I don’t know how to knit, but if I did, these would both be born (by way of knitting needles) in my living room. Until the unlikely event that I take up knitting and knotting, I will capitalize on the good fortune that I can purchase these gorgeous confections of yarn. On the left, the Six Cord Knitted Necklace by A Alicia is a “messy plait” of yarn braided into the perfect winter statement necklace. On the right, the Knitted Pouf by CB2 is hand knit and versatile – think ottoman, coffee table, casual seating, winter snuggle, etc.

Craving more cable knit? If you simply cannot get enough cable knit delights, cozy up with this throw from VivaTerra.  And if you already have too much cable knit in your closet, use this simple tutorial to upcycle a sweater and whip up a scarf.

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Summer is the era of casual picnics and easy, light impromptu meals. Be ready for those glorious impromptu meals with these picnic picks that are easy and light on mother earth. With such a delicious gathering of commodities, your eyes will be as satisfied as your stomach.

Indulge in the illusion of luxurious silverware with this Picnic Cutlery Set ($5 per set). Enjoy your clean conscious after scraping your Biodegradable Plate clean because these sugar cane fiber creations are completely compostable, biodegradable, and affordable (starting at $5.50 for a pack of 10).

Not to be outdone by your plates, the biodegradable Wasara Tumbler is a mixture of sugar cane fiber, bamboo, and reed pulp; these lovely little vessels can deliver hot or cold liquid to thirsty lips ($10 for a pack of six). The Buckley Organic Blanket (starting at $59.95) provides a soft place to rest while you savor picnic wares – plus, no one will notice if you spill a little mustard or drop a deviled egg. 

And finally, a gaggle of bugs you actually invited to the blanket, each Beetle Napkin provides ample absorbent cotton ($27 for a set of four).

Now head over to the Food and Recipes section and peruse scrumptious culinary delights to pack up for the picnic – and don’t forget the bug spray.

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Lately, mail order catalogs have been delivering a pleasant surprise; the pages that were once filled with disregard are making room for a dose of green. Consumer demand and retail desire steer the content of these glossy muses, so pat yourself on the back. Companies like CB2, West Elm, and Crate & Barrel are getting earth conscious.

The Chop Chop Side Table ($199) by CB2 is a geometric dream. These ash wood beauties are created from urban forest “˜casualties’ in the Chicago area. Ash trees that succumb to wind, damage, and age are gathered and carved into rectangular logs and enveloped with a wax finish.

The Organic Plisse Blanket (starting at $54.99) is a weave of luxurious silky soft organic cotton.  The Solid Silk Handloomed Pillow Cover ($29) is handspun tasar silk made in rural India as part of the Aid to Artisans organization.

Crate & Barrel offers the Azure Sofa ($1799) wrapped in steel linen and speckled with tufts. The gentle curves are filled with soy-based polyfoam and rest on a certified sustainable wood frame.

The recent notice of the environment is a step (or push?) in the right direction, but I look forward to the day my mailbox is empty and my inbox is full of paper-free catalogs and every page is innately sustainable.

Speaking of catalogs, don’t forget to check out our sister company – Vivaterra!

The post Mail Order Reform appeared first on EcoSalon.

The air is heavy with summer and the sticky, sweet smell of honey. Bring a burst of sunshine inside your walls and celebrate honey bees (minus the epinephrine); these six-legged beauties are a vision themselves, not to mention their immaculate six-sided dwellings of honeycomb bliss. May I suggest bringing one (or all) of these products into your hive for a hint of nostalgia?

The Queen Bee Print ($10.80 – shown above) from Farnum Ink Studio captures the honey bee’s gorgeous silhouette while the Buckley Organic Blanket ($59.95) from CB2 perfectly depicts the golden hue of the sugary honey secretion – sweet coziness if you ask me.

Amuse your senses with a blend of beeswax and soy wax in bee-related scents (Raw Honey, Wild Blackberry, etc.) with The Journey of the Bees Candles ($24) from Jayson Home & Garden. Hable Construction‘s Vanilla Checker Pillow ($130) will embellish your upholstery with the graphic delight of honeycomb.

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