Take one recycled blue shipping container, add: flooring, large windows, a wildflower-filled green roof, a composting toilet and some tastefully selected retro furnishings, and you’ve created one sweetly stylish guest house.

The reclaimed container was chosen for its bold blue color. Floors and wall paneling are made of renewable bamboo. The container sits atop a foundation of telephone poles.

The award-winning Container Guest House is the creation of Austin, TX based Poteet Architects.

Related: green architecture

If you’ve left Valentine’s plans to the last…a few simple ways to give green gifts, cards and wrap it up:

Duck into Whole Foods -  select some sexy essential oils for her next massage (try eucalyptus or tangerine) or pair a nice bottle of organic wine with fresh potted herbs – they’re fragrant and they’ll last longer than roses. Or be a bit decadent — opt for chocolate covered strawberries or whipped cream atop your fave fruit, confection or body part … as long as you devote your undying attention to your beloved, you’ll be in good hands.

… Want to really go all the way? Pick-up a prepared meal, wrap it up in a nice reusable market tote, and dine-in. Skip the hallmark card and go digital, I love Jacquie Lawson’s beautifully animated e-cards that can be personalized in a flash.

Don’t forget, a few heartfelt words or an act of kindness doesn’t have to cost anything. It’s the thought that counts, so just be extra attentive. After all, we can proclaim and show our love everyday, not just this faux holiday. And all we really desire is to be together with you. Have a Happy!

XPAL, a company that specializes in rechargeable battery technology, and Invitation have announced the launching of the Solar Egg, a “high-performance, portable solar charger that operates in moderate light conditions.” The Solar Egg combines XPAL’s battery expertise and Invitation’s groundbreaking SunBoost solar conversion technology. XPAL states that they’ve designed the gadget charger with high power consumption users in mind – the Solar Egg is said to reach over 90% battery charge in just four hours of exposure during average charging conditions – no need for prolonged exposure to powerful, direct sunlight.

XPAL touts the charger as being the first of its kind to address the challenge of solar charging in less sunny places. The Egg is designed to power a wide range of devices, from phones to MP3 players and digital cameras.  And it’s portable too.  Available later this year.

via: engadget

Exclusive Offer: use code ac30 (lower case ac) and receive 30% off on safe, effective and luxurious body-friendly skincare products from Shea Terra Organics.

If winter’s howling winds and freezing temps are giving your skin the blues, it’s time for a simple at-home spa treatment of tender loving care.

Slough off dry flaky skin with powerful Premium Dark Chocolate Sugar-Stone Exfoliating Cream and let your skin soak in deep penetrating White Chocolate Whipped Shea Butter Ultimate Moisturizing Body Crème. Made with 30% organic cocoa & shea butters and pure, dreamy vanilla, this heavenly treat provides hours of moisturizing protection, protecting skin from rapid water loss and producing healthy, sexy-looking skin. (more…)

Is your pet hip enough for one of these? Skate Dog Studios developed these elevated feeders for their own dogs. Naturally, the handmade line of skateboard-based feeders features cool graphics.

Feeders are elevated so chow hounds don’t have to bend down and noisily push their bowls around your house as they devour every last morsel. Feeders can be created from used or virgin skateboards.

The two-bowl feeders range in price from $75 to $100 @ skate dog studios’ etsy shop.

I recently received two free products from Lily Organics Skin Care: Seven Facial Rejuvenating Oils Treatment and Rejuvenating Enzyme Mask, for the purposes of this review. After two weeks of steady use, here’s the scoop:

These products look, feel and smell good…they’re gentle and safe …and they really do the trick.

Lily’s Rejuvenating Oils Treatment is comprised solely of 7 organic (and vegan) oils: sweet almond oil, kukui oil, avocado oil, vitamin E oil, primrose oil, essential oil of lavender and rosehip seed oil.

Positioned as a wrinkle treatment for dry skin, it’s purported to “re-knit collagen and reduce wrinkles and appearance of fine lines.”

Needless to say, it’s extremely oily but with skin as dry as mine, my skin drinks it right up. To borrow a tagline, a little dab will do ya, so I’m sure the 2 ounce bottle will go a long way.

At night, I’ve been using the Enzyme Mask on my face. (more…)

Don’t have the cash, time or inclination to travel to NYC for all the runway mayhem of Fashion Week? No need to burn fossil fuels by jumping onto a plane, train or automobile – just watch the whole schmear on MetrovelvetTV – a channel that’s live streaming all the action of NYC Fashion Week via Livestream.com – they’re covering every show featuring interviews, backstage activity and runway events.

via: shefinds.com

The story: West Paw Design was nice enough to give me one of their Organic Bumper Beds for some of my rigorous product testing, which primarily involved an arduous routine of repeated lounging, relaxing and sleeping.

My initial take: this bed is super comfy,with a nice bumper surround on which to rest my handsome canine head. The organic cotton outer shell is warm, soft and sleep inducing. Now the problem – my big brother Jack – who, motivated by a particularly chilly New England night, got all cozy in my new bed (see picture below).

I had tap into my finely honed skills as a thespian and play my “I’m just a sad little dog” routine to get his butt out of there – and, given the comfy nature of the bed – it still took the humans two dog treats to get the job done.  Problem resolved, I then assumed my rightful place on the throne, content once again in my role as top dog. (more…)

• I’m always a sucker for a good diorama. Sorry frogs… (photo above) French Time Capsule Mansion Opened After 100 years – natgeo
• Damn! Study Finds LED Products Billed as Eco-Friendly Contain Toxic Metals – sciencedaily
• (video) Hedgehog-Like Mammals Communicate Via Quills – bbc
• Maybe he just needs to wear a hat…No-Eared Cat Looks Too Much Like Villain Voldemort – aol news
• German Firefighters Risk Lives for Plastic Swan – orange uk
• Cool…Microscopic Janitors Attack Gulf Spill, Then Vanish – npr/krulwich
• Researchers Find Whaling Ship Lost in 1823 – associated press