update!

Green and Greener has increased the discount to 10% off your mattress; refer a friend who purchases a mattress with the non-profit donation special and you'll get you an extra 5% back (that's a savings of up to $420!) Sweet!

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"We yearn to simplify our lives and yet feel the need to accumulate more. Our children learn by example how much is too much or never quite enough."
-- Anita Kaushal

from:



$29.70 here
{or find it at your library}

Los Angeles Green Tour

A couple of weekends ago we were lucky enough to go on a tour connected with the Do it Now: Live Green exhibition at the Ben Maltz Gallery at Otis.

We started at a green home in Malibu owned by Colette Brooks and Eric Cadora. They talked us through figuring out a green remodel and shared some great resources with us including:

The Giam Catalogue
LaundryPure by EcoQuest. You don’t need to use detergent with this.
Trex Decking
Home Depot Eco Options
Mother Earth Magazine
Waterless Urinals by Duravit. Here is Eric in the NY Times with his.

Because of the remodel Eric has become a consultant on green building. His company is Moss Cadora

But best of all they shared their beautiful property with us which overlooks the pacific, oh, and their 5, hugely entertaining dogs!

Second was a tour of a client’s home of architect Roger White. The architect himself gave us a tour and showed us what could be done with a typical residential home. Noah Goldman who consulted on the roof solar panels was also there to talk us through some of the issues.

We then headed over to Living Green in Culver City. This is a great building materials and interior furnishings resource. Although I’ve been before, having the owner show you around adds a whole different dimension to a place like this.

Next was a prefab residence in Venice designed by Living Homes. They have a really great audio tour on their website which is worth checking out.

Finally we visited the residence of David Hertz of Syndesis, Inc.; He is currently building a home out of a 747!

Flowers and plants for your home

I'm reading, Apartment Therapy: The Eight Step Home Cure, although not quite fast enough to keep up with the blog. One thing the struck me was recommendation to buy fresh cut flowers every week. I do occasionally buy cut flowers but I'm usually disappointed that within a few days they start wilting and by the end of the week I have a brown smelly mess to deal with. I realize that if I changed the water everyday I might have better luck but...life's to short.

Also there's the issue of the use of pesticides on many cut flowers and the distance some flowers have to travel to get to your local supermarket. Danny Seo did a blog entry about this suggesting buying from organic resources like Organic Bouquet or using garden flowers for those who have gardens.





I like to buy orchids from Trader Joe's here in southern California. I picked up these for $7.99 each and they last for months. All I have to do is water them on the weekends. I got one for Valentine’s Day and it still looked perfect in June. Now, I don't know green these plants are or where they are from. So on my to do list is to start researching house plants and looking for an organic supplier. Perhaps instead of buying cut flowers every week I'll buy a new plant every couple of months.



Here's what I have waiting on my bedside table:
How to Grow House Plants, Sunset Editors
How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants that Purify Your Home or Office, B. C. Wolverton

Let us know if you know of any other good books or resources.

Nightlights for Kids

I've been looking for a night light for the little one's room. We now have a vintage globe light but I've suddenly started obsessing about the wiring. Some of these are more greener than others but I thought I'd share what I've found and like and ask if anyone has any recommendations.

Candleloo $39 for 2
You all know about this one. Rechargable batteries.



Sun in a Jar $48 (via AT Nursery)
Solar cell inside, along with a rechargeable battery and low energy LED lamps.





Luau Portable Lamp $250
I realy want this! I've seen it at my local DWR and it's beautiful. But at this price - I don't think so. 36-bulb LED pack and rechargeable NiMH batteries.



Shroom Light $79
Shades are manufactured by one of the last remaining millineries in the USA. Compact fluorescent light bulb.




TykeLight $20 (via AT Nursery)
Rechargable.