April 22, 2010 is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Founded in 1970 by US Senator Gaylord Nelson (WI), Earth Day was designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. We were definitely inspired to do our part when we found out that

recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 2 barrels of oil, 4,100 kilowatts of energy, 3.2 cubic yards of landfill space and 60 pounds of air pollution.

And we’re not the only ones rocking this ruby anniversary party – according to the nonprofit Earth Day Network, Earth Day is observed in 175 countries and celebrated by more than a half billion people every year. Designers are certainly on board — taking a cue from Mother Nature, finding inspiration in all things natural, and adorning their accessory collections with everything from feathers and seashells to flowers and leaves. Accessorize from the ground up in earth inspired accessories, from earth tones and animal prints to turquoise and the coral gem of the sea.

Recycling one aluminum can saves enough electricity to power a TV for three hours.

Interested in getting a green beauty routine? Here are a few fabulous finds to ease your way in:

• Stella McCartney’s Care is a super-luxurious skincare collection with 100-percent organic active ingredients and recyclable containers. We’re also loving Certified Organic lavender shower gel from L’Occitane En Provence.

• Josie Maran’s products are all about luxury with a conscience … they’re pure and gentle, totally free of toxins and other ingredients that damage the planet. Finger Paints in Sweet is a pretty palette that creates a natural shimmering glow for lips, eyes, and cheeks. Even the container is biodegradable.
• Mineral Powder Bronzer from Tarte is oil, talc, and fragrance-free, and fuses earthly minerals with naturally derived ingredients for a finish that’s pure perfection. Without all the bad stuff, there is plenty of room for invigorating ingredients like vitamins A and E, which act as antioxidants to fight free radical damage and mineral pigments that are known for their soothing and softening properties.
• bareMinerals Glimpse eye shadow is created with 100% pure crushed minerals and provides soft and subtle color with just the right touch of shimmer and shine.
• Body Shop lip liner is preservative and fragrance free to keep your lips naturally beautiful. We love the stunningly natural color Beech, which contains vitamin E to soften, condition, and protect lips. The oil used in the liner supports community trade in Namibia, and the pencil is made from durable Forest Stewardship Council beech wood.

We toss out enough aluminum cans to rebuild our commercial air fleet every three months.

Green is more than just a stunning spring color, and we’ve got some easy ideas for incorporating a little earthy green into your life. Start recycling and you’ll instantly reduce your impact on the earth. Bring your own travel mug or water bottle to work and coffee shops that allow it, bring your own bags to the grocery store, use low energy appliances, and dispose of toxic and electronic items appropriately.Finally, Save Energy. Not only will this reduce your carbon footprint, but it will also save you money on your energy bills!

• Plugs draw electricity as long as they are inserted into an outlet, so unplug your phone and laptop chargers when not using them. Attach appliances and battery chargers to a power strip, and get in the habit of unplugging or switching it off when you leave the house for the day.
• A full fridge operates more efficiently – so keep it stocked!
• The Alliance to Save Energy claims a one-degree thermostat reduction can save three percent on your heating bill.

Some of our favorite accessories in this week’s edition are from Kenneth Jay Lane, Valentino, Marni, Chloe, Michael Kors, Nine West, Vera Wang, and Kate Spade.