In 2005 she started her blog, appropriately titled Eco-Chick - Because Mother Nature is a Woman to give hip, young, urban--and green--women a place of their own to go online.  Covering everything from fashion and interior design to travel and entertaining, the blog now has a team of writers who bring a unique mix of personalities to the ever-expanding subject of eco-living. 

From the site:

The blogteam at Eco-chick includes a model who has a degree in entomology, an alternative health freak who’s used herself as a guinea pig, a science nerd, a news junkie and a London-based expat; the site is run and hosted by an anarchist webmaster.  Today’s chicks want to know what’s going on, and want to laugh. Eco Chick agrees.

Vartan, however, saw limitations to the blog.  While it was great for keeping people up to date on trends and news, it didn't offer her readers a real foundation of knowledge about green living.  So, while working on her masters, writing a successful blog, and managing her own fabulous life, she decided to write a book.

The Eco-Chick Guide to Life - How To Be Fabulously Green dropped this month, and Vartan has been running to keep up with the publicity.  However, she was gracious enough to spend some time on the phone discussing the project with me.

Q:  Your blog is already so popular--why write a book?

Vartan:  I actually see the book and blog complimenting each other.  People who visit my blog might be drawn there for a specific story, but aren't necessarily into eco fashion and they find themselves with questions.  In fact, a lot of people still don't know much about sustainable living.  Unfortunately the blog isn't the place to go into long explanations.  Writing a book allows me to give my readers some substance--real facts and information about living a green lifestyle.

Q:  What are you most proud of about the book?

Vartan:  I'm really proud of covering things that most other green lifestyle books haven't spent much time on.  For example, things like throwing parties, celebrating holidays, and travel.  I talk about greening your office and also how to talk to your family about environmental issues without being offensive. 

Q:  Do you think eco fashion will ever be the standard for the fashion industry?

Vartan: Everyone in the fashion industry that I've talked to absolutely agrees that up until now, eco fashion has been presented by the media as only a trend.  But the fact is that the industry is changing from the inside out and within ten years there won't be "eco" fashion--all fashion will be eco-friendly.  People wonder what is taking so long, and they need to understand the changes that are happening around the world--farming techniques, manufacturing standards--these things take time to transition.

Q:  What is the key to getting more people on board with eco fashion?

Vartan:  People need to see two things in order to want to follow eco fashion.  First they need to see that being eco friendly is fun and fabulous and can be glamorous and trendy.  Then they need to be made aware of the superiority of green products.  Not only are they beautiful, but most eco-fashion is made of the highest quality materials, with the best manufacturing standards.  Buying less, but better quality, is a big part of being eco friendly.

Q:  What's the biggest challenge to greening the fashion industry?

Vartan:  We need more science and technology dedicated to finding better alternatives for materials and manufacturing.  Also, there needs to be a stronger demand by consumers.  When large clothing companies start to see changes in what people buy, they'll change to accommodate them.

Be sure to pick up her book  The Eco-Chick Guide to Life - How To Be Fabulously Green -  for more valuable eco-living tips laced with humor and plenty of Vartan's brand of moxie.  It's a must-read for anyone who considers herself both fabulous and ethical.  Thanks Starre!