Frei’s Fall/Winter 2009 collection shows a real evolution in design from their first collections, which were noteworthy. See images below and much more on their site. Annie Novotny’s take on modern Victoriana (and interestingly, mourning photography) results in a dark but refined sense of dressing that has really captured a moment in time, an essence of melancholy structure that is apropos and also a bit revolutionary for the times.

Frei Is:

Made with carefully-chosen materials:
• 80% organic
• no agrochemicals
• fast-renewing resources
• low-impact or no-impact dying

Sewn in Chicago by workers who receive a fair and living wage.
Shipped using recycled materials.

And Frei Designs now has it’s own blog, Adventures in Sustainable Design and a boutique too, called Workshop. Located in Chicago.

Every year, when it starts getting cold, I crave soups and stews packed with greens and garlic. To me, it’s the ultimate comfort food: hot, healthy, and vegetarian. I love to experiment with seasonal ingredients like apples and butternut squash, and add in favorites like spinach and hot spices. Here are three filling, unbelievably delicious meat-free soup recipes that will be in rotation in my soup pot this season.

Garlic, Chickpea and Spinach Soup
By Sneakerdog

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
5 cups vegetable stock
12 ounces potatoes, diced

More after the jump!

15 ounces can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2/3 cup Silk(tm) cream (or other non-dairy cream)
2 tablespoons light tahini
7 ounces spinach, shredded
cayenne pepper
salt and pepper, to taste

Heat the oil in a saucepan and cook the garlic and onions until soft and golden. Stir in the cumin and coriander and cook for one minute. Add the stock and potatoes. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add chickpeas and simmer for another 5 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Mix the cornflour, cream and tahini together. Stir into the soup with the spinach. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to the boil, stirring and simmering for another 2 minutes. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper before serving.

Fat-Free Vegan Red Lentil Curry Soup
By Happy Herbivore

Makes 4 cups

1 small onion, sliced thinly
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups of water, plus a little more
1 cup uncooked red lentils
16 baby carrots, sliced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp mild curry powder
1″ fresh ginger, minced (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
1 tbsp minced fresh cilantro
red pepper flakes as desired (or other heat spice)
1/4 tsp cloves
1-2 tsp garam masala
1 cup fat free soy milk or lite coconut milk
Salt/pepper to taste
Cilantro for garnish

Line a large pot with a thin layer of water, turn heat on high and add onions. Boil/saute for three minutes, add garlic and continue to cook until most of the water has cooked off. Add water, lentils, carrots, bay leaf, curry, ginger, cilantro, flakes and cloves and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to low; simmer 20 minutes or until lentils are cooked and most of the water has absorbed.

Stir in garam masala, let sit (no heat, but covered) 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender, add soy milk or coconut milk and puree until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

Ginger Gold Apple and Squash Soup
By Christie’s Corner

Serves 6 to 8

2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 onions, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh gingerroot, grated
2 dried red chilies (optional)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and chopped
6 cups vegetable broth
4 Ginger Gold apples, peeled, seeded and chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
*Old cheddar, cream, creme fraiche (plain yogurt for the health conscious)

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and saute the onions for a few minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, ground cumin and ground coriander, cooking for a couple more minutes. Add the squash, tossing to coat in the spices. Add the stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, covered for 10 minutes. Add the apples and cook another 10 to 20 minutes, or until the squash is cooked.

Puree with an immersion blender or in a blender. Season to taste. Serve with grated old cheddar, a splash of cream or a dollop of creme fraiche. Those who live on the edge may do all three.

From Mike Lieberman at SimplyRawRecipes (where directions and ingredients are also written out).

I love a great red sweater, and this one from Stewart & Brown has a beautiful asymmetrical button-front and a cable knit throughout. I especially like the detail at the collar and those fantastic pockets. Made from 100% Mongolian cashmere (and seen on Michelle Williams in Vogue).

Lutz and Patmos (available at Barney’s and through their own site) is synonymous with sustainable sweaterings; I heard the design team there speak a year ago and their passion for waste-free and long-lasting, high quality yarns was impressive. And their cuts and colors are that perfect cross between modern and classic that means they’re wearable forever. My neck always gets cold in the Winter, even when no other part of my body is, so a chunky neckwarmer that can go as well over a thick sweater for a hike, or over pajamas when I set the thermostat low is an ideal piece. Made from 100% eco friendly Merino wool from Uruguay.

I am in love with this vest, but like you, wonder how practical it could be for regular wear. But what is life if one is practical all the time? Some of my oddest clothes have made- and stayed- in heavy rotation. One statement piece like this one makes the rest of the ensemble simple; Made from organic wool by Thieves Boutique.

This creamy cowl-neck tunic from Covet (one of my fave ecofashion brands) will keep the cozy factor high on the coldest days if paired with jeans and knee-high boots. On warmer days, tights and ankle boots this organic cotton French terry number will remind you that Spring will come someday. Available at Kaight.

There’s nothing better than a wrap-around cardigan; I end up wearing this kind at home with a pair of fleece pants from Patagonia, some thick wool socks, while re-reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Left open over a simple sheath with tights and the Lhasa sweater from DeuxFM takes on a polished edge. Available at Nimli.

