Holy muffins Batman, I can’t believe it is almost February! In just 31 days, it is clear that 2008 is going to be a great year and I’m ready for all it has to offer. January was a great month for Victoria-E.com as well, with a few older posts being revived by readers, some of them even making it on to the Top 5 list.

1) Sun Run Biz Model Makes Solar More Affordable: “Still dreaming of a solar powered house but think you can’t afford it? Even with State and Federal assistance, installing a full solar system on your house can run you upwards of $10,000, depending on your location. A new collection of companies …”

2) Behind the Seams with Karen Stewart of Stewart+Brown: “Karen Stewart is half of the husband-and-wife team that started the California-based Stewart+Brown in 2002. After the birth of their daughter Hazel, Karen and Howard combined their professional experiences from companies like Patagonia, Urban Outfitters and Microsoft to create …”

3) Weekly Green Leisure: All Green Round-Up Jan 5th-11th: “Have you heard about the latest green living magazine to hit the newsstands? Launched in late 2007, All Green Magazine ‘believes that the environmental challenges we face are not without solutions. It is our mission to make consumers, organizations, businesses and …”

4) Sustainable & Stylish Storage for Your Sketches & Scribbles: “I’m likely to be the 100th person to blog about this, but it’s worth the attention. First spotted on TreeHugger.com (written by the ever-eco Worsted Witch, a.k.a Jasmin), Canada’s Mirage Paper Company is launched a 100% post-consumer recycled range. Named …”

5) Weekly Green Crafts: CAGW Round-Up for Jan 19th-25th: “With so many rainy days here in San Francisco lately, I’m starting to feel like I’m already living in Portland (yeah, if only!). Since I already had a funky cough, I didn’t think going out to walk in the rain would be the best idea. So, once I’m done with my daily writing work, I’m stuck with …”

What did you enjoy this month?

What would you like to see less/more of?

Ah, the world of fashion - what a pure pain in the butt it can be to try and keep up with trends. After over 10 years in the fashion world, I’ve found it is best to wear what makes you both comfortable and confident. As eco-concerned citizen, buying clothing and accessories made from new, sustainable fibers can be more than expensive, depending on the style you are looking for.

Buying vintage or used clothing is, possibly, more sustainable than buying new goods, whether made from green fibers or not. Finding the time to browse scores of second-hand stores can take up a whole weekend afternoon - something that most people simply cannot spare. Both Craigslist and eBay can be quite touch and go when it comes to fashionable finds, so what is a greenie to do!?

Never fear, Swango is here! Started just last year, this online shopping site has become a favorite among sustainable shoppers of all ages:

In an effort to decrease the environmental impact of consumer waste and fast fashion, 15% of Americans choose to purchase their clothes at consignment and resale stores. This saves around 2.5 billion pounds of postconsumer textile waste from entering US landfills. Swango is dedicated to furthering this trend of clothing and shoes recycling. Join us in battling the inalterable consequences of needless textile waste and helping to preserve our beautiful planet.

Always looking for the inside scoop, I recently chatted with one of Swango’s co-founders, Jeff Poulton, to get the real info on this new online fashion superstore. Keep reading for all the juicy details from our interview, including Swango’s non-profit partner, green fashion’s role in the eco-movement and more!

[[ KEEP READING! THE INTERVIEW IS AT SUSTAINABLOG.ORG ]]

I’m all over the place these days! After a nasty sinus cold over the weekend, I’m back in action and working harder than ever. Upon my return to my laptop, I was delighted to see that two of my favorite websites have featured my work!

First up is the interview that I did with Sustainable Table’s The Daily Table blog. Home to the infamous online series The Meatrix and an extensive online directory of sustainable products in North America called the Eat Well Guide, Sustainable Table’s blog features a wide range of info, updates and commentary about healthy food choices and various aspects of our agricultural system.

Head of the blog and Meatrix coordinator Dawn Brighid recently started a new series of posts called Platter Chatter, where she poses the same four foodie questions to a variety of eco bloggers and professionals. Entry number three in this ongoing collection of opinions features yours truly. Head over to The Daily Table to read my perspective on local, sustainable food; community; and an easy tip on how to be an involved part of both!

