Peez & Ques: recycled inspiration

Too Late for Summer Reading?

2009-07-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

When I was on the North Shore last winter I met Surf Dog. While my little girl was still just a bun in the oven, I learned how important it is to encourage reading in children, even infants. Surf Dog travels around his home Island of Oahu or has off-island excursions. He meets new people, learns new things about our world and writes about them on his blog. You can't beat exciting new experiences as the ultimate encouragement to read.

Check out Surf Dog. He's in San Francisco now. And when you head back to school in just a few weeks you can tell the tale of Surf Dog.

Get Yo' Craft On!

2009-05-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Don't miss the Oceanside Craft Mafia's CraftTopia this Saturday, May 16th from 3-7 pm. It is a great way to support handmade and your local economy. Shop for yourself or pick up some gifts for those birthdays that just keep coming! Either way, you'll walk away with one-of-a-kind doo-dads you won't find anywhere else. See you at Jitter's on Saturday! 510 North Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054

Chew on This: Gum Tree is Opening!

2008-10-31T16:01:00.000-07:00

How frustrating the constant and never ending search for green merchandise in our local stores. Many shops are carrying at least a couple eco-friendly products, but who has time to strip search the product labels of every item we pick up? As much as I love supporting my local economy, I find myself shopping online for most of my eco-conscious gifts and needs. It is much easier to find what I need with the help of those online directories.

So when I heard a shop dedicated to supporting local merchants and green products was opening just a mere few miles from my home, the giddiness overtook me. I was soon telling my friends, neighbors, doctors and yoga instructors. Everyone had to know about this! Yes, Gum Tree was the sweet refreshment I had been waiting for in my local shopping experience.

On Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach, in a beautiful craftsman style beach house, Gum Tree is half eco gift shop and half organic cafe. The shop proves to all those weary of the "brown bag" eco product, that environmentally friendly can be as easy on the eyes as it is on the earth. Chic, sophisticated and with all the freshness of the near by sea air, you'll be able to shop for home, baby, and of course yourself. And once you've exhausted yourself, and possibly your pocket book (if you failed to resist the urge to buy everything!) then you can cruise just steps to the adjoining cafe and grab a bite.

Gum Tree opens tomorrow! Stop by for the grand opening. Support Green & support local business!

Gum Tree
238 Pier Avenue
Hermosa Beach, CA
310-376-8744
www.gumtreela.com

Will you be caught dead?

2008-10-22T16:03:00.001-07:00

You may already be planning to hit up Oceanside's fifth annual street fair in celebration of Dia de los Muertos. While you are down there, take some shelter from the sun and head down Artist's Alley, between Pierview and Mission Ave, where the Oceanside Craft Mafia will be hosting it's first annual craft fair and trunk show in conjunction with the holiday. Plan on being wow'd by members' handmade products. Find original items including jewelry, pottery, hand made cards, baby goods, and much, much more. And, though it may seem early, time does fly and this is a great way to kick off your holiday shopping and support your local economy.

The Oceanside Craft Mafia's Trunk Show is Saturday, November 1st from 7 to 9:30 pm. The Trunk Show booth space is by reservation only and will feature drinks, appetizers, and of course fabulous hand made goods. For information contact info@oceansidecraftmafia.com. Not down for the late night shopping? Find the same great vendors on Sunday, Nov 2nd from 10 am to 2 pm. Follow the chalk art and live music or just map it. Artist's Alley is located at 212 N. Coast Hwy, Unit D, enter through the alley, in Oceanside, CA.

The Oceanside Craft Mafia is a culmination of jewelers, paper crafters, potters and stitchers. The group embraces the morals and creative achievements of the members of the Austin Craft Mafia (www.craftmafia.com), who began the now national crafters organization.

In addition to offering moral support to one another, the OCM works together to creatively market their individual companies and products. By pooling resources they are able to help one another become more successful in an inundated indie craft market. It's as much about being a family as it is building business. They rely on one another to inspire, assist and care for one another, and always adhering to strict personal and business ethics.

The real glue that brings this group together is the hope to personalize the consumer market. We literally have the world’s market to shop from thanks to the World Wide Web. But so many of our options are impersonal and mass produced. The OCM supports hand-made and artisan products and believes strongly that they are better made and life enriching.

For more information about the Oceanside Craft Mafia and it's members please visit: www.oceansidecraftmafia.com

A New Bag in Town

2008-08-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

Manhattan Beach City Council proved they were up for the eco-challenge when on July 15th they unanimously adopted an ordinance banning plastic bags! Manhattan Beach is the second city in the Nation to adopt the plastic bag which begins in February 2009. Plastic bags are often carried by the wind into storm drains and into the ocean where fish and birds mistakenly eat the bags thinking it is food and end up dying. Also, plastic bags end up in the trash where they take a very long time to breakdown.

Go Manhattan Beach! I'm very proud of you!

If you haven't already started bringing your own bags to the store the time is now. You can read my post on reusable tote bags.

For more information on the plastic bag ban in Manhattan Beach visit www.citymb.info

Not a Chinese Junk, Our Junk!

2008-08-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

A friend recently sent me a link to a very interesting blog. It is the story of a raft named Junk, and made of just that, junk! Made from 15,000 plastic bottles, Junk, as I type this, sails from California to Hawaii with a strong message aboard: Recycle! There is more trash and plastic in the North Pacific Ocean now than ever. It never completely breaks down and pollutes the ocean and it's inhabitants with various chemicals. The 2 man crew of Junk recently reach the halfway point of their journey and you can follow them day by day on their blog.

