Great DIY from the Repurposed Library

If you haven't seen the newest issue of Pure Green Magazine, definitely take a peek! You'll love the Eco Read feature this issue on page 126-7, featuring Lisa Occhipinti's wonderful book The Repurposed Library. The book makes use of books destined for landfill - you know the ones: old text books, outdated cookbooks, primers, etc. - by re-imagining them in all sorts of wonderful ways. 

We have an extra treat for you! Lisa was kind enough to provide a DIY tutorial for you of her sewing box project - its adorable and I guarantee you'll love it - Click here to DOWNLOAD. But before you do, this little video expresses beautifully what The Repurposed Library is all about. Enjoy!



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For more about Lisa and her book visit Issue 6 of Pure Green Magazine!

Sneak Peek Series: Issue 6

Meet Rusty - he's my doggy and the Pure Green Mag mascot!!

Sneak Peek Series: Issue 6

Day two of sneak peeks! This is one of my favourite shots from the new issue! Only 5 days left!

Image copyright of Pure Green Magazine, 2011; photo credit: Erin Monett

Sneak Peek Series: Issue 6

As many of you know, we are fast approaching the release of Pure Green Magazine's Issue No6. We are all very, very excited as the launch of this issue will officially mark 1 year for Pure Green Mag. To celebrate, we have a surprise which you are going to LOVE!!! I have to admit, while I can't wait to get everyone's reaction, I'm kind of enjoying the suspense! As a fun lead up to the launch of our new issue, we're releasing ONE sneak peek per day - I hope you enjoy, and above all, I hope your curiosity is piqued!!!

xo

Celine

Image copyright of Pure Green Magazine, 2011; photo credit: Erin Monett

The Organic Kitchen - Inspiration and the new issue!

Hello everyone!! I just wanted to share these few shots I took from our latest weekend at the cottage, which is on a tiny island in Georgian Bay. Each year it's quite a tradition to wake up in the morning, head out into the sunshine and pick blueberries for our pancakes. While plucking berries Jonathan (the chef and creator behind Pure Green Mag's The Organic Kitchen) and I brainstormed recipes for which these berries were the inspiration. I'm pleased to say that we, along with PGM photographer Erin Monett shot part 1 of 2 of the new edition of The Organic Kitchen at 5:30am this morning... and it went swimmingly!! I can't wait to share it. Tell all your friends: the new issue of Pure Green Magazine is out August 23! I may just let you sneak a peek (a small one) before then ;) but you should also know there will be a FANTASTIC surprise with the new issue. I can't wait for you to see it.

xo Celine

Stone Creek Camp - Extra Treats

I couldn't resist sharing these - readers of the magazine will recognize these as Stone Creek Camp, the Destination feature in our latest issue. There were so many fantastic shots it was impossible to include them all in the magazine. Here are a few extras shots, just because. I especially love that many of them show off that fantastic, stunning cord wood wall that is creating some very serious design envy over here at Pure Green!! Be sure to read the full story on p.92 of our summer issue.

Montreal Editorial Meeting

Last week I got a chance to travel to Montreal to visit with the other half of our FABULOUS editorial team! Such a dynamic group, we all bring something so special to the table! Our Montreal trip was fruitful and energizing, and we have so much to share with you in the upcoming issues, including some great Montreal features in Issue 6! I couldn't resist sharing this shot, which is a by-product over much oooohing and aaahhhing about our new business cards! Hooray PGM!!!!

Highlights from Issue 5

I am on cloud nine right now!! The response to issue 5 from our readers and peers has been wonderful. I am so grateful and PROUD of the group of people who worked on Pure Green and helped make it what it is. I've collected a few of my personal favourites from Issue 5, although there were way too many to feature here... of course, I'm a little biased!!

If you haven't seen the whole thing yet, please take a peek: http://www.puregreenmag.com/, or scroll down to the post below.

Happy Weekend everyone!

On Monday we'll be back to our regular posting. And perhaps a new website.......!!!

NOTE: Feel free to share these images but we ask that you kindly please credit Pure Green Magazine!

It's finally here - presenting Issue Five

Open publication - Free publishing - More design

After all the hard work and late nights. It's here. Many, many thanks to all who were part of this amazing project!

