Save the French Fries!

Today is Blog Action Day! So let's take a moment to discuss a few of the reasons I'm against climate change:
1. Warmer temperatures are threatening potato crops. And a life without French fries is no life at all.
2. Scientists predict a 40% drop in avocado crops over the next 40 years. Where am I supposed to dip my chips?
3. Pinot Noir grapes are being damaged by the new warm climate. So what am I supposed to do when 5pm rolls around? Have a glass of water?
For more reasons (including some serious ones) about the effects of climate change, check out The Top 100 Effects of Climate Change over at AmericanProgress.org. Wanna fight? Check out 10 Solutions for Climate Change at ScientificAmerican.com.

Helping Orphans, One Fab Wall at a Time

Carly Margolis, a wallpaper designer and co-founder of NY-based Cavern Home traveled to the Casa de Milagros orphanage in Peru and helped the children create designs that she then incorporated into a wallpaper print. Even the repeated geometric symbol in the wallpaper is taken from the kids' drawings--it's called the "Chakana," a spiritual Peruvian symbol. I love how all of the kids' images peek out in unexpected places from the pattern - a perfect pick-me-up for a drab bathroom! Best of all, proceeds of wallpaper purchases go directly to the orphanage. Buy here in olive, turquoise, and brown for $155/roll.

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.

Company Limelight: naturalLEE

It gives me a delightfully warm and fuzzy feeling to learn that established companies are going green, so you can imagine the sparkle in my eye when I noticed an ad for naturalLEE in the latest issue of domino. Now savvy LEE furniture shoppers can choose the naturalLEE package, including certified sustainable wood frames, water-based finishes, soy-based cushions, and organic and natural fibers.
Not only is LEE launching the earth-friendly naturalLEE upholstered furniture line, but they've also announced they'll plant a tree each time a piece is purchased. One tree might not sound like much, but just imagine if all furniture companies agreed to a similar program!

You Can Never Have Too Many...

Jeans. Ooooooh, jeans.
Ernest Sewn Greencaste organic cotton jeans, available at Barneys (via Sprig).

Leo DiCaprio's New Green Condo

Didja hear Leo just bought an eco-friendly condo in NYC's Riverhouse building? Apparently it has solar panels, a gray water treatment facility (for water recycling), and a green roof!
(Image: Eric Ryan/Getty Images via Us Weekly)

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.

A Farewell to Pangaya

Sadly, online eco-boutique Pangaya is in the midst of closing up shop. The only good news to cull from this is the savings (80% off!) to be had as the site winds down. Better hurry -- stock is dwindling quickly and who knows how long items like the above Stewart & Brown Knitted Trumpet Skirt will last.

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!

Salma Hayek Digs Jurlique's Biodynamic Beauty Line

4 things making me happy today:
1. It's my 200th post on SSTW! Whoa. That's a lot of posting.
2. It's Friday. 'Nuff said.
3. It's SUNNY in SF! Major joy.
4. Jurlique has a new line of biodynamic beauty products that I might just need to try out. Jurlique's PR rep let me know about the star-studded launch party in LA (to which I wasn't invited--ballsy!) and sent along pics of celebs getting slathered with product. The one of Salma Hayek below was my fave. Man. That's the life.

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...

Company Limelight: Ortolan Organic Linens

I have fallen head-over-heels for just about everything that the new Ortolan linens company has to offer. All of Ortolan's gorgeous home linens are made of 100% organic cotton and packaged with 100% recycled materials; even their pillows are filled with Kapok, a sustainable, natural fiber. I love the vintage, sometimes Art Deco-y vibe of their bedding, napkins, and tea towels. And the color combo of unbleached cotton with that surprisingly sophisticated shade of melon on the above napkin? Perfecto.

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.

January Jones' Organic Skincare Secret

If you're a Mad Men fan like I am, you're well aware of January Jones' ridiculous beauty. Boy, do I wish my skin had that dewy, annoyingly perfect glow. Sigh. So when I read a Q & A with January on StyleHive today and learned she uses organic products from a UK skincare line called Liz Earle, I was pretty stoked. It's from across the pond! I've never heard of it before! Obviously, it must be a super special secret reserved for AMC starlets, Madge, and Gwyneth! And now us...

I might like January because she looks so much like Grace Kelly. If, like yours truly (and Princess Grace), you were born in Philly and love Hitchcock movies, adoration of Grace Kelly comes as naturally to you as the desire to jog up and down Art Museum steps. It was in the water back there.
So whuddya think? Is this January or Grace?

Variations on a Theme: Recycled Glass

The recycled tranSglass pieces above were designed by Emma Woffenden and Tord Boontje as part of Artecnica's Design With Conscience program. I adore how the finish and colors are reminiscent of sea glass - but I'm a sucker for anything well-designed that maintains a beachy vibe.

The sleek, recycled glass carafe set above is the perfect bedside addition to a guest room. Plus, you get to buy it from the coolest website ever: ReForm School.

I love the oversized wobbliness of this recycled glass vase (above) from Sundance - it's somehow goofy, awkward, and beautiful all at once.

These glass vases/carafes from Branch Home get the Green Star: not only are they made of recycled glass, they're processed in an electric furnace powered by wind energy. Each one is made by hand, so no two are alike. I like the idea of clustering a few together - just like this image - on a fireplace mantel or sideboard.

Cuteness Overload: Baby Shoes!

The only thing sweeter than a pair of super cute baby shoes is a pair of super cute baby shoes that support a great cause. These vegan Hydra Heart shoes are sold on online at buildanest.com, a nonprofit "microbartering" organization dedicated to supporting female artisans in developing countries. If your kiddo will stay still long enough to have his or her tootsies measured, Molly Puzo of Hydra Heart will make a pair of custom kicks just for junior.
Pssst -- There are some sweet adult styles too!

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!

Take Me Away To: Club Surya London

By George, the blokes across the pond have really done it! The just-opened Club Surya in London has a dance floor (pictured above) that harnesses the movements of club-goers to generate energy to power the club! Plus, if you arrive by foot, bike, or public transpo, you get in for free...and they serve organic drinks in biodegradable cups (why not reusable cups, I wonder? Too much crazy dancing makes them wary of glass?).
Anyhoo, this gets me thinking... I totally want a motion-harnessing floor in my dream house. How cool would that be? You could power the stairwell light just be walking up the stairs! Power your fridge just by walking up to it, opening the door, and tapping your feet while scarfing down some hummus! Let's dream big, peeps! And dance as often as possible.
(via ecofabulous)

Mmmmm....Snack Time!

I would love to say that it's only since becoming a mom that I've been reacquainted with the delightful period of the day that is snack time, but let's be honest: I was enjoying snack time for years before Finley was even a twinkle in my eye. It's not just for kids!
Whether you have bambinos or, like me, you're just a dedicated grazer, the reusable snack bags from PB Green are going to be right up your alley. There's no BPA or phthalates to worry about, just good ol' machine washable cotton in prints so cute you'll be tempted to use your new snack trap as a clutch.
Remember, it's always snack time somewhere... so why not snack in style?