Get to Know Pure Green! Kate Black

We took a little break, but we're back with another PGM team member. Meet Kate Black, the fashion editor at Pure Green Mag, who's little black dress is, well, green!

1. Please introduce yourself.
Hello Eco-fashionistas! My name is Kate Black and I am the Fashion Editor for Pure Green Magazine. Besides sharing eco-fashion finds with you, I write a daily eco-fashion blog called Magnifeco.com. I started the blog in 2008, when I first became interested not just in what I eat (local, organic and vegetarian food) but in what I wore. I started researching sustainable and organic designers and realized that although many fantastic (or magnifeco) designers were making efforts to provide 'slow fashion' they were hard to find. So I started finding them and featuring them on my blog. With the unique purpose - that all great finds had to be able to be purchased online, so wherever readers are in the world (I live in Tokyo) they can buy eco, sustainable and ethical fashion.

2. How do you green your wardrobe?
Reduce consumption. The easiest, greenest thing you can do is stay with what you have. Generally, people have been buying more and more clothing but wearing them less and less. This season, I pulled out all of my spring/summer clothes- all of them and made my own 'capsule collection'. Pulling together ten essential pieces, that are the mainstays of my SS11 wardrobe. This re-introduced me to a pair of white flare pants that have been sitting in the back of my closet (that are so a 'go-to' piece for this season), sending a dress to the tailors to become a tunic, and mending a blouse that I love but, due to it's missing button, was almost in the 'donation' pile.

3. Favorite fashion icon you would love to meet?

I would love to meet Safia Minney. She's one of the pioneers of fairtrade fashion and started PeopleTree over a decade ago. She was also one of the pioneers of matching designers (like Boru Aksu) and their designs with workshops and artisans in developing countries to build viable businesses that can sustain communities.

4. Can eco-fashion be trendy? 
Of course!! Big trends this season include 'white' - anything white, which is so summer! And you probably already have this essential;  they might be skinny jeans from past seasons that you can get shortened to capris, or an old white t-shirt that can be re-made into a 'flashdance'-style top - also so 'in'. And don't stay in your own closet - check your mother's, your sisters', your boyfriend's  - white is everywhere.

5. What does green fashion mean to you?
We've been conditioned to think that who we are is reflected in what we wear. And so eco-fashion should be an extension of that! Fast, cheap and super-trendy is just that. However, a piece of clothing - one that you know the story of the source (organic or sustainable fabric), the artisan or designer (ethical or fair) and/ or the history behind the piece (something vintage or re-found) is probably a greater reflection of the person you are.

Sources:

1. Tencel Jersey Dress by Thieves (can be worn 5 different ways!)

2. Marie-Veronique Skin Care

3. Funkis Clogs responsibly hand-made in Sweden

Get to Know Pure Green! Kirsten Grove

You will know Kirsten from issues 2-4 as our fabulous Before & After Editor, as well as the author behind the well known blog Simply Grove.  Her ingenuity and creativity makes giving discarded objects a new lease on life a cinch! In our new issue she's creating something special for the backyard... the rest is still a secret, until May 24 that is!! 

Please introduce yourself.
Hi lovely readers! My name is Kirsten Grove and I am a contributor for Pure Green Magazine. You can find me most days being a Interior blogger/stylist/designer. My two main jobs is wife to Shane and mommy to Ethan and Eden Jo. We live right outside of Boise Idaho. I moved to Boise from Seattle, 12 years ago. At first it was a bit of a culture shock but I have come to love this city! We have a great art and design community. Our downtown, though smaller, has some of the yummiest cafes, stylish boutiques and events happening all of the time. This last year, I reclaimed furniture at a boutique, Brass Razoo, in Nampa Idaho, 20 min outside of Boise. The whole experience of reclaiming furniture taught me the art of beauty. You can take the most hideous object, put some love into it and create a gorgeous work of art. Though I loved it, working as a carpenter took its tole on me. I will still work on pieces here and there but not full time. Right now I am on focusing freelance styling and designing as well as running my blog, Simply Grove, that I started almost 4 years ago. 

Favorite all-time memory?
Meeting my son and daughter for the first time. Both of them were adopted at birth and both have beautiful stories. I will never forget the feeling when I held them for the first time. It gives me chills just thinking about it.

If you could do anything, you would...

Travel the world for one year with my family. I watched a program on TV where the whole family saved up funds for a few years to be able to travel the world for one full year. Their youngest was around 6 years old. I thought to myself that if they could do it, we certainly could too. Both my kids love to travel. I think the experience would be amazing!

Favorite movie?

Hmmmmm. Probably, Little Women. I am a sucker for the old version with Elizabeth Taylor and the new version.

