A carefully curated crate made especially for you.

Heard about our Lost Crates partnership yet? Every month we bring you a curated crate of green goods (that you can subscribe to), and for August we’re excited to be featuring a selection of goods from one of our favorite eco-friendly, design savvy brands, Flip & Tumble. Beyond making products that are meant to be reused, and from sustainable materials, Flip & Tumble is also a carbon neutral business, using their carbon credits to support environmentally friendly projects.

What’s in this month’s crate?

24-7 Bag
The bag that’s fit for just about anything. Roll it up into a ball, keep it with you at all times and you’re always ready to say no to plastic. (Pictured above)

Produce Pouches
Shopping for bulk almonds, fresh nectarines and a bunch of kale? Stash them all with this set of reusable (and washable) produce bags.

Felt Pod
Add a bit of color to a room with this little pod, made from recycled felt and perfect for storing your favorite succulent.

All this for $38 plus shipping and handling.

We caught up with Flip & Tumble to learn a little bit more about what they do.

What inspired the launch of Flip & Tumble?

It all started with the 24-7 bag, please see our story here.

Beyond making reusable and sustainable products and being carbon neutral, your business is committed to doing “the little things that matter”. What are some of those things that you do on an everyday basis?

We are very conscious of the materials we use in every step of our business from recycling paper in our office to the amount of packaging we use on our products. We really keep this in mind for all the things we do as a business.

If you could give just one tip for living a more conscious lifestyle, what would it be?

I think it can be overwhelming to think about all the things you can do to be more environmentally responsible. I find it really helpful to try and introduce one new green initiative into your life at a time and really figure out a way to make it work for you so that you keep doing it.

Sign up for a subscription and get your Flip & Tumble crate now.

The post This Month from EcoSalon + Lost Crates: A Selection of Flip & Tumble Products appeared first on EcoSalon.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bad batch of wheat grass. 

Yes, wheatgrass is awesome. It will return your grey hair back to its rightful hue; supercharge your system with vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It’s a bit grassy on the palette, but who cares, given that it’s a solar powered super green food. But if ever there was a better reason to grow your own wheatgrass, this baby head porcelain planter has got to be it.

Handmade by Eco Elements, a division of Revisions Design Studio, it’s like a Chia-Pet-for-wellness/contraceptive-alternative-for-teenagers. That analogy might not make sense now, but have you ever cared for a Chia Pet or one of those mothering dolls that’s meant to ward off pubescent pregnancy? We can only hope the big bald baby and his bag of wheatgrass has a better outcome.

For wheatgrass growing instructions, might we recommend this guy? Meanwhile, become the proud and competent parent of a baby head planter for just $26.95. (Seeds can only be shipped within the USA.)

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Historic Girard prints: vintage American design that’s good ‘til the last drop. 

The influence of America’s most beloved and legendary textile designers and colorists, Alexander Girard, is palpable even today. He is known in design circles for his work with Herman Miller, wherein he created fabrics for the house of Charles and Ray Eames, as well as his eclectic collection of folk art and exotic textiles preserved through the Girard Foundation.

His pop-aesthetic became legion, however, with his mid-century hues and patterns (very Mad Men). Most notably, the Pinwheel pattern: featured here on this George Jensen mug and tableware collection from the Miller House and Garden, a national landmark and architectural study that has been called “America’s most significant Modernist house.”

Truly good til the last drop, note that Patera 1 pattern on the inside of the mug.

Pair with these porcelain plates for the perfect cuppa.

Prices range from $12.95-$52.

Look for Lustables at EcoSalon and submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

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An all-American style staple originated from French navy seamen.

When French designer Joseph Altuzarra won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize last year, part of his prize was the chance to collaborate with the ultimate retailer of the U.S. preppy lifestyle, J.Crew. Saint Tropez replacing Cape Cod as it’s inspirational epicenter, Altuzarra’s seven-piece capsule collection launched last month was influenced by that impeccable motif of French preppy style – the Breton shirt.

