Loomstate Comes to Target

Perennial eco-favorite Loomstate has just made its products more affordable and more accessible. The Loomstate for Target collection is available here and at Target stores nationwide.

Thanks to LB for such a fabulous discovery!!!

A Tale of a LBD

Twelve years ago, when I was in high school, I was a bridesmaid in the winter wedding of my cousin. The dress was a fabulous black floor-length number with a short black jacket atop it. The ensemble was lovely, but I had no idea what I would do with it post-wedding. It was so fantastic that, even though I had nowhere to wear it, it sat in the back of my closet for four years. Then, when I joined a sorority in college, I needed a black shift dress for preference round. Enter the bridesmaids dress. Our family tailor is amazing and with a few snips and trims, the fabulous floor-length evening gown had become a knee-skimming shift. In the last eight years, it has been worn with cardigans of all colors and sans cardigan as well. But always, I repeat always, with pearls (Wouldn't want to let Mama down, now would we?). The dress has seen parties, funerals, dinners, benefits and, most recently, a memorial service. I was honored by a request to do a reading at the service and I accepted, but immediately became riddled with nerves. When the big day rolled around, the dress that had been through so much with me was suddenly calming. So thanks to the dress, and almost an hour of pre-service rehearsal with V who made sure I could get through it without falling apart, I did. And so did the dress.

But there is an eco-spin to all of this. Instead of buying something new, look into your closet and see what can be modified to meet your needs. You never know...your new little black shift dress may be disguised as a formal gown.

A Most Fabulous Blog

Haskell Harris, Associate Editor of Garden and Gun magazine, publishes a fabulous blog called Belle Decor. Recently, Ms. Harris posted about a friend of hers in New Orleans who has his own carpentry business. Matthew Thompson does a wonderful job of taking ordinary run of the mill pieces and turning them into decor statements. Take for example this reclaimed set of stadium seats:

Aren't those just fantastic???

The Silver Lining

As I've gotten older, I've come to the realization that some days things just don't go my way. Yesterday was one of those days. My cell phone quit working (due to no fault of my own) and my computer died (possibly partly my fault, but maybe not). I had to purchase a new version of each. Then, on my 6 block walk home, the bottom fell out. The sky began to rain drops so hard that they hurt. And, of course, I had no umbrella. Once I got home and changed my soaking wet clothes and shoes, I sent my mom a text that said, "Today is not my day."

Fast forward to this afternoon. As I was listening to a presentation on the intricacies of family law (not my specialty, but interesting no less), a number I didn't recognize flashed on my new cellphone screen. And then it happened again. And again. Finally, the caller left a voicemail, which I checked at the conclusion of the presentation. What I heard made my day, not because of the misfortune conveyed in the beginning of the message, but because of the silver lining that came at the end.

Here's the message:
"Hi, it's mom. I dropped my cell phone in the toilet again. [she paused here as a buildup to the highlight of the message] But I didn't flush it this time!!!"

As of this evening, we each have a new phone and neither of us plans to drop it in the toilet. At least not today.

The Vatican Goes Eco

The Vatican is going solar in a big way. The smallest country in the world recently announced that it intends to spend 660 million dollars to create what will effectively be Europe’s largest solar power plant. This massive 100 megawatt photovoltaic installation will provide enough energy to make the Vatican the first solar powered nation state in the world!

View the whole article here.

EcoManor

When most people think eco-house, they think boxy and minimal. If you're like most people, prepare to have all of your eco-house expectations shattered. Meet the EcoManor.

The home of Laura and Rutherford Seydel is a beautiful showplace that's green from top to bottom. The EcoManor website even gives great links to the household and decor products that they used that are eco-friendly. Among the fabulously appointed rooms is a pink and green girl's bedroom. Talk about putting the green in pink and green!

Where Does the Other Sock Go?

The construction of the Pyramids, the Bermuda Triangle, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. These are indeed some of the world's greatest mysteries. But the mystery that trumps all of these is the missing sock. You know the one. You put pairs of socks into the dryer and when they're done, mysteriously, you're left with a single sock from one or more pairs that you put in. Instead of trashing the spare sock (if it's cute), consider making a plant cozy out of it. Just cut it down to size, put the sock around and over the edge of a cup, and voila!

What I Love About...

If you're ever down in little old Baton Rouge, you simply must try Bistro Byronz. The precious little Government Street restaurant is the reincarnation (after a 20 year hiatus) of the legendary Byronz. You can view the menus here.

The decor is welcoming and it's the perfect place to meet friends for brunch or lunch or dinner or drinks. Try the Mint Julep Mojito. It's fabulous!

Eco-llegiate

University-branded apparel has now entered the green scene!

School House is the brainchild of Rachel Weeks, a graduate of Duke University who wanted to bring ethically-sourced collegiate apparel to the world. She's already introduced Duke apparel and garb branded with other schools' logos is following quickly. As if fun new apparel designed wasn't enough, the factory workers who produce School House earn 2-3 times more than what factory workers down the road earn. Being planet-friendly isn't always about being organic or chemical free. Basic care and concern for our fellow man is also eco-friendly!

Check out the School House blog here.

If You're Crafty and You Know It, Clap Your Hands!

For those of you residing in the NYC area, check out Purl Patchwork's book signing and workshop with green crafting author Betz White.

From Purl's blog:

Purl Patchwork is pleased and honored to host a workshop and book signing with artist and designer Betz White, author of Sewing Green, one of our favorite new craft books out this spring! Join us at Purl Patchwork (you can find a map to the shop here) on Saturday, April 18, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm for a special workshop taught by Betz.

Special thanks to Heather for the heads up on this fantastic book and event! Check out her blog here and her Etsy shoppe here.

10 Best Coastal Eco-Resorts

Coastal Living just posted their 10 best coastal eco-resorts. Have a look here.

When Tourism Goes Eco

Sometimes, when work is bogging me down and I have to look like I am doing something productive, I go on a mental vacation. I love to look at tourism websites and I was so excited when I checked Islamorada's site today and found that they're making strides towards being greener. Check this out:

"Five Sixes Taxi recently debuted 10 environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles as the first step in converting its entire fleet. Five Sixes is the first taxi company in Florida to roll out hybrids. The cab company's officials project that the new fuel-efficient vehicles will get about 38 miles per gallon in the city, compared to their previous vehicles' 12 to 13 miles per gallon, reducing their emissions factor by 80 percent. Future plans include replacing its other 13 sedans with hybrids, and replace its 23 seven-passenger Maxi Taxis when a suitable hybrid van becomes available."

And yes, they're pink! It would be great if more vacation destinations would make strides towards being eco-friendly. You can read the whole article here.

The Boat Shoe Goes Eco

Finally, someone has created an eco-friendly boat shoe! Timberland's new Earthkeepers Classic 2-Eye Boat Shoe stands firmly on a recycled rubber sole. The boat shoe comes in two classic colors and claim to keep your feet comfy out on the water (or bopping around town) all day. Sadly, the shoe is currently only available for men but hopefully a version for women is in the works!
Earthkeepers boat shoes...Good for the planet, good for your sole.