vivienne westwood + melissa jellies!
|
|
|
|
|
 |
seven rivers: why didn’t anyone think of this before?
people are annoyed with me - often.
no, it’s not my nasally voice, my toetapping or even my shoulder cracking that’s to blame. of all things, it’s MY REFUSAL TO ACCEPT BAGS AT STORES. really, people? really?
first it’s denial - she didn’t say she doesn’t want a bag, she’s just mumbling.
then anger - why??? why would you not want a bag? how can you carry things without a bag?
finally, acceptance - okay, fine. suit yourself. dumbass.
you know what, this is ridiculous! if i want to carry home my kalbi in a freakin’ piece of lettuce instead of getting a huge styrofoam box and paper bag with another plastic bag to hold it all, that’s my business. CAN I LIVE???
 |
| when i made it home, there wasn’t even a hair on this thing. |
with all that fuss over not wanting to use wasteful packaging, i DO purchase bottled when i’m on the go. before you judge me, i just want to say that i really have no choice. you see how much water YOU can hold in a piece of lettuce! anyways, i was really impressed when sarah, a reader, tipped me off about seven rivers. they’ve got this great idea to make machines that dispense pure, clean water all around the city, eliminating the need to buy bottled or drink out of other questionable water sources (extra deep puddle on 3rd ave).
seven rivers is competing right now on ideablob to win 10 Gs to develop their idea. show them you like it by voting for them now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FREECYCLE FRIDAY: post your best ecotip to score this sweet tweed dress for free!
this week’s freecycled goodie is a pretty tweed plenty by tracy reese dress (size 6).
it’s got a few smudges around the collar, but nothing that can’t be washed off.
if you think you can give it a good home, comment on this post with your favorite eco-tip or product.
the comment with the most votes by friday the 27th (your friends can vote by commenting with your name) will score this purty dress for free!!!
 |
 |
|
good luck!
do you have stuff to freecycle to the best ecotip? send an email to swyyne[at]swyyne.com to donate it to the most worthy tip!
other stuff for urban piggies
new yorkers - did you know that you can switch to wind energy?
a universal green charger cuts down on waste and annoyance
recraft your papers into cute hermes birkin valentines
lust: greenaid grenade-shaped eco-bag
laid off? recycle your business cards for waste free catharsis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
microsoft sustainability: a glimpse into the future
dope video by microsoft + oh, hello.
i like how the idea of sustainability is not smacking you in the face in every single scene. instead, it’s more of a given that people are collectively working towards making things better, and smart design is allowing them to accomplish their goals.
there are some really slick scenarios like a newspaper that automatically refreshes with the days news and is totally interactive, but still retains it’s papery feel (kindle, are you listening?).
i wish i had screenshots, but for now you’re just going to have to click here to see the whole thing.
danke for the pics fubiz!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i thought i had conquered my inability to contain my emotions a long time ago…
has anyone else noticed that facebook’s homepage revamp in an effort not to be overtaken by prettier, dumber and slightly sluttier little sister twitter has resulted in quiz overload?
so far, i’ve discovered that i should live in the u.s., have misterious eyes (is anyone using spellcheck on these things?) and my japanese name is aya. hmmm…guess someone shoulda told my parents that before they named me yuka.
anyhoo, if you want to take a break from those strenuous fb quizzes, try out the travel channel’s “i have the bug” quiz to see what you travel style is.
here’s mine:
 |
yes, yes this explains a lot.
wanna find out what kind of traveler you are?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the really really free market - today!
in case you didn’t get it the first time, it’s free, really. everything!
note: all the information in the pic is old, so please see deets below.
Date: Sunday, March 15th
Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Hudson Guild Fulton Center (119 9th Ave bet. 17th & 17th St)
Cost: Free
“Really Really Free Market is about as close to karma based sustainability as possible. Several times throughout the year, people get together to share food, music, clothing, services, etc. with one another in a commerce free environment. Bring whatever you’d like to share, or just come down for a day of dancing, hanging out, eating, workshops and general anti-corporate antics.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
carbon is not bad. seriously, think about it.
it’s pretty ridiculous how much everyone hates carbon now. for gosh sake people - you know we’re made out of that stuff right? well, to be completely accurate, we’re giant ugly bags of mostly water. if you want to laugh your face off, watch the second video to see where that reference comes from.
anyhow, yeah, carbon is not bad, necessarily. it’s all about where the carbon ends up. think about carbon as paper in an office. or, if thinking is too hard for you (i know, it hurts me too), watch this rather clever video.
thanks instant egghead!
and now…
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
calling all green businesses in new york: win 30 Gs worth of goodies for your startup!
