Archive for March, 2011
Good, Clean Fun
Date: March 15, 2011 | Category: Care, Featured, Kids
Bath time is made all the sweeter when it’s an opportunity for your baby to soak up organically soothing suds. Made in up-state New York, Babo Botanicals’ line of bath products for newborns (such as the Lavender Meadowsweet gift set, which we love) is made from certified organic ingredients with the “unique needs of babies’ and children’s hair, scalp and skin at the forefront of [their] development process.” Because baby’s skin is delicate and sensitive, the line contains anti-inflammatory ingredients along with anti-oxidants and vitamins to allow for superior protection and care. Specifically, all products are formulated using the company’s trademark Nutri-Soothe blend of chamomile, calendula, kudzu, and watercress. And, “because with every birth a new seed should be planted,” Babo Botanicals will donate a portion of proceeds from all newborn gift sets to The Education Alliance, a New York City non-profit working with youth programs to convert rooftops into gardens. Giving new meaning to growing boys and girls, Babo Botanicals is equipping everyone from babies to blossoming botanists with the tools they need for a healthy, natural future. *Photo credit: BaboBotanicals.comActions: Email, Print, Digg, Del.icio.us, No Comments »
Hair of the Dog
Date: March 14, 2011 | Category: Cleaning, Pets, The Home
We're all for conserving water, but skimping out on Fido's regular baths is no way to cut back. Thankfully, Molly Mutt's dog bed freshener ($12) will help alleviate the "aroma" between full-on cleaning sessions. With safe, natural enzymes that actually remove odors, not just mask them, the dog bed freshener's geranium essential oils (to naturally repel fleas and ticks) and lavender essential oils (for a calm canine) will leave your pup's pad smelling like a fresh cut garden. When you are ready for the real deal, take your pooch to the powder room and wash up using Molly Mutt's eco-friendly dog shampoo and dog coat conditioner. Free of sulfates, parabens, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances, you'll be cleansing sensitive skin with only the safest, yet totally effective ingredients. Both the dog shampoo ($15) and conditioner ($12) use rosemary and peppermint (naturally anti-bacterial) to clean without causing irritating dryness, and gently detangle without harsh chemicals. With pups smelling this good, don't be surprised when you have all the neighborhood mutts barking up your tree for the secret. *Photo credit: MollyMutt.comActions: Email, Print, Digg, Del.icio.us, No Comments »
Zem Shares 5 Tips To Green Your Living Space on Inhabitat
Date: March 11, 2011 | Category: Green Building, Home Furnishings, Kitchen, The Home
Inhabitat founder, Jill Fehrenbacher, recently interviewed Zem on her top tips for greening your living. A portion of the post is as follows, but for the full article, head on over to Inhabitat! You’ve all heard the tired mantras about changing your lightbulbs and recycling at home in order to save the planet – are you yawning yet? Many consumers think that ‘going green’ is an altruistic gesture that often comes at great expense and inconvenience (not to mention crunchy brown earthmama aesthetics) – but nothing could be further from the truth. What many don’t realize is that going green is not really about self-sacrifice “for the planet” but is instead about improving your own quality of life. And one of the easiest places to start leading a greener and healthier life is in the home. No one better epitomizes smart, healthy and stylish green living than Ecofabulous founder and cradle-to-cradle green designer Zem Joaquin. This eco jetsetter and green girl about town is well known for her phenomenal green parties, her insightful analysis of green products over on her site Ecofabulous, and her ability to make eco-friendly lifestyle choices feel glamorous and fun. We recently sat down with Zem to find out more about her gorgeous green home in the beautiful hills of Marin County, CA, and get her personal tips and tricks on how to make your home cleaner, greener and healthier through the power of smart design. Read on to find out about Zem’s secret tips for a green home, including – believe it or not – foot pedals on sinks! Chock full of info, the article features ecofabulous favorites like:- Pedal Valves
