Preppies like to Go Green too!

My family has been recycling since the second grade when our town issued everyone recycling bins and taught us about #6 plastics. My mother has had a compost pile in our garden for even longer. The latest (not really that new though) way of being green is to bring your own bag to the grocery store so as not to use too many plastic or paper bags. Most stores don't even offer paper bags anymore. I'd LOVE to take part in this but every time I see one of those bags I think..."I'd rather not." It brings to mind something like the below bag. Really?? Ew.

BUT THEN. When I saw THESE at Lilly Pulitzer, I thought..."I'll take it!"It says, "Lilly Loves Green." Creme Fraiche Grocery bag.

This one is called "Queen of Green."

These bags aren't very expensive (only $9.95!) and they're made of recycled materials. They're happy and bright and the perfect GREEN accessory for spring. Read more about Lilly Loves Green HERE. "Green" certainly isn't a trend, or some kind of extreme lifestyle, it should just be a routine. A cute bright one, now!


Alicia B.

GO GREEN--Preppy Style

I was invited to a trunk show on facebook for these amazing bags made from recycled sails! I've thought of making a bag out of our old jib from our boat back home but a) was laughed at and b) don't have a heavy duty sewing machine, just a regular one. Anyway, the company is called Ella Vickers www.ellavickers.com started by Ella, who was first mate in the Americas cup, made the bags for herself and the company took off from there! She makes all kinds of bags, shower curtains, dog beds, yoga bags, etc. And, they're made in the USA--good for the shakey US economy! SCORE.






Alicia B.

Eco Furniture

"Going green," despite my initial fear of everything being made of hemp, is actually a lasting trend. There are a lot of "green" or "eco" products out there. A lot of it is cliche--made of driftwood or pebbles; but there is some that it pretty attractive (see below). It adds a natural look to your decor and makes you feel like you're doing something good for the environment! How could you go wrong?

Above is a Pottery Barn duvet and sheet set, organic.

mini concrete planters from www.vivaterra.com

Ship wood bench from Viva Terra. Recycled products!

Woven basket from Gumps. www.gumps.com

Cork bath mat from www.gaiam.com.  My roomate and I have been faux fighting over a new cork or teak bath mat for months. Perhaps this one will be "the one!" I just discovered Gaiam today and it's a really great source for eco products and yoga accessories!

Ha-dong Patchwork quilt from Gaiam

Linen Shower Curtain, gaiam.com

Also from Gaiam, I really like the sheets but could do without that pattern as a quilt.

Alicia B.

Living Walls

I completed a project of a living room with a PLANT theme in my last class this summer. Through this I discovered the concept of "living walls." They are walls with plants growing directly out of them; they can be planted with different plants to make many different beautiful designs.

Manhattan's First living wall!

The facade of Pure Yoga studio on 86th street.

A close up of a section.

Since I live in nyc I found one on the glorious upper east side on 86th street on the facade of a new yoga studio. I love the concept; they look so fresh and lush. And lets face it, New York needs more plants and trees. Go green!

You can even design them yourself through this website:

http://www.motherplants.net/index.htm

Here are more...

This one has 4 sides! Different color for each side.

Under Construction (source: http://www.eltlivingwalls.com/)

In Singapore. http://www.eltlivingwalls.com/

A feature on them from Elle Decor (I think)

Wall Mounted plants on the smaller scale

http://www.flowerbox.ca/boutique.asp

Alicia B.