Google Adds a Little Green to That Colorful Logo

Date: June 30, 2008 | Category: Lifestyle, Stores & Resources, Tech, ecoMan

Google has green in its DNA. From organic gourmet meals in their commissary, to building 43 (designed by William McDonough), to biodiesel buses, Google takes sustainability seriously, which is why I was always surprised that the swag emblazoned with the famous multicolored logo was missing a little green. But now the Google Store has gone green! From organic cotton t-shirts to non-polluting brief bags, Google’s eco-friendly products are sure to satisfy any search-a-holic. Omar has already added the 100% bamboo towel and hemp travel organizer to his shopping cart, and we’re all oohing and aahing over the organic cotton infant rib hat. Have fun searching for your own Google goodies!

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EcoStiletto is Stepping Out

Date: June 30, 2008 | Category: Lifestyle, Stores & Resources

Here is a shout out to my fellow ecoglam girlfriend, Rachel Sarnoff. Her beautiful new site, EcoStiletto.com - the rebirth of the GreenGirlGuide - is launching today. Green gals can look forward to discovering how they can reduce their carbon footprint from an over-sized Ugg to an oh-so-slender Manolo. The weekly newsletter has insider goods like discounts, chances to win eco-swag and info on go-to green events. It is a great compliment to the ecofabulous newsletter (launching later this week). EcoStiletto’s description of what is green is one of the best we’ve seen. The celebrity interviews are irresistibly alluring. The profile of organic foodie, yoga diva and eco-living heiress, Anna Getty is a must read! We will let you know about EcoStiletto’s upcoming LA launch party soon.

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Making the Grade This Fourth of July

Date: June 30, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Events, Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Skin Care

Fourth of July is quite a quandary for me and many other environmentally conscious fun seekers. I love the parades, cold beers and family celebration. I even like the red, white and blue (not a year goes by that I don’t don something like a blue skirt and blue and white stripped top and red accents). Unfortunately, our independence is often celebrated at the expense of the earth, which we actually are at least a little dependent upon, no? Activities are likely to contain what we’ve dubbed the “triple ‘F’ threat” : Fun in the sun, Fireworks and Food (waste is just a given). Go from an F grade to an A by going green on our nation’s most patriotic holiday. First off, try to keep your festivities local… or carpool.

Fun in the sun is much more enticing when it isn’t at the expense of your health. Sunscreen is necessary - we keep hearing - but opt for an eco-friendly alternative like Soléo Organics, made entirely from organic ingredients with nothing synthetic. No sacrifices here, though. It works just as well, if not better, than its chemically-laden counterparts. In fact, you’ll be left feeling soft and revitalized as the sun sets with both UVA and UVB protection (3 hours in the water), not to mention a natural sun reflector found in nanofine zinc oxide. If you have oily or sensitive skin, Juice Beauty’s tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 is a brilliant solution for the face (since I have dry skin, I first apply Duchess Marden’s oil first).

Who doesn’t love a good fireworks display (well, my dog isn’t particularly keen)? But just think of all the nasty stuff they set off into the atmosphere: lead, barium, chromium, chlorates, dioxins, smoke and particulates, carbon monoxide. etc. Good news is that soon you’re going to be able to convert those un-earth-friendly fireworks to green ones that are still a blast. Chemists are developing fireworks that utilize nitrogen-rich compounds for energy and non-toxic metals for color variation, thus eliminating the massive black clouds that litter post-spectacle skies (of course we’re vastly oversimplifying this here). When these hit the market (hopefully by next year), it’s up to us to get our communities to switch over.

A BBQ is the quintessential Independence Day observance. But as patriotic as slapping hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill is, consider that the sole thing you can do to benefit the environment is cut down on the consumption of animals. Here is where I confess that I too like a little sirloin, and since this is the ultimate BBQ season, the 4th is usually when I cannot resist (but I always think free-range and antibiotic-free). Eggplant, Portobello mushroom and corn on the cob can taste divine when grilled (and even more amazing when they come from a local, organic farmer), and there are tons of faux meat options. Just as important, serve up those veggie delights on anything but a conventional disposable plate that will be used for mere minutes before hitting the trash. Toting your china around may be unrealistic, but check out the compostable, all natural platters, plates and bowls from VerTerra. They are made out of fallen leaves from plantations in an enviro-consciously manufacturing process. These are the chicest single-use tableware we’ve seen. I guess it could be that we are being brainwashed by the Dharma Initiative, but the whole office is giddy for these hexagonal beauties. Apparently they can be reused for serving but I am tempted to create some sort of art project - like covering an entire wall. For more ways on greening this year’s Fourth of July food fete, check out our previous post here.

Here’s to honoring and protecting the land of the free this Fourth of July!

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This Chair is Crafty!