To check them out and to learn more visit http://junkraft.blogspot.com/ and spread the word. The more people who know of Junk and its message the stronger that message will be!

Wear Your Ride Well!

2008-08-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

I am very enamored with the new breed of eco-crafter. So much fabulous junk exists in this world and it is just begging to be re-fashioned. Alicia and Brad of Hi Octane Jewelry are no exception to this excellence in recycled craft.

The hot rod inspired jewelry Alicia and Brad create begins from drawings which they then make into molds. The final sterling silver products are divine! But from my view, that of the obsessive recycler, their best jewelry is made from old car parts. Using emblems from cars that now spend their golden years in junk yards and scrap heaps, they clean each old car emblem carefully. They then attach hardware to the emblem so it can relive its days of glory on the open road, only now, it rides around your neck! Each necklace is completely handmade, recycled, and finely finished. Really, what more could you possible want!?! So maybe your first love was a Mustang, or even a Buick (don't worry, I won't tell); what better way to commemorate the former 4-wheels of your heart than to wear a piece of it around your neck.

You can see all of Hi Octane Jewelry's designs on their site. But you may want to contact them to see what car emblems they have in stock.

http://www.hioctanejewelry.com/

The Big Yellow Idler

2008-07-31T18:23:00.000-07:00

Looking back, the yellow school bus provided pages and pages of childhood memories. I remember waiting in the freezing cold Colorado mornings for the bus to turn the corner so I could board and get the feeling back in my toes. I remember the windows that never quite went up or down all the way. And of course, the smell. Why is it that school buses always had that distinct smell!?!

The smell buses are better know for now are their emissions! But the EPA hopes to scrub the air clean of that. The National Idle-Reduction Campaign hopes to spread school to school and encourage bus drivers to turn off their engines while they wait for kids to load and unload in their masses. What better way to teach the future how to properly take care of the earth, than by showing them!

The EPA knows that idling buses are bad for the environment, a waste fuel and money, and are a cause for concern when it comes to the health of drivers, students and teachers. The catch is, that they need our help. They've provided all the tools you need to begin your own Idle-Reduction Campaign in your school district.

Just go to their website or direct:
http://epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/antiidling.htm

Boho Cometh!

2008-07-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

I always love when a great new green idea finds me and I don't have to go searching for it. Well, this was exactly the case when in my inbox I had a message about Boho magazine. I have gained a whole new respect for high fashion with this magazine that not only spotlights eco-designers, but prints its entire magazine on recycled paper with soy inks. Yes, yes. I think I'm in love. And, as you may have guessed, it takes more than outward appearances to impress me. That being said, Boho nurtures a woman's needs to be beautiful and eco-conscious inside and out.

For you fashionistas out there, you are probably already familiar with TheStyleDoctor.com and it's founder/stylist Gina La Morte. As if she weren't already fantastic enough, she is adding to her resume Boho; the first American Magazine to be founded by a U.S. stylist, and the first fashion magazine to cater to Mother Earth by being 100% recycled. You go girl!

Boho Magazine hits newsstands on August 12th. 10% of the net proceeds of Boho go to environmental and humanitarian charities. For more info or to get a subscription go to www.bohomag.com

This News is Good News..

2008-07-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

No news is good news, or at least the story goes. I did however recently discover Grist; a news blog focusing on environmental news and seasoned with a sense of humor. That in itself is good news!

Grist covers all the same categories as your daily paper or online news source. There are discussions and articles on politics, lifestyle, energy, parenting, and even celebrities. I even found myself shamelessly reading an article entitled, "The Hot Rancher Speaks." And yes, he was hot! I tried to read his answers to very important environmental questions but found the pictures distracting.

Grist makes catching up on the news a more enjoyable experience and I will definitely be on top of the world issues now that I've hooked into their RSS feed!

http://www.grist.org/

One Man's Trash....

2008-07-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

I don't often make it down to Long Beach but I'm always down for exploring a new creative spot. A new shop opened by Lisa Hernandez definitely struck my curiosity. Modeled after the Scrap in San Francisco and the East Bay Depot for Creative ReUse in Oakland, The Long Beach Depot for Creative ReUse is home to junk... and lots of it. To all you eco-crafters this is right up your alley. You'll find vintage junk, misprinted items, corks, bottle caps, and list goes on and on. The best part is it's cheap. A 20 spot could buy you bags and bags of stuff! This is recycling at its very best. If you are in the area, or even if your aren't, be sure to check out The Long Beach Depot for Creative ReUse in the new East Village Arts District.

The Long Beach Depot for Creative ReUse
320 Elm Ave
Long Beach, CA 90899
(562) 437-9999

For more press:

Yelp

Press Telegram

Long Beach Green Guide

Shower the Way Mother Earth Intended!

2008-07-18T18:58:00.000-07:00

I love nothing more than a nice long shower. But a lot of bath products out there defeat the purpose of my behind-the-curtain spa time with their additives, preservatives and such. I was lucky to meet Kasey Evick, co-owner of Biggs & Featherbelle, when I recently attended the Renegade Craft Fair. She and her sister, Kelly, have created an entire line of all natural body products; soap, lotion, lip balm. You know, all the stuff girls really dig. If we used this kind of soap growing up I wouldn't have fear the warning of a mouth be washed out!

You die-hards out there, myself included, will be glad to hear; not only are the products all natural, but you could practically eat their brochures and packaging with use of recycled papers and soy inks. I bought the cutest little gift set for my friend who was dog-sitting my boston terrier. Now, I find myself gazing longingly at their website. I know I won't escape the weekend without a purchase!!!

