According to a study in published by Psychological Science, you can be motivated subconsciously by reading inspirational words such as triumph, strive, confident, go for it, achieve or graceful. So if you need an extra push to go for what you want, surround yourself with these words so you see them everywhere you look. Sounds easy enough, right?

Self magazine suggests writing them on sticky notes and posting them throughout your house. Another great idea is to make a collage of inspirational words and use it as your computer desktop image. Or you could wear your motivation on your t-shirt like this “Chase Dreams” organic cotton and bamboo option from Tees for Change.

I love this Slouchy Bag from Buji Baja for summer. Made from organic cotton t-shirt material, the bag is reversible so you can go from stripes to a solid to work with your style from day to day. The casual simple shape makes it super versatile too–throw a towel in and take it to the beach or park, use it as a gym bag or carry it around during the day wherever you go. I love the blue and white striped one!

If you have bangs or short layers around your face you know that those little pieces can be a pain while you work out. A lot of times I wear a hat because I just can’t deal with hair in my face while I run. But for some activities like yoga or martial arts, a hat seems inappropriate or gets in the way. The alternative? A headband.

In the past I’ve had trouble finding a headband that’ll stay put because usually my hair isn’t thick enough to keep it in place. But I found the FeatherWeight Head Wrap from i|m Active does just the trick. The lightweight breathable fabric keeps all the hair out of my face and doesn’t slide around so I can focus on the om instead of the “oh no my hair keeps falling in my face.”

I recently discovered a new brand of eco-friendly t-shirts and loungewear called Me to We Style. The line is produced in Canada sweatshop-free. And beyond being green, Me to We Style donates 50% of their profits to Free the Children to support developmental projects in rural and impoverished areas around the world.

I’m a fan of their Be the Change tee. You’re doing your part by wearing a tee made out of eco-friendly materials–certified organic cotton, bamboo, recycled polyester or a combo depending on the color you choose–and you’re showcasing an inspiring message all at the same time. I can also tell you that it’s super soft, fits perfectly and is now in frequent rotation in my gym wardrobe.

The editors over at Her Active Life posted a poll last week asking, “Would you wear a running dress?” My first reaction was no way! I admit, I don’t run every day, but when I do, I have no desire to hit the pavement in a dress! Shorts and a t-shirt work just fine for me. The little black dress seems best reserved for Saturday night with a pair of heels and a blow out, not a pair of sneakers and a hat.

I have a couple Envirosax and use them for groceries (most of the time), but despite my efforts the pile of plastic bags under my sink continues to grow out of control. And since plastic bag recycling still isn’t widespread, I know the fate of my pile is to sit in a landfill for years upon years, clog up our water system or worst of all hurt a wild animal.

That’s why I love the new jewelry line from New York designer Stephanie Huffaker. She’s found a way to reuse plastic bags to create chunky bracelets. She gets her supply of upcycled bags from friends, family and members of the Brooklyn Freecycle network. You can wear one of her bangles (which also come in bright colors) knowing you’re saving a bag from an awful fate and you can use it to start discussions about the big plastic bag problem.

We’ve had a really dreary couple of days here in NYC, which is one reason I was drawn to this t-shirt when I saw it on Swissmiss today.

The “Enjoy this Beautiful Day” shirt is really a nice little reminder that every day is beautiful, rain or shine, good or bad and that we should enjoy each and every one no matter what comes our way. Here’s to making all your days beautiful!