Who: Hare + Hart – New York, NY

What: Donelan Tuxedo Blazer

Where: Hare + Hart – $575 $389.99

Why We Love It: This is simply put – kick-ass. You can’t not feel like a rock star when you put this on. The cut, the boyfriend fit and style pairing soft crushed nappa with a contrasting suede collar is perfection and a timeless addition for your wardrobe.

Hare + Hart leather goods are made from the by-products of the cattle industry sourced from grass-fed, free roaming Argentine cows raised for the beef industry, so that no part of the animal is wasted. Their bags used vegetable-tanned leather, but unfortunately because of the thinness required for leather clothing they use traditional, highly chemical tanning agents.

Handcrafted in Argentina and the Garment District of New York.

Who: ReSnackIt – CT

What: ReUsable Sandwich Bags

Where: ReSnackIt – snack size – $7.99, sandwich size – $9.99 (Buy 3 or more ReSnackIts and receive 10% off)

Why We Love It: If we are going to change the way we consume, it helps to start with kids. We’ve seen 4 year olds reach for their reusable bottles and reusable snack bags, and they’ll certainly be reaching for them if they are as fun and brightly colored as the reusable snack and sandwich bags from ReSnackIt. With bags like these, who needs Ziplok? Not only do they help reduce waste being trucked to landfills (think about it, approximately 20 million plastic baggies are thrown away in US schools every week, every week! That’s insanity!), but they also keep harmful chemicals like lead, phthalates, BPAs and PVCs away from our food. Click to continue »

Who: Kalon Studios – Los Angeles, CA

What: Echo Dresser & Solid Bamboo IoLine Dresser

Where: Kalon Studios – Natural $1995 or Modern Nursery – Bamboo $1795

Why We Love It: This dresser caught our eye at the ICFF because of those clever handles. Such a seamless design and a brilliant way to integrate handles into the overall design, and from a green standpoint – no additional materials were involved in creating them, they we just chiseled out of the existing wood.

This is an incredibly eco-friendly design overall. Husband-wife design team Johannes Pauwen and Michaele Simmering, spent copious amounts of time trying to find just the right finish for their furniture, one that was eco-friendly, no heavy metals, low-VOC, HAPs-free (hazardous air pollutants) and non-toxic. Unable to find a satisfactory finish, they did it themselves and commissioned their own brand of natural wood oil finishes and paints to meet their high eco-standards. They also use non-toxic and water based glues. Click to continue »

Who: Nervous System – Boston, MA

What: peltate earrings

Where: Nervous System – stainless steel $50,  gold plated $60

Why We Love It: This has got to be the smartest jewelry on the planet. Combining math and science, technology and imagination, MIT grads Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg have created this one-of-a-kind collection of jewelry rooted in nature. Using computer simulations, selective laser sintering (3-D printing) and CNC machines the turn the most intricate patterns found in nature like the walls of plant cells, the growth of coral branches and the web of veins that permeate leaves, into truly amazing pieces of jewelry. Click to continue »

Who: MasonGray; SOHO, NY

What: Regency Bed

Where: MasonGray – $4375-$6225  (Youth Bed – $1850)

Why: This statement piece would add instant glam to the dullest of bedrooms. The bold geometries with the heavy trim add great visual appeal. Opt for high contrast with a high gloss laquered finish as with this red against white or go for a more subdued look with a matte more weathered finish. There are dozens of color pairings and finishes offered by MasonGray. Love the idea of the worn laquer look for a completely unexpected finish. Click to continue »

Who: Mar Y Sol (formerly Mad Imports); Brooklyn, NY

What: Marielle Clutch

Where: World of Good – $79, available in sunflower/ocean, punch/apple, espresso/natural,  lavender/sunflower & mango/natural

9/10/09 Just found these on sale at Natural Luxe for $65!

Why: You leave the house with everything tucked nice and neat in your smart looking clutch, but then somehow during the course of the day the contents of your purse inexplicable expand to the point of no return? That’s when the Marielle clutch would really come in handy. By night she masquerades as a sleek, yet ample-sized, two-toned clutch, and by day unfolds to reveal a roomy handbag able to contain all of the overflow. Click to continue »

Who: ParkVogel; Los Angeles, CA

What: Ruffled Maxi Dress

Where: ParkVogel.com, on sale for $47.25 in black, asphalt or forest

Why: For the cool hippie chic vibe in an incredibly flattering ruffled maxi dress. All the rage right now and this one can take you straight from the pool to the market to a  romantic dinner date with ease.

Julie Park and Vanessa Vogel launched their line in 2004 with the mission of making the perfect tee. Which one might argue they did and then went onto to tackle a line of edgy basics with a cool vibe that just make you feel equally fabulous and comfortable. Ruching, ruffles, and dramatic heavy seams makes these basics anything but boring.

They use environmentally friendly cotton milled in Switzerland under strict eco-standards to reduce emissions and pollutants, to use less energy and to minimize waste. Their line also includes t-shirts made of biodegradable cellulose otherwise known as wood pulp, organic cotton and micro tencel.

Note: Checkout the Final Sale for huge savings on great tees and dresses.

Who: Modern Bamboo; San Francisco, CA

What: Spring Chair

Where: Vivavi.com; $690, available in natural, cherry or ebony

Why: We’re completely envious of the dining room outfitted with these modern marvels; the perfect blend of art, industrial design and sustainability. The sleek, sexy lines and slim profile of the “S” curve are masterfully crafted from a single piece of Plyboo, bent to hug the curves of the body. Still in awe that the cantilevered design can actually support the weight of an adult human being. Clearly, a testament to the strength and flexibility of bamboo.

What is perhaps most surprising about this chair is how incredibly comfortable it is, making it equally at home in the dining room as in the living room.  The tensile design supports the back with just the right ‘give’ to allow for a soothing rocking motion.  So, for those of us who are often scolded for tilting back in our chairs, this is the perfect substitute.

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Who: Vaute Couture; Chicago, IL

What: El Coat, Luxe

Where: Vaute Couture; $581 or $295.50 when you preorder by June 30th

Why: So yes, perhaps it is a bit odd to be thinking about winter jackets when you are just busting out your summer dresses, but  this soon to expire offer for a limited run (read only 24 other people will have a jacket like yours…) Vaute Couture coat at 50% off retail is too good to pass up. And, by the time October rolls around, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when your jacket arrives just in time.

Designed with  frigid Chicago winters in mind, the super soft “Luxe” fabric  is specifically designed to protect against wind, water and snow while retaining heat. The long slim fit bell shaped silhouette gently drapes to flatter the figure while the generous pockets and wide collar add to the warmth.  And you’ll get that warm fuzzy feeling knowing that your jacket is 100% vegan, uses buttons reclaimed from an old factory and is lined with windproof 100% recycled closed loop zero waste satin ripstop. Want a warmer and fuzzier feeling? Opt for the Recycled El made of 64% recycled fibers.

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Who: d.e. Sellers; Houston, TX

What: Nest Wine Rack

Where: This will not hit the market until the end of the month. Contact d.e.sellers direct to purchase: de_sellers@mac.com, $175-$200. Available in assorted primary colors.

Why: Create order out of seeming chaos when you entangle your precious wine bottles into this nest of  powder coated steel. This innovative design holds up to 12 bottles of wine, and if it so happens that happy hour turns into happy hours and the wine nest were to be drained of all its beverages, you’ll still be left with an eye catching art display.

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