bottle open green

a selection of  unique bottle openers from cutting up knives

the cutting edge... trash becomes treasure

I've never really understood the saying "one's man trash is another man's treasure"... it reminds me of those terribly tacky yard sales that inevitably pop up in the summer, tempting bored saturday-afternoon-wanderers to purchase perfectly useless objects to clutter their homes. That said, the designers at Cutting Up Knives have me biting my tongue... they reimagine selected broken, damaged, and useless knives into beautiful, unique and highly practical bottle openers. The process is far from mass production, as each bottle opener is individually chosen and cut... some derived from beautiful brand name knives, others from factory-rejects, and a special few second-hand collectables.

It's a fabulous way for the design-savvy to be green by reusing old and non-functional products without sacrificing style. And with all the shapes, sizes, and styles I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't love such a uniquely fabulous way to pop the cap off their beer without chipping their nail polish.

green bagging it

"beau bag" by beau soleil, $44

beau soleil

a stylish girl goes green

I recently discovered beau soleil a very interesting little company making very good looking "green" apparel... it is the creation of Anne Salvatore Epstein, a Manhattan girl with experience at Marc Jacobs and ISLI who traded her "overly excessive New York City lifestyle" for one much more organic. The company -- named after Epstein's favorite oyster -- focuses on sustainability, fair trade, and the use of organic raw materials, using fabrics made from bamboo, vegetable-dyed cotton, tencel (a product of eucalyptus trees), and recycled leather trims.

The bags are particularly pleasing to the eye. The original "beau bag" is a sensational cotton canvas sack... it bears an uncanny resemblance to Anya Hindmarch's (see green chic) but is much more affordable, actually obtainable (phew!), and available in three distinct color ways (natural canvas/grey, dark denim/white, light denim/red). Intrigued? So was sophisticate and supermodel Christy Brinkley, who sported the chic tote with a pencil skirt and pumps in July.

For those who want to start small, the "beau dob" cosmetic cases are the perfect size for daily essentials. Crafted from undyed, raw canvas and surplus leather tabs, each case features text on one side and the company's signature leaf logo on the back. Finally, the "beau pouch" is the perfect way to stow all those extra "library" cards you collect... it snaps onto any bag handle for safe keeeping. Now that's smart!

Find it... you can order products directly from beau soleil's website, or keep your eye out at fashionable retailers... SAKS Fifth Avenue stores, ABC Carpet & Home, shopbop.com, and revolveclothing.com

 

"beau dob" raw canvas cosmetic cases, $26

beau soleil

"beau pouch" credit card holder, $18

beau soleil

green chic

image courtesy of inhabit.com

This is the perfect time to talk about the planet... right before Independence Day!  And, since I am celebrating instead of writing tomorrow, let's talk flair.

Green is here to stay.  Eco-friendly designs are showing up everywhere from recycled-wood furniture to water-based varnishes and dyes.  One of the latest trends is eco-apparel and reusable shopping totes. Thanks to British handbag designer Anya Hindmarch, being green can be chic. Her "I'm Not A Plastic Bag" tote has been spotted on celebrities and style icons across the globe.  

Our aim with this project has been to use our influence to make it fashionable not to use plastic bags. 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' was designed as a stylish, practical, reusable bag that would raise awareness of this issue and spark debate. 

- Anna Hindmarch

Special people will be able to get their hands on the reissued tote this summer. Luckily, other designers have come out with fantastic totes that are easier to acquire.  Ahhh, saving the planet has never been so easy.  

Here are a few of my favorites:

left to right: Green Is In, Be Green. Not Mean., and It's Good To Be Green 

100% recycled canvas totes from Whimsy Press, $28.00 each

whimsypress.com

BCBG Be Chic Buy Green canvas tote

www.bcbg.com

Method Plastic Bag Rehab ripstop-nylon tote, $15.00

methodhome.com

Rebecca Minkoff's organic cotton The Bread & Wine Bag, $99.00

blue exclusive to shopbop.com