To fully grasp what I'm ranting about, visit their website: www.biggsandfeather.com

Thanks Kasey & Kelly for making the shower a greener place!

Mo' Money Mo'

2008-07-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

The Maloof's hosted their first annual Maloof Money Cup over the weekend. The event was a huge success with great talent and the biggest money cup in skatebaording history! The show airs this Sunday, July 20th at 12PT/3ET. The title on your direct TV menu will say "skateboarding." That's right! Skating boarding on CBS. I can hardly believe it! Thanks go out to the Maloof's for giving skatboarding a proper platform on a national network! And props to WINDOWSEATpictures who always deliver top notch action sports programming.

To watch the trailer visit this link: http://www.windowseatpictures.com/mmc/

or catch more info on the event at: http://www.maloofmoneycup.com/

Renegade: We heart you!

2008-07-14T14:04:00.001-07:00

Wow! Renegade showed us how a craft fair should be! This weekend was fabulous. Alicia & Brad of Hi Octane Jewelry and myself (Leah of Peez & Ques) had a great time in San Francisco while participating in the first annual west coast Renegade Craft Fair. We arrived back in Oceanside last night around 4 am. It may be sleep deprivation, but I'd like to think this giddy fuzzy feeling in my head is the crafty high I'm still feeling from two days of creative bliss!

The vendors who joined us at the for the event were really quite outstanding. So much creativity, quality and attention to detail. There were handmade and naturalbody products by Biggs & Featherbelle, hand sewns satchels by Blissful, representation by the Los Angeles and Sacramento Craft Mafias and topped off with veggie burgers and vegan almond icecream! Really so much talent. If you haven't already, cruise by the Renegade website and browse its vendors' websites.

And, just when we thought we could love the Renegade event any more, they brought in the band. Not just any band...Mucca Pazza, a punk inspired marching band. By the way Mucca Pazza, I think we are all very curious what your rehearsals must be like. I'm guessing organized, fantastic chaos... you must You Tube that for us!!!

To all the vendors at Renegade, it was an absolute pleasure. You were all superb, and friendly to boot! I do hope to bump into you all again soon!

Enjoy these pics from Alicia and Leah of the Oceanside Craft Mafia:

Renegade: Finally Hittin' the West!

2008-07-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

We are glad to announce the Rengade Craft Fair hosts its first annual "west side" event this month at Fort Mason in San francisco. To say Renegade's arrival to the West Coast was highly anticipated would be a gross understatement! Events in Chicago, and New York boasts hundreds of applicants and tens of thousands of shoppers! The San fransisco event is sure to hold its own with Renegade's recognition amongst crafters, artists and those who support handmade.

California is a big state, but if you are in San Fransisco, plan to be, or up for a flight or road trip, The Renegade Craft Fair will not disappoint. You'll find the Oceanside Craft Mafia representin' the O.C. Look for founding members, Alicia and Leah at their booth for HiOctane Jewelry and Peez & Ques recycled stationery. They'll be selling goods galore, but only in between trips outside to take in the amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge!

The San Fransisco Renegade Craft Fair will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13th from 11 am to 7 pm at the Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion. For more information check out www.renegadecraft.com

Whole Foods to the Rescue

2008-06-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

I've always been a fan of Whole Foods, but as of late, the organic grocerery chain has captured my respect. While trying to peddle my cards, I learned that Whole Foods tries to buy locally whenever possible. This led me to want to research the full scope of WF's do-gooding. They are not only a great source of healthful information, support the local ecomony, but also often donate to local charities. One example of this is their 5% days. They work with a local school or charity, pick a day at their store, and donte 5% of their net sales that day to the selected charity. For example, this Thursday at the WF's in Redondo Beach, CA, 5% goes to the Surfrider Foundation. To keep abreast of the 5% days at your local WF's, visit their website, choose your location and sign up for the Fl@vor's email list.

Dessert with nothing in it...

2008-06-03T16:37:00.001-07:00

I am believer that you are what you eat. It doesn't help that I have the Internet at the tip of my fingers and have found site after site discouraging me from feasting on trans fats, refined sugar and other flavorful delights. I am also an avid watcher of Martha Stewart. Laugh all you want, but I do love that woman! It was on an episode of Martha that I was introduced to BabyCakes NYC. Erin McKenna, Owner, chef and fellow allergy sufferer, made a batch of her allergen-free brownies. I tried them at home and was hooked..... for life!

I was recently in New York to scope out the Stationery Show. At the top of my list of New York to do's was of course visiting BabyCakes Bakery in person. With a steady line of customers, BabyCakes is a quaint little place. Only someone with dietary restrictions could relate to the joy I felt knowing I could order any cupcake I want. Vanilla, chocolate, banana, coconut... They were moist and flavorful, and were topped off great with a brownie! BabyCakes has an extensive sweets menu, but a girl has to limit herself!

There has been rumor that BabyCakes NYC may be coming to Los Angeles. We've plenty of cupcakeries here in LA but none that may boast vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free all in one cup cake. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would visit a West Coast BabyCakes shop. Come on! We're waiting!

The Perfect Cookie

2007-12-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

They just opened a Whole Foods near our house. To say I am thrilled would be a gross understatement. I try to buy most of my groceries at Trader Joes to take it easy on the pocket book, but there are those hard-to-find essentials you can find only at Whole Foods. On one of my treasured trips to WF I came to face to face with a cookie made by Liz Lovely. I'll never pass up the opportunity to try a new cookie that is vegan.

