{eco} design: a home to knit

Normally I don't like to repost what I see on other blogs, but this time I COULD NOT resist!  Whenever I am in need of some inspiration, Desire to Inspire {no pun intented} never fails to disappoint.  I saw this and immediately checked out the site to see for myself (you will need Google translate).  Talk about handmade charm... the owners of this home, a crafter mother and a carpentar dad, have created the most perfectly rustic, natural, handmade home ever.  The abundance of natrual finishes and reclaimed peices make this home nice'n'eco to boot.

I have seen a few pouffe's done in a chunky knit, and have always loved it.  Seeing this one makes me want to try, but have you seen her knitting needles?  It looks impossible to me!  Oh, and keep scrolling to feast your eyes on perhaps one of my favourite kitchens ever.

{eco} style: tinted mint

I'm off to the One of a Kind show in Toronto today!  Yippee!  I look forward to it every year, and I'm going to look for new fodder to share with you in the next issue of Pure Green Mag.  In the meantime, I came across another lovely emag today {more on that later}, and in it was an ad for The Tinted Mint, a virtual mecca for eco friendly crafty ladies!  I have always admired japanese masking tape, pretty stickers and so on, and now, I can have them, eco style!  It's a must see.  Go. Now!

{eco} style: Cartolina App

I hope everyone is feeling cheerful today!  It's been a very busy day for me!  Lots of customers into the store, which makes me happy!!!  Also, lots of great stuff happening with the magazine!  I feel so grateful, each and every day, for the opportunities I have and for the great community that blogging and publishing the mag allows me to have!  It's so amazing!  You guys are amazing!  Perhaps feeling like this is why I fell so instantly in love with the new holiday greeting card app for iPhone from Fiona at Cartolina.  I know these have been floating around tons already, but I couldn't resist posting about them because they are beautiful, and I LOVE them, but also, no one has mentioned how green they are!  Send a holiday greeting that is lovely to look at without using any paper or any resources to post it!  And, it only costs $1.99 to send. 

But, if you feel that nothing can replace the fun of getting an actual card in the mail, I just got these today!  I'm so excited about them.... they are so adorable!  They are printed on actual wood veneer that was harvested from FSC Certified sources.  Love.  Purchase them from my online shop - Sustain!

{eco} style: Holiday Glam

I'm heading to a few holiday parties in the next few weeks, and if the fairy godmother of eco fashion granted me one wish, this is what I would be wearing!

1. I might not be wearing this but I might certainly decorate with it....handmade confetti from Confetti Systems

2. shoes from Milk & Honey

3. bag from Ecoist

4. bracelet by Made

5. pantsuit by Kristinit

p.s. don't forget to enter the giveaways from the latest issue..... click here and leave a comment!

Savoury Herb & White Cheddar Scones from Farmer's Daughter

As promised in our latest issue, here is the recipe from Farmer's Daughter, who many may know from their former store in Toronto and their current Muskoka location.  Famous for their delicious pastries, they were kind enough to share their Savoury Herb & White Cheddar scones with us!  Believe me, as soon as I finished taking that picture (the one that's oozing with butter) I dived in, and it doesn't disappoint!  Make them as a gift or just to enjoy. Happy Baking!

Ingredients:

4 cups All Purpose, Organic Flour

2Tbsp. Baking Powder

1tsp. Baking Soda

1/2tsp. Salt

1/2tsp. Onion Powder

5oz. Old White Cheddar, Grated

2Tbsp. Assorted Chopped Herbs, including Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley & Chives

3/4 cups Cold Butter, cut into cubes

1 1/2 to 2 cups 2% Mild, plus extra for finishing

Pinch of Cracked Black Pepper

Method

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.

2. Combine the flour, powder, soda, salt and onion powder in a large bowl.  Set aside.

3. Place grated cheddar into another bowl, finely chop the herbs and add to the cheddar.

4.Cut the chopped butter into the dry ingredients and work until the butter is pea-sized.

5. Add the cheddar and herbs to the flour/butter mixture.  Toss to combine.

6. Make a well in the centre and add the milk to the flour mixture.

7. Using a fork or wooden spoon, combine the ingredients until just well mixed.

8. Gentry knead until the dough froms a smooth ball.  Lightly flour work surface if the dough becomes too sticky.

9. Shape into rectangle and cut into 12 equal squares.

10. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place scones evenly on tray.  Brush with milk or egg wash and sprinkle freshly cracked pepper.

11. Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Rotate tray and continue baking until scones are golden and firm.  Approxminately 10-12 additional minutes.

That's it!  Enjoy!

p.s. don't forget to enter our reader giveaway, posted below!

Reader Giveaways from the latest issue!

Win this adorable ipod case made with vintage fabrics made by Mari of Stash!!!

Or, you could win this eco deco kit from Polli!  Contains 30 decorations with 6m of red twine.