I also had the honor of being asked to be a part of a special feature on the Nature Conservancy’s website, called Everyday Environmentalists: Remember when “environmentalist” meant…recycling? It’s not so simple anymore. Being an environmentalist today calls for a whole new level of greener thinking — from what you choose at the grocery store to how you commute to work every day. So check out these tips from Nature Conservancy staff and leading environment bloggers on how to make personal, science-based choices to help save the planet. Then tell us your ideas for becoming an everyday environmentalist!

My boss over at Green Options, Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, is also a part of this project along with a host of other green web greats whom, despite our online mini-celebrity, live normal lives just like all of our readers. Visit the Everyday Environmentalist feature and check out the simple tips we all offer - maybe you even have one or two of your own to add.

With so many rainy days here in San Francisco lately, I’m starting to feel like I’m already living in Portland (yeah, if only!). Since I already had a funky cough, I didn’t think going out to walk in the rain would be the best idea. So, once I’m done with my daily writing work, I’m stuck with not much to do. Thankfully, Juliet’s series of Junk Mail Love posts have kept me inspired with crafty ideas and the mailman has been delivering nothing but junk mail the past two days.

I’m amped that we have added yet another series of posts to Crafting a Green World as well - an open Q&A between CAGW writers and our readers. Check out our first installment below and start submitting your own questions!

January 21st — Junk Mail Love - Part II by Juliet Ames: “So, the kidlets are home from school today, bugging you for something to do, and you are hiding on the computer, catching up on blogs? Why not turn the computer off (after reading this, of course) and work on a junk mail craft together? …”

January 22nd — Green Crafty Q&A: Beginner Knitting Tools by Victoria Everman: “As Crafting a Green World continues to grow, new ideas and opportunities for us to share our eco-creative experiences are ever flourishing. Today we are premiering our first-ever Q&A segment, which we hope will be the beginning of …”

January 24th — Yearn-Worthy Yarns: Southwest Trading Company by Victoria Everman: “For as long as I can remember, Southwest Trading Company has been a major player in the yarn world. Run by mother-daughter team Jonette Beck and Jonelle Raffino, SWTC claims to have started the …”

What was your favorite post of the week?

Have a green crafty idea? Send it to me directly via the CAGW contact page!

As one of the top independent shopping blogs online, Indie Fixx is one of the key players on my Google feed reader every morning. If you are a fan of indie shopping, then the Indie Fixx Shop is the place for you to be as well.

Run by Delaware-based Jen Wallace, the Indie Fixx blog has an ongoing Thursday post series called “Indie Reader Fixx Pixx” where Fixx fans can send in a list of any mix of their 5 to 10 favorite indie finds.

From the blog: Your list can be a shopping list wish list, the latest indie shops you’ve purchased from, a list of your favorite magazines or blogs, your favorite indie crafting tutorials, your favorite flickr groups or anything really as long as it’s in the spirit of indie. You can even come up with a theme for your list–like fashion, kitties, cute, guy stuff or whatever you can dream up.

I’m amped to say that this week’s Reader Fixx Pixx is brought to you by yours truly! The pictures to the left are a menagerie of the different sellers and creators that I picked for my list. Head on over to my Indie Reader Fixx Pixx post to check them all out and why I chose them.

Want to be a part of the weekly Indie Reader Fixx Pixx series? Check out the contributing info and join the club!

It is time to share with you one of my oddest phobias: I’m spooked by things that can fly. The concept of having a bird for a pet just seems strange me, though my boyfriend assures me that it is quite enjoyable.

I think the phobia comes from the fact that, well, they can fly and I can’t - it gives them an advantage. Yeah, I know the chance of them doing anything to harm me is slim to nil, but still … they have power!

Even with this random avoidance, I’ve had a strong curiosity about owls for as long as I can remember. Originally, I believe the appreciation comes from their consistent portraiture as wise beings. The barn owl in this entry’s picture makes his home at Connecticut’s Earthplace - one of the two exciting outdoor opportunities in the Nutmug State that I wrote about this past week. His all-black eyes are free of emotion but his heart-shaped face warms my soul.

