I can learn a lot from Friday night dates with my husband.

For starters, I learned I can convince him to change out of his crumpled work clothes into something chic if I smile real big and hand him a martini when he comes through the door. Once the babysitter arrives and we are ready to roll, we don't just have to walk down to our neighborhood haunts on West Portal, but can actually venture out to new places in the City. Like...the de Young Museum at Golden Gate Park. Yes, on Friday we explored Friday Night at the Museum which a friend had told me about during a morning workout. From 5pm to 8:45, all exhibits are open, including the amazing glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, which we explored after a glass of wine and observing some very serious tango dancers closing their eyes and strutting across the lobby.

But what is a date without shopping, you ask? Naturally, I had to do my EcoSalon homework (what an excuse) and hit the museum gift shop, where I was blown away. One standout: The baskets woven from telephone wire by Zulu weavers from Aita Design ($300 for the large one). Apparently these fabulous spiral baskets are crafted with methods passed down from generation to generation, including weavers recognized internationally for their work, which is largely done at home. I also learned just because I drool over something and find it fabulous doesn't mean my husband will buy it for me, even if my birthday is just around the corner. Maybe next week I should deliver that martini in baby doll pajamas. What do you think?

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

You don’t have to start from scratch to give your home a contemporary appeal. One easy trick that I recommend to help modernize the appearance of your living space is to incorporate geometric shapes into a few visible elements - pillows, throws, even a painted stripe or block of color on a wall.

This simple yet effective method can apply to anything from wall art to bookshelves, and the Tivoli True Green pillow is a fabulous accent to effortlessly begin this transformation. Its maze-like design is printed on natural linen, making this piece an eco-friendly choice. Variations of this trendy pattern can be found at Dermond Peterson to spice up the couch in your living room.

For more tips, check out 3 Essentials for an Eco-Modern Home. (Available at Dermond Peterson for $185.)

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

When I think of felt - I think of 5th grade. That’s the year my best friend, Eden, and I created a 2-foot-high UCLA basketball player out of papier-mache. We captured him mid-stride with an orange Styrofoam basketball hanging from his hand. The light blue and yellow uniform, socks and shoes were made with felt.

Back then, I had no idea I was working with an organic textile. (We won’t discuss the Styrofoam ball or the loads of toxic glue). I also didn’t think of felt as aesthetically pleasing in any way.

But times have changed. And Selina Rose has changed the way I see felt. The British designer runs her own design studio, working with industrial and 100% wool felt colored with environmentally-friendly dyes. Her intricately-designed textiles - rugs, window panels, table runners, room dividers and more - are created using an innovative watercut technology, non-PVC decals and water based non-toxic inks.

Check out her newest collections - Bloom and Botanica. Simply spectacular, stylish and chic. I adore the panels (available by commission) - I’d hang one or two to break up my open space plan apartment in a subtle way.


The bloom rug with floral cutouts measures 4’ x 4’ ($900). There’s also a 4’ round botanica rug ($900). See her cushions ($150), table runners ($195) and lampshades ($168) at the online shop.

Selina Rose textiles can also be purchased in person at Eco Age, the new London eco-shop owned by British actor Colin Firth, his wife and brother-in-law. Their online store is coming soon. Or order by telephone +44 (0) 7803 147898 or via email.

I've never felt so green.

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

Recently we've spotted a new trend in eco-chic decor. Let's call it Things That Make You Slightly Uneasy. (Like this, for example).

The latest items to raise the hairs on the back of your neck are those of the Witches' Kitchenware range. No doubt about it - the sustainable two-tone Guatemalan wood looks gorgeous, and reaffirms my belief that plastic kitchen utensils are thoroughly last-century. But....it's the prongs, the spikes, the tangs. The dagger. There's also a gorgeous-looking cauldron - sorry, casserole dish, and a set of witch-inspired gloves and aprons.


If you're happy with feeling like your kitchen belongs in the world of a certain boy-wizard (or, more likely, if young children have out-voted you on this matter), keep an eye on Artecnica's site - they seem to be looking for a new distributor at the moment. And when you're equipped, you could even try out a few "authentic" recipes from Kate West's book here.

(Disclaimer: Ecosalon does not take any responsibility for anyone accidentally being turned into a toad. Thank you).

Images: Artecnica

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

I’m always drawn to the creative appeal of ornamental accents handcrafted by small artisan groups. In the absence of mass production, artistic standards come before profitability, and this idyllic approach yields unique styles and high quality craftsmanship.

