Dogeared Jewels & Gifts, based out of Venice, CA was founded by Marcia Maizel-Clarke in 1991. Clarke was a buyer for Macy’s while she started creating her own line of simple, inspired jewelry. Before long, she was selling her own line to several Macy’s stores and swap meets.

Dogeared features a wide variety of inspirational necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more. Each piece has its own unique message, of which there are many: Peace, love, dream, BFFs, you name it.

Dogeared’s designs are all small and simple, yet powerful. These creations are perfect for gift giving, as Dogeared also has specific items for moms, daughters, and girlfriends, as well as occasions—birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and so on.

As a female, and one that makes jewelry in her spare time, I can tell you that there is definitely something for everyone from this company, whose catalog is available online at www.dogeared.com. Dogeared designs offer a wide variety of prices and designs, making it unique among jewelry sellers. Offering several options for every budget, prices start at $22 and go up to $172, and most items are available in gold and silver. MORE

The Sigg brand began in 1908 in Switzerland by a metal specialist by the name of Ferdinand Sigg, who launched his aluminum producing factory by churneding out frying pans, kitchenware, and its now famous signature product: the Sigg water bottle.

The bottle itself is produced by a single component that produces no weak points in its structure, making it virtually unbreakable. While the outside presents an aesthetic, simple and sturdy exterior, the inside has an internal lining that is immune to fruit acids, alcohol, and any other pungent beverage you might try to make portable. This special coating also prevents bacteria buildup, so you will never have what I like to call “nasty Nalgene” problems with scent or flavor.

And of course, these robust little bottles are 100% recyclable, but will most likely last 20 years if you don’t lose it before then.

Here I must interject a paragraph on why I think bottled water and plastics in general, are horrible and horrible for the environment. I recently watched a newsmagazine program (terrible citation of a source, I know) that presented research about how a large majority of bottled water companies are simply bottling their own municipal tap water, chucking it onto a large, diesel-fuel chugging truck and shipping it all across the country. MORE

Beauty, performance, and sustainability are the three concepts that drive Portland, Oregon-based retailer Nau to create hip, functional, and environmentally conscious clothing.

The mission statement of this company, whose namesake is a native Maori (the native New Zealand language) word for “welcome,” is “to combine the generosity of the human spirit and the power of technology with business innovation to increase shareholder equity, protect the environment, enhance social justice and provide humanitarian relief worldwide.” Whew! Those are some lofty goals! So, how exactly do they accomplish these things, beyond opening retail locations? Quite a few things, actually!

Nau offers a wide range of women’s and men’s casual and athletic apparel. The company utilizes recycled materials in its clothing, such as soda bottles and industrial scrap. The cotton they use is 100% organically grown, and the company also utilizes biopolymer fabrics whenever possible. These are fabrics that are created using agricultural sources such as corn, rather than non-renewable resources like petroleum.

Nau has also partnered with non-profit organization Verité to audit their manufacturing facilities for human rights violations and work environment issues. MORE

In a world saturated with apparel geared towards the sports-minded, a new contender has risen to the forefront of yoga-inspired athletic wear. lululemon athletica, a Vancouver, B.C. based company, is devoted to designing fitted, comfortable athletic clothing with a stylish flair for both men and women.

Founded by Chip Wilson in 1998, the company’s brand has a playful yet earnest message. The lululemon manifesto reads like a conglomerate of “Life’s Little Instruction Book,” and consists of messages and phrases like “Friends are more important than money,” and “Coke, Pepsi, and all other pops will be known as the cigarettes of the future. Colas are NOT a substitute for water. They are just a cheap drug made to look great by advertising.”

With a lighthearted yet serious spirit in mind, lululemon carries a wide variety of athletic clothing that will last forever and function best for those focusing on yoga, dance, and running. What’s more, lululemon locations offer free Sunday morning yoga classes…they just roll all the clothing racks up and teach a class in the middle of the store, and rotate between several different guest instructors. MORE