Go green and fashionable with BlueQ. This eco-friendly brand has launched a cool new series of totes, shoppers, pouches and coin purses for you. In fact, these designs are winning over the most lazy of treehuggers to become aware of the green needs of the world while making a fashion statement too.

The bold graphic prints of the handbags and purses are to die for. Each bag has been made using 95 per cent recycled polypropylene which is spun from plastic bottles and grain sacks.

Also, the reusable stuff schleppers in this range are also no short of a blessing. These come cheap too at $3.99 fo a coin purse while an overnighter will make you $17.99 less. Again, the makers are doing more than their bit for the nature by pledging 1 per cent of the bag sales to go to conservation work.

Via treehugger

The famous saying, ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ might just undergo a radical change what with consciousness regarding the ethics involved in the mining business setting in. In fact, there are many among us nature lovers who believe that the mining should be stopped as there are enough gold and silver, and we think diamonds too, to meet the worldwide demands for the next 40 years.

So to celebrate the same spirit, we introduce you to the Cheeky Monkey Jewlery. This is an adorable collection of pendants that have been made from recycled metals and fair-trade stones only.

You will be impressed by this extensive range of gorgeous pendants in all shapes and sizes; especially the Endangered Collection, which has fourteen sparkling critters that are top on ICUN’s list of endangered species. These pendants also have seocial engravings on the backside talking about their plight. Part of the sales money goes to support the Unites States Humane Society. And Cheeky Monkey Jewelry is as much about domestic creatures too. You can go crazy on the cute canines pendants from the I HEART Dogs collection.

Via cheekymonkeyjewelry

The best green intentions are simple. That is somethings that true tree huggers like to believe in. Leo Goes Grr is one of them. This toy brand really is a group of zealous mothers who believe that kids deserve better. The same faith makes them nurture their young clientele in a way that the kids learn to respect the environment and the earth.

Global sustainability is top on the agenda at Leo Goes Grr but that mission isn’t accomplished without local sustainability. You can know about this and much more on the online Grreen Shop that also features several creative and eco-friendly toys made in the USA.

And that isn’t all. The Leo Goes Green website also has a Grrecycle Room where you can donate, sell and even buy used toys. Again, you have the option to participate in the Grreen Fundraisers which is a great event for your kids to join in. And they offer special discounts too.

Via leogoesgrr

There is nothing as sensuous as the feel of frosty ice on one’s skin. But wearing ice cubes around the neck isn’t a very viable, so we bring the next best thing to you. Sweden-based jewelry artist Kumvana Gomani has come up with some refreshing jewelry made from filigreed shards of plastic. Believe it or not, but she has actually got the material from old water bottle and ice cream cartons.

Again, you can be sure of some unique fashion as no two are alike. we especially liked the touch of the ethereal to all her designs. On top of that, none can ignore all the recycling she is doing with the plastic. Inhabitatshop has tonnes of her collection.

So, go head and get yourself some quirky jewelry that fits in well for all occasions  formal or casual. Some of her more popular one are stockholm earrings, Tri Necklace and the Sno line.

Via inhabitat

We have a very cool and green furniture idea for you. For this, you just need an old suitcase lying around the house, or you may just find an abandoned one in the alley close to your house. With the help of a staple gun, jigsaw, upholstery fabric, foam, plumbing sittings and nipple of the legs, you can be the proud creator of an ottoman that will fall easy on your conscience too.

Agreed, you might need some other random things too but trust us that the resulting ottoman like furniture unit will be worth every second spent on this re-purpose task. However, we do think that the ottoman will work well if you are a college student or an adult with a bohemian lifestyle. In other words, the funky ottoman might be a misfit in a minimalist modern decor.

All that said, we think it’s a cool idea that is easy on the pocket too. We suggest, a suitcase in a bright color will be a better pick than a dull boring one. After all, we all need a little spice in our lives. So, now you know what to do this weekend.

