Eco-Friendly & Green Living Blog

If I didn’t live in an apartment, I’d be gettin’ me one of these babies!

American Standard’s H2Option dual-flush toilet is not only high-efficiency when it comes to water usage, it also has the benefit of high-tech action. Graeme Lennox, marketing manager for American Standard in Canada, explains the magic: The toilet “meets the 6-litre full flush, 3.4-litre partial flush standard for high-efficiency toilets, while at the same time boosts day-to-day performance by adding superior siphon jetted technology…When the user flushes the H2Option, some of the water is instantly diverted to the rim of the toilet where there are a series of chambers. The air in these chambers pushes the ongoing incoming water forcefully out into the bowl. Combined with the force of the rest of the water entering the bowl, the siphon pull action is strong.” Plus, it comes with a slow-close seat cover – a total bonus!

Coming in June 2009 to Canada!

Price: from $425

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What’s so great about another rechargeable battery?

The Eneloop is ready to go right out of the pack. That’s right! No waiting for it to charge up, just pop it in and you’re ready to go, plus it keeps 85% of its charge for one year, which means you don’t have to constantly recharge it, and it doesn’t have to be fully discharged before recharging.

You can recharge it using other NiMH chargers, not just an Eneloop charger, and recharge it up to 1,000 times. When you’re done with it, it’s recyclable – just drop it off at one of the 1,000 recycling centres across Canada.

For more info, check out www.eneloop.ca.

Price: from $13.99 for batteries alone, from $29.99 for batteries and charger

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I’m seeing a recurring theme in the images I’ve been putting up lately: clean, bright and white!

This flirty Fly cushion from Canada’s own LoooLo Textiles is no exception. LoooLo’s green claim to fame? “Every pillow or blanket we make uses our own hand- and machine-knit biodegradable textiles. Yes, you can throw them in your composter at the end of their useful life and they will biodegrade within 1 year.” LoooLo also uses Canadian suppliers whenever possible. That’s saying something!

The Fly is shown here in Lamb and also comes in Mink, Slate and Buffalo and three different sizes, 9″ x 18″, 11″ x 23″ and 18″ x 18″.

Available at: www.looolo.ca

Price: from $125

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If you’re heading down to the Green Living Show in Toronto this weekend, you’re in for a treat. I went down yesterday and I was really impressed with not only the selection of eco-friendly products and information on offer, but also the crowds thronging the Direct Energy Centre, which is where the show is held. Obviously, there’s a lot of interest in green living, and that’s wonderful!

I saw a number of things that I’ll post about in more detail in the coming days and weeks, but here are a few tidbits.

I dropped by the Essentia booth to try out the natural memory foam mattresses. I posted about them a while back (to read the post, click here), and when I tried them out, I was impressed. They felt very comfy and I’m thinking I might have to get one! My present mattress is doing the drastic dip-in-the-middle thing and I’m really starting to feel it. If I do go the Essentia route, you can be sure I’ll be reporting back on it here…

I also checked out the American Standard booth and loved the look of their H2Option siphonic, dual action toilet.

At the Samsung booth, I watched the lastest in LED TVs, with very cool looking, ultrathin screens, that can be flush-mounted on your wall. Sure, they’re expensive now, but the prices of all electronics come down eventually, and LEDs are superefficient when it comes to power usage.

Burt’s Bees was at the show once again and has expanded its line in Canada (which I’m thrilled about – was very frustrating to see all the Burt’s Bees products available on the U.S. website and not be able to find many of them here!).

As well, there were tons of other great exhibitors too numerous to cover here, but I have collected info and will be filling you in, so do come back and check the blog out again!

And one more thing re the show: Be sure to visit the Farm Fresh Fare area at the back and you’ll find the best food at a show ever! Toronto area chefs have teamed with local farmers to serve up sustainable food that is absolutely delicious! Sampling tickets are $2 each. You really can’t beat it!

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Think of the fun you could have with this customizable lighting fixture from Brooklyn, New York’s Perch! Design!

They’ll make it to order with any letters, words, names you like. Each ball is 5” in diameter and takes up to a 60-watt candelabra bulb (to make it eco-friendly, just pop in CFL mini chandelier bulbs instead!), and the balls are connected so they all stay together.

Each chandelier can be up to 6 letters, or for a longer word, put two together. You can also order single letters.

All Perch! products are handmade (love that!) using enviro-friendly materials and processes and non-toxic finishes.

Available at: www.perch.com

Price: $110 each letter

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Happy Earth Day! As I was thinking what to post for today, it occurred to me that everyone was going to be inundated with all sorts of advice about what to do to make the Earth a better place. I could add to that, but instead decided just to say, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, enjoy whatever the day has to offer!

Here in Toronto, it’s raining, the grass is looking nice and green, the weekend will be amazingly warm – life is good! So, once again, Happy Earth Day!

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Anthropologie’s first Canadian location opens in Toronto tomorrow at the Shops at Don Mills and we’re beside ourselves with excitement!

Among the fashions and home decor items are eco-friendly goodies, including these lovely finds. Can’t wait to see what else we uncover in the coming months. You can order online if you’re not in T.O. area, while two other stores are slated to open soon: one in the West Edmonton Mall and another store in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood.

< Paperie Petting Zoo by Stray Dog Designs
Handcrafted from recycled cement bags
Price: $248.79

Capri Blue Candle-In-A-Jar >
Made from recycled glass and soy wax
Price: $31.41

< Eco Jot Notebook Set
Made from recycled paper and cardstock
Set of 3
Price: $17.59

Available at: Anthropologie, www.anthropologie.com, the Anthropologie shop at the Shops at Don Mills

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If you have a sofa or chair that’s looking a little tattered and tired, don’t even think about getting rid of it, think slipcover instead!

