Like Everyother Crafty Woman out there I want and am buying a Mexican Candy Wrapper Purse. personally I want one of the  single colored ones. the neutrals seem much more interesting to me. you see more of the weaving.

Also like everyother crafty chica I think, wow I can [...]]]>

Like Everyother Crafty Woman out there I want and am buying a Mexican Candy Wrapper Purse. personally I want one of the  single colored ones. the neutrals seem much more interesting to me. you see more of the weaving.

Also like everyother crafty chica I think, wow I can make this. well do you know how these purses gained popularity ? like alot of fashion trends for women, they were created by Inmates.

Yes I Said Inmates, Sisters..

so now that all the side-eyeing is over, lets look at the guys at work. this is from a mexican prison work program in Taxco Mexico.  The video shows them starting at the begining cutting the paper, and then shows you all the bag styles they’ve made that day on a table. beautiful selection indeed.

As you can see these bags are chains. I can do the chain. I’ve got a bag of brown foil paper chains. They all need to be reinforced with the plain paper interior. Now that I know that these are sewn together I have some work to do.. maybe by this fall I’ll have my green brown candy paper bag.

I didn’t realize that they were stuffed with paper for strength, until I saw this video. I watched the video with interest and got alot of information that the other videos on these purses don’t give you. such as how they get the zipper in there, and how they connect the chains. that’s what we all want to know; and how they add that strap. now we know.

Watch Closely – she shows you how you connect the ends to make a complete round. this is the key to making the rounds that you sew together into your purse. Ahhhhhh Yessss…

These prisoners are true artisans, in every sense of the word.  It’s totally green since they have been rehabilitated as artisans and craftspeople.  As hoped, they’ve started teaching the craft to their kids and families.  Thereby producing a whole industry making these cute candy wrapper bags. that’s totally green don’t you think ?

The selection of purses and colors depends on whats available locally in the trash. Remember that in Mexico many of the bags made in small family co-ops come from trash collected in their village. that keeps the area clean and brings back money. that’s the way green economies work.   Because nothing is wasted.  this is the concept that every community needs to adopt globally.

These are the higher styled versions – and yes this is what I’m spending my ducats on. one with a leather strap and closure. this is the perfect all season bag. it’s so eco friendly and chic. who couldn’t love this bag as a gift ?

This is the Finishing Piece. She shows you how to connect them by sewing with wide thread which disappears. So Magical. never mind that you can hardly hear her voice, you know she knows what she’s doing. no doubt this will inspire you to start thinking about weaving your own magical pattern. mines is certainly developing inside my head; so candy aisles beware – the mad crafter is stalking you now.

Do You Have a Candy Wrapper Purse Yet ?

If You Do Show Us Your Photo in the Comments and We’ll Post it Right Here in Our Follow Up – when I show you My Purse. Uh Huhhhh you betcha.

Hey Gals, don’t be outdone by a prisoner,, show us your bags !!!!

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are you going barefoot for Toms Shoes Today ? A) yes B) no C) I am now. Reply with @ausetkmt 1 a/b/c

Today is Toms Shoe Day – 08 April, 2010; [...]]]>

Can You Walk in Toms’ Shoes Today ?

Today’s Poll from @ausetkmt on Twitter

are you going barefoot for Toms Shoes Today ? A) yes B) no C) I am now. Reply with @ausetkmt 1 a/b/c

We’re Doing It – Check it out, and Join US

Today is Toms Shoe Day – 08 April, 2010; People all over the globe are supporting a movement to give shoes to people who desperately need them. I am for one so happy to go shoeless for a day that I can proudly admit that I go shoeless many days, by choice. of course it’s indoors mostly on carpeted floors. that means I truly am blessed to have a safe path to walk. but what if I was like many others in the world who didn’t have such an easy path to trod, who would help put shoes on my feet ?

A Couple Facts About Feet and Health from Toms.com :

• In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
• Podoconiosis is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes.
• A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
• Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.

Watch This and Kick off your shoes for a great cause

I for one am the queen of shoes. I can gladly admit that I own at least 100 pairs of shoes and am proud to say that most of them have only been worn a few times. the shoes I wear most are my feet. every morning when I get up and they touch the floor, wherever I am – I take a moment and give thanks. I have seen kids who need shoes, and given to buy shoes for kids who needed them. shoes are a basic need to everyone. you need to protect your feet to protect your health.

This Folks is the description of what Toms uses in it’s shoes :

Product Details :

Each port brings something different. In tribute to this mix of cultural influences, these new Classics feature abstract sailing inspired patterns, and are made using sustainable materials.
• Livity Texture Twill upper material made of hemp and recycled plastic bottles.
• Vegan friendly, using no animal products
• Made with recycled and sustainable materials
• Insole features EVA cushion, latex arch support, and a canvas cover for breathability
• Outsole utilizes recycled EVA scraps

and yes you are correct, (shoes above) these are the ones that I purchased for ME.  I’m not sure which others will end up in our house because we’re still stalking out the store, and talking amongst ourselves (yes we still do that in our house); about which others ones to get. I’m getting a pair for the granddaughter and probably for my sisters I’ll buy some; that means nieces and also probably god moms. wow my list is getting long..  but its’ a good buy since each pair is matched by Toms with a Pair for someone who needs a pair of shoes.

Thats’ why I can feel good about spending the money.. it’s Charity

we give so much to so many these days, but shoes are the one thing that we get asked to purchase least.  I’ve written several pieces on shoes; but this one I consider the most important.

If you don’t do anything else toe-day (yes side eye me) kick off your shoes and go by toms.com and get a tee shirt, or a pair of shoes.   give back to something that you can really feel good about, and get something in return for your philanthropy.

this is Toms philosophy: One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we’re all about. The TOMS One for One business model transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

Why shoes?

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

* A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
* Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
* Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.

Our Story

In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.

Since our beginning in May 2006, TOMS has given over 600,000* pairs of shoes to children in need, through the purchases of caring customers. *As of April 2010.

Toms Kick Off Your Shoes Day is A GOOD THING,

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No we are not making this up – these shoes are made with soles of Elephant Guano. That’s about as green at it gets.  the post digested waste reused; and repurposed. but this time I think it’s done badly.

YES  Elephant Crap Shoes (and I thought Alexander McQueen was off his track with those [...]]]>

No we are not making this up – these shoes are made with soles of Elephant Guano. That’s about as green at it gets.  the post digested waste reused; and repurposed. but this time I think it’s done badly.

YES  Elephant Crap Shoes (and I thought Alexander McQueen was off his track with those ugly shoes he made this season). but these, well these shoes right here..

S T I N K

Sorry but I hate ugly shoes and these are the ugliest stinking shoes I’ve ever seen. Now the designer is an internationally known painter who is very talented. But who told him he could make shoes for women ? I think he should make them for HIMSELF and Leave My Feet out of this ish.

BTW, this story is from Current.com.

Fo Real Doh,

Recycled Elephant Dung Heels Flirt With Sky-High Organic Style

British painter Chris Ofili’s series of elephant feces art works, in which he’s used the unexpected medium somewhat like molding clay and occasionally plaster, imbue his canvases with a textural interest that certainly makes onlookers sit up and take notice. His Nigerian descent likely comes into play with his choice of artistic material, but once you get past the normal revulsion that kicks in, it’s not such a strange thing in light of the fact that it’s entirely organic compared to many of the other art supplies that contemporary artists use today. Nevertheless, he’s become emblematic of the notion of $#*t hitting the fan because there are certain people who really don’t like the idea of art dancing with excrement, even if it’s a clever way to repurpose something that would otherwise attract the attention of flies and dung beetles.

Of course, one has to wonder if the Turner Prize-winning artist intentionally tried to stir up controversy with his decision to incorporate not just animal excrement but also nude collage images in his 1996 mixed media effort, “The Holy Virgin Mary” or if he’s really just a huge fan of our largest member of the wild kingdom. When the aforementioned work was slated to appear in a Brooklyn Museum exhibit, former New York City mayor Rudy Guiliani attempted (quite unsuccessfully, I might add) to block it from public view, inadvertently helping the artist to achieve an even greater presence in the artistic community. Ofili’s donation of $105,000 to the Zoological Society of London’s Whipsnade Wild Animal Park to create an outdoor elephant play area might very well indicate where his allegiances are rooted (along with the fact that he has frequently smuggled dung from Africa and has also augmented his supplies with London Zoo donations).  Perhaps there’s also a defiant ember smoldering within the artist’s soul, as well.

Ofili has made such a far reaching impression that Britain’s Tate Gallery asked six of today’s most promising artists to create an original work that pays homage to his bold artistic style. The final product created by one designer is so stellar in vision and outrageous in scope that I don’t believe anyone else could have come even remotely close to capturing the essence that is so fittingly Ofili.

Behold INSA’s 10 inch elephant dung heels, constructed with excrement from the identical family that generated Ofili’s 90’s based dung supplies – now THAT’s going above and beyond the call of duty for the sake of artistic authenticity! With a background of street graffiti behind him, INSA succeeded in creating a bold, ostentatious and highly ornate fashion statement with his earthy, sky-high, resin-coated elephant excrement shoes. Do you think that Jimmy Choo needs to watch his back or what?!?!

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Just take a look at these Jerseys being made by Nike – out of recycled drink bottles.  they’re really nice, and quite green.  they were  selected by several major international Soccer teams to show their green tech appeal, at this [...]]]>

GREEN with HOT STYLE – That’s The Newest Fashion Trend, WE LOVE IT !

Just take a look at these Jerseys being made by Nike – out of recycled drink bottles.  they’re really nice, and quite green.  they were  selected by several major international Soccer teams to show their green tech appeal, at this years World Cup in South Africa. This is indeed a really good deal for sportswear maker  Nike.  they were able to work out a deal with the world cup officials to get their product placement – before it goes on sale to the general public.

This is Wonderful – We Should Demand More Of This

Teams like Brazil, the Netherlands, Portugal, USA, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia and Slovenia will use these awesome environment friendly jerseys by Nike.

