Autonomie Project Ethletic High-top

Classic, old-school style high-top sneaker made with 100% Fair Trade-certified organic cotton canvas upper and tough rubber sole. Sole is produced and stamped with Forest Stewardship Council-certified all natural and sustainable rubber. 100% vegan and entirely cruelty-free! Imported from a Fair Trade certified workshop in Pakistan.

I like them better without the Chuck Taylor star.

Available at Nimli

Posted by thuy

Prince Charles & Friends For Save The Rainforests

HRH Prince Charles launches a new campaign to save the rainforests in an online video broadcast, featuring Hollywood Stars Robin Williams, Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Princes Harry and William and many more.

Visit the website to find out more about the rainforests and what’s happening to them. http://www.rainforestsos.org/

Posted by thuy

Earth Day Event: Fuel The Movie At The Fine Arts Center

In celebration of Earth Day, Fuel will be playing at the Fine Art Center in Beverly Hills. A must see documentary!

Description: Josh Tickell will be at the Fine Arts Theater of Beverly Hills showing FUEL and signing books. Josh will be participating in an open discussion with Rebecca Harell, producer of FUEL, and 10 year old UN Jr. Goodwill Ambassador Nikkos Hansen.

Director Josh Tickell takes us along for his 11 year journey around the world to find solutions to America’s addiction to oil. A shrinking economy, a failing auto industry, rampant unemployment, an out-of-control national debt, and an insatiable demand for energy weigh heavily on all of us. Fuel shows us the way out of the mess we’re in by explaining how to replace every drop of oil we now use, while creating green jobs and keeping our money here at home. The film never dwells on the negative, but instead shows us the easy solutions already within our reach.

When: Wednesday, April 22nd (Earth Day.) Book signing 6 P.M. Movie 7:30 P.M.

Where: Fine Arts Center. 8556 Wilshire Ave. Beverly Hills, CA 90221

Admission: $8. Buy your tickets online here.

Thanks Jenny!

Posted by thuy

We’re Not These Type Of Treehuggers

These people have a huge ass case of the sads thanks to tree killers. I just want to throw a piping hot kettle of magic mushroom tea into their drum circle so they can turn those frowns into smiles and laugh their cares away.

Hug it out.

Posted by thuy

Ode For Intelligent Optimists

Ode is an independent magazine about the people and ideas that are changing the world.

Sometimes it’s difficult to see beyond the war, poverty, exploitation and pollution that the mainstream media use to fill our view of the world. But there is more to life. There are other stories to report. Stories of countless initiatives being launched around the globe by people devoted to justice, respect and equality. Stories that bridge the gap between thinking and doing, between rage and hope, and the painful gap between the rich and poor – and thus build peace and sustainability.

That is the news that Ode promises to deliver. By reading Ode you connect to a network of positive change and inspiration. Ode points the way to knowing better, doing better and feeling better.

Ode publishes ‘the stories that are different from the ones we are brainwashed to believe’ (Arundhati Roy). Ode challenges us and invites us to change. We realise that change starts with information. We can only make a choice to change things for the better when we learn how it can be done. Similarly, we can only change our behaviour when we understand the harmful effects of what we do.

Ode teaches and inspires us, helps us see how every one of us can contribute to a more just and sustainable world.

Ode is printed on recycled paper or you can do your “green” civil duty and receive the digital version. Subscribe here and you’ll get the first issue free and then the one year subscription will be $19.95. They’ll also plant a tree for joining as well as send you a Thich Nhat Hanh meditation CD.

Ode Magazine

Posted by thuy

Get Your Green Workout on

Equinox gym has traditionally been praised for it’s elite and upscale vibe, but now this posh gym can add ‘eco-conscious’ to it’s list of credential.

