Last weekend, I paid $20 for a pair of panties — that used to be someone else’s panties.

Alright — I’m not sure if they used to be someone else’s underwear — but they very well could have been. What I got is the Patagonia Women’s Barely Bikini — the newer, cuter, and lighter design with a seamless weave — at the store on Santa Monica’s Main Street. These undies are made through Patagonia’s Common Threads program, which takes old polyester clothes and recycles them into new clothes. That means 73% of my Barely Bikini used to be someone else’s skirt, shirt, headband, bra, or panty — or all of the above.

And the privilege wearing what was once someone else’s old duds doesn’t come cheap. At first I balked at the $20 price tag, but these cute underthings were being snapped up so quickly by other shoppers coming in after the farmers market nearby that I felt I had to get my pair before they ran out! Indeed, the black ones in my size had already all been sold by the time I finally made up my mind — so I settled on Dusty Taupe.

Oddly, while I knew my Barely Bikini was made with recycled materials, I didn’t really think about the fact that I’d be wearing very close to my skin what could have once been someone else’s underwear until I started writing this post. Mulling over this idea, I went to Patagonia’s website, where an online rep’s offer to answer questions via chat automatically popped up. This conversation ensued:

So there you have it. While $20 still seems high for a pair of basic underwear, I am very happy with my new panties, which are soft, stretchy, and comfy. I hope they will last a long long time before I send them back to Patagonia — to be recycled into someone else’s underwear.

What about you, green LA girl reader? Would you buy Patagonia Women’s Barely Bikini? Vote in the poll, which closes midnight on Aug. 5.

Earlier:
>> Bare essentials green gift guide: Eco-friendly panties
>> Sunday solutions: Cute, simple undies

0 Comments

I start my mornings with delicious organic fair trade coffee from Equal Exchange — and sometimes end it with decadent organic fair trade dark chocolate or spicy cocoa from Equal Exchange. So as you can imagine, I’m both happy and honored that Equal Exchange is sponsoring my trip to BlogHer ’10 in New York City next week!

Equal Exchange is best known among eco-foodies for its pure, organic caffeinated treats — and best recognized among environmental and social justice advocates as a leader in the fair trade movement. Equal Exchange’s Cafe Nica — partly in response to the 1985 embargo imposed by Reagan against Nicaragua. — was the first fair trade product in the U.S.!

And for those raising money for a good cause, Equal Exchange’s innovative fundraising program can help. If school fundraisers that sell cheap, unhealthy, chemical-laden junk food from less-than-ethical multinational corporations make you cringe — or at least fill you with ambivalence and anxiety — you’ll be glad to know Equal Exchange lets you raise money for a good cause without compromising your ethics. PTAs and student groups can raise funds selling Equal Exchanges eco-ethical drinks and nibbles — as well as pretty fair trade handicrafts like silk scarves from Nepal and batik greeting cards from Thailand — all at a competitive, 40 percent margin.

Haven’t had a chance to taste Equal Exchange‘s delicious treats yet? During BlogHer ’10, I’ll be giving out Equal Exchange chocolate minis to anyone who asks. In addition to the official BlogHer ’10 panels, workshops, and socials, you’ll be able to find me at the Ellis Island Excursion event, The People’s Party, Green Blogger Soiree, BlogHer 5K, A Green Affair, among other events. I’ll regularly tweet where I am @greenlagirl, so come find me whenever you have a sudden chocolate craving.

But if you won’t be at BlogHer ’10, Equal Exchange has a treat for you too! Simply visit equalexchange.coop/blogher and use the code LoveEqEx to get a 15% discount on your entire purchase PLUS free shipping.*

Hope to see you at BlogHer!

* Minimum $25 order. Free shipping offer applies to 48 contiguous U.S. states. If ordering chocolate in summer months, a $3 fee will be added for a cooling gel pack that’ll keep the treats from melting. Offer ends Dec. 31, 2010.

1 Comments

Even simple and plain, one-color organic cotton T-shirts can cost you more than $50 if you pick from high-end green fashion designers, but if you’re willing to spend that much on everyday wear, I suggest going for a T-shirt that’s not only green and fairly made but also handcrafted in limited editions too — so you get a unique look for your big-spending ways.

