eco-chic design

Celebrate Mother’s Day With Fair Trade Greetings Cards

Mother’s Day is coming up soon. It’s one of the biggest days for flowers, chocolate, and greeting cards in the United States. Why not celebrate it with greeting cards by Good Paper that honor mother earth as well? All cards are handmade, fair trade, and eco-friendly.

This year you can send flowers that won’t perish with the handcrafted Flower Vase card by Good Paper. It has a beautiful three-dimensional texture. The paper is handmade from local office waste by young people orphaned by genocide or disease in Rwanda. Another cute mother’s day card is Batik Nesting Dolls. Women survivors of sex trafficking handcraft it from recycled papers in the Philippines.

Other designs by Good Paper are for occasions such as Birthday, Valentine’s Day, Wedding, Get Well, and Moving Home. Some are humorous and others are heartfelt. They all have the power to transform lives. So, go ahead and pen it forward.

Three Tips To Green Your Lunch

Over the last few years, I wrote many posts about individual green products. Lately, I realized that the fun starts once you combine them in your daily life. For example, what goes well as a set if you want to pack an eco-friendly lunch? Being quite systematic, I took small baby steps trying to green my own life and I still have a long way to go. In the meantime, I would like to share some combinations that I picked up along the way. For starters, here’s how can you green your lunch:

1. Food storage containers from Preserve
2. Lunch tote from Built NY
3. Bamboo utensil set from To-Go Ware

Why does the combination work? The food storage containers are made in the USA from recycled #5 plastic, the lunch bag is reusable and washable, and the utensils are made of the renewable resource bamboo. As I have been planning and packing my own lunch, I have also been eating healthier. Please share your tips and ideas for greening your lunch.

Coastal Reclaimed Wood Art Handmade in Florida

This winter, I made it a point to escape the cold weather of the North East by visiting Florida. I saw stunning sunsets and discovered some eco-chic finds at SeaRenity Spa & Eco-Boutique. The store is located in Bradenton Beach at the south end of Anna Maria Island and has an array of eco-friendly products. Most of them are either locally made or locally sourced such as candles, soaps, jewelry, and fashion.

At SeaRenity Spa & Eco-Boutique, my favorite find was the art from Sky30, whose designer and artist creates abstract horizons and landscapes from reclaimed wood. As you know, I’m a big fan of design that turns discarded materials into something useful or beautiful. Each piece is made with reclaimed and salvaged wood pieces that are assembled using environmentally friendly glue. The beautiful color schemes are inspired by coastal sunsets. They come in three different variations: Midday, Sunset, and Cloudy Day.

Sky30 reflects the changing colors of an ocean horizon by using organic paint and eco-friendly finishes. The result evokes a sense of serenity in a simple and very graphic way. With its multiple colorways, the reclaimed wood art easily fits into any home décor. It’s a great way to take a Florida sunset home with you as an eco-friendly souvenir.

Valentine's Day Gift Idea: Get Lovestruck With Soy-Based Candles

You might have noticed, that I took a bit of a hiatus for the last 18 months. Instead of blogging for my own blog, I have been a regular contributor to the style and design section of Organic Spa Magazine. Over the years I wrote about 100 posts for their online presence, in case you want to check them out.

My latest post was about the beautifully scented candles by Warmth Soy Candles Co. and as a thank you, the company sent me some samples that included the Lovestruck scent. It made me realize, that I miss writing for my own blog since I enjoy sharing new finds that combine sustainability and modern design. The soy candles arrived thoughtfully packaged in an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bubble wrap by Geami. The box included three attractive tins with the scents Nectar, Marmalade, and Lovestruck. Maybe the upcoming Valentine’s Day had a role in it, but I was smitten right away by the Lovestruck scent that has hints of Onka Bean, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, and Amber. Like all Warmth Candles, it’s handcrafted with 100% renewable soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks and phthalate-free essential & perfume oil blends.