Here are a few of the chains latest “green” initiatives, that might make you reconsider the costly membership fees:

• All the tiles, paint, wood products used to make the gyms include low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), as well as recycled and rapidly renewable materials.
• It has switched to using low-toxic and natural cleaning products during workout hours, which improve indoor air quality while still maintaining a high level of cleanliness
• It uses recycled paper in all clubs and in the corporate office, as well as have launched initiatives to reduce paper consumption.
• Trion air filtration systems are also being installed to purify the indoor air.
• Will be moving away from energy-intensive incandescent lighting and using more efficient technologies.
• Special showerheads will be installed to control water flow and deliver a luxurious, drenching flow, along with low-flow toilets and waterless urinals that reduce water consumption.

Green Hotel California

“America’s greenest hotel” has officially arrived and has landed in downtown Yountville, CA. The Bardessono is a 62-room luxury hotel, featuring a 92-seat restaurant and spa.

Bardessono has many environmental and sustainable features, all designed to lessen its impact and beautify the property. A partial list includes:

• 940 solar panels on the buildings’ flat roofs, hidden from view by parapets, that produce 200 KW of power;

• Exterior Venetian blinds, automatically controlled to let the sun and heat in early in the day and out later in the day;

• Dual-pane glass, designed to take advantage of natural light;

• Fluorescent bulbs and light-emitting diodes. Everything electric in the rooms are on motion-detectors that shut them off when a guest leaves. When they return and put their key in the door, the lights, television go back on;

• Dual-flush toilets, low-flow fixtures and water filtration, which takes the place of bottled water;

• Drought-resistant landscaping and underground emitters for outdoor watering;

• Re-use and treatment of gray and black water for irrigation through Yountville’s water system; and

• Organically-sourced linens and cleaning supplies.

Source weekly calistogan

Posted by jen

Boys We Heart: Van Jones

Van Jones is an activist working to combine solutions to social inequality and environmental destruction. He founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, which promotes alternatives to violence and incarceration, in 1996. He has won many honors including a Reebok Human Rights Award and an Ashoka Fellowship, and has served on the boards of many groups, including: the National Apollo Alliance, Social Ventures Network, Rainforest Action Network and Bioneers. The City of Oakland has adopted the Ella Baker Center’s “Green Jobs Corps” proposal, and Van is pushing to create the first-ever Green Enterprise Zone in Oakland.

Excuse me, I have some googling to do..gotta find out if Mr. Jones is married.

*UPDATE: Damnit, he’s married! I was ready to pack my bags and head back to my old stomping grounds in Oakland. Why are all the good ones taken???

Posted by thuy

Banana Rebublic Goes Green

I’m not the biggest Banana Republic fan but I have to commend them nonetheless for doing their part to be more environmentally conscious.

“Sustainability is the new luxury“, is their new motto.

The eco-friendly Heritage collection, is described as “signature sportswear for the really modern attitude.” The line debuting this summer, ranges from $39 to $150 and is made out of organic cotton, soy silk, and bamboo.

The company has also started using more recycled materials and changing treatment processes so its laundry facilities can comply with the Business for Social Responsibility’s clean water guidelines.

Source fabsugar

Posted by jen

Celebs Say “Thank You” And Go “Green” To Obama.

Gotta love Hollywood and the Sierra Club.

Posted by thuy

Put A Cork In It

I’m all about the blackberry but if you are one of the few who rock the iPhone (with its many glitches and problems), you might want to at least step your game up with a sustainable cover to protect this inferior form of communication.

JAVOedge has introduced an iphone case that is “made out of cork which is a sustainable material because it can be continually harvested without killing the tree.

The cover slips over the back of your iPhone to protect it from bumps and fingerprints. Cutouts have been made in the cork for easy use and access to the camera, volume control and audio jack.”

When your iPhone inevitable dies, crashes, or freezes up, hopefully you will come back to your senses and scoop up the latest blackberry.

BLACKBERRY 4 LIFE!!!

