Wrong again. Looks like Al has made it official. I’d better start checking the other presidential candidate’s environmental positions a tad more closely.

By the way…are those pantsuits of Hillary’s organic cotton or polyester?

Al Gore Rules out White House Run – Yahoo News/AP

I used to indulge in getting my finger and toe nails painted regularly at nearby salons but recently stopped painting my fingernails, and now only occasionally polish my toe nails. The carcinogenic factors outweigh the “pretty” factor. I’ve been buffing, and that’s cool, but I do miss the occasional color on my finger nails.

So I’m psyched to have just came upon No-Miss Base, Color, Top Coat and Remover — they look like low-risk must-try’s. I’ll let you know how they fare. Meantime, if you’re so inclined, hook up at veganunlimited.com.

Thought I’d also try some of Vegan Unlimited’s vast array of other personal care products. Remember — that which we put on our skin winds up in our system, so be picky about your products. Do share your wonderful beauty/health care finds — there’s so much to choose from, and so little time.

February’s House & Garden features “20 Ways to Live Green,” filled with great tips about how to add some greens to your lifestyle.

I’ve been searching for a good low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint and their favorite is YOLO Colorhouse, created by scientists and artists. According to H&G, “YOLO lays on perfectly and wears exceedingly well.” YOLO’s Zero-VOC paints are “natural yet vibrant, and can be customized.”
I checked out their colors and they look beautiful, $37 per gallon.

find @ yolocolorhouse.com

find Bill McDonough, tip#20,
@ houseandgarden.com

Glad to see Friday’s NY Times is covering Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, and other small house makers in its article about tiny second home retreats. Check out our Tiny Houses – The Next Big Thing?, from Jan 17, 2007. I love this concept and the fact that it seems to be catching on!

Ahead of the times and eco-fashion curve, Cohen’s creations are those to watch and wear this spring. With serious experience and design chops acquired from FIT NYC & Florence, and now Portland-based, Cohen strives to be socially responsible in all aspects of business. Applying a closed-loop approach to running her company, from raw materials to end-of-life use, Cohen conserves, rather than wastes resources. As a co-founder of the Sustainable Design Group, she and her peers are helping other companies learn how to use resources responsibly. She’s on my short list of eco-nista faves for spring.
Take a look at annacohen.com and click stores for where to buy.

For the ladies, comfy chocolate slip-ons, 100% organic hemp canvas exterior.

$65 from Ecolution @ downbound.com

Bored into a furniture-induced stupor by that mundane, plastic-covered couch wedged-up against that terracotta-colored wall in your living space? Well, why not transform your living room into a sea of stone-like cushions? From Smarin Design of France, these natural shapes of sundry sizes appear hard and unforgiving, but are, in reality (albeit a surrealistic one), a spacey and comfy lounging alternative.
smarin / livingstones website

for retailers – mostly european

It looks like there may be a new global warming agreement on the horizon that would replace the Kyoto Protocol and this time the U.S. just might sign on.

A group of global lawmakers signed a resolution Thursday urging a new agreement limiting greenhouse gas emissions by 2009 to succeed the Kyoto protocol, which is set to expire in 2012. Congressional leaders in attendance say there may be a shift in Washington that could indicate a greater level of cooperation with other nations on emissions standards.

myway/AP story

Here’s a board and blank manufacturer that cares about the environment, its manufacturing process, service and innovation. HomeBlown uses the safer, but more expensive MDI based foam system instead of the carcinogenic TDI. They make stronger, lighter boards and are at the forefront of change in the surfing industry.
homeblown.co.uk