I was traipsing through the BKLYN Designs show this past weekend and out of the corner of my eye the word “tasty” grabbed my attention.  So of course I had to stop and check out the tasty wallpaper designs from aptly named, Flavor Paper.  Turns out, Flavor Paper hails from New Orleans, and is making Brooklyn its new hood.

Each roll is hand printed.  They offer lots of fresh flavors right off the shelf — floral, funky, geometric, traditional, even two scratch ‘n sniff options, but if you’d like something custom, they’re ready to roll.

find @ flavorleague.com

UPDATE:  May 20 — Congratulations to Alicia W., our official winner.  Thanks to everyone for participating, and we appreciate all our Twitter and RSS followers.  Stay tuned for our next Great Green Giveaway (listed on right hand column of page).  Here’s to a better life:)

(ORIGINAL POST:)

Looking for a better life?  This Great Green Giveaway is sponsored by BETTER LIFE household cleaning products…better for people, better for the planet and better performing.  

Green like you’ve never seen — these revolutionary products are free of petrochemicals, sulfates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), solvents, dyes, synthetic fragrances and other harmful substances.  BETTER LIFE uses renewable resources that harness the power of mother nature to create safe green cleaning products.  Enter for your chance to win:

Prize Pack (approx. retail value $39.99):
(1) what-EVER Clary Sage & Citrus all-purpose cleaner (32 oz)
(1) I Can See Clearly, WOW! glass cleaner (32 oz)
(1) Simply Floored! ready-to-use floor cleaner (32 oz)
(1) Even the Kitchen Sink gentle scrubber (16 oz)
(1) Collapsible six-compartment cleaning caddy
(1) Euro Sponge
(1) Loofah Sponge (2 – pack)

To Enter This Drawing, Simply:
Visit BETTER LIFE’s Website @ cleanHappens.com. Then enter a comment on this post telling us what you like about the products, and how they’d fit into your green lifestyle.

Be sure to add the following address to your email address book:
m at AlternativeConsumer.com. (*one entry per person)

Entries must be received by 8p, EST on Monday, May18, 2009. (free shipping, USA only.)

One lucky winner will be selected in our Random Drawing, and notified by email. Winner has 24 hours to claim their prize, or offer is null and void. Winner’s name will also be included on this post.

*EXTRA CREDIT
If you have your own blog, you can post about the giveaway with a link back to this giveaway post. To make sure we know, you can come back and leave a comment with a link to your blog post.
If you Twitter, you can either tweet about the giveaway, become an altCon follower (twitter.com/altcon), or both!  Just leave a comment linking to the status.

Receive that additional entry by signing up for our RSS feed via email/Feedburner (see right side bar). good luck!

I’m looking forward to attending the Audubon Society’s 6th Annual Women in Conservation Luncheon at the Plaza Hotel here in New York City next week.  Six women will receive the prestigious Rachel Carson Award for their distinguished work in the area of environmental conservation.

This year’s honorees include Dr. Sylvia Earle (National Geographic Explorer), Sally Jewell (CEO, REI – Recreational Equipment Inc.), Elizabeth Putnam (President/Founder of Student Conservation Association) and Elizabeth Colleton, Jane Evans and Susan Haspel (all NBC Universal’s “Green is Universal” initiative).

Named for Rachel Carson, whose seminal work, Silent Spring, revealed the damage caused by the use of pesticides, Audubon established this award in 2004 to honor visionary women whose dedication, talent and energy have advanced conservation and environmental education locally and on a global scale. Bette Midler, Teresa Heinz Kerry, Majora Carter and Laurie David, were all honored in recent years past.

Looking to attend this special event? Ticket Prices range from $200 – $2500 for individuals and $5,000 – $50,000 for a table of 10. more information, call 212 874 5457 or visit @ audubon.org.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Reception, 11:30a
Luncheon, 12:00p
@ The Plaza Hotel, 2 Central Park South, New York City

A company called Rentech (Renewable Energy Technologies) is building the Rialto Renewable Energy Center to be located in Rialto, California.

The new facility is designed to produce approximately 600 barrels per day of pure renewable synthetic fuels and export approximately 35 megawatts of renewable electric power.  The renewable power is expected to qualify under California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program, which requires utilities to increase the amount of electric power they sell from qualified renewable-energy resources. The plant will be capable of providing enough electricity for approximately 30,000 homes.  The raw energy source, renewable waste biomass feedstocks, will consist primarily of urban woody green waste such as yard clippings, for which Rentech is currently negotiating supply agreements. The location of the project will provide local green waste haulers with a cost-effective alternative to increasingly scarce landfills for the disposal of woody green waste.  The plant is designed to also use bio-solids for a portion of the feedstock.  The proposed plant is intended to have a near-zero carbon footprint and produce energy from strictly renewable biomass sources.

more @ rentechinc.com

• The A List of Influential Green Trendsetters appears to consist primarily of Ed Begley, Jr. and Bill Nye the Science Guy.
• I can’t seem to find Al Gore on Twitter.
• My three favorite foods are Dove Bars, Twinkies and Cheetos.
• My immediate family can’t fit in a car that seats less the 12.
• A common national prejudice equates a man carrying a reusable bag with “manscaping” and poodle carrying.

Sometimes it’s hard to reconcile a respect for the planet with a passion for fashion. What’s an eco-minded clothes hound to do when you realize that the growing and harvesting of conventional cotton causes some of the worst environmental pollution of any crop?

Indeed, the side effects of cotton production are devastating: It requires large amounts of water, often in places where water is already in short supply. What’s more, water contaminated from the farming finds its way into the local water system where it pollutes drinking supplies. Then there’s the farm workers who grow and harvest cotton. They are exposed to likely carcinogens and chemicals that can lead to serious neurological disorders.

Fortunately, Hessnatur, a German-based company that designs organic and natural clothing, makes it easy to look good while doing good for the health of the planet.  Founded 30 years ago by the European environmentalist Heinz Hess, Hessnatur grows all its cotton and fabrics in a way that protects the health of the planet, as well as the health of those who work cotton farms.

The company’s designs are simple, beautiful and sophisticated, and they are all made from 100-percent natural fibers—no synthetics. The spring/summer 2009 collection, designed by Miguel Adrover includes everything you need for a carefree summer, from smart linen skirts and jackets to sensuous silk dresses to soft, breezy sweaters.

Hessnatur adheres to strict guidelines of organic cotton farming and manufacturing processes that preserve the land and water. The company is also involved in all sorts of social and environmental programs. To view the collection and learn more about this really cool company, check out their website @ hessnatur.com

• Marsupial lawncare…Brits Use Wallabies as Lawnmowers – ananova
• This is not the guy from Entourage…Prehistoric Pregnant Turtle Discovered – aol news
• Photographic evidence…Mother’s Day Mayhem: 5 ‘Worst’ Animal Moms – natgeo
• The good news…UK Green Job Market Swelling Amid Recession – reuters
• The bad news…VC Spending on Alternative Energy Tumbles 63% – yahoo! news
• Why am I not moved?  Green Celebrities on Twitter: Mraz, Frye, Begley, Branson, Moby – ecorazzi

U.K. artist Jason Lane creates his brain-grabbing sculptures from recycled and found steel.

more @ jasonlane.org

treat her like the Queen Bee that she is…

and all you green divas — enjoy your day!