Source green daily

Posted by jen

Girl You Know It’s TRU

If I Were President Presented by GOOD

Van Jones: Green Collar

Majora Carter: Sustainable South Bronx

Is Mos Def pretending that’s John King’s magic screen on CNN? Love it!

via GOOD

Posted by thuy

Bamboozled

BambooSk8 is gettin’ all eco-friendly on your asses with their skateboards manufactured from 100% bamboo. Not only are these boards lighter and stronger than conventional boards but they are much better for the environment.

According to their site- “Skateboarding is the #31 contributor to deforestation in North America and the #1 contributor to maple in particular.”

Learn all about the benefits of bamboo here.

kick push, coast…

Source ctothejl

Posted by jen

A Little Pain Never Hurt Nobody

From the semi-pornographic website to the dark, den-like boutiques and kinky salons teaching subjects such as the art of Japanese Rope Bondage, Coco de Mer is on a mission to bring sexy back. But not at the cost of the environment. Sam Roddick’s boutique has quickly come to represent the height of inspired ethical and sensual chic for the globally, socially conscious and the sex loving among us.

Coco de Mer’s Rubberwood spanking paddle is handcrafted by a fair trade project in India. The wood comes from sustainable forests and produced in India in an ethical manner with good working conditions and pay. Rubberwood is prized for being eco-friendly because it comes from rubber trees that have already been cut down after their prime latex-producing years are over.

Coco de Mer likes to ‘give back’ and is in partnership with international charity, the Helen Bamber Foundation, which is devoted to assisting survivors of conflict and torture. Coco de Mer is also supporting the launch of the Women’s Project, a charitable enterprise dedicated to the rehabilitation of women whose human rights, health and social care needs have been severely compromised through war, politics, religion and sexual slavery.

BDSM safeword: Ethics

Posted by thuy

Welcome To The Greenhouse

Eco-conscious beauty brand Kiss My Face has the market cornered on all-natural face and body products. Now they are taking things a step further with the launch of their “greenhouse”, an innovative in-store display for their body products such as moisturizers, liquid soaps, body oils etc.

The display is made from 90% recycled materials, while the graphics are printed with non-polluting water solvent inks.

They are also set to launch their ‘Potent and Pure’ line, an organic face care line sold in 65 percent recycled packaging and produced using wind power.

Pucker up!

Source style.com

Posted by jen

Shop The Environment

Eco-friendly furniture store, Environment is about to set up shop on the corner of Beverly Blvd in L.A. It’s still in construction phase but we are eagerly anticipating the day these golden gates to “Eco-Heaven” open!!!

Check their online website for their collection and sustainable practices.

Source- rackedla

Posted by jen

COCOECOMAG.COM

Last night was the launch party for Anna Griffin’s, Coco Eco Magazine. It was held at the D&A (Designers and Agents) Green Market in downtown L.A. There was plenty of free-flowing alcohol to sip while perusing the eco-fashions.

All of the usual green suspects were in the hizzle-Bahar Shahpar, Edun, Toms Shoes and Alkemie jewelry to name a few. Of course we bumped into Sarah Shewey of Pink Cloud Events, as well as partners-in-crime Summer Bowen (BTC Elements) and Siel (greenlagirl.com).

We can’t wait to check out the first edition of Coco Eco Magazine. Congrats Anna!!

Posted by jen & thuy

West Elm Goes Organic For Cotton

West Elm has entered the environmentally responsible game with their new line of organic cotton bath towels and bath rugs. These soft, plush, 600-gram organic cotton towels and mats are grown without herbicides or pesticides and are dyed with earth friendly dyes.

Did I mention they are reversible… hey, two towels for the price of one, and you can match them to your mood

check it all out here.

Posted by jen

Via racked

Rogan NYC

Stopped in at the environmentally and socially-conscious Rogan store on Bowery looking for some eco-friendly finds. Didn’t have much time to shop because we were on a tight timeline. I had meant to snap some flicks of their organic cotton tees but only had time to snap a pic of the cute shop boy before I was told I couldn’t take pictures in the store (priorities, right??)

Ooops! I guess you’ll have to go to their website to check out all of their goodies. Check out Rogan Objects, a line of furnishings which includes the use of recycled materials.

