going green

After reading many blogs about new year's resolutions I started to do a little looking around.... I don't believe in 'resolutions' just for the sake of making them because it's "that time of year"... but I have noticed that quite a few people I know have resolved to becoming more eco-friendly this year. YAY!

I have a friend who's the best recycler I know and it's begun to rub off a little on me too!

Check out this designer who has taken recycling to the next level! ....by Studio Verissimo

"This is a lamp made from plastic spoons used in the coffee which are going to
the garbage daily by the thousands because they are only used once.The objective
was with this waste to create a luxurious lamp. "

How cool is this?!?! ...being 'green' doesn't have to mean simple, sparse furnishings... or having no sense of glamour...

is this a great idea or what?

this amazing design company brandimage has come up with a fabulous idea!! Instead of polluting our world with more of those annoying plastic bottles ...

did you know that every single day, Americans throw out 60 million of those
little plastic bottles!!!! 86% of which do not get recycled -

that is 51,600,000 bottles!!!!

... this team has come up with a very do-able solution. I'm just in awe! I'm also in awe of the other design work they do... check them out here.

Click on the photo to see it better and read more! (or click here)

boho magazine

Have you seen this yet? It's fashion's first eco-friendly magazine! I guess it actually premiered in August, but this is the first I've seen it.

boho magazine, is the first "green" fashion/lifestyle publication to be printed entirely on recycled paper with natural soy inks and no glossy finishes. boho is for the creative, free-spirited women who loves fashion and beauty, but who also wants to make the world a prettier place by giving back and going green.

so... according to the publishers... this is a boho girl:

---------------------->

sound like you? Then check out this magazine! It's perfect for the eco-fashionista!!!

neighborly blog...

so my friend, and neighbor, has started a blog... (you might remember her from here.... or here...{and no, the tattoo's still not completely gone...) and she's a redhead now!
She has some interesting insights! Perhaps you'd like to check it out!!
Find it here....thoughts out loud

... and the rains came....

Now I'm not sure of the actual numbers, but we've had so much rain here! I, of course, blame my neighbor - and partner in organic-gardening-crime... When we first started our little garden, she prayed for rain.....well someone is listening!!!
For those of you who saw my first post about our happy little garden.... I just thought I'd let you know- this is what has been happening...

poor baby garden... we had such high hopes for you!

green lettuce = good

1 red = good, 1 - on the verge

tomato plants - all on the verge

thyme, basil, sage = good

peppers - questionable

onions -so/so

cauliflower, cucumbers, other red lettuces, parsley, cilantro - total goners... :(

this is what the garden looked like sunday night at 8pm
My partner in crime spent her Saturday with a garden weasel... the soil looked great, all built up and fluffy...but then came the torrential downpour while she was finishing....

Sunday was beautiful. a little rain in the a.m. but all warm and sunny all day - and still we got this!

sucks.

A to Z favorites... N

today is the Letter N

let's start with NaomiClearyCeramics...
from Fishtown, PA (near Philly), Naomi Cleary creates beautiful, functional works of art... here's what she has to say...
"Dishes hold the potential for human connection through their tactile nature. Most of us have associations and memories connected to dishes. We look at dishes and can easily imagine using them. They live in our physical space, in our kitchen cabinets, are used every day. They have a relationship to our bodies. We pick them up and even touch them to our mouths. Dishes speak of history and lineage, passed down from mother to daughter, connected to family dinners, celebrations and sharing. They are a reminder of the warmth and comfort found in domestic spaces."

find these casserole dishes hereor this round porcelain vase here

Beautiful work! I especially love the way she 'colors outside the lines' - sort of makes a statement, no? I want a coffee mug just like those casserole dishes... and it could remind me every morning that it's OK ~ hell, even preferable ~ to stretch beyond the normal limits...

for all of you typography lovers... the Number Scarf.... looks like lace, doesn't it? It's made from Microfiber Suede and comes in off-white and black (also in letters! uppercase or lowercase) find it at Little Factory - here.

I love to cook... but I still struggle with getting just the right amount of pasta cooked for the guests sitting at my table. Thanks to German Design studio, ding3000, the answer to my noodle problems has been solved.

