Treat

Built New York

Colorful and fun, these neoprene totes by Built are designed for work, lunch, or play. They are as fun to look at as they are functional.

 

Rebel Green

Gone are the days when green was merely a color. Now, when we use the term green, it signifies a whole movement. A movement that speaks, thinks, and acts in support of earth's longevity—for cleaner air, energy efficiency, clean water, and a host of other "kindnesses" for the earth. In essence, we want a healthier planet for healthier people and to ensure that 3,000 years from now — as well as sooner and later — the Earth will continue to spin on its axis.The minds at Rebel Green want to help reinforce this movement by creating design chic products that will make you be proud to share and use...and recycle!

Happy Earth Day!

I'm a big supporter of Aveda products. Not only do they use organic ingredients, but the company believes in earth friendly packaging, renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Support companies that support the earth.

My Design Youth Forum Update

Just wanted to let you know that the Design Youth Forum that took place on Friday, March 27th at UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) was a success. The students took a class in Graphic Design, Fashion, Industrial, Multi-Media, Interior Design, or Architecture with the theme being Sustainability. The students had so much fun, and I did too. It's amazing to hear the thoughts of young kids. They see ideas that older adults take for granted. So, it was refreshing to hear they're thoughts and see their brightened eyes and smiles when we exchanged ideas. So, if you ever have the time, it would be great to meet some of my Treat readers at one of the Project Osmosis events. I'll be continuing to post events in the future, so be on the look out!

Got a case of the Mondays? Here's how you can change your mood.

I've heard that surrounding yourself around gray helps to stimulate creativity. I guess because the color is so neutral that one's instinct is to want to visualize color, movement, or anything that seems different.

A change in scenery is another way to get the creative juices flowing. If you're like most Americans right now, and your budget is shot because of high gas prices and the climbing price of food, then consider checking out the Mood-factory—a company that creates mood lighting to help improve moods. The 25W bulbs are mercury free and energy, earth, and animal friendly. "Why spend money on lighting?," you ask. "It's not a necessity." Well, in essence, it is a necessity. You have to have a variety of things to help spark your creativity. Afterall, you're a creative, and the show—"show" being whatever creative industry you work in—must go on! The world needs you to create designs and art that will help uplift people and keep businesses competitive, thriving during this economic downturn. It's a part of the cycle of improving the "all American dollar," not only in the US, but worldwide. Quality products are a must to keep these business afloat, thus design is essential right now. These mood lights are an inexpensive way to drastically change the mood of your room—and maybe even your own mood.

What do you think? Was that a good enough excuse to get one? =)

Check below for Mood-factory's simple explanations for how different colors affect your mood. If you don't already have it, you should also check out this Designer favorite: Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color by Leatrice Eisemann.

• Green is associated with growth, fruitfulness, and renewal.
• Red, being the color of blood and fire, brings feelings of warmth, excitement, and passion.
• Hot Pink is a vivacious and fun color, full of pure confidence.
• Blues, referring to the sky and lakes, are associated with spirituality, cleanliness, and tranquility.
• Yellow is the color of sunlight and fruits, and brings feelings of cheer, hope, and vitality.
• Orange, with its reference to fire and sunset, evokes feelings of energy and excitement.
• Purple, which rarely occurs in nature, is linked to spirituality, mysticism, and creativity.

from mood-factory.com

Method

The first time I saw Method products was at Target, and I thought that it was a Target brand. Not true. The company was founded by two roommates, Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan. They started with an idea. That idea transitioned into creating products that didn't have to be "hidden under the sink." Thus creating Method, a line of products that clean, but are gentle to the user and the environment. The designs of Method products are simple, elegant, and eco-friendly, and they smell really good, too!

Feel More Human: meaningful. modern. living.

You're at work spending hours and hours on your computer. As you trek your way home, you pull out your Blackberry to call a friend. After you've gotten your mail and walked in the door, you hang your coat and turn on your computer to check your e-mail. You grab a bite to eat and then on your TV to look at "reality TV." So, you're starting to feel like a drone, right? Or, maybe you've been a drone and hadn't quite realized it yet. Well, drone no more! There's a company that wants to make you feel more human! That's right! Feel More Human is an eco-friendly company, with loads of modern style, founded by Jill Stalowicz, a woman who at one time felt that her life was being driven by big brands. So, she started Feel More Human, a company that blends her love for modern design, building brands, and "helping to propel the shift towards a greener society." 

 

Happy Earth Day!

HAPPY EARTH DAY! Every day, the earth does something great for you. Why not do something great for the earth?

If you aren't hip to the grocery tote, then you'd better get to moving! Grocery totes are not only reducing the number of plastic and paper bags used at grocery stores, but they're becoming fashionable items. I've seen people in downtown Chicago carrying not only groceries, but work items in these totes!

Check out these totes from Whole Foods. So designer-friendly! They're great for the planet, and they're so much easier to carry and use because they hold so many more groceries! The colorful one to the left is made of 80% post consumer waste. The one to the right is made of a thick canvas and has two straps. One long, one short. So you can carry it in whatever way is more convenient for you.

If you don't think you'll be in a Whole Foods anytime soon, many grocery stores, at least in the Chicago area, carry their own grocery totes. Design has been a really important factor in the creation of these bags. It seems that grocery stores are becoming more competitive with their designs. Who could blame them? The more people who carry the tote, the more advertising the store gets. My favorites have been these Whole Foods bags. Do you have a favorite in your city?

Check out the YouTube video below, Earth Day 2008: Be a Part of the Solution, to learn more about what you can do to be more eco-friendly.

Find an Earth Day event in your city.

No more plastic bottles. Go Sigg!

Because I've been trying to be more conscious of recycling water bottles—I'm pretty good with paper—I've been on the lookout for reusable ones. Chicago is becoming so green conscious—and rightfully so—that it's embarrassing to carry my usual Aquafina bottle. My husband and I used to get the large 2.5 gallon containers of water, but since we moved to Chicago, we haven't been able to find a water flavor that I like (yes, water has flavor). So we resorted to buying water bottles in bulk. Although we've been recycling our bottles, it would be so relieving to not hassle with them at all. So, I've found these swanky eco-friendly water bottles by SIGG, a company that started in Switzerland 100 years ago. These bottles are said to be "tremendously durable and virtually unbreakable" and have been called "the world's toughest water bottle." There are 144 bottle designs and 22 interchangeable lids, and I'm sure at some point, more designs will come. And, guess what? They use over 30 indie artists from all over the world! How cool is that? No wonder SIGG bottles became a part of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York! Not only does the company make eco-friendly products, but 1% of all sales go to 1% For the Planet, an organization of businesses that support the environment. Hmmm...a little relief for the environment, and a little relief from embarrassment for me.