Eco-Monday: Treat your dog to a....spa day?

Let’s admit it, despite their cute smiles and floppy ears, a smelly dog can be kinda embarrassing for any pet owner. Luckily there is Happytails, a canine spa line that is not only healthy for your dog but also healthy for the environment. Their entire line of products is made from all natural ingredients, such as colloidal oatmeal for your itchy dog, ordenone (all natural water soluble ingredient) for a smelly dog, and parsley extract for bad breath. 

          

The company ensures high quality ingredients and excellent customer service so that you can get any product you need for a happy and healthy dog. The bottles they use are made from post-consumer resin and the stickers are from FiberStone, a paperless product which avoids the use of trees. This company really covers the gamut of products any dog could need to treat themselves to a day at the spa.  The site showcases various testimonies, including “What can we say but WOW. We love your products.” 

Eco-Monday: Give the Gift of Sustainability

As you start to make lists for what to get your grandparents or your Uncle Bob this year, stop and take a look at Branch. 

Starting in a small one-bedroom warehouse in 2005, Branch now operates out of a warehouse in San Francisco. What drew us in was their great business philosophy:

-They care about sustainability, design, and people

-They curate their inventory based on the things they would want to have in their own homes 

-With a small team feel, Branch has great relationships with the manufacturers, designers, 

  and customers

-They want to make sure every customer is treated with the best and friendly service

In looking over their inventory, Branch offers an entire line of compostable plates, flatware, and cups for your holiday party needs. Even though you are spreading the holiday cheer, you won't be spreading the waste. 

Are your stockings looking tattered? Branch offers a classic Christmas stocking with an updated concern for the environment that combines a reclaimed boat sail and a classic red organic cotton trim. 

Need a good stocking stuffer for your hubby who is always on the run? Branch has a great line of reusable coffee mugs sure to make anyone happy. 

Happy Shopping!

Eco-Monday: Paint the Halls

An easy way to add an eco-friendly element to your house is through paint. When it's time to add a new coat to the kitchen or transform that upstairs bathroom, consider using eco-friendly paint. Average paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are often emitted as gases. These chemicals are not healthy for the environment of your house or the environment as a whole. Instead, purchase paints that are approved by the Green Seal Standards. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to improving the environmental standards for many common products. Milk paint is a great alternative because it does not emit VOCs and works well as an interior paint for your house. Any eco-friendly paint uses water as a base instead of a petrochemical base and come in cans composed of 100% recyclable metals. 

Three paints to consider buying are:

1. Benjamin Moore Aura - specifically the GreenGuard

2. Olympic Premium - the Green Seal 

3. Sherwin-Williams Harmony

                               

Eco-Monday: A Green Wedding

As a local to the Annapolis area, I had visited the Phillip Merrill Environmental Center many times on field trips and for several research projects. However, it was not until recently that I discovered they also hosted gorgeous water front weddings and boasted the title of "one of the world's most energy-efficient buildings." 

Opening in 2001, this building hosts the headquarters for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). This foundation is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay as well as educating people of all ages about their role in Bay conservation. The unique location of this building, situated right between Black Walnut Creek and the Bay, really emphasized the need for an eco-friendly establishment. First, the CBF created several unique structures on the premises that have aided in waterlife restoration. Man made wetlands allow storm water to pass through a natural treatment center before running off into the Bay. They have also planted many native plants, such as underwater grasses and trees in order to restore habitats for animals that may have been misplaced by housing developments.  

As far as the building goes, almost all of the materials used are recycled and renewable. Cork is the largest used material throughout the building as it makes up the wall panels and flooring. Bamboo was used for all the stairs as well as the main lobby flooring. Huge cisterns placed on the roof capture rain water and redistribute it throughout the building for everyday water needs. The toilets don't use water and instead boast a composting system that eliminates the amount of sewage being processed which in turn cuts down on nutrient pollution. 

Now, the icing on the cake, they do weddings! With their dedication to saving the Bay, the venue is surrounded by "acres of unspoiled beauty." Seeing as the venue is placed right on the beachfront, the amount of natural lighting and breathtaking bay views are unbeatable. For your guests, the venue is just minutes from historic downtown Annapolis, and yet has a great secluded feel that makes your wedding intimate and unique. With a list of great preferred vendors, such as Main Ingredient for catering, Ego Media for photography, and The Gateway Florist for flowers, your event will have everything it needs to be successful! 

Eco-Monday: Combining Social Media and Energy Efficiency

During the Sweetlife Festival last year we were given the pleasure of working with OPower. 