Noooodle is a device designed for measuring spaghetti portions. Noooodle allows you to measure off just the right amount of spaghetti from one to up to four people. The design can also be used as a trivet (gotta love those multi-functional things!)

Konstantin Slawinski of ding3000 is responsible for manufacturing Noooodle.

NOIR - the woven market bag.....

Sweet sophistication meets environmental awareness! Woven seat belts provide beautiful texture and interest to this sophisticated urban bag. The seat belts are post production guality (overruns, off colored, and otherwise unusable for the auto industry) so, they've found new life and usefulness in this great bag.

Find it (and lots of other great stuff!) here.

A to Z favorites..... "L"

The Leila Texts.... http://theleilatexts.blogspot.com/ leila gets lots of text messages from strangers on her mobile phone. she got a new cell from the American network - Verizon and just started getting messages.

She thought the phone had been programmed wrong — that it was accidentally linked to someone else’s number — but apparently not.

The texts kept arriving from all over the states. Leila realised that they were not directed to one other random person, but that she was getting every text meant for a "leila" on the verizon network — so long as the sender used the keypad to type in her name, instead of calling it up from the address book she gets at least one unintended text a day and records them here. the leila texts. cool!

Jennifer Lommers

Jennifer Lommers is a fine artist from the Pacific Northwest. I love her vibrant colors and playful style!

these are the ones I have in my apartment......

find Jennifer Lommers here and here and her blog is here.

Looolo uses all organic materials and has a watchful eye over the environmental footprint their products leave. LoooLo sources the best organic fibers, dyes with the least environmental footprint and manufacturers who respect the philosophy behind the products. All looolo textiles products can be safely composted at the end of their useful life.
Made from a beautifully soft organic Melton wool, the Madame's texture was inspired by a refined Parisian dress. No zippers or other non-biodegradable closures are used on the cushions so they will biodegrade within one year when placed in a composter—don't worry. they will last for years to come! ... photos courtesy of DesignPublic.com
Live Funky ...

and on the other side of the country (Northern Connecticut) we have Live Funky by Jessica Torrant

who doesn't want to "live funky"??

In her own words...

Standing up art is intuitive (livefunky), unpredictable, energetic and intense, with an exploration for new ways of manipulating paint/form/color - never to be reproduced in that exact way again. This is when I paint ever so physically - I truly attempt to make paint dance.

I am a believer in loving art just because it moves you. (LiveFunky)

Well these move me....

You can read her blog here. ...and find her artwork here

pssst... she's having a sale!!!!

Community Organic Gardening!

My friend and neighbor, Leah, (you might remember her from here) and I are doing a garden at a local park in Lakewood through "LEAF":
http://www.leafcommunity.org/

it's great - all organic!!
we got a 10x10 plot through the whole season (and we can get the same plot next year too) for $25.00 - they water (ok - the water fountain/hose system hasn't been set up yet so...) but heck!

we started about two weeks ago, and we planted:
thyme, sage, basil, parsely, cilantro
romaine lettuce
red leaf lettuce
onions/scallions
cucumbers
white cauliflower
purple cauliflower
tomato plants (3 varieties; 2 plum, 1 pirifoam, 1 goliath)
bell peppers
jalapenos
serrano peppers

we're so excited!
talk about the best salsa and tomato sauces this fall!

it was so fun to measure and stake it out and turn dirt!
i have wanted a garden for so long!

it's our first year so we're kind of going light - we may get all crazy and do two plots next year!
it's literally a 5 min walk from our apartment and I just found us a wagon (on Freecycle) so we can walk our water over instead of driving - until they get us our water supply

we've met some really nice people
hooray for gardens!

EEEWWWW cow juice!

fyi: humans are the ONLY species to drink the breast milk (yup - cow juice = cow breast milk) of another species.

wrong: wrong, wrong, wrong

I'm not a big fan of milk.. in fact I haven't had milk since I don't know when. I just considered buying it again for my grandson but I just can't stomach the idea....

if you'd like to read more about why milk sucks... go to milksucks.com..... you'll see what I mean.

a terrific alternative??? Soy milk. (it's wonderful - really! especially the chocolate!)

Here's some interesting info from Ideal Bite (Ideal Bite offers bite-sized ideas for light green living.)

Think there ain't nothing like the real thing?