As The World Cup Soccer Tournament this year is being played in South Africa; this will hopefully encourage local entrepreneurs to adopt this manufacturing principal. It’s simple enough for local people to go out and collect the bottles that it requires from the local trash dumps.

this could help with the greening of South Africa in ecological ways too. people would be more interested in picking up and redeeming the drink bottles – if there was an industry that had a use for them. that’s why this would be such a great investment for Nike to make with a local cooperative or womans kiva group.

as a person who suffers with Hot Flashes, yessss (side-eye);  I really hope that this technology is employed for womens clothing soon – as a cooler alternative. those micro holes in them and the wicking effectiveness would be super.  imagine if they really did increase your energy by 30 percent. – as their research seems to show.

personally, I’d love to have a  full yoga suit made from this material;  and even a few tops and leggings. could you imagine if they made it into Tee Shirts,  Bras, Panties or even Nightgowns and PJ’s

WOW !

maybe our suggestion will get them to thinking about it, as we’re sure they’ll read this post – since they own the tag NIKE.  yepper that another secret to Green Blogging. Add Those Green Tags – and help create a Blogging Pool Rich with Ideas for Companies Like Nike. Phil Knight listens.

Don’t You Think it would be wonderful to be able to go to the local sporting goods shop and grab a South African manufactured pet jersey ? I’m sure that as the technology becomes simpler, more manufacturers will adopt it. the trend towards Recycled and Up-Cycled Clothing and Accessories is really taking off.  Have You Bought Your First Piece of Green Gear Yet ?  if not, it might be a great time to start looking at all the beautiful new green fabrics and accessories bursting onto the market.

Thats A Great Thing Don’t You Agree,

Check This Out – from Green Launches

Nike’s environment friendly soccer jerseys recycled out of pet bottles

(to read the whole article click the title link above – it contains loads of pics and more info on the entire process)

Uniforms made out of recycled materials seem to be the ‘in’ thing for environment minded sports persons nowadays. Nike’s team official team uniforms for the upcoming 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa are made out of recycled polyester. Each of these is made out of at least eight plastic bottles. These were obtained from landfill sites in Japan and Taiwan. They were then melted down to produce yarn to make the jerseys. According to Nike estimates, this will help reduce energy consumption by around 30 percent. The kits are designed to keep players dry, cool and comfortable while playing and use ventilation zones on each side of the jersey. These ventilation zones are created by laser cutting 200 tiny holes into the fabric of the jersey.

Imagine that this dog is in your home. it’s upscale art, made  unbelievably from Discarded Upcycled and Recycled Plastic knives, spoons and forks.  could this be a part of your forever world ?  it certainly could be a part of ours. we love unusual and beautiful art, especially UpCycled Art, like [...]]]>

Imagine that this dog is in your home. it’s upscale art, made  unbelievably from Discarded Upcycled and Recycled Plastic knives, spoons and forks.  could this be a part of your forever world ?  it certainly could be a part of ours. we love unusual and beautiful art, especially UpCycled Art, like this.

Junk art to make recycling fun and profitable

This is clipped from Greeen Launches

Some people can make art out of anything and everything, and make it so appealing that it sells for big bucks! Artist Sayaka Ganz, 33, has created beautiful animal art using nothing but thousands of plastic spoons, knives and forks! She has managed to create a dog, eagle and fish, and a set of galloping horses ranging from 18 inches to eight feet in length, with around 500 pieces of junk, including sunglasses, cutlery and bendy baskets. Some of the wireframes are quite complicated and can take up to nine months to make. And seen as a collector’s item, you can get one for yourself at $10,895.

These are the Horses – they look as though they are soaring on wind.

Yes this is Plasticware, that would have been discarded but was instead Upcycled.  we love this idea for the reuse of such common plastic items. most of the time we just use them and toss them as a convenience.  imagine if art schools began to teach upcycling as a part of their regular curicullum.

This is what we want to see  – Art and Artists, Soaring Above the idea that trash is useless.  we started contemplating the notion of reuse on a much wider scale recently.  it comes down to seeing something that has been discarded as the beginings, instead of the end.

We can all Soar a little bit higher; when we  reuse, recycle and UPCycle just a little bit more.  share this concept with everyone you know and you’ve made the first step in your UpCycle.

How about a trip to a Sculpture Park made entirely of Discards ?

Welcome to Forevertron

Take a Look at the Enormity of it all – the sheer scale and dimensions.  This is Forevertron -Featured in the article Rubbish Art from Green Launches

this is clipped from the full article which you can read at the link above

Love it or hate it – modern art never fails to provoke a reaction. While some people can’t get enough, the majority of people tend to think that contemporary art is a load of rubbish. On that note, some clever people have taken this idea one step further and actually created art from rubbish. Aesthetically-pleasing and environmentally friendly…..surely not? The Rainbow Worrier, a boat created from a staggering 5,000 plastic bags, is a fantastic example of using art to raise environmental awareness – even filled with plastic fish in nets to stress how plastic is destroying marine ecosystems. Created by Devon-based outdoor art group ‘Trail’, the piece won the Recycled Art in Landscape Public Choice Award. Who said plastic recycling wasn’t creative?

Former wrecking and salvage expert, Dr Evemor, has created one of the most incredible sculpture parks in the world, ‘Forevertron’, featuring the world’s largest metal sculpture (120 ft by 60 ft and 50 ft tall – weighing 320 tons). Having used pieces of rubbish dating back to Thomas Edison and the Apollo Space Missions, this eccentric artist proves that one person’s trash is most certainly another person’s treasure.

Love it or hate it – modern art never fails to provoke a reaction. While some people can’t get enough, the majority of people tend to think that contemporary art is a load of rubbish. On that note, some clever people have taken this idea one step further and actually created art from rubbish. Aesthetically-pleasing and environmentally friendly…..surely not? The Rainbow Worrier, a boat created from a staggering 5,000 plastic bags, is a fantastic example of using art to raise environmental awareness – even filled with plastic fish in nets to stress how plastic is destroying marine ecosystems. Created by Devon-based outdoor art group ‘Trail’, the piece won the Recycled Art in Landscape Public Choice Award. Who said plastic recycling wasn’t creative?

Wood And Wire Bird – Recycled art on Vivre

The world of art is also buzzing with new ides for recycling products. The latest addition to this is the Wood And Wire Bird created from scraps of iron, cotton striping, shoe strings, wood, aluminum, glass and paper. This magnificent piece of art is the brainchild of Alabama Chanin who hires local Alabama artisans to create enchanting, one-of-a-kind works of art from a mixture of new, organic and recycled materials. This charismatic Great Blue Heron, from the “Birds of a Feather” series, is available for $735 at Vivre

And Last but certainly not least – for you Olympics Watchers

Coca-Cola staff’s uniform recycled out of plastic bottles for Winter Olympics

We know of plastic bottles being recycled to make a whole lot of amazing stuff. This time, they will be used to make uniforms for the Coca-Cola staff at this year’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Made out of 120 plastic bottles, these uniforms will help Coca-Cola go carbon neutral.

The company has been a loyal sponsor for the games since 1928 and plans to go green for the upcoming games this year. This isn’t the first time Coke has made a green statement with recycling bottles.

PET bottles have been used before to make the world’s biggest recycled artwork during the Recycle Week in Great Britain. The company also opened the world’s largest bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in South Carolina that will produce approximately 100 million pounds of food-grade recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic for reuse each year.

We’re sure you are remembering the piece we did last fall on the drinking straws. this is quite similar, and we wanted to remind you once again that there are lots of things around us that we can reuse, recycle and UPCycle to add to the aesthetics of our own Personal Green Movement. One Day we can Make Our World the Way WE Want it.

One Day Yes, One Day

This is our Green Music Monday Selection – One Day

Keep it Green,

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No Doubt You’re asking yourself , wow – where did this post come from ? this my friends is a part of the archives of our blog. this post is from 2008. some of the links may not work, but the styles are timeless and we know you know how to [...]]]>

No Doubt You’re asking yourself , wow – where did this post come from ? this my friends is a part of the archives of our blog. this post is from 2008. some of the links may not work, but the styles are timeless and we know you know how to find what you want, once you see it.

This week while we’re doing template work, we’re going to bring some of our oldies but goodies out of the closet and see what you think. if  you like it, be sure to leave a comment - that’s how we know. (wink*wink)

