Plant a Tree for Arbor Day

Before there was Earth Day, there was Arbor Day. In 1872, Arbor Day was established in Nebraska by agriculturist Julius Sterling Morton, who believed that trees were important asset for any region. Amazingly, over 1,000,000 trees were said to have been planted during that first celebration. Since the nineteenth century, Arbor Day has become a national holiday (now celebrated on the last Friday in April) and has even spread to other countries around the world. Today, concerns about global warming give us more reason than ever to celebrate and promote trees, since healthy forests are instrumental in processing greenhouse gasses and maintaining a healthy temperature for the planet. Of course, the most popular method of celebrating Arbor Day is by planting your own trees. If you've got some yard to spare, Peaceful Valley has an excellent selection of organic tree stock, including many fruit- and nut-bearing varieties (although unfortunately their selection is much, much better in the late summer and fall). If you don't have that kind of space or don't feel like getting your hands dirty, the environmental benefits of tree planting can still be yours through the Be Green website, which allows customers to have trees planted at ecologically sensitive sites, as gifts for a variety of occasions from Mothers' Day to weddings. It's never too late to plant a tree, but if you celebrated Arbor Day this year you're in good company. Here's a slideshow of celebrities joining in (including the image above) by way of the Huffington Post.

Before it was Groundhog's Day, February 2 was celebrated across Europe and South America as Candlemas. This Christian holiday, in turn, had roots in pagan customs regarding the return of spring. According to a traditional rhyme, "If Candlemas Day be Fair and Bright, Winter will have another flight; If on Candlemas Day be shower and rain, Winter is gone and will not come again." Sounds familiar, right? Anyway, besides watching the weather, the main activity on Candlemas was a blessing of the candles that families would use during the coming year (thus, the name). While candles were once a necessity, they have always been something of a status symbol as well, since burning them late into the evening could get expensive quickly. Today there are a wide range of synthetic candles on the market, but rich, natural, honey-scented beeswax is still a luxury any way you look at it. Knorr Beeswax produces an amazing range of pure beeswax candles in a variety of different styles. The European drip candles, shown above, produce hours of warm light, and range from $12 to $165. These purple flame candles ($17) are another favorite of mine. Looking for something a bit more understated? There are plenty of simple tapers and pillar candles, too.

Mark Edge Jewelry - Chic and Recycled Eco-Vintage Line

Mark Edge has created gorgeous handcrafted jewelry for more than two decades. His stunning creations, once only available near his hometown of Atlanta, GA, now accent the wardrobes of women around the world - including a number of celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Sophia Choi of CNN, and View hosts Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Joy Behar.

The latest addition to the Mark Edge jewelry line is the eco-vintage collection, a timeless assortment of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces fashioned from reclaimed gems, reused charms, and vintage chains.  Each piece within this green jewelry collection is remarkable and unique with styles that complement every mood and occasion.

Sterling silver, brass, and vintage chains are the foundation to most of the Mark Edge eco-vintage pieces, although a few of his recycled creations start with a deep, rich strand of chocolate suede for a sophisticated, but trendy flair.  

Earrings, bracelets, and intriguing necklaces make up the 75-piece line of eco-vintage jewelry, ranging in price from $79 to $284.  The collection, appealing to both men and women, features fun, classic charms like the vintage peace sign and handcuffs with key, as well as timeless pendants including reclaimed cameos and vintage crystals.  Mark Edge enjoys integrating the colorful beauty of turquoise into his wearable art as well. 

If you're interested in owning a piece of recycled jewelry, handcrafted by Mark Edge, you can order online at his website for international delivery or you can find Mark Edge jewelry in a number of fine jewelry and department stores in 27 different states.  If you're giving a Mark Edge creation as a gift, complementary wrapping is included with most items.

Visit Mark Edge Jewelry for more information.