I bought the cookie half expecting it to taste much like a cardboard box with chocolate chips and to have a leathery texture. You can imagine my surprise when I bit into the Liz Lovely cookie and found myself reminiscing of my last escapade with cookie dough ice cream. The cookie was almost like cookie dough; moist, and certainly not low on the taste spectrum. Now, after this first bite I went straight to the wrapper to understand exactly the loveliness I was consuming.

Liz Lovely's tag line is "Baking a Difference," and they've certainly baked a difference in my world and the whole wide world. I've have found a little piece of heaven with a cookie that is vegan, sustainable, socially responsible, Fair Trade, Non-GMO, and organic. Come on people, what's to stop you? Check out Liz's cookies on www.lizlovely.com You can shop online or check to see if your local natural grocers carry them.

Liz Lovely

www.peezandques.com

It's Not a Bad Search

2007-12-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

I always feel like there is more I can do to help those less fortunate than myself. Between work, personal and social obligations, there is little left of my own time to donate to local charities. One thing I do everyday for hours is use the Internet. It would be too good to be true if I were able to double-bill my time to work and charity. Well, apparently Ken and JJ Ramberg had hoped for the same thing when they started GoodSearch.

GoodSearch is a search engine which donates half of its profits to charities and schools. You, the user, designate the charities, and neither you nor the charities spend a cent of your own. They've also recently added GoodShop with the same idea. Various percentages of purchases made on Goodshop go to user designated schools and charities.

So, be sure to go some good searching and good shopping. You have nothing to loose and someone else has everything to gain.

GoodSearch
GoodShop

www.peezandques.com

Shoe Fest: One For You, One For Me

2007-12-18T15:33:00.000-08:00

It's easy to get wrapped up in the shopping frenzy of the holidays. Above and beyond the giving to our loved ones, it's the time of year we are supposed to count our blessings and think of those less fortunate than ourselves. One way to appease our loved ones and those less fortunate all in one fail swoop is with Tom's Shoes.

Tom's has fun colors of shoes that will wow even the toughest of Christmas gift recipients. And, for every pair of shoes you buy, Tom's gives a pair of shoes to a child who cannot afford any of their own.

So spread the Christmas cheer worldwide. Visit TomsShoes.com for a list of local retailers, or to buy online.

www.TomsShoes.com

www.peezandques.com

Gift Wrap with a Life Span Beyond Christmas Morning

2007-12-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

My favorite part of Christmas is the giving part. It is fun to buy or make that perfect gift for the special people in your life. Often I spend just as much time and care in wrapping my gifts as I do purchasing them. Christmas morning comes and goes and the living room displays the carnage of wrapping paper that will see nothing more than than a landfill for all it's days to come.

I've recently discovered a great new product. Handmade and chic gift bags. Cut and sewn from organza and other fine fabrics, Enchante Bags are made in various shapes and sizes to fit something as simple as a wine bottle, to that fold-out gift box you got for mom's new blouse. Your gift bag will be sure to wow the socks off your gift recipient, but the best part is that they can reuse the bag next time they give a gift. Not only have you saved them the cutting and taping that goes hand in hand with gift wrapping, but you've given the environment one less holiday wrap to handle.

www.enchantebags.com

www.peezandques.com

The Gift of Charity

2007-12-17T16:44:00.000-08:00

So you have been checking off your list for Christmas shopping. And you have only one more person to shop for, Grandpa Bob. You would celebrate the nearness to your shopping's end, however you have no idea what to get Grandpa Bob. He has everything he could ever need or want and anything you buy him would just be excess. In fact, he has even told you he wants nothing. In the past you've come up with more sentimental gift ideas, but this year you are at a loss!

I began giving to such people with even more generousity than in previous years when I discovered gifting to non-profits. You'll find most charities and foundations make it possible to make a charitable donation in the name of a specific individual.
Some even take it a step further, you can adopt a dolphin, polar bear, or even sponsor a child in a poverty stricken country.

So not only are you helping a worthy cause, but you using the money you'd use buy Grandpa Bob a useless present and showing him you were thinking of him!

Here's some idea's to get you started:

Adopt a Oceana Creature

Adopt a Wild Animal

Norther Rockies Radiation Oncology Center

Make A Wish

Kiva

www.peezandques.com

Craft Republic Fair 2007

2007-11-09T16:52:00.000-08:00

Time has flown, but the Craft Republic craft fair is upon us. If you are looking for something to keep you occupied tomorrow come check us out.
I know that a craft fair in itself may not be enough to convince you to drive to the Pomona Fairplex, however, there are actually several events to check out tomorrow. Go to their events page

Remember, you can get some of your holiday shopping out of the way while supporting hand-made! And, I would love to see you all!

Craft Republic Fair 2007
Saturday, Nov. 10th 11 am-7 pm
Millard Sheets Art Gallery @ the Pomona Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Ave, Pomona
Admission $2, Kids under 11 free.

Have Your Teeth Suffered?

2007-11-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

The aftermath of Halloween... oh how our chompers suffer! A plethora of candy and sweets will be eaten between now and the time you take your New Year's resolution. Now is the time to make sure you, and your kids, are taking proper care of your pearly-whites.

To keep your oral care green, be sure to find earth friendly products. I like Tom's fennel toothpaste. It takes a little bit to get used to non-mint toothpaste, but I find my morning breath is not nearly as offensive, not to mention it won't counter act any natural homeopathy remedies I may be on. Eco-conscious toothpastes are widely available and various brands (and flavors) can be found online. Drugstore.com has a great selection. Remember, you can find green options for every step of oral hygiene; tooth picks, floss, etc.