Joseph Altuzarra’s new collaboration with J. Crew puts a Gaelic twist on U.S. preppy style.

Eternally jaunty and iconic, the blue-and-white striped knitted top, traditionally known as a marinière was officially introduced as part of the uniform requirements for French navy seamen in 1858. It was said that this stripe made it easier to spot them if they’d fallen into the sea. The closely knitted double-twist cotton was also windproof and extremely sturdy, making it highly suitable clothing for other sea workers, including fisherman.

Coco Chanel elevated the shirt’s style status from its working-class roots. 

Ever influenced by the ease of menswear styles, Coco Chanel adopted the look pairing it with wide-leg pants after noticing it worn by the fisherman of Brittany during a vacation in 1917. Ever since, women have found it hard to resist its nautical charms. And it looks good on men too. Pablo Picasso, Jean Paul Gaultier and Andy Warhol have all been photographed wearing the classic style.

The blue-and-white striped shirt was popular with Andy Warhol and all the Factory regulars, including Edie Sedgwick in 1965.

The always-fresh print is the perfect piece to pack for a seaside vacation. It looks equally chic paired with a slim pair of pants and ballet flats as it does clashed with a floral skirt. As a part of classic French style, it lends itself beautifully to creative interpretation – but to be on the safe side – skip the beret.

James Dean proving the classic style looks so great men too.

Now & Then: The History of the Platform Shoe

Now & Then: The History of Fitness Wear

Now & Then: The History of the Pencil Skirt

Now & Then: The History of the Cocktail Dress

Now & Then: The History of Skinny Jeans

Read more Now & Then articles here.

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For a weekend at the bucolic Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, fill your bag with comfortable yet stylish clothing that can stand a day in the fields.

When packing for a weekend stay at the bucolic Blackberry Farm, a pastoral 4,200-acre estate in the Great Smoky Mountains, bring comfortable yet stylish clothing that can stand to be outdoors in the field, veggie patch or pasture.

Victoria Knit Jumper by People Tree
A comfy sweater is a must-have on any casual getaway. This cream-colored one, by British label People Tree has a great, loose fit that scores some serious fashion points too. It’s Fair Trade certified and hand knitted in Nepal from 55% cotton and 45% banana tree fiber.
Approx. $138, People Tree

Ripegoods Lucky Horseshoe Necklace
A lucky charm to wear around your neck that is more than appropriate for a farm. This handcrafted gold fill horseshoe necklace comes in two different sizes, both hammered and brushed to a matte finish and affixed to an oxidized sterling silver chain. Committed to sustainability, Ripegoods mother and daughter design team, Kathie and Lindsey Fieldman, use recycled and reclaimed metals to craft their pieces.
$58, Ripegoods

The Lost Coast Overnight by Heather Heron
Pack all your stuff in this rustic yet stylish weekender bag by California-based designer Heather Heron. Made from recycled vintage military fabrics and dolled up with some patchwork, each bag is unique and will hold everything you need for the weekend.
$640, Heather Heron

The Vegetable Wash Skinny Jean
A good pair of jeans are practically a requirement for spending time on a farm. These vegetable wash jeans from Kaight are perfect for a day in the veggie patch. Each pair is handwoven in Romania, and absolutely unique. Customers can find out how by entering a special code located on the inside seam.
$165, Kaight

Castor Fishtail Parka by Nudie Jeans Co
This classic fishtail parka was made for the boys, but that does not mean us girls can’t wear it. Made from cotton twill with a detachable lining, drawstring detailing and lots of pockets, it’s perfect for a weekend in the countryside. Swedish brand Nudie Jeans Co has made a long-term commitment to sustainability and developed special techniques for dyeing and distressing their clothing that are not harmful to the environment.
$599, Nudie Jeans Co

Mod. 2 Scarf by Beryll
You gotta throw some plaid in there when you’re going to a farm, and this scarf is the perfect way to do that. Made by LA-based company Beryll, whose motto is “handcrafted by good people, worn by good people,” it will keep you warm through many chilly summer eves and will only look better with age.
$148, Juno & Jove

Aiglentine Natural Rubber Boots
Farms tend to get muddy, so bringing a pair of rubber boots along is probably a good idea. French company Aigle has been making rubber boots since 1853. They are all still handcrafted in France, from high quality natural rubber. These are great boots that will last you for a very long time, they’re also washable and fast-drying.
$218, Aigle

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The Plankton Series by Maria Moyer – a collection of matte white ocean-inspired porcelain vessels benefiting Oceana – are introduced at West Elm.

