Ah…unique reusable bags featuring eye catching designer graphics that deliver fun eco messages – each Green Eyed Monster tote is made of 100% post-consumer recycled cotton fabric and recycled plastic bottles by a cool, woman-owned company in New Hampshire. (more…)

Celeste and Anthony Lilore, founders of NYC-based, RESTORE Clothing are on our eco radar.  Having recently met them at a green gathering, they do walk the talk.

Their active wear, RESTORE, spells out all that a conscious fashionista could want:  Responsible, Earth friendly, Sustainable, Technological, Organic, Recycled and Ergonomic, (meaning not unisex).

In addition to aspiring to these planet-friendly attributes, their threads are also versatile — allowing you to transition from yoga or Pilates to street wear, seamlessly. (more…)

Well, it’s not a Segway. In fact, it doesn’t even look as cool as a Segway (my vote is not to opt for the detachable front basket, despite its practicality). But it’s new—and it’s about five times cheaper—than the original “ultimate” electric scooter.

Coming straight from Portland’s green scene, and built on three wheels, the new GoPet (personal electric transportation), is powered by a 48 volt motor that can reach 16 mph and travel up to 25 miles on a single charge, roughly 10 cents worth of electricity. Plug it in for four to six hours for a full recharge (a 110 volt “smart” charger automatically turns off when the battery is fully loaded) and you’re good to go. Like a bike, it features a hand braking system, and also includes a headlight, taillight, and horn. (Optional is a seat, folding handlebar and trailer.) See the GoPet in motion here.

What’s your vote? Geek-chic or not-so-much?

Knitters, happily take note:  Natural Star, a New Zealand-based professional knitter can provide the beanie pattern (above) to fit Newborns through to 5 year olds, ($5 US).  No time for needles?  Find a head-topper ready-made in fine Merino wool, raspberry or navy, ($22).  Or pluck various sweet organic woollies for the wee set — mittens, booties, and sweaters via etsy @ NaturalStar.

• LEED certified…Frogs Find Home in Elephant Dung – livescience
• When is a pit mine green? California Mine Digs in for Green Gold Rush – reuters
• See story above. As Hybrid Cars Gobble Rare Metals, Shortage Looms – yahoo! news
• This is a good “ouch”. Tumors Feel the Deadly Sting of Nanobees – sciencedaily
• The message is the bottle…Growth of Ocean ‘Garbage Patch’ Alarms Experts – msnbc
• IBM & Oasis Advance Smart Grid – environmental leader

Recently saw an advance screening of the No Impact Man doc.

The film is a well-made depiction of one family’s struggle to go without almost all modern conveniences while trying to survive in the jungle of Manhattan.  Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock somewhere or you’re just not tapped into the green blogosphere, you’ve already heard the tale of Colin Beavan and his self-promotional journey.

Thanks in large part to headlines by The New York Times, he may be remembered most as the guy who went a long time without toilet paper.

The stars of the film turn out to be Colin’s wife, Michelle, and two-year-old daughter, Isabella.  Michelle represents the doc’s everyman – a representation of all of us – trained by our consumer culture to crave our Starbucks products, air conditioning, cars, clothes and take-out food.

Ultimately, Colin and his project do make a difference if only to the degree that the publicity surrounding No Impact Man brings the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message to The Today Show masses. Opens in NY and LA on September 11 – visit oscilloscope for release schedule. Catch the trailer on youtube.

There’s something strangely intriguing (and respectfully frightening) when in close proximity to a bear—one of nature’s most mesmerizing mammals. From a distance, they appear soft and slow, but up close, the reality of their strength and strategy quickly hits home.

It’s life-affirming, really, the experience of being so close to these unique creatures; and that’s exactly what Natural Habitat Adventures leverages on their four “rare-access” bear-watching adventures. We dig NatHab for their eco philosophy and small group sizes that allow for one-on-one with naturalist guides and experts, as well as their carbon offset program and partnership with World Wildlife Fund, (WWF). (more…)

Here’s a great way to create a new fashion statement from a discarded old tote.  Add some original art and “voila” – a designer tote without the designer price tag.

A hand-drawn cherry blossom tree customizes the front of this eye-catching red satchel.

$74.95 @ ReadySetGo’s etsy shop (the home of many cool-looking bags)

The sexy itHouse is a design system created by L.A. based, Taalman Koch Architecture.  The eco-friendly home is comprised of a series components manufactured off-site.  The home, which is designed to be flat packed and easily shipped, is prefabricated to better control the construction waste, labor, and quality of the finished product.

Designed with glass walls and an open floor plan, (no neighbors, please) itHouse is intended to maximize the relationship of the occupant to the surrounding landscape while minimizing the home’s impact on the local ecosystem.

Passive heating and cooling, site orientation, cross ventilation, radiant floor heating, hi-efficacy appliances and the use of solar photovoltaic and thermal panels enhance the home’s energy efficiency and off-the-grid potential.

more pix after the jump

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