Soy wax candles are a green alternative to petroleum-based ones. They are made from soy wax, which comes from the oil of soybeans and is therefore a renewable resource. In addition, soy candles don’t produce carcinogens when burnt and last longer. You might want to try the Lovestruck Candles by Warmth Soy Candles Co., in case you want to refuel your passion this upcoming Valentine’s Day. Who knows, what they might spark for you?

New York International Auto Show 2014: sustainable mobility

This year, there was a nice range of eco-friendly vehicles for every taste and budget at the New York International Auto Show. The choices varied from the smart ebike to the sexy and sustainable, but hardly affordable, Porsche 918 Spyder and everything in between.

As a former Manhattanite, my personal favorite for urban mobility was the smart ebike. It’s a Pedelec (Pedal Electric Cycle), which means a sensor detects pedaling and activates the motor to provide additional electric assistance to your muscle power. You can choose from four levels in drive mode that let you decide how much assistance you want from the electric motor as you ride. Then, of course, you can just use it for regular cycling without power assistance. In addition, you can even recharge the battery through simple pedaling. Its compact lithium-ion battery can cover up to 100 km depending on the cycling style and topography of the route. The smart ebike has a cool look with a two-material and two-color concept. It comes in two color choices: crystal white with electric green accent trim parts and matt dark grey with flame orange accent trim parts.

When it comes to sporty design, I really liked the two BMW i Models: the all-electric BMW i3 and the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports vehicle. The BMW i3 is the first mass-produced car that integrates the use of structural CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) that’s as strong as steel, yet about 50% lighter. The entire production of the CFRP is powered by hydroelectric energy locally in the US. Another eye-catching vehicle was the Toyota i-ROAD that seats two passengers in tandem.  The three-wheeled EV combines an electric motor and battery that can travel 30 miles on a charge with a stability system that automatically balances the vehicle when turning. It’s a cool energy-efficient mix between a motorcycle and a car. This makes it ideal for urbanites since it fits into narrow parking spaces. Overall, it was nice to see so many manufacturers work on energy-efficient concepts for a more sustainable future.

NYIAS 2014: Toyota’s FCV only emits water vapor

Attending the New York International Auto Show fueled my love for design and sustainability. What’s so great about the press preview days is that you get to explore the cars without the crowds. I was the only one in line to go on a test drive at the “Toyota Fuel Cell Ride Along”. In the past, I had driven EV cars (Tesla Roadster, Smart Fortwo, Nissan Leaf) but never a vehicle powered by hydrogen.

The car during my ride along was the FCHV-adv whose design is based on the Toyota Highlander SUV. FCHV stands for “Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle” and “adv” for advanced. The vehicle has been on the road for a couple of years but I was mostly interested in the technology. It works similar to the Toyota Prius in a sense that it’s a hybrid. But the FCHV-adv runs on hydrogen and replaces the gasoline engine with a fuel cell stack. The way it works is that within the fuel cell stack, hydrogen combines with oxygen to create electricity that powers the car. In a hydrogen economy, the hydrogen would come from renewable resources such as solar or wind power. What’s so great about Toyota’s new technology is that the only exhaust is water vapor and the car has a range of approximately 300 miles. My test ride had a good acceleration and it was great to know that the regenerative braking system turned kinetic energy into electricity to recharge the car’s battery.

After my ride along I went up to the showroom to see the Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV). It uses the same technology but is a mid-size sedan and will hit the roads in 2015. The hydrogen-powered car can be refueled in 3-5 minutes. Currently, the only problem I foresee is that there aren’t too many hydrogen fueling stations in the United States yet. However, to me this is a key technology of the future since it’s purely based on renewable resources. My hope is that automakers and energy suppliers will work together to make this a reality.

NY NOW 2014: my top 5 sustainable and contemporary designs

At least once a year, I try to visit NY NOW (formerly NYIGF) to check out new sustainable products. My first stop is always the sustainability display near the entrance area. It showcases environmentally-friendly and socially-responsible products and companies. The amount of curated designs seemed smaller than previous years but I noticed that many sustainable products were manufactured in the USA. I hope that this trend will continue since I try to support local designers as much as I can. Buying local cuts back on energy for transportation and supports local economies. As always, it was fascinating to meet the designers and learn about the stories behind their products.