30 Gs people!!! swyyne would totally enter if it were a bit more organized than me sitting in bed balancing my laptop and a container of hummus on my stomach.
but that’s neither here nor there.
what you need to know:
the deadline for the application is march 22nd, so change out of your pjs and get crackin’.
for more deets: http://greenbusinesscompetition.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
important news if you want money back for installing a green roof or solar panels
the department of buildings hasn’t announced this yet, but the deadline to apply for green roof and solar panel system tax abatements for the 2009 fiscal year is march 16, 2009. monday!
if you want to apply, please contact bonnie gerard immediately at 212-442-1239 or bgerard@buildings.nyc.gov.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
use your marriot travel stimulus $100 voucher towards a terrapass to offset travel carbon!
i felt that i was advocating being a piggy by telling you about this $100 voucher that marriot is offering to guests traveling to the caribbean or mexico, so i thought i’d throw in the fact that with half of that, only $50.60, you can purchase a terrapass to offset your travel carbon for a whole year! terrapass uses the loot to support clean energy projects, farm power and capture methane, a greenhouse gas that is 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. think about that next time your cow farts!
marriot, if you’re reading this, how could would it be if you teamed up with terrapass to offer an even sweeter deal, maybe $120 stimulus voucher, everytime someone buys a terrapass? yessss, succumb to my will.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
do c.f.l.s actually increase greenhouse gases?
the canadian broadcasting corporation suggested in this report last week that cfls or compact fluorescent lamps, which, along with the green leaf, have become the symbol of energy efficiency, may actually be worse for the environment than the now black-listed incandescents.
the reason for the claim may surprise you. supposedly, incandescents, which give off much more heat that cfls can raise the temperature in a room enough to make the occupants feel warmer, thereby cutting down on the amount of heat they use. really?
i don’t know if i believe these claims. it’s all too similar to when the media started telling us that eggs were bad for you and then flip-flopped back saying that they are good for you. remember those incredible edible egg commercials? the same goes for cheese, coffee and chocolate.
i guess the good news is that cfls are definitely better for the environment if you live in a warm climate, and, by the same logic as the aforementioned report, can cut down your air conditioning. and if you really are colder when you switch to cfls, why not just put on a sweater or cuddle some cats like they used to do in the olden days?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
california select at american apparel takes all the guesswork out of buying vintage
a lot of wonderfilled things come from california - weezer, nwa and fish tacos, (oh fish tacos, you delicious bastids!) so i wasn’t the least bit surprised to learn that california select, american apparel’s answer to those who want that vintage look without having to rummage through racks of unorganized garb, is also an export of the golden state. gee, i wonder what gave it away?
anyhoo, i was walking by the new-(ish?) american apparel store near f.i.t., which is one of the choice aa locations that carries cali select and noticed a gaggle of oldie but goodie type heels peeking through the window. further investigation of the store turned up even more one of a kind california select finds like a glittery gold clutch, versatile corduroy shorts and classic tan trench, all hand-selected by vintage tastemakers.
the new term for offering such exclusive pieces at widespread retailers like aa is massclusivity, and i consider it a gateway drug. it starts with finding a slick leather vintage clutch at aa, then leads to buying a sweet tweed skirt from the cali select ebay store, and finally turns into full-blown rack-surfing at the family jewels. there are so many gorgeous things out there that still have a lot of use in them, so i’m glad to see american apparel introducing the appeal of vintage shopping to people who may not have considered it before. resistance is futile.
 |
 |
cali select isn’t totally about vintage-made pieces. they also recycle these perfect circle vests out of old wool blankets!
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
japan eco-slaps us in the head again: giken ecocycle bike storage system
straight from the japanese underground, in the words of eco-hustler:
giken’s ecocycle on ecohookups
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
is ruling out courtesy flushes in order to save water just being too anal?
this might be taking water conservation a bit too far, but i am weaning myself off of courtesy flushes from now on. is it me or are they a complete fraud? i’ve met people who swear by them, but it seems like, if anything, they just confirm the fact that you are dropping the kids off at the pool. they’re not quite as obvious as people who blow their nose though – creative, but not very effective at all. i wonder how difficult/wasteful it would be for us to implement toilet noise machines like they have in japan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
freecycle friday: congratz dawn!
last week’s freecycle friday for this pink and tan novacheck plaid coat was extended because there were so many contenders. in the end, dawn proved to be the victor with this sexy ecotip:
“not only is this a green thing to do, but it’s a great way to start your day with the one you love! my boyfriend and I shower together in the morning in our new york city apartment bathroom, in other words it’s tiny. by doing this we are cutting down on the amount of water we use, as well as the fuel used to heat the water. in addition it gives us a chance to relax together before we have to make our way into a crowded subway for our morning commute!”
rarrrrrrrrr.
thanks dawn!
also, last chance to submit a tip for this special edition chase bank ipod.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
why is this a site?
swyyne has always been an experiment for me. with all of the other super eco sites out there, i've been feeling like i want to contribute something just a bit different. so for now, here are my random musings.
look for stuff
feed yourself