Protect, Preserve, Enjoy Connecticut at Earthplace - “Making learning fun sounds like a bit of an oxymoron. Visiting a museum can sometimes be boring for both kids and adults but many of us feel somewhat obligated to walk through. One private non-profit in Westport was established to help educate and preserve …”

Meet Connecticut’s Rare Species during an Audubon Society Day Trip - “Between long days at the office, running errands and after school activities, it is easier than ever to loose touch with the natural world. Not associated with the National Audubon Society (whose Connecticut branch was established in 1941), the Connecticut Audubon Society …”

A new year, a new opportunity to turn our lives around; 2008 is a leap year, so we even get an extra day to do all those lovely things we enjoy doing (be rarely make the time for). I’m not sure about you, but this new year has been quite busy and productive so far for me. The question herein lies if all this progress is due to the rush of a new beginning or simply finally having “paid” all my “dues.”Philosophical contemplation aside, the January/February 2008 issue of Body+Soul arrived in my mailbox just a few days after this new year was rung in. Eager as usual, I read through it in less than 48 hours and am here to share its goodness with you.

Stay healthy all year long! This month, find easy tips on how to get more sleep, feel less stress, eat better, and more. Stay looking fresh all winter with our cold-weather skin survival guide and indoor workouts to keep your energy up. Plus, taste power-packed versions of your favorite soups.

New beginnings tend to make me think not only of all the good things I have accomplished, but also all the frustrations and challenges I have been through. Hindsight is 20/20 and now that these trying events have passed, it gives us all a chance to truly see what we have learned from the tribulations life throws at as. This is also the theme of the Reader to Reader section (page 18) of this Body+Soul issue. From financial stress and childhood afflictions to selfless giving and facing death, B+S readers share their tales of inner abundance openly and graciously. By visiting the Reader to Reader section online, you can read their stories and submit your own experiences with unexpected plenty.

“The secret to abundance lies in striking a balance between not enough and way too much.” Continuing the theme of simple pleasures and unexpected joy, Terri Trespicio’s feature titled “More Than Enough” (page 107) greets us with the previously mentioned quote. Battling between our societal desires to continually move up (and therefore bigger) and the basic enjoyment of a sunny morning, fresh muffin, or tender smile may not be as much of a challenge as we think.

[[ KEEP READING! THE REST OF THE REVIEW IS AT SUSTAINABLOG.ORG ]]

Another week, another great round of posts over at Crafting a Green World. Since myself and Juliet are currently the only two writers, things are a bit slow (a.k.a. only a few posts a week). I’m currently waiting to hear from another writer in D.C. who was interested in being a part of the blog.

In the mean time, Tara Hogan of Ink+Wit will be posting on Wednesdays starting in mid-February and we are very excited to have her as part of the team. Of course, I’m always looking for new folks to join the CAGW team, so if you are interested in writing at least one post a week for the blog (and getting paid for it), let me know!

January 14th — Junk Mail Love - Part I by Juliet Ames: ” The book “50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save The Earth” listed stopping unwanted junk mail as its #2 recommendation. Some interesting junk mail statistics from the book include: Each year, 100 million trees are used to produce junk mail; 250,000 homes could be heated …”

January 15th — Top 5 Must-Have DIY Knitting Tomes by Victoria Everman: “Who’s ready for some purling!? Knitting may not seem as exciting as football, but for some of us it is our lifeblood. Making something out of (what seems like) nothing is what all of us crafty folks crave, and for millions of men and women …”

January 17th –Yearn-Worthy Yarns: O-Wool from Vermont Organic Fiber Co by Victoria Everman: “Cuddly sweaters, warm throw blankets, chic slippers - these all can be knitted or crocheted from one fantastic fiber: sheep’s wool. Founded in January 2000, Vermont Organic Fiber Company is the world’s leading …”

What was your favorite post of the week?

Have a green craft idea? Send it to me directly via the CAGW contact page!