Never Before Seen... Hindsvik

You know, one of the things that has always irked me about shooting a space is that you only include so many photos, really only a fraction, into the final layout.  There are so many great, unused shots just begging to be seen.  So I've decided to roll a few out from some of my favourite shoots.  You may remember Daniel & Valeria's home from PGM Issue 3, the duo behind the infamous Hindsvik (be sure to check out Valeria's vintage purse collection on the blog this week!).  Their home is a veritable treasure-trove of vintage delights, which made shooting the details so much fun!  In fact, there were too many to post in one go... follow up post to come soon!  Enjoy these goodies, never before seen.

Okay, the above shot you've seen, but I love it so much I couldn't resist re-posting!

All photos were taken by and are copyright Erin Monett of EverImages.  See more of her goodness!

Get to Know Pure Green - Michelle Carangi

In today's edition of Get to Know Pure Green, the last of the week, we're introducing you to Michelle, PGM's Style Director. Michelle is a true sweetheart, and self-professed design fiend.  You'll love her style... read on to get to know her a little bit better.

Hi Michelle! Please Introduce Yourself

Hi everyone, my name is Michelle from Montreal and I'm the Style Director at Pure Green Magazine and in case you haven't heard, I live for design. I started in the realm of fine arts and illustration, turned to web and graphic design and now also find myself in a very happy place writing and blogging about interior design at Holley & Gill My motto, as they say, is to always follow your passion wherever it leads you and I have been lucky enough to have found that sweet spot in Pure Green Magazine, where I can share this design passion with you.

What has been your proudest moment?

I think my proudest moments have come in many forms. I've conquered my fear of driving by getting my driver's license only last year (!), I've ridden on a plane alone on three separate trips even with my fear of flying and I finally let go of several insecurities when I became a Mum to my two little ones in order to be able to provide them with everything that they deserve. I used call myself a creature of habit, yet over the last few years as I've gotten older, I've found a confidence which has allowed me to push my boundaries more than they ever have been and it is in these instances that I feel at my most proud. 

Coffee or Tea?

In the morning, I am definitely a coffee person. The promise of a new day with a warm coffee in my hands brings me nothing but excitement and happiness. With my British husband and heritage however, tea is just as important in our family. It is a total comfort drink for me.

Best way to spend a weekend?

With my family. Friday nights to us have officially been christened as 'Family Movie Night' and because our two children are both under the age of five, an animated film is always the movie of choice. This might mean watching Madagascar or Toy Story for the hundredth time, but because we lead busy and often frantic lives, my husband and I will simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the view with some popcorn in hand.

What does living green mean to you?

I believe that living green is acknowledging every single choice, big or small, that you make on a daily basis that will undoubtedly improve our environment. Every time I place an item into our recycling bin, choose an organic product or simply turn off the lights, I feel a sense that these conscious decisions I've just made are what my children and this planet will be able to benefit from.

Sources:

1.Blazer: H&M Conscious Collection

2. Virginia Johnson Luggage Sack: Beklina

3. Key West Platform Heel: Olsen Haus

Unveiling the new Pure Green Logo!

Hi there! Anile here from Girlfriday, honoured to be the newly minted design director for Pure Green! I’m thrilled to be unveiling the new Pure Green Magazine logo to you on the Pure Green blog today!

When I first met Céline back in January, I had already spent some time getting to know her by email and by perusing the pages of Pure Green’s first four issues; I felt that I had gathered a good sense of her values and priorities, and I was really impressed by her hard work and dedication. Finally meeting her in person was a real delight because on a personal level she is vibrant, enthusiastic, and an absolute sweetheart!

Over the past few months the ideas have been flowing a mile a minute - together with Céline, Michelle Carangi, Bess Callard and Marie-Eve Best, I have been privy to some amazing teamwork. We’re all dedicated to maintaining the integrity of Pure Green while boosting it to the next level. With that in mind, I developed an identity that was deserving of Pure Green.

My branding process involved getting to know Céline and Pure Green Magazine, getting to know the people that love Pure Green, and getting to know what it means to live a Pure Green life. I prepared a set of questions to get to know Pure Green’s history and objectives, and as an added bonus I got to meet Céline in person. I looked at other magazines and publications (both in print and online) and determined what worked and what didn’t. I word-played, sketched, and brainstormed to my heart’s content. Following the necessary weeding-out process, I presented Céline with a total of three choices and we settled on this little charmer – modern, clean with a touch of vintage, confident lettering with a hint of softness, and a textured bookmark to remind readers to come back again and again – Pure Green is, after all, a resource and guide to all things stylish and eco!

This example shows versions of the logo in black and white, but as you’ll see with Pure Green’s Twitter profile, and in the days to come, we will be pushing the logo in various colour and layout directions to really take advantage of its flexibility. We’re currently working on the new look for the magazine and I couldn’t be more excited. We can’t wait to share it with you!!

