Kick Gas Festival @ Qualcomm Stadium

Please join Green with Envy Events as we help produce the 2nd Annual Kick Gas Festival, to be held at Qualcomm Stadium this Saturday, October 24th from 11am-9pm.

As the largest Eco-Festival on the West Coast, we will be showcasing innovative alternative fuel, energy and conservation technologies, with an interactive, all solar powered, green and entertaining festival. The 2009 MTS Festival will feature unique, interactivce Zones:

• AUTO ZONE where electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, dragsters, conversions and hybrids will be on display and racing on the Auto Race Track!!!
• SUSTAINABLE LIVING ZONE featuring home, work and lifestyle ideas, demonstrations, vendors and exhibitors educating the next generation on how and why to conserve, recyle and go green.
• A GO VAVI interactive education zone with climbing wall and interactive games
• EARTH-LIST ECO ZONE showcasing eco-fashion show and non-profit organizations
• LOCAL OB FARMER'S MARKET where you'll be able to find produce from local farmers, attend panel discussions regarding the food you eat, and a local IRON CHEF cook-off!
• FESTIVAL BEER GARDEN featuring beer from local brewing companies
• 4 Solar Powered Stages featuring national artist Matisyahu, Vokab Company and a number of local San Diego bands
• SKATE PARK provided by Sector 9, featuring local OB Surf and Skate demos
• ECO ART WALK featuring local sustainable artists
• Much more!

Tickets are $10 pre-sales for all day entertainment and $15 at the door! You can visit http://www.kickgasfestival.com/ to purchase them. Hope to see you there!

The Green with Envy Girls

Recycling Oddities: Can that really be recycled?

I find it amusing that, no matter what I ask her to put in the trashbin, my 5 year old niece will always ask, before throwing anything away, "Auntie, can we recycle this?". While I am grateful that at such a young age, she already has the social conscious that is lacking in many adults, it has, on many occasions, led me to think...wait, can we recycle that? So, I did some research, and came across some unusual things that can be recycled or repurposed for a good cause. Of course, cloth diapers have always been recyclable, but few American's use them anymore. However, since 1999, a British company called Knowaste, has been pioneering the recyling of disposable diapers. Which is a good thing, because the average baby goes through about 6,000 disposable diapers before they are potty trained. What ever happened to going au naturale?

Did you know that Americans throw away over 15 Million bicycles a year?? For many people of the world, a bicycle is basic transportation--not recreation--but still a luxury they can't afford. Providing bicycles for those in Third World Countries can change lives for the better. So, I totally commend Bikes for the World, a non-profit organization that is striving to keep these bicycles out of the landfills and place them in the hands of people who really need them.

When a Prince's kiss can no longer wake us from that deep sleep, why not try a recycled coffin to spend eternity in? I know, no one likes to think about the inevitable D word, but it's gonna happen to us all. So, go out with a statement and buy not only a less expensive coffin, but also a more eco-friendly one, many of which are made from 100% recycled materials, like the ones offered by Woven Wicker Coffins.

Okay, so I can't really sink my teeth into this one (ha,ha), but I remember my grandpa's old dentures, and they were not a pretty sight. However, every year there are 3.5 million sets of dentures manufactured in the world, and they all contain some gold or silver. Most unwanted dentures are thrown away, but a non-profit (based out of Japan) was created to recycle the metals found in used dentures, and to date, it has raised over $250,000 in proceeds to donate to UNICEF and other children's organizations.

I have to give Kudos to my friend, M.A., for this one....Just when you thought you'd heard the weirdest of all recyclable items, here's one that, to some of you, may not be that weird. The folks at Recycle My Sex Toy, are in the business of doing just what the name implies. Apparently, their mother never told them, "Don't play with that thing. You don't know where it's been."

So, the next time you think you should throw it away, doing five minutes of reserach online might give you a better alternative to disposing of that item, whatever it may be!! Have a great weekend everyone. Hugs, Laura.

Marci + Eddie = A Sweet and Sexy Engagement Session

I just have to share these AMAZING photos taken by the immensely talented photographer, Stephanie Williams. With a gorgeous backdrop, a head-over-heels in LOVE couple, and her unique artistic perspective...Stephanie brilliantly captures the deep love and connection of soon to be married Marci + Eddie. To a beautiful couple, and two of my closest friends...I wish you both an exquisite wedding and a lifetime of wedded bliss! Love you guys!

By the way, this gorgeous bouquet was created by Green with Envy Events!

To view this entire engagement session, and much more...please visit Stephanie's blog.

