Sometimes I wonder if the small eco-efforts I make each day actually affect anything at all, let alone the larger eco-atmosphere. At other times I haven't a worry or a wonder, and am grateful to carry on with my day changing what I can. I do know that the green movement is firmly established as … Continue reading Wearing Eco on the Inside and Out
Certain songs, smells, foods, city streets - they tend to conjure up memories from years past, and usually without permission or even a warning. The smell of freshly cut grass reminds me of my backyard, and my dad. He spent hours every weekend working, sweating and usually drinking a Budweiser, out of the can. His … Continue reading A Green Mower for Any-Colored Thumb
As a young girl my favorite time of year was the week before school started every September. Not because I went shopping for new clothes - a plaid skirt and white blouse were the extent of my "uniform". I equated back-to-school with school supplies. A new binder with a plastic zip-lock envelope packed full of … Continue reading Make the Green Grade: Eco School Supplies Checklist
Candy is a girl's best friend, no wait, that's diamonds. I'll tell you what candy does do - it creates cavities and a boat load of trash. Take all those candy wrappers, put them together and what do you get? Would you believe...a handbag? Believe it. The Candywrapper Tote is made by fair trade artisans, … Continue reading A Sweet Ending for Candy Wrappers
The oh-so-sophisticated you might say "vaaaaaz", but however you pronounce it, a vase is really just a vase. Not so with the ada hanging vase from cb2. It says "I'm not your ordinary vase, I'm so much more than a vase because I hang here growing out of the wall looking like something other than … Continue reading Hanging with Ada
Fortunately, we've reached the point where it is not only un-cool, but offensive when companies ignore their footprint and don't face eco-reality. Despite the plethora of green-going ventures out there, I'm still impressed when I come across another design studio forging ahead, breaking new green ground without compromising creative philosophy. Gore Design Co. is such … Continue reading Eco-Concrete by Gore Design Co.
Certain things in life I admit I take for granted. Trees are not one of them. When I sit in the park, under the lush branches of a tree to enjoy a break from the blazing hot sun, I am truly grateful. Trees provide us with shade on a hot day or cover on a … Continue reading How to Choose the Right Shade Tree to Reduce Energy Costs and Beautify Your Home
According to our calendars, summer is almost over. Kids are returning home from camp, school supplies are being purchased and I'm wondering where the time goes. Want your summer to last forever? The Rolling Summer House may be just what this doctor ordered. It's a huge spherical structure constructed of unseasoned wood (from local, sustainable … Continue reading Steam-Bent and Rolling Through A Garden Near You
Just as we can't judge a book by its cover, we shouldn't choose a shampoo simply for its smell. It may smell terrific, but is it filled with chemicals and artificial fragrances that will weigh down your wavy mane? Or maybe it boasts "fragrance-free" but lists unpronounceable ingredients that are sure to damage your 'do. … Continue reading Tame Those Tresses: Best Eco Friendly Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Care
I admit it - I used to buy those brand-new blue bags in a roll to pick up my dog's poop. Not the greenest item, actually not green at all, but very convenient and clean. Then I switched to re-using the plastic bags from my trips to the grocery store, but having one too many … Continue reading Eco Poo Bags: Worth Their Weight in Clever, Clean and Green?
I love the French. I love their attitude, style, women, wine, croissants and beaches. Now, I'm a big fan of their cookware. Not that I cook, but I do know people who cook. And once in a while, when I'm lucky, they feed me. These are the friends who introduced me to the secret of … Continue reading Le Creme de le Eco-Cookware Crop
Mid-century modern, Eames-era, circa 1950-70s - there are plenty of names for the current "it" style of furniture and design. Some probably even call it old because it's not quite antique. Whatever works. I, on the other hand, am much more excited by the not new part; the not cutting down precious trees or using … Continue reading Whatever You Call It, It’s the Green That Counts
There's a lot of "scrapping" going on these days in the fashion and decor industries, mostly out of earnest consideration for eco-friendly living. I appreciate every kind of re-use, reclaim or re-invent including vintage and antique. Wood scraps are another fave of mine. The possibilities are endless when a creative mind confronts a pile of … Continue reading Leftover Leather Stays Together in Manon Juliette’s Carpet Collection
Straight shooter, no-nonsense, sans hidden agenda - it's refreshing to meet people and know exactly what you're getting. The same can be said for stuff you buy that arrives in a box at your front door. If its assembly doesn't require reading 5 pages of directions and 35 screws and it actually looks like what's … Continue reading What You See Is What You Get
Once upon a time, sex was a word whispered rather than the topic of college courses and front page news. I'm comfortable with it, as you could surmise from my passionate case for saving the planet by having more sex. We could discuss the pros and cons of the sexing of our culture, ad infinitum. … Continue reading Looking for the Best Green Sex Toys? You’ve Hit the Spot!
At home I work at a vintage architect's desk that's big enough for my laptop, a printer, colored pencils, pens and a small army of accessories and implements. I love this desk; every scratch, gouge and pen-mark on it. But when I want to write (or IM) into the wee hours while lounging on the … Continue reading Lay Your Laptop on This
Most of my youth was spent searching - for something easier, cooler, smarter, sexier - anything better than whatever was boring and right in front of me. I was convinced there was something better out there just out of my sight. Maybe this belief motivated me to reach higher. Or maybe it left me in … Continue reading The Glass Is Greener
I'm here with an eco-reminder. The Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling show started this past weekend (July 20) at New York's MoMA. You can read about the show here. To all our New York readers who are lucky enough to see it in person, come back to ecosalon and comment. We'd love to hear … Continue reading Don’t Miss It at MoMA – Prefabricated Housing
Who could have imagined a time when sending your wedding invitation via email would not only be acceptable but encouraged? Certainly your grandmother wouldn't allow it, and most likely your mother would throw up her hands in protest. Not if she took a look at pingg, the stylish, personalized, ad free, totally comprehensive online invitation … Continue reading It’s My Party and I’ll Pingg if I Want to!
Does anyone else feel slightly light-headed at the thought of hearing paper versus plastic one more time? I'm just guessing, but the question is posed to me at least once a day. Of course it's a very good question, but sometimes I just want to scream "neither, nada, none of the above", especially when it … Continue reading It’s in the Box
Kim Derby 
You must be logged in to post a comment.