Date: June 29, 2008 | Category: Home Furnishings, The Home

Yesterday was my friend Eric’s 40th birthday. He is one of those people that has the gorgeous house (eco of course) and the gorgeous wife (art purveyor Tara Sandroni), and the gorgeous friends (Cameron Diaz and Liz Phair were there among the beautiful folks). Considering his wife’s vocation, it isn’t surprising that his house looks like a gallery. So, when I saw the RD4 Chair (Roughly Drawn), I instantly thought of Eric. Exquisitely hand-woven with 100% recycled plastic waste material, it’s frangible appearance belies its functionality. Though people may be wary of plopping down on an RD4 (and more apt to admire it from afar), the inherent flexibility of its plastic molds to sitters and is stronger than it appears. This Limited Edition is available in green and black at Branch Home. If you are as chic as Eric, you might need one of these for your styling pad.

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Ecofabulous Kids are Edgey

Date: June 29, 2008 | Category: Clothing, Kids

Gathering some of our favorite brands under one virtual roof, Green EdgeKids is a new one-stop-shop for some of the cutest kidswear with a conscience on the market. Currently stocking Pura Vida, Twirls & Twigs, Misha Lulu, Fig and more, they have plans to double or triple inventory by fall (including hard-to-find sizes 8-12). And for a limited time, ecofabulous readers get an exclusive discount: $15 off purchases over $100 and $30 off purchases over $200. Just use the promo codes ecofab15 and ecofab30 at checkout. Check it out!

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Bikinis and Smoked Salmon

Date: June 27, 2008 | Category: Fashion, Women

Nova Scotia is not known for its bikinis (more like hockey gear and lox), but this LULU suit is Canadian born and bred… and just as sexy as it is smart (shouldn’t everything on your body be sexy and smart?). From the cool “love think eco chic” brand deux fm, comes the LULU. It is made up of quality recycled linen/denim and lined with a soft soy/organic cotton jersey blend. Deux fm has spent two years conjuring up the perfect bikini style, so this design is as thoughtfully executed as is its ethical IQ. And feel free to sport your suit at a hockey game, just remember to wear your protective gear.

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Tonight - Hollywood Green!

Date: June 26, 2008 | Category: Media

Hollywood Green hosted by Maria Menounos airs on the Planet Green Network every Thursday at 9:00pm. It is a one hour weekly entertainment magazine series that follow up-to-the-minute Hollywood news on the hottest stars making green headlines in movies, television, music and fashion. Tonight two of my favorite things will be on one screen, Healthy Child Healthy World and Eden’s Green Closet. Laura Dern and Christopher Gavigan will be talking all things green, healthy and important for kids while touring my little sister’s eco-boutique in Venice! Check it out and let us know what you think!

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Nau They’re Back!

Date: June 26, 2008 | Category: Events, Fashion, Lifestyle, Men

A little over a month ago we sadly reported that sustainable fashioneer Nau was closing their highly regarded doors for lack of funding. There were a lot of really unhappy Nau enthusiasts. But we have amazing news! In part, due to the outcry from loyal customers, Nau employees kicked it into high gear to save their brand and eventually found a SoCal outdoor apparel company called Horny Toad to purchase them. They will now exist autonomously under Horny Toad’s umbrella. So Nau is gone no more. Of course there’s a lot more to this story; to learn the details on what went down, check out this Treehugger article. More good news: The clothes on Nau’s website will remain 50% off through July. So grab those bargains while the second evolution of Nau is in the making. We cannot wait to see the next iteration. FYI, the guys jeans are gorgeous and a great deal at $69.

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Anyone for a Little Haut Chocolat?

Date: June 26, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Holiday & Gift, Lifestyle

Whether you are the type of chocoholic that gets giddy around a box exotic truffles or a bar that you can slip in your laptop case, Vosges Haut-Chocolat has an outrageous taste for everyone. Made by owner and Chocolatier Katrina Markoff, Vosges are the product of renewable energy power (from wind farms and biomass facilities) coupled with a growing list of organic ingredients (this year they’re using organic sugar, butter, cream and nuts). Recipient of Bon Appetit’s Food Artisan of the Year Award, Markoff is on a mission to craft eco couture chocolate. Even the luxurious Vosges purple boxes (worthy of reuse) are made from 100% recycled cardboard. When I go to a dinner party, I always bring a box of the truffles or my favorite desert, Wink of the Rabbit Organic Caramels (the choice depends upon whether I plan on indulging or not).

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Table Escape

Date: June 26, 2008 | Category: Home Furnishings, Kitchen, The Home

The design reconnaissance team - in true Inhabitat style - recovered some serious eco-friendly finds at this year’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York City. One such collection of home accents comes from Domestic Aesthetic - a company whose dedication to low-impact processes, reclaimed or sustainably harvested materials and non-toxic environments for their employees is only matched by their smartly designed, sleek product line. Porcelain and wood are paired in an aesthetic juxtaposition that marries rustic and contemporary. Check out Inhabitat’s coverage of the fair here.

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