15 Hot Fashion Finds From Grist.com Shaun Deller Wheely cap Cyclist — or rather, recyclist — Shaun Deller makes his hats from thrift-store garments. Pull a wheely for “military styling without the war” in wool, cotton, or linen. Cap it all off for $30. Cellphone keypad button earrings Call attention to your face (and your values) with these earrings made from used cell-phone keypad buttons. Turning waste products into winning creations is SECCO’s secret. Be the talk of the town for €22.50 or about $30 U.S. iWood sunglasses These cool shades framed with lightweight, sustainable, exotic-wood veneer are sure to grow on you. Each pair is individually handcrafted, and even comes with a reclaimed-leather carrying case. Alas, one pair will run you $350. Water Is a Human Right bamboo scarf More than just a fashion accessory, this bamboo scarf helps support clean-water initiatives through eco-designer Linda Loudermilk’s Water Is a Human Right product line. You can wrap it up for $65. Grace & Cello colonial jacket Keep warm on cool summer nights with this short-sleeved linen jacket that’s as fashionable as it is functional. The Montreal-based designers make sure their garments are made sweatshop-free from organic or other eco-friendly fibers. You can jack this jacket for a cool $139. Katharine Hamnett graphic tee Katharine Hamnett’s loud slogan tees were all the rage in the early ’80s (see FRANKIE SAY RELAX). But she’s reissued the vintage looks on organic cotton tees with water-based, eco-inks. This “Clean Up or Die” tee leaves nothing to the imagination, and proceeds help Hamnett green the fashion industry. Price: £45 or about $89 U.S. Photo: Hanro International GmbH Bamboo underwire bra Using a blend of bamboo fibers and spandex, this Swiss Hanro bra provides soft support with a conscience. Bonus: the fibers also boast antibacterial properties. Price: $68. Refinding watch Keep time in style with a unique timepiece from Refinding. These watches are handmade from reclaimed objects ranging from sports equipment (tennis balls, footballs, basketballs) to matchbooks (sans fire, of course) to traffic cones. Seriously. It’ll cost ya $72, but truly, this “trashion” is priceless. Ecoist bag Made from a variety of repurposed materials ranging from candy wrappers to soda-can pull tabs to movie billboards, these bags will get you noticed. Bonus: Ecoist plants a tree for every purchase. Prices range from $20 to $200. Reware Juice Bag Sure, a handbag is handy, but if you’ve got gadgets galore, you’ll want a Juice Bag too. Made from the fibers of reclaimed soda bottles, these packs are strong and durable. Plus, they have a thin-film solar panel that will charge up anything from an iPod to a digital camera. Price: $225 to $275. Littlearth soda-cap belt To the unimaginative, old rubber tires, soda pop bottle caps, and seatbelt buckles could be just a bunch of junk. But to the creative minds at Littlearth, this trash becomes treasure in the form of a soda cap belt. And at $30 a pop (!), it won’t break the bank. Photo: Jeremy Harris Photography Del Forte jeans Made in the U.S.A. from 100 percent organic cotton, these denim pieces are cut with the eco-chic woman in mind, and a portion of the proceeds go to The Sustainable Cotton Project, which helps connect farmers, manufacturers, and consumers to pioneer markets for organic cotton. When you’re done with your denim, send it back to Del Forte’s Project Rejeaneration for use in new products. Price: $150 to $200. GreenKnickers You’ll get a kick out of these sustainable skivvies handmade in the U.K. with organic cotton and other eco-materials. Try a pair with a tongue-in-cheek message to “Eat Organic,” or the global-warming knickers with seas that rise along with the temperature. Price: £25 or about $50 U.S. Maggie’s Mantra socks Your toes’ll be toasty in these knee-high socks made from organic cotton and nylon — each one with a “mantra” above the ankle. Stride in style for $9 a pair or $23 for a three pack. Worn Again shoes Looking for a casual way to reduce your footprint? Try these Worn Agains on for size. The sole is “regurgitated” rubber, the lining is old T-shirts and jeans, and the uppers are part e-leather, which is made from leather shavings and tannery scraps — making the shoes 99 percent recycled and 100 percent stylin’. These’ll run ya £65 or about $128 U.S. And Some Extra Items for the Gentlemen … C-IN2 bamboo underwear Is that a bamboo shoot in your pocket, or are you just happy to C-IN2 me? This line of men’s briefs and tanks makes use of soft, renewable, antimicrobial bamboo fibers. And the company’s marketing makes use of … well, men. Buy the whole package for $19.50. Ex Officio Tofutech shirts We want to eat this product line up based on the name alone. Made from renewable soy fibers that have earned the nickname “vegetable cashmere,” the men’s travel tees are relatively reasonably priced at $34 and $48. Levi’s ECO Jeans The company that built its reputation on cotton has struck out into a new field: organic-cotton jeans. From bootcut to cropped, straight-leg to skinny, there’s a style out there for everyone — and organic T-shirts too. Just look for the {Capital E} and eco line — and be prepared to part with $59 to $245. Patagonia Eco Rain Shell jacket Patagonia has been a leader in eco-gear for years, and it keeps the good-conscience goods coming with the Eco Rain Shell, made from recycled polyester. Designed to make “staying dry and environmental top priorities,” the $190 jacket made Outside magazine’s short list of green gear for 2007. Boll Organic Can’t find the eco-item you want? Make it yourself! That’s what the twin brothers who founded Boll Organic did, and the result is a white organic-cotton dress shirt to dye for. Whether you choose a button-down or spread collar, the cost is $60 — and a portion of the price will go to green groups. Did we forget to a-dress your favorite green garment? Tell us what else we should try on for size in comments below. Sarah van Schagen and Katharine Wroth contributed to this list.

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I purchased one from the Philippines last year at a second hand shop.  it still has the original tag on it from the shop where it was originally sold.  I absolutely [...]]]>

Do You have a Drinkbag Purse ?

I do ! and I am thinking about how to make other drink bag items..

I purchased one from the Philippines last year at a second hand shop.  it still has the original tag on it from the shop where it was originally sold.  I absolutely adore it and haven’t used it yet.  I put it in my studio on the bookshelf where I pass by it eachtime I walk into the room.  the warm bright kid friendly colors make it so cute.  the plastic makes it durable.  the fact that it’s upcycled makes it so desirable. the three criteria for new purchases for me, these days.

I found that these little bags are worth their weight in aluminum. they last almost forever, are quite durable and fun to look at. the kids go through the drink bags quickly and that means you’ll have enough to use for your projects in no time at all.

since we don’t have kids around to get the drink bags from, I got the drink bags to drink them myself since I’m getting off of soda. it’s one step at a time people, one step at a time..  (I know, drink bag slippers – unbelievable)

ooooooo We Loooove this. so we went in search of the instructions and VOILA here they are courtesy of Care2.com.

this is the easy way to use those juice bags that most households with kids accumulate enmasse; instead of tossing them into the trash.  I can assure you that we’re making one of these shopping bags as soon as we accumulate enough juice bags.   hopefully we’ll start to see them appearing on etsy and on the bag ladies sites.  you can get them in the Philippines.  the strip bags, we just love as well and we’re going to be on the lookout for that pattern as well. that purse at the top just knocks us out;   and these shopping bags are kinda fab too.

Okay now lets get to the bags,

anyway when I discovered that I loved that little purse, I decided to find out how to make one. I think I can do it,  if they’re as easy to make as they appear to be. I assure you after looking a the directions, tutorials and videos; they are. I’ve collected some videos to help explain the process

As well as the absolute best tutorial on the internet.

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this is our time to step it up and make it the year we all know it can be.  with the advent of the internet, many things became easier and greener.

Today we want you to consider taking one month out of 2010 [...]]]>

Welcome to a New Green Decade -  2010

this is our time to step it up and make it the year we all know it can be.  with the advent of the internet, many things became easier and greener.

Today we want you to consider taking one month out of 2010 and Not Spending Any Money… Uh Huh

watch this very informative vid on how to make it a reality, with just a few careful thoughts before you do things.

We’d like to think that the majority of our visitors are Green; however we know that most of us live in a technological world where it’s easier to spend money to do things; than to take a few extra steps and do them yourself – for yourself.

in our sidebar we put the World Catalog.org search app to help you locate books at almost any library anywhere – to encourage you to Read , Watch and Listen Green. it’s as easy as looking that Media or Book up and getting it from a library instead of buying it. and if you’ve already got it – why not lend it to someone who may want to read it, watch it or listen to it. then ask them to pass it onto another person who would like to check it out.

Several years we joined bookcrossing.org and  since then, we’ve given away hundreds of books, and magazines. most left in the open or “wild” as we bookcrossers say. they are always appreciated by those who find them. That’s Truly Green. we’ve left books at all kinds of places.  restaurants, hotels, spas, beauty shops, airports, left on airplanes, beauty shops, barber shops,  hospitals, stores, laundromats, bars, breweries,  even coffehouses.

most people love free stuff, and if you give – you will receive. it’s a green law of karma..

This year lets start it out right, and recycle our resources first as an example to others of how easy and fun it can be.

Try one of these free things the next time you are looking for fun:

1. Go on a nice neighborhood walk. You can check out old houses, and  get acquainted with history, architecture and neighborhoods you’ve never visited. all the while you are doing it, take photos so that you remember the fun.

2. Go to a Public Library and browse the collections of sections you don’t normally visit; like the Map Room, or the Films Section. you will enjoy discoveries that were right there waiting for you all along. the DPL hosts lots of free activities for all age levels as well they have a program to get you into local museums and attractions for FREE – Yes The Museum Adventure Pass is Wonderful.

3. Volunteer as a docent or usher at an attraction, theater or concert hall. this gets you in to see the show, and usually after the first act you are allowed to sit in the back to chill until others need to be seated.  the hidden benefit to this is that you also get all areas access and like Me may meet some VIPs and Stars.

this is how I was able to meet Nelson Mandela; and Aretha Franklin; on the same day at the same place.  talk about a bonus !

4. Go on a Winery or Microbrewery tour, ahhhhh the goods are at the end and yes they are usually free. we did this on our honeymoon and it was wonderful. I drank wine all the way back from Niagara Falls to Windsor Ontario – and it was all FREE. wow.  I even received a free bottle of Ice Wine from one of the wineries as a wedding present to share with hubby when we were home and he wasn’t driving.  Remember Never Drink and Drive.

5. Take a Factory Tour - the Ford Rouge Factory Tour in Dearborn MI.  is one example of the best way to see what’s happening in cars and believe it or not Green Factory Redesign. you get a lil car sticker and goodies at the end, including a delicious Detroit Made Kowalski Hot Dog and a Detroit Faygo soda.

we’ve done lots of factory tours and trust me, all the kids we see just love it.  we also did the Bettermade Potato Chip Factory Tour - the smell of those hot crispy freshly fried chips were heavenly; and yes you get some free at the end.  there is a store on-site which sells them as well.  Loves It !

6. Visit a park and have a picnic lunch. plan a day of exploration in an area of your state or country that is interesting to you; and make it a day. a nice lunch pre packed, and good walking shoes are all you’ll really need. we suggest you take a few extra goodies to feed to the local wildlife if you’d like Live Green Entertainment.

we carry old bread, crackers and popcorn to feed the birds and squirrels. they are so much fun to watch as they race to get the flying bread. kids also learn alot about how to interact with nature from our visits to parks. we know that the butterfly and bee populations are declining; but this is the best way to see them in their own habitat. what could be greener than that !

7. Volunteer at a zoo or animal shelter. the joy of spending time close up with animals is so wonderful. we used to work at the nature center, where we assisted with live animal demonstrations and care. we were also trained to take the visitors on nature walks around the preserve. the flora and fauna have a way of soothing the most industrialized brain.

(Hey Daisy and Harley)  if you look at the sidebar you will see the Animal Adoption Agency thanks to Daisy and Harley Kitties. every area has one, so go get yours.

8. Check out Local Sculpture Gardens and Urban Art Exhibits. they are everywhere now. some of my friends and I went on a photo safari of our neighborhood. it was fabulous. we each brought our cameras and someone had a videocam. we taped the art and the walk. then we went back to one of the guys kitchens to sit and enjoy a potluck dinner. there is nothing better than food, friends and photos. ahhhh..

9. Have a pot luck at your house and invite your friends. compose your menu to allow you to each make a dish that is unfamiliar. this will add to the fun. theme it interesting.  french, italian or greek are so passe’. why not go wild – tropical foods, arctic foods, raw foods, Live Food. yes you will eat and the experience of fellowship over food will expand when you each tell why you made the dish you presented. this kind of communal dinner is quite popular now in some areas.

we used to attend a wild game dinner each year – that consisted of only meats that were killed by the contributors.  We, the chefs prepared the feast for all the participants as our contribution. it’s still one of the hottest events every fall in our social circle.  at the end each person got a small momento booklet of the recipes from that night.  that was always a highlight.

