Monthly Archives: March 2010

There was a huge amount of interest in this great giveaway generously sponsored by Londons Gate.  There were 246 entries in total with the winner being #208.  Here’s the comment:

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I was surfing for inspiration today on a site called Nothing to say which I found packed full of great things.  It is true that there isn’t a ton of words but the pictures here really do the talking.  This is great for two reasons — I’m lazy and the site is in Chinese.  It is easily translated of course but like I said — lazy! lol

They had a top 50 list of Really Fantastic Wallpapers for Designers which were phenomenal but 3 of them really appealed to me as an eco-blogger.  I thought I’d share them with you here in case you are in desperate need of inspiration like I am!

I love the Recycle logo wallpaper.  The download site is completely in Russian so use at your own risk for sure!  I love how they’ve completely made over the familiar recycling arrows into a landscape of why they are even necessary.

My second favorite from their list is this serene landscape of grass and wheat blowing softly in the breeze.  It was posted on Super Tight Stuff as one of their favorite wallpapers although I have no idea where it originated.  You can download it from the STS site although they did not make it nor do they have the copyrights.  However, I do love it.  It totally reminds me of summer which is a long time coming here in Canada.

And last, but definitely not least, is the Save The Planet wallpaper from Vladstudio.  I think that this wallpaper is a good reminder that the world really can be put back together even though it seems it’s falling apart.

I find sometimes that I have an extreme lack of motivation and inspiration for my writing.  That’s definitely been the case for the last couple of weeks or so.  Maybe now that I’ve found some great images to look back on, things will start rolling again!

If you want to link to any other great Earth friendly inspiring wall papers, feel free!

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I remember my Mom having a harvest gold thermos for her drinks when I was growing up.  It’s still kicking around actually and looks as good as new.  If they’re going to last forever, they might as well look great too, right?

Check out Thermos’ new line of gorgeous “hydration bottles” for modern day mama’s on the go.  The left one is called “Butterfly” and the left is called “Green Swirl”.  They definitely could have been more innovative with the names but the designs are fun and fresh.  They’re BPA free, have a pop up straw design not unlike a kid’s bottle, fit in most vehicle or stroller cup holders, lightwegith and unbreakable!  Best of all, they’ll keep your beverages cold for up to 12 hours with no wasted plastic water bottles!!

Absolutely fantastic.  I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!!  My mom will be sooo jealous!

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Natural fibers are always the best choice for kids clothes — they’re better for the planet and the kids that live in it.  Linen is a gorgeous, soft, natural fabric that has a lot of breathability to it which makes it perfect for kids wear.  It is a more “formal” fabric though making it perfect for Easter outfits.

Check out this beautiful all white linen dress from Linen Kids.  It’s trimmed in lace at the neckline and the hem.  The 100% linen dress is simple and elegant at the same time making it perfect for almost any occassion!  The bunny the model is holding in her hand is also made of linen and available at Linen Kids.

Don’t worry if you’re the parent of a little boy though…they’ve got a great selection of completely adorable boy’s clothes too!  My favorite for an Easter outfit would have to be this adorable linen suit.  The tie is made of the same fabric as the jacket and pants giving it a put together, co-ordinated look that’s not available at many stores.

So, why is linen such a great, eco-friendly fabric for kids?  It helps to relieve sensitive skin that is prone to eczema and allergies.  The fabric is non-allergic and has a natural pH balance.  Linen can hold a lot of moisture while still feeling dry to the touch.  This makes linen perfect for kids who run around all day and even better for bath towels!  If you want a chance to win some of Linen Kids bath towels, check out Simply Stacie’s blog and enter right away!

Linen is made from flax.  Every part of the flax plant is used so there is no waste whatsoever.  It’s also stain resistant which means less water, power and chemicals are necessary to wash the fabric.  All of that can be a pretty substantial savings for the environment.

Okay, now for the best part — the discount code!  Indre at Linen Kids was kind enough to give a discount code to share with my readers that will let them take 10% off their purchase.  When checking out, look for the box that says discount code and enter in BLOG10 to get your discount!  Linen Kids also informed me that you can get 3 euros to spend shopping there simply by opening an account!  Also, make sure to put your child’s name in the birthday club and check out Linen Kids on Facebook.  I’m already a huge fan of theirs!

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Kids toys don’t always have to be multicolored design atrocities.  Sometimes they can be sleek, dark and cool like this recycled plastic playhut from Our Children’s Gorilla.  It’s super light weight so that it is easily portable.  There’s a screw on the top holding the plastic together.  When it’s removed, the play house can be rolled up and taken to go.

Kids like having their own private little cubbies to play make believe in, read in and have their own space.  Sometimes mom and dad can be a little too kootchy koo in your face.  The graphic skull of this playhouse is sure to turn any toddler into an eco-fabulous designer one day…well, a Mom can dream, can’t she?