Not so - at least in the dairy department.

Take Silk Soymilk. It looks like milk. It pours like milk. It tastes like milk (although some discriminating Biters prefer the taste of Silk to cow's milk). And you can find it next to the regular milk at your local supermarket.

The difference? It could be the soy-lution to a few of the world's problems, due to the natural health benefits of soy and Silk's commitment to going green (like using clean wind energy). Vive la difference!

Company Background

Back in 1977, entrepreneur Steve Demos sold tofu products from a small store in Boulder, CO. After his ice cream and meatless hot dogs brands failed to take off, Demos put all his energy into making soymilk, selling it from dispensers at his store. Thirty years later, Silk's the number-one producer of organic soymilk. And when Ellen Feeney, VP of Responsible Livelihood at WhiteWave Foods (Silk's parent company) tells us, "We take our commitment to the environment seriously," she's not kidding. The company's alternative energy use and green HQs prove it. Eco-initiatives aside, pour some Silk on your cereal, stir it into your coffee, or just sip it as a filling snack, 'cuz this is soy you're gonna enjoy.

Why Care?
Through Silk's GreenCaps program, it donates 30 kilowatt-hours in offsets for every UPC code customers enter at its website - enough to run a fridge for 13 days. (Plus, these customers are auto-entered for a chance to win a green home makeover.)

• It offsets 100% of the power used in production by supporting clean, renewable wind energy - the equivalent of planting 22,000 acres of trees each year since 2003.
• Silk operates a "Zero Waste" program at HQ, with biodegradable utensils, and full-scale recycling and composting programs.
• All chairs and workstations at HQ are made from at least 40% recycled materials and are at least 95% recyclable.
• The company uses partially recycled shipping materials and reduced the amount of material used on each shipping box.
• 92% of employees participate in the Boulder Community Food Share program's Annual Corporate Giving Challenge, with funds matched by Silk.
• Silk soy is not genetically modified.

Keeping It Real

While Silk's a big supporter of wind power, it has just begun looking at the total carbon footprint of its products, from the farm to your fridge.

Says Feeney: "We recently completed an audit to determine the energy used to take Silk to market," which should help the company get closer to carbon neutrality. Also, Silk does not use recycled cartons, but neither do most similar food brands, since "there aren't a lot of FDA-approved options for food-contact packaging."

A to Z ....today we're on B

B is for.....

Beads –

noun... a small, usually round object of glass, wood, stone, or the
like with a hole through it, often strung with others of its kind in necklaces,
rosaries, etc.

I guess since I am a "jewelry artisan" that beads would naturally be a favorite thing.... I'm particularly fond of vintage beads, pearls, metal, and semi-precious stones....I guess I discovered this passion for beads while I was in Massachusetts years ago and went to my first official bead store...... I was like a kid in a candy store!! I didn't yet know that my passion for collecting beads would turn into a passion for creating jewelry.

Books - ok... so I'm a bit of a book snob... I really only like hardcover books. Something about the printed word, bound in such a way... hmmmm... even the smell of books. I love libraries, and bookstores.... I LOVE books... The smell, the feel, the words and the pictures, the "right at your fingertips" knowledge they contain. It amuses me that I can learn different things from the same book at different stages of my life... I love to go back to them years later and re-read them to discover new things.... Books I'm reading (or re-reading) now?
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert... a great book to take to the beach this summer!

... I have to admit... the "eat" part was my favorite!

Bacon - I think I could easily be a vegatarian if it weren't for bacon. No other "meat" calls to me like this one. I like it extra crispy....hmmmm... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! My husband and I could easily eat an entire pound of bacon with our Sunday brunch!

Anyone remember these? Flashback: 1981 - Holiday Bacon Appetizers

I know I'm not alone... there are even entire blogs dedicated to the fabulous flavor of bacon! http://www.baconunwrapped.com/
http://baconshow.blogspot.com/

Brave Space Design

A Brooklyn-based design company producing playful, modern high-end furnishings that are durable and environmentally sustainable.

Biggs & Featherbelle

..a health conscious company that promotes the healing elements of Mother Nature by creating body care products free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and additives. Quality ingredients and research are infused in every handmade Biggs & Featherbelle product.

Many Biggs & Featherbelle soaps are vegan and all are vegetarian.

