Luvmud: the perfect way to say "I love you and the earth!"

Still looking for the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your eco-loving special someone? Well you're in luck... Introducing, Luvmud!

"Luvmud, by [architecture firm] super-interesting!, is a heart-shaped gift item that also functions as an educational tool, communication strategy, and community builder. Luvmud is made from soil, worm castings, cow manure, clay, and coconut coir, embedded with herb or vegetable seeds for germination, and decorated with a message written in baker’s icing."

Not yet available in stores or to purchase online, however if you live in NYC that you're in even more luck because starting today 'til Valentine's Day, super-interesting! is giving away their Luvmuds for free at Spring + Art Design: 126a Front Street, Brooklyn (DUMBO).

"Stop by, say hi, get Luvmud!

Limited supply. First come, first serve."

Otherwise, I suspect it's not too hard to make, in fact, according to their website, "NYC kitchen scraps digested by worms help make Luvmud rich in nutrients. Vermicomposting is fun and easy. You can make your own worm compost in a bin under your kitchen sink.

The smart folks at the Lower East Side Ecological Center host workshops, and also sell worm condos and live worms."

So why not try googling "vermicomposting" in your neck of the woods? Check out butternut squash Luvmud below. Shots taken in a three day span!

Whatever you do or don't do this Valentine's Day Weekend may it be eco and wonderful!

xo,

ej

PS - Just a friendly reminder my February/Valentine's Giveaway runs until Tuesday, February. 23, 2010. Click here to enter :)

From clothes hangers to hangeliers!

What are hangeliers, you ask? Clothes hanger chandeliers of course! Having just blogged about how to make expensive clothes hangers out of plastic bottles, blogging about hangeliers next couldn't seem more appropriate! Thanks for the lead, Pat!







My only criticism is the designers at Organelle Design made the above hangeliers from off-the-shelf plastic and wood hangers rather than finding old, used ones. According to Inhabitat where they were featured last year, "clothes hangers are clogging our landfills at a rate of nearly 8 billion per year." That's a whole lot of hangers! They should have tried and used some of those 8 million!

My compliment is that other materials designers Alex Witko and Courtney Hunt used to make their eye catching hangeliers are salvaged repurposed found objects such as bike rims, chainrings, and zipties.

Even more inspiring was Organelle Design's BYO_ event as in "build your own ____!" event. Their slogan: "resist consumerism.... by reusing it's wasteful by-products!" Check out how it went here. Below is a shot of one of the event's results... a snazzy coffee table 100% made from salvaged repurposed found objects!

xo,
ej

PS - 3 more days till my special ecojot ecard January giveaway ends, so keep sending those ecards for your chance to win ;D

Can you tell what this lamp is made from?

Can you tell what this lamp is made from? Old keyboard parts!

Nifty, huh? "The keyboard is one such essential computer accessory which is extremely affordable and easy to replace with than repaired."

"Designer Nolan Herbut has meticulously removed and rearranged all the keys and wrapped the whole thing up to create this awesome Keyboard Parts Lamp. The light permeating through the gaps between keys creates an awesome surreal effect and it almost deceives one to believe that lamp is made of sophisticated cut glass, and unless specifically told no one will believe that good old humble boring keyboard has been transformed into an aesthetically beautiful lamp." -walyou.com

If only more designers could reuse material like that!

Here's hoping you had a terrific weekend. I sure did... Had loads of fun on a mini road trip to Stratford with my brother G, friends Aaron and Ana to meet up with my sister Pat, her host mum Lori, host sister Eleanor and friends Daniel and Adarsh. Good times coupled with lovely weather.

Macbeth turned out to be a contemporary production. I forgot how dark this play by the Bard of Avon is. All in all, I was impressed, especially considering it turns out actor Colm Feore is currently playing the leads in Macbeth and Cyrano.

Happy Monday!

xo,

ej

One Man's Trash is Another Man's New Home

I woke up relatively early this morning and came across this article titled "One Man's Trash" on the NYTimes.com and was instantly intrigued... I pulled some photographs from the the Slide Show, but for more pics click here.

"AMONG the traditional brick and clapboard structures that line the streets of this sleepy East Texas town, 70 miles north of Houston, a few houses stand out: their roofs are made of license plates, and their windows of crystal platters.

They are the creations of Dan Phillips, 64, who has had an astonishingly varied life, working as an intelligence officer in the Army, a college dance instructor, an antiques dealer and a syndicated cryptogram puzzle maker. About 12 years ago, Mr. Phillips began his latest career: building low-income housing out of trash."

The photographs just draw you in, especially the one of Mr. Phillips' ceiling made of sample frames! I was particularly intrigued since I recently read an article, also in the NYTimes about how "LEED Seeks to Beef Up Its Credentials." As you may recall, I wrote about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a couple months ago. I was pleased to hear that they're seeking to improve their credentials, considering it turns out may LEED certified designs are not living up to their green name.

