If you like Dwell magazine, then get ready to get up close and personal, because this weekend is the Dwell on Design show in Los Angeles, June 25^th-27th!  For three days some of the most amazing design concepts and designers will be collaborating in one place to display their furniture, fixtures and knowledge.  On the “Sustainability Stage” there will be some great speakers including Ed Begley Jr. (Mr. Green himself), Angelo Surmelis from HGTV, editors from Dwell and many more amazing designers and architects.

As much as I want to hear all the speakers, I usually like to run around the showroom first to see everything while making mental notes of where I want to go back and see more.  There will be plenty of Green products at the show too, from companies like Copeland, Environment, Loll and Modern Mural. 

 

I am particularly interested in checking out a company called Cleveland Art, shown below.  Jason Wein founded this company in 1994. While working at the family salvage yard as a young man he saw the potential of industrial machinery and surplus being repurposed and recycled as functional design for the home, office and retail setting. They make tables, storage units, lighting, art pieces and much more.  Cleveland Art has a 7000-sqft warehouse in Los Angeles and two other locations in Ohio and Florida. 
 

This shelving unit by Cleveland Art is way more interesting than a bookcase from Pottery Barn.  
 

There is plenty to do after the show as well.  On Saturday night you can head on over to the Ritz Carlton, 900 West Olympic Blvd, just across from LA Live for an after party put on by eco consulting, dwell and Westside USGBC-LA.  This Ritz Carlton is pending LEED certification and of course it’s amazing…it’s the Ritz! There will be food and cocktails in support of DWELL on Design.   The event is free, but in exchange for a suggested donation attendees will receive a generous gift bag filled with eco items!  All donations will benefit T4T – Trash for Teaching dedicated to minimizing waste and maximizing education. 
 

Trash for Teaching collects clean and safe cast-off materials from manufacturing processes (that would otherwise become trash) and repurposes them as educational resources.  With those materials they provide a comprehensive arts education program in local school districts, which includes teacher workshops and classroom instruction. Their programs feature the popular Treasure Truck visit making their materials readily available to teachers and students in the schools, and helping to bridge the gap between the excess of waste created in manufacturing processes and the lack of materials in public education. 
 

Learn more about Beth at http://www.ecostyledesigner.com/  

First, we have the new Ford Fiesta  (http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta/)

starting at $13,320, practically half the cost of the Prius.

With today’s report from the EPA on the Fiesta’s fuel economy topping its class at 40 MPG;  29 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway for Fiestas with the new six-speed dual-clutch Powershift.  These highway numbers top the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit by four and five mpg, respectively.  The Fiesta’s advanced transmission and aerodynamics help to make it as fuel efficient as possible.  This car can also hold its own when it comes to the road.  Watch this hilarious video of the Fiesta kicking butt against a Lamborghini.

http://www.youtube.com/user/fordfiesta#p/u/3/poWNPlLyoNI

It’s not just the advanced transmission that gives the Fiesta its stellar fuel economy. The car’s 1.6-liter Duratec engine, rated at 120 horsepower, also features Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT), an aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff and an engine accessory drive system that improves efficiency by reducing the energy it takes to power the air-conditioner and alternator. The story doesn’t end there as there’s also electric power steering  and enhanced aerodynamics to help make the Fiesta as fuel efficient as possible.  To top it off it even comes in green, or as they call it “Lime Squeeze Metallic”

Let’s say you need a bigger car, but don’t want a gas guzzling SUV.  How about a mini SUV?  They do have mini hybrid SUV’s, but you’re still going to pay more.  How about a Kia Sportage?  You know the fun commercials where the giant Sock Monkey goes wild with his other toy friends.  I love this commercial, but honestly I was so enamored with the monkey that it wasn’t until a month later I knew which car it was driving.

The Kia Sportage starts at $17,000 and has an EPA estimated fuel economy ratings range between 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.  Sporting a V-6 option and plenty of interior room, the 2010 Kia Sportage compact SUV is a great value buy for the budget-conscious consumer.

The 2010 Kia Sportage is available in LX and EX trim levels, in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations and equipped with either a 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline-4 engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission or a 173-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 coupled to a four-speed automatic.  This car also comes in their version of green called “Verdant Green”.

