{eco} style: Pretty Birdy

I don't know how I missed this, but I realize the other day that next to my favourite shops on Etsy, there is a button that says 'suggested shops'...curious that I hadn't noticed before (gosh I must be blind), I clicked on it, and was greeted by a hundred or so shops that seemed they were handpicked, just for me!  It was in this cheerful discovery that I came across one of my new all time favourites, Pretty Birdy by Stephanie Teague.  Stephanie makes the most gorgeously classy, perfect work/casual wear, in wonderfully sustainable fibres such as hemp, organic cotton and linen.  I just may have to pick something to take home.... 

{unfortunately I'm just not quite brave enough to buy pants w/o trying them on...!}

The Story of Stuff: The Truth about Cosmetics

Have you ever read the label on your shampoo bottle and wondered what the heck is 'Diathanolamine'?  And then you figure, well heck, they wouldn't put it in the bottle if it wasn't safe.  Well, think again.  This is something that has interested me for a long time, and yet, many people still remain surprised that many of their personal care products, the ones they love, use everyday, and trust, contain a host of chemicals which are known hormone distruptors, carcinogens, or toxic in some way.  Even shampoos and baby care products!  Since educating myself on this, I've researched and found alternative products that work just as well and give me the results I want without all the toxic ick.  Here's a link to a post I wrote earlier this year that expands on the matter, and includes a handy downloadable pocket guide of the top 12 worst chems to avoid.  So, I was really excited when I received this email today about Annie Leonard's new video, "The Story of Cosmetics"; you may have heard of her earlier, popular video "The Story of Stuff "(if you haven't seen it yet be sure to watch it too!).  Annie delivers her message in an informative but upbeat way - the video is only seven minutes long, but it so worth watching.  You'll be surprised, then outraged, but once you calm down, do something about it!  Click here, read this, and then try out 'Skin Deep' yourself and sort out what's safe, and what's not.  Not to be too heavy, but the sooner we deal with the nasties, the quicker we can be healthier and safer.  Cheers!

This is how I'm feeling today {and I also absolutely love Farouche}.  The launch of Pure Green Magazine is going well, the comments and feedback I'm getting are very uplifting!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Happy days for me!  Can't wait to start working on issue #2!  Thanks to everyone for your support!

Pure Green Living - The Magazine!

I have been dropping hints over the last few weeks about a new project of mine....well, here it is!  I want to introduce you to Pure Green Living Magazine, a bi-monthly online publication for green living and design, with style.  Today is the official launch - unlike a regular magazine launch I have kept it quiet until today.  I wanted to spring it on the world and see what happened!

I have always had a secret desire to be in publishing, and this is my wish come true.  As you know, I am very passionate in my views on green living, and don't for one second think that living green means sacrificing style.  In fact, I believe it leads to a more enriched life and creates a new appreciation for your surroundings.  PGL is my passion outspoken, which I hope will be an inspiration to all.

{cover of the premier issue}

 

I want to send a special Thank You to some very special people, who helped me make the premier possible:

 

Janine Moller of Janine Moller Interior Design

Jessica Helgerson of Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

The team at Hufft Projects

Shelley Penner of Penner & Associates

for their contributions to Pure Green Homes

Tif Fussel a.k.a. Dottie Angel

for her happy hanger DIY contribution

Barb from Knack Studio

for her Pure Green Workplace interview

Kirsten of Simply Grove

Jacqui of So Good & Tasty

for their contribution to The Last Word

Justine Brown of What's Inside Web Design

for her help in creating the PGL website

And to the many others who provided such wonderful feedback during our soft release!

Also, a special Thank You to my advertisers, who all have amazing products and wonderful businesses.  Please say hello!

I wrote and designed the premier issue myself (with exception of recipes from the Organic Kitchen, and Green is Preseved).  As the editor, I felt I needed to get a feel for the magazine before I enlisted contributors.  If you are interested in becoming a regular or occasional contributor, have a great idea,  or have/know of a great green home, before & after or DIY project you would like featured, email me at puregreendesign{at}gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you!