The simplicity of Mr. Phillips' desire to help others by way of preventing trash to otherwise end up on a landfill and instead be made useful to provide a roof over heads is very inspiring. Not to mention the fact that it resulted in both his town and Houston to set up a donation site for recycled material.

I like to come up with new uses for things I would otherwise through away, but Mr. Phillips takes it to a whole new level... He's built 14 homes made up of 80% recycled materials... Kudos!

Am going to finish my fluffy pancakes covered in wild blueberry syrup and maple syrup, then enjoy the day!

Happy Labour Day Weekend! Not sure if I'll be posting on Monday, but I'll definitely be back on Tuesday ;)

xo,
ej

PS- If you call Guelph home, don't forget that next Saturday, September 12th, I'll be at Wyndham Art Supplies, 164 Wyndham Street North, Guelph, Ontario from 12-4pm for my second Ecojot Fan Appreciation Event!

design • style • recycled

I quite like these "Clever Lids" by Jack Bresnahan (as seen on InHabitat) that convert tin cans into stylish containers. Jack is a recent graduate of Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK and showcased his designs at the New Designers exhibition in London.

As Bresnahan points out "Bresnahan says that “concentration should be given to a product’s life from birth to death and designers should take responsibility for their products when they eventually need to be disposed of.” The standard “tin” can was patented in 1810, but since the 1960’s they have been made primarily with aluminum, making them entirely recyclable, corrosion resistant, and durable."

Speaking of recycled design... How's this...?


An entire kitchen made of recycled material by Milestone (as seen on EcoFriend). Also in the UK... Is it just me or the British trying to lead the way for green design?

"Classed as a ‘hard & rigid’ plastic, the board material for the unit doors shown here is made from factory reject and post consumer waste… yoghurt pots!
It takes 700 yoghurt pots to make 1 sanded unit door!"

As I happen to own a great "bazura bag" (pictured on the stairs above) made entirely of recycled material (juice packs that would otherwise end up in the landfill). Therefore, I think a whole kitchen would be fabulous! My mum gave me my bazura bag which looks very similar to the one pictured below that I just adore, especially for my grocery shopping trips! They're made in my home country of the Philippines!

Till tomorrow when I announce my Flickr Photo Contest Winners... So be sure to stay tuned, especially if you participated! Happy Thursday!

xo,

ej

green energy, green bikes and green buses

Happy Monday Everyone ! Bon Lundi Tout Le Monde !

Yesterday, D'Angelo left me a comment asking how green hydroelectricity is... From what I know, it's renewable energy source which uses sand to generate electricity, usually falling over a dam. The electricity is generated from the movement of water and it is therefore a non-polluting energy source ("no direct waste.") Therefore, it's pretty green :)

That's the extent of my knowledge on that area, but speaking of energy, kinetic energy specifically (such as "hydroelectricity") you've got a check out this very green bike that produces kinetic energy to help run the hybrid buses of London. This is only a prototype at this point, but WOW, très cool to say the least! The idea is one rents the bike, uses it, and any energy that is made when braking is stored for London's hybrid buses. Plus you get a credit towards your bus pass for the energy you helped create. How ecoAwesome is that?


In fact, also according to InHabitat (where I learned about the "Ingenious Energy-Generating Bike Rental System") London has already rolled out six of their Hybrid Double Decker Volvo Buses, and will roll out more if successful!

"London’s iconic double-decker buses recently received an eco update as six highly efficient hybrid Volvo vehicles hit the streets for the first time. The new B5L two-story buses retain their classic red color, but under the hood a hybrid drivetrain saves 25% on fuel consumption while significantly reducing emissions and noise. "

Needless to say London certainly appears dedicated to being in the forefront of sustainability. Kudos London!

That's my ecoInspiration for you today :) Here's to GREEN ENERGY =)

Thanks for asking your question, D'Angelo!

xo,
ej

Win Carolyn's Pins + Childrens' Drawings Come to Life...

So being the occasional 0;) Miss Perfectionist that I am, I am frequently ridden with guilt when I don't get a proper post in on a regular, daily basis 0:,( As has clearly happened this week...

Yet a many of you still come and visit my blog anyway, and I can't thank you enough for your presence. But just for good measure... THANK YOU AGAIN!!! Therefore perhaps just as you have accepted me as I am... The consistently irregular ecoLoving blogger, I need to too ;D

While I still have dreams of going 100% Freelance (you know... not needing that dreaded day job and all), until that day arrives and I'll just continue blogging as often as I can 0;D

All right 'nough rambling... Two blog worthy things...

One... DesignerJots Carolyn Gavin's holding a Contest until Monday!!! Win a pin or rather a set and some mini ecojot notebooks... All you have to do is leave her a comment where you've see Ecojot and why you'd like to win here. Good luck!