10. Host a Fashion or Household Swap Party be sure to decide in advance what will be swapped. this will allow everyone to get and give their best exchanges. a group of my friends hold a jewelry swap party each fall. I get the nicest and most unusual pieces in the swaps. purses, and even clothes are popular at swap parties these days.

Remember in 2010 “Swap Don’t Shop“

check this out and get Swap Fever

If you haven’t -Subscribe to our blog. make that your first green click of the year. this way you’ll always know How to Recycle, Restyle, and Repurpose it Your Way.

In 2010 Make it Green My Friends,

for those of us who are not really into typical gifting, today is just for you. check out these alternative gifting ideas; and consider something totally original, and green. alot of todays suggestions are from The Daily Green – Thanks Guys.

An octopus might make [...]]]>

for those of us who are not really into typical gifting, today is just for you. check out these alternative gifting ideas; and consider something totally original, and green. alot of todays suggestions are from The Daily Green – Thanks Guys.

in the previous blog on Gifting we highighted this idea – Give Nothing to those who have everything; instead give in their name to someone who really needs it, and will more greatly appreciate it – Like a Kiva Micro Loan. we have Kiva on our list for this year, and we Love it. it makes it so easy to put the gift to work for someone who will make this a life changing exchange.

Changing the Present

Photo credit:Courtesy of changingthepresent.org

What to get the person who has everything? Simply: Nothing. Or, nothing directly. Instead, give a gift to someone who really needs it – a woman struggling to start a business in an impoverished country, clean water to a village suffering from cholera or any number of charitable donations. Changing the Present has dozens of ideas.

This one is quite close to my heart – gifting the Environment –

do it locally or globally, just do it.  plant a tree, give seeds, gardening gifts or even a gift donation to a local gardening club or the local county extention.  I took my master gardener class and my master canning class at the local county extention for basically nothing.  why not give them a hand to encourage greening of the earth this year, with a community garden contribution.

Rainforest Acre Adoption

Photo credit:Courtesy of support.nature.org

Help make your loved one’s surroundings happier and maybe that can put a smile on their face. Adopt an acre in one of the “World’s Last Great Places” with The Nature Conservancy (nature.org, cost varies) or somewhere closer to home (find a local land trust with the Land Trust Alliance).

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/alternative-gifts/rainforest-acre-adoption-gift#ixzz0ZnIFWEQ8

This is one of the gifts we’re giving this year in Jamaica –

it’s not our first time since we regularly contribute to the World Wildlife Foundation. We Love Those Panda Stickers !  the world wildlife foundation has partnered with the woofers to allow them to get a full experience when volunteering. many help at nature preserves, and wildlife sanctuarys to preserve in danger plants and animals.

This is a Great Idea and We Highly Endorse It

WWOOF It

Photo credit:Courtesy of wwoof.org

WWOOF — that’s World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms — is trying to give you a gift too. They want to educate their volunteers about an organic lifestyle. “WOOFers” are volunteers that stay on organic farms and are hosted by a family that offers food, accommodations and learning opportunities. Places to explore and learn include North, Central and South America, Europe-Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. It’s the gift of a lifetime. (wwoof.org)

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/alternative-gifts/wwoof-it-gift#ixzz0ZnJECeOP

This is also one of our gifts this year – Water.

For the last Two Years we’ve contributed to the playpump project for my birthday. it made me so happy to know that the kids who are playing on the wheel are driving the pump to bring the water out of the freshly drilled clean water wells. many of these wells were drilled after Jay-Z joined with the World Water Foundation to promote the cause of Clean Water Globally For ALL. That one endorsement did a world of Good.

Won’t You Join Us and Give the Gift of Life This Year  – Clean Water

This is one of the Pumps we helped to put up last year in Africa

Clean Water

For the do-gooder on your list who’s impossible to find a gift for, give the gift of clean potable water. Assuming that already flows from your friend’s tap, give the clean water in his or her name to those who really need it: families living in developing nations where water is frequently contaminated. Now that’s a true gift. (shopunicef.ca, $45)

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/alternative-gifts/clean-water-gift#ixzz0ZnK6JIHn

This next suggestion is for my friend Staci - of Just Bloggled

Sweet Girl She Is, she wants to give her Sister and Grandmom some Green Cleaning Inspiration.  Staci sweetie, They are not afraid of Spiders so you can give  em a call and rest assured that you did a good green deed.

Green Housecleaning

Photo credit:Courtesy of Maid Brigade

Cleaning’s a drag. What better gift, then, but a whole-house cleaning? Perhaps this: A whole-house cleaning using only sustainable nontoxic cleaning products. That’s just what cleaning services like Maid Brigade or Green Maid Inc. offer. Green cleaning products are just as effective without all the harmful toxins. It’s good for any home and good for the environment. And if a professional cleaning isn’t in your budget, offer to do it yourself for a personal touch that’s sure to satisfy any spouse or roommate. (Cost varies by house)

How About Clean Air – Yes you can help to give that too, by planting trees, orchards and reforesting

this is a totally old but reinvented project.  I so love this that it’s on my list for 2010 gifting ideas.  I think I’ll give both of my sisters trees for this mothers day’ and then give my brother a tree for fathers day.

I’ve given my sisters plants and even Hibiscus Hedges. one of my sisters gets an amaryllis yearly from me. which she has planted in her yard. some of them are 10 years old. my mom had plants from me in her yard, as she started the replant it tradition. when she died, I started giving plants to the rest of the women in my family, in rememberance of that tradition. this year, no doubt somebody will be getting a few trees planted in their name. hopefully one will be mine, especially in Ethiopia. that would be like reestablishing my roots in the motherland, literally.  WOW

Reforest a Nation

Photo credit:Courtesy of worldvision.org

Planting one tree is admirable but helping to reforest a nation is closer to miraculous. In places like Haiti and Ethiopia, deforestation has caused major hardships, like devastating mudslides and decimated farms. With Worldvision you can offer a gift in your friend’s name to support tree nurseries, orchard-planting and educational outreach that supports local communities in forest conservation. It’s a gift that keeps on growing! (worldvision.org, suggested $50)

Adopt an Apple Tree

Photo credit:Courtesy of My Eco Farmer

It’s not the cheapest way to get a box of fresh apples, but it’s memorable. Adopting an organic apple tree from My Eco Farmer gives you access to an amazingly abundant tree on an organic orchard. If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then just think what a whole tree can do. (myecofarmer.com, $275 per tree, plus $55 annually for farming and maintenance, plus $30 per box of apples)

There are plenty of other types of trees to adopt as well:
Adopt an Organic Peach Tree: (masumoto.com, $500 per tree, plus the time and effort to harvest the fruit in Fresno, Calif.)
Adopt a Truffle Tree: (truffle-tree.com, $299 for the tree and all the mushrooms that sprout beneath it, $69 annual care and maintenance fee)
Petaluma Farms, various trees: (petalumabounty.org, $100 per tree)

When I get back to Tampa or Atlanta permanently

I’m planning on joining a Community Farm for the fresh produce, and the joy of gardening unusual veggies and herbs.  this is the perfect gift for the folks who like to eat healthy and regularly shop for organic produce.  we can all use this one.

Community Farm Produce

Photo credit:Courtesy of Local Harvest

Fresh farm-grown veggies every week! Set up a friend with shares of a local farm so that they receive produce throughout the season, a program provided by a CSA (short for Community Supported Agriculture). This gift supports local farms and keeps your friends flush with fresh healthy veggies. (localharvest.org, price varies)

This one is surely going to catch the eye of my friend Rachelle; because We Are Wine Lovers.

I was lucky enough to enjoy the winery tour for my honeymoon at Niagara Falls. we drove back along the southern Ontario winery tour route and tasted the whole 500 miles home.  we bought several very good bottles which we enjoyed over the weeks after the trip.  hubby asked about the trip the other nite, and actually said he was ready for his glass of Ice Wine;  Oooooo Me Tooooo !

Organic Winery Tour

Photo credit:Courtesy of Frogs Leap Winery

Buy your friend a tour at Frog’s Leap organic vineyard in Napa Valley to learn how an organic vineyard differs from a conventional operation — and to enjoy some fine wines amid beautiful scenery with a good friend. (frogsleap.com, $15 seated wine tasting)

There are many organic and sustainable vineyards in California wine country, and around the country. For an unforgettable gift, choose a local vineyard with the help of Local Harvest (search for “wine” “vineyard” or “winery”) or local tourism agencies.

I sincerely hope that this year you will think Green when you give. put the spirit back into the holiday. keep the joy with you throughout the rest of the year, in a memory.

Green is Doing Today FOR Tomorrow. Wishing the Happiest of Holidays to all my friends and visitors.

Spread The Cheer,

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In keeping with our green theme we share this idea for making it a green holiday, sans using so much green cash; to buy the spirit.  we easily found these items for sale on the internet; mostly from recycled items.  if you happen to be crafty, you can take the same [...]]]>

In keeping with our green theme we share this idea for making it a green holiday, sans using so much green cash; to buy the spirit.  we easily found these items for sale on the internet; mostly from recycled items.  if you happen to be crafty, you can take the same items and make these neat gifts yourself.  no one I know would turn down any of these neat items.

we happen to have quite a collection of soda bottles, so maybe it’s time to start making these oh so cool glasses.  no way you’d get these mixed up in your holiday drinking soirees’.  there are so many ways to give green from what you already have. take a look at the chopstick basket below; or the coasters, or the pet bed – all made from recyclables you may have laying around already.

Most of this weeks gift items were found at The Daily Green – an absolutely fabu green site we visit often.  maybe you should too (hint*hint)

Soda Bottle Glasses

Photo credit:Courtesy of Etsy

Individually flame-cut and polished, these trendy glasses have that appealing retro-soda-pop feel… because they’re made from real Boylan’s soda bottles.(etsy.com, $24)

most of us forget that the real spirit of a gift is in the spirit of giving. too often we spend money to replicate the feeling of giving; instead of truly giving ourselves.

this week we will do the following to feel more holiday spirit :

• Bake Goodies to send delivered by a friend- still warm; to another Friend’s Dinner in another state.
• Donate to a friends’ fund to help her feed her family this holiday.
• Bake and give out lots of homebaked bread, rolls and cakes to our friends who are a little yeast or cash poor this year.
• Design the Cupcakes for Princess Z’s Birthday Party at school in two weeks – then start to assemble the decortions before the baking begins.
• Decide which of my favorite charities will receive my big bag of fall clothes and a check for their holiday drive.
• and finally but most importantly – Visit the Cemetery to share a few memories and moments of holidays gone by.

this week starts our Green Holiday Series, and hopefully you’ll find one or two ideas to help you put the Holiday Spirit back into the Holidays This Year

keeping it green this week means we are sharing another bloggers idea with you, in hopes of giving you the green spirit of the holidays. If you have Green Holiday Suggestions Please Post em, to Share.

