My little girl is still figuring out the mechanics of sitting upright, but I can hardly wait for the day when we can splash finger paints with wild abandon, glue together crazy collages, knead play dough into malformed critters, and conduct other random acts of craftiness. And when she finally realizes that fingers don’t belong jammed in her mouth and glazed with saliva, it’s reassuring to know that safe, nontoxic, and environmentally friendly art supplies are only a click away.

Founded by art educators,  Clementine Art is known for its beautifully packaged, certified-non-toxic art kits, which are chockfull of all-natural and organic products made from plant and mineral sources. More important, however, they’re (more…)

For those who still listen to the radio we present a slightly greener option.  No batteries or grid power needed.  Crank this baby for a minute and you’ll get around 30 minutes of Barry Manilow, Rush Limbaugh or NPR.  When fully charged by its solar panel this AM/FM radio will play for seven hours, give or take.

I’m not going to mention that is actually the color green…

$24.95 @ usefulthings.com via: redferret.com

Just in time for summer, Toms introduces its newest collection of picnic-worthy, madras plaid slip-on shoes. Hipsters, fashionistas and celebrities alike have all recently taken notice of Toms, a line of comfy, bright kicks created by the altruistic Blake Mycoskie. For every pair of Toms purchased, Mycoskie gives a pair of shoes to a child in need.

Since the line launched in 2006, more than 140,000 pairs of shoes have been distributed and the company hopes to give away 300,000 this year alone. The canvas kicks are modeled after the alpargata, the traditional rope-soled footwear of Argentina, and are available in a variety of fun colors and prints. Ultra-conscious shoppers can purchase the vegan styles, available with a micro-fiber insole and made without animal by-products.

I’m always on the hunt for beauty products that leave out synthetic chemicals and iffy ingredients but that also perform. And as much as I love the idea of mineral makeup and its inherent earthiness, I’ve found that it often has some downfalls, including cakey-looking coverage and messy application.

Recently I tried Korres Wild Rose Compact Powder, and it’s a product that I can vouch for, well—sort of. As part of the Greek brand’s Wild Rose line, it contains a proprietary blend of Wild Rose extract, a natural source of vitamin C, phytosterols, soy and licorice. It claims to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while brightening skin and providing long-lasting hydration. While I can’t say that I’ve noticed much change in lines or brightening in the four weeks or so I’ve been using the powder, I do love the coverage and the way it feels and blends. It’s luminous and light, silky and natural-looking, and the fact that it’s supposedly nourishing my skin is certainly a plus.

I really like the Korres brand, which has roots in the oldest homeopathic pharmacy in Athens, Greece. Their products are made with botanical ingredients and formulated without parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, petrochemicals, propylene glycols, GMOs or sythentic dyes. They are also surprisingly affordable! What about you. Have you tried Korres products? If so, which ones? What did you think? more www.korres.com (USA site is being re-vamped)

• Is your local beach on here?  Best Beaches: Top Ten U.S. Shores of 2009 in Pictures – natgeo
• Solar Power Could Surge by 2050 in Deserts: Study – reuters
• They couldn’t get a cab?  Bee Swarm Descends on NYC Store – livescience
• How to Clean a Lake? Floating Islands Might be the Answer – cs monitor
• I love a good doughnut.  Nudity Complaint Near Maine Topless Doughnut Shop – myway

Talk about stopping time.  This timepiece, which can no longer keep time, now functions just fine as a chunk of eco fashion.  Perfect for adding some class to your ensemble for the break dancing party that will undoubtedly breakout when you next crank-up your boombox (very Flavor Flav).

$25 @ asecondtime’s etsy shop

A green stimulus package for your eyes, ears and mind…

• Tonight, (Saturday, May 23), park yourself atop Brooklyn Tech in Fort Greene @ Rooftop Films 2009 Summer Series; tix $9-25/each for screening of Dangerous Docs. (don’t ya hate fake docs, ie The Girlfriend Experience (Soderbergh, Sasha Grey)? Weather-permitting; check rooftopfilms.com or call 718.417.7362
• Eco Salon explores mother Earth’s wild side for DIY fresh grub
• Body + Soul’s June kicks up the flavor and health of summer meals with six fresh herbs, and dishes on “the other veggies” of this season – (kohlrabi or rutabaga, anyone)?
• Also tonight, PopRally at MoMA (free beer, strobes, masks) North American premiere of Black Meteoric Star (Gavin Russom) and assume vivid astro focus; 8:30-11p in the atrium ($12 in advance; $15 at door)
• Volunteer to save the planet (now thru 7/22/09) @ AudubonTogetherGreen and win some eco prizes
• cnet tv highlights green technology (some of which has already been featured on altCon), on the green show (video)
• Sustainable Brands ‘09 Conference, May 31-June 4; Monterey
• During your stay-cation this Memorial Day, Star Trek – yes; Museum – no.

Artist, designer Johnny Swing (I guess with that nome de plume he’s obviously a man with a plan), repurposes mundane or common objects into thought provoking visual stimuli.  Mr. Swing’s Nickel Couch (above) consists of 7,000 nickels and 35,000 welds, all supported by a superstructure worthy of Architectural Digest.  His furniture, objects and lighting pieces are nothing if not thought provoking.

Scraps of Italian leather floor tiles and dozens of jars comprise the pieces of the Leather Disc Furniture series (above).

Crouching Table (above) transforms the utilitarian wheelbarrow into a designer table with interior storage space for knick knacks or perhaps a koi aquarium.

Supply your own metaphor for porky.

With Memorial Day fast approaching it’s time to start thinking about you and your canine companion hitting the road for some summer travel.  Styling eco-dogs will find this Hemp Dog Carrier from Doggles to be one pretty sweet ride.

Made from eco friendly, renewable hemp this baby has a wide range of features for both dog and owner:  UV mesh panels for pooch UV protection, exterior water bottle pocket, (more…)

It happened again.  I was contentedly reading my NY Post sports section when I was confronted by a familiar, official looking two-page add.  A photo of a lab coated, glove-wearing dude (obviously not a Chinese engineer) holding up a penny, over the headline, “Public staying cool for just pennies” – no doubt signifying my savings to come.  Reading further I found that a free giveaway was launching a breakthrough in home cooling technology. Upon further reading, I found that if I ordered a unit within the next 24 hours I’d get a second $298 (plus shipping – they always get you on shipping) Cool Surge, for free.  A rolling air cooler that contains no nasty freon, needs no vents and rolls from room-to-room like you mother-in-law.  Hand me the phone?

Okay, not so fast.  (more…)