I stopped by Eco-Luxe the other day, the first media and press event to showcase only environmentally responsible luxury brands, and what I saw there would warm the heart of even the most demanding, white-gloved shopper. Eco truly can be luxury too, and I was thrilled to hear about so many environmentally responsible luxury brands and products.

The event was produced by the Go Green Expo, which sponsors fantastic eco-friendly exhibitions all around the nation, showcasing the best interior design, home accessories, technology, fashion, jewelry, automobiles and travel. You should definitely plan on checking them out when they come to a town near you. Deliciously enough, Eco-Luxe was held at Rouge Tomate, which serves tasty green food options right in midtown NYC.

Guests and press got to learn about cutting-edge and elegant green product from exhibitors such as Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen, Alberto Parada Jewelry, Olivier New York, Moen, Audi, Bonterra Vinyards, Tesla, Dell, 360 Vodka, Jeeves of Belgravia, and Piaggio Vespa. And Mariel Hemingway was on hand to discuss Tatchme, as super-duper high-end eco-friendly skin care line complete with anti-aging power. It comes in hand-blown Murano glass jars. So pretty, and yet another example of how green product can be anything we want it to be. And that really should be everything!

Alberto Parada was there, with his fabulous jewelry. Not only is it gorgeous enough for any engagement, wedding or anniversary, it’s made of 100% recycled gold, crafted locally, and incorporates only fair trade, non-conflicts diamonds and gems stones.

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A Lot To Say Inc. showed off t-shirts, bags and underwear emblazoned with sassy messages, and woven from recycled plastic bottles. The even use a water free printing process, keeping green by keeping our planet blue. I got one of these scarves that is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and I wear it religiously! It feels like silk…no joke.

My favorite product though: the Soda Stream. I have one of these at home, and can’t get enough of it. Essentially, you fill the bottle from your tap, pump the pump a few times, and one crispy hiss later, you’re uncapping sparkling water. This saves so much money over buying seltzer or club soda in the store, let alone the fancy stuff – and it tastes just as refreshing. It also protects the environment by eliminating bunches of plastic waste, and the heavy costs of shipping heavy bottled water. You can even add soda concentrate to make the diet cola, root beer or other fizzy beverage of your choice, or mix in a bit of fruit juice, like I do, for a healthier option. The carbonating cartridges last for months, and the whole unit is actually small enough to fit comfortably on my NYC kitchen counter …

Have you discovered (or invented!) any fun eco-luxe worthy project of your own recently? As always, Rachael and I would love to hear from you!

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