I love this playhouse and many more of their designs available at Our Children’s Gorilla.  The prices are more affordable than you think and include worldwide shipping!!  They are based out of Sweden where so many green designs come from.  *sigh*  Perhaps I should go there one day.  For research, I’m sure.

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Who would have ever thought that I’d suggest decorating your yard with old car parts??  Check out a local store here in Calgary Bali & Beyond that is importing these chairs from Bali.  They are supposed to be as comfortable as they are gorgeous although I haven’t given them a whirl yet.

In Bali and India, millions of tires are used every year on motorcycles and mopeds which are one of the most common forms of transportation.  These used tires end up simply littering the streets in many areas because there is no infrastructure in place to do much else with them. 

The owner of Bali and Beyond discovered entrepreneurs designing and selling this beautiful All Season chair.  They employ local workers to build these 100% recycled chairs that not only helps the economy but helps families make a living.  So, buying a chair likes this helps encourage business in Bali and makes a comfy spot to read a good book.

It’s perfect both outdoors and in and literally is good in all seasons.  Bali and Beyond is now importing these chairs directly into Alberta, Canada to spread the recycled love to patios near and far.  I have definitely got to stop by this store sometime very soon.  They are also on facebook if you want to check them out here.  They have a huge range of products — home decor, accessories, art, jewelry and furniture.  They also have many pieces of furniture made from salvaged wood that are incredibly beautiful and eco-friendly.

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One of the biggest eco-friendly trade shows is coming to my city in a couple of weeks.  I am super excited to see what kinds of businesses and products will be there on a local scale.  Like any tradeshow though, I’m sure they’ll have the usual promotions, giveaways, business cards, free pens and bags that they always have at conferences.  I think promotional items are a great way to get your name out there but wonder what exactly happens to all of this stuff when the trade show is over.  Most of it, to be quite honest, is complete junk.  Super wasteful and exactly the opposite of what the Go Green Calgary Expo is all about!

There are a ton of options for promotions available that are completely eco-friendly.  Check out the personalized pens shown in the pictures above for an idea at the scope of options available.  The first pen is a pen and highlighter combo that is made of 43% recycled content.  The second pen is encased in bamboo which is one of the fastest growing woods available.  This makes bamboo a great resource for sustainability and requires no fertilizers or pesticides to grow.  The bamboo pen has trim made of corn starch and is 81% biodegradable.  The last pen is available for only $0.69 when ordered in larger quantities.  It is made of recycled materials as well although they don’t state the percentages.  This one really shows how going green doesn’t have to be as expensive as most people think it is.

Even if you’re not presenting at an environmental trade show, environmentally conscious promotional items are a great way to show that your company cares about the world as a whole.  Many people see corporations as huge, money making machines that don’t care about their effects on the common person.  Going green can really help to make a difference to that opinion.  In fact, Wal-Mart will be one of the big contributors at the Go Green Calgary Expo.  I’ve always thought of Wal-Mart as the antithesis of everything green.  I can’t wait to see what they present!

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Have you ever checked out the cool eco-friendly site Hippie Magazine?  The site is packed with tons of great information, advice, news  and innovations.  Their philosophy is the same as mine — there’s lots of ways to go green and lots of ranges of green-ness.  And I love the name, by the way!  I did a guest post for them today (St. Patrick’s Day) about beer.  Check it out here.  Happy St. Paddy’s Day everyone!  The greenest holiday of the year.

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Skateboards come with colorful graphics and designs on them sometimes.  Most riders use them right into the ground.  Each scuff, dent and mark on the board was put there with passion, drive and a love for boarding.  Eventually, the marks on the top become as imbedded as the original pattern itself.  As essential to the board’s entire design as the paint and shape even.  These marks of life make the board even more beautiful and unique.

So, what do you do when this piece of your life gets broken?  Some people make them into gnarly shelves but most just send them to the landfill.  Since the boards are essentially wood, they truly have building possibilities.  This potential for use was discovered by brothers one day — one with a pile of broken boards and the other with a plan — and the Deckstool was born!!  Clever name, huh?  Once a deck, now a stool!

The way that the boards broke spoke of their own design.  Most of the boards broken at the truck while a quarter broke in half.  Therefore — legs and a top!  The connecting piece is an old skateboard truck that holds the pieces together.  The edges are impeccably finished and the end result is guaranteed to be of high quality.

These boards are broken, recycled and remade into furniture in the US and you can even send in your old board to make your treasured item into a new treasured item!

The stools are great in small spaces looking for eco-friendly furniture designs for seating solutions.  These stools also make great end tables, night tables and occassional tables.  Check out their site for the huge range of designs.  The designs are only limited by the designs of the boards they upcycle.  Definitely a site worth checking out!

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