Today I put my ivory slipcovers back onto my sofa, chairs and ottoman in my living room, and I’m always amazed at how different they make my place look – from cosy wintertime palette to bright, light springtime look in practically no time at all! (I say practically because no matter how easy-breezy everyone makes slipcovers sound, there is effort involved, don’t kid yourself. My sofa is big and the slipcover takes some wrestling to get it to fit smoothly over the sofa’s red velvet upholstery. The whole notion of just pulling it off and tossing it into the laundry isn’t something I take lightly!)

Nonetheless, slipcovers are a great way to save an old piece of furniture and keep it going for a few more years or simply update your look for the changing seasons.

I got mine at Potato Skins in Toronto, but there are any number of slipcover makers around, and if you have upholstered IKEA furniture, check out Bemz.

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What better way to welcome – and encourage! – the warmer weather than with a change of bedding. West Elm’s pintuck duvet cover is the perfect choice: pure white, great design detail and certified organic and undyed.

Available at: www.westelm.com

Price: $99 US for full/queen

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Today I’m a Guest Curator on Etsy’s blog The Storque – very exciting! Here’s my post for them; for the full article, click here. (Keep in mind that things sell out quickly on Etsy, so if something is no longer available, the seller might have something similar, or might stock something again down the road.)

I’m always on the lookout for great natural products for the home from anywhere and everywhere and recently posted about a colourful baby quilt by Etsy’s Sewn Natural (www.sewnnatural.etsy.com). There’s masses of other fabulous earth-friendly products on Etsy and this is just a small sampling!

organic linen napkins by natsuminishizumi

Love the splash of colour on these organic linen napkins from natsuminishizumi. They’re hand-screenprinted using water-based inks, and 5% of the profits go to Friends Without a Border, a charity that provides medical care to children in Cambodia  http://www.fwab.org/). Goodness all round!

Available at: www.natsuminishizumi.etsy.com

Price: $30 US per set of 2

vintage fabric hearts by pouch

These lavender sachets from Pouch will add a sweet scent to your drawers or closets and repel moths in a natural, chemical-free way; plus, they’re made from vintage recycled fabric.

Available at: www.pouch.etsy.com

Price: $11.50 US per pair

yellow dragonfly nightlight by mariposaavenue

What a clever use of an old can! Mariposa Avenue takes what would otherwise be trash and turns it into an attactive light fixture by cutting out a pretty design, painting it a bright, cheery colour and adding a light equipped with a photo sensor so it only comes on when the room is dark enough. Perfect for when guests come to visit or wee ones just find the dark too frightful.

Available at: www.mariposaavenue.etsy.com

Price: $15 US

recycled bright summer flowers journal and sketchbook by burgundydistrict

Feeling inspired? If you’re not already, you will be by this colourful 80-page book from BurgundyDistrict. It’s handmade, 100% recycled and perfect for jotting down your thoughts or sketching pictures.

Available at: www.burgundydistrict.etsy.com

Price: $21 US

white purity record bowl by vinylrocksmyworld

How many people do you know who can say they have something as unique as this absolutely fabulous white bowl by vinylrocksmyworld? I simply can’t say enough about how smashing I think it is! Unfortunately, this item just sold out today – so disappointing! But that’s what happens on Etsy, so if you see something you love, grab it quickly! Let’s hope vinylrocksmyworld finds more of these and quickly!

Check for similar items at: www.vinylrocksmyworld.etsy.com

seahorses pillow by alexandraferguson

Get a little taste of the seaside and summer with this 100% recycled felt appliqué pillow from alexandraferguson, pillow-maker extraordinaire. These jaunty little creatures are soft, cute and cuddly and are sure to add charm to any interior. Who would have believed they were once plastic water bottles?

Available at: www.alexandraferguson.etsy.com

Price: $49 US

letterpress counting poster by sweetbeets

This charming 8.5” x 11” letterpress poster from Canadian illustrator sweetbeets is on 100% cotton paper made of fibres recycled from the fabric industry.

Available at: www.sweetbeets.etsy.com

Price: $30 US

recycled sail tote – blue number 8 by reiter8

The stark, graphic quality of this tote from Reiter8 really makes it shine. Crafted from upcycled sailboat sails, the tote’s number is appliqued on the front and red organic cotton lines the inside, which is divided into three sections so you can easily organize all your gear.

Available at: www.reiter8.etsy.com

Price: $75 US

handwoven felted wool rag rug by fiveforty

Canadian crafter fiveforty turned old sweaters into this gorgeous felted wool rug. The lovely gradations of greys, blues and greens bring to mind lakes and cool green forests.

Available at: www.fiveforty.etsy.com

Price: $240 US

army blanket pillow by ouno

Made out of surplus Italian army blankets, the modern, sombre tones of these pillows from Vancouver crafter ouno would look chic against cleanlined white slipcovers in the summer.

Available at: www.ouno.etsy.com

Price: $60 US

cherry blossom base by trilliumartisans

Tuck a sprig of spring blossoms into this petite reclaimed glass vase etched by TrilliumArtisans member Amanda Siska (you can also check out her Etsy shop at http://breadandbadger.etsy.com).

Available at: www.trilliumartisans.etsy.com

Price: $45 US

felted wool beach stones by lilfishstudios

Add a hit of colour to your home’s surfaces with these quirky felted-wool-wrapped stones. Lisa Jordan of lilfishstudios uses wool from old clothing and finds her inspiration in nature – I’m in love with the colour and love the idea of these stones!

Available at: www.lilfishstudios.etsy.com

Price: $30 US

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