Posted by jen

Breakin’ It Down: Off The Grid

The term off the grid or off-grid refers to living in a self-sufficient manner without reliance on one or more public utilities.

Off-grid homes do not rely on municipal water supply, sewer, natural gas, electrical power grid or similar utility services. A true “off the grid” or “off-grid” house is able to operate completely independently of all traditional public utility services. The idea has been recently popularized by celebrities including Ed Begley, Jr. and actress Darryl Hannah, who constructed her home in Colorado according to those principles.

Electrical power can be generated on-site with renewable energy sources such as solar or wind; with a generator and adequate fuel reserves; or simply done without, as in Amish communities.

Source Wiki

Posted by thuy

The Green Campaign

Big applause to the Democratic Convention for taking steps to green an event with an expected attendance of 100,000 people. Here’s a short list of how the DNC will be the most sustainable convention in modern political history.

• Freewheelin: 1,000 bikes are available free of charge to volunteers and delegates. There will be bike stations surrounding the convention as well as around key hotels.
• The buses that are assigned to transport the delegates and media to and from their hotels and the Pepsi center will run either on hybrid, alternative fuel or biodiesel.
• Free parking near the convention for all hybrids.
• There will be no fried food. Each meal will include “at least three of the following colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white.” At least 70% of ingredients will be organic or grown locally. Cups wll be made of biodegradable material.
• The Pepsi Center, where the convention is to be held, has committed to offsetting its energy use with wind power.

Tha Carter

Born, raised and still holding it down for the South Bronx, Majora Carter believes that you shouldn’t have to move out of your neighborhood to live in a better one. Her theory is that change can start in your own backyard, even if that backyard is home to a higher concentration of power plants, sewage treatment facilities, diesel truck fleets and waste-transfer stations than any other section of the city. Out of this philosophy she created Sustainable South Bronx (SSBx), a non-profit environmental justice solutions corporation.

This girl we ♥ has far too many accolades, achievements and awards to mention, but the accomplishment she is most proud of is her B.E.S.T (Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training) program. It is one of the nation’s first urban green-collar job training and placement program.

B.E.S.T was born out of a need for urban horticulture infrastructure and a lack of skilled labor. Upon completion of this 10 week course, students are then certified to perform jobs such as riverbank restoration, green roof installation, stream bank stabilization, amongst other “greening” practices.

The program has been met with much success and many of its graduates were formerly incarcerated and all of them were on some type of public assistance.

Helping the less fortunate who live in your community as well as cleaning up the environment at the same time is definitely our idea of green grown and sexy.

Breakin’ It Down:LEED

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a Green Building Rating Design system which was developed to provide a standard for environmentally sustainable construction. The rating system addresses six major issues:

-Sustainable Sites

-Water Efficiency

-Energy and Atmosphere

-Material and Resources

-Indoor Environmental Quality

-Innovation and Design Process

LEED certified buildings create healthier working and living environments as compared to those buildings that are built just to code standards. This in turn, contributes to higher productivity and improved employee health and comfort. The overall reduction in environmental impact along with the economic and occupant benefits, make a strong case for green building.

Source: wikipedia

Posted by jen

Brigid Catiis

I’ve recently been introduced to this fabulous line, which is made from reconditioned and recycled fabrics. They produce pretty pieces all while helping to reduce the production of new textiles which means they avoid waste water from entering irrigation systems and create less carbon dioxide emissions. The company also realizes that they have a social responsibility beyond creating clothing. Brigid Catiis donates 5% of their annual earnings to several non profit organizations.

I’m all about dipping out in one of a kind pieces, made with love and good practices. Take a peek at their website for the fall line that drops September 1st, available at Planet Blue, Intuition & I Heart (NY).

Posted by thuy

Ripple Effect

If you happen to be in St. Paul, Minnesota on Sept. 02, be sure to check out Ripple Effect. The organization is putting on a nonpartisan, progressive action-focused art and music festival focused on sustainability, outside the RNC.