Not all natural toothpaste contains fluoride. If you do switch to organic you may notice an increase in your cavity count. Remember to swish with a fluoride rinse after you brush and floss. Now, instead of cavities, you can count your good eco-deeds.

www.peezandques.com

Take a Minute for Yourself

2007-10-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

Do you get the Daily OM? A couple of years ago, a friend of mine forwarded me an email she received called the Daily OM. I was so inspired by the words I read, I immediately signed up for my daily dose of encouragement.

The Daily OM is advice and guidance to help through everyday dilemmas and struggles. It may help you deal with a suffering friend, or it may help you to meditate on your creativity. If one email a day is simply not enough, you can also request to receive a daily email geared towards your sun-sign, or recommendations of meditation-friendly music.

The Daily OM only takes a minute to read and can make a positive impact on the rest of your day. So, before you tackle your hundreds of work emails take a deep breath and read your Daily OM. Your day depends on it.

www.peezandques.com

The Path Less Green

2007-10-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

I know I've passed along these eco-footprint quizes before, but here's another. This eco-game created by American public Media asks a lot of good questions about your lifestyle. With each step of the game, you can see how many earth's it would take to support you, and the rest of the world, if we all lived with the same habits. I'm a pretty green-savvy gal, and I was very disappointed in my own score. I have some more work to do!

So, go to the Consumer Consequences game. You get to select a character and dress him/her up as ridiculously as you please. (mine was a little old lady sporting a bonnet and black dress buttoned up to the chin) You then choose your hood. Next step is answering the questions about the stuff you trash, the food you buy and the energy you use. When it is all done, you are given an idea of how wasteful, or not, you are. Then, after you've received your score you have the option to learn how to improve your score and compare yourself to other players.

This is a great way to show kids the impact they have, individually, on the earth!

Thanks for caring for Mama Earth!

www.peezandques.com

Almost Home Grown

2007-10-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

Who has the time, space and green thumb for home grown organic produce? I sure don't! I am, however, lucky enough to live near grocers who have many organic products.

I also use LocalHarvest.com to find local farmer's markets, farms, restaurants and co-op's carrying organic goods. I can even shop from farmers directly on the site. I love this option to buy online for those shoppers who find organic products hard to find of for more specialty items. It's a great online community for those looking to be a little more organic and sustainable.

I know I needn't remind you, but organic is as good to you as it is the earth!

www.peezandques.com

Tis the Season to be Crafty

2007-10-26T19:07:00.000-07:00

The shopping frenzy that kicks off the holiday season comes swiftly. And with Black Friday comes craft fairs at churches, school yards and fair grounds. I love craft fairs. The goods are creative, well made, one of a kind and more affordable than items of equal quality at the mall.

If you live in Los Angeles County there are a couple you must check out. The best part is they are before Thanksgiving so you may get almost all your holiday shopping done and be able to avoid the horrific mall crowds entirely! Not to mention, I'll be there!

The Craft Republic Fair is on November 10th. www.crfair.com at the Pomona Fairplex.

Also on November 17th and 18th is the Saint Charles Borromeo School Holiday Boutique in North Hollywood. Part of the proceeds from this boutique go to support the school.
Saint Charles Borromeo School
10850 Moorpark Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(818) 508-5359

Don't forget, craft fairs usually have raffles. So, not only are you getting great stuff, but you might win something too! And most importantly, you are supporting your local small business people.

www.peezandques.com

The Green Behind the Mask

2007-10-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

Most halloween parties and trick-or-treat get-togethers are this weekend. If you haven't already pieced together your perfect costume, then you are in a panic to look like anyone else but yourself at these festivals of candy.

The ultimate earth-friendly halloween costume is of course one that is rented or gently used. In Los Angeles, Fantasy Costume has a huge selection of costumes for pumpkin-carvers of all ages. Use Google, or your local yellow pages to find a costume rental near you. If you prefer to buy and alter a costume, try Ebay. But makes sure it's used to help preserve Mama Earth.
If you are handy enough, you can sew an earth friendly costume for you or your kiddos. There are lots of options in organic cotton and bamboo fabric these days. Martha Stewart and other craft websites have lots of costume ideas.

For those who couldn't be bothered with a costume at all, try this simple option.

www.peezandques.com

Sugar High

2007-10-24T22:15:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a little sugar!?! I'm talkin' candy! With Halloween hastily approaching, we must accept that our children, will gorge themselves on sweets of all makes and models. At the very least, being of sound mind and adulthood, we should provide the lil' ghosts and ghouls with candy composed of ingredients they can actually read! No! I do not speak of corn syrup.

This year when you buy your treats for Halloween check out naturalcandystore.com or shopnatural.com. You'll be helping the children by not feeding them random chemicals and preservatives, and you'll be supporting companies doing their part to keep the world a greener place.

www.peezandques.com

Beachy Green

2007-10-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

The South Bay of California is a place like none other. Beautiful weather, ocean breezes and small beach communities dot the coast off the Santa Monica Bay. Any given day at the beach you'll find the ocean providing fish to local fisherman and waves to surfers and swimmers. But the ocean can provide these things only if we care for it. One group who feared beach-life was in danger was the Heal the Bay organization.

Finding itself a dump site for trash and sewage, the Santa Monica Bay needed a hero. In 1985, Heal the Bay held rallies, involved the media and joined in lawsuits already pending against the City of L.A. for environmental abuse. These actions began the greatly needed process of healing for the coast off Los Angeles. Today the bay is not perfect, but much better than is was and is on the right track for further improvement.