And one place to get very cute T-shirts is GeboMana, a new company based in Australia that combines modern urban flair with traditional tribal designs. Each limited-edition shirt is made from certified organic cotton grown in India — then stitched, printed, painted, embroidered, and appliqued using a traditional Indonesian woven fabric called Ikat by craftspeople in Bali.

Plus, GeboMana has a philanthropic goal. (more…)

0 Comments

Feel like the only person at so-called green parties with helmet hair? You’re going to the wrong parties. Hit these fun summer events to hang out with Angelenos who literally walk the walk, ride the bike, and root for high speed rail:

Pro high speed rail group railLA invites all to the Opening Night Party for LA Beyond Cars, a curated exhibit featuring drawings, models, videos, animations, installations and interactive station design workshops. In addition to meeting some big local names in out-of-the-car thinking, you’ll get to enjoy live music, food from Drago Centro, and drinks from a cash bar.

The fast-paced fun happens Thurs., July 29, from 6 pm to 10 pm in the Jewel Box at the base of the City National Bank Plaza towers, 525 S. Flower St., downtown Los Angeles. The LA Beyond Cars exhibit will run through Aug. 28.

If you support Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition’s City of Lights program, which works to empower Latino immigrant cyclists by providing bike safety education, bike lights, and other resources, block out Aug. 12 for the City of Lights Annual Awards Dinner. There’ll be food, music, a silent auction, and an awards presentation.

The dinner happens Aug. 12 from 5:30 pm to 10 pm at the MALDEF Building, 634 S. Spring St., downtown Los Angeles. Cost: $35 online tickets before Aug. 1, $45 after.

Get to know L.A. on the streetlevel by taking the Trekking Los Angeles Urban Alfresco walking tour of MacArthur Park and Koreatown. The curated walk will introduce you to local street art and culture — and let you enjoy alfresco dining in Francis Avenue Garden.

Put together by LA Commons, Trekking LA events seek to introduce you to the diverse and colorful neighborhoods of Los Angeles. The MacArthur Park / Koreatown walk happens Sat., Aug. 15 from 3 pm to 6 pm. Buy the $25 ticket online now, because only 18 spots remain! If you miss the August walk, a tour of Leimert Park happens Sept. 5.

Santa Monica Museum of Art invites you to its second annual Cause for Creativity: Tour da Arts — where SaMoans and Angelono cyclists will unite to pedal away from oil dependency. Ride to the all-day event, which kicks off with a a spoke card art workshop at 2 pm (cost: $5), followed by a FREE C.I.C.L.E.-led cultural bike ride from 4 pm to 7 pm that stops at various locations around Santa Monica.

Cap the night with a closing party featuring music by Dublab, live t-shirt screen printing, food trucks, bike-themed vendors, whatever a “fixie zone” is, and something called “Acro Yoga.” All that happens Sun., Aug. 22. Online RSVP’s required — Sign up now, because space is limited!

Last but not least, car-free Angelenos’ beloved blog Streetsblog Los Angeles will not close down as previously feared. Instead, the blog’s throwing a Streetsblog Los Angeles Re-Launch Fundraiser and Party. There’ll be munchies, drinks, a silent auction, and general good times in a fun atmosphere.

I am helping to plan this one — so I expect all of you to be in attendance! (and also to email me at greenlagirl@gmail.com if you have any bike-themed, transit-friendly, or otherwise enviable item you’d like to donate for the silent auction). The party happens Wed., Aug. 25 from 7 pm to 11:30 pm at 11555 National Blvd., Los Angeles. Cost: $20 donation online or at the door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, but if you don’t lack funds, don’t be stingy.

0 Comments

Late last year I kind of dismissed the Woolly Vagabond — an eco-friendly, plant-toting purse — as an imaginative but impractical accessory. While the purse could certainly let your plant “accompany you to the museum, on picnics and out to dinner,” as described by the green-minded product maker, I just didn’t see eco-fashionistas carrying around plants the way Hollywood celebs carry little dogs.

Now, I’m eating my words because a museum has sent out an invitation specifically to plant-toters.