It’s a great time to be an eco-conscious drinker. There’s never been a bigger or tastier selection of organic, fair trade and otherwise earth-friendly liquor and mixers on the market, and the possibilities for seasonal cocktails are practically endless, from spiked cider to pomegranate cosmopolitans.

Fair Vodka is the world’s first fair-trade certified vodka, and is made with quinoa from the South American Andes. TRU vodka and gin is actually carbon negative, made with organic ingredients that are responsibly farmed and bottled in lightweight recycled glass. Organic Nation gin is made at Oregon’s first organic distillery, using locally grown organic botanicals.

Mixers, recipes and more after the jump!

Thatcher’s organic liqueurs are hand-made in small batches using all natural, sustainably farmed, organic ingredients and are available in exotic flavors like Elderflower, Tres Chiles, Dark Chocolate and Chipotle. And, hostesses who like to keep their cocktail parties simple can pick up organic mixers from ModMix for quick and easy bloody marys, mojitos and margaritas.

And that’s only the beginning – check out an exhaustive list at Intoxicated Zodiac, which includes whiskey, bourbon, rum, lots of tequila and vodka and even herbal liqueurs.

Planning a fall party? Consider these lip-smacking eco-cocktail recipes:

Farmer’s Marketini

2 parts Thatcher’s Apple Spice
2 parts premium vodka
1 part triple sec
1 part cranberry juice
0.5 part fresh lime juice

The Baron

2 parts Thatcher’s Pomegranate
2 parts premium bourbon
1 part triple sec
1 part fresh lemon juice

Spicy Ginger Martini

1 oz LOFT Spicy Ginger Cello
3 oz vodka

Grapes of Gin and Ginger

5 red grapes
½ teaspoon chopped fresh ginger, muddled
1 ¾ oz Organic Nation gin
Oregano Simple syrup
Squeeze of fresh lime
Lots of ice
Top with Soda water

Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

2 parts Organic Modmix Pomegranate Cosmopolitan
2 parts vodka

Shake over ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with mint, pomegranate seeds, or lemon peel.

This big highlight will be a panel from 10am-11:30 discussing “the past, present and future of green blogging”. Speakers include:

Kim Barnouin, (co-author of New York Times Bestseller Skinny Bitch and founder of HealthyBitchDaily.com)

Starre Vartan, (environmental journalist, editor and publisher of Eco-Chick.com)

Jen Boulden, (co-founder of IdealBite.com)

Jane Buckingham (trend forecaster and president of Trendera.com)

“Green LA Girl” Siel Ju

Lauren Selman, founder & producer of Reel Green Media & “Sustainable Sirens”

Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, founder & editor of EcoStiletto.com.

After the panel, there’s a Vegan Fashion Show featuring sustainable designs from ecoSkin, Doie, Deborah Lindquist, Stewart + Brown and Wasteland.

Want to attend? Hit up the registration site here before space runs out!

Where: Environment Furniture, located at 8126 Beverly Boulevard, on November 6th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Space is limited so reserve now. Entry is $20 in advance or $30 cash at the door.

P.S. Got questions for our panel? Email ‘em to info@ecostiletto.com . We can’t promise we’ll get to all, but we’ll try!

Zion Francis is not only a model and activist, she’s also a civil engineer, who hopes to “….prove that who you are as a citizen and consumer doesn’t have to disagree with what you do for a living.”

Ariel Clay is a Fair-Trade activist who knew “… early on that I wanted to help to bring environmental awareness and beauty to this world while at the same time helping those in need,” and plans to donate her volunteer time to the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy.

Vanessa Meier is a surf-loving California-based green girl who is also a geologist by training. Working with several local water-quality organizations (Surfrider Foundation and the City of Santa Monica) she uses her knowledge to preserve and protect the Bay near her home. She has other green passions too: “Although my degrees are in geology, and I planned a career in environmental research science, I couldn’t deny the fact that raising animals for food is actually the number one emitter of green house gases.”

Leilani Munter has been dubbed by CNN “an oxymoron: a tree hugging race car driver.” And it’s true. Leilani calls herself a vegetarian, recycling hippie chick who just happens to be a race car driver. And uncommon messenger and a unique voice, to be sure.

Rachel Avalon wants to show people how to have fun going green, and her energy is infectious. She’s also a pretty serious greenie at home so she knows whereof she speaks when she advises those around her to go green. She writes, “With compassion and dedication, I believe there’s a real opportunity to inspire people to make simple changes in every aspect of their lives and show them how rewarding and transformational that can be.”

Jessica Williamson is the ginger Aussie looker who hosted the hilarious and fun Zaproot web series for over two years. Jessica says “green living can be narrowed down to respect. Its respect for the planet, respect for each other, respect for ourselves and respect for all things under the sun.”

Erika Schmid is not only gamine-gorgeous, she did one of the toughest environmental jobs out there. “Having the door slammed in my face 327 times during the course of three months was not exactly my idea of summer fun. Yet when you have a passion, you stick to it. Yes, I was that annoying door to door canvasser working 12 hour days, trying to convince you not to water your grass during the day and to stop using pesticides.” Having canvassed for environmental and human rights organizations myself, I know this is tough work!