Images via MarkEdge.com

Cmarchuska: Eco-Friendly Clothing + Charity = A Welcomed Change in Fashion

What do you get when you blend childhood dreams, business savvy, compassion, and zeal for environmentally conscious fashion? A winning combination taking the latest wave of eco-friendly clothing lines to the next level. There's nothing like the tightening grip of economic instability to push you towards your calling in life. Just ask Christine Marchuska – former financial wizard turned luxury 'green' clothing entrepreneur. She left behind a souring Wall Street to successfully mold her personal interests into an ever-evolving company – cmarchuska. With a fresh take on luxury eco-wear, Marchuska brings sustainable, high quality fabrics to life with a commitment to comfort and style. Pieces within the cmarchuska Signature Collection consist of fine organic and recycled materials with a color palette of pristine white, noir black and vert green. When you enter the world of cmarchuska, prepare yourself for:

• High fashion cuts
• Flattering pieces that don’t place strain on the environment
• The flirty 'Samantha' A-line, V-neck sundress
• Agreeable return policy (but why would you ever want to?)
• 5% of net proceeds going to charitable organizations
• Free shipping!

I've been told that the christine dress and hunter scarf have been causing quite a stir…but you must see for yourself! This February, the ECOCOLLECTION/MAGIC fashion trade show held in Las Vegas will unveil the cmarchuska spring/summer 09' line. Can't wait until the show? Order online or visit m.y. boutique in Binghamton, NY and the PILATES room in Ithaca, NY. Featured pieces: Christine dress ($130) 50% cotton, 50% modal fabric Recycled Italian polyester buttons Hunter scarf ($50) Organic blend of modal and silk

Something for Everyone's Stocking: Tom's Shoes

As we get down to the wire with holiday shopping (Channukah in less than a week! Christmas and Kwanzaa a few days later), there's a great way to take care of the ones you love while doing some good in the process. Tom's Shoes is a company that makes beautiful, sustainable footwear but also has a mission. For every pair of shoes you purchase from Tom's Shoes, they will send a pair to a person who needs them. By outfitting the world in footwear, Tom's Shoes is attempting to combat podoconiosis, a disease of the lymphatic system that's caused by walking barefoot in areas with high concentrations of silica in the soil. Tom's Shoes has already donated tens of thousands of shoes to people in southern Africa and Argentina. There are videos of their "shoe drops" on the website.

This is a great gift for the last minute shopper because you can help Tom's reach its goal of donating 33,000 shoes before Christmas. Most of the products are in the $50 range and the styles yell out, "mellow sustainable living." There are suede versions, fleece-lined ones, woven and batik inspired prints. Invoking Robin Hood in more ways than one, Tom's has new versions that are vegan-friendly that come in low boot and high wrap versions. My master yoga instructor sister-in-law is getting a pair crisscrossed with a Gandhi quote. My daughter is getting some basic red ones for wearing back and forth when she goes to gymnastics. That means two people in another part of the world who will also be wearing something stylish, ecologically produced, and life-sustaining.

And if you really want to boost your contribution while celebrating the holiday, consider having a Style Your Soles Shoe Party for New Year's: Tom's supplies as many pairs of plain white shoes as you need, while you gather some fabric-friendly paints and sharpies (maybe even some eco-friendly natural dyes) and your favorite friends to decorate their own, unique, unmatched pair of Tom's. Be sure to take lots of photos and add your event to the picture gallery at Tom's Shoes' website.

The Little Seed - Eco Conscious Parenting with Style

Punky Brewster star, Soleil Moon Frye, isn't just another green celebrity nor is she an ordinary eco mom!  Along with friend Page Tolmach, Soleil struggled with the challenge of finding eco-friendly baby products for their own children before making the decision to open The Little Seed.  The eco-chic children's boutique is their effort to make it easier for other parents to find natural and organic products that are safe for baby, as well as the planet.

The Little Seed opened its doors in late 2007, located in prestigious Larchmont Village in Los Angeles, and is already a favorite among celebrity moms.  The shop features a private nursing area and an arts and crafts center for little visitors, in addition to an assortment of ec0-friendly products for children and parents.  The Little Seed website gives parents across the nation easy access to pure, healthy products for their little ones - without spending hours searching!

What will you find at The Little Seed?

From soft, organic crib bedding to all-natural cleansers and creams, The Little Seed has everything a new parent needs to give their little angels a safe and healthy start.  Toys are also a specialty at The Little Seed - including nontoxic and natural paints and play dough from Eco Kids, biodegradable toys for imaginative playtime, and soothing, lavender-filled soft toys made of 100% organic cotton.

The Little Seed is also the ideal destination for eco-friendly baby gifts.  Choose from unique gift baskets brimming with all-natural favorites for newborns and toddlers, personalized tree-to-be kits, and a tremendous selection of BPA-free baby bottles and sippy cups.

 

Visit The Little Seed for more information.