Following are my favorite eco-chic finds:

1. The Giving Bowl - handmade by Lorraine Oerth & Co.

All colorful and cute mini-bowls (about 2” in diameter) are handmade in Virginia of earthenware clay with very little waste. They come in a hand sewn muslin bag that’s printed with low-VOC screen ink and 10% of the profits support animals rescue charities. Every tiny bowl has a word glazed inside like 'breathe', 'thank you', or 'it is what it is' as a way to express a sentiment.

2. Stuffy Historical Figures - created by Late Greats.

A big collection of fun and sustainable pillow dolls features historical figures such as Frida Kahlo, George Washington, or Coco Chanel and is handmade in Massachusetts. The whimsical and super cute illustrations are created by the owner Chen Reichert. They are printed with water-based inks on a cotton/linen fabric and come with a recycled polyester stuffing.

3. Horizon Birchwood Coasters - designed by LUprints.

These modern and bold looking coasters are made from FSC-certified birchwood from Scandinavia. Other eco-friendly Horizon designs by LUprints include contemporary looking pillows, placemats, and teatowels made of 55% linen/45% cotton. The styles are inspired by Scandinavian designs that are then hand screenprinted with eco-friendly inks and sewn in Canada.

4. Nested Hens - crafted by GreenTree Home Candle.

Every charming beeswax candle is hand poured from 100% pure beeswax at the design studio in Central New York and comes with a gift box made of recycled material. Other spring themed candles include sets of eggs in muted colors like robin’s egg blue, celadon, butter cream and caramel. These clean burning candles are part of the vintage inspired collection and add warmth to any home décor.

5. Fantastic Beach Toys - designed by Ceci Gomez and manufactured by Zöe b Organic.

The colorful beachtoys are made in the USA from Mirel bioplastic. If the toys are left on the beach and washed out into the ocean they will fully biodegrade (as you can see in the picture) in 2-3 years. That’s because they are made from plants and not petroleum like conventional plastic. The 5-pieces set includes a bucket, sifter/lid, shovel, and 2 cups and comes in turquoise/lime or pink/orange colors.

toast to a colorful New Year with recycled glassware

Currently I’m reading the book “sculpture and design with recycled glass” by Cindy Ann Coldiron. It features artists that turn recycled glass into beautiful sculptures, has step-by-step instructions on how to create some glass projects that I would like to tackle next year, and highlights green glass companies such as California-based Fire & Light. I’m always on the lookout for contemporary green glassware since it seems hard to come by in the US. Usually during my Christmas break in Europe I pick up some tumblers and wine glasses made of 100% extra-clear recycled glass by La Mediterránea, located in Spain. As much as I love their designs and commitment to the environment I would prefer to buy recycled glassware that’s locally produced.

Fire & Light was founded in 1995 as a partnership between the Arcata Community Recycling Center in Humboldt County, California, and local investors. Since then John and Natali McClurg purchased the company in 1999 and nowadays the line of colored glass dinnerware can be found in many galleries and stores. The contemporary looking glassware line is created by melting crushed glass in furnaces, adding pigment, and pressing the molten glass into bowls, plates, and glasses that have a very distinct look. Each piece is made one at a time and the process can take up to three days. If you would like to learn more about how the company turns broken glass into beautiful pieces of utilitarian art make sure to check out their video about the glass making progress. It also mentions that every day in the US we throw out enough glass to fill the Empire State Building twice.

The hand-poured glass tableware collection includes bowls, plates, glasses as well as artful vases and is made with over ninety percent of recycled glass. In the spirit of upcoming New Year’s Eve I’m especially enchanted with the eco-friendly goblets and martini glasses since they help to ring in the New Year with sustainable style. Here’s to a happy and greener New Year!

(In case you have been wondering what I've been up to for the last few months check out my weekly posts for the style/design section at Organic Spa Magazine.)

solar powered chocolate from Grenada

Sampling Grenada Chocolate at the Belmont Estate in Grenada combined two of my passions: chocolate and sustainability. Well, and then there’s traveling of course. Belmont Estate is a 17th century plantation on the Spice Island Grenada and offers tours to their organic farm and cocoa processing facilities. My favorite part was the outlet for Grenada Chocolate and to learn more about the handcrafted tree to bar chocolate making process.