This Arlington based company is dedicated to improving the relationships individuals have with their appliances and ultimately aims to decrease the amount of energy and money spent on bills. Recently, I came across a press release that featured OPower's newest development which will combine the use of Facebook and has gained the support of the Natural Resources Defense Council. 

This new app, due to launch at the beginning of next year, is designed so that consumers can keep track of their own power consumption. The inclusion of Facebook allows consumers to compare their energy use online with their friends as well as compete virtually with others to maintain the lowest energy costs. The Natural Resources Defense Council feels confident that by using social-media, people will be less likely to keep their energy use information private and thereby they would become more aware of exactly how they are using their energy. 


The users of this app will be able to compare their energy usage with users from around the nation as well as share tips and ideas about how to cut energy costs and be more eco-friendly. The idea stems from OPower's love for grassroots movements whereby the consumers have the power to influence and change the world around them. Quoted from an article on Earth Easy, "When we feel powerless as individuals to effect any significant change in the face of global threats such as climate change, it's understandable that we ignore or find ways to dismiss the threat. With this new energy-saving application, users can see how their efforts count."

Fun Friday: A new type of flower

 In the spirit of staying green, today we wanted to share with you some great photos and DIY tutorials on how to create felt or fabric flowers. Not only will they stay "fresh" all day long but these pretty flowers can be re-used throughout your house to embellish pillows or clutches. 


    

These great idea boards demonstrate all the different and creative ways fabric flowers could be used during your big day. 

                            

Feel free to get creative and add buttons or attach name cards for seating assignments. 

Embellish a journal and gift them to your bridesmaids, or reuse the flowers from your wedding to embellish a clutch. 

Thanks to Skip to my Lou, you can learn how to make 11 different fabric flowers here.

Eco-Monday: Putting the Glam in Recyclables

From this... 

     

to That.



Hello again from the intern! As any normal child, my desire to recycle came from a need to save the animals after I watched the movie “Happy Feet”. Just out of pure interest I “googled” 'facts about aluminum drink cans' today and stumbled across the Can Manufacturers Institute. The fact that made me realize just how important throwing my coke can in the recycling bin stated, “For each pound of aluminum recovered, Americans save the energy resources needed to generate about 7.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity" If you are unfamiliar with kilowatt-hours (as I was), this equates to the amount of light Pittsburgh uses....over a 6 year period!!! So now that we all know just how important recycling these small cans is, I present a crafty solution. 

As a college student I am always on a tight budget and yet I'm constantly searching for a piece of jewelry that will spice up my outfit. I tried my hand once as designing my own necklaces but that never seemed to turn out well. My solution to this dilemma later came when a friend of mine discovered Etsy while preparing for her wedding last November. I discovered so many great vendors that re-use everyday products to create gorgeous one-of-a-kind pieces. The vendor I'm currently hooked on is JMP Designs. This vendor re-uses the drink cans her family consumes in order to create adorable and trendy pieces of jewelry.  In reading her bio I was happy to discover that her goal was to “make the world a little greener with style,” a statement that any green goddess can relate to.

So as the season moves on and the bright fun colors of spring make it back into your wardrobe, I suggest checking out this vendor and realizing the amazing impact that buying an adorable new necklace can make. 

Enjoy the week!

Fun Friday ~ DIY Herb Garden...in an old shoe organzier

Happy Friday everyone.  Spring is in the air, and everywhere you look flowers and plants are starting to peek out at us.  Having moved so many times in my life (most of them being rentals), I've found it difficult to really connect with my garden.  So you can imagine my excitement to find this brilliant do-it-yourself vertical herb garden inside of a hanging shoe organizer.  It's easy to set up, it's portable, and for those of you who live in apartments or have limited gardening space...it can hang just about anywhere.  And it keeps the cats away too. 

To create your own Vertical Herb Garden, simply follow these steps from Instructables.com:

Materials:

- Hanging pocket shoe organizer / store

- Pole and attachments (curtain pole or pipe fittings, screws)

- Strong metal saucepan or utensil hanging hooks

- Compost of a good quality - moisture holding type

- Selection of plants or seeds... e.g. mixed leaf salad, herbs, sorrel, peas, mini tomatoes

- Piece of wood 2"x2" - width of the pocket store to keep the base of pockets away from the wall

- Trough planter to catch drips

1. Attach pole to shed or wall - Attach a strong chrome pole with metal fittings to the shed. You could use a curtain pole. Make sure it is at the correct height especially if you want to grow plants in a trough below (see step 6). This uses the surplus water from the pockets above.

2. Attach hanging shoe store - Use strong hooks or wire to attach the shoe store. They must be strong enough to support the weight of the compost, plants and water.

3. Test Drainage - Pour water into the pockets to check the drainage, if they don't drain then make a few small holes in each of the pockets.

