Last day (May 31, 2010) to receive 20% off eco minded fashions from NYC-based, Nature vs Future.  Enter code NVF/MAY/20 at checkout.  Link to their online shop.

Summer is a great time to think about saving and conserving water – so we thought we’d revisit this post from last year.

When you think of a rain barrel what do you picture? Don’t you think of a huge ugly barrel that is an eyesore? I know I do. Finally, here is an attractive alternative for saving rainwater, the Cascata Rain Barrel. This environmentally friendly water capture device has to be one of the more appealing rain barrels around. From a distance it looks like a clay pot, however, on closer inspection, you’ll find it’s made from a durable roto-moulded plastic.

The pictures are deceiving, as this barrel holds 65 gallons of water. It comes complete with a 6-foot hose that includes a convenient shut off valve, unlike the garden hose I have in my backyard. The faucet valve provides easy access to fill up watering cans and garden pails.

It also serves dual-purpose, with a removable planter crown. Planting flowers or herbs on top adds to the attractiveness of this unconventional rain barrel. It truly is ingenious; the things people think of — I love it!

The only problem I foresee is the design, location and material of your already existing gutters. If you do not have a break at the right level you may need to use your creativity or additional resources to set up a completely functional rain barrel.

If you are looking for an elegant way to save water then the Cascata is a lovely alternative to other products on the market. It can be purchased at amazon.com for $149.99. – or you can go with the Deluxe model which features a 60 gph pump for $299.

From around the ecosphere, a quick re-cap of green special events and documentaries.

• Songstress, Joss Stone and reggae star, Jah Cure to perform in beautiful Tortola, British Virgin Islands as part of the first annual BVI Go Green Festival to Raise Awareness of Eco-Conscious Development in the Caribbean — June 25 and 26, 2010.  Festival to be held at the Go Green Village in Noel Lloyd Park, Tortola.
• This sounds awesome. Explorer and environmental advocate, Sebastian Copeland, just embarked on a 1,367 mile trip crossing Greenland via kite-ski from south to north over the next 40-50 days to help raise awareness of how global warming is affecting Greenland’s climate.  With the icecap melting below his feet, I hope he makes it. You can take a sneak peek at his latest film INTO THE COLD @ traileraddict.com and follow Sebastian’s exploits here.
• Dirt! is an 80-minute documentary featuring scientists, farmers, environmentalists and lovers of soil from around the globe.  Not just for gardeners.  Actress Jamie Lee Curtis narrates Dirt! The Movie, providing a history of soil.  Also available on DVD via Amazon now.
• This one’s from Seamus, our intrepid, eco dog. Celebs such as Richard Gere and his wife Carey Lowell, Richard Belzer, Edie Falco, designer Isaac Mizrahi as well as athletes, musicians and writers all bare their devotion to their pups in the doc, My Dog:  An Unconditional Love Story.  Available on DVD via Amazon.
• As part of an upcoming 2-Day Sustainable Festival (June 7 & 8) in NYC – check out the Sustainable Planet film festival on Tuesday, June 8, at the Gabarron Foundation located at the Carriage House Center for the Arts: 149 East 38th street. (more…)

• Worst case scenario looming…Gulf Coast Warned Oil May Leak Until August – reuters
• Risk vs. reward…Will Next Fix Raise Gulf Spill Flow by 20 Percent? – msnbc
• This is total bullshit – aerial predator control should be totally banned…Alaska Sues Feds Over Predator Control – yahoo! news
• We know his credibility is beyond reproach…right? BP CEO Disputes Claims of Underwater Oil Plumes – myway
• Does this include a 37 year-old guy still living with his ma? Close Relationship with Mom Leads to Better Romance Later – livescience
• (video) Chinese Pandas go to Survival School - skynews/orange uk
• (photos) Deepwater Horizon Burns & Sinks – natgeo

Perfect top for casual, summer days — from Covet, slouchy bold stripes in midnight/sea color combo, (love the pocket detail). Made from Modal fabric (a bio-based textile created from reconstituted cellulose from the beech tree) and a touch of Spandex for stretchability — nice and soft.  Now 30% off, ($42) @ shopgen.ca

Here we are, ready to kick-off summer 2010 and thanks to rampant neglect in the oil industry and lack of responsible oversight in our government, we the people feel an overwhelming sense of doom.  For the past six weeks the Gulf Coast has been faced with one of the most disastrous environmental events of all time.

The dangers of oil drilling finally may be front and center in the minds of U.S. citizens. The outrage.  The heartbreak.  The failures. The incompetence. The huge sense of frustration about the abuse of the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana’s coastline.

Rather than finger point, we must, collectively, pay more attention. Act responsibly.  Support the politicians who direct our money toward alternative energy initiatives. Vote for those who will truly represent our best interests.  And as always, be conscientious in our daily habits – conserve – electricity, gas, water, and all of our precious natural resources.  Before it’s too late.

It’s been awhile since we last visited Miami’s PIE studio so we took a look at their current eco-friendly designer furniture collection and liked what we saw.  I’m particularly drawn to the Tonecoon lounger with attached sidetable – the uni-body approach to construction creates both a beautiful shape (more…)

Is this the cutest hat, ever?  This lovely little lambsie hat – hand crocheted out of organic cotton – is a perfect eco fashion statement for your fashion-forward little girlsie.

$42 @ sweetpeatoadtots etsy shop

It’s Memorial Day weekend – time for some fun and relaxation.  But before you take off, take a peek at what tickled our fancy this week, from some of our favorite shops around the ecosphere.

(above L to R) Sultry, soft and luxurious undies and lounge wear from France’s 9=g.8.  Made from recycled pine tree chips with antibacterial and thermal regulating properties – but when you look and feel this good, who cares?

(above L to R)  No surprise, Kaight knocks another couple out of the park – transition from city streets to beach affairs in FIN’s eco chic shorts made of bamboo satin in beautiful lavender. And how many times will you wear this? Perfectly Imperfect’s shirred Cami Dress, organic cotton; reduced to only $50 from $125.

(above L to R)  Catch the Memorial Day Sale @ BTC Elements. These dresses are made of organic cotton, right here in the USA: Bleeker Street Stripes and Cody Mini Dress. Certain items on sale through June 3.  Enter code ECOSALE at checkout.

For now, that’s all she wrote…have a good Memorial Day weekend.  Whether it’s a stay-cation or mini vacation, try to keep that carbon footprint small.  Remember, there’s only one Earth.