Object of My Affection: Rising Tide Fair Trade Weekender Bag

Happy Friday! In the spirit of Summer weekend trips to places near and far, I give you: The perfect Weekender bag. There are so many fab options, I had trouble picking just 3 to feature here. At $220, it's not the least expensive bag you'll ever own (or maybe it is - aren't you fancy!), but it might just be the most useful bag you'll ever own. Go ahead and try to pick your fave bag from the countless featured on the website - pack a snack, you'll be there for hours. Here's what Rising Tide Fair Trade has to say about their bags:
Our bags are created from repurposed vintage quilts and cruelty free leather (from naturally deceased animals) and canvas. Rather than using a system of mass production, our bags are produced in a women's cooperative, which has a lower impact on the environment. Our bags are made one at a time by individuals paid a fair wage and treated with dignity and respect.

Site Crush: Organica Deluxe

Hello, December! It's officially time to turn our minds to Chrismukkah and pumping up the economy, eco-style. I have recently discovered and fallen in love with Organica Deluxe, a website brimming with truly lovely organic, natural, and/or Fair Trade goodies that are packaged in post-consumer recycled tissue paper. I especially love how the site offers numerous search options -- gifts by price range, occasion, recipient, etc -- to make gift hunting that much easier.
Since I naturally go right to the sale section, I quickly stumbled upon this eco-luxe gift combo of a hand-woven, fair trade, pink-rimmed silk scarf (made from silk collected in such a way as to not harm the moth!) and Antica Farmacista peony room spray (made with essential oils). The combo, on sale for $70, includes a donation to breast cancer research.

Designer Limelight: Rebecca Peragine of print*pattern*paper

I am really loving all the fab green goodies made by Rebecca Peragine of print*pattern*paper. How cute are her 100% recycled cotton bags and 100% recycled cardstock stationary? Super cute, that's how.
I hear through the grapevine that you're positively aching for some good news. How 'bout this? Rebecca is offering 20% off to SSTW readers! Use code STYLE09 at checkout.

Object of My Affection: Laura Yeats Reclaimed Wood Bowl

I've got a major thing for wooden bowls. Rustic and sensuous (Yeah, I said it, and I'll say it again: Sensuous wood), organic and contemporary, wooden bowls are my idea of the perfect home accessory. So Laura Yeats is kinda my hero: Chainsawing and lathing her way through slabs of reclaimed wood, Yeats turns unwanted and diseased urban yard trees into works of beauty. Pricey? 'Fraid so. Gorgeous? Oh, yes. (Selling for about $125 and up, here).

This Just In: Amenity Does Tabletop!

I've been a huge fan of Amenity for ages now--and really, what's not to love? Using only organic and/or sustainable fabrics in eye-catching nature-inspired prints, Amenity is a green design junkie's dream come true. And now...drum roll, please...they're expanding with a new tabletop collection, holiday collection, and totes! It's far too early to share the holiday collection, but expect more on that later in the year. For now, I'm loving their placemats, tablerunners, napkins, and bags. Buy 'em here.

Sonnets from the Pillowuese (LooLo!)

LooLo pillows, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
1. With your sophisticated frills and organic material, you're the epitome of sustainable style.
2. You're biodegradable. So should the day ever come that my love for you fades (it won't! I promise), I can throw you away and know that within one year you'll be reabsorbed into the earth.
3. Your chic jewel tones are created with non-toxic dyes.
4. Soft and supportive, you're filled with Kapok, an eco-friendly fiber.
5. I could go on, but really, aren't the images worth a thousand words?

Company Limelight: Pancake and Franks' Letterpress Stationary

Omg, there are so many Pancake and Franks cards I love, I hardly know where to begin. I guess I should start by confessing that I love--and I mean, LOVE in a big, bold, italicized way--letterpress stationary. So, yeah, when I found out Pancake and Franks not only has a scrumptious name, but they make their quirky and delightful letterpress designs on 100% recycled paper, I sprinted on over here to tell you about them.
I couldn't possibly pick just one design to share, so buckle your seat belts for a whole slew of samples below. And, don't worry, they're not all pretty animals. For all of you who have been searching for the perfect macaroni, tea bag, or house with chaparro card, boy are you going to be excited about what you see below.

Object of My Dog's Affection: Bella Beds

I love the coiled look and dog-friendly "cave shape" of Bella Beds. I recently discovered them while perusing the new online retailer StructuredGreen.com, which carries very stylish home items from 30+ manufacturers of green products. The Bella Bed is made with Eco2 cotton recycled from pre-consumer apparel fiber and is stuffed with recycled soda bottles, or PET. Our one-year-old pup, Cole, might try to uncoil the bed, but our twelve-year-old Portuguese water dog, King Oberon, would definitely plop right in for a nice, snore-filled eco-slumber. Available here for $79.99 and up.

Fab Friday Find! Sexy Summer Bomber Jacket

Swoon! This sassy lil' Kelly Barry bomber-meets-bolero is the absolute pride and joy of my virtual closet. It's totally one of those pieces that you could wear with anything...jeans, cocktail dresses, khaki shorts, you name it. If you do pair with jeans or shorts, I would also add a top. But that's just me being my conservative, shirt-wearing self.
By the by, I wouldn't want to bump into the tough-a & $ chick in this pic in a dark alley. Looks like someone forgot to get grumpypants her skinny soy latte this morning. How in the world could someone be so unhappy in such a fab coat? I hope the photographer stayed away from sharp objects; this lady looks like she could go Naomi C. on someone any second.
Anyhoo, guess what? The coat's made of organic cotton! I bet you already guessed that though, huh? Oh, dear, dear reader, you know me so well. Just for that, I've willed the powers that be to put the coat on sale. $126 at BTCelements.com. Lucky ducks.

