Many consumers choose green clothing

Eco-friendly is the buzzword "du jour" in the fashion industry. More and more designers and manufacturers are turning to green fabrics and production policies to produce clothing for the mainstream.

So what is "green" clothing? Generally green items are produced with organic fibers of naturally sustainable materials. They also could be made from recycled items -- even plastic. Green clothing can be produced under the auspices of fair trade policies and without the use of dangerous chemicals or dyes.

According to Fashion and Earth, an eco-friendly clothing retailer, Organic and eco textiles cover a wide range of natural and recycled fibers. Certified Organic textiles are grown in controlled settings with no pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers and are certified by an international governing body such. The term 'eco textiles' refers to a select group of textiles that have a reduced carbon, energy and pollution impact when compared to the standard methods used to produce textiles and manufacture clothing. Generally, sustainable textiles are produced from crops that do not require pesticides or chemicals to be grown, use less water and energy to be produced and processed, and create less waste during production, processing and at the end of their useful lives (known collectively as their 'environmental footprint'). Sustainable textiles can also refer to manmade fabrics produced from renewablesources such as bamboo or wood.

People are looking for easy ways to improve the environment. Choosing green clothing is one of the easier ways to make voices heard.

Many consumers will purchase green clothing if it is easily accessible and on par with traditionally produced clothing items. It's rare that the average shopper will intentionally seek out eco-friendly clothing. Therefore, stores are stepping up their efforts to make green clothes as accessible and affordable as other items.

Oftentimes, shoppers can find tags and labels that tout the green properties of a particular piece of clothing. Some of the verbiage that can be found on labels includes green, organic, fair trade, renewable and sustainable.

What's more, the feel and look of green clothing is improving as much as its availability is increasing. It used to be that organic fibers were duller and more coarse than traditionally produced fabrics. Today, however, manufacturers of organic cotton, hemp and bamboo produce clothing that is just as attractive and comfortable as other fabrics.

While many organic items tend to be more expensive than traditionally produced clothing, some big-name retailers are offering items at prices that are equal or nearly equal to other clothing. This eliminates price point as a factor in choosing green over traditional clothing.

Choosing eco-friendly clothing is still largely a personal choice among consumers. But the improved feel, fit, look, price, and availability of green items is contributing to the increasing popularity of these items.

How to encourage your baby to self-soothe

There are many things parents can teach their children. However, there are some things that children must learn for themselves. Soothing is one of them. But that doesn't mean parents can't provide the environment for baby to do the learning.

If your baby never spends time playing on the floor, how can he or she learn how to crawl? The same concept applies to self-soothing. If your child never has the opportunity to try to calm himself or herself down, the baby will continually be reliant on you as the parent to provide the soothing.

Self-soothing takes time and practice, just like anything else a baby will learn. Ensuring your baby catches on quickly requires a few steps.

1.Create a consistent routine. If you want your baby to self-soothe at nap time and bedtime do the same things each day before you will be placing your child in the crib, and ideally at the same time. For example, at nap time tell your child that he is going to go for a nap. At night, give the baby a bath, feeding or whatever nighttime routine you use.

2.Learn to read the baby's signals that indicate he or she is getting tired. Chances are your baby will become tired at the same time each day and sleeping patterns will become predictable.

3.Baby goes in the crib when he or she is drowsy, but not entirely asleep. Place the child in the crib when he or she is showing signs of sleepiness. This way the infant grows accustomed to falling asleep in the crib, rather than in your arms or in your bed. The first few times will likely be met with resistance. However, give your baby time to figure it out. Don't run in and pick up the baby at the first whimper.

4.Recognize when waking the sleeping baby is acceptable. Many parents adhere to the mantra "never wake a sleeping baby." However, you have to look at the bigger picture and use your own instincts when baby is sleeping. If your child has fallen asleep outside of the usual schedule, or is taking a longer nap than usual, it may be alright to wake him or her to get the child back on track. Also, if your baby has fallen asleep in your arms at night, you may want to wake the child so that he or she has the opportunity to drift back off while in the crib. This way he or she learns how to self-soothe and that will pay dividends when the infant can go back to sleep without your help in the middle of the night.

5.Don't give up. If your baby just won't catch on, he or she may not be ready. Wait a few weeks and try again. Find out if there's something you're doing wrong, such as rushing into the baby's room prematurely or failing to create a relaxing, predictable schedule before it's time to drift to sleep. Eventually your child can learn how to self-soothe.

Make a statement with a shaved head

There's something to be said for a full head of hair, and there's also something to be said for a shiny, shaved head. For centuries, men have been shaving their heads for a variety of reasons. Whether for religious beliefs, or for sanitary reasons, a bald head was often a necessity.

Today, head shaving among men is more of a fashion statement. While there are plenty of men who lop off their locks to disguise a receding hairline, there are plenty who prefer a close crop because it's stylish. The look is popular among celebrities. However, you'll find plenty of regular Joes sporting a chrome dome, too.

There are several advantages to going bare up there. For many, the primary benefit is convenience, particularly in the mornings before leaving for work. There is also the financial savings on shampoo and conditioner (although those savings may be offset by shaving cream and sunblock). You can also save by not having to visit the barber or a hair salon, particularly if you're a shave-at-home sort of guy. Another benefit is that a shaved head eliminates the dreaded and embarrassing combovers or toupees that many balding men sport to "hide" their receding hairline. Shaving the head can disguise balding and make a bold statement that plays up facial features.

When you're ready to lose your locks, there are some pointers that can make the process go easier and reduce the risk for nicks and cuts.

Head Shaving How-To

1.Use electric hair clippers to cut your hair to no more than a quarter-inch in length. If you don't have clippers, you may want to visit the barber one last time to get trimmed down.

2.Invest in a quality shaving blade.

3.To get a smooth, even shave, it helps if your scalp muscles are relaxed and the remaining hair is softened considerably. That is why it's often recommended to shave in the shower. Invest in a non-fogging mirror and bring your shaving supplies into the shower.

4.Allow the steam and water to relax the scalp and soften the hair. Work a shaving lubricant, such as a foam or gel, into your scalp thoroughly.

5.Work in long, clean strokes to shave off all of the hair. Avoid going over the same areas twice to prevent irritation. Rinse the razor repeatedly during the process.

6.Rinse and shampoo your head and check for any areas that need touch-ups.

7.After the shower, apply a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer to your head that won't block pores. Remember to apply sunscreen to your face and head to prevent sunburn. Your newly exposed skin will be very sensitive.

8.Repeat the process as needed to maintain your shaved look.