What does living green mean to you?
For me its not being wasteful with what we have been given. I am trying to teach my kids to use exactly what they need and no more. It sometimes feels like baby steps, teaching your kids to be kind to our planet but everything helps!

Sources:

1. Iannone Design Cork Mosaic Sideboard

2. Brazillian Hanging Chair - Mocha from Byer of Maine

3. Paddywax Bamboo & Green Tea Eco Candle

Get to Know Pure Green! Erica Midkiff

This week we're meeting Erica, PGM's Copy Editor.  Sweet as can be, Erica is dedicated to and loves what she does - from newsletter, blog posts, columns to articles, she's got your spelling mistakes covered. (Or, in my case, excessive abuse of the comma!) Get more from Erica here (website under construction)! In the meantime, get to know her a little better with PGM!

Hi Erica! Please Introduce Yourself!
Hi! I’m Erica, a copy editor who works with small business and individuals. I am a southern Virginia native currently living in Boston, but I’m moving to Birmingham, Alabama in a month. (Eek!) I am engaged to the love of my life, to whom I owe so much of my success, and I’m gaining two step-kitties in the process. (I could make this whole paragraph about them—but I’ll refrain.) I love editing, but I also have a real passion for visual creativity; I dabble in photography, and I love making my own jewelry. I read a lot, I love meeting new people, and I’m thrilled to be moving south again. (Yes, I know it’s humid! Brace yourself: I LIKE heat and humidity. Though, ask me again in August...)

How did you become interested in copy editing?

First, for those of you who don’t know (I can certainly recall the time when I didn’t), a copy editor reads and edits a document for correctness and consistency in grammar, punctuation, spelling, style, and concision; the focus is on creating clarity for readers while maintaining the author’s voice and message.

I have been editing for what feels like forever, giving those in my path my very best editing advice—solicited and otherwise. The process of meticulous reading, of questioning every comma, preposition, word choice, of consulting the dictionary just in case (even though I know I have looked up a word seven times)--those things truly get my heart racing. I love editing. And I'm not afraid to shout it from the rooftops.

I originally moved to Boston to pursue a career in publishing, but never did quite get my foot in the door—thankfully. I took another job, did a ton of research into types of editing, schools, career paths, and found the perfect fit. I love the work that I do with people like Celine. It is a much more individual process than working for a big company, and it is hugely gratifying.

What's next on your reading list?

Such a dangerous question! I read a LOT; I’m a Goodreads addict. Lately, it has been an escape from some of the stress in my life (the moving alone will do it). I have been really enjoying a lot of the books written for young adults lately. I’m not talking Twilight here, though I know that’s a big draw for many. But there are so many smart, well-written, thought-provoking books out there for a younger audience. If you want recommendations, just ask. (Please!) Right now, though, Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom is by my bed. I’ve heard so many good things!

Words to live by?
The following has gotten me through good times and bad. It is taped above my desk, and I imagine that it always will be.

Do not be impatient with your seemingly slow progress. Do not try to run faster than you presently can. If you are studying, reflecting, and trying, you are making progress whether you are aware of it or not. A traveler walking the road in the darkness of night is still going forward. Someday, some way, everything will break open, like the natural unfolding of a rosebud. :: Vernon Howard

What does living green mean to you?

So many things! Recycling; if I have a coffee while I’m out, I stick the cup in my bag to recycle at home. (I also grab the cups of those with me—and sometimes get strange looks.) Eating less meat; I only eat it once or twice a week. Spending wisely; looking at the practices of the company that you’re considering supporting (an area in which I could do better). Buying vintage; it’s fun, and you’re not sending yet another item off to a landfill.

Living green means remaining conscious of what is happening in the world around us, and taking what steps (small and large) we can take to preserve the resources we have.

Sources:

1. Paper Flower Tutorial, Etsy

2. Eco Friendly Recycled Journal, Etsy

3. Vintage Sheaffer Pen

Get to Know Pure Green! Petra Boykoff

Hi Petra! Please introduce yourself. 

Hello lovely readers, it's so nice to meet you. I'm Petra, contributor for Pure Green Magazine. I have a passion for hotel design and all things travel, so you'll often see my name next to the travel feature. I'm an interior designer by day and eco blogger by night for Pretty Little Green Things. I grew up in Minnesota, went to college in Wisconsin, and lived in LA for a number of years, but I've always been a true New Yorker at heart. My husband and I live in the East Village, close to the Union Square Farmer's Market and tons of amazing restaurants. A few bits of trivia for you: I can't fall asleep without reading, I'm obsessed with wallpaper, my favorite food group is ice cream and you'll rarely find me without some fun piece of jewelry on.

Which mid-century design classic would you most love to own? 