Remember the most important element is “YOUR SPIRIT”

Enjoy Your Holidays,

Cardboard Coasters

Photo credit:Courtesy of bambeco.com

Delicately designed, but water-resistant and sturdy, these unique honeycomb-shaped coasters are made from old cardboard. (bambeco.com, $22 for a set of 4)

Paper Vessel

Photo credit:Courtesy of Etsy

Delicate and dramatic, this gold-leafed papier-mâché vessel is made from recycled and reused paper. (etsy.com, $32)

Chopstick Bowl

Photo credit:Courtesy of elswares.com

Display anything in this fashionable bowl constructed from chopsticks. Yes, they’re used chopsticks — but they’re sanitized and ready for re-use. When you need extra space, this unique upcycled contraption folds flat. (elsewares.com, $26)

Road Map Coasters

Photo credit:Courtesy of artfire.com

Salvaged bathroom tiles, suede ripped from discarded upholstery books and clips of vintage roadmaps make these these upcycled coasters distinctive. (artfire.com, $15)

Fashion Magazine Mirror

Photo credit:Courtesy of Urban Outfitters

She loves reading her fashion mags but feels guilty about all the paper they waste. Now she can behold herself in a frame made of reclaimed magazine pages. (urbanoutfitters.com, $39.99)

Suitcase Pet Bed

Photo credit:Courtesy of Etsy

The perfect gift for someone who loves vintage style as much as they adore their pet, this pet bed is made from a 1970s American Traveler suitcase. (etsy.com, $65)

Give “Experience” Gifts this Holiday If You’re Low on Cash [Gift Giving]

By Sarah Rae Trover on Holidays

With excess cash in short supply these days, no one wants to feel like a gift given is unappreciated. Ensure the people on your gift-giving list enjoy themselves by giving an experience instead of stuff.

Photo by aaronjacobs

Money-wise weblog The Simple Dollar suggests experience-based gift giving is not only easier on the pocketbook, but will create a better experience for the recipient. The post offers a few reasons why:

Aside from the fact that it’s less expensive than giving traditional material gifts, giving experiences works for three reasons.

First, it doesn’t give a material item that the other person will have to deal with. It’s not going to wind up needing maintenance or taking up storage space in their home or requiring a trip to customer service.

Second, it will stand out in a positive way in comparison to the items they receive. When you receive several items for Christmas, something distinct like this will definitely stand out from the crowd. Most of the “experience” gifts I’ve ever received still stand out for me.

Third, it often allows you to experience the gift together. If the gift is an event you can both participate in, it becomes a shared memory, something far beyond what a material gift can offer.

In our own gift giving experiences, we’ve given dinners, movie tickets, zoo passes, and more manual labor than you can shake a stick at. Not only does it lighten your load for transporting or mailing gifts to their final destination, it usually requires a little more thought than standing in an aisle and deciding which gift your friends and family would appreciate more: smelly bath and body lotion, or hastily-signed gift card.

Hit up The Simple Dollar for a few ideas for kids and adults alike, when it comes to giving gifts of this nature.

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Whoooo Hoooo ! Lets Recycled Those Old [...]]]>
Yeahhhh You’re Right, These are New – These are Lil Wayne’s shoes from The Prom Queen Video. we just want to show you what people are spending their BIG money on these days. Uh Huh.. $1500.00 from what we read.

Whoooo Hoooo ! Lets Recycled Those Old Tennis Shoes
We got this edition of The Bite in the mail today and were Oh-So blown away with their Recycled Shoe campaign this month.

At last month’s production meeting,  we had already decided that we’re doing two shows this month on Shoes – yepper. One of our Entrecard Buddies is Going to be the Star of One of Those Shows. We’re not letting the cat out of the bag just yet.. (sorry daisy and harley) but you can be assured that This Will Be the “Cats Meow”.

• You’ll create less waste while cleaning out your closet – Reuse-A-Shoe alone has kept more than 23 million pairs of shoes out of the dump.
• Every pair helps – gently worn shoes can outfit feet in the developing world, while shabby ones can be made into surfacing for things like tennis courts.

Lets All dig in those closets and find some shoes to donate to help a needy runner; or to build a kids playground; or a basketball court.

If 10,000 Biters recycle a pair of shoes, we’ll keep enough footwear out of landfills to make the floors for four outdoor basketball courts.

Trust Us – Just Let those shoes open a door to your heart, and make room in your closet for all the shoes we’ll be showing you in the verrryyyyy near future.

Here are a few Shoe Recycling programs we located on Run The Planet and  On Google today :

This is a Short List of recycling programs around the world. There is a Heaven also for old running shoes.

Up & Running
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)1423 562162
E-mail: enquiries@runningshoes.co.uk
Web: http://www.upandrunning.co.uk
Recycled to: Variety Club, ‘the greatest children’s charity in the world’

Recycled Runners
c/o Cool Running Sports Company
GPO Box 2473
Sydney, New South Wales 2001, Australia
Phone: +61-2-9456-1284
E-mail: kevin@recycledrunners.com.au
Web: http://www.recycledrunners.com.au/
Recycled to: needy runners (and others) in the Australia and Pacific region

Reuse-A-Shoe
c/o Nike Recycling Center
26755 South West 95th Street
Wilsonville, Oregon 97070
United States of America
Phone: (800) 292-6453, (800) 352-6453, (503) 671-4726
Web: www.nike.com
Recycled to: athletic surfaces (running tracks, etc.)

First Christian Church of Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
United States of America
E-mail: fcc@csj.net Recycled to: the poor of Haiti

Federacion Departamental de Atletismo Cuzco
Attention: Presidente Edgar Rodriguez
Correo Central
Cuzco
Peru
Recycled to: children of the Cuzco athletic federation

Shoes for Africa
Post Office Box 2223
Boulder, Colorado 80306
United States of America
Phone: (303) 473-1318
Recycled to: African national athletic teams

Helping Hands Shoe Bank
c/o Michael Barringer
Post Office Box 91
Rockwall, Texas 75087
United States of America
Phone: (972) 771-7658
E-mail: michaelbarringer@sbcglobal.net
Recycled to: poor in other nations and in the United States of America

Running Wild
1801 2nd Street
Clock Tower Plaza
Coralville, Iowa 52241
United States of America
Phone: (319) 351-3602
Recycled to: youth in needs via the Johnson and Linn County agencies

World Shoe Relief
Post office box 423
Trabuco Canyon, California 92678
United States of America
Recycled to: poor and homeless

Central Florida Gliders Running Shoe Recycle Program
United States of America
E-mail: coachwise@hotmail.com
Recycled to: youth runners in Kenya

Oakengates Shoe Banks
Oakengates
United Kingdom
Phone: 01952 202547
E-mail: robin.mager@wrekin.gov.uk, help@green.oakengates.com
Recycled to: charities

Shoe Recycling Program
Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County
1616 East Golf Road
Des Plaines, Illinois 60016-1293
Phone: (847) 296-9205
Fax: (847) 296-9207
E-mail: mary@swancc.org
Recycled to: athletic surfaces

Centre for Sustainable Living
Manor Trust
Gorsey Lane
Wallasey, CH44 4HF
United Kingdom
Phone: 0151 639 2121
E-mail: wga@cesul.org.uk
Recycled to: charities

Shoe Recycle Program
TeamBarrios, LLC.
16199 East 48th Avenue # 2521
Denver, Colorado 80239
United States of America
Recycled to: underprivileged citizens of Mexico

Refuse & Recycling Services
Jewish Community Center
655 Arastradero Road
Palo Alto, California
United States of America
Phone: 496-5910
E-mail: recycling@city.palo-alto.ca.us
Recycled to: playground surfaces and sports courts

		In August, Burger King apologized to a customer who was kicked out of one of its restaurants because her baby wasn’t wearing any shoes.

That pair of unworn shoes could be the one pair someone needs; or that will help to build that playlot your kids can be proud to say they donated their shoes to.

Remember if it’s gathering dust at your house, give it away to someone who can USE IT,

Be Green My Friends,

Lately we’ve spend alot of time on cardboard, so we thought we’d step away from our contest project for a minute and check out something we can all relate to – computer re-do’s.

We decided to start recycling instead of buying new – as a company policy. Why ?  Watch [...]]]>

Lately we’ve spend alot of time on cardboard, so we thought we’d step away from our contest project for a minute and check out something we can all relate to – computer re-do’s.

yepper, I said Computer Re-Do’s

We decided to start recycling instead of buying new – as a company policy. Why ?  Watch this and we’re sure you will totally agree. we don’t want to be eco-pirates of the worst kind. we love our people, and our environment.

Watch This Horifying Video of Something You Can Help Prevent

Lets Think Green Okay – Enough of this Toxic Trash;

we all have computers that we pass down, or get as a pass down.

we emphasised this because we want to encourage you to start recycling your computer parts, and computers within your communities. we don’t want to continue contributing to the destruction of the planet, or the lives of people we do not know – why, for Convenience.  we should start to demand that computer manufacturers offer us a rebate on our return of older outdated systems; so that they can recycle them into usable parts using the most current methods to prevent dumping toxic trash onto the earth.  this should be happening globally, but somehow we missed that part of the puzzle when we buy.  we should start to demand it, each time we buy a computer or replacement electronic device.  globally.

Now Onto the Restyle -

why not take a few moments and personalize that machine – so it’s New To You.  kids especially love it when you give them a hand in the colorizations, if  it’s to become theirs.  usually we suggest creating a theme before you start the project – to stay on track. you don’t want a half dora the explora and half transformers scheme – trust us, it won’t last long.

we also suggest that you look into as much info on your redo – before you start as possible, so you don’t have to ask for help, half way through.  we’re going to be re-doing a machine this week for our library, and it’s been white and beige already, so we’re considering going with the Combat Fatigue color scheme to make it easy to blend the colors.

The beauty is that this scheme makes it foolproof  in the color dept, since Camo means you mix and match and paint when ready soldier. Now Set those babies up and take a look at em. show em that new color can mean a new attitude.  somehow it does seem to work.  these are dell computers above which came into their line just this year – and yes they do charge more for the colors than they do the plain black machines.  we have one and that’s where we got the idea that we could paint some of the rest of our machines.  they do it, so why can’t we ?