NYC-based artist Maria Moyer is obsessed with plankton. Combine that with a deeply rooted love of white, organic shapes and the ocean and you have all the ingredients for her recently launched collection for West Elm. The Plankton Series is a collection of matte white porcelain vessels and highlights the intricate structures of the foundation of the Earth’s food chain, and 5% of the purchase price goes toward helping non-profit Oceana protect the world’s oceans.

Artist Maria Moyer at the launch party for her collaboration with West Elm and Oceana

In-store display of the Plankton Series at West Elm in West Hollywood

West Elm threw a pre-Earth Day party at their West Hollywood outpost on Thursday in celebration of the collaboration and I got to chat with some of the people involved in making it all happen.

I always wonder how these collaborations come about, so I asked Maria Moyer how it all started: “Most of my work is in one-of-a-kind sculptural pieces that I build one at a time. I started a body of work over a year ago that was ocean inspired. It included several references in texture and form to plankton – a lifetime love. Around the same time, West Elm asked me design a collection for them. While I don’t usually make things that are functional, I saw the opportunity as a great learning experience in a new role as a designer and I was moved by the idea that the West Elm audience could reach a significantly larger population than my one-piece-at-a-time creative process.”

The scene at West Elm in West Hollywood

“We look for artists we like and respect, who are creating interesting designs that we think our customers will respond to,” said Abigail Jacobs, Vice President, Public Relations & Brand Marketing at West Elm. “Collaborations add to the diversity of our product mix and make our product offering richer. They allow us to bring in new and unique points of view, and experts in techniques that we might not be able to produce with our in-house design team. Nature, and the sea, is such a meaningful and constant place of inspiration for us, and yet we’d never seen a collection inspired by plankton,” says Jacobs. “Maria’s work is first of all stunning, but the collaboration also gave us the opportunity to educate our customer through the story of her process and inspiration. The partnership with Oceana made that connection even more real.”

Moyer with her cousin

“The great part about partnering with Maria and West Elm,” says Jessica Champness, Manager, Major Gifts at Oceana, “is that the inspiration – plankton – are such a fundamental component of healthy oceans and are inherently connected to Oceana’s overarching campaigns, which include mitigating impacts from climate change, promoting responsible fishing and protecting habitat. West Elm has a compelling and authentic design story to showcase and, in doing so, they not only raise funds but help promote Oceana’s work to a new group of potential activists and donors who can start creating conversations about important ocean conservation issues within their own unique communities and encourage people to get involved with Oceana. Any new supporters gained from these efforts translate into a stronger base of support for Oceana to engage in grassroots advocacy, recruit volunteers and raise critical funds,” says Champness.

The visual inspiration is apparent – the amazingly intricate structure of plankton

“I’m grateful to West Elm for giving me what I have been calling a Plankton Pulpit, as I hope to spread the news about the little guys,” says Moyer. “If it doesn’t grab you that these microscopic plants and animals give us half the world’s oxygen (which, by some accounts, is more than our forests), you might also like to know they feed most of Earth’s creatures: from shrimp to whales and the 3 billion humans who depend on fish and seafood. Add to that, the startling and exquisite beauty of plankton – from diatoms to algae to microscopic animals. I’ve found a universe of aesthetic rapture that I want people to know about.”

