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?

Key to a Perfect Dinner Party: Rosanna Tableware

Having had a very fun dinner party this weekend, I suppose I have entertaining on the brain. Pretty, unfussy glasses and dishes add so much to an evening spent tableside, and when I spotted some of the Rosanna pieces on Design*Sponge last week, I knew I had to share them here too. Rosanna's gorgeous Madre Terra and Cin Cin! pieces above and directly below are handmade of recycled glass.

And a portion of the proceeds of the fabulous Mondo collection seen below will go to Doctors Without Borders, an organization that provides emergency medical care to those affected by wars and disasters.

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!