AAAwwwwwww Yes We Cannnnnnnnnn,

Lets start with our friends at Instructables – they offer the steps in a simple flipbook style. this is the best of the three in my opinion.
check it out,

Paint your computer case – More DIY How To Projects

This Piece is from our friends at Lifehacker. they offer some of the best tech tips on the net – so why not check them out for info on recoloring as well – they had the plastic paint info we needed.  this will help you color your keyboard, and possibly your mouse.  we’re also coloring our external harddrive covers, and possibly the network and modem covers. keeping it uniform adds a touch of decorator fab to your tech redeco.

I’d be a little bit careful if I were to paint my monitor with this method; but I’ve got friends who’ve taken theirs to the bodyshop and had it blasted and car painted. they look so so nice. Their sparkly and the diamond clear coat that tops it off, is the best you can get.

My Toughbook Laptop is waiting to get a coat as soon as it gets to the shop at home. I’ve already started looking at wild colors for it’s aluminum exterior. I think the black will stay black. but the exterior, well it’s time baby; it’s tiiiiiiiiiiiiimeee for a make-ova. no more silver satin.

Change Computer Part Colors Easily and Inexpensively [DIY]

By Jason Fitzpatrick on Mods

The black-on-black of modern computing is generally much preferred to 80s beige and 90s gray, but what if you want to rock some crazier schemes? Check out this low-cost tutorial for achieving your technicolor dreams.

Did the keyboard shown above start life such a dapper shade of blue? No sir, it arrived there via the miracle of vinyl dye. At GideonTech, a site devoted to computer modding, they’ve put together a tutorial on using vinyl dye to transform the color scheme of your computer and peripherals. How does it work?

Vinyl dye is a type of paint that is used primarily on plastics. The theory is that the dye is thin enough to seep into the plastic and color it, rather than covering over its surface. The benefits of this are that it won’t chip, scratch, or peel. It also means that you do not need to sand, or to use a primer. This is because you are staining the plastic, rather than hiding it.

Rather than spend tedious hours sanding, priming, and painting little parts like drive bezels and keyboard shells, you just need a few minutes in a well ventilated area to create your masterpiece.

If you want to take some vintage plastic back to a showroom finish, check out previously mentioned Retr0Bright, a DIY solution for reviving yellowed plastic. Otherwise, check out the full guide at the link below for more details and sound off in the comments if you have experience dyeing computer parts.

Then we have a guide to painting your Case – because that’s usually the item we want to change the color of Most,  (Waving My Hand Around Wildly)  and not for the reasons of decoration.  Mine is a recycled case.  I build machines so hardward like cases get recycled alot.  this one was the ugliest color of beigeygrey that was ever made.  whoever came up with these colors should be locked in a room painted this color for one year straight, as punishment.

anyway read the easy to follow directions and then you can make your Pinky Pink or Make Bluemoon Really Blue : )

WE Hope that you’ve gotten a few ideas on what you can do with your old pc, to make it more loverly again. Green means Keeping it Instead of Replacing It. Be Kind to the environment and Your Pocket.  Learn to love it more with your personalizations. an upgrade is always cheaper than a new machine – just look at the prices and you’ll agree.

feel free to share this with a friend, who you know could use a perk up on their pc. why not print it out, buy some paint and just share in the experience. you never know what JOY you can create,,

Recycle, Repurpose and Restyle it Your Way, ALWAYS,

Have you seen these novel FedexTube or USPS Mailing Tube Stools?

we saw one recently at the fedex drop store and absolutely had to search out the directions. Instructables has it down to a quick few steps. follow [...]]]>
This week we look at more Cardboard Stuff to Make as the contest is wrapping up soon.

Have you seen these novel FedexTube or USPS Mailing Tube Stools?

we saw one recently at the fedex drop store and absolutely had to search out the directions. Instructables has it down to a quick few steps. follow along and believe me you can whip one out in no time flat.

FedEx Stool – More DIY How To Projects

I wonder if this would be a good submission, maybe with a table to match ? hmmmm looks like we need to make a decision.

have you submitted your entry to the gorilla glue contest yet ? and if you haven’t what are you waiting on . LOL

As Promised we are starting our Cardboard Projects Suggestions for the Gorilla Glue Contest.  We Rather Fancy Furniture or Usable Household goods.  and yes these pieces are ALL CARDBOARD.

we’re lining up cardboard like never before. we found a unique source this weekend and we’ll share it with you later in the week. You’ll [...]]]>

As Promised we are starting our Cardboard Projects Suggestions for the Gorilla Glue Contest.  We Rather Fancy Furniture or Usable Household goods.  and yes these pieces are ALL CARDBOARD.

we’re lining up cardboard like never before. we found a unique source this weekend and we’ll share it with you later in the week. You’ll Love It.

Lets check out today’s Fab Functional Furniture Projects,

Make Your Own Cardboard Furniture

by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.16.09

Design & Architecture (materials)

The Ponoko blog has a good roundup of incredible cardboard furniture, much of it from a collective of cardboard furniture makers in France known as Les Cartonnistes.

Some of the work of Les Cartonnistes is quite extraordinary, one would never recognize it as cardboard.

Ponoko also points us to an instructables, where Eric Guiomar teaches how you can build your own furniture. More at Ponoko Blog

I wish I had known about this when I did my slideshow Pulp Furniture: Paper and Cardboard Seating

More cardboard furniture and offices:
Offices Built out of Cardboard for Nothing
Cardboard Office by Paul Coudamy
TreeHugger Picks: Cardboard Recycled Furniture & More
Green Furniture Cut from Cardboard: Collection at CNET

How to Design Your Own Cardboard Furniture

(instructables.com)

HOW TO SAVE A TONNE MONEY and help keep Planet Earth Green. If you need a quick way to create new spaces that weren’t there before – here’s the secret of making your own cardboard furniture.I really enjoy creating cardboard furniture ever since I purchased the step by step DVD from Vinestreet Works, featuring Eric Guiomar. Great for visual learners.

Watch Eric Guiomar from my DVD CLICK HERE

Check out 33 French Cartonnistes personal websites below:
French Cartonnistes Websites
The Cartonnistes designed cardboard furniture that go beyond functional, they add that extra imaginative flair that transformed them into beautiful works of art.

Eric wrote a book in French called: ”’How To Create Furniture Out of Cardboard”’.

So CRAFTY RECYLCERS out there, grab all the FREE, CLEAN thrown away cardboard you can TODAY!

image not found 375×500 : FHXKYP6FOVX10TS (0) i

WOWWWW – Green is Gorgeous, and this is from Nepal

Best High-End Designer: Leila Hafzi

Though it’s getting easier to find organic T-shirts, jeans, and even underwear as green goes mainstream, finding red-carpet-worthy formal frocks still poses a challenge. That’s where designer Leila Hafzi’s floaty goddess gowns, gauzy A-lines, and eye-popping prints come in: Made of [...]]]>

WOWWWW – Green is Gorgeous, and this is from Nepal

Best High-End Designer: Leila Hafzi

Though it’s getting easier to find organic T-shirts, jeans, and even underwear as green goes mainstream, finding red-carpet-worthy formal frocks still poses a challenge. That’s where designer Leila Hafzi’s floaty goddess gowns, gauzy A-lines, and eye-popping prints come in: Made of eco-friendly, ethically-sourced fabrics that support artisans in developing areas of Nepal, they make getting dressed up fun

Summer Style is So YOU..

do you mix and match your sustainable fashion, with your new pieces ? how do you keep it chic while dressing green ?

WE found this fantastique slideshow of Green Resources, and Style Spots on Treehugger;  that you must absolutely check out.

we found these online shops offering fabu green style and easy online shopping to keep the process green. click the links to get your shop on.

we’d like to remind our entrecard designers, to let us know who you are and we will gladly add your link to this post, which we will be turning into a page and updating by season.  WE Want to Keep Our Green Style Fresh.

If You are a Green or Vintage Designer or Reseller, Please leave us a comment and we’ll gladly add your name to this list as well.

Eco Friendly Fashion and Style Resources

• Sprig.com
• Treehugger.com
• In The Loop
• Vintage Fashion Guild
• StyleWillSaveUs
• Fabulously Green

Eco Friendly Shopping Resources

Organic Choices:

• TheGreenLoop.com
• Nimli.com

Handmade and Vintage Choices

• V ForVintage.com
• FashionDig.com
• Etsy.com - where you will find a plethora of designers working on all types of Green Clothes, Accessories and even shoes.
• Green Fashion Line – neat and constantly updating their line

Sustainable Shoes

• TerraPlana.com
• Mohop.com
• TomsShoes.com – For every pair of shoes that you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need.
• Patagonia.com

yes it’s that time.. recommended whenever a drive gets excessively slow; [...]]]>
It’s Day Two and I’m working on the spring migration plan. tonite, while I’m resting I’m putting Backup to work. I want to copy the entire c drive to the d drive on this machine; before I wipe it clean, and reload it.

yes it’s that time.. recommended whenever a drive gets excessively slow; or exhibits signs of damage. just cleaning it up and reformatting it, can save you the expense of buying a new drive; or heaven forbid a new computer.

I actually used windows back-up on the first machine; as I am doing three drives; on two computers. at the same time, I’m actually assembling a brand new machine for the radio station, so that’s part of the reason for the sudden attack of techitis. 3 clean fast Computers with superspeed cable internet, finally. yes comcast comes on monday afternoon and we’ll be off that at&t koolaid after 5 years. Thank The God of Cable, those asses at at&t finally pushed that button with me the other day when I called for something simple like a password reset. that was it. I knew it and I made my move.

when I did, that also meant a network upgrade and machines getting their spring bench visits. yes I do all our work, in house. I must admit that the feeling of accomplishment when I’m finished working on the machines or the network; is infinitely much better than if I’d called “those folks” from geeksquad.

it’s something about those white short sleeve shirts and that black tie that reminds me of an fbi agent; regardless of the fact that they are driving cute lil beetles. everyone knows that those are some witless folks.

besides I don’t know where their tools have been. lol. and they don’t wear lilac nailpolish either, damn it.. (Yes Ladies wear nail polish even when working on computers, because we protect our natural assets; and we like to look good, doing what we do good)

Keep It Green and Do It Yourself – It’s as Easy as 1,2,3.

Five Best Alternative File Copiers [Hive Five]

By Jason Fitzpatrick on Top

If you do any serious file copying on a Windows system, you’ll quickly discover that there are substantial limitations to the default file copier. Ease your file copying frustrations with these five alternative copiers.