It's easy to get involved. Heal the Bay has numerous volunteer opportunities, Adopt-a-beach groups, and of course monetary donations are always helpful. You can also participate in online petitions helping environmental causes, and other causes too of course!

So take a couple minutes for our oceans because it makes a world of difference for future generations.

www.peezandques.com

So Fresh and So Clean, Clean.

2007-10-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

We are bombarded with cleaning options for our home, pets and ourself. A good majority of the products out there are not earth friendly. It's bad enough when we slather bottles of chemical-enriched lotions and soaps all over our skin (which by the way is our largest organ and absorbs into our body lotions and soaps that are put on it), but these same products get rinsed down our drains into our water sources during our daily shower or swim at the beach. So not only are you harming yourself, but you are also harming the earth around you.

I'll make it easy for you! Check out the products made by Ecos. They are in recyclable containers, not tested on animals, made with organic essential oils, and earth friendly. They have all the bases covered with products for the kitchen, laundry, personal care and even Rover can benefit from their eco-pet products.

My husband loves using the dish soap to wash down his beloved car, Benny, our Boston Terrier enjoys an after walk refresher with the pet wipes and I dig the hand lotion! What can I say, it's a family affair.

Check out Ecos.

www.peezandques.com

Mama's Preserves

2007-10-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

I've been making a concerted effort to only purchase products that are on the green side. Sustainable, recycled, and recyclable. I'm lucky to live in one of the states that boasts a Trader Joes in every city. And, it was in Trader Joes that I discovered the Preserve toothbrush. It hadn't even occurred to me that a recycled toothbrush existed.

I purchased the brusher of teeth and have to say, I've been pretty happy with it. It is made by Recycline, a company also producing eco-aware tableware for single use, toothpicks and razors. The best part, is when you are done with your toothbrush, tongue cleaner or razor, you can return it to Recycline to have it recycled. And, as if you weren't sold already, they have a postage-paid label you can print off their website, so you don't pay a dime to recycle your goods!

No natural grocer in your area? Preserve products are also sold on their website!

Now go brush to greener teeth....

www.peezandques.com

The Green Street Journal

2007-10-07T10:32:00.000-07:00

Investing in the stock market has never been second nature for me, but I do try to keep my investments green. Buying stocks is another way to support businesses doing their part in the fight for sustainability. I'm not suggesting you blindly invest in any company waving a green flag. Do your research and make smart investments.

One way to keep up with eco-business is GreenBiz.com. Articles from around the world are updated daily on this website. The stories are about businesses taking sustainability initiatives, statistics and research relating to earth-friendly products or approaches, and anything else you would expect to find in your daily newspaper, but with an eco-twist.

So, turn on your computer, curl up with your morning coffee (fair trade of course!) and catch up on your environmental news.

www.peezandques.com

I Would If I Could

2007-10-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

I am in recycler's heaven. I have a bin on wheels in my driveway, and anytime I want, I can take my bag of recyclables to the big blue bin and I know they will be properly sorted and recycled. But many people still suffer the pangs of a neighborhood with no recycling.

When I first moved to Los Angeles I didn't have the option to recycle in my apartment building. But I went online and found a directory of local recycling centers on Earth 911. I was then able to bag my plastics, glass and paper and take them to a local center for recycling. Some centers will pay you back a deposit on the glass and aluminum but this is dependent upon the state in which you live.

While this is good for individual eco-advocates, I encourage you to talk to your home owners associations and begin a recycling program for your neighborhood or apartment complex. You can do the right thing for Mama Earth and help others in your community to do the same.

www.peezandques.com

The Beetle and the Beast

2007-10-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

My favorite past time is traveling, be it the United States or abroad. I always feel a little guilty flying due to airlines' contribution to pollution. I could talk about air pollution, but I'm referring to the airlines' lack of cooperation on the eco-front. I often keep my empty can or plastic bottle when the flight attendants collect trash knowing my recyclable goods will end up in the garbage. I know, I'm loco for the green movement.

I live in California and travel to Hawaii frequently. I get on the computer to compare and book my flight and rental car. I was so happy to discover the Bio-Beetle amongst my car-rental choices. Available for rent in California and Hawaii, the Bio-Beetle is an economical and ecological choice with competitive rental rates and all their cars running on biodeisel.

Daily rates start at about $49 a day. For those who wouldn't be caught dead driving a Beetle, fear not. Quite a few of your choices are various types of Volkswagons, and you do have the option of Jeeps in some locations.

So, traveling west for some warmer weather? Be sure to include the Bio-Beetle as one of your car rental choices!

www.peezandques.com

I Give Therefore I Am Green

2007-10-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

One man's junk is another man's treasure, or at least the story goes. If you are anything like me, you find you have more belongings than you do space. A couple times a year I begin a look around my house, especially my garage, and the "everything must go" mentality takes over. My rule is, if it hasn't been used or worn in a year it is not necessary.

I suppose these are belongings that could be considered garbage and used to pack the local land-fill. I know quite a few people who take the opportunity to donate to Goodwill for a small tax deduction. Another option for listing your goods as "up for grabs" is to Freecycle.

Freecycle.org directs you to a local email group. You can post any items as long as they are free. I'm sure there are some other requirements so be sure to read the policies. (for example, nudie pics are probably frowned upon) People can contact you about your items and with any luck you'll have one less item of which to keep track.

If you prefer a tax break, you may want to try Classified Circles. Much like Ebay, you post your unwanted goods on the online auction. There is no charge for the auction. Even better, the proceeds from the sale go directly to the charity of your choice.