There will be guest speakers as well live performances by Michael Franti (Spearhead,) Dead Prez and a main stage dj set by K-Salaam.

Posted by thuy

Method To The Madness

I’m finally coming close to using up the last of my toxic cleaning supplies. I was so excited to go to Target and stock up on the good stuff from Method. Not only is their packaging appealing, it’s also made from recycled materials. Once you’ve come to the end of your supply, you can toss it into the recycle bin because the containers and boxes are biodegradable or recyclable. Now that’s the true meaning of “cradle to cradle.” Extra brownie points for not testing on animals.

The bathroom and kitchen cleaners smell delish. I picked up 2 fabric cloths for cleaning wood and windows- no more using paper towels! And for everyone out there that owns a Swifter, you would be smart to switch over to Method’s, which offers a washable, reusable cleaning cloth, as opposed to those one time use, disposable versions. Thanks to the people against dirty, I can now clean my crib with a clear conscious.

Peep the blue fabric bag under the products in the picture. It’s my reusable bag from Bed Bath & Beyond. It’s gigantic and the perfect size for Target shopping.

Posted by thuy

Breakin’ It Down: Going Green

Going Green: A phrase referring to individual action that a person can consciously take to curb harmful effects on the environment through consumer habits, behavior, and lifestyle.

Posted by thuy

Organic Rompers Are The New Crack

Rompers (aka jumpers, playsuits, onesies etc) are the new crack (yea, I said). These things are a serious addiction. They are the perfect super cute summertime badass outfit. What’s got me fiending even more, is the organic version from sustainable clothing line, Eairth ( a combination of the words Earth and Air, symbolizing “green and organic yet abstract”).

The designer, Melissa Dizon, sources her organic cottons and trims from the Philippines. The dyes are harvested from fallen wood, bark, roots and flowers and she has set up a fair trade system with indigenous tribes in which she pays them generously for their harvest. This in turn contributes to the sustainability of their communities.

In L.A Eairth can be purchased at Kin and Fred Segal

Via shop diary and racked la

Posted by jen

Hope

If you live here in LA or anywhere on planet earth for that matter, you have definitely seen the street art plastered around your city over the years of Andre the Giant, or the guerrilla marketing campaigns for the anti-war/anti-Bush movement or most recently, the Barack Obama/Hope campaigns. Shepard Fairey has long been known for his socially conscious illustrations as well as being a DJ, the co-founder of Swindle magazine, a husband and the proud father of two beautiful daughters.

I was so excited when I turned on Planet Green and saw the feature on Shepard and Amanda getting an eco-makeover for their daughters bedroom. Amanda picked up a new bed and mattress made of sustainable, pesticide free, organic materials from The Little Seed and they also painted the walls of the room with a 100% non-toxic, VOC free paint. Congratulations to Shepard and Amanda for their newest addition and for making the conscious effort in starting their family on the right path.

Posted by thuy

Welcome To The Riverhouse

Leonardo Dicaprio is definitely a boy we heart, not just for his rugged good looks, but also for his totally cool advocacy of an eco-conscious lifestyle. Now he’s taking it one step further by purchasing a condo at the Riverhouse, which is being touted as one of the greenest residential buildings in America.

Green perks at his new crib include twice filtered air and water, sustainable non-toxic materials, solar energy, non-pollutant paints, sealants and adhesives, not to mention the building exceeds LEED standards.

Before you start getting visions of a hippie treehouse, let me be the first to tell you that this place is seriously fly!! It is located in the posh Manhattan neighborhood of Battery Park and overlooks the Hudson River. The residences and amenities are designed by David Rockwell of Nobu and W Hotel fame and services include valet parking, a fitness center, yoga studio, media center etc.

Most recently Tyra Banks purchased a bamboo-floored condo in the building, and rumor has it that Ugly Betty star, America Ferrera, has also shown interest in purchasing there. This place is dope…I’m officially green with envy!!

