Looks from Fall 2011: Marc Jacobs | Catherine Malandrino | Rebecca Minkoff | Cynthia Steffe

Out of the obvious color trends we saw on the runways during New York Fashion Week from Gwen Stefani’s slinky black L.A.M.B. numbers, to the decadent silver sequins spotted at Naeem Khan, and even the fun blues and pinks at Rebecca Taylor, there was still one underlining trend that we kept seeing over and over. When it came to exuding a lux style it seems most of the designers shared the same idea– it’s time to go green!

We were sold with the money green looks which came in many varied forms including your classic day dresses to funky furs. Still, we’ve got a long way to go before we can slip into the sexy green Malandrino pictured above.  No worries, feast your eyes on these flirty green dress options, all less money than a Spa Week treatment.

Pushing the typical florals trend to the side are graphic prints. The green reflected in this wrap dress hits all the right notes. BCBG Wrap Dress, 48.98

So sweet and rugged at the same time. This short hunter green dress makes a great option for those warm days. Jack by BB Dakota Fiona Dapple Dress, 50.00

Combining different shades of green is a sure fire way to stand out against the fashionable crowd’s all black uniform. Print Cocktail Dresses by Classique, 48.00

This dress has 80 degrees and blue skies written all over it. Sparke & Fade One shoulder Dress 34.99

A structured silhouette works for weddings or an evening office party. Nine West Green Dot Taffetta Dress with Black Trim, 49.99

Happy Green Monday! On this, one of money’s biggest days of the year, we are celebrating with with ways to make gift-giving a little greener. This Holiday Gift guide is especially for those who want to save the polar bears from the melting ice caps, never skip their annual trip to the rain forest, and uses only Aveda beauty products. How can you not love a person who cares about the environment? We suggest bringing them closer to saving the earth with eco-friendly holiday gifts.

Michelle’s Tree-Hugging Gift-Giving Advice: There are a lot of ways to give green, but how about this one: go to a local market and pick up a few fresh, local groceries and goodies. Makeover their pantry with fresh breads, oats, meats and cheeses. *BONUS* With it, give them a Spa Gift Card (all 20% off right now) and demand: “You must use this gift card before the food goes bad!” Preserving the earth, and their sanity.

Recycled Jute Grain Bag (Burlap) Colorful Backpack, $29.00

Handmade from recycled materials in Nepal, this lightweight backpack is perfect for eco adventures.

*MICHELLE’S PICK* Amala Skincare, $30 and up

A new favorite skincare line of mine, Amala treats your skin as with as much care as it does the environment. It’s expensive but it really, truly works; in the few weeks I’ve been using the Hydrate line, my skin has never looked so fresh. Amala partners with 13 individual farmers around the world to source the freshes ingredients for its products. Global fair trade and eco-consciousness are at the core of Amala Skincare. Pick one or two products to get a new skincare-savvy friend turned onto this line.

Hot Air Balloon Hummingbird Feeders, $40.00

Should your tree hugger host a family of blue jays or robbins in their backyard, these hot air balloon bird feeders would come in handy. Made out of recycled glass by artisans in Mexico so that their feathered friends will never go hungry.

One Baggu Bag Eco Friendly Reusable Shopping Tote, $8.00

The keyword in this these strong, nylon shopping sacks is “reusuable”,  meaning guilt-free gifting from you to your eco conscious giftee. They replace paper and plastic bags without harming the environment.

*MICHELLE’S BAG IDEA* If your giftee is starting up a small business or movement, get her a bunch of custom logo’d eco-friendly shopping bags to use as promotional material.

SOLAR RADIO AM/FM/Weather Band, $32.00

Solar power to the tree hugger is like precious vintage to the fashion lover.  Win them over with this solar powered am/fm + weather band radio. It charges with solar power or manual hand crank.

You can always send Mrs. Green Thumb to the spa with a SPA gift card and let them experience the ever increasing number of eco-friendly spa treatments available, such as an organic facial.

Everyone’s going green, and while are hands are busy recycling and making the world a better place to live, our fingernails are SO on board.

Jade by Chanel is on everyone’s lips and fingertips this season…

…but Essie’s Mint Candy Apple is a similar idea – for less than 1/3 the price, and it’s not sold out everywhere like its sassy Chanel cousin.

As much fun as it is to own the hottest new limited edition Chanel polish (trust me, I know!), it doesn’t mean your “settling” if you go for the Essie. This exact polish is one of the new obsessions we Spa Week girls developed after rummaging through the highly coveted gift bags from the Spa Week Media Party last week.

Another of-the-moment favorite: Here Today…Aragon Tomorrow by OPI. If you’re thinking the screaming greens above are better for Spring, this is a deep, rich metallic that only glows green when the light hits it right.

Decisions, decisions! Good thing we can change our polish as often as we take out the recycling. Now tell us…

I’m not a fan of potato chips (correction: my waist is not a fan) but I find the advancements that SunChips is making to be inspirational. The bags will decompose in about 14 weeks when placed in a hot, active compost pile or bin. I wonder if my fat will decompose by laying in a hot, active compost pile for 14 weeks? Hmm.

Sure, New Yorkers are tough and aggressive (if you rode the 6 train every morning, you would be too!) But they’re also compassionate about the environment. From green city initiatives to individuals making conscious efforts to buy organic and local, it’s clear that when it comes to Earth matters, the Big Apple has a big heart.

Take for instance the The Green Spa & Wellness Center in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. They’re the first green spa in New York City and proud of it. And when I say green, I mean it. From their bamboo floors, to their energy efficient lighting, to the recycled denim that insulates their walls (not kidding), the Green Spa is doing their part. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle… Rejuvenate!

Starting March 16th you can make your Spa Week appointment at The Green Spa & Wellness Center on SpaWeek.com.