It’s a beautiful, synergistic collaboration that lures you in with pure aesthetics but forces you to look deeper at the inspiration behind it. Plankton are the trees of the ocean and without them we would not be where we are today. Every time I place a candle in one of my gorgeous new tealights, I will thank them for all the great work they do while I watch the small rays of light dance across the table.

Photos courtesy of Maria Moyer and West Elm

The post Party for Plankton: West Elm Introduces a New Collection by Maria Moyer in LA appeared first on EcoSalon.

 A fresh look at spring and of course, bees.

Isle of Wight based Charlotte Taylor tailors her line to all aspects of everyday life, “laid bare ready to be grasped by the individual and transformed into their own story. Strong tailoring, bold silhouettes and sculptured shapes provide canvases for dashes of colour, textures and prints.”

Her Big Bee Jumpsuit emphasizes the female form elegantly, and channels as she calls the “cultivation of bees and tree nurseries” which have been a fascination of hers since childhood. The woman who wears her line becomes the essence of the garden, “camouflaged, from the nape of her neck, to the tips of her finger nails.”

£390.00  at Young British Designers

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Channeling historical  propaganda posters in the name of modern day social progress. 

A long time ago, before food became so industrialized and corny, Americans expressed wartime patriotism through Victory Gardens. Kind of like freedom fries, with the exception that actual vegetables were planted during the two world wars to help feed civilians and troops. The government, private foundations, businesses, schools, and seed companies (Monsanto was busy in the production of sacharine and DDT at this time in history) all worked together to provide the necessary resources and instruction to help communities to grow food.

Posters and advertorials got the word out, and history tells us that it was a phenomenal success. Some 20 million Victory Gardens were planted during WWII, but popularity eventually waned. Activist designer Joe Wirtheim is hoping to renew that fervour, building on the momentum of the contemporary urban gardening and homesteading movement, with his project The Victory Garden of Tomorrow.

Wirtheim works out of a small studio in Portland, Oregon and creates graphic posters that recall old-time wartime imagery.

Posters ($14) are printed on recycled paper, hand pulled screen prints ($40) are printed on paper made in the U.S.A.

Also available in vintage flour sack towels, organic tee shirts, badges and postcards.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

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A list of the top sustainable handbag designers currently on the fashion scene.

Sustainably designed handbags have come a long way since their humble beginnings. From vegetable dyed leathers to recycled and organic materials, handbag designers have upped the ante on style, form and function. Here we offer you an extensive list of what we consider to be the top designers in the sustainable handbag field. We’re impressed.

Ampersand As Apostrophe, Seattle, Washington :Upcycled mailbags, recycled materials

Ashley Watson, Vancouver B.C.: Upcycled leather, recycled materials

Beryll, Los Angeles, California: Upcycled leather, made in the U.S.

Beth Springer, Venice, California: Organic hemp linen, plant dyed leather, made in the U.S.

Calleen Cordero, Los Angeles, California: Vegetable tanned leathers, handmade by artisans

Collina Strada, Los Angeles, California: Made in New York, vegan, recycled materials

Cri de Coeur, New York, NY: Recycled plastic, organic cotton, vegan, Made in NYC

Dama, Los Angeles, California:Upcycled leather, recycled materials, vegan

Ellington, Portland, Oregon: Award-winning environmentally responsible tannery that uses efficient processes to reduce water consumption, energy use and CO2 emissions.

Entermodal, Portland, Oregon: Handmade, vegetable tanned leather, will buy back leather after use for recycling

Erin Templeton, Vancouver, B.C.: Upcycled leather

Fleabags, New York, NY: Organic and vintage materials, vegetable-tanned and re-purposed leathers, all materials sourced in the U.S.,  silkscreens use water-based ink

GG2G, Stamford, Connecticut: Repurposed and recycled materials, vegan, made in the U.S.