At Aid to Artisans, you’ll find a variety of such items that are both modish and eco-friendly. Handmade by dedicated artisans in Ilobasco, El Salvador, the Ceramic Round vase will adorn your tabletops with a touch of rustic charm. These striking pieces resemble laced-up leather, but they aren't. Rather, they are skillfully shaped from the abundance of red clay in El Salvador and laced with natural fiber, making them 100% green. (Available at Aid to Artisans for $45.)

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

While recently scouring the internet for great eco fashion finds to blog about, I discovered a few designers who are turning vintage camera parts into wearable accessories. Now, I certainly wasn’t the first to discover Craig Arnold, the Aussie whose passion for cameras and recycling led him to develop his re:vision collection of “camera cuffs.” I give credit to the folks at Gearfuse, GeekSugar, Inhabitat, and Five Non Blondes for scooping Craig’s work, but I’m going to go one step further and give you more than just a product write-up.


In my research, I also found artist Debra Dresler’s camera lens watch on 3r Living. A common trend in creating eco-friendly jewelry, turning non-traditional materials and everyday objects into accessories is no new idea. But, here’s what I’m wondering – is vintage camera part turned accessory a new eco-fad? While I personally don’t love any of these looks (although you may just catch me in one of Craig Arnold’s simple cuffs), I do appreciate original concepts and unique finds. I also have a few friends who would go gaga over these picks.

I think I’m still on the fence about this one, so I’m going to leave it to you to decide. Is it rad or bad?

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

The stunningly unique Lotus Flower chandelier is a sparkling wonder that is a work of art all in its own. Artisans craft the petals of its glistening floral exterior from naturally collected capiz shells that are hand-cut.

Lit from within, this special chandelier is wonderfully crafted without being "crafty" - it's dazzling, isn't it? Choose from two sizes and between a smoke and pearl hue to complement your personal décor scheme. (My favorite is pearl.) We love sponsor VivaTerra today - you can snap these gorgeous chandeliers up there for $329- $649.

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

Momtrepreneur is the latest buzzword defining a growing minority of talented women who've left the traditional workplace to have families and simultaneously start successful home-based businesses. Luckily for us many of them are using their entrepreneurial powers for good by starting eco-friendly businesses. 

Momtrepreneur Kira Solomon founded Baby LaRue, her eco-conscious baby boutique, after leaving a lucrative career in the fashion industry. With the birth of her baby daughter, Rowan (such a cute name by the way), fueling her passion for green products, Kira's focus turned towards healthy and safe alternatives to otherwise unhealthy products.

Baby LaRue's growing inventory includes bpa-free and phthalate-free baby bottles (Green to Grow) and organic and paraben-free baby wash and lotions (Little Twig) along with Kira's own line of hand drawn silk screened 100% GOTS certified organic cotton onesies.

Kira has a great eye for unique and adorable items and she is committed to selling only organic, recycled, handmade, fair-trade or locally made creations like these handmade monsta's made from recycled fabric and organic cotton.  For you busy moms who want stylish and responsible alternatives for your babies, Baby LaRue is a great place to get started!

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

Images: Baby LaRue

Have you ever been jealous of a colleague’s business card? Remember the classic scene in American Psycho when a business card with a watermark made Patrick Bateman enraged with jealousy? Well, a simple watermark has nothing on these amazing business cards that act as a house plant. That’s right, you can actually put a small plant in your business card!

Jamie Wieck’s business cards have a small pocket in which you can grow a miniature house plant, alfalfa or watercress. These cards can also be put in water or soil if you’d like your mini plant to continue to grow. Most business cards look the same and are generally not very memorable, but these cards from Another Bloomin’ Designer will be the envy of all of your colleagues and keep you first in mind with your customers, or at least at the top of their business card heap.

Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.

Image: Jamie Wieck via Trendhunter

If you're like me, sometimes you suffer from the recycled blah's. There are so many crafty products out there made from the same recycled items that over time it can get a bit boring.

This fantastic light fixture is just what I needed to pull me out of the rut. There is something very pure and lighthearted about the design. Composed of an old metal coffee filter and a jam jar, designer Angele Riguidel thoughtfully reproduced these items into a working light fixture perfect for a kitchen. With light as her inspiration, Angele seeks out vintage household items she can recuperate into what she calls ULO's a.k.a. unidentified luminous objects. 

Buy one of her ULO's from The Collection, a small French boutique, pop in an energy saving LED bulb and you've just relieved yourself of the recycled blah's! (85 €)

Image: The Collection

Sara’s shameless plug: Hello, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires.