WE'VE MOVED!!!!

The Pure Green blog is all grown up and has moved to it's brand new home on Pure Green Magazine's official site www.puregreenmag.com

Please come visit us at our snazzy new digs - remember to update all your feeds with our new rss feed, which can be found over here: http://www.puregreenmag.com/pure-green-blog

Thanks for all the support! Can't wait to hear what you think of our new home!

xo

Celine

Reader Giveaway from Issue 6!

Happy Monday! Many of you have commented on the prints we ran in our new issue of Pure Green Magazine, illustrated by our very own Bess Callard. In fact, we loved them so much we are offering them for sale in our brand new Etsy shop - a fact we want to celebrate by offering one of our readers the chance to take one of these gorgeous prints home! But we thought we'd have a little fun and mix it up! To win one of these prints you will have to take our our pop-quiz on Issue 6. If you answer each question correctly you will be entered to win. CLICK HERE to enter and have fun!!

Note - Contest will close Friday, September 2. Giveaway is open to residents of North America only.

Thank you for participating!

ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY!

Mod Pieces Giveaway! Win a pair of upcycled lamps

Happy Monday all! I'm so excited - we've such a treat for you all today! We have not one, but TWO amazing giveaways to offer today. It's going to be a good day...

To begin, I'm excited about this collaboration with myself, Nyla Free from Dabble Mag and Lia Fagan, upcycler extraordinaire of Mod Pieces, whose specialty is re-styling tired old lamps into modern, beautiful pieces! Today you have a chance to win a pair, yes, A PAIR of lamps from her new Bahama Collection.

Watch the video below to view the entire collection:

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What You'll Win:

We will pick one winner from each of our three blogs. The grand prize winner will win a free pair of lamps from the Bahama Collection and the two runner-ups will each win a 50% off coupon to use towards any listing in the Mod Pieces online store!

How to enter...
All you have to do is fill out this online entry form telling us which pair you want & why! Make it interesting! Bonus points will be awarded for humour & compelling stories!

Rules & conditions...You can enter multiple times, but we'll only accept one entry per person, per pair of lamps. You must reside within the coninental USA or Canada. Please note that the Charlie Twins (as seen in the video) have already sold.
Entries will be accepted up until midnight (EST) on Friday, September 2nd & the winners will be announced on Tuesday, September 6th.

Good luck!

Swing by later today for our second amazing reader giveaway!!

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!

Issue 6 is Here!!

As I type this I am concluding a 4 day marathon sitting at my desk, going over every detail - along with my wonderful team Michelle, Anile, Bess, Erin and Erica - in preparation for the moment when you flip the cover and dive in to our brand new issue! This issue is a benchmark for us in so many ways - we are celebrating our one year anniversary, we are launching in print, yes, IN PRINT, and we've launched a new website, which I hope you are enjoying at this very moment. My heart is a-flutter - tell us what you think. I certainly hope it makes for an enjoyable hour or two taking it all in.

I'd like to point out that subscriptions will be available very soon - I hope you are as excited as we are! In the meantime, reserve your subscription by signing up (select purchase and you will be prompted for your email) and we will let you know the second subscription services are available.

Explore our new site - be sure to check our recipe downloads! We'll be updating the site over the next few days as we build up our archive - we appreciate your patience.

Thank you for reading!! You are what makes this so special.

xo

Celine

PS - we are going to be moving the Pure Green blog to our BRAND NEW WEBSITE!! Check it out here: www.puregreenmag.com

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

Style: Toms Fall Collection

Love the Fall collection from Toms shoes. Lots of new styles including booties!! I've been lusting after a pair for years and finally got a pair on my recent trip to Montreal, with Erin and Michelle to help me pick them out. I almost walked out with two pairs, flats and wedges! The wedges are still on my list and after previewing their fall collection I'm sold on the Metallic Tweed. Of course Toms One for One program ensures that you are ethically stylish. Perfect!

Style: Sprout A Revolution

I happened upon this product by chance, and while I haven't tried it [yet] I was instantly charmed by Sprout A Revolution's business ethics, branding and packaging! The glass bottles and cork stopper convey to me a sense of nostalgia - an ode to a simpler time, before plastics - and they would be wonderful to keep and reuse as a flower vase too! The product would look lovely sitting on the edge of the bathroom sink or shelf too. Sprout is very outspoken about their dedication to natural, organic, non-toxic and fair-trade ingredients - their manifesto is worth a read - it's heartfelt and genuine. Click here for a really cute diagram outlining why they chose this particular packaging and how it's green.

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

Homes - Brush Prairie House

Another stunner from our friends at Jessica Helgerson Interior Design. The white backdrop with wooden accents is one of our favourite combinations - white serves as a modern and clean starting point and the wood pairings lend a Scandinavian, fresh and organic feel. I've yet to see a design project by Jessica that I wouldn't die to move in to - her work is a constant source of inspiration. Her way of celebrating the outdoors and creating open, modern and inviting spaces that feel so fresh is what I love best. Read on for Jessica's insight on the project.

"We were called in to furnish the front rooms of this lovely house in southern Washington. The clients had recently moved in, had given away all of their old furniture, and wanted to start from scratch."

"A white sectional leather sofa defines the living room area and is architectural in feeling, echoing the white walls that surround it. A buffalo-hide rug and a vintage chair give texture and warmth to the otherwise cool palette."

