I guess the old neighborhood’s changing…Danish architectural design firm Bjarke Ingels Group and developer Durst Fetner Residential have a vision – build a 450 ft. tall, 600 unit tower with a unique silhouette that will stand apart from the boxy, glass-covered edifices of Manhattan’s Westside.  (Note: I used to park may Subaru across the street from the W57 development’s building site between 11th and 12th Avenues.)

The ambitious sail-shaped structure, simply named W57, which is a hybrid architectural form – European design married to Manhattan high-rise residential comfort and features – will seek LEED Gold Certification. (more…)

Guys, what we girls really crave is you, every day of the year. This V-Day, this one silly “romantic” day of the year, tell us we’re special – in your own special way. Write a poem, have us over for dinner and a movie, you don’t have to spend a lot of money, just spend some quality time and let us know that we make you happy.

If you want to shower your lovely with extra tender loving care, try treating her to a massage and adorning her body with pretty jewels. Below are a few of our favorite baubles – full of heart and soul – made in ways that Mother Earth would approve. And guess what, they won’t break the bank.

Sexy stacking rings made of recycled sterling silver, customizable. heartandstone.com $95/ea

This sustainably stylish jewelry (above) feels and looks awesome. It’s handcrafted from natural materials by artisans in Ecuador for a NY-based, socially responsible company, The Andean Collection. prices range from $9 – $138

Alex and Ani signature expandable bangles are all made of recycled materials. They’re hip, lightweight and adjust to any size. The Charity By Design collection (above, L) starts as low as $18. (above, R: $58)

Have a penchant for word games? These quirky pendants are handmade from recycled Scrabble game pieces by HomeStudio on Etsy. $8.95 (Sterling chain not included, but they’re easy to acquire.)

Are diamonds your girl’s best friend? Classic design, recycled sterling silver and diamonds sourced in an ethical manner, what’s not to like? Ten percent of profits are donated to non-profits and with each necklace, the company comes clean with a certificate of specific origin to ensure total transparency. above, L $100 @ Ruff&Cut & above, R $220 @ Ruff&Cut. (more…)

Winter got you feeling boxed in? Here’s a tiny house prototype that will match your mood.

The prefab geometric Boxhome was constructed in Oslo, (more…)

When we previously posted about this wi-fi controlled electric back last year when the Shadow Ebike wasn’t yet for sale. Well the bike’s manufacturer, Canada-based Daymak, recently announced that they’re taking orders and they’ll start shipping bikes to customers on April 30th.

The Shadow Ebike, which is marketed as the world’s first power-assist wireless electric bike, features a Daymak Drive controller with wireless support. The controller talks directly to the throttle, brake lever and pedal assist.

The average electric bike has 40-feet of unappealing exposed wire on, or in, its frame. The Shadow Ebike has no exposed (more…)

Most guys dread Valentine’s Day. If you’re feeling a lot of pressure but sweet on a girl, don’t get caught up in the overly hyped aspects and drama. Just be real and have fun. In the market for a gift? Here are some ideas from yours truly.

(above) Get the party started – sexy Green Goddess eco lingerie $84 at Eberjey. Perfect for anyone, especially the home body who likes to play in her skivvies.

(above) Set the right mood – GenevaS Hi-Fi docking station for the iPod, connects to all other MP3 players and plays CDs as well; built-in speakers. Comes in red, white or black. @ amazon.com. Hot, for the music lover.

(above) Perfect for the lover of Mother Earth – sponsor one or more Andean Walnut trees and help fight deforestation in the Amazon; CoolEarth.org £3.

(above) Another mood enhancer – Origins vanilla and lavender candle made of natural essential oils & vegetable wax; cotton wick. $30

(above) Experience divine intervention – devour or treat your skin to a delicious array of chocolate-based treats from coco-zen.

(above) When things heat-up – go natural & kiss those synthetically derived potions good bye, get Eco Sexy $64 at Babeland. (I don’t know about you, but phthalates scare the heck out of me.) (more…)

• Big biz, lobbyists and their loyal Congressional lapdogs get busy…EPA Under Fire – if Only ‘E’ Stood for Jobs – msnbc
• Just in time for Valentine’s Day…New Explanation for Heart-Healthy Benefits of Chocolate – sciencedaily
• Corn is in everything.  Are higher food prices coming? US Corn Reserves Hit Lowest Level in 15 Years – boston herald
• Fur flies! PETA Calls Donna Karan ‘Bunny Butcher’, Plans Protest – ecorazzi
• Attitude is described as ‘neanderthal’…UK is ‘Lazy Man of Europe’ When it Comes to Organics – bbc
• Where’s the love for the regal walrus? Endangered Decision Delayed on Walrus – yahoo! news/ap
• Royal environmentalism…Prince Charles Blasts Climate Change Skeptics – myway

Before sending those flowers to your lovey this Valentine’s Day think the whole deal through. The marketing creation and faux holiday that is Valentine’s Day accounts for a stout 40% of all fresh flower annual sales.  Unfortunately, the world’s largest florist, 1-800-Flowers, doesn’t abide by Fair Trade standards for its primarily female workforce in Ecuador and Columbia, where most of its flowers are grown.

Organizations like change.org are trying to motivate 1-800-Flowers to start selling Fair Trade certified flowers – which would mean providing basic worker rights like overtime, reduced exposure to toxic pesticides and other verifiable environmental standards and worker rights.

If you’re still compelled to buy flowers for V-Day purchase them from a Fair Trade certified source like Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, or online from organicbouquet.com where you can also find many other organic and bio-dynamically grown products.

UPDATE: Due in large part to a change.org email campaign, 1-800-Flowers is re-examining its worker policies and promises to offer Fair Trade flowers to consumers by Mother’s Day.

These rings are made from recycled vintage postage stamps from around the globe. Stamps like the Brazilian stamp (above) date all the way back to the 1930′s.

They’re created by soldering a 15mm bezel cup to a 14 gauge hammered ring. (more…)

Want to make a statement when you hit your local farmer’s market for your weekly dose of organic turnips and fresh baked goods? Neiko’s new Market Bag collection strikes the perfect balance between style, statement and practicality. Given the recent hoopla about toxic lead found in some retailer’s reusable bags, we’d like to suggest consumers make an investment ($45) in one or more of these handmade (in nyc) designer grocery bags.

In addition to packing a plethora of graphic style, the bags are designed to haul a significant volume of fresh goodies and produce purchased at your local farmer’s market or grocery store. The bags feature: leather handles, 2 interior pockets big enough to hold a wallet, keys, cell phone and multi-page grocery list. The 100% cotton canvas Market Bags are lined with 100% Olefin, a fiber known for its strength, stain, mildew, abrasion and sunlight resistance.