Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style

Among a sea of new books on ""living green,"" this breezy, fun-to-read guide for eco-conscious Sex-and-the-City types sets itself apart with a supportive, winning voice that's long on common sense and well-sourced info; even better, upscale lifestyle writer Matheson promises from the get-go that ""you can definitely be green without giving up everything you love."" As such, she offers valuable tips on finding high-style, high-quality replacements for eco-toxic products, services and indulgences of all kinds-domestics, food and drink, cosmetics, transportation, parties-that won't harm the earth or the body. Elsewhere, she provides familiar small steps-use fewer plastics, buy organic cotton clothes, walk more and drive less-but does encourage the big steps too (""Get rid of your car-if you can""). She also informs readers in clear language exactly why it's important to seek out, say, organic wine or a pedicure that eschews chemicals in favor of ""scrubs and lotions that you would use at home."" Though she dishes some cold, hard facts about the impact everyday choices makes, it's Matheson's level-headed, positive attitude and easy-to-implement tips that will inspire the young, hip and easily distracted to take up the cause.