[When CollegeCandy put out a request for a Secret Intern to write an Internship Diary, we got some truly cringe-inducing stories, but “Elisa’s” experience trumped all.

Currently, “Elisa” is interning for a big, flashy 5th Avenue designer. Sounds awesome, right? Well, read the second installment HERE, and then read on…]

I am now the Google master.

This past week I’ve literally spent 6 of the 8 hours I’m here “researching” for things that do not exist whatsoever. I understand that she’s trying out the whole green idea, but lady, let’s be reasonable here. Recycled clear vinyl bags? Uh… hello? CLEAR VINYL. I have no idea what kind of company makes shopping bags that are clear, and vinyl, and recycled.

I must have gone through hundreds of “eco-friendly” tote bag sites that have all been rejected because they are not clear. LET’S COMPROMISE HERE… FOR THE EARTH! Aside from researching for these vinyl bags, I also researched sample cups (which also had to be clear), and eco-friendly ice cream cups.

Yeah… eco- friendly my ass.
She needs to give that dream up. Read More »

So by now, the majority of us are back at school, making attempts at being organized that we know will never last the entire semester, scanning our syllabi in horror and stocking up on the snacks we know we’re going to need for those nerve-grating late nights. But while we’re preparing to study up, a lot of other people who aren’t even in school are doing a little bio homework of their own.

Living green is getting more and more popular, not to mention much easier. There are tons of organic choices lining supermarkets, pharmacies, even clothing stores.

But how do you even know what to pick while you’re cruising through the aisles? You want to help out Mom Nature, of course, but you don’t want your wallet to go the way the polar ice caps are going. Here are five of the best methods to save earth and your money, a little bit at a time.

5) Always always buy your fruit and veggies organic: It’s healthier for you, and since it’s gotten so popular, it’s just the same price, and sometimes cheaper. If you can, try to buy local produce; it supports your local farms and sometimes you can even see where it’s grown, if you live nearby. (Quickie tip: while you’re shopping, just bring a backpack or a canvas bag instead of wasting the paper and plastic bags at the store.) Read More »

Every day – without even trying, it seems – I see more and more people going green. And it makes me so happy! It seems like everyone’s catching the bug.

NBC did an entire week of prime time programming that incorporated green story lines, green facts, and tips for going green. Even I learned tons of new information and ways to reduce my carbon footprint a little more.

Also on last week was a small part of The Sundance channel’s large series called, Big Ideas for a Small Planet, “a documentary series presenting the forward-thinking designers, products and processes that are on the leading edge of a new green world.” The episode I caught covered clothing and the ways new earth friendly designers are creating products that help – not harm – our planet, while still being totally hot.

One fantastic Green company is Patagonia. Did you know their soft and furry jackets are made from recycled pop bottles? In fact, making Patagonia products actually keeps 2.5 billion pop bottles out of landfills each year! (And my Diet Coke obsession is not helping things…)

Even better, when your Patagonia jackets/shirts/anything get worn out and old, you can bring them back to any Patagonia retailer to be recycled. The material can be broken down and recycled into new products an infinite number of times! Think about all those materials you are saving. Read More »

As many of my close friends know, I have recently gone a little green. Not green with envy (though I do envy every single person still in college); green like the plants and the trees and all the good things that make this planet so beautiful.

Oy. Now I sound like I’ve gone a little granola too.

Anyways, I have become quite conscious of the effects I have on the environment and have been taking strides to change. I have made small changes – like bringing my own travel mug to coffee shops – and I have made big changes – like replacing my gas guzzler with a more fuel efficient, Jetta.

I haven’t always been this way. In fact, it took a little man named Al Gore to really make me stop and smell the roses…and realize that my giant SUV and constant runs to Starbucks could make those roses obsolete one day soon. And even though people make fun of me for being earthy (like my paper-plate loving brother) or hate me for forcing new conservation tactics (like my printer loving bosses), I really do feel like I am making a difference. Read More »