Two... My interior designer friend Susan sent this to my inbox with the subject "I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this," and once you visit this link you'll know why, because I too "LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this!" Below are a few sneak peaks from the feature of Yeondoo Jung's Wonderland...


Thank you again Susan for the forward. These are the only type of forwards I love, and I love that you know that ;) Aren't they fantastic, folks?

The concept of Yeondoo Jung's Wonderland reminds of how Lily is Carolyn Gavin's young daughter is her muse and many of Carolyn's whimsical designs are inspired by Lily's sketches!

Speaking of which, I hear it's Lily's birthday this weekend... Bon Bon Bon Anniversaire Lily! Happy Happy Happy Birthday!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

xo,
ej

ecoStylish composting plus giveaways galore

First and foremost thanks Karen C for the suggestion on what 'n how to win this month... I like the idea of a limerick or poem and promise to reveal my March Giveaway early next week :) Plus I'm sure DesignerJots will be announcing hers soon too!

Meanwhile, with Giveaway on the brain, although I suspect many readers already follow her blog... Just in case... decor8blog is hosting a Giveaway this month sponsored by PrintPatternPattern. Check it out here.

So it seems DesignerJots and I were serendipitously in sync yesterday both blogging about little birds, hence the images I feature today by Carolyn. I couldn't resist. I miss Ziggy! It was such fun Ziggy-sitting him a few months ago. I look forward to warmer weather when I can visit and we can go off for a nice stroll... He is after all always the perfect gentleman ;)

Before I go one final eco-related note... Composting is apparently not very stylish until now. Although still a concept product, and if you live in Toronto like me completely unnecessary since we have the ecoAwesome green bin program, however, check out: "Eco Tech: Stylish Terraviva Domestic Composter for Indoor Composting."

Featured by Ecofriend and YankoDesign, apparently "with the help of aerobic microorganisms, it can convert 12 liters of your kitchen waste into compost at a time that will be good enough to help your garden plants grow healthier."

What do you think? Is this ecoFancy design necessary to compost? Share your thoughts please... I heart comments!

xo,

ej

From your OJ to your wrist watch... Reducing your carbon footprint

When I came across a NYTimes article entitled "How Green Is My Orange?" I couldn't help but want to click to read. After all, for the last few weeks I have been diligently buying big juicy oranges and making freshly squeezed OJ with my lovely ceramic juicer from my dear friend Janet --pictured above - the juicer not Janet ;)

The article refers to PepsiCo's recent concern on "How much does your morning glass of orange juice contribute to global warning?" Turns out, "3.75 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted to the atmosphere for each half-gallon carton of orange juice." The question is, will PepsiCo start marketing this fact, and print it directly on their packaging. Do consumers care? What do you think?

I certainly do take an active mental note of packaging when I go shopping. I carry around my colourful patterned canvas bags to avoid plastic, but would I read the number of carbon dioxide units on a box? I care about eating healthy, but I don't calorie count. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

From reading carbon dioxide emissions on consumer products to, outright erasing your carbon footprint completely by simply wearing a wrist watch. Check out the eECO2 personal carbon dioxide scrubber by James Kershaw and Chad Garn. Featured at Yanko Design, "the system looks at capturing directly from the air and making it cleaner" while also telling time.

Would you wear it?

Seeing as I managed to require repair for my new wrist watch I got for Christmas already... I would! :-o

Well that's it for now. Bon weekend! Happy weekend!

xo, ej

PS - Until I figure out how to create a web widget to the left to announce current giveaways... Here's my January Giveaway, only 8 more days left!

Wow Inspiring Wednesday

day 337 - [remote] control freak
Originally uploaded by Amadika

So I have to admit, I am thrilled to see so many ecoResolutions posted in response to my January Giveaway. What an inspiration to see so many of you committed to giving back to our planet.

It's particularly inspiring to know that the desire to be eco-friendly encourages innovation and innovation encourages eco-friendliness.

What I clung to most in a recent NYTimes article "Design Loves a Depression," is the hope that the better design will result not only in more affordable, "but packaging and other everyday objects to be designed specifically for recycling so that their parts and materials are used and reused without waste."

From Eco•font, which *~Jackie~* mentioned and I touched upon on in a previous post, to low power radio technology.... There are exciting eco-innovations abound!

My Uncle Matt was kind enough to forward this article to me, "Low power radio technology means no more remote control batteries," that I somehow missed on DVice. Apparently

"Not only does this technology [by Green Peak] enable better remote controls - they'll work through walls up to nearly a hundred feet away - but could help eliminate the 8 billion dead remote control AA and AAA batteries that are tossed into the garbage each year."

If you hear of an exciting eco-innovation, please do share. Thanks for stopping by :)

xo,
ej