So, toss your unwanted items online and let's make our landfills more like a big compost heap.

www.peezandques.com

Stick to Green

2007-10-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

I made a professional and personal commitment to help Mother Earth, and I haven't shut my trap since! I'm sure friends and family have just about had it with my eco-preaching. However, I feel if I don't pass along the knowledge I gain, I might as well do nothing.

You can imagine how thrilled I was when I discovered I could save my breath and instead just post stickers on any available surface! One with the Earth has developed a universal symbol for environmental awareness . This symbol appears on the stickers they've design to help you spread the green message. Put a "turn off" memo on your light switches, or a "please recycle" request near the trash can.

Whether at home or the office these little notes are a friendly reminder to do the right thing for the environment. I like the added bonus of my being able to talk about things other than eco-awareness, and I don't get annoyed glances!

Get your free stickers.
Check out my recycled note cards.

Green for the Senses

2007-09-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of options to tickle my television-watching-fancy. I think the channels on my direct-tv guide go to 800's. And of those hundreds of options I watch only 2 networks religiously; HBO and the Sundance Channel. Thanks to Tivo I can have a life and watch the shows I want. Ah, HBO, what's not too love. I've grown particularly fond of Entourage and enjoy watching familiar places blaze across the screen.

But Sundance I love for completely different reasons. I tune into Sundance for The Green. The brain-child of Robert Redford feeds the eco-conscious by creating a television and web community for them. There are a lot of large corporations who are involving elements of earth-aware activities into their business, but The Green is highlighting businesses that are sustainable through and through. And, more often than not, these are small businesses and individuals.

If you haven't tuned in yet, I highly recommend it. If you've vowed to never watch television again then may I suggest The Green website? I know I've posted my company on the Eco-mmunity map. If you are a Mac junkie like I, use Firefox when browsing this site to avoid any problems.

Eastside Lovin'

2007-09-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

Even though I hail from L.A. County there is still plenty of love in my heart for Etoile Boutique in Orlando. No eastside/westside rivalry here. Word.

Katie brings such fresh and vivid energy to her store and her designs. So when she decided to move her store's location she did it with the enthusiasm of 100 school children on a fieldtrip to the circus.

Whether it's vintage re-creations, haute indie designs, or my cards, you'll love the great selections at Etoile Boutique, and you'll feel great knowing you've found one-of-a-kind style.

Etoile is now open at its new location:

2436 E. Robinson Street
*right behind COVERT & BETA*
Turn into the parking lot (between the K9 Lounge & Covert)and you will see them. The little house in the back with the red door and the patio!

Monday-Fri 12-8pm
Saturday 12-9pm
Sunday CLOSED

etoile boutique
407-895-6363
etoileboutique.net
myspace.com/etoileboutique

Tote-ally Fabulous

2007-09-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet you'd better get going. Word on the street is if you aren't bringing your own canvas bags to the grocery store you're not ecologically cool! Some stores, like my local Trader Joes, give you a little form to fill out each time you bring your own bags and you are entered into a sweepstakes for free groceries. Think of all the things you won't have to do by bringing your own bags; you won't have to figure out how to store the 100 plus plastic bags under your kitchen sink, you won't have to figure out how to fold 80 brown paper bags the way they were before they were used, (much like re-folding a map for those of you who have tried that.) you won't have to sort through the bags searching for those without holes in the bottom.

There are so many indie designers coming out with very cute totes and what better excuse to buy them than for your groceries...and of course for Mother Earth.

I can usually get all my groceries into 1 large and 2 medium totes. I hit the grocery store about 2 times per week. I stuff all the empty totes into one another and it easy to carry into the store. The cashiers always seemed pleased that they won't have to use their talents in double-bagging with my heavy canvas straps in tow. Once home the bags are very easy to lug up my steep flight of stairs when slung over the shoulder instead of grasped tightly in each hand. And after loading up my fridge the bags get returned to my car for the next grocery store trip. I've found I don't remember them unless they are stored in my car.

A couple companies that are specializing in grocery store totes:
http://www.usa.envirosax.com/index.php
http://www.bluelotusblankets.com/products/bags/

For something a little more vogue:
http://www.etoileboutique.net/

I admit, I do use and reuse plastic and brown bags. The plastic bags get loaded up with kitty litter. However I'm trying to come up with a more earth-firendly option for litter toting. If you have any ideas for me let me know. And my brown bags get cut into 8.5" x 11" sheets and fed into my printer. You've probably noticed them in the packaging of my notecards.

On an end note, don't forget to wash your totes. We don't want to be mistaken for anything but sqeaky-clean eco-defenders.

Are you filling big shoes?

2007-09-20T16:51:00.001-07:00

The larger the city we live in, the more we are aware of our impact on the earth. We see the impact not only of ourselves indivually but also that of our friends and neighbors. I find my fellow city dwellers are much more active in choosing local products/produce, recycling and other earth-aware activities because the impact they are making, positive and negative, is all around them.

When I go back to Colorado, which is a very environmentally conscious state, I still find many people taking for granted their ecological footprint. I know I am speaking in broad generalities, and I know there are exceptions to every rule. However, when someone lives in a place where they are many miles from the closest freeway, they can't see the smog from their backyard and they don't see how many recyclable materials are tossed into the trash, then they may not be aware of their footprint on this earth.

Want a clear view of the ecological-shoes your household is filling? You must check out this site.

Ecological Footprint Quiz

Attention Book Junkies

2007-09-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

I have an addiction; it's books! There is something relaxing about curling up, and flipping through the paper pages. Though I have a compulsion for many things paper, (recycled of course!) paperbacks and the occasional hardback take the prize. I have stacks of books made to look like decoration, over-flowing shelves and in numerous boxes in the garage. My books can be put in two categories: will be read and re-read, and will be given away. For those books which fall into the latter grouping, I've recently discovered the wonderful online world of used books.