When my editor from Green Living Online asked me if I wanted to do a piece on the best and worst green fashions from 2007, I didn’t hesitate to jump on board. I spent a good 2 or 3 hours searching through all of the info I had (and could find online) about sustainable style in the past year. What an exciting and revolutionary year it was for eco-fashion; it will be quite hard to top it in 2008. Whether you agree or disagree with my top 3 choices for best and worst green fashions of 2007, I hope you enjoy reading them all the same.

BEST GREEN FASHIONISTAS

1) H&M Does Organic
Say what you will about the popularity of the “disposable” clothing industry, but when a huge retailer like H&M starts selling organic cotton clothing then we know that the green movement has made some big strides. Starting with their Spring 2007 line, the brand has since continued to use organic cotton in larger quantities with each following season (all of which have sold out in less than a month).

H&M also deserves attention for their fair trade practices, which (more…)

Karen Stewart is half of the husband-and-wife team that started the California-based Stewart+Brown in 2002. After the birth of their daughter Hazel, Karen and Howard combined their professional experiences from companies like Patagonia, Urban Outfitters and Microsoft to create a company with an organic brand.

Dedicated to timeless design and sustainable, American-based production, Stewart+Brown quickly became a pioneer in the fashion field. They continue to lead the way in using sustainable fashions like the Mongolian cashmere in their luxury goods. Other fabrics in the women’s line include organic cotton, hemp, linen and surplus fabrics from other companies. The company also donates a minimum of one percent of all sales to non-profits via the 1% For the Planet program.

When were you first introduced to fabrics like organic cotton?
I was first introduced to organic cotton in the early 1990’s. I began working with it in 1998 when I was designing for Patagonia. During the time I worked with them I attended, in the summer of 2001, a tour of California’s organic cotton farms, including an optimistic and inspirational visit to the Sheppard’s Ranch. The Sheppard’s farm is 550 acres in Madera County and at the time they were leaders in the industry. The Sheppard’s admit that their entry into organic farming began as a personal decision. At the time they made the switch, Linda was pregnant and asked Claude not to spray pesticides. He subsequently found that his fields yielded nearly the same as the previous year. They admitted they were “completely amazed at how well it worked.” Claude also noted, “After that, there was no turning back — we ended up going completely organic. We stopped using commercial fertilizers and herbicides.” The Cotton Tour, a day of visiting sustainable and organic farms, education and networking is organized by Sustainable Cotton and CAFF.

Was the decision to donate one percent of your profits to charity (via 1% For the Planet) a goal from the start? Is there any one charity or cause that has gotten your attention as of late?
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Have you heard about the latest green living magazine to hit the newsstands? Launched in late 2007, All Green Magazine “believes that the environmental challenges we face are not without solutions. It is our mission to make consumers, organizations, businesses and policy makers aware of the problems facing the planet-and to offer steps that individuals can take to help make the world a more eco-friendly place to live, work, play and raise a family.”

Currently, All Green focuses on the New England area, specifically Connecticut (you can view the very first issue online for free), but they plan to expand and offer local edition to areas all across the United States. Having lived in Connecticut for nearly 7 years before moving to San Francisco, it is fantastic to see the Nutmeg State taking a proactive approach to sustainable change.

When I first heard about the magazine’s launch via Craigslist and Wooden Horse Pub, I couldn’t resist contacting them to see about contributing. I’m honored to say that I’ve landed a gig as the writer of the AllGreen.com online Leisure section, which includes Arts & Culture, Outdoor Pursuits, Travel & Tourism, Sports and more. My first two articles just went live and I might be writing for a future issue of the print publication, so stay tuned for details on that.

(more…)

Remember that eco-crafts website I told you about a few months ago - Crafting a Green World? We’ve been up and running for nearly two months and the response has been nothing short of phenomenal. As part of the new year, I’ll be doing a weekly round-up of CAGW’s posts here on Victoria-E.com, giving you a chance to catch up on anything that might have slipped through your sustainable fingers.