- Brizo's SmartTouch® Technology
- Mythic Paint
- Yolo Colorhouse Paint
- Benjamin Moore's Natura
- West Elm
- Q Collection
- eBay
- Method Cleaning Products
- EcoTimber
- Plyboo
- Shaw Carpet Tiles
- Amy Butler
- Mod Green Pod
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Summer Rayne Oakes for The Uniform Project
Date: March 9, 2011 | Category: Fashion, Women
Huge advocates of The Uniform Project (more than one ecofabulous lady owns her own Pilot #1 dress), we were thrilled to catch up on their latest development - a collaboration with eco-model, Summer Rayne Oakes. This time the dress is a fifties flair style with flattering curves, made by Carasan Designs. The fabric is a 70% silk - 30% hemp blend with a pink handwoven thai silk and hemp-organic cotton blend "peek-a-boo" underneath (sourced from Source4Style, of course!). We're already loving the looks that Summer's been strutting so far, including the latest styles from her zoe&zac for Payless line. Summer's chosen cause is charity: water, a non-profit dedicated to bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. The goal with this month's Uniform Project is to raise $10,000, enough to build two wells. As an added plus, for everyone that donates to the cause, Payless ShoeSource will be matching funds dollar-for-dollar up to $10K, and will give a coupon for 50% off the zoe&zac line to anyone who donates more than $10 - a pretty sweet deal, if you ask us! *Photo credit: TheUniformProject.comActions: Email, Print, Digg, Del.icio.us, No Comments »
Lu’-crative Opportunities
Date: March 9, 2011 | Category: Accessories, Home Furnishings, Men, The Home, Women
"There is an intimacy inherent in the architectural form of woven fabric," says Eve Blossom, founder of Lulan Artisans, a sustainable and responsible for-profit organization unlike any other you’ve heard of. It's through Eve that we've learned not only the architectural appeal in the rich cultural art of weaving, but the ability to create structural standards to improving the quality of life through the industry. Such structure can be found in Lulan’s efforts to exercise sustainability in every aspect of its business—economic (abundant wages for artisans), cultural (sensitivity to nuanced style and texture), environmental (natural/organic materials and low-impact dyes), and social (reliable income benefits children, a community’s future). Successfully merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, Lulan endeavors to intimate today’s modern women with appreciation of an ancient art form. Take for example the “mandarin [with] a mod touch” Silk Tailored Jacket ($395), for high fashion with an eastern appeal, or the rich and luscious Chocolate Gloss Ruffle Me Skirt, an ultra-feminine interpretation ($349). If you’ve got eyes for accessorizing, check out the aptly named Classy Carryall Wallet ($59) in Gold Cobra for spring, or for your worldly travels, the Classy Passport Wallet ($64). Your body needn’t be the only place woven whimsy appears—Lulan also offers a environmentally-holistic home line, comprised of beautifully patterned pieces like the Interwoven pillows ($123.75), throws (from $268.20 and up), window panels, and, in the March spirit, St. Patrick’s Day green napkins ($15.30) all of which are made with the same authentic, attentive artistic detail that only Lulan artisans are capable of. *Photo credit: Lulan.comActions: Email, Print, Digg, Del.icio.us, No Comments »
Spring Into Fall Couture Fashion Show This Friday!
Date: March 9, 2011 | Category: Events, Lifestyle
Many a stylish and sustainable event has been held at the LEED certified Bently Reserve, and this Friday's "Spring Into Fall" Couture Fashion Show is no different. Hosted by the talented Amber Marie Bently herself (whose eco-friendly jewelry line elicits jaw-dropping every time we see a piece at ecofabulous HQ), the fashion show will feature a host of Bay Area designers, many of whom are using eco-friendly materials or incorporating vintage textiles into their line. Doors open at 7pm, drinks will be served throughout the event, culminating in a grand runway show from 8-9pm. Tickets range from $20-$150, with proceeds benefitting the Coral Reef Alliance. *Photo credit: SpringIntoFall.comActions: Email, Print, Digg, Del.icio.us, No Comments »
Rewarding Reconstruction - We’ll Drink to That!