Get to Know Pure Green!

In our last post you read all about our re-launch plans... we're all just so excited!!! We thought it may be fun for you to get to know us all a little bit better while you anticipate the launch of our new issue (May 24), sporting our great new look!  You'll get to know each of our permanent team members and editors, from what is their favourite colour, candy, moment, to what inspires them, and finally, what's caught their eye this Spring. First up is me, Céline MacKay, Editor in Chief and founder of Pure Green Magazine.  

You are...? 

I've lived my 28 years here and there, but mostly in Hunstville, Ontario, in a region otherwise known as Muskoka, surrounded by lakes and nature.  My childhood and surroundings have played a big part in sculpting and fostering my passion for the environment.  I love colour and beauty which has driven me to create Pure Green Magazine, as I knew that there must be others like me who want to be eco but must do it in style!! I live in a small, 1950's bungalow, which my husband and I have painstakingly renovated and made our own, using nearly 100% vintage and upcycled items.  I have a dog, Rusty, who is like my child.  I take him everywhere! And a horse too... her name's Annie.  You may have seen her in Issue 2...

What will you always remember? 

Spending the entire day with my first horse, Rapscallion, Rap for short, basking in the sunshine.  I used to sit on him bareback, letting him graze, while I literally laid down on his back and suntanned. Crazy! I would never do that now... it's kind of dangerous! But I will never forget him.

If you could eat anything... 

It would probably be spaghetti, with my husband's homemade sauce, or maybe samosa's, which I make, or maybe sweet potato pancakes, or maybe mango, or bread, or cheese... can you tell I love food?  Hahaha!!!

Best way to spend a lazy Sunday? 

On the couch, snuggled with my dog, my husband, a great book, a steaming cup of coffee, and absolutely NOTHING else to do!

What does living green mean to you?  

Many things... I try not to define living green too much as I feel that it's really a lifestyle or a state of mind rather than a specific thing.  Having a healthy respect for nature is paramount... every time I take the dog for a walk in the woods near my home I'm in awe. It just fills me with so much love!!  But truly, I think each person needs to find their own definition of living green. That's the only way it will be meaningful to you, as well as easy!  With regards to interiors, I love exploring ways to re-use things.  A good coat of paint and some imagination can go a long way.  It's also important to me to source products that are non-toxic and healthy.

Sources:

1. Responsibly Made Plastic Rug by Pappelina

2. Briar Owl Silver Wallpaper by Abigail Edwards, made using non-toxic, water based ink.

3. Fair Trade Panama Hat by Pachacuti

Pure Green for iPad

Finally!  After many requests, and much more beating my head against the wall, Pure Green Magazine is now AVAILABLE ON IPAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And the worst part is that the answer was right in front of my face the whole time.  It was so simple!  Isn't that the worst when that happens?  So, I'm forgoing my planned post today to tell you to read away, please, to your heart's delight, on your iPad.  Now you can take Pure Green anywhere!  On the bus, in a cafe, on a park bench, at the beach, at the dentist office, wherever!  Yippeeee! 

 



Pure Green for iPad



I will post the link on the official site very soon.  For now access the mag here by clicking on the cover.

Pure Green Magazine - sneak peek of our shoot at Theives

Isn't Erin cool?  I want to be like her when I grow up!  Seriously, my mom can attest that photography has always been one of my dream jobs, and I'm so lucky to have Erin!  You are looking at images from our latest shoot for the next issue of Pure Green Mag.  We're on location in Toronto at Thieves, a sustainable clothing boutique featuring pieces created by Sonja den Elzen.  In fact, I have a treat for you!  We're introducing a whole new section of the mag next issue... you guessed it! Fashion!  Eco fashion, that is.  With the help of newly appointed fashion editor Kate Black {the voice behind Magnifeco, a daily eco fashion inspiration blog}, we'll bring you style picks, photo shoots, interviews and more.... including a sweet segment on Thieves in the next issue - with an interview, a close look at her clothes, shots of her amazing boutique and studio, and so much more! We're kind of excited about it!!!  At any rate, I thought you might enjoy a sneak peek at our photo shoot... I love the journey behind the scenes, and the transformation from my crappy little shots to the Erin's finished product in the magazine.  Stay tuned everyone!

And this is Mali, my wonderful and beautiful sister, who accompanied me to the shoot.  I had to treat her to lunch at the Drake Hotel Café after a long afternoon.