Posted by jen

iwood x iphone

Check out this eco-friendly protective cover for the iphone made from eco-friendly wood. It’s definitely a viable alternative to the traditional plastic cases which as we know by now, take more than a lifetime to biodegrade. Not only will this company hook up your iphone, but they’ve got your itouch and ipod ‘covered’ as well. Check out miniot.com for more details.

Posted by jen

All Day Every Day

Woody Allen once said, “In Beverly Hills, they don’t throw their garbage away – they make it into television shows.” Well, Planet Green debuted today and I will gladly waste my time watching anything on this channel about garbage, composting, recycling, gadgets, food, drinks, cars, beauty, fashion…I’ll stop here but basically, it covers EVERYTHING under our beloved sun about going green and it’s on 24/7. The one show I really love is Alter Eco, with Adrien Grenier. It’s really informative and covers a lot of ‘green’ spots in L.A. It’s about time. Floss Angeles, RISE UP!

That’s about all I can write for now…need to get my sustainable crack fix and get back to the boob tube. Yea, it’s that serious.

Posted by thuy

The Story Of Stuff

Consumerism. As Americans, we are all guilty of it. Purchasing goods and consuming materials in excess of our basic needs. It seems like objects that we purchase nowadays are made to last a minimal amount of time before we are wanting the newer, better, faster, cooler version. Cell phones, ipods, computers, clothes, etc. Watch “The Story Of Stuff” in its entirety here and hopefully you’ll think twice before buying the latest craze when your current one is still working perfectly fine.

Posted by thuy

Talkin’ Trash

Yo Hypebeast, are you up on this ish?? Launched in February of 2008, The Nike ‘Trash Talk‘ performance shoe endorsed by NBA Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash, will definitely have green sneakerheads talking (are there any of you out there??).

Nash, a longtime passionate environmentalist teamed up with Nike for this very wearable pair of kicks. The ‘Trash Talk’ is constructed of leftover scraps from the Nike production line and will be the first in a limited series of 3 colorways.

Nike has committed to have all footwear meet their baseline or higher Considered design standards of sustainability by 2011 with a rollout including apparel (2015) and Nike equipment by 2020. Get out there, cop a pair and step yo’ game up!

Posted by jen

iWood Is Good

Looking for an alternative to uber-trendy wayfarer sunglasesses that all the hipsters are wearing? Tired of being mistaken for an Olsen twin in oversized Jackie-O type shades? Then iWood eco-design sunglasses are the frames for you, and I can almost guarantee you’ll be the only one in your crowd rocking them.

iWood sunglasses are made with the environment in mind, using the highest quality, eco-sustainable, exotic wood veneer. These babies aren’t cheap with all models retailing for $370, but at least you’ll get eco-friendly bragging rights!!

Posted by jen

Boys We Heart: Raymond Roker (Krishna)

Yesterday was my good friend Raymond’s birthday and I was determined to make it a green celebration. He’s the founder of one of my favorite publications, Urb magazine, a long-time vegetarian, a passionate animal lover and an all around great guy. I spent a good part of my day on a mission to find him the perfect eco-friendly gift. I was ecstatic when I found this t-shirt since Raymond is known to bike around town. My love for Sigg bottles run so deep that I’ve decided to gift them from now on in the hopes that the person receiving it will give up water bottles too.

For dinner we opted for Akasha, (9543 Culver Blvd, Culver City, 90232) a newly opened restaurant in Culver City that has a very high standard of sustainability. Their bar highlights fresh juice cocktails and organic spirits, beer and wine. Their kitchen sources from farms, ranches and fisheries that are guided by the principles of sustainability. Some of the materials used throughout the restaurant are natural ceramic tiles made from sand, reclaimed barn wood and local limestone.

We indulged in great conversation over a bottle of organic wine and enjoyed our meals knowing that this restaurant was doing their part to make the earth a better place. Click here to see a list of all their incredible green practices.

Happy Birthday Raymond! xx

Posted by thuy