Now, after all the formalities, have a read!  If you like what you see, help me spread the word, I'll be eternally grateful. 

 

{eco} design: Jatana Interiors

I am finding so many inspiring Australian homes right now....they know what they're doing down there!  Among those is Sonya Marish, the creator behind Jatana Interiors, whom I stumbled across on one of my favourite blogs, Design Files, and while I try and keep the content here on Pure Green organic and original, I just couldn't resist sharing her here too. 

 

Be not afraid of colour....if you need proof, look no further.  I couldn't imagine a cozier family home, with so much life and personality to boot!  As if her gorgeous home wasn't enough, Sonya also collects and reproduces the most amazing encaustic tiles - add instant, timeless impact. 

 

loving the salvalged wood look with all the painted wood.  can't beat the character

above & below are examples of her BEAU-TI-FUL tiles... i want for my home please.

 

{vintages}: Dottie Angel

I came across new images from Dottie Angel, the delightful alter ego of Tif Fussel, an imported Brit, yesterday on Flickr, and was reminded of how much I absolutely adore her style.  She is so unbelievably crafty, in ways that I can only wish, and is a vintage goddess to boot!  In fact, she is two months away from completing her 'utmost challenge', which is to not buy anything new for one year!

Her homelife looks so rich...reminds me of life as a kid as my Mom was a pretty craft lady too.  Anyway, I wanted to share some of her awesomeness with you as well.  Check out more of her loveliness here.

Dottie & Tiff create pillows...

the cutest aprons you've ever seen.... & so much more!

living her utmost challenge.

Her 'bench Mondays' rock!

 Come back later today for some eco design!  Oh, and I've been working madly, furiously in fact, on a special project that you will get to see tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{eco} style: Poppytalk Oil Spill Market

Hello and happy Monday.  Hopefully you love your job as much as I do, so Monday's are a great thing!  While visiting Poppytalk this weekend, I came across Jan's efforts to help contribute to remedying the oil spill in the Gulf, which is completely and utterly heartbreaking.  She has put together a group of artisan's who are donating the sale of their work towards the relief efforts and created an 'Oil Spill Response Market'.  So, if you need a gift for someone special right now, check it out and make your pennies really count.

Here are a few of my favourite picks:

{eco} design: Made by Cohen

I am a complete sucker for remodeled industrial spaces (reclaimed unwanted space is very green), so when I found designer Susie Cohen from Melbourne and her 1920's renovated warehouse, I was smitten.  Looking at these pictures, would you belive the building is only 16x10 meters?  The intense natural light, the pale finishes and the cohesive decor style help create a much larger, airy feel. 

{love this bathroom!}

{the warehouse style windows are gorgeous!}

Pure Green Living: Kirsten from Simply Grove

 I'm feeling so inpsired by the Pure Green Living series!  Fresh ideas and ingenuity = inspiration and change!  Last month Jacqui from So Good & Tasty shared her green living idea.  This month, fabulous blogger and the incredibly insprining Kirsten of Simply Grove was kind enough to include her two cents.  Here she is.

 

"I live right outside of Boise Idaho. I am a wife, mom of two, interior designer, blogger and I contribute remade and re-purposed decor and furniture to a boutique, Brass Razoo. My idea of being green in design is keeping sustainable products out of dumpsters. I am all for reusing and remaking vintage, retro and modern furniture. There is no reason to buy everything new when we can create beautiful pieces from just about anything."

"My bedroom is an example of how I decorate. The dresser belonged to my Grandma. My mom was going to donate it to a thrift store so I snagged it. I eventually want to finish it in a bright color. I bought the mirror off of Ebay. It has a crack that the eye can barely see, so I got it for a steal. The lamp was $20 at a thrift shop and the little chair was given to me from a friend.

Decorating green is both fun and rewarding!"

{read}: eco goodness by Wary Meyers!

Do you love Wary Meyers?  I do!  And, they now have a book!!!!  Full of DIY projects on upcycling, green or not you'll love this!  A little bit zaney, a lot cool.  Check it out.

{i'm doing this!}