An Eames task chair would be a practical choice, since we don't really have a great desk chair. But if I could pick anything I'd go with the Bibendum chair from Eileen Grey. As much as I love iconic designers like Bertoia & Saarinen, their pieces are everywhere. The Bibendum chair is so unique and such a fun accent piece, not to mention a great conversation starter as well!

If you could go back to high school, would you?

No way! There's no need to repeat that awkward stage again. Although if could send my high school self a message, it would be to care less about what other people think. The opinions and advice from family and friends are so much more meaningful.

What skill or trade would you love to learn one day?

 What wouldn't I love to learn how to do? Right now I'm fascinated with furniture making, especially reupholstery and wood working. I would love to have enough space in my home to really experiment and make a mess. Unfortunately, living in a one bedroom apartment, that's not really possible right now. So until that day comes, I'll stick to painting furniture, sewing and making jewelry.

What does living green mean to you?

For me, living a more natural and less consumption driven lifestyle is the best way to be green. As much as possible, I try to buy locally grown and in-season fruits and veggies from the farmers market. We cook and entertain at home a lot so the quality and healthfulness of our food is really important. I also try to buy vintage before new because for me it's the most eco-friendly way to go. You get a lot of character, a little history and no waste. As my grandmother would say, "what's not to love?"

Sources:

1.  Rosette vase from Perch!

2. Eco picnic basket from Bambeco

3. Cork foldable fruit bowl from Bambu (sold through Branch)

Get to Know Pure Green! Bess Callard

Today we're meeting Bess Callard, Pure Green Magazine's official Illustrator.  Bess' work is clean, timeless and fun - you can see more from Bess via her shop English Muffin, which specializes in children's illustrations.  Her playful yet sophisticated illustrations will be gracing the pages of our new issue (coming May 24 in case you didn't know, wink wink!!!), adding a new layer of fun and detail to the magazine.  We can't wait for you to see! 

Hi Bess! Please Introduce Yourself.

Hello Pure Green Magazine readers! It's so nice to meet you. I'm Pure Green's new illustrator, Bess, and as I type this have a desktop full of PGM illustrations that I'm working on for the next issue! I live in the lovely city of Montreal with my wonderful husband, Charles, and our lovable albeit slightly nuts dog, Tyke. We moved to Montreal last summer after having spent three years living in Vienna, Austria — one of the most beautiful cities in the world, where we ate apfel strudel, spoke rudimentary German and strolled in the hillsides. Before our move to Europe, I lived in Toronto, the city everyone loves to hate, but I love to love. I just turned 30 last month and am proud to say that illustration is my second career. After years of studying and working as a contemporary dancer, I made the decision to go back to school for graphic design and began the transition to this new and exciting life. I am passionate about what I do and so thankful that I get to wake up every morning and set about making the pages of Pure Green a little brighter. I can't wait to share with you everything we've all been working on for the next issue!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

That's easy! Merikarvia, Finland. The world is full of amazing places, places to explore and learn from, to be inspired by and to discover, but one of the biggest things that I realized when we were living in and traveling around Europe was that without friends and family even the most amazing of cities can feel lonely. My mother's side of the family is Finnish and my aunt, uncle and cousin live in Finland. Merikarvia is where their and my grandparent's cottages are. Two wooden buildings among tall spruce trees on the edge of the sea, fresh fish, a traditional sauna, days spent blueberry picking and in the winter ice swimming, and my family. It really is a little slice of heaven.

Best book you've ever read?

When I met Charles, ten years ago, we had both just finished reading Ann-Marie MacDonald's novel, Fall on Your Knees. It is a poignant story about the relationship between the Piper sisters and their father set in rural Cape Breton. I remember on our first date we were both so surprised when the other listed this book as their current favourite, so of course it has held a special place in my heart ever since.

The one item of clothing you own that you couldn't live without.

Uh-oh. Now the truth comes out. There exists no piece of clothing that I couldn't live without. After getting rid of over half my wardrobe when we moved to Vienna and the other half when we moved back to Canada, I pretty much live on the essentials. Skinny jeans, long sleeve t-shirts and cardigans. Would you believe that my mom is a fashion designer?!

What does living green mean to you?

To me, green living means respecting and loving your environment. At our house we take small steps to do what we can, that means recycling, washing clothes in cold water, hanging laundry outside in the summer, choosing items at the grocery store that do not come with loads of extra packaging, buying organic when we can, using cloth grocery bags, cleaning with eco-friendly products, etc...

As we gear up to vote for a new federal government in Canada next month, I think that's another place where we can do our part for the environment. While I may not be able to change policy and make large scale decisions on the future of the planet, the leaders of the government sure can. Being environmentally literate and exercising my right to vote is another way that I strive to live a greener life.

Sources:

1. Vintage Apple Crate, from Etsy

2. Eco Pencils, from Cute Tape

3. Windsor Oxford Deluxe Bicycle from BikesDirect.com