Summer is finally here, a time when all we furry types hit the yard, beach and under brush for some fair weather fun.  Unfortunately, there is an abundant array of parasites out there just itching to spoil all our good clean fun.  If you don’t want to coat you pet in toxic chemicals I’ve come across an organic powder that will help keep those fleas and ticks off your fido or feline, with the added benefit of helping to rid your home of ants, beetles and mites.

Buck Mountain Herbal Gold Organic Parasite Dust contains organic neem, yarrow and diatom flour.  The neem tree contains (more…)

Model Josie Maran is naturally beautiful, as is her recently launched line of eponymous makeup made with organic ingredients and biodegradable packaging. We wrote about the debut of her new line, back when word of it was first getting out. I’ve recently been giving some of the products a try to see how they stack up.

So far, my favorite product is the Tinted Moisturizer, (below, L). Its light, smooth texture and SPF 30 is perfect for hot summer days. It evened-out and warmed my slightly splotchy skin. I think it would be perfect for someone who doesn’t want to wear a lot of heavy makeup but needs some coverage.

The formula includes Josie’s signature ingredient, organic argan oil, which allegedly replenishes and repairs skin cells, as well as pomegranate oil, grape seed oil and organic papaya extract.

I’m also a big fan of the concealer and lip gloss (more…)

WheelEasy is a unique soft-sided canvas barrow that lays flat on the ground where gardening takes place.  Just sweep, rake, roll, slide or drag stuff directly into the canvas barrow – reducing all the heavy lifting usually associated with a traditional wheel barrow.  The whole deal folds up for easy storage.

The WheelEasy comes in two sizes. The original, larger WheelEasy has a capacity of 350 lbs.  The smaller WheelEasy LE, which is designed for city dwellers and homes with smaller yards, holds up to 150 lbs.  The low center of gravity of the WheelEasy is designed to reduce stain and impact on fragile gardeners.

The original model goes for $129.99 and the smaller LE $84.99 @ allsopgarden.com

here’s a storefinder

• Our culture has officially jumped a very big shark. Use your phone to write short email messages in the air.  Air Writing: Next Big Thing in Cell Phones? – livescience
• Reduced emissions may save the planet – but hurt his profit projections…Chevron CEO Says U.S. 2050 Carbon Goals Too Ambitious – reuters
• Justice strikes down this satan in a bikini…Miss California, Carrie Prejean Fired – fox news
• What are the signs of a culture in decline?  20 Cat Deaths Leave Fla. Communities Worried – myway
• This just makes too much sense…Reviving American Chestnut Trees May Mitigate Climate Change – sciencedaily
• Shut these fashion hosebags down…Fashion WTF: Hermes Now Breeding Crocs for Their Handbags – ecorazzi

When I first learned about Almay’s new Pure Blends makeup, I was skeptical. I assumed that this was likely another case of greenwashing a line of traditional chemically synthesized cosmetics with a few botanical ingredients thrown in and deemed “natural.” But when I looked into it, I found out otherwise.

Almay’s new Pure Blends makeup is indeed legitimately green, containing at least 95-percent natural ingredients. Made in Almay’s manufacturing plant in North Carolina, the line consists of foundation, lip gloss, blush, powder and eye shadow made without silicone, mineral oil or other petroleum-derived ingredients, or chemical additives like parabens. The vast majority of its ingredients are of mineral and plant origin, including Lotus Extract, Acai Extract, Orchid and Papaya Extract, and the products are packaged in highly recyclable paperboard.

I tried Pure Blends eye shadow in Lavender and the lip loss in Peony. I loved the sheer, buildable coverage and texture of the (more…)

A little bird just gave us a heads-up about San Francisco’s Forest (appropriate) Dickey and his Varian Designs.

We love the rustic, yet, contemporary look of his Timber Collection.  All of the pieces in this collection are created by hand from reclaimed or responsibly harvested lumber.  The Baldr Bench (pictured above) is made entirely of reclaimed redwood from Napa Valley wine tanks.  The chunkily rustic Lofn Chair, (pictured at right), was made from Douglas Fir, recycled from a San Diego residence.

see more of Forest’s work @ variandesigns.com

No power at your meditation cabin in the Himalayas?  No problem.  Samsung has announced it will soon be selling its solar charging, Solar Guru, cell phone in India.  The new phone will provide 5-10 minutes of talk time for an hour of solar charging – so you’ll still have to plug it in for a complete charge.  Features: dual GSM bands (900/1800MHz),1.52-inch 65K CSTN screen, FM Radio, MP3 ringtones, Mobile Tracker, Fake Call and 800mAh battery.

In addition to India, the Solar Guru will also be launched in Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America later this month. It will be priced at a reasonable $59 or 2,700 rupees.
via: samsung hub

This Thursday, American Airlines Flight 63 will depart Paris in an effort to up the eco ante as the first U.S. airline to test next-generation technology Trans-Atlantic.

The flight, which lands in Miami, will seem perfectly normal to all passengers aboard, but American Airlines is hoping it will help the company achieve savings of 120 million (yes, million) gallons of jet fuel in 2009 alone. And what about carbon emissions? A reduction of 2.5 billion pounds is planned for the year’s savings.

Those are big numbers—for a big plane—the Boeing 767-300 aircraft. How will they do it? By tweaking trips to include single-engine taxi-ing for departures and arrivals, continuous “climb out” and descent, optimized routes over water, and a tailored arrival. Afterward, the data will be analyzed by the FAA and further trials will be run, all in hopes that small changes can equate to big savings for airlines.

American Airlines isn’t the only airline going green, however. Check out these sites to see what the competition is up to: Virgin Atlantic’s Sustainability Challenge, Delta’s Force for Global Good, Jet Blue’s Jetting to Green, and Southwest Cares.

Organic clothing pioneers Stewart + Brown recently launched a new summer 2009 collection that is infinitely wearable and utterly adorable.

Stewart + Brown’s designs are made of premium green fibers, cultivated without the use of pesticides, defoliants or herbicides, and only non-toxic and low-impact methods are used in the textile process. The price point is a bit on the higher side, but you get what you pay for. These clothes have little impact on the environment and are stylish enough to rival anything out there. Here are some of our favorites from the newest collection:

Drape Dress
Constructed of 96 percent hemp and made in the good ole’ USA, this slinky dress features a scooping neckline and capped sleeves. A flattering tie around the waste accentuates your curves.

Village Jacket
A cute and chic jacket that dresses up or down, the Village Jacket is made with 100-percent organic cotton. Details include two front pouch pockets and flattened metal buttons along the front. Unique, interesting details include vertical pleats down the back and satin piping along the scoop neck.

Song Bird Graphic Tee
Certain to be a staple in your wardrobe, this Stewart+Brown original tee featuring two little birdies is made of 100-percent lightweight jersey cotton.

Lakeside Pant
This pair of 100-percent organic cotton twill pants has a full, straight leg, hidden side zipper and an arched front placket that fastens with four metal buttons. Perfect for a leisurely summer stroll.

Crochet Poolside Dress
This lovely hand-crocheted pullover dress has incredible stitch detailing—the front mirrors the back—and doubles as a cover-up or a dress when paired with a slip. It’s made of 100-percent cotton, in China under Fair Trade provisions.

more @ stewartbrown.com