Date: March 8, 2011 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
After the devastating earthquake (6.3 magnitude) in Christchurch, New Zealand, the city and the lives of its citizens were changed forever. However, thanks to the goodwill and dedication of Matt Petersen with Global Green and the on-the-ground partnership of Sir Edmund Hillary Institute, relief is imminent. Such eco-conscious assistance comes in the form of solar and crank flashlights to light the way in neighborhoods with no power, as well as supporting efforts to restart in a sustainable, green way. Wanting to contribute to the efforts to rebuild, eco.love has put together a 6-bottle package (containing 4 Sauvignon Blancs and 2 Rieslings) specifically for the Christchurch cause, with 100% of the profits ($78) being donated to Peterson’s efforts. The new color of love is green! *Photo credit: ecolovewines.comActions: Email, Print, Digg, Del.icio.us, No Comments »
Looks to Love: Amour Vert Spring/Summer 2011
Date: March 7, 2011 | Category: Fashion, Women
Palo Alto-via-Paris designer Linda Balti's first line for Amour Vert ("green love") caught our eye with its well-cut collection of dresses, shorts and colorful sashes. Believing that elegance and eco-consciousness need not be exclusive, Balti looked to dye fabrics locally in the Bay Area (with vegetable dyes for peace silks and low-impact dyes for jersey apparel). The price is right, too: the new Airelle wide pants ($109) and Bouquet belted dress ($129) are among the great sub-$150 items that the company is likely to win fans with. When Amour Vert describes the natural pant fabric, tencel, as "soft as silk, cool as linen, warm as wool," they're not fibbing - the pants can be worn year round. But don't let us be the ones to tell you how good waste-free production will look on you. *Photo credit: AmourVert.com; (via Two Birds Boutique)Actions: Email, Print, Digg, Del.icio.us, No Comments »
#methodmonday Twitter Chat Today at 12pm PST!
Date: March 7, 2011 | Category: Events, Lifestyle, Media
This post is sponsored by method ®.
You've got questions? We've got answers... via Twitter, of course. Starting TODAY (March 7th), every Monday in March @ecofabulous and @methodtweet we'll be hosting a twitter chat from 12-1pm PST (3-4pm EST), sponsored by people against dirty®. All month we'll be chatting with the team from method ® about safe ingredients, the science behind the bottle, how to navigate sticky situations, and answering all your eco cleaning related questions. Tune in TODAY (Monday, March 7th) at 12-1pm PST for: “Dirty Little Secrets”: Learn how to clean like the pros! Is there a problem area of your home that you’re tired of sweeping under the rug? Come clean! And let the pros @methodtweet tell you how to fix-it. Follow the conversation, share your eco cleaning tricks, and get your tough questions answered using the hashtag #methodmonday. Feel free to tweet your question to @ecofabulous using the hashtag #methodmonday. If you aren’t on Twitter, you can email your questions to [email protected] with the subject line #methodmonday. You can also follow the conversation online using TweetGrid.com!Actions: Email, Print, Digg, Del.icio.us, No Comments »
San Francisco’s First Green Film Festival Begins!
Date: March 4, 2011 | Category: Events, Featured, Lifestyle
The city's first green film festival has officially launched! With a goal to inspire environmental action through media arts, the film festival has over 70 film premiere's lined up from now through March 6th. If mere viewings aren't enough to satiate your need for eco-minded activism, check out the slew of workshops, panels and parties scheduled to rock your green world by the Bay. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9UyVuWECrA[/youtube] Got kids in tow? Jeffrey Bosts' "The Krill is Gone" animated short featuring a Al B'acore, a tuna that that looks and talks suspiciously like the former next President of the United States, is sure to please. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maOw54NemaI[/youtube] We're personally excited for the screening of iconic writer Margaret Atwood's "In The Wake of the Flood," a theatrical version of her novel about "how humanity must respond to the consequences of an environmentally compromised planet before her work of speculative fiction transforms into prophesy," and can't wait to see the full feature "DIVE!", a film about about our country's careless habit of sending too much food to landfills. The preview trailer we viewed at the November 30th launch event left much to be desired - will filmaker Jeremy Seifert and his friends be able to change the way the food system operates? Check out the trailer below, and make sure to tweet us @ecofabulous to let us know what you're favorite films were! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HlFP-PMW6E[/youtube] Photo credit: SFGreenFilmFest.orgActions: Email, Print, Digg, Del.icio.us, No Comments »