4. Fill each pocket with compost - Add a good moisture retaining compost, fill to 1" below the rim so that water does not pour out over the rim.

5. Add or plant seeds - Sow seeds or add seedlings.  Suggested...herbs thyme, sorrel, chives; salad mixed leaf, mustard, cut and come again, or spinach; minibel tomatoes; or petit pois peas you can eat the young leaflets and tendrils.

6. Drip Aid - Use a piece of wood to make sure the excess water drips into the trough below.

7. Maintaining a healthy hanging veg plot -

- Water slowly with a gentle flow, or you may wash soil and plants out of the pocket and it will dirty the crop below.

- Add water retaining crystals to the compost. HINT... add water to some crystals in a container and allow them to swell then add that to the compost and fill your containers, otherwise when the crystals swell they can grow so much that they push the compost, seeds and plants out!!

- Plants like tomatoes will need regular Tomato fertilizer (and use slow release granules) as the fertility of the compost will soon get exhausted.

- Do not over pick salad leaves, so the plant regrows.

- It is important to keep a look out for aphids, slugs, caterpillars and other pests.

- Remove diseased , infected or damaged leaves... compost them.

- Remove unproductive plants and compost them.

- When reusing pockets add some fresh compost.

So there you have it, your very own vertical herb garden.  There's something special about walking into your backyard for ingredients.  Reconnect with the earth and get yourself an herb garden!  And have a wonderful weekend everyone.

FUNinspiring Friday: Some girls have all the fun...and creativity

I've been obsessed with Terrariums since we discovered Tend Living a while back and did a posting of it here on our blog.  So it was to my great delight when I discovered that a Green with Envy Intern also created these works of arts (amongst many other things). And it should have been no surprise, since she's extremely talented and creative.  This chandelier-turned-terrarium from Ariel is so clever, and a great way to repurpose an otherwise out-of-date fixture. Not only do the paned panels recall the look of traditional terrariums, but the piece also includes a convenient door — originally for changing light bulbs — which is perfect for the occasional rearrangement of the plants and rocks.

Ariel is currently studying at Corcoran College of Art & Design, and does it all!  Illustrations, concept design & installation, branding and logos, and she even creates her own textiles with repeated patterns based on photos she's taken. AMAZING!

And as if she wasn't busy enough,she also explores with jewelry design, like these found metal pendants on gold plated chains.

You know how they say some girls have all the fun? It's really true in this case( note to mention she's got a ton of energy, creativity and she's gorgeous). Make sure you check out the rest of her stuff, here.

Happy Findings!

Eco-Monday: Sweetlife Festival 2011

Here at Green with Envy Events, we are all about making our events sustainable and making sure we are aware of the impact our choices make. With this in mind, I wanted to mention the Sweetlife Festival, and event we are working on at Merriweather Post Pavilion on April 30, 2011.

The Sweetlife Festival is an annual celebration of flavorful music, wholesome food, and thoughtful living. A festival with soul, the day will not only feature top national talent, The Strokes, but will incorporate dining and entertainment options that embody sweetgreen and additional festival partners ethos towards healthy, sustainable living.

The Sweetlife Festival is presented by sweetgreen, a Washington D.C. based restaurant group that leads the national charge in sourcing delicious local and organic ingredients, with an underlying commitment to the environment and community.
The festival will raise money for Jamie Oliver’s Food Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving America’s health by changing the way we eat and DC Farm to School, which sets out to improve child health, reconnects students with where their food comes from, and connects local farmers with schools in an effort to get more healthy, local foods into school cafeterias.


The festival will also have a minimal carbon footprint and feature delicious local and organic foods. This is a celebration with a purpose and we are expecting over 10,000+ attendees throughout the day.

It's important we all support events and organizations that make an effort to minimize the carbon footprint. We hope to see you all there. Visit http://www.sweetlifefestival.com/ for more info. and to preregister for access to pre-sale tickets. Live it with us!

Happy Monday, Laura

Wedding Wednesday: TOMS shoes are made for walking--down the aisle!

If you are ready to walk down the aisle, look no further for footwear. Launching in early March, TOMS Wedding Collection will offer a selection of refined fabrics for brides, grooms and the wedding party. Whether you are a classic bride, love a little sparkle or want to go retro, TOMS will have the right shoe to suit any brides's taste.  With so many stresses leading up to the big day, everyone should walk down the aisle in comfort and style.

And with every pair you purchase, TOMS will also give a pair of new shoes to a child in need, so you'll be happy to take those new steps as husband and wife knowing you made a difference.  

