to launch a fashion line with Belk Stores.

It seems the player always had fashion designer dreams. His signature line — MADE Cam Newton — of what he’s calling “fashion forward” professional apparel for men will hit Belk department stores by fall 2013.

It’s a wise business move on Cam’s part. Men’s clothing sales are on the rise. “Sales of men’s apparel are forecast to increase 8.26 percent in the first quarter,” according to IBM Global Business Services. “Men spent an estimated $8.4 billion on clothing last year,” reports Reuters. “That would be up 8.21 percent from 2010 and the largest increase in 20 years.”

But will the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner really be designing the clothes?  Belk isn’t telling. “He’s not a designer but he has a very strong sense of style,” Kathryn Bufano, Belk’s president and chief merchandising officer, told WWD. “He wants to set an example for young people that looking sharp gives you more confidence.”

Whoever is designing the actual line, the clothes (at least from the photos released) are smart looking enough. The best part, the outfits are affordable– from $28 t-shirts to $200 suits.

“I have a range of styles, but nothing flamboyant,” Cam told WWD. “I’m not into bow ties or suspenders, or pinks or purples. I’m more into sweater vests, clean slacks and blazers. I like preppie style sweaters. You’ll see me in a suit and tie, things on the traditional side.”

Cam isn’t necessarily blazing any fashion trails. Other athletes that have chosen suits over sneakers are New York Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire and Boston Celtics’ Jermaine O’Neal.

For the fierce and fashionable, it’s that time of the week again to tear apart or applaud some of the most eclectic style choices of the week. Yes, it’s Style to Steal or Girl, Stop time! Being that this was the last week of New York Fashion Week, we collected some interesting looks that we thought you’d want to see, get inspiration from, or stay far, far away from. Let’s get it started!

Solange Knowles was caught walking the streets of NYC trying to get to the Mercedes-Benz fashion week shows. For them, she was clearly trying to mix it up with her prints and have all eyes on her. We’re seeing dots, houndstooth, and leopard print. She paired a short sleeve top (with a pocket) with a high houndstooth skirt, and accessorized with leopard heels, a mustard yellow bag, a bright red lip and blown out strands. While I’m sure we’ll probably disagree, I’m actually a fan of the collection of prints that come together with her outfit. However, the hair is a no for me. I’m all for pressing out fros, but not like this. Yes on the ensemble though. What about you?

lazygirls.info

Hey loves! Hope you’ve been having a GREAT weekend! I think the celebs are having a great weekend because they’ve been as quiet as church mice this weekend.  But you know I found a lil sumthin’ sumthin’ for you guys!

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Sadly the dog days of summer are winding down, but the good news is there is already lots of fall fashion to drool over. And since that means tons of transitional pieces, you don’t need to worry about tossing your warm weather wardrobe out the window right away. Instead use layers to transition your wardrobe from summer savvy to autumnally amazing.

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Dressed to the nines for the New York premiere of The Dark Knight Rises, Zoe Kravitz was looking very dark herself in this alluring black dress. With its sheer panels and ruched material, the dress covered her lady bits and stomach in a peek-a-boo manner, while the bottom of the dress showcased a black skirt that reached over the knee. On her feet were strapped heels with a sheer toe and strap over the foot, and in her hand was a small black leather clutch. This dress brought Kravitz a great opportunity to show off her new haircut (which I don’t think I’m feeling), but the dress itself is a no-no. It could have been a winner, but in certain places, the dress comes off looking cheap. The shoes are fly, the bag is cute, and she’s in great shape, but no thanks. Stop.

vibe.com

Hey loves!  Listen, while I’m sure the celebs were up to some ratchetness – especially in Miami since the Heat won the championship – I pretty much have only good news to share this week! Let’s catch up with the celebs, shall we??

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Source: SheSoMajor.com

Is there anything Jennifer Hudson can’t do? The 30-year-old singer, Oscar winner, author, and Weight Watcher’s spokesperson has a number of successes under her belt and now she’s setting her sights on a new venture: fashion.

Woman’s Wear Daily reports the newly minted fashion designer will introduce the Jennifer Hudson Collection for QVC in September.

Recently, Jennifer famously lost 80 pounds on Weight Watchers and dropped from a size 16 to a size 6. She told WWD that her new line will feature clothes for those sizes and in between:

“I feel like I represent every woman. I’ve been on both sides of the fence. I’ve been a big girl and now whatever this is, the average size, whatever you want to call it. But I wanted the clothes to be where any girl could wear it — no matter what size you are — and you could feel comfortable in it.”

The line is being touted as “affordable”, but that’s a relative term considering a purchase will set you back $75 for a sheer maxiskirt, 74.50 for a bodycon dress and $50 for a pair of leggings. The most expensive of the 14-piece line is a $170 coat.

The designs are inspired by Jennifer’s own style. And if you thought you had a lot of clothes, this celeb says she owns 300 pairs of leggings!

”I’m the legging queen. What I love about a legging is, again, it’s a piece you can dress up or down and it’s still comfortable.”

Woman’s Wear Daily reports that QVC is excited about the line. Doug Howe, QVC’s executive vice president of merchandising, planning and sales, says: ”[Jennifer] has this great Cinderella story, an aspiration for different women. We don’t overtly go out to target someone who is Hispanic or African-American. We never look at it that way. It all starts with the person’s story and product. That dictates who buys it.”

Are you excited to hear about Jennifer’s clothing line? Will you be wearing her designs?

Alissa Henry is a freelance writer living in Columbus, OH. Follow her on Twitter @AlissaInPink

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