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On our quest to find the most eco and fabulous solution to our liquid grape-on-the-go desires, we kept coming back to govino – the sleek design and thumb grip spot just can’t be beat. Made of BPA-free, shatterproof, reusable and recyclable plastic (#1) the govino is way better than using a disposable red plastic cup (and much more elegant).

While we would prefer that the plastic be made from recycled material, or something like stainless steel that is highly recycled (we found these glasses but they are not quite as chic), the idea is that you would use these glasses over and over and over again, and that eventually they would have a second life after recycling (4 glasses for $11.95).

Perfectly paired with an eco-friendly picnic box for a romantic outdoor wine-and-dine combo.

Boxsal picnic boxes, yes boxes, are made out of recycled paper containing 40-60% post-consumer waste, and are printed with fun, mod graphics in earth-friendly inks. On the inside you’ll find everything you need to get the party started: 4 compostable trays, 4 compostable large bowls, 4 compostable small bowls, 4 compostable utensil sets, 4 compostable cold cups, 8 recycled napkins and 1 compostable trash bag. Add organic food and a nice bottle of biodynamic wine and voila!

For those of the romantic nature, check out the “Today’s Date” box, complete with paint-by-number graphics for hours of creative companionship. The “Urban Picnic” box is for inner city eats and retreats, whether you plant it on a green roof or find a large oaktree amidst the skyscrapers (who doesn’t want a “Say Anything” moment outside their office window?!).

Our favorite box is the “Office Escape” box, cleverly designed as a briefcase on one side and a shirt and tie on the other. Boxsal eco-friendly picnic boxes are available online for $35 and can be re-used an average of 8-10 times. When finished, turn them into a storage container for art supplies, cards, etc. The idea is to “use, use, use, and reuse, then recycle.”

*Photo credits: Boxsal.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

	B.Y.O. Bag: One time use plastic bags are an issue for the environment and a fashion eyesore. Made of a totally biodegradable, soil-enriching fiber, this Eco-Jute line has catchy messages to inspire fellow shoppers to say “no thank you” to the paper-or-plastic question.
	Oil-Free Om: Get your down dog on with a sustainable and renewable material. Natural latex yoga mats provide non-slip comfort without all the chemicals found in conventional PVC mats.
	Face It: Many cosmetics are petroleum-based (like lip gloss, face powder, nail polish, and more). Look for lines like NVEY Eco that commit to using only plant derived ingredients.
	Tap That: Plastic bottles make almost 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. Choose to reuse in glass or stainless steel.
	Hip Flops: Get soles with soul. Oil accounts for nearly 25% of rubber. Opt for sandals made from natural latex, tapped from a rubber tree.
	Have Your Takeout and Eat it Too: Pair your bamboo reusable utensils with a stainless steel tiffin lunch set and your lunchtime woes will be over – now you just have to think about what you’re actually going to eat…
	The Answer is Clear: Not only will you reduce your dependency on petroleum-based products, but glass containers don’t leach chemicals when they are heated, the way plastic can. Another sub-benefit to glass food storage is that the pieces are so nice they can double as serving containers (the big one looks like a large casserole dish).
	In the Baggie: Each year Americans consume over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps (EPA), contributing to the toxic contamination of waterways and the death of thousands of animals that mistake the bag pieces for food. Teach your children about how to save the sea turtles and other marine animals by choosing reusable snack baggies.
	Take the Pledge: Join the thousands of other people that have committed to a Weekend Without Oil! Each pledge will offset six gallons of oil.

Hosted by the LEED certified Orchard Hotels and The Bently Reserve, A Common Green, San Francisco’s second annual conservation consortium, will feature a Green Design Showcase, displaying interactive, informative and inspiring examples of green design and living. Meet “Ecomacgyver” Darren Moore, founder of Ecovations and co-host of the Discovery Channel’s hit show “Alter Eco” as you learn about everything from urban centers to residential living spaces to the farm-to-table movement.

Key event partners include Kimberly Rider Interiors, a pioneer in healthy living with luxurious solutions, and Studio Katsura, an art collaborative that supports the cross pollination of fine art, digital graphics, industrial and architectural design. Come view Odegard’s incredible sustainable rugs made of innovative fibers like nettle as well as sustainable, organic and locally produced flowers from Fleur’t Style.