Photo by NathonFromDeVryEET.

Copying a few documents from your hard drive to your flash drive doesn’t stress out the default copier too much. If you’re dumping gigabytes of data from one drive to another, however, you’ll quickly find that the default copier is sluggish and unreliable. The pinnacle of frustration: When Microsoft’s default copier putters out while you’re transferring tons of files and you’re left with no indication what was copied and what wasn’t, leaving you to pick through the file lists on each end or starting from scratch to ensure a clean copy. The five excellent alternatives below all succeed at alleviating the many shortcomings of the default copier.

FastCopy (Windows, Free)

FastCopy isn’t pretty, but it is, as the name implies, quite speedy. FastCopy integrates with the system shell and is the only copier listed here which allows you to select which individual commands will appear on the right-click context menu. FastCopy allows you to specify actions based on a file’s age, size, and name, among others. You can also enable secure overwrite, where all moved files are securely deleted from the source directory upon completion of the move. FastCopy can be made portable by copying the FastCopy.exe and FastCopy.chm from the installation directory.

RichCopy (Windows, Free)

RichCopy has been around since 2001 but was only recently released to the public; prior to that it had been an internal Microsoft tool. RichCopy offers all the functionality of the popular command line file copier, RoboCopy, but it’s wrapped in a radically more user friendly GUI. RichCopy has a single but significant shortcoming: It lacks integration into the Windows shell. Despite functioning only as a stand alone tool, it earns its spot in the Hive Five by offering an enormous amount of granular control. You can apply dozens of variables control your file copying, including filtering files by name and extension and selectively applying file attributes. RichCopy is the only copier in the Hive that has profiles, a must for this app given how many variables it allows you to change. You can create a profile for every copying task you can think of.

SuperCopier (Windows, Free)

SuperCopier is a strong candidate for your flash drive. It’s the only alternative copier here that makes itself the default drag-and-drop handler while the program is active. You can turn SuperCopier into a portable application by going into the Advanced menu and changing the Settings Location to “.ini file”. SuperCopier, like RichCopy also allows you to specify if file attributes and security settings will be copied.

TeraCopy (Windows, Basic: Free / Pro: $21)

TeraCopy is one of the best known alternative file copiers, winning people over with an interface and functionality that one might call “just advanced enough”. TeraCopy integrates with the Windows shell for drag-and-drop support and includes a solidly laid out right-click menu. It doesn’t overwhelm you with a plethora of settings or options, but it provides enough advanced functionality to speed up file copying, notify you when files don’t copy correctly, and allow you to bulk approve overwriting, renaming, and skipping of duplicate files. TeraCopy is also available in a portable version. The $21 Pro version adds the ability to select files by extension and remove files from the queue without having to start over.

CopyHandler (Windows, Free)

CopyHandler is another candidate with a ton of customizable options. While RichCopy specializes in granular control over things like file names and attributes, CopyHandler allows you to get as picky as setting custom buffer sizes based on whether a file is being copied to the same physical disk, disk to disk, disk to optical drive, and so forth. You can integrate CopyHandler into the Windows shell and the right-click menu, and you can even instruct it to perform tasks like shutting down the system when the copying is done. CopyHandler is also the only alternative copier listed here which allows you to pause your queue transfer, shut down the computer, and then start the queue up again upon logging back in.

This week’s honorable mention goes to RoboCopy a powerful command line utility originally offered as part of the Windows Resource Kit and now included in Windows Vista and Server 2008. Even with the GUI add-on it’s not pretty or remotely easy to use but it’s quite a powerhouse if you love the command line.

Whether it’s your first time trying out an alternative copier or you’ve long since swapped out the old and busted for the new and streamlined, we want to hear about it in the comments below.

We love beautiful new things, from cool older things. yupper,, so we found this fabu vid from our friends at Instructables. WE just love that place, honestly We subscribed the first time we were there, and we suggest you do to.

on to the video, and then we’ll talk a lil bit about the coolness factor

Voila, [...]]]>

We love beautiful new things, from cool older things. yupper,,
so we found this fabu vid from our friends at Instructables.
WE just love that place, honestly We subscribed the first time we were there, and we suggest you do to.

on to the video, and then we’ll talk a lil bit about the coolness factor

Voila, now isn’t that like the most Fabulicious tip for today ?
There’s a great instructable showing a bunch of Videos and how to’s on this award willing craft. I suggest you find a few mins and go swoop the set up so you can get your Knotty On;

the best part is knowing that you can whip it out anywhere and just get right to it, and have a finished piece while you are being emotionally tested. yes this is a stress relief craft, and also instantly gratifying; that’s why we love it so.

now how bout you ? are you a Knotty Fashionista ?

yeahhhhh we’re into Do It Ourselves, so you’ll love today’s special playa.

This Collection of videos give you the inspiration and instructions to re-create your wardrobe, yourway. this is the original Recycled Frockery Playa.  this is why our website has this name.

we hope you enjoy the videos, and if you make [...]]]>

Now about that new wardrobe ..

yeahhhhh we’re into Do It Ourselves, so you’ll love today’s special playa.

This Collection of videos give you the inspiration and instructions to re-create your wardrobe, yourway. this is the original Recycled Frockery Playa.  this is why our website has this name.

we hope you enjoy the videos, and if you make a few things, drop us a comment and a pic showing us your fabu creation. we love the nuevo couture especially from our own closet.

Cheers,

This tip is from July 2008. we felt the unusual nature of the project made it a keeper. Leave a coment if You Think So too.

We Do Not know Bob, but we thought the pic was humorous.

Enjoy

Today I discovered this site from a tip on threadbanger forums. Recycled Fashion * Purrrrrr-fect Panties from Your Old Tee’s

wow, [...]]]>

This tip is from July 2008. we felt the unusual nature of the project made it a keeper. Leave a coment if You Think So too.

We Do Not know Bob, but we thought the pic was humorous.

Enjoy

Today I discovered this site from a tip on threadbanger forums.
Recycled Fashion * Purrrrrr-fect Panties from Your Old Tee’s

wow, the possibilities are endless – could you imagine..

anyway I won’t print the entire piece, but I will say this,
recycled fashion starts from your attitude and this girl
has the right attitude. before I toss anymore clothes,
I’m certainly starting a recycle bag in my closet today.

Enjoy My Crafty Diva’s

~RE

T-Shirt Underwear

By: logan

I know you’ve got them, lurking in drawers, the back of the closet, in the “giveaway” pile: those T-shirts that are, for various reasons, both unwearable and indispensable. They are too small, too big, too short, have a stain, a hole, or some other flaw, and yet you cannot bear to part with them.

I took my old t-shirts and gave them new life. They were reincarnated as underwear.

The Concept
My first pair came about because of an ill-shapen tee with a great air-brushed-style kitty face on the front. The shape of the shirt was all wrong, boxy, cropped, and yet – oh! that kitty! I couldn’t part with her. I knew she’d be good for something, just hadn’t figured out what exactly.

Late one night I was folding laundry. As I held up my favorite pair of undies, marveling at their keen shape, low waist, and full butt, I realized the true destiny of my kitty shirt. I grabbed my best scissors and went to work making a pattern, and within a few hours I had brand new undies. The kitty face found its place on the butt and there was plenty of material left for the front.

to read the entire article, visit it here

WE Wrote this post Last Year – and as a part of recycled frockery series, we’re reposting it to help you get your spring gleam on

Today in my quest for Recycled Fashionista Material I stumbled upon this fabulous site.

I was knocked out by [...]]]>

WE Wrote this post Last Year – and as a part of recycled frockery series, we’re reposting it to help you get your spring gleam on

We absolutely LOVE THIS BAG. We Promise Ourselves One Soon.

Today in my quest for Recycled Fashionista Material I stumbled upon this fabulous site.

I was knocked out by the Jewelry, Accessories and of course The Fabulous Bags  – yes the Bags. take a look at the most interesting of the
lot from my quick peruse. This is the weeks favorite for Me.

Ecoist Boutique

Make sure to drop me a note and tell me what you think about the
Flash Ad on their front page – with those Luscious Henri Bendel Bags, “OOOOOOOOOOOO..“

Enjoy My Fashion Saavy Friends,

~RE

An Ecoist™ is an individual that lives a modern, eco-minded lifestyle. “Ecoists” have no particular age, race, nationality, nor a particular style. Our handbags are worn by different people, at different places, and in different ways. Handcrafted with endless colors and one-of-a-kind patterns, Ecoist™ handbags are as diverse as the Ecoists who wear them. Our only common ground is the Earth.

We offer accessories made from mostly repurposed and sustainable materials and are produced in fair trade, sweatshop-free environments. We hope to inspire more people to become “Ecoists” and think differently about the things they buy, how they are made, where they come from, and vote for a more sustainable world.

Eco-Friendly Recycled Candy Wrapper Handbags, Belts & Accessories

Ecoist handbags and all other designer items on this site are made from repurposed materials (like discarded food packages, soda bottle labels, rice bags, soda can pull-tabs, candy wrappers, and movie billboards) as well as sustainable fabrics such as Jute, Hemp, and organic cotton.

Everyweek we find the news, so you don’t miss it.

Enjoy,

In mexico

Image Source: DailyMail.co.uk

Dear Pablo: I have been following the media field day on the outbreak of swine flu but I can’t help but wonder if factory farms are to [...]]]>

Everyweek we find the news, so you don’t miss it.

Enjoy,

Are Factory Farms to Blame for Swine Flu?

In mexico

Image Source: DailyMail.co.uk

Dear Pablo: I have been following the media field day on the outbreak of swine flu but I can’t help but wonder if factory farms are to blame for swine flu?

The Truth Behind Swine Flu: Have Cheap Drugs & Greed Created a Pandemic?

In meat

Pigs confined in gestation cages (Photo: Farm Sanctuary on Flickr)
Even if global coverage on the potential swine flu pandemic may be an over-reaction, it’s clear that the outbreak is still a serious issue (which you can now follow via Google Maps). All things considered, the outbreak seems to be the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

$93 Million of Stimulus Money for Wind Power Released by Dept of Energy

In wind power

photo: Yuki Yaginuma via flickr.

The latest in the ongoing allocation of money coming out of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: The Department of Energy has announced that $93 million has been made available to support wind power.