Grossgrain ribbon can make any bride blush

All that glitters is not gold

Crushed velvet for the retro in you

Leather to go with any look

Something Borrowed, Something Blue (and sparkly!)

The look in action

Enjoy! 

Xoxo, Laura

Eco-Monday: Recycled cashmere for your little one

Although I'm on the West Coast at the moment enjoying the beautiful sunshine, I'm well aware that I won't be so lucky upon my return to the East Coast this coming Saturday. I'm prepared to pull out the jeans and cashmere once again, and rock my staple wool dress with legging and boots. With this cold weather in mind, I wanted to give a shout-out to a company that does recycled, cold-weather style for my little one seem effortless and oh, so chic.

Luvette is a small eco-responsible, mother owned design studio in Berkeley. She does up-cycling at it's best, taking repurposed felt cashmere and old wool sweaters and creating beautifully designed, handcrafted baby and toddler clothes. These cast-offs are chosen for color, quality and softness of material, and are reincarnated into special little things for your bunny. The line includes simple cashmere dresses, felted wool bibs, soft wool and cashmere pants (called longies and shorties), skirts, overalls and baby blankets.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Bibs too cute to mess up!

Bloomies to die for! I want a pair.

A chicken is the new Fido, at least in my house.

The attention to details is amazing, and every piece is a unique work of art, sewn with a lot of love, one by one. She also does custom pieces, so if  you have a sweater that's of sentimental value that you  just can't part with, she can make it into something magical and long lasting for your little one. Check out the rest of her stuff, here.

Happy Monday! xoxo, Laura

Eco-Mondays ~ Show some LOVE @ Earth-List.com & GoGreenPress.net

Happy Eco-Monday everyone, and Happy Valentines Day!  Today we'd like to show some Eco-love to our favorite online green resource - Earth-list.com.  Earth-list.com was founded in 2008 by our good friend Mike D'Ascanio, and it has quickly become the world's premier informational resource for all things GREEN!  They are on a mission to unite the Green Movement by providing the most centralized resource on the practices of sustainability and going green. Their goal is to make Going Green easy for the average person by providing the most comprehensive list of late breaking Eco news, media, products, services, and information.  And that's exactly what they've done. Anything and Everything you could possibly need to live green can be found at Earth-List.com.      

And as if running one website wasn't enough, they've recently launched the newest member of the Earth-List family - GoGreenPress.net.  GoGreen Press  is the perfect media solution to help your Green business get publicity. They specialize in breaking the news on Green businesses, offering specialized press writing and distribution services that will get your Green business highly effective and targeted publicity.  And we can personally testify to the quality of their services...GoGreen Press just did a press release for Green with Envy Events about our upcoming event, Where the Wild Things Are, a Food & Wine Celebration benefiting the Chula Vista Nature Center.  Check it out here.

And you may have seen these guys out and about in the community.  Our favorite Eco-Celebrities - Green Man and Blue Man.  Leveraging their universal appeal for good, Green Man and Blue Man are being put to work as the headlining mascots for Earth-List.com to raise awareness of sustainability, recycling, environmental responsibility, and everything related to Going Green.  Green Man has become so popular, that Earth-list has recently launched the Green Man Shop where you can shop for hundreds of your favorite Eco-Products.  I encourage everyone to stop in and check out their amazing selection - think of it as your very own Eco-Amazon.com. 

For all of you out there who are just beginning your journey of going green or who are already living it - Earth-List.com is one of the best resources on the web to guide you to Green enlightenment.  Green with Envy Events is proud to work with the Earth-List family!  We thank you for all your hard work and for helping us stay green!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Save energy, water and reduce laundry time!

Our Eco-Monday Tip of the Week:

Have you ever had that morning where you  are in a hurry, you look in your closet and realize a) you didn't pick-up your dry cleaning and b) you forgot to do laundry so you literally  have nothing to wear? If you are a busy mom like me (or even better, have a very full social calendar with tons of commitments), you've had many such mornings. But don't fret, there's a very simple solution, one that can be found in your liquor cabinet.

Using a spritz or two of vodka to freshen up clothes in between laundry loads is a must try!  Vodka kills odor-causing bacteria, but doesn't leave a scent when dry.  Not only is it an easy solution to that hectic morning, but you can reduce the amount of laundry you end up doing, saving time, energy, water and cleaning chemicals (make sure you do a spot-test first to be safe)!

So instead of wearing that hideous sweater you swore you'd  never wear again or doing a rush half load of laundry in the morning, spritz your duds with a little bit of vodka, then hang to dry in a well-ventilated area.

You may even be tempted to start your day with a vodka infused concoction.  If that is your thing, at least make sure it's organic vodka.  Here's a list to get you started!

Happy Monday! xoxo, Laura