The Hammer Museum invites your favorite plant to a Houseplant Vacation — a “cultural retreat for plants.” This month-long green holiday will pamper your plant as it’s never been pampered before. Not only will the lucky plants get to hang out on a light-flooded terrace, they’ll get their portrait photograph taken, experience “psychic plant healing,” learn some cultural plant history, and take in readings, performances, and musical events every Saturday.

Whose whimsical green idea is this? That would be Machine Project, the artsy L.A. nonprofit that’s collaborated with fruit foraging artist collective Fallen Fruit for Public Fruit Jams and encouraged mushroom foraging with FungiFest, among other green-leaning projects. Machine Project’s currently the Public Engagement Artist in Residence at the Hammer.

Want to get your plant pampered? Drop off your plant this Saturday, July 31, between 11 am and 6 pm. Hammer requests only healthy plants — “this is a vacation, not rehab,” notes the press release — and requires that you sign a one-page release waiver (PDF) agreeing not to hold the Hammer responsible “if my plant/s gets sick, is overserved, pollinates another plant, disappears in plant napping or otherwise, or if my plant/s enters into any other oral or written contracts while on Houseplant Vacation.”

Check out the full schedule of plant activities, RSVP for your plant to plantvacation@machineproject.com then carry your plant in your Woolly Vagabond to the Hammer this Saturday. Remember to pick your plant back up on Sun., Aug. 29 between 11 am to 6 pm, or else the Hammer will have the right “to employ or release into the wild” your best green friend.

Photo via Woolly Pocket

0 Comments

Twice-weekly green giveaways.

Today’s freebie’s for the thirsty environmentalist! One lucky green LA girl reader will win a reusable water bottle made by Good Life.

This stainless steel, BPA-free bottle is slightly heavier than what most reusables-toters are used to — because the bottle has dual walls to keep 16.9 ounces of liquids hot or cold. A vacuum seal cap keeps the bottle leak-proof for active environmentalists –

Comment by Tue., Aug. 3 to get into the drawing, which will happen Wed., Aug. 5 (more info on freebies here). U.S. addresses only.

38 Comments

If you’ve ever used the iPhone app for Groupon — or enviously watched the app get used by a friend who owns an iPhone, as was the case for me — then you may have wondered why all coupons and gift certificates can’t be redeemed this way. Instead of dealing with losable plastic or paper gift cards, I should just be able to pull up a code on my phone for my discount or freebie!

That’s the idea behind Giiv.com, which lets you send a friend everything from a dozen donuts to a yoga class via text message to redeem at his or her leisure. Unfortunately, while Giiv.com’s idea is certainly one for which the time has come, Giiv.com doesn’t actually make waste-free giving giving easy.

First of all, most of Giiv.com’s gift certificate options are for e-tailers, not brick-and-mortar establishments. If your friend has to go online to shop anyway, doesn’t it make more sense to send an e-gift certificate by email that lets the recipient click directly to the e-tailer’s site? This feature’s especially odd for the Amazon.com gift certificates; buying and sending one via text message not only forces your friend to manually copy the gift certificate code from the text message on a phone to Amazon’s website, it also forces you to pay more because Giiv.com tacks on a 99-cent “convenience fee.”

But I had high hopes for Giiv.com’s gift certificates for brick-and-mortar establishments. (more…)

0 Comments

>> Experience your salad in HD! Francis Lam’s got lots colorful ideas on how to never make the same-old, same-old salad again — like this interesting tidbit about salt: “The word “salad” comes from “salt.” Really. I defer to history and tradition in certain matters, and seasoning my salads with salt is absolutely one of them; just a touch brightens all the flavors, like vegetables in HD.”

>> Think brilliant thoughts — by refusing to make thoughts about money and disputes the top idea in your head. That what Paul Graham advises to ensure that you keep having brilliant ideas while taking a shower or otherwise just letting your thoughts drift. How to do this? Writes Paul: “I’ve found I can to some extent avoid thinking about nasty things people have done to me by telling myself: this doesn’t deserve space in my head.” So stop stressing about those troll-y comments or clickthrough rates on your blog’s ads!