First oval shaped cocoa pods are harvested by cutting them of the trees. The pods are cracked with a machete so that the white seeds or beans can be removed to undergo a fermentation process. This takes place in large wooden bins covered with banana leaves and jute bags for about 7-8 days. During the fermentation process the cocoa beans turn into a rich shade of brown and their flavor develops. Next they are placed outside to dry in the sun on big wooden trays for another week. During the last two steps the beans are moved manually to allow for air circulation. In the end the beans are polished to remove any dried pulp residue. Since 2012 Belmont Estate and the Grenada Chocolate Factory formed a partnership where organic beans are purchased from local organically certified farmers. These organic beans are then fermented and dried at Belmont Estate. From there they go to the Grenada Chocolate Factory where they are turned into delicious Organic Dark Chocolate.

All Grenada Chocolate bars are CERES and USDA certified. They are made in small batches with machines powered by solar-electric energy. Other ingredients include organic cane sugar, organic vanilla beans and organic soy lecithin used as emulsifier. The charming design of the outside wrapper looks like local Caribbean art and is printed with vegetable based ink on recycled paper. Inside on the actual chocolate bar is a gorgeous stylized image of cacao at the center. During our chocolate tasting we sampled about 8-10 Bonbon Chocolates that combined the organic chocolate with the many fruits, nuts and spices of Grenada like nutmeg. It was probably the most amazing experience from my entire Grenada vacation.

modern and fair trade designs from Ten Thousand Villages

During a recent trip to Vancouver I visited Granville Island with its many arts and crafts studios. It also has a daily Farmer’s Market that offers local produce and culinary products. One of my highlights though was the Ten Thousand Villages store with fair-trade items from all over the world. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit Fair Trade Organization (FTO) that aims to benefit artisans instead of maximizing profits. Their handmade designs come from low-income areas in developing countries and have been fairly purchased from sustainable resources.

Browsing the store is a fun way to experience different cultures and their crafts from over 35 countries. The staff is incredibly passionate about their cause to promote fair trade and shared many interesting stories behind their products with me. Always on the lookout for contemporary and sustainable designs for my eco-chic readers they recommended the following 4 designs:

1. Tree of Life Bombshell Necklace – hand crafted by Rajana Association in Cambodia.

This cute necklace is made from shell casings of bombs littered throughout Cambodia as remnants of war. The Rajana Association is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides training and sustainable income opportunities for disadvantaged Cambodians. It also encourages these artisans to value their cultural heritage. The tree of life pendant is hand-cut and I love how a symbol of war is turned into a symbol of peace. It was by far my favorite find at the Thousand Villages Store since I love jewelry with a meaning.

2. Hammered Aluminium Serving Tray – made by Noah’s Ark International in India.

The modern looking serving tray is made from recycled scrap aluminum handcrafted by artisans of Noah’s Ark in India. I love the hammered texture created by brass workers in Moradabab. The hand-made texture is a nice contrast to the modern triangular shape of the tray. Noah’s Ark has the goal to enable artisans to purchase their own machinery and materials through low or zero-interest loans and become self-sufficient along the process.

3. Linked Ring Fruit Bowl – created by Noah’s Ark International in India.

This bowl is another modern design made from recycled materials by the artisans of Noah’s Ark International. The cool circular design pattern is made from discarded and rusted washers that are cleaned and powder coated. How cool is that!

4. Recycled Glass and Palm Fibre Glasses – crafted by Jahanara Cottage Industries in Bangladesh.

These stylish and sustainable drinking glasses are made of recycled glass with hand-woven sleeves from palm fibre. The 4-piece set comes with a matching pitcher making it perfect for small summer gatherings. Jahanara Cottage Industries is one of the oldest handicraft organizations in Bangladesh and teaches crafts like weaving, knitting, or woodcarving using local materials.