Juliana Tran is a girly-girl with a heart of green. She writes, “I doubt I was the first President of the University of Kansas’ bold environmental organization, Environs, to enjoy getting dirt under my nails, but I may have been one of the first to do it in Organic Cherry Red nail polish.” Gardening is still her passion, as is reconstructing clothes to make fun new outfits from old.

Rachael Joy was crowned Mother Earth in her hometown’s annual parade and is a water girl at heart (which is why her volunteer time will go to Reef Check). “Growing up at the beach, I’m particularly drawn to ocean conservation and I am always on the water or in it!”

Karen Pannochia teaches environmental science and for her masters “worked in the Dominican Republic for four years implementing a USAID-funded Environmental policy project. While working with the Environmental Policy Project in the DR, I came to understand that Environmental protection efforts can be enhanced if they are presented and carried out in ways that produce an economic return. I believe that environmental protection and sustainable use of natural Resources can also be economically rewarding.”

I’m in love – with nail polish. A few years ago, I all but gave up on the idea of ever having a nice-looking manicure again after swearing off conventional polishes full of toxic ingredients and experimenting unsuccessfully with the few ‘natural’ nail polish brands on the market.

Then, I found out about Priti NYC, a boutique brand created by Kim D’Amato. Priti polishes contain no toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or petroleum ingredients and are safe for children and mothers-to-be.

I was dazzled by the range of colors available on Priti’s website – unusual for a boutique line – and even more impressed when I saw the shades in person. What looks like a dull brown in the bottle is a luscious chocolately red when painted on the nail (Widow Iris) and shimmery shades contain tiny flecks of unexpected color that reveal themselves in the light.

Priti’s acetone-free, petroleum-free, 100% biodegradable soy polish remover works remarkably well without the headache-inducing chemical odors that nail polish removers are renowned for. I tried it on Priti’s own nail polish and on some Sally Hansen ‘Hard as Nails’ polish, with great results on both – and best of all, this polish remover actually moisturizes and smells like coconut and lemongrass.

The chip resistance, opacity, selection and nuances in color put this polish on par with that of high-end brands like Dior and Chanel – without the carcinogens. What more could you ask for out of a polish?

Get it at Spirit Beauty Lounge.

The kids that are coming of age now (Generation Z or Generation Naught) are not only taking our dithering on major environmental issues without much complaint, they are taking all kinds of creative action. Here are four great examples.

GreenDream and the Ultimate Green Classroom

I had the chance to visit Beachwood High School in Ohio this past fall. The high school kids (along with teacher and Heart of Green winner Greg Perry) were focused on green business in their Marketing class, and then took it to a whole new level. Not only did they raise enough funds (over $100,000) to construct “The Ultimate Green Classroom” and had it built, they came up with a working business plan and executed it for the GreenDream event. A day-long event that included green and sustainable vendors from throughout the region, it drew hundreds and hundreds of visitors, curious about natural products, solar panels, local food and more.

Teens Turning Green: Educating Their Peers

The (mostly) girls behind Teens Turning Green are helping make their fellow teens aware of toxins and reducing their exposure. Suggestions for natural and organic personal care products (shampoo, body wash, etc.) and makeup (through the Teens for Safe Cosmetics arm of the group) helps their fellow teens become familiar with the potential exposure issues and their consequences, and there are plenty of product suggestions to help them find greener options.

Teens Turning Green’s most recent project is called Project Green Dorm, and encourages college students to keep the planet’s resources in mind. Encouraging use of electricity-saving gadgets and electronics, investing in organic bedding, and safe paints, it makes dorm rooms more about health and less about crazy partying (well, maybe there’s room for both!).

Maura Bennet and Converse One Star/Target: Messaging Through Video

Maura Bennet, who won second place in the Converse One Star/Target Video Contest is only 11, but she’s worried. And took action by making a video that beat out thousands of others. Her words about taking responsibility are inspiring and a poignant antidote to the all too common attitude of many people my age who say things like ‘what I do doesn’t matter.’

“What I do know is that I matter — that what I do matters,” says Maura. “The footprint I leave on this world matters.” For just one girl, she has a lot to say.

Aitan Grossman and KidEarth: Global Warming Recognition Through Song

Aitan Grossman, the 12-year-old boy behind KidEarth, is doing what he can with something as simple as a song. Aitan says plainly, “I am a 12 year old boy who likes music and doesn’t like global warming. I am not old enough to solve the problem. But I am old enough to convince others to try by having school children from every continent sing my “100 Generations” song with me.” Schoolchildren around the world, including France, Botswana, Ethiopia, Venezuela, Guatemala and Taiwan have taken up the call and have made their own versions of the songs and recorded them.

Kids and school groups who want to join in can do so, the song recording is open to all. For us old folks, “100 Generations” can be downloaded from iTunes and Amazon MP3 and “sales will support nonprofit groups fighting climate change. Aitan’s favorites are Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection and the World Wildlife Fund.