Contributing writer Melissa Stadja of The Stanley Family Lodge has scaled back her posts to spend more time with her newborn daughter. Around the same time as she announced her plans to do so, Juliet Ames of The Broken Plate Pendant Company (whom I first wrote about right here on Victoria-E.com) joined the CAGW crew and has been contributing some great posts.

January 7th — So Much Plastic, So Little Time! by Juliet Ames: “According to The Environmental Literacy Council, plastics make up 25% of all waste in landfills when buried. It is a good thing that crafters are finding ways to appropriate this versatile and plentiful material into their creations …”

(more…)

Boy oh boy - I have been putting off this post for almost a week now. Putting all of my hopes and dreams for 2008 down on paper (or, in this care, on screen) is a big step, knowing the folks reading my blog (you all rock) will help to hold me accountable for everything I write.

Maybe all of you are just the proverbial fire under my butt that I need to take my career and my life to the next level. In 2007, my second year filing taxes as a business owner, I have made a profit - not a huge one (nearly $6,000) but profit is profit. Whenever I question why I spend my days writing, never knowing if I am really helping anyone, reminding myself that people pay me (somewhat) well to do what I do is a sign that at least I don’t suck.

On the verge of ringing in 2008, I was all kinds of amped to meet the new year head on. Just a few days after January had begun, my inspiration and drive had been sucked out of me completely by some unknown force. I am still unsure of what the force was, but doing yoga for the past two days has helped to revive my spirit somewhat. The only person standing in the way of my success is myself.

There is no time like the present to start progressing forward, so it is time to post my plans and goals for 2008. Notably, I’m not just taking about writing here - these including fitness, networking, travel, crafts, outside jobs … etc. So strap on your seat belt - I’m about to take off in 2008! (more…)

Still dreaming of a solar powered house but think you can’t afford it? Even with State and Federal assistance, installing a full solar system on your house can run you upwards of $10,000, depending on your location.

A new collection of companies are taking a lesson from the auto industry and are renting solar panels to consumers. Based out of San Francisco, Sun Run is one of the key companies in this new solar trend.

But just how does it work? Sun Run’s solution is the first all-inclusive residential solar electricity package, offered for less than your current electric bill. You will lock in a below-market rate for the electricity the panels generate on your roof, and you can relax knowing that Sun Run will optimize, monitor, and maintain the system they install at no extra cost.

Such a sustainable and affordable option was one we couldn’t resist investigating. Sun Run President Nat Kreamer was nice enough to take some time to chat with Building Green TV about his unique company and everything they offer for customers. Keep reading for details about Sun Run’s beginnings, actual customer savings, expansion plans, and solar misconceptions. This is one interview you won’t want to miss! (more…)

WELCOME TO 2008!
Tomorrow, I will have a great post all about what is to come from me and my creative endeavors in this new year. Until then, enjoy the last Top 5 post of 2007 [even though I am posting it in 2008 - just ignore that part].

1) Snapping Takes A Modern, Kitchen-y Twist: “My favorite childhood toy, hands down, was Legos. Truth be told, if you put me in front of a box of Legos right now, I’d have a field day. The ability to mix and match any and all pieces to create something of beauty or function …”

2) Portland Series :: Betsy Walton’s Layered Dream Worlds: “‘I draw, paint, sew, and make prints in my studio in Portland, Oregon … and I love to get email.’ Betsy Walton is a woman after my own (and everyone else’s) heart! The quoted sentence is …”

3) A Sweet Excuse For Sweets: Eat A Cookie, Save the Oceans: “Does anyone really need another excuse to slather on the icing or “double-dunk” our desserts? How about helping to save our planet’s oceans? Oceana; a California, Oregon and Alaska-based …”

4) Rosa Parks’ Quiet Strength is Memorialized in Blooms: “It’s quite easy to get so caught up in all the holiday hub-bub that we forget about just how good our lives actually are. Being born and raised in the States has given me an unimaginable number of freedoms and …”

5) Are You Crafting A Green World?: “Online for just a month now, have you had a chance to check out Crafting a Green World? A part of the Green Options Media network, I’m the blog’s editor and head writer. Recently, two more writers have signed on, both of which are …”

What did you enjoy this month?

What would you like to see less/more of?