>> Get out of the car and enjoy the sunny day. That’s not exactly a new idea, but the photographs of L.A.’s smoggy history were new to me. Wired’s got photos of SoCal’s smog from the 1940s through the 1960s — including the first bad one in 1943:

In the middle of World War II, Los Angeles residents believe the Japanese are attacking them with chemical warfare. A thick fog that makes people’s eyes sting and their noses run has taken hold of the city…. As residents would later find out, the fog was not from an outside attacker, but from their own vehicles and factories.

Photo of salad made with Vital Zuman Organic Farm‘s produce

0 Comments

Every piece of paper from both green-minded and greenwashing company seems to have that cumbersomely long yet still necessary tagline — “printed on 100% post consumer recycled fiber with vegetable-based inks” — or some version there of. And I have a prediction: That tagline’s going to get longer — especially for cash register receipts.

My prediction’s that “BPA-free” will soon be included in there somewhere. Why? Many of those receipts are covered in BPA, a.k.a. bisphenol-A, an endocrine disruptor linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and lots of other ills.

The fact that BPA coats many receipts isn’t brand new news. Last October, John C. Warner, an organic chemist who used to work for Polaroid, got widespread coverage with his revelation that many receipts contain not just a little, but a lot of BPA. However, John wasn’t interested in publishing his data, citing lack of resources in addition to a dedication to “not preaching about the bad but about diligently trying to invent the good.”

So Environmental Working Group stepped in. This green health nonprofit too is about inventing the good — but often goes about said invention by preaching about the bad. Today, EWG released a report showing not only how much BPA is on these cash receipts — but also which company is giving out the most tainted receipts.

Ready for the bad news? If you guessed that McDonald’s and KFC serve up BPA alongside their unhealthy monstrosities, you are correct:

The receipt for a McDonald’s Happy Meal™ purchased in Clinton, Conn. on April 21, 2010 had an estimated 13 milligrams of BPA. That equals the amount of BPA in 126 cans of Chef Boyardee Overstuffed Beef Ravioli in Hearty Tomato & Meat Sauce, one of the products with the highest concentrations of BPA in EWG’s 2007 tests of canned foods.

Receipts from CVS, WalMart, Safeway, and the U.S. Postal Service also contained alarming amounts of BPA. But organic foodies at Whole Foods can’t rest easy either; at least one store in the Whole Foods chain gave out BPA-tainted receipts. (more…)

7 Comments

Want to get from Park La Brea to the eastern edge of Koreatown — while enjoying the gorgeous SoCal weather without fighting traffic? Then get behind the 4th Street Bike Boulevard Campaign, a grassroots effort to turn the 3.6-mile stretch of 4th St. from Cochran to Hoover into a haven for cyclists and pedestrians.

Bike boulevards are basically streets that favor bike and ped traffic — but allow cars too. If such a street’s hard for you to envision, it’s because we don’t have bike boulevards in Los Angeles. Not yet, at least. If the 120 or so Angelenos who showed up for Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition‘s Walk and Ride for a Safer 4th Street event on Saturday have their way — and more people (that would be you!) join the clamor calling for a safer 4th St. — we could have our first one on 4th St. within the a few years.

What would a 4th Street Bicycle Boulevard look like? I got a sense on Saturday, when I joined the dozen or so fellow Angelenos on the 4th Street Walk (the Ride proved much more popular, attracting about 100 cyclists). LA County Bicycle Coalition volunteers had drawn extended curbs, mini parks, and car diverters in chalk to help us envision a greener, saner 4th Street, and LACBC volunteer (and river activist and artist, below in white T-shirt) Joe Linton explained these proposed features as we walked along.

Basically, the 4th Street Bicycle Boulevard Campaign calls for a revamp of 6 intersections, adding traffic-diverting mini-parks, extended curbs, and extended medians as well as traffic-slowing roundabouts. Those changes would reclaim big chunks of the road for cyclists, pedestrians, and neighborhood residents while reducing the number and slowing the speed of cars on 4th Street. See what these new, revamped intersections would look like (only 5 of the 6 intersections are pictured), thanks to Joe Linton’s design blog. (more…)

2 Comments