Let’s say you don’t want to own a car, but still need one sometimes.  Zip Car (http://www.zipcar.com/) is a company that lets you rent a car for as little as a hour!  They also have plans for day and weekend use.  If you think you might need this type of service a couple of times a month then join the club for discounted rates.  Their hourly rates start at $7 and daily rates are $73 for non-members, plus it includes the gas, insurance and 180 free miles!

Their most popular plan is for new members and first time car sharers. Simply put, you pay as you go. This might be the right plan for you if you think you'll zip at least a couple times a month. Each and every Zipcar takes 15-20 personally-owned vehicles off the road. Multiply that by the more than 6,500 cars and you've got a really big number.

If you already have a car there’s no need to dump it in the landfill just yet.  All you really need to do is take care of it.  My car has had its fare share of ups and probably more downs than I care to remember, but at 130,000 miles it’s still running!  As much as I would love a new fancy car that fit all my surfboards and toys it gets fairly good gas mileage and best of all no car payment!

Here are some reminders for keeping your car running:

1. Get Your Car Serviced Regularly

2. Check Your Tire Pressure

3. Change your oil regularly

4. Don't Use More Octane Than You Need

5. Dispose of Fluids Properly

6. Take it in for its service checks

7. Stop Your Idling

8. Check your tire pressure

9. Carpool and give it a break once in a while

10. Slow Down and Drive Sensibly

Learn more about Beth at http://www.ecostyledesigner.com/  

I can’t think of any better way of starting off the summer than a Jack Johnson concert right in my own back yard, aka: the Santa Monica Pier!  This week Jack partnered with Heal the Bay to help clean up the beach by inviting 2000 fans to pick up trash on the beaches of Santa Monica in exchange for a free ticket to his concert!  If you don’t want to miss out on events like this in the future check out their website and become a member.

Heal the Bay organized the beach clean up while fans, environmentalist and beach lovers came out to support the cause, cleaning up the beaches for 2 hours on Saturday.  Volunteers where given bags and gloves to collect the trash and in turn they were given a “golden ticket” to Monday nights concert on the pier.  Among the volunteers was Rachel Avalon, winner of the 2009 Project Green Search and Vanessa Meier, a volunteer from the executive committee of the West Los Angeles/Malibu chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, doing their bit to help clean the beach.

The beaches filled up with fans that did not get tickets, but could still enjoy the concert from the video screen set up on the sand and powered by bio-diesel. The Jack Johnson tour is working with a company called Reverb that “greens up” the concert. Reverb’s Greening Coordinator, Josh Glasheen, is the onsite coordinator for the Jack Johnson All at Once Tour.  Josh coordinates and oversees all greening elements, such as bio-diesel power from Cat Entertainment services to power the event; waste reduction and recycling; and hospitality and catering coordination of eco-friendly choices backstage when needed. I personally noticed ceramic cups being used backstage rather than paper and the Josh said, “Backstage we used all biodegradable products, no single serve bottled water - only reusable bottles.” He also managed to get 50 local volunteers from Sustainable Works to clean up the beach after the show in case anyone “forgot” to pick up after themselves. 

The concert was great and beach clean up volunteers who got tickets enjoyed the show from a small stage on the pier, which made it seem very personal.  The sky was clear, the moon was full and the Jack gave a great show.  Even though it was chilly from the wind, Jack suffered the cold for his fans when he had to take off his jacket because it was making his guitar slip.  He just seemed so humble and honestly sincere on stage.  He sings, he surfs and he’s green conscious!  What more could you ask for?!  No ladies, he’s not single, but if you want to support Jack’s green efforts you can join All At Once and Strive To Be Plastic Free.

All At Once, Jack Johnson's social action network, encourages you to become active in your local and world community.

All At Once campaign features over 150 non-profit groups and focuses on supporting Sustainable Local Food Systems and Plastic Free Initiatives. Jack Johnson's tour proceeds will go to these groups to support their projects. 
 

This week All At Once introduces you to Plastic Free Initiatives. Plastic waste is harmful to the environment because it doesn't break down. Almost every bit of plastic that has ever been created still exists. The plastic pollution threatens our wildlife, oceans, and our health. Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour -- every HOUR! Recycling isn't always the answer; most of the plastic waste ends up in landfills. So do your part to minimize single use plastic.  
 

Here are three things you can do to support a vision for a plastic free environment. Let