Designer Donna Edmonds makes these replica pooches out of recycled vintage buttons, trim and fabrics with her very own hands and sells them under her Leafpeople label at her Etsy shop.  She can also create a custom doll of your favorite pooch from a photo.  Just takes a couple of weeks.

The dog friend dolls range from $28 to around $75 dollars – but how can you place a price on friendship?

• I presume the corn lobby needs more time to bribe Senators…EPA Extends Comment Period on Biofuel Standard – reuters
• What kind of sound should they use? Japan May Add Noise to Quiet Hybrid Cars for Safety – yahoo! news
• Could I see that again? I didn’t catch how the life vest inflates…New Zealand Airline Issues Nude Safety Video – aol news
• Don’t try this at home! Pitcher Plant Doubles as Toilet – livescience
• What the Future of the Auto Industry Will Look Like – cs monitor
• Same one used by James Brown. I know you were wondering…Michael Jackson’s $25,000 Casket – tmz

Artefact Design & Salvage creates some nice furnishings from recycled, found and salvaged materials.  The Vineform table and coffee table, (pictured above and below), are made from strangler vine bases with lightweight concrete tops.

Designed by Dave Allen, these tables come in several variations.  Pictures are from Allen’s, Flickr page.

Located in Somona, CA.

Lexus is running a contest to promote the intro of its 2010 HS 250h luxury hybrid.  There are 2 ways that you can win a one-year lease of this new hybrid.  You can either register as a voter on the contest site and you’ll be entered in a random drawing to win a 1-year lease of a Lexus HS 250h. Or register as a voter and enter a profile stating why you deserve to win a one year lease of the car.  Voters will pick the individual with the most worthy profile as the winner of a one year lease of the HS 250h.  100 runners-up will win a one-week “free test drive” of the hybrid.

enter @ drivehs.com

It’s not often (like never) that you find this combo of art, home decor, street memorabilia and evidence of a crime. Empty spray paint cans originally used to create street art (graffiti) on, and around, the streets and walls of Los Angeles are now being transformed into useful and unique lamps by graffiti artist Dash 2000 Fidel.

Each lamp is said to be “trackable” to the specific art work that it was used to create, (more…)

We just announced the 3 lucky winners of our feelGoodz Giveaway, and we’re psyched to tell you that FeelGoodz’ Creator and CEO, Kyle Berner, is so appreciative of everyone’s enthusiasm, he’s offering a whopping 25% off to anyone who entered the contest but didn’t win.  Regularly priced at $19.99/pair, you’d pay only $15, (plus tax, if applicable) for a pair of cool and comfy eco friendly flip flops.

Check it all out @ feelgoodz.com.  Then simply email Kyle and let him know which style and size you’d like.  Here’s his email:  kyle (dot) berner (at) feelgoodz (dot) com.

• Watch, some shut-in with binoculars will complain they can see it from the Breezy Point Jetty…NY Inches Closer to Offshore Wind Farm – reuters
• What did George have against the environment? Bush-Era Logging Rule Overturned – msnbc
• It’s about time…EPA Proposes New Emissions Standards for Large Ships – enn
• 20th Century tiger population has dropped from 100k to 3k…Amur Tigers on ‘Genetic Brink’ – bbc
• I don’t think SPF 50 will help…Is Apple’s iPhone Prone to Sunburn? – cs monitor
• I think it’s hit NYC…Tropical Rainfall Moving North – livescience

This solar charging vest is ideal for those modern individuals who’s affinity for MP3 players, cellphones and gadgets will always trump their fashion sense.  The weatherproof vest features 4 detachable solar panels that can be placed in the sun to charge the portable rechargeable battery while you’re wasting your time in your subterranean Wii cave.  The vest comes with several charging adapters and the battery sports AC and USB power inputs and 2 DC outputs. The company claims it will even charge some laptops.

In additon to geeky bragging rights, the words ‘Solar Vest‘ are plastered across the back of the item to address any questions about why you’re wearing this thing in downtown Miami.

Couldn’t find any estimate of how long it takes to charge in full sunlight.  I don’t think I’d depend on this vest to charge my phone if I were lost in the Amazonian jungle…

$140 @  chinovasion.com via: geeky gadgets

Considering how pervasive and energy sucking laptops are, LAPTOP Magazine rigorously tested the power consumption levels of 16 notebooks to determine who may be the greenest of them all.  Always looking to curb the carbon emissions and save some cash, I was especially interested to see how Mac stacked up.

Check out just how much energy is consumed during the everyday activities of Apple, HP, Dell, Samsung, Sony, Lenovo, MSI, ASUS and Toshiba laptops…awards were presented in 4 product categories:   Ultraportables, All-Purpose Notebooks, Desktop Replacements and Netbooks.  Oh, by the way, in the running with Toshiba, HP, and Dell — Apple’s (17-inch) MacBook Pro came in a disappointing third in the Desktop Replacement category.