A to Z things I like

A is for....

The Alexander handbag.....

by mandinka

... the perfect size for everyday use and looks great with business attire as well as jeans and a Tee. All of madinka's bags are made entirely of suit coat parts (inside and out) ! Great, stylish way to "upcycle" !!

hmmmm.... roasted asparagus! I'm so glad spring is here.... asparagus season!

I found this simple, yet amazingly good recipe on use real butter

a blog I've come to love too!
I found "use real butter" on tastespotting... another one of my favorite places to go to drool.

ARMSLEEVES by treehouse28 Alix (of treehouse28) is amazing... she designs all of the pieces from scratch and doesn't use commercial patterns. Her style is unique with a sense of simplicity and comfort..... fabulous one-of-a-kind pieces that are made out of eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, hemp and bamboo.

She has a lot of de-constructed pieces, flowy silhouettes, and intricate details on the hems, sleeves and collars. Check out her shop!

Alstroemeria - also known as the Peruvian lily - is one of my all time favorite flowers.

Meaning
Wealth, prosperity, fortune

I got a big bunch of these for Easter and they stayed beautiful for over 2 weeks!! LOVE having fresh flowers around.

Living Green

I've been trying to find gifts for my grandson.... it's harder than I thought it would be!

First, try to find something for a toddler that doesn't light up and make noise! Whatever happened to creative play? I don't want to teach him that you can always 'touch a button' and be entertained. I think it's important for kids to use their imaginations....

Second, with all the recalls of the past year I want to find safe toys that also help me feel confident about the impact of my purchase not only on my grandson but on the environment and workers across the supply chain.

I've done a little research and thought I'd share my findings...

The member businesses of Co-op America's Green Business Network are screened for their commitment to people and the planet. You can find this listing online at GreenPages.org

You can shop with confidence knowing that these businesses carry the most responsible products for your family. I've also come across some great shops on Etsy.com... individual artisans who spend their time and care creating unique, well-made toys.

Here are a few of the things I've come across.. most of which I've actually purchased - so I know they're great!

Every kid needs a sock monkey! I bought this one for my grandson at Christmas... You can find bunches of them on Etsy.com but this is the one I bought... from KellyJeanDesign it was super reasonably priced too! Only $16.00!
and best of all.... he loves it!!!

I've never met a kid that doesn't like to play with balls... Fair Trade Sports Balls is a member of the Green Business Network - you can be assured that no child labor is involved in their production and that workers receive a living wage in a healthy work environment.... and they donate all of their after-tax profits to children's charities!

For the younger set... thepolkadottotspot on Etsy makes beautiful handmade cloth balls with a little jingle bell inside! Only $10.00! She makes loads of fun blocks and balls in a variety of sizes and fun colors.

Children's Organic Hemp Sneakers! These sweatshop-free, chemical-free, cruelty-free, leather-free children's shoes are vegan and are made with only environmentally sound materials, including organic hemp uppers and soles made from reclaimed used tires.For toddlers and beginning walkers, our vegetarian kids sneakers are the ideal first shoe: supportive, soft, comfortable, durable, fair-labor produced, and 100% vegetarian. Only $25.00!!
Buy them and all sorts of products that are "safe for your baby, the planet, and all animals" at KidBean.com

Kate’s Caring Gifts brings you the very best natural, organic, and ecologically sustainable products that you can find anywhere.

These wonderful toys and books are made from durable, recycled material. The proceeds from the sale support the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy, a nonprofit nonprofit membership organization created to:
*Preserve the Golden Gate National Parks,
*Enhance the experiences of park visitors, and
*Build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future.
...and they're only $6.95!!

Stump Pond Woodworks has been delighting children with these toys for over a quarter of a century. For safety and durability, they use native hardwoods finished only with non-toxic drugstore grade mineral oil. For safety,no soft pine, paint,stain or breakable plastics are used in any of my 25 toys and puzzles. Made right here in the USA... This fabulous pull toy is handmade and is still only $22.60!!
I could go on and on.... I found so many wonderful things in my search that it would take pages and pages to show you... but the main point is...
You can make a difference! You can support businesses devoted to environmental sustainability, social justice, and healthy living. We can teach our kids to make a difference too!