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A flea market for modernist sensibilities
Blogged under Furniture and Home Decor, Green Shopping, House and Garden by Katherine Tanney on Wednesday 27 August 2008

It’s like Craigslist, except there’s a panel of judges waiting to disqualify the bad impersonation of a Mies van der Rohe chair you once found cool enough to buy and are now hoping desperately to sell. We’re talking about Feel More Human’s Modern Flea Market, the classified advertising section of a site devoted to modern design goods. Here you can buy and sell (with no fee to list items) previously owned gems such as a trio of Nuevo white and chrome Opener barstools, which are said to be “like new,” for just $125 (plus $85 shipping). To give you some context, we found a pair of the same barstools, new, for $340 (shipping free). That makes them $170 each new. Now that’s a flea market! The judges must be very picky, though, or else the items are flying off the site. We only found five things for sale on our most recent visit. (That’s a very small flea market.) There were two pieces by the Canadian design firm, Hot House: a modern coffee table ($150, plus $65 shipping) and a modern side table (same price), with the set going for a mere $225 ( plus $70 shipping). Buying an item is as simple as e-mailing the seller. The idea is a good one, we think, providing more sellers discover the site, but it’s the brand-spanking-new section of the eco-friendly store that gets most of the action. We were impressed by the solar LED house numbers ($20 each), which take around one hour to charge on sunny days (2-3 hours otherwise), and by the Rekindle coffee table ($360, pictured), which uses just three pieces of environmentally friendly SmartWood.


Teneo: Storage That’s Sleek and Stylish
Blogged under Furniture and Home Decor, Green Shopping, House and Garden, Uncategorized by John DeFore on Tuesday 29 July 2008

Office organizers with style and a green streak should take a look at a new line of goods from design giant Herman Miller: The Teneo storage system was designed by Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck (Birsel was just honored by the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design) and has earned the Silver “Cradle to Cradle” eco-certification, partly thanks to the recyclability of most of its components. Designed in modules that can be combined to fit the storage needs of workspaces both large and small, Teneo lets users decide how many shelves, drawers and mini-closets they want. It also offers a pleasing array of surface materials — from metal and wood veneer to felt and cork — and encourages customers to mix and match using an online Color Tool to visualize choices. Pricing varies, depending on finishes and options; a thorough price breakdown can be downloaded here. Teneo is availabe through Herman Milller dealers; to find a dealer in your area, enter your state or Zip code here.


Soothe Skin with Lush Body Oils
Blogged under Current Sales and Offers, Green Shopping, Health & Beauty by Michele Chan Santos on Wednesday 23 July 2008

There’s nothing quite like bath or body oils to soothe summer skin. Start with Bobbi Brown’s Beach fragrance line, which includes body oil ($28), shower gel ($32) and body lotion molton-brown-blissful-templetree.jpg($35) — for a limited time, orders of $50 or more will include a free mini Beach tote. Victoria’s Secret’s Bare Bronze shimmering body oil ($24) hydrates your skin and also gives it a golden goddess glow (how do you think those models at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show had that special shimmer?). Molton Brown’s Blissful Templetree bath and shower gel, an infusion of exotic plants and bioactive extracts from the Indian Ocean with sea silk protein for hydration ($28; pictured). Crabtree & Evelyn’s Jojoba Oil Duo ($18) has both bath gel and lotion of first-pressed jojoba oil scented with lavender, herbs and citrus; pour a capful of the gel into your bathwater, and then apply the lotion afterward for double the moisturizing effect. Jo Wood Organics offers an elegant way to revitalize and awaken your skin with the exotic Amka Organic gift set, with Amka (Swahili for “to wake”) organic body dew, body oil, bath oil and body lotion (on sale for $135 at Saffron Rouge). The Body Shop’s Spa Wisdom Monoi Miracle Oil is a traditional Tahitian emollient renowned for its moisturizing effects ($20); it can be used in the bath, smoothed onto the skin or used as a pre-shampoo hair treatment. To wind down after a long day in the sun (or at the office), try Bath & Body Works’ Aromatherapy stress-relief oil, a fragrant blend of eucalyptus and spearmint essential oils ($16). Or just dab a few drops on those key pressure points in lieu of perfume and relax all day long.


