First Kanye West and Jamie Foxx, now gold diggers have upset environmentalists and economists. It’s been like 1849 online with blogs abuzz over gold prices, prospectors and water use in California.

The precious metal is priced at a record dollar high now, thanks in part to China and India snapping up gold reserves. Panic and pricing like that drives laid-off Californians to go panning and miners to “explore,” sometimes damaging the farthest corners of the Earth to get gold.

Eco- and business-bloggers alike want to know: Is the …

Tags: California , fashion , gold , gold price , gold rush , jewelry , mining , recycled , recycling

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I’ll get my mind out of the gutter and onto the green, where it belongs, and tell you about my latest obsession – plants in pockets.

I’d heard of hanging plants and plants that are potted, but the idea of putting a plant in a cloth-like pocket wasn’t in my repertoire. That is, until I came across the Woolly Pocket Garden Company.

It’s genius, really – a breathable container that can be hung vertically to cover an unsightly wall or spruce up a small space. Create yourself a lush little …

Tags: decor , garden , green , indoor plants , recycled , recycled plastic , wall

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In this era of voice mail, email and messages limited to 140 characters telling friends and family how and what you’re doing, a genuine hand written message is a true gift.

Of course, there’s no wrong way to tell someone you care. As long as you’re speaking from the heart, the sentiment will surely be appreciated. But a handwritten note expressing encouragement to a friend or relative who may be going through a difficult time is more personal. A real letter dropped in the snail mail will …

Tags: letters , lifestyle , paper , recycled , trees

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When I was young, still living at home, I’d leave the house for a run and hide my key under the potted plant near the front door. I’d never try this trick today.

Instead, I might use one of these simple Wrist Cuff Wallets I found on Etsy. They couldn’t be cuter or cheaper ($5) or easier to DIY.

Find any old cotton tee or sweat shirt and a couple of cool stamps like this deco flower and old Woodie truck and your do-it-yourself is …

Tags: cotton , DIY , do-it-yourself crafts , Etsy , fashion , recycled

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Can a hip bag ever be a hip bag? I can’t help but raise the question since they keep showing up. Years peacefully pass and then, oh! There’s another fanny pack, I mean hip bag.

My first hip bag was a navy nylon number I wore while trudging through Europe with a backpack and Eurail pass. It was a safe spot for my passport, but try making a quick, sanitary stop in a public restroom with one of those clamped around your waist….

Tags: fashion , recycled , reused leather , travel

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Need some plants for your wall? These Green Pockets by Maruja Fuentes are mounted tiles made from recycled materials that elevate the houseplant to new heights.

Fuentes says the tiles fuse nature with the interior space, improving both air quality and health. The goal is to create the the illusion that the plants are actually growing from the wall installations.  The unique shape allows the sculpted half-domes to interlock, resulting in a variety of  patterns depending on the vegetation planted.

Image: Mocoloco

Tags: decor , green , houseplants , interiors , paper clay , plants , recycled , tiles , wall art

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Say that six times fast, and then find your favorite pair of gardening gloves and let’s play with dirt. These pots are worthy of plenty of playtime.

Whether you want to grow your green indoors or out, the metal spun recycled aluminum Pod by PAD is the perfect planter. It’s sturdy, lightweight and powder coated in a choice of six sexy colors. (Say that six…never mind).

The Pod comes in two simple styles (both 16” D x 10” H). And if your space calls for it, choose one …

Tags: aluminum , decor , gardening , planter , plants , recycled

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No one annoys me more than a constant quoter of clichés. Especially irksome is the motivational kind of cliché – overused, inane and just plain tired.

When I’m in the midst of something challenging (good or bad), the last thing I need or want to hear is “when the going gets tough…” or “when this is over you’ll look back and be grateful for it…” Um, I’m going to be sick now.

What is more likely to move me in those moments is actually much simpler than a silly statement. Something like a …

Tags: art , decor , posters , recycled , Right Brain Terrain

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Dude! You’re clean shaven but are you green shaven?

Yes, the eco marketing of all consumer goods has reached the scratchy male whisker. Despite the notion that the greenest face is the hairiest one, not all men like sporting facial fur and not all females like going into-the-wild to make out.

What steps can you take before going under the knife? Don’t roam far from the healthy foam; don’t be a fool with the wrong disposable tool; never brace your face with a jug that’s mean to your mug.

Here …

Tags: barber , men , preserve , products , razor , recycled , shaving , skin , skincare

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