JADEtribe, New York, NY: Handwoven, organic cottons, natural dyes, fair trade

Jess Rizzuti, New York, NY : Sustainable cork

Kim White, Los Angeles, California: Dead stock, never-used textiles intended for use in American automobiles: cars, trucks and vans, vintage fabrics

Lina Rennell, Northern California: Recycled leather

Lizzie Fortunato, New York, NY: Hand beaded, recycled materials

Love Mert, New York, NY: Upcycled leather, wood scraps from designer’s father’s workshop, organic cotton lining

Matt & Nat, Montreal, Canada: Made in Montreal, lining of recycled plastic bottles, vegan

Passchal, Richmond, Virginia: Recycled inner tubes

Push Pull Cambodia, Takeo Province, Cambodia:Hand woven by Khmer artisans, fair trade

Red Flag, Vancouver, B.C.: Alternative manufacturing, recycled materials

Rising Tide Fair Trade, Brooklyn, NY and New Jersey: Fair Trade Federation certified and Green America approved

Shannon South, New York, NY: Zero waste, recycled leather

Spencer Devine, Brooklyn, NY: Upcycled materials, supports textile artisans in developing countries.

The Sway, New York, NY: Upcycled leather, recycled cotton lining

Teich, New York, NY: Vegetable-tanned and chrome-free leather, vintage materials and fabrics, hemp, linen

Image: The Sway

The post The Ultimate List of Sustainable Handbag Designers (From A-Z) appeared first on EcoSalon.

For a weekend of space age-style camping in France, fill your bag with comfy pieces that are good for spending a night under the stars.

When packing for a weekend stay at one of these chic white-and-clear sphere hotels – funky bubble tents popping up all over France – bring comfy pieces that are perfect for a night of laid-back stargazing. Think about being warm and cozy, of course, but don’t forget to throw a little something unexpected in the mix too.

Made By… Open Back Party Sweater
Just like staying in a see-through bubble is not your regular type of camping, this is not just an ordinary cable knit sweater. The front is simple and traditional, but the back is gorgeously open and decorated with a snazzy bow. This doesn’t mean it’s any less appropriate for cozying up next to a camp fire. Made By… uses sustainable practices and fair trade labor to produce their garments
$334, Future:Standard

Jensen-Conroy Encased Brass Cuff
This gorgeous cuff by Jensen-Conroy is beachy and maritime-inspired without getting into clichées. It’s tough and craftsy at the same time, and is the perfect way to bring those simple solids in your wardrobe to life. Made from brass and encased with a knitted cord.
$275, Maryam Nassir Zadeh

Hanky Panky Organic Cotton Boyshorts
I don’t know about you, but when I get ready to immerse myself in nature, all I want to do is sit around in comfy knits (see above), fluffy boots (see below) and boyshorts. These cute ones from Hanky Panky’s Cotton with a Conscience Organic cotton collection are made with Supima cotton organically farmed in the United States.
$29, Hanky Panky

Astrological Sign Necklace by Kimberly Baker
One of the best parts of sleeping in a bubble is that you can lay awake all night and just watch the stars. Wear Kimberly Baker‘s astrological sign necklace around your neck and try to find your own sign in the night sky.
$110, Olivine

Frock Los Angeles Kyla Dress
Who says you can’t dress up just because you happen to be spending the night in a tent-like structure? Channel the shape of your sleeping bubble and get dolled up in this asymetrical backless dress by Frock Los Angeles, sustainably made in the U.S.
On sale for $137, Frock Los Angeles

Julian Organic Scarf by Nudie Jeans
A good scarf is a must when traveling, and when you’re spending time on the beach it can double up as a sarong and towel to lay out on.
Made from soft organic cotton jersey, the color is grey melange that is overdyed with strong blue.
$49, Nudie Jeans

EMU Stinger Lo Aust Made
I know what you’re thinking right now – “did she really include UGG-like boots in a fashion post?” Oh, yes I did. I happen to have a pair like this that I wear around the house almost every day to warm my always cold feet. Even if this is glamorous camping (“glamping,” if you will) it may get chilly at night and you’ll thank me for telling you to pack these along. EMU’s Aust Made line is made in Australia using Australian eco sheepskin and 100% pure Australian wool.
$149, EMU

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