"The dining table is a thirteen-foot-long, five-inch-thick slab of reclaimed acacia wood, with a natural woven chandelier that is similar in color and feeling to the Hans Wegner wishbone chairs that surround the table. The abstract paintings, a series entitled ‘Momentum,’ are vermillion ink on pale grey vellum by Portland artist Heather Watkins."

"The den offers a counterpart to the open and airy great room. It is dark, cozy and comfortable with a plush silk-velvet sofa and curtains all in the same shade of deep grey as the walls. The art piece in the den was designed by JHID designer Emily Knudsen and screen-printed here in Portland. It includes dates, initials, and places of significance to the clients."

The lead designer for Bush Prairie House was JHID designer Jesse Moyer. All photos by Lincoln Barbour.

Posted by: Celine

Unconsumption

A fun little DIY from Yellow Owl Paper and the Unconsumption Project by Rob Walker. A neat concept.
[Hint: After watching the video you'll need to download the PDF template.]

Destination: Dekalb Market, Brooklyn, NYC

Lately the reasons to visit NYC are stacking up, and up and up! I'm seriously hoping to be able to plan a trip this fall - I think PGM needs to cover the dynamic things happening in this city! Today I came across something really cool — Dekalb Market in Brooklyn — an outdoor vendor market created with discarded shipping containers. Amazing. We've all seen construction projects with recycled shipping containers — most are conversation|statement pieces and don't leave you feeling like the look is going to take off anytime soon [that said I've always thought ecopods was pretty cool. Still don't think you'd be doing much for the landscape, but I have a cottage on an island in Georgian Bay and I can attest to you that an iron-clad, indestructible cottage would have it's benefits]. However, re-imagined in this sense, Dekalb Market is a whole-lot more than a study in upcycling. A collaborative project between Urban Space and Youngwoo & Associates, the space is at once an event venue, an urban farm, an eatery and a retail space. Each vendor was given liberty to outfit their space in whatever manner they saw fit, resulting in a kaleidoscope of ingenuity and originality! Further, among the market's top goals are to create a dynamic sense of community, supporting local vendors, products and food while upholding a credo of sustainability. Check out the entire project at Dekalb's official site.

Images: BKLYNOGRAPHY

Opening early Summer, Dekalb Market will be open seven days a week. Located at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue Extension and Willoughby in Brooklyn, Dekalb Market can be easily reached by public transportation.

Organic Kitchen: Summer CSA

Summer produce is in high season right now - this is the first year I've subscribed to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and I'm delighted with it. I keep getting veggies I didn't know could be locally grown and that I've never tried. Yesterday I made some swiss chard and it was delicious! (Heat a cast iron skillet, add butter and diced garlic. Once garlic is browned add swiss chard, squeeze a wedge of lemon over them and cook until just wilted. Eat right away.) Every week the green onions and potatoes keep getting bigger! I thought these green onions just looked so fresh! Are you getting the chance to enjoy some seasonal, local produce??

Homes - Oregon Coast House

I've been saving this one for a while - it's so beautiful my desire to live here is almost painful. I'm sure you'll agree! It's one of the latest projects by Portland design firm Jessica Helgerson Design, one of our all-time favourite sustainable design firms. Their designs leave no fraction of doubt that green design can be incredibly stylish. Their ethos and aesthetic fit perfectly with Pure Green Mag's style and value. We've got our eye's peeled for future projects by this firm — maybe someday we'll travel to Portland and meet Jessica and the team. I think a feature in a future issue would be well received! You?

 This project was handled by JHID designer Jesse Moyer. Here's more on the project:

"The house is divided into three levels, each with its own common living space as well as adjacent bedrooms. We wanted to give each level a special feeling of its own. . .
The upper level is light and elegant with a 16-foot-long sofa that curves gracefully on thin walnut legs, a handcrafted walnut lamp that curves to match the sofa, and a chandelier that reflects the ocean in hundreds of slightly irregular hand-blown glass drops.
The mid level is comfortable and warm with colorful rugs and cozy wing back chairs upholstered in linen. The game table is Jesse Moyer’s design and we had vintage chairs upholstered to match it.
The lower level is playful and casual with a big sectional clad in reclaimed barn wood and a boat transformed into a day bed that hangs from the ceiling. The home theater has inviting velvet chairs, funny Mexican movie posters and pillows made from vintage silk scarves.
With the a very few exceptions nearly all the furniture is either of our design, and built here in Portland, or vintage."

I don't know about you live, but where I live is incredibly hot this week. Not only is it hot, but the sun is strong. Last Sunday (my only day off) I indulged by spending a good portion of the day on the dock.... in and out of the water every 10 minutes! I wore sunscreen and had a big floppy hat on and was in the shade a good deal, and I still got as much colour as I would otherwise get in a month! A testament to exactly how strong the sun really is these days. Somewhat scary. A good day on the water gave me the chance to try a new sunscreen I'd been dying to try - Soleil Organique's Mineral Sunscreen. Having tried quite a few different natural sunscreen's over the years I have to admit that I've used them somewhat begrudgingly. The white, dry film on my skin left something to be desired. S.O. was nothing like that - in fact, it has a beautiful shimmer effect, adding to your summer glow and it smells wonderful too. This post isn't a paid review, nor am I trying to solicit anything. I'm just excited to have found a sunscreen that I love and wanted to share it with you too! (Another amazing screen I've tried is Marie Veronique Organics, which you've seen here before.) You can find more information on S.O and why natural sunscreen is so very important on their site. Happy summer!!

image source

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.