Ciao

Carlee

Green Depot

Good morning everyone! I hope that everyone's weekend was eventful and that many of those last minute, around the house projects finally got completed. Speaking of home renovations, I wanted to give props to a company that was recently brought to our attention, Green Depot. Green Depot is a Brooklyn based, national supplier of eco friendly building and living solutions. They are quickly becoming the nation's leading supplier of sustainable building products and services. It's flagship store, recently opened in Manhattan, provides you everything you can dream of to build (or renovate) your own Green Home: help with sourcing eco-friendly contractors, eco-design, flooring and tiling, cleaning and recyling products such as urban composts, zero VOC paints, lighting and gadgets such as solar chargers and panels, and much, much more.

They've established an Icon system to differentiate between the different types of green; air quality, conservations, energy, local and responsbility. This Green Filter helps them select high performance products that are truly green and not just greenwashed, so you can trust you are getting the best pre-selected products out on the market.

I love this company for it's mission to make green living and building solutions accessible, affordable and most of all, gratifying! While they currently only have stores in the East Coast (9 so far), all of their products are available online, and you can be sure they'll be making an impact soon on the West Coast!

Hope you all have a great week, Laura

Every Sandal has a Story

Happy Friday everyone! After yet another gorgeous week in San Diego...I am inspired and ready for the long Labor Day weekend ahead. While surfing the internet, I found the most amazing brand of Sandals, with the most inspiring story. Sseko Designs is not only a Sandal company, they are a Movement! Every pair of Sandals are made in Uganda, at the Cornerstone Leadership Academy. Here, intelligent young women, who have recently graduated, become employees of Sseko Designs. Sseko {say.co} Designs was created as a Not-Just-For-Profit business that will help these bright young women continue their education. However, these women will not make sandals forever. They will go on to be doctors, lawyers, politicians, writers and teachers that will bring change and unification to a country divided and ravished by a 22 year-long war.

Not only do we support Sseko Designs' efforts, we absolutely LOVE their sandals. There are lots of adorable options to choose from. Just imagine the pride you'll feel wearing such a special pair of shoes.

And good news....they are doing special orders for bridal parties!!! How cute are these?

Sseko Designs recognizes the power of business and responsible consumerism to support sustainable economic development, which in turn affects a country's educational, justice, and health care systems. The goal of Sseko Designs is two-fold: provide university tuition for these promising young women through a sustainable monthly income, while also contributing to the overall economic development of Uganda.

For promoting HOPE, SUCCESS, and CHANGE....we are inspired and impressed by Sseko Designs. Visit their website...read their story...I know you'll be impressed too!

Have a lovely labor day weekend!

Carlee

Recycled + Reclaimed + Repurposed = Remarkable

OK, we're back! It's been a few weeks since our last posting and I'm so excited to fill you in on some Eco-Goodies I've recently discovered. With so many birthdays, weddings and special occasions in my life....I'm always on the look-out for unique and responsible gift ideas. Eureka!! I found them...

Check out these glasses by Rewined Recycled Glassware at Etsy.com. These sturdy yet sophisticated glasses are made from 100% recycled bottles, that are reclaimed from local bars and restaurants in Greensboro, NC. The artist, Bodhicitta, uses absolutely NO NEW MATERIALS!!! Make your guests Green with Envy with this stylish and super cool glassware.

Along with drinking good wine...another passion of mine is Sailing. So it was a no-brainer when I stumbled upon Ella Vickers Recycled Sailcloth Collection. Every piece they create is made with authentic recycled/reclaimed yacht sails. And as you can see...these stylish bags are not only Eco-friendly, they are extremely urban chic. The durable and sophisticated designs reflect the nautical lifestyle with crisp white Dacron Sailcloth and hi-performance Kevlar Sailcloth. This gorgeous collection ranges from the small cocktail cache to the functional tote messenger and the ocean durable duffel. They even have shower curtains and doggie beds!!! You can browse their wide range of designs at EllaVickers.com. Here are some of my favorites:

And for those of you who know me well...one of my biggest obsessions is Jewelry. I am very pleased to report that there are hundreds of jewelry designers that are using recycled and repurposed materials in their designs. In my opinion, it's silly not to! To break away from the standard, mass produced designs that saturate the jewelry market today...these designers are drawing inspiration from the earth, using unique and responsible materials to create one-of-a-kind treasures. I absolutely love these simple, yet stunning pieces from Bottled Up Designs. The designer Laura Bergman, creates this beautiful jewelry using recycled antique glass and reclaimed glass from bottle dumps. She even includes "The Story of the Glass" with each piece, detailing what the glass was originally and the approx. age of the piece.

So next time you're shopping for a gift (or for yourself)...why not look for goods that are made with recycled or reclaimed materials. By supporting these Eco-friendly companies, you are not only preserving history, but helping build a more sustainable future for our planet.

Have a great day!

Carlee