Monday Pick Me Up!

"WE HAVE TO STOP CUTTING TREES. THIS IS GETTING SERIOUS."

Got this in an email today... and I couldn't resist sharing.

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

Vintage Collection 3

A collection of vintage objets - in this photo, a hundred year old Limoges plate and an antique mother of pearl silverware set.

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

Style.

We're loving these downloadable desktop wallpapers by The Rake, especially this one with it's eco chic, minimalist vibe.

Never Before Seen: Jenna Rose

Hello! Today we're sharing never before seen images from our Jenna Rose shoot, which was originally featured in Issue 3.  For the full story, check out the original feature here! 

Note: All photos were taken by and are the property of Erin Monett of Ever Images. Get more from Erin via her awesome site! Getting married anyone? Look her up!!!

We're also announcing the winner of our recent Woolly Pocket giveaway!  Congratulations to Mali, who entered via the Pure Green Blog.  You will have five days to claim your prize, after which a new winner will be chosen.  Email info{at}puregreenliving{dot}com to claim! Hooray!

vintage collection 2

Grandmothers'  good style: right and left pieces are from J's Gandmother, center is a charm bracelet from my Nana. 

{Vintage Collection is a photographic series based on cataloging pieces found in my everyday life.}

Don't forget to enter our Woolly Pocket giveaway this week!

Re-Launch Reader Giveaway 2! Woolly Pocket!!!

OK dear readers.... {rubbing my hands together with glee}... I'm excited about this one! You know Woolly Pockets, right? How many times have you wished you had one hanging in your living room? Maybe above your computer desk? You could be looking at one right now, as you read your favourite daily blogs or online mag. Well, this is your chance!! That's right, to thank you for your patience while we give Pure Green Magazine a little makeover, and to celebrate the imminent re-launch {May 24 folks}, PGM and Woolly Pockets is offering a reader giveaway!  Woolly Pocket is a LA based company that creates modular wall hanging garden systems out of 100% recycled plastic bottles. Cool! You can grow food in the kitchen or orchids in the living room or whatever... your choice! How fun is that?

Credit: All above images by Suthi Picotte

You can enter to win a Wally Three...

Image Credit: Joshua White

AND the Tina from their new Islands Collection. Lucky Ducks!

Image Credit: Joshua White

Here's how to enter:

1. Enter via the PGM blog by leaving a comment at the end of this post.

2. Enter via PGM's Facebook page by leaving a comment under our giveaway post.

3. Get a bonus entry via Twitter by sending out a tweet about this giveaway, but be sure to mention @puregreenmag so we know about it!

The giveaway will close Sunday, May 1 at 5 p.m. EST. The winner will be announced Monday, May 2. Winner will be chosen at random and will have 5 days to claim the prize, after which time a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

In the meantime, read on for a little background on the awesome Woolly.

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

Vintage: Collection

I couldn't resist. Vintage perfect. The gold staples especially.