For libations and little bites? Sample from Back to Earth, an organic local catering company (they also own the hit restaurant Gather in the East Bay), and sip on VeeV Acai Spirits as well as sustainable and certified organic wines from Hallcrest Vineyards.

The possibilities for new partnerships, projects, and initiatives are endless – but the goal for a greener future is common to all. Join us!

Event Details:
A Common Green
Thursday, August 26^th
5:30-8:00pm
The Bently Reserve
301 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111

RSVP here.

Recently, Levi Strauss & Co. put out a call for the most innovative, covetable and sustainable air-drying solution for clothing and received more than 100 design submissions from around the globe (check out the one below by Josiah Cain of Design Ecology from our MODERN LIVING Showhouse). On Monday from 12-2pm, the winner of the Care to Air Design Challenge will be announced!

Join the esteemed judges – Dave Bolotsky (Founder & CEO, Uncommon Goods), Doug Sweeny (VP, Marketing, the Levi’s® brand), Eric Ryan (Co-Founder, Method), Max Burton (Executive Creative Director, Frog Design), and our own Zem Joaquin (Founder & CEO, ecofabulous.com) – for presentations by the six finalists and the proclamation of the champion!

Please RSVP via the Workshops website (you’ll need to create an account to RSVP). We look forward to seeing you there!

Details:
Care to Air Winner Unveiling
Monday August 16^th
12:00-2:00pm
Levi’s® Workshop on Valencia Street
580 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Not that you would ever, ever let the delicate device tumble, but if you did, the Shellcase would gracefully break its fall. And for those of you born without a clumsy bone in your body… the cases are a statement of beauty regardless of the handy functionality. Made of sustainably sourced cherry, walnut or bamboo (Vers plants 100 trees through the Arbor Day Foundation for every tree used in their wood sound systems and accessories), the Shellcase is a sturdy companion to your new best friend.

With a metal foot for standing the iPad up – whether typing, or propping it up in portrait or landscape view, it’s a perfect fusion of stylish form and function. Available at versaudio.com for $79.99 we’re GIVING AWAY two this week to randomly selected ecofabulous subscribers! We’ll be drawing names on Monday August 16th, so make sure you’re signed-up!

You may know Nature’s Path for their delicious cereals (we love Optimum® Blueberry Cinnamon and Flax Plus® Red Berry Crunch) but on this occasion, people were going nutty for the bars! With flavors like Lotta Appricotta, Pumpkin-N-Spice and Chococonut, they’re a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth while stocking up on great, organic ingredients like whole grains, flax, hemp seed, fruit and nuts.

For those with kids in the family, or for those that like to indulge in kid cereals now and again (we’ll admit to keeping a stock of Gorilla Munch at the office!) try the EnviroKidz line – a collection of products that appeal to the slightly sweet side for kids, but keep parents happy with the use of organic cane sugar, rather than high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

It’s not just the tasty treats the company produces that keeps us going back to the shelves for more, it’s also their dedication to the organic movement and commitment to triple-bottom line business that we’re happy to support. Check out the video below to meet Nature’s Path founder, Stephen Arrans and hear about how he started the company based on the words of his father:  ”to always leave the soil better than you found it.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

*Top photo credit: Sara Beugen & Stephen Mabry of Shoot My Events

Committed to ushering the green movement into the bedroom, Jimmy Jane products are not only eco-friendly, but incredibly well designed – so well designed, in fact, that they’ve won numerous awards, like Businesweek’s IDEA Award and the ID Design Awards.

Now for the delightfully not-so-dirty details: the Form 6 vibrator is made with phthalate-free, medical grade silicone (you definitely don’t want leaching plastics down there!) and powered by a rechargeable battery that saves upwards of 200 AA batteries in an average year. While the Form 6 will run you $185, it’s well worth the investment* to ensure you’re not exposing yourself to harmful toxins in such a sensitive area – plus, as the top-seller it’s worth noting that the performance is raved about, even GQ lists the Form 6 as “the best of its kind.”

*There’s currently a huge sale going on that ends Thursday the 21st!