Imagine a world where you received credit for each book you were willing to swap, (I'd already be a millionaire in Book-Land!) and those credits could be used for books you haven't read yet! Well, imagine no more. I give you PaperBackSwap!

Not only do you appease the hungry reader within, but you help the environment by recycling your books! Check them out!

For those of you who prefer to support your local community, which definitely suggest, you need only do an online yellowpages search to find a nearby used bookstore. For those of you in the Southbay, CA, I frequent Daves Olde Book Shop in Manhattan Beach.

Go forth and read....and buy some cards too ;-)

Too Much Junk Mail

2007-09-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

I realized after the fact, that my last post included a lot of information, so I thought I'd explain a few of the links I previously listed in the days to come.

If you have as little as one credit card, then you know the pangs of junk mail. I, on average, receive 2 or more pre-approved credit offers a day. I receive another 3-5 insurance offers a week. Not to mention catalogs, circulars and local coupons. Don't even get me started on the barrage of letters and postcards that flood my mailbox during election time.

For your catalogs I suggest calling each company individually and requesting to be removed from their catalog. Chances are you can find anything you need from that company's website. In fact, it is probably much more up to date than a paper catalog that had to be pritned and mailed.

A great solution for the credit and insurance offers is the opt-out process. Visit the website , fill out the form and mail it. I was recently married so filled out one in my maiden name and another in my married name, just to be sure.

You can read the website for all the nasty details, but bottom line; you send this form and the offers diminish tremendously. Bye-bye Junk mail!

Of course some companies are getting creative with their junk-mail. Some in the paper biz are simply turning it into recycled paper. You all know what I've been doing with my junk mail: Peez & Ques

As always, thank you fellow Earth-lovers!

Helping Mother Nature

2007-09-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

Starting an earth-friendly business has been VERY educational. There are tid-bits of information which come as no suprise. But then, there are other readings you come across and you are shocked! I suppose just becoming aware of your actions; your own footprint is the best way to start. Your neighbors see the new retractable clothesline you've installed on your deck, and maybe it causes a positive reaction in them towards eco-awareness. The bottom line is, you must practice what you preach.

I've come across hundreds of websites for a greener world in my research process, and I thought I'd share some of them with you. Take what you will from them. If you've found some good sites I'd love to see them, pass them along. Oh...and thank you fellow greeniacs!

My site of course ;-)
http://www.peezandques.com

http://www.sundancechannel.com/thegreen/homePage
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/opt_form.cgi
http://earth911.org/blog/2007/06/25/turn-your-office-green/
http://www.agshen.org/freestickerorderinfo.html
http://www.bluelotusblankets.com/products/bags/
http://www.usa.envirosax.com/index.php
http://www.weststart.net/ccm/home/
http://www.freecycle.org/
http://www.wrap-n-mat.com/index.php
http://www.classifiedcircles.org/
http://www.simplyaudiobooks.com/
http://www.givethegiftofsight.org/
http://www.greenbiz.com/
http://www.ecos.com/
http://earth911.org/
http://www.paperbackswap.com/
http://www.localharvest.org/
http://www.organicearthday.org/
http://www.bio-beetle.com/
http://www.energystar.gov/
http://www.healthebay.org/
http://www.recycline.com/
http://www.ecofoot.org/

New Recycled, Hand-Made Card Designs

2007-09-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

I have many new note-card designs.... I had a lot of fun with these. A little more popular culture than my others. The robot I think is my new "character" of choice. He's dressed in 3-d glasses ( I remember wearing a pair of these only once, but man they made an impact!), or as a devil... I'm sure he will be revistited over and over. He's reminiscent of our little Star Wars buddy....
I get so wrapped up in website designs and marketing, that when I get to design and make my cards it is reinvigorating.
My older designs are all still on my website
Always hand-made by moi.... always recycled.....always recyclable.....

See my new designs on myspace
OR Facebook search Leah Mirbaba

New Designs: guitars, turn-tables, octopus, mic, match, lightening bolt

Etoile is Moving

2007-09-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

Katie owns and operates Etoile Boutique in Orlando FL. She is moving to a bigger, better locale and we are all very excited for her. She is a designer herself (great stuff), and her shop hosts all kinds of great indie designs. (and my cards!)

If you live in Orlando or will be there visiting, be sure to check out her new shop.
New Address:
2436 E. Robinson St.
Orlando, FL 32803
*just turn into the Covert/Beta/Etoile Parking lot and you will see our little house!*

You can also find her on MySpace:
www.myspace.com/ararebird
www.myspace.com/etoileboutique

Or her website:
www.ararebirddesigns.com

San Diego Craft Mafia

2007-09-11T12:24:00.000-07:00

Okay all... so we are looking for ethical, edgy, crafty-types to become members of the San Diego Craft Mafia. We promote you, you promote us, we promote each other. You feelin' the love? The goal of the San Diego Craft Mafia is to help individual indie businesses be more successful by pooling resources and finding creative ways to market and co-market our products. At the root of this overwhelming desire to succeed, is our mutual respect and kindness for and towards one another.

To get a better idea of where the Craft Mafia started check out:
Craft Mafia

To contact us for membership:
San Diego Craft Mafia

To see what some of it's members are up to:
Peez & Ques: Recycled Cards
AstaArts
HiOctane Jewelry
Jumble Bugs