Plans for 2014?

When it comes to planning, I'm an old fashioned gal. Sure, online calendars have their advantages, but give me a pencil and a cute paper planner and I'm a much happier gal. These days, I'm digging the chic patterns of Sarah Pinto's recycled paper and soy-based ink planners. Cute, no?
Via IdealBite.

Tom's Wrap Boots (or, Adios, Uggs!)

As a former rider and eternal horse admirer, I'm a sucker for all things equestrian. Hence, my love of the funky new polo wrap-inspired boots from TOMS -- a love that only grew after watching the boots' latin soap opera-esque promo video. The video is clearly made by the same producers behind the stunning "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" ads.
Anyhoo, as always w/ TOMS, for every pair of boots sold a pair of shoes will be donated to a kid in need. Guilt-free shoe shopping!

Why Even a Vegetarian Loves Pancake and Franks

I've waxed poetic about letterpress stationer Pancake and Franks before, but now that they've added a wedding line, it's time for Adoration: Round 2. Made with 100% recycled paper, these crisp, modern designs are enough to make me tell my hubby it's time we renew our vows. Here are just a few of the designs I love most...

Seasonally Chic: Brelli Umbrella, Protecting the Earth and Your Hairdo!

I don't know about you, but when I think about umbrellas my mind immediately turns to those super dinky ones sold at corner markets. You know, the kind you buy and three days later find yourself stuffing, mid-downpour, into a trash can because it has turned inside-out or won't open or one of the pieces has snapped. Mostly when that happens I think, "Poor me!" (OK, yeah, and a whole string of words I won't share here on this family-friendly site.) But now I'm starting to realize the real loser in that situation is the planet. Just think of all those broken umbrellas filling up landfills! And who knows how much energy it took to make them in the first place--only to have them used once, twice, three times if your lucky (and not battling city wind tunnels).
Imagine my delight when I noticed the Brelli umbrella on Inhabitat! Not only is its design super chic and parasol-like, it's 100% biodegradable, made from sustainable bamboo, and supposedly super durable! Bring it on, April showers. Brelli, on sale March 18, available here for $28.

Vroom Vroom: Kim White Handbags

Buckle your seatbelts, this Kim White bag is speeding to the top of my (very long) wish list! Like a 50-year-old's brand new convertible, this bag is sure to make up for all of my shortcomings. In other words, this bag might be yellow, but it ain't no lemon.
Ok, why all the car references? Cuz Kim White Handbags are made of vintage automotive fabrics! Honk if you're stylish!

Object of My Affection: Super Cute Cork Lamp!

So, at this point everyone is probably very aware of my love of all things dual-purpose. Show me something that fills a nifty two-for-one purpose, and I'm bound to show you the love. The super cute cork table lamp above is no exception. Made from sustainable cork, the lamp is a perfect way to display photos in a living room, love notes on a bedside table, or any number of to-do lists in a desk. Plus, it's straightforward shape and natural palate will fit in with just about any decor! Eco-Friendly Cork Lamp, available at Shades of Light for $145.

Object of My Affection: Bubble Swing

When I first read about these indoor/outdoor swings over at housemartin, I was blown away. Not only are they made from recycled metal, but the designs manage to be both whimsical and modern, playful and elegant.
They're made by the UK design team Fletcher & Myburgh. I bet the solid metal swings like the ones above and below would look amazing next to pool or pond where the water would reflect beautifully on them.

In only somewhat related news, if you're in New York you might want to check out a couple of upcoming House & Garden eco-design events (part of NYC Design Week). On 10/17 there's the FutureFashion Show at ABC Carpet & Home, and on 10/20 and 10/21 there are a couple of free Eco-Chic Shopping Tours (also at ABC). Let me know if you go! I'd love to hear about them.
Wanna nominate me for LaissezFaire's Top 10 New Design Blogs to watch? I'll be your bestest friend! Email your vote for Style Saves the World to toptentowatch@gmail.com!

Most Beautiful Notebook EVER: Nantaka Joy

Don't you agree? Time to think up some love sonnets.
(Nantaka Joy's "I Love..." notebook's cover stock is 40% post-consumer recycled and acid-free. Also check out designer Joy's fab blog, Oh Joy! which I'm adding to the blog roll prontissimo.)

Bringing Sexy Back...in the Kitchen!

Dayum! These Green Wrapz aprons put a whole new spin on the word "saucy." I love the feminine, lingerie-inspired styles...these would definitely help inspire me to whip up something delightfully sinful (just in time for Valentine's Day!). And of course gotta love that they're made with SKAL-certified organic cotton (with hemp and silk trims). Yum!

Object of My Affection: Flock Home Linens

Thanks, DailyCandy SF, for finding and writing-up the gorgeous Flock Home linens by designer Gina Pericini today! I'm in love with the all of the prints...hand-printed on eco-friendly materials with non-toxic dyes!