To enter: leave a comment below with your email!  That's it!  Giveaway closes Dec. 1, 2010.  Tell your friends!

You can also enter via

1. Twitter: send a direct message to @puregreen01 (giveaways)

2. Facebook: become a fan and enter a comment below our giveaway post.

Good luck!

Thank you to both Stash and Polli for sponsoring this giveaway!  Check out our many other gift ideas in the latest issue of Pure Green Magazine.

It's Here!!!!!!!! Check out the new Holiday Issue

Open publication - Free publishing - More design

Hello everyone!  The new issue of Pure Green magazine is finally here!  Yippee!  I'm so happy to be sharing this, finally!  It took a little hard work and a lot of passion, and I couldn't have done it without my contributors.  You are all so amazing!  I'm so grateful!  I feel like running around and hugging everybody!!!  Help me spread the word... the new mag is here!  Happy Holidays!!!  I can't wait to hear what you think!

Issue 3 coming Monday!

Are you excited?  I hope so!!!  Issue 3 of Pure Green Magazine is coming on Monday.  I've a few long nights ahead but I can't wait to share it!  We've got so much great stuff for you in store.... gift guides from your favourite bloggers, reader giveaways, DIY ideas, beautiful homes, an alternative to turkey on Christmas..... and so much more.  Just before we get there though, I have a favour to ask.... leave me a comment with your idea for an eco Christmas, and see it in the next issue!  The best entry will get a special surprise!  Leave your name and email too please!

Oh, and one more thing... help me spread the word!  I can't even begin to say how much I appreciate the support and encouragement I get from my readers already... you're the reason I'm doing this!  Every issue I'm releasing a little part of myself into the world, which isn't easy to do, but it makes me jump up and down and hug somebody every time I get a little note of encouragement from a reader.  Help me make this issue the best yet!  Thank you from the deepest part of my heart, without you this wouldn't be possible!

Celine

{eco} design: Open Air in Singapore

I came across this home on dwell, located in Singapore, and I couldn't get over it.  Created from a very traditional and "old-timey" (as my friend Gus would say) shop house, which line the streets of Singapore (above, center).  The unbelievable thing is that, as you will see in the photos below, the home is open to the air along one entire side!  Perhaps this is so foreign because I live in chilly Canada, but in this home it provides natural cooling, especially since the ventilation is along a narrow alley, creating a wind tunnel and gentle breeze.  There is a canvas that the homeowners can pull down in bad weather.  Amazing!

Love these antique wood panels in the front entrance.

This table is stunning, created from a single peice of wood - this open air arrangement gives a whole new meaning to 'al fresco'!

Large scale cupboards are unusual but fit with the home's soaring ceilings.

A great view of the 'open air' architecture, and beautiful concrete floors too!

 

{eco} style: Andrea Brugi

I was having a bad day... but these images cheered me up, a little...  Celebrated carpenter Andrea Brugi creates these wood peices out of all sorts of different wood, new and antique, which are pretty irresistable in these images.  No wonder as the fabulous Ditte Isager took them.  I'm in love with the mood in these photos... and it gives me a bench mark in terms of styling for Pure Green Living.  Hope you like... and that it provides a little bright spot in your day for you!

So Nice Contest: Something Fun!

 

Hey Everyone!  I'm doing something a little different, and kinda fun!  This past summer I was asked to participate as a judge in a contest hosted by So Nice, Canada's largest NON-GMO Soy product company - the company also uses soy grown in North America, which is doubly nice!  So, to sum up - have a great idea that could make a real difference? Always wanted to start your own not-for-profit?  Well, here's your chance!  Present your idea and possibly win $5 K to put towards you idea!  Sweet!  Check out the details below, and be sure to say hey to the other cool judges!

BTW - This is NOT a sponsored post.  It's just a project that I am a part of that I think is cool, and I wanted to share with you! 

Contest Information
The So Nice "A Better Organic World" Contest runs from August 16 to December 31, 2010.  Entrants are invited to answer in 300 words or less how they would spend $5,000 toward a better organic world. Throughout the Contest, members of the general public will be able to visit the Facebook Contest app and vote for their favourite sustainability ideas.  Enter Here!!!!

Who's Eligible
All legal residents of Canada and the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana in the United States of America are eligible to win, providing they are over the age of majority on August 16, 2010 in the province or state in which they live and providing that they are not employees of Soyaworld Inc., their advertising or promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, any independent judge or family members with whom these employees are domiciled. For more on the rules and regs, click here.

How to Win
On January 18, 2011, the 10 entries with the most votes, along with 10 entries selected by the Contest Sponsor (Soyaworld, manufacturer of So Nice) will be reviewed by the 6-person judging panel, who will award the Grand Prize of $5,000 to the selected entrant.  Good Luck!