Archive for December, 2007

Tune in to These Baby Tees

Date: December 31, 2007 | Category: Fashion, Men, Women

Many mamas and papas would trade their “Kiss Army Membership Card” to have their baby rocking and rolling around in one of these tees from Starting Green. Made from organic, undyed cotton, screen-printed with water-based dyes, they showcase the black & white shots of the illustrious music photographer Norman Seeff. Choose from the Jackson Five, Kiss, Johnny Rotten or Sly Stone (decisions, decisions, I know). But don’t worry if a little spilled milk gets on this perfect picture. A little eco laundry detergent will keep junior rocking in the phosphate-free world.

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Have Your Dessert and Light it Too

Date: December 31, 2007 | Category: Home Furnishings, The Home

Naturally-scented candles can seem somewhat aromatically limited when compared to the smorgasbord of intangible scents that conventional fragrances offer. But given the standard use of petroleum-based synthetics that can contain carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins, well, we have snuffed out the icky, waxy stuff. And though we don’t like to boast, we think we’ve got it - and got it good. Pure Necessities has amazing smelling, 100% soy aromatherapy candles that our team had the pleasure of sampling at the Eco Gift Expo a couple of weeks ago. There was a sign that read, “please don’t eat.” And we understand why. The Sweet Orange Vanilla definitely smelled like dessert. Strong and unexpectedly delicious scents that infuse a room naturally - that could be dangerously suggestive. I’m ready to light up.

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Off the Cuff Cool

Date: December 30, 2007 | Category: Accessories, Fashion

“Welcome to our world of neo-luxury, progressive creativity and sustainable style,” says New York’s CotoLuxe, who has joined forces with London’s exclusive online shop 20ltd.com, to create two incredible pairs of cuff-links. The Antler Corozo and the Indian Head Nickel Links are made from fallen rack antler horns and antique Native American nickels (respectively) and backed with corozo wafer buttons made from South American tagua nut. The man in anyone’s life would be lucky to don these duos packaged in a wooden box made from sustainably-managed Canadian forests, of course. They’re being sold exclusively through www.20ltd.com in a very limited run, so roll up your sleeves and get clicking.

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A Flute Full of Ecofabulous

Date: December 29, 2007 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle

It’s that time again - when we bust out the bubbly stuff to reflect on the year past and predict what the next has in store. Three words: Iron Horse Vineyards. Their iconic sparkling wines have satisfied the sophisticated palates at such high profile events as the Reagan/Gorbachev Summit Meetings which ended the Cold War and the White House Millennium Dinner when the highly anticipated clock turned from 1999 to 2000. With 170 acres in Green Valley, Calif., there’s no need to have Champagne shipped in from France. And these are sustainably grown grapes to boot. Our VIPs at Gorgeous & Green enjoyed Iron Horse Sparklings, and to do it right this New Year’s Eve, we say support the local and usher 2008 in with some serious style.

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Who Needs a Tree to Say Thank You?

Date: December 28, 2007 | Category: Holiday & Gift, Lifestyle

So, the season’s end is a stone’s throw away, and the ubiquitous thank-you cards are looming - not to mention the well wishes for the coming New Year you plan on sending out. If you’ve opted to put a little pen to paper so Grandma knows how much you appreciate the sweater (maybe she’s not so tech savvy when it comes to the e-card thing), make it a Tree-Free gesture. From sustainably harvested sources such as kenaf, sugar cane, flax, hemp and bamboo (plus post-consumer recycled paper), Tree-Free’s working to keep what remains of our forests standing - envisioning a day when “paper” and “virgin wood pulp” can’t go in the same sentence. And their doing it in a unique and vibrant way. Gratitude comes in many forms, but we’re pretty sure it shouldn’t come at an expense to the environment.

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The Center of my Universe

Date: December 28, 2007 | Category: Green Building, The Home

We often reference the amazing resource that is Green Fusion Design Center, but we thought it was time to give them a little independent recognition. When I transformed my Marin house into an eco sanctuary I couldn’t have done it without this San Anselmo gem. Green Fusion is a unique retail store, gallery and education center that really has got a grip on what’s up and what’s new when it comes to creating sustainable spaces. It is one-stop shopping for the happy home. G.F. has a diverse selection of paints and wall finishes, flooring options (from wood to cork to wool), soy adhesives, organic beds and bedding and all of the other items you would need to deck your halls in sustainable style. Even if you don’t live in the Bay Area, I encourage you to peruse their site and call for helpful hints.

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Eco-Me, Eco-You

Date: December 27, 2007 | Category: Kitchen, The Home

DIY is all the rage these days (I guess in a way it has always been). For those of us who are freaked out about the toxins in most cleaning products - so much so that we would be inclined to make our own, doing-it-yourself just got a whole lot easier. The Eco-Me Home Kit allows you to mix your own products right from your kitchen - so you know exactly what’s in them. Eco-Me was born so that we don’t have to rely on pre-packaged, one-time-use cleaners with elusive ingredients. All encompassed in a natural fiber bag, you’ll receive a tool kit of bottles and jars and recipes, a microfiber cleaning cloth, a natural bristle scrub brush and their home blend of essential oils. So mix up a batch, and another, and another… and check out their other kits for body, baby, dog and cat while you’re at it. These make really cool gift sets and a fun/educational project to share with your older children. P.s., Eco-Me could even save you another type of green!

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Siphoning Soda

Date: December 26, 2007 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle

A little while back we posted about a nifty contraption that would cut down my waste production while still gratifying my avid bubble fancy, the Soda Club Bubbler. To check it out, click here. Now we’ve found a more portable version (and a very sleek one at that). This stainless steel soda siphon (as they’re calling it) allows you to instantly create sparkling water on the fly. All you do is pour in some water (filtered tap hopefully), screw on the soda charger, shake and release the lever for seltzer that stays carbonated for days. Just think of all the bottles you could save using one of these.

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Santa Loves His Green Helpers

Date: December 25, 2007 | Category: Lifestyle, Stores & Resources


Whether you celebrate it or not, America has the day off today. All of the ecofab team is busy spending time with family and friends. We would like to take the time to thank you for reading what started as a late night passion for sharing my sustainable, yet chic finds. We have always, and will continue to always write about products that our small team researches and then tries ourselves. We enjoy sharing our results with you and appreciate your feedback. Remember not to feel guilty about what you were not able to do this year but do vote with your wallet and try to be eco-wise about all of your purchases and practices (for instance; carefully unwrap gifts cloaked in beautiful paper so you can save it for next year’s booty). Happy holidays!

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Chestnuts Roasting on an Eco Fire

Date: December 25, 2007 | Category: Home Furnishings, The Home


When the weather outside is frightful, we like to curl up in front of a fire…an “enviro-log” fire. Cozying up in front of a flame is very enticing, but don’t be seduced by all of the environmentally unfriendly additives that typically accompany the crackle. It is now possible to enjoy the warmth and romance of soft flames - smoke-free and without any of the bad stuff like petroleum additives. Enviro-log is made from recycled, waxed, corrugated containers and burn hotter and cleaner than firewood- they also produce up to 40% fewer emissions. And retro-chic packaging makes this log extra cool.

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