5.12.2010

Peace.


Coffee. Good.
Organic. Good. 
Fair trade. Good.
Riding bikes. Good.
Peace Coffee. All of the above and more.

Check out their website.
Read an article done by The Heavy Table.
Follow them on Twitter.
Buy Peace Coffee. It is delicious.

Mottainai.

4.29.2010

a few things.

reusable party straws [via: creature comforts]

found: a vintage rentals company [via: wiley valentine]



holy cow: by sarah gardner [via: design is mine]

Mottainai.

4.22.2010

Earth day every day.

Did you do something different today?
Did you make Mother Nature happy?
Did you think twice about using a plastic bag?
Did you only eat at local restaurants?
Did you walk to the store?
Did you car pool to work?
Did you hug a tree?

If today, then why not tomorrow?
If tomorrow, then why not the next day?
Make Earth day every day.

Mottainai.

4.18.2010

Keep it wonky.

 
Do something a little different today...

p.s. This poster is printed on recycled paper. *Bonus*

[photo credit: aardvark manifesto {via: oxford and beyond}]

Mottainai.

4.14.2010

Riding the pine.


Reclaimed wood bench recipe
1 - recycled wood plank [places to buy in Mpls: 1. 2. 3.]
4 - hairpin legs [found here]

[photo credit: Angela Ferdig [via: Design Mom]]

Mottainai.

4.06.2010

Preserve the trees.

The artist's name is Ciara.
She's a freelance designer and illustrator.
You can see her work here.
The print is titled Preserve the Trees.
You can buy it here.


Mottainai.

3.25.2010

Paper, Glass, Metal



I caught MPR's Art Hounds on my way into work this morning and made a mental note to look up an artist that was highlighted on today's show - Michael Kareken. His name escaped me by the time I got home, but a quick Google search that included Minnesota Institute of Art, Michael and recycling led me to his website.

Michael's current work is a collection of paintings and drawings of the recycling industry. The local industrial recycling locations he selected "inspire metaphoric associations with life and death, growth and decay, order and entropy, structure and chaos." [MIA]

His exhibition can currently be seen at the Groveland Gallery in Mpls from now until April 10th.


Mottainai.

3.13.2010

Some links to love.


Where have I been? It doesn't matter because I'm back and I'm here to share some links with you.

"Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets..."

Layered chain necklaces...love. Socially conscious fashion...love. Put them together and what do you get...The Andean Collection. "great fashion forward designs, while creating a greener planet, and providing a path out of poverty for artisans using fair trade principles." [via]

The fact that this girl discloses what materials she uses to make her bags makes me happy. [via]

The upcoming World Cup uniforms (aka kits) are made from recycled plastic bottles. I wonder how well those breathe? Nike is stating that they diverted 13 million water bottles from the landfill. [via]

Good news...greener packaging. Bad news...it is still Quiznos. Read about the changes Quiznos has made to their packaging. Looks like they are on the same path as Nike - uniforms (aka aprons) are going to be made from recycled plastic bottles.

Now you can take that beloved t-shirt from high school and turn it into a laptop sleeve. Now I know what to do with my favorite t-shirt from swim team with my name on the back and I'm not even joking. About the organization: Hello Rewind is a New York City based operation promoting two-fold renewal; to recycle old goods into new, and to develop a business aimed at supporting the reintegration of sex trafficking survivors into society. [via]

A dollhouse that is modern AND eco-friendly. Groovy. [via]

If you are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area tomorrow, check out the citywide event that is helping two local restaurants recover after a recent fire took them off the grid.


Mottainai.

3.04.2010

Lovely linens

 

A fun housewarming, birthday gift.
Reduce paper waste.
100% cotton fabric.
Non-toxic inks.


Mottainai.



3.02.2010

Other people's words. My thoughts.



"i packed a bag and i boarded a train.
and i spent the weekend
away from home.
i laughed with friends and i joked with strangers.
i ate good sandwiches, i drank great beer
and i had those kinds of moments, 
the ones when your tummy hurts 
you've laughed so much.
and when you catch yourself smiling at nothing at all."
 
-forty sixth at grace
 
 
Mottainai.