Who: Core Bamboo – New York, NY

What: Mortar + Pestle

Where: Macy’s – $24.99

Why We Love It: In this fast food world we live in, it’s good to take a step back and celebrate the ritual, the flavors, and the health benefits of a home cooked meal. As food critic, Mark Bittman, will attest, it doesn’t necessarily take much longer to prepare a thoughtful meal and you may find the ritual of cooking to be quite satisfying, more so, perhaps, than the meal itself.

Maximize flavor by grinding whole spices, fresh herbs, garlic, and more with this functional, durable, and colorful mortar and pestle. A traditional tool with a modern pop, it’s hand-crafted from 100% organically grown bamboo and comes with all the benefits of this fast-growing plant–it’s naturally antimicrobial and it’s one of the strongest yet lightest materials around. Core Bamboo uses food-safe water based adhesives, natural oils, and lacquers made from natural cashew trees.

Who: Shine Labs – San Francisco, CA

What: “Friend” Felt Box with Bamboo Top

Where: Branch.com – $29 & 25% with code DailyCandy25 through March 5, 2011.

Why We Love It: First saw this sweet little box at the ICFF in New York. Loved the mix of materials, the unexpected soft felt box with the rigid bamboo top. The two look great together. It does take some finagling to get the top inserted just right, but worth it. Like the idea of placing precious mementos, keepsakes and jewelry into a well cushioned nest. Lovely stacked or stand alone.

Each box is handmade by handmade locally using renewable materials – 100% wool felt and 100% FSC Certified bamboo free of VOC adhesives. Available in Orange or Charcoal.

Who: PURE – Surrey, BC Canada

What: Air Hazel Setee

Where: Structured Green – $4100 (shipping included)

Why We Love It: Perfect apartment sized setee. Love the slim lines and lack of bulk without sacrificing comfort. Truly lives up to its name, its pure and simple, streamlined and elegant and an unexpected and refreshing shape with the free from arms. Texture comes from the organic embroidery that adorns the back of the setee.

Designer Ami McKay launched her furniture collection to fill the void of stylish, sustainable and healthy furniture for her clients who were seeking chemical-free eco-friendly home environment. Click to continue »

Who: LABEL – Toronto, CAN

What: Column Dress

Where: LABEL – $76.20

Why We Love It: Sometimes there is nothing more alluring, or more comfortable, than a black tube dress. This slinky column dress by LABEL is fitted in all the right places and flowy in all the rest making it equally fit for casual spring days and sexy summer nights.

Designers Shawna Robinson and Natalie Sydoruk have a knack for designing clothing that got a funky glamorous vibe that’s comfy and casual. Wherever possible they use organic, renewable or reclaimed fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, lyocell, and in this case a jersey blend of 93% bamboo and 7% spandex.

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This past weekend was all about getting organized, rifling through my stack of catalogs, magazines, tear outs, business cards, the whole hot mess that had slowly been taking over my desk. And I am an organized person, but lately have had way too much on my plate to stay on top of things. But I digress. In my fit of OCD, I found the page I tore out of Lucky Magazine with the name of the website where you can make, share, sell or buy laser cut templates, designs or kits (this is the site I referenced on my post about my favorite DIY sites…    It’s PONOKO!! Such a relief, has been driving me nuts that I couldn’t remember the name of it and now I can stop racking my brain to find it. Click to continue »

Who: Plywerk – Portland, OR

What: Plywerk – Custom Plywood Photo Mounts

Where: Plywerk – ranges from $6 – $800 based on size & finishes

Why We Love ‘Em: First saw these on a visit out to Portland, Oregon and were instantly impressed by their streamlined and modern look. Such a great alternative to traditional custom frames.

Plywerk’s custom framing is a sleek and eco-friendly way to display your personal photos and artwork. Simply send them your photos and Plywerk will mount them on their plywood panels. Or order blank panels with a pre-applied PH neutral adhesive to mount your own artwork. Great way to showcase your art. Click to continue »

Who: N:F:P (New Form Perspective) – Beacon, NY 

What: Snap Neck Warmer

Where: N:F:P – $55

Why We Love ‘Em: The worst of the winter is behind us (hopefully), and yet we can’t help but pine for this versatile scarf from N:F:P. Love the wear-many-ways approach to the design. This snappy scarf can be worn buttoned up as a turtleneck, draped as a cowl neck, snapped on the sides for a chic scarf or as a neck warmer by pulling the ends through the slit on the side. Each scarf is handknit from your choice of 100% merino wool or bamboo. Click to continue »

Who: Azuri

What: Azuri Bamboo Pashmina Scarf

Where: NIMLI – $200 regular price, now on sale for $19. Bonus! Get 30% off all purchases at Nimli with promo code HOLIDAY09!

Why We Love It: Dress up any outfit with this thin, finely woven Pashmina Bamboo Scarf from Azuri. Made of a fine pashmina and an ultra soft bamboo blend, this warm and light weight accessory makes a great accent piece either draped around your soldiers or wrapped around your neck (measures 60″x12″). And, since they are available in over 100 different colors, you are sure to find one to match any occasion.  At a sale price of just $19 (only $13.30 with the 20% off!) who couldn’t use an extra scarf or two or three? Click to continue »

Who: Morado Designs; Fairfax, VT

What: ECO Felt Monster Onesie Set

Where: Natural Luxe – $38 (sign-up to The Find for 15% off through 12/31)

Why We Love It: There is just something so endearing about the crooked smile and  googly eyes of this super cute matching set that the little ones are sure to love. Almost as much as having a tee to match their new friend.

These eco and ‘friendly’ monsters are made from recycled felt and filled with 100% natural bamboo stuffing. The onesie is made of 100% organic cotton with a felt monster to match. Even the packaging is eco-friendly, made of recycled content.

The sets are available in six different colors all of which you can find at one of our favorite online stores, Natural Luxe.

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Who: Envirosax – Burleigh Heads, Australia

What: Organic Series Reusable Bags

Where: EcoTobi – $28

Why: We have long been fans of Envirosax, trading in a sea of paper and plastic for a chic 5-pack of reusable bags that goes everywhere with us (yes, even on vacation…..). And now Envirosax collection of reusable bags has gotten even ‘greener’ with the launch of their new Organic Series. The collection features bags made from 100% organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and linen all printed with vegetable based dyes.

The generously sized bags roll up neatly into a tidy little pouch that can be conveniently tucked into bags, purses, glove compartments and even jacket pockets for any unexpected shopping trips. But don’t be fooled by the tiny package, Click to continue »