Cardboard Leaf Wreath

I'm loving this wreath made from 100% recycled cardboard.
$32 from Branch Home.

Good for Pottery Barn Kids

I was wandering through Pottery Barn Kids after dinner out last night and spotted a new line of organic Dr Seuss bedding. Organic kids bedding is not so unusual now - right? But what was more impressive was the packaging - there was none except for a piece of twill tape and label. You can find more information from their website outlining even more changes the company is making. I also picked up some *glass* drinking glasses for the kid. I've been looking for some for a while but couldn't find anything other than plastic.

Sukie Stationery

I've noticed these really great Rescued Paper Note Books in a couple of stores around Los Angeles - The Reform School and Firefly. Made from discarded paper, you can write on the reverse of the printed pages.



They are made by British husband and wife team Sukie. You can read an interview with them over on Fred Flare.

Stubby Pencil Studio

I discovered Stubby Pencil Studio through Soule Mama and Angry Chicken. At last, a eco art supplies resource! I ordered a bunch of stuff for holiday presents and I couldn't be happier.

The Ecologic Colored Pencils in the wooden box are really beautiful, and the
Clipper Junior Tri Pencils just look fantastic.

Moop Kids!

I love my Moop Market Bag - so was obviously excited when they introduced their kids! line.


organic cotton bookbag $86 at moopshop.com

If you like, they will even personalize it with your child's name!

Green and Greener

Our friends Alegre and Sean have realized their dream of a brick and mortar location. Come join in the fun!



Green and Greener Grand Opening
June 10, 2008 10:00am - 6:00pm
Eco-living general store and design center, Green and Greener opens its first physical retail location at 4838 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Valley Village 91607. There will be a grand opening eco-living inspired art show (until July 10th), free gift with every purchase on the 10th and an on-going 10% off discount if you don't drive to the store. Bike rack located in front of the store and public transportation map available here. Regular hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm.

On the move...

I am in the process of moving my office from here. to here. Working from home will have many perks - best of all, the end to my daily commute. Instead of a 30 - 45 minute drive each way, I will now have a leisurely 10 foot walk out my back door.



So as the days toward completion of my new office space draw near, I began to look for movers to help me lug bookshelves and flatfiles to their new home. A quick look in our local Yellow Pages put me to Mean Green Trucking and Transport. Their trucks run on biofuels, their NY warehouse is solar powered, and they plant a tree for every move they make.

They do appear perhaps to be a little pricey - I am still waiting for a comparative quote from a "traditional" mover. Will let you know what happens.

(cross-posted at Sew Green)

Sock it to me....

I have great aspirations of learning to knit socks. In the meantime, I am smitten with these I picked up at Muji in NY. They are made of recycled cotton (waste cotton, that is respun, but not sorted, resulting in lovely patterns) and are super comfy.

There were also sweet stuffed toys made with the same.


$21 at the MOMA store

Organic Teething Mushroom

Made from 100% certified organic Egyptian cotton.

Who wouldn't want to chew on this?

$6 at babystyle

Greener Stationary

I'm always on the lookout for better choices for stationary and supplies. I recently found these "kinder" pencils at two local shops.



Forrest Choice is a company based in Stockton, California and they produce pencils from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood. I found mine at my local Whole Foods but they have an online shop. The colored pencils would be great for kids and you can buy 12 boxes for $29 if you wanted to go the party favor route.

The box I have states the pencils are made in Thailand which takes the shine off a little but if you live in the UK you have Remarkable.

They again have colored pencils made out of "good wood" or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood. They also have pencils made from recycled CD cases, video cassettes, plastic cups and boxes and on and on. Best of all they make all kinds of office supplies. It looks like they make the products right there in Worcester in the Remarkable Factory. I can't tell if they ship internationally but again getting these things all the way to California defeats the purpose a little. I found mine at the Reform School in Los Angeles.