Hold That Posture on a New Yoga Mat
Blogged under Green Shopping, Health & Beauty, Sporting Goods by Katherine Tanney on Tuesday 15 July 2008

According to a recent study by Yoga Journal, nearly 16 million Americans practice the spiritual-physical art of yoga. That explains all the yoga mats competing for your dollars and why you may need a little help original-eco-yoga-mat-barefootyoga.jpgselecting the right one. A good mat adheres to the floor and doesn’t become very slick when you perspire. For most people, from beginners to those who have practiced for years, a basic ¼” sticky mat for $16 (also available in 1/8” thickness) is sufficient, though it may take some breaking in to reduce slipperiness. (Wash with mild soap or mist with a 2-to-1 vinegar-water solution.) Made of latex-free PVC foam, these can last for years. Barefoot Yoga, distributor of the top-rated rubber and jute original eco yoga mat ($67, pictured), has several other earth-friendly mats to choose from. There’s the PER mat ($21, made of Polymer Environmental Resin), which doesn’t contain phthalates or heavy metals, and Earth Elements’ TPE mat, which is $40 and is latex, PVC and rubber-free. The natural jute and PER mat ($40) is similar in texture to the Prana mat ($44). Both are decomposable in a landfill and provide a grippy, cushiony texture. Manduka is another highly praised maker of eco-friendly (but pricy) mats, and I enjoy my Jade Harmony natural rubber yoga mat (from $40 to $76), which is biodegradable and PVC-free. Warning: Don’t leave these mats in the car, as the sun will take a toll on them.


Debugging Summer, Naturally
Blogged under Green Shopping, House and Garden by Katherine Tanney on Wednesday 2 July 2008

It starts with that first mosquito or flea bite and proceeds like a trail of ants through the rest of your summer. Conquering pests and taking back your yard doesn’t have to meanmosquito-michigangov.jpg spewing toxic chemicals that harm the environment and eliminate useful insects. To deal with mosquitos, try New Mountain Sandalwood incense sticks, (pictured) available at Isabella in packs of 12 ($11) and at Ace Hardware for a little less ($9). Made from 100 percent Australian sandalwood, these are safe around children and animals and, the company claims, are 76 percent more effective than citronella candles. sandalwood-mosquito-sticks-isabelacatalog.jpgEach stick lasts 3-4 hours. Want protection when you leave the incense-protected zone? Check out these mosquito inhibiting/repelling wrist bands ($4.22 each). They’re waterproof and long lasting. The active ingredient is Geraniol and it claims to work up to 120 hours (keep wristband in resealable container between uses for best results, they advise). Your best bet may be with mosquito dunks, a very safe way to control mosquito larvae, which develop in standing water. The active ingredient, Bacillus thuringienses, won’t harm fish or wildlife or you, but those mosquitos won’t ever leave the water and take flight. One of the strongest products used in natural insect control is Pyrethrin. It’s made from chrysanthemums and is fairly non-selective about the insects it controls, so don’t use it as a preventative. Safer Yard & Garden Insect Killer combines insecticidal soap and pyrethrin. It breaks down quickly in the environment and is safe up to the day of harvest on edible plants. Apply only to specific areas needing attention. Effective against aphids, beetles, ants, caterpillars and many others. Planet Natural has a multi-page section devoted to natural pest control information and  products. Read about beneficial nematodes, diatomaceous earth and ladybug lures. Remember: What you put into the earth and air ultimately ends up inside of you.


From Sweden, with Love for the Planet
Blogged under Collectibles, Green Shopping, Health & Beauty, Non-profits & Good Works by Debi Martin on Tuesday 1 July 2008

The Swedes, responsible for the Volvo, have a knack for engineering forms that are as functional as they are fashionable. These days one of the country’s most successful exports is in the shape of the future – the SIGG reusable water bottle. It’ssigg-water-bottle.jpg good for you and the planet, and comes in 144 designs with 22 interchangeable lids. Like a fashion house, SIGG rotates or drops designs each year. But if you’re thirsty for one of those Limited Edition Lifestyle SIGGs – its most popular line – you’d better shop around. Due to overwhelming demand, mysigg.com temporarily closed shop in May. In June, several internet retailers, including this one, announced that new inventory would not be available for the next 60 to 90 days. This blogger explains – simply – why SIGGs are hot and worth the price. You can find a SIGG to get you through this summer if you buy one that’s already available – and that’s good for the planet, too. Check out the colorful Maharadsha ($30) which comes in fuchsia, violet, ruby and turquoise, the Sunray ($25) and the Classic Red Traveler ($18). Hurry, because stock is limited and going fast. Go to www.isabellacatalog.com to find Spring Impressions ($25) and www.getngreen.com for Bubble Vision ($20). At rei.com you’ll find several SIGGS in stock and the recommended tool for hand-washing them, another hard to find SIGG item. If you must have one of the latest Lifestyle Limited Edition SIGGS, take a look at what’s selling on eBay, where you can acquire Wisdom Awakens and Flower Power (or others, as offerings on eBay is always changing). If you’re quick, you might get the sure to-be a collectible I Am Not Plastic.