Check Out a New Search Engine for Renewable Energy News… And Much More

In renewable energy

Though it’s been billed as a new search engine for renewable energy, reegle is really much much more than that. It aggregates energy news, has a pretty great map detailing renewable energy projects around the world (as well as country profiles), and provides links for energy industry players in government, business, media and academia across the globe:

Paper to Pearls Offers 15% Off Unique Jewelry Collection

In treehugger deals

What do you get when you combine a unique non-profit with eco-friendly jewelry? Paper to Pearls (and we just love that name)! The amazing project is a micro-enterprise initiative working with 125 women in eight different refugee camps in Northern Uganda.

The women create jewelry by hand-rolling beads from recycled paper. The income they earn from the sale of the jewelry enables them to buy food, medicines and schooling for their children. In addition, Paper to Pearls provides on-going training to empower the women

Could Board Games Challenge Television in A Carbon Conscious World?

In vampire power

Mark did a post the other day on a couple that have reduced the electronic clutter of their life and turned their back on TV, the internet and digital music.

Some readers wondered what they did with their time instead. The post and comments led me to ponder my childhood, which was also bereft of such electrical contrivances. But we did have big sheets of brightly printed cardboard! If we are truly committed to reducing our carbon emissions should we be turning off electricity guzzling televisions, in favour of rediscovering the person-to-person social, and brain exercising, benefits

Australia Commits $25.7 Million to Skills for the Carbon Challenge

In workspace

The Australian Government last week announced that it commit $25.7 million over four years to advance green jobs training under a project it is calling Skills for the Carbon Challenge in their media release: Skills for the Carbon Challenge will drive the development and trial of qualifications and training resources that incorporate sustainability principles, green skills and responsive educational approaches in a number of key industries

Last Incandescent Bulb Slips out of Grand Central Terminal

In new york

New York Times

The last of four thousand incandescent bulbs were changed to compact fluorescents at Grand Central Terminal in New York yesterday, which will save an estimated US$ 200,000 per year in electricity charges and reduce the amount of CO2 and mercury released into the atmosphere from coal burning electrical plants. Passengers immediately started complaining of headaches, pallid skin tones and declared Grand Central a superfund site because of the 8,000 milligrams of mercury in all of the bulbs

Climate Bill Battle Heats Up – This Could Get Ugly

In global warming solutions

Photo via LA Times

That “mother of all climate weeks” that took place in Congress last week didn’t seem to ease anyone’s concerns about the Democrat’s massive climate and energy bill. No, the furor has continued: Democrats, Republicans, the coal industry, environmentalists, electric companies, and automakers are all locked in a chaotic, ongoing debate that could change the face of America’s industry, energy sector—and carbon

Green Roof in LA Provides Vegetables for Restaurant Below

In los angeles

Green roofs weigh a lot; this makes it hard to retrofit them to existing buildings. Plant Architects had some fun putting one on the Royal Ontario Museum, and now in LA, architect Alexis Rochas puts one on an old Holiday Inn that was converted to a condo. He faced a similar problem of having to build a very thin, light structure.

DisneyNayture Follows Up Earth Movie with Oceans Movie (Video)

In oceans

Earth Day 2009 saw a big push from DisneyNature for its Earth movie. Next year, the oceans will get a little loving on Earth Day. DisneyNature has released a trailer for Oceans, which is slated to open on Earth Day 2010. Click through to watch the trailer

Carbon Labeling Toilet Paper: Who Does it Help?

In united kingdom

Image credit: The Guardian

(Glad to see they helped US readers out by explaining what’s in the picture!)

Do Carbon Labels Facilitate Better Choices? I’ve already written about Greenpeace claims that soft toilet paper is worse than Hummers,

Olestra the “Anal Leakage” Fat Gets Alternative Life As Green Replacement for VOCs

In toxins

Pringles photo via williac @ flickr.

Remember when Procter & Gamble tried to downplay the fact that an overdose of the non-fat fat Olestra could give you diarrhea? Digestive problems, abdominal cramping, loose stools and best of all – anal leakage were all terms used to describe the effects of too much Olestra. Now Olestra’s oily smoothness may be good for something besides salty snacks.

Missouri Said “No” To 8 Billion Dollar Nuclear Power Plant Expansion

In usa

Callaway Nuclear Power Plant, Missouri, USA. Image credit:Wikipedia

In the US State of Missouri a utility company, wishing to expand on an existing nuclear power generation facility site, sought legislation which would enable raising the electrical rates for existing customers to pay the future costs of that planned project. Taxpayers “reacted” badly, and both the legislation and expansion plans have been shelved. A local station, KOMU, has the full story, titled Powering America.

It’s no ship in a bottle, but it is a novel way to add some low-maintenance greenery to your desk. With a little bit of patience, you can turn a wine bottle into a terrarium.

While it may not be the first thing you’d think to recycle a [...]]]>

This is a Gizmodo How To Do It -

It’s no ship in a bottle, but it is a novel way to add some low-maintenance greenery to your desk. With a little bit of patience, you can turn a wine bottle into a terrarium.

While it may not be the first thing you’d think to recycle a wine bottle into, the results are pretty neat. Inspired by the awesome terrariums designed by artist Paula Hayes, seen below, Dr. Vino tried his hand at turning an empty bottle of rose wine into a moss filled terrarium.

I first added dirt to the bottle. Then I ripped off chunks of moss, compressed them and shoved them through the wine bottle’s neck with a chop stick leftover from a previous takeout. A few pokes and prods later, I had them all lined up.

After a matter of time with some light and careful watering, the moss grew together into a pretty neat miniature landscape. THe results work best with a lighter-tinted or even clear wine bottle, but moss and similar plants can grow pretty reliably in dim light. If you have another creative idea for adding some greenery to your desk, sounds off in the comments below.

© Pamela Palmer

Dec 8, 2008

Support a cleaner environment by buying local. Local [...]]]> This is THE Green Shopping Guide – Recycle and ReCirculate This Please

Eco-friendly shopping choices are useful in different situations, depending on priorities or needs. No one way is the entire answer for “How to Shop Green”. Buy Local

Support a cleaner environment by buying local. Local artisans and
farmers sell their products at small shops, Craft Fairs and Farmer’s
Markets. Supporting their businesses eliminates the need for products
to be transported far distances, thereby saving non-renewable resources
like oil. It is an excellent way to encourage your local economy and
culture. 100 Mile Diet gives
you some great tips and inspiration on how to start eating local. Your
local newspaper will have listings for Farmer’s Markets and Craft Fairs.

Buy Fair Trade

The Fair Trade Certification label received high marks from Consumer Reports’ Greenchoices website, which provides information on eco-labels and what they really mean. Buying Fair Trade helps
to end abuses such as child and slave labor. There is some
controversary on the effectiveness of Fair Trade vs. classic Free Trade
economics. The issues causing global poverty and labor abuses are
complex, rising from a combination of local country governmental
corruption and multi-national corporate exploitation.

Buy Organic

Buying merchandise certified with Organic
labeling is another way to be eco-friendly. Less pesticides in our
ground water is certainly a big plus for the health of your family and
the Earth. Buying organic, whenever possible, sends a clear message to
Growers and Manufacturers that you want more organic products in
Mainstream stores.

Buy Bamboo

Buy products made from sustainable resources like bamboo, a
wood-like grass, which regrows to full maturity in 5 years versus the
50-60 years of typical hardwoods. Americans are familar with Bamboo
patio furniture, but recently there has been an explosion of bamboo
products flooding the market: cutting boards, dishes, flooring, and
even clothing.

Be Creative

Driving and gasoline usage can be drastically cut down, if you try your hand at making things like crafts.
Simplicity and enjoying being at home is craved by many Americans, who
are running the career rat-race. Weekends or commute time can become
creative time–a green way to make rather than to buy clothing, décor,
or gifts.

Buy Bulk

Buying Bulk enables you to use less plastic. After the initial
investment of storage containers, you can just keep reusing them over
and over again. This cuts down driving time, but it does take planning,
so that what you buy will be used before it expires.

Buy Online

Buying online, is a great, green option for the eco-conscious
consumer, also resulting in less driving time. The products are
delivered to your door, which amounts to splitting your “driving” time
with a group of consumers via the delivery service like FedEx or UPS,
instead each consumer driving to and from his individual store.

Buy Pre-Owned

Pre-Owned–the more palatable name for “used” is a great way to buy
green. It is essentially recycling. The choices can yield wonderful,
cheap, unique finds. Yard and Estate Sales, while they neccessitate
some driving, provide cheap, negotiable prices. In the same time that
it would take you to peruse a Shopping Mall, you can shop 10 or more
yard sales. Attend an auction: numerous non-profit organizations, like
churches, schools, and volunteer groups, have Annual auctions that
double as a Family Night Out. Also, an afternoon of Antiquing uses much
less non-renewable resources than manufacturing and shipping
merchandise from around the globe.

Enjoy the creativity of thinking and shopping outside-the-box , when you try Green Shopping Choices!

Enjoy Mes Aimes,

Which companies are going beyond green

(gristmill.grist.org)

“Eco fashion” has definitely become the buzzword of the moment.

Within the last month alone, my office has [...]]]> Green is IN !!!!

This week we focus on Green Fashion and Green Style Trends
What is Ethical Fashion – we explore that issue fully today.

Enjoy Mes Aimes,

The skinny on fair-trade fashion

Which companies are going beyond green

Posted by Summer Rayne Oakes

(gristmill.grist.org)

“Eco fashion” has definitely become the buzzword of the moment.

Within the last month alone, my office has received calls from over a half-dozen trade shows and runway organizers seeking to green their events. Apparel companies and clients feverishly searching for organic clothing sources are also becoming quite common. The press seems to be foaming at the mouth for new material too, which is always a good sign; but, in the U.S. at least, we have yet to graduate beyond the “green” theme. This week I’ll be speaking to a U.K.-based women’s glossy on “ethical fashion,” a term I hear used far more frequently in Europe.

“Ethical” brings a more social-cultural perspective to the mix, one you don’t always get when talking straight up “eco” speak. The term has its roots in the fair-trade movement. Fair trade got its start 50 years ago, well before the idea of “eco fashion” was ever embraced by popular culture. It started with international aid groups working with small-scale African farmers. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that an international system of Fair Trade certification and labeling was introduced, but heck — that was about 20 years ago!Still, “fair trade” and “ethical” fashion have yet to find their footing in America’s popular culture. They are terms that still remain too esoteric for the general public, particularly because fair trade is more often associated with foodstuffs and artsy-crafty products. There are a couple of reasons for this.