Who: Humble; California

What: Greyhound Pillow

Where: Supermarket; $79 in assorted colors; custom colors upon request; or pillow case only for $34 direct from Humble

Why: California artist Kristie Thinnes draws her inspiration from the sea and her greyhound, Nikki, who is the muse for this abstract graphic pillow. A fun touch of whimsy for the dog lover or for anyone who appreciates a good design and optical illusions.

Designs are handprinted on 100% organic cotton using water based inks.  The high quality vegan fabrics, batting and dyes  are hypo-allergenic, moisture resistant and pesticide free products.  The pillows are stuffed with a very sustainable material called Kapok which is a natural fiber harvested from the seed pods of the Kapok tree grown in the South Pacific and Central America.

$1 of each purchase is donated to the  Coral Reef Alliance.

Who: Cri de Couer; London, U.K.

What: Kate T-strap Flat Sandal

Where: NIMLI ; on sale for $102 & an additional 20% off with coupon code “SPRING09″

Why: Back, feet, knees and toes rejoice! It is the summer of the flats and this pair from Cri de Couer is one of our favorites. This sophisticated flat manages to blend the masculine gladiator sandal with the feminine t-strap pump. And, shocker, these flats come complate with a padded sole, unlike most flats  akin to walking on a board.

As with all Cri de Couer shoes, these canvas flats are handmade in Europe and are 100% vegan. They try to make their shoes as ethically and sustainably as possible forgoing vinyl, leather and pvc for cotton canvas, hemp and eco-friendly synthetics.  Their production process is certified carbon-neutral and to futher ‘green’ each purchase, a tree is planted by the Carbon Fund for each pair sold.

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: Larsen Gray; New York, NY

What: Azuka Ruffled Tank

Where: shopbop.com; $92.50, originally $185

Why: If you are a fan of Project Runway, you might recognize Season 1 alum and designer Nora Caliguri. She has teamed up with fellow Pratt Institute graduate, Rachelyn Porter, to form Larsen Gray, an eco-friendly and socially conscious clothing line.

Their line mixes polished lines with chic details like the a-dorable ruffles that wrap about this 100% organic tank. Business in the front, party in the back……a great piece for your summer wardrobe for a punch of drama and an unexpected touch of femininity.

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Who: Helen Riegle, HER Designs; Marblehead, MA

What: Lily Purse

Where: HER-design.com, On Sale for $140, Chartreuse or Coral Rose Lining. (update June 22nd: the Lily in organic cotton and brown leather is on sale for $100)

Why: Clearly this purse was designed by a woman who understands that a bag needs to be more than just a pretty face; it also has to be functional. The lovely Lily delivers.

No more wrestling to keep purse straps in place;  the slim synthetic leather straps stay put.

No more fumbling for your phone; you’ll find it tucked in its own tidy little pocket.

No more wandering wallets; yours gets double wrapped – zipped then snapped.

No more guilt about adding another leather handbag to the shelves; the Lily is made of 100% organic cotton, PVC-free synthetic leather and recycled PET.

So, from the inside out, you will be (or at least look) totally pulled together.

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Father’s day is fast approaching, so we put together a list of eco-gift ideas that will be sure to delight dad. Here are our top 10 takes on some dad’s day classics:

“Pro-Planet” Timbuk2 Commute Slim Laptop Case – For the commuter dad who totes his laptop to and from work daily and who could use a streamlined bag that can handle the basics, a 15″ (s) laptop, power cord, keys and some reading material without all of the bulk. On sale from $150 down to $105 at Timbuk2. Click to continue »

Who: NeuAura

What: Lynx Onyx Thong Sandal

Where: NeuAura.com, $99; now 20% off with coupon code SPRING09

Why: Not too high and not too low, this one is just r-ight at 3/4.” It is the perfect basic for summer mixing matte satin uppers, to dress it up, and raffia wrapped wedges, to dress it down. This wedge can easily be paired with shorts, skirts, jeans or a cocktail dress. And it even comes with a padded foot bed unlike the majority of summer sandals out there, so your feet might thank you.

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Who: Matt & Nat, Montreal, Quebec, CANADA

What: Portishead Grey Felt Handbag

Where: Matt&Nat.com, 40% off, on sale for for $135. On final sale at funkylala.com for $96!

Who: espe; Ontario, Canada

What: espe Hope Handbag

Where: espe.com, $55

Why: Ahh, Hope, a cute little bag you can tuck right under your arm and take comfort in knowing that no cute little animals or cute little kids were harmed in the process. The The vegan line from espe supports fair wage and child labor free factories to produce their stylish, affordable and durable handbags and accessories. Made from a durable synthetic leather, the fabric has a slight sheen to it that screams low maintenance without screaming vinyl. I definitely did a double take when I saw this bag on the shelf, at first glance I thought leather only adding to my shock at the incredible price. Love the unexpected details like the “leather” belt drawstring buckle. Look inside and you’ll find handy little pouches and zippered pockets so you don’t spend precious minutes rummaging through your bag to answer the phone call that just might change your night……….you know the one.

Hint: go for color with the yellow or green, the black Hope lacks pinache without the contrasting belt.

Retails Online at espe.com for $55.00. A great budget alternative to the Matt and Nat bags.

Who: Cri de Coeur

What: Linneah Bootie

Where: Amazon.com – $264.98, on sale for $105.98

Why: So, yes, shoes are on the brain right now as it is officially fall, and it is time; time to retire flip flops and sandals to make way for the boots of winter. Fortunately, the season is full of irresistible boots and booties, particularly those from the fall line of Cri de Coeur. Their line of vegan boots is phenomenal, and have suddenly found myself in dire need of a pair of canvas ruched booties, namely, the Linneah Bootie. As, a friend of mine would say “I need them for my life!!” No drama here….

The Linneah would look great paired with jeans, skirts, dresses, you name it and the ruching is oh so New York Fashion Week ’09…….

In addition to the style quotient, Cri de Coeur is the epitome of eco-friendly design. Each shoe is hand made in Europe with 100% vegan materials. Not only do they set out to produce their shoes as ethically and as environmentally sensitive as possible, they also offset their carbon footprint by purchasing carbon credits and for each shoe sold a tree is planted.

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(Updated October 7th, 2008) Just stopped by the delightful Leokadia boutique, one of the few stockists of Cri de Coeur, to see their selection. Owner, Jessica Lynn, makes you feel right at home when you walk through the door. She is super helpful, knowledgeable and has an incredible eye for shoes. Currently, three styles of Cri de Coeur shoes grace her shelves; the Kate T-strap flat sandal, the Sierra Heeled Sandal, and the ‘suede’ Scout Ankle boot. I found the fit to feel slightly narrow, but Jessica suggested visiting a cobbler who could easily lend some breathing room with a light stretch. I highly recommend a visit to Leokadia for an irresistible selection of unique designer labels.

Leokadia, 667 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118