DEET-Free Bug Repellents Keep Kids Safe
Blogged under Green Shopping, Health & Beauty, Outdoor Gear by Michele Chan Santos on Friday 27 June 2008

Before you spray insect repellent on your kids this summer, you might want to check the label. Many insect repellents marketed for families and children contain DEET. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has approved the use of DEET on children, the Academy recommendsburts-bees-herbal-insect-repellent-rei.jpg only applying these products once a day, and not on children younger than 2. In addition, applying DEET repellents in combination with sunscreen increases the possibility of DEET having toxic effects on the child. One way to not have to worry about DEET is to use repellents made without it. REPEL, for example, is a plant-based lemon eucalyptus insect repellent, available from Basegear in 4-ounce bottles for $7. This solution repels mosquitoes and deer ticks for up to six hours. REPEL has a very strong lemon scent; and it needs to be carefully applied to the face to avoid eye irritation. Bite Blocker is another good repellent which does not contain DEET. Bite Blocker’s herbal insect repellent spray, which works for up to 8 hours, contains soybean oil, geranium oil, coconut oil and vanillin, among other ingredients. Bite Blocker wipes contain that same repellent, and are safe for all ages. Burt’s Bees Insect Repellent contains eucalyptus and lemongrass oil (Burt’s Bees is well-known for their natural, child-friendly products). REI sells this repellent in spray form for $8. Avon has been very successful with their Skin So Soft Bug Guard line, some combined with sunscreen, that are meant for the whole family. The Skin So Soft bug guard plus disappearing color sunscreen lotion ($12) is a clever way to protect kids from bugs and the sun. It comes out of the tube blue, but the color fades once rubbed into the skin. That blue color makes it more fun to put on, a useful thing if your child is cranky about putting on lotions. There’s also a Bug Guard Plus regular version, which is white.


Besame Mucho: Cosmetics to Love
Blogged under Green Shopping, Health & Beauty by Laurie Montoya on Thursday 29 May 2008

“Besame mucho” is Spanish for “kiss me a lot. ” If you’re a sucker for all things romantic, you will probably fall in love with the beautifully packaged cosmetics line Besame. Founder besame-vanity-case.jpgand CEO Gabriela Hernandez was inspired by a “time when the aesthetic beauty of a compact was just as important as designer jewelry worn for a night on the town.” Launched in 2004, the line is a culmination of her passion for design and her desire to produce quality cosmetics that reflected her appreciation for the glamorous style of the Art Deco era. Besame products are reasonably priced and formulated with an emphasis on clean, natural ingredients. Essential oils and minerals are used extensively to ensure that the products are both good looking and largely free of artificial additives. Besame cosmetics are carried in specialty boutiques around the country, but we like their Web site for easy shopping. Start by browsing their enchanting lipsticks available in 15 highly pigmented, creamy shades ($18). After you decide which colors you’d like to try, you’ll want to snap up one of these amazing two-sided lip pencils ($19). Formulated with vitamin E, these pencils glide on easily, which is not always the case with lip-liners. Choose between cerise/red, cocoa/naturale and rose/pink. Next, select a double-sided eyeliner ($19), an alluring eye shadow ($16), mascara ($24), and boudoir rouge ($18), then finish off with the stunning cashmere pressed powder compact ($24). Wrap it all up in the au revoir satin roll ($8), and you will have everything you need to glam it up Hollywood starlet style. Besame is currently running a promotion in which first time shoppers will receive a gift with purchase. Speaking of gifts, Besame products like the luscious gold vanity case, which comes with powder, rouge, eye shadow and concealer ($40; pictured), are great for the girlie girls in your life. If you can’t decide what to get, you can always opt for a gift card. The recipient will be so appreciative, you are sure to get kissed a lot!


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