Let us know about other green stationary you buy and use.

ring ring - hello?

shopping for a new phone

sam ended up with this corded phone -



a good green choice (as you don't need to plug it into an electrical outlet you can feel confident it isn't being an energy suck!)


and i am now looking -

unless we went with two telephones - which i really didn't want to do.
we needed cordless. we tried to think we didn't. but we do. (save putting in another jack - which we will look into when we do some other electrical in the bedroom.)

this was touted in a recent magazine article for its shutting down of all extra energy consumption when not in use (stand-by mode so to speak)and came with an extra dock to plug in (which we won't use.) though i can't find mention of this feature anywhere else. hmmmm...

i also am thiking about sony. very impressed with their recent move to recycle their products without charge. (check if you have a drop-off location near you here.)

now to look into a greener telephone service provider. (info on some options over at idea bite.)

what are you dialing?

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.

Recycling Wool Sweaters

In the November 2006 issue of Martha Stewart Living there was a beautiful a and inspiring article on woolen gifts made from felted sweaters (page 152). Since then I've been on the lookout for 100% wool sweaters while thrifting. I've acquired a small but satisfying collection of mainly cashmere sweaters usually costing only a couple of dollars each.



You only have to feel the softness of these sweaters to immediately think of making stuffed animals. Here's my first attempt.




There are also lots of people on Etsy making excellent use of wool sweaters. Here are some of my favorites:


Lullaboos from Margaret Wyngaard




Little Owl Grey by Chet and Dot



kitty girl 8 from Mimi Kirchner

Made in America (Toys)

While channel hoping recently I landed on the Travel Channel's Made in America. For those who don't know this is the show where John Ratzenberger drives around the US in a bus, visiting people who make American goods. The show I saw featured Marble King in West Virginia.

Glass marbles are one of those objects of desire for me. I had no idea this place existed despite their claim to be "The World's Best Known, Best Loved Marbles". But I know where I am going for stocking stuffers for the holidays this year.

I don't know how environmentally responsible King Marble is but I like the idea of not adding to America's trade deficit by buying from home.

Do you have any favorite made in America toys?

Links
Made in America
How to Play Marbles (UK)
How to Play Marbles (ehow.com)

Surf's Up

adding to e's stacking doll collection - i am thinking these chickens for her. and perhaps these for me!

checking out the night sky and using stellarium to help identify what we see

enjoying a peek inside nancy mims of mod green pod's pad via designsponge. (and while you are at it check out her organic fabric selection!)

looking for some new market bags - caterin's muslin tote swap is a great idea!

swissmiss posted a guide to wrapping via the Japanese Ministry of the Environment

all new goodies at twotrees


have a lovely weekend!

Surf's Up

Oh to build a house off the grid of reclaimed materials. (I know just where I would put it!)

Skin Deep has made some changes to their site.

Getting some birds for my bulbs.

All the recycled paper goodness over at remake's etsy shop.

How "walkable" is your neighbourhood? (via The Worsted Witch) Mine scores 38/100. Ouch!

Researching our local CSA.

Lots of good stuff to puruse over at the newly launched Green Apartment Therapy.

Not that I should be purusing...

Pixel-ated!

I have been searching for gifts for the many new babies that seem to be arriving this summer and came across Pixel Organics, cute, organic bedding for babes and kids! (The idea of a babe dreaming on an organic mattress snuggled in organic cotton is such a comforting one to me.)

Love their manifesto and the fact that they use an enviromentally friendly low-impact printing process (and the prints, especially the lions, tigers, and kitties... ohmy!) and that they are sustainably made in the USA. And a local business to boot! Hooray!

Other resources for eco-conscious nurseries and kids' rooms:
an interview with Amanda Moore at House & Garden
a new line of organic bedding for wees from Amenity Home coming next month (another l.a. company)
a post from a fave source, The Worsted Witch, over at ehow.com

Klean Kanteen

Skip the plastic and expense and BYOW (water that is) in a stainless steel Klean Kanteen. They even have a sippy for the kids.

$23.95 (40oz) at Klean Kanteen