Via ecollo

Dubai could learn a lesson or two from this. Futuristic need not necessarily mean “artificial hi-tech sci-fi cities built just to satisfy the fantasies that we had as children and causing such damaging excesses to the environment”. It is heartening to see Azerbijan’s development plans of a “futuristic eco-Island” that intends to be really clean and green, above everything else.

The country is bound to grab a lot of international attention when Zira Island in the Caspian Sea will be transformed into a 1 million square-meter tourist resort and residential area that’ll have a zero carbon footprint.

Master-planned by Denmark based BIG Architects, Zira Island will feature seven major structures modeled after the peaks of Azerbaijan that are connected by trails, greenbelts and the coastline. The plan’s eco-credentials are clearly set-out by BIG: By utilizing “the wind, the sun and the waste the Island will produce the same amount of energy as it consumes.” Heat pumps connected to the sea will heat or cool the buildings, along with solar water heating units. Photovoltaic panels will generate electricity, as will an off-shore wind-farm. Run-off water and waste water will be recycled in a processing plant, and solid sewage waste will be treated to convert it into topsoil fertilizer. But no information is provided so far on how the island will deal with their trash or whether or not they will grow any of their own food.

What I particularly liked was that Zira’s new skyline of organic buildings will resemble a mountain range that merges with the natural topography of the island. In a region that is so dependent on oil, it is a great way to show that it is possible to live off sun and wind.

Via:Fast Company

After the eco-conscious designer, Oscar Lhermitte’s recycled newspaper bench, Laura Cahill, a graduate designer takes the paper-furnishing bequest a little further with her innovative stylish vases and furniture crafted out of old unwanted books. Cahill had explored for the common unwanted objects and realized that second hand books were one among these that were found everywhere from charity shops to streets. She also discovered that the glue in old books made them extremely difficult to recycle. This is when the idea of turning them into decorative pieces struck her.

Cahill collects old unwanted books from local second hand shops and using a band saw cuts profiles from them. She then wraps their spines around test tubes, which act as the central water containers, thus molding them into waterproof vases. The designer also made a stool called ‘Heavy Read’ setting up loads of old books and a durable lamp stand by drawing out the vase design a little further and called it the ‘Reading Light’ with elegant curvaceous shapes at the pedestal.

I admire her creation and appreciate her mind’s eye for creating such aesthetic arts out of waste stuff. Instead of burning down these books, this appears to be a fair and environment friendly option to make good use of them!

Source: Dezeen

So, how about going au natural this winter with footwear that has been created with care and respect for Mother Nature all the way down to the sole? Well, good news is that Spanish company El Naturalista has finally made this eco-dream a reality. These folks have caused a buzz with their beautiful shoes in vegetable-tanned leather and other recycled materials.

Interestingly, the company’s symbol is a frog makes a reference to a land made fertile by water. It is a simple and strong image that speaks for an organisation dedicated to no-conformism, forever fighting stagnation.

Coming back to the shoe story we were telling you. There is a particular piece in the new Autumn/Winter collection called style N502. It is an elevated update to the famous Ugg boot where the sock portion is constituted from organic, vegetable-dyed wool. In fact, let us take a moment here to tell you that all El Naturalista shoes have a rubber sole made from 100% natural materials.

Via ecofabulous

Who said eco-fashion lacks colour? Well, at least not if Tie-Ups are anything to go by. These bright and colourful belts have recently taken over the fashion markets. And both the environmentalists and the fashionistas have no reason to complain. The belts are made from recycled rubber and plastic and come in a wonderful range if color combination whims.

Quite a welcome relief these belts are for our bovine friends. Not only are they animal friendly but are also hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, UV protected and fade resistant. Plus the buckles can be interchanged with other Tie-Ups buckles to match your personal style.

What we liked best is the simple design and the honest approach to preserve mother nature and her beings without being unfashionable. The Tie-Ups are available in a choice of 11 colours and come for a very affordable $89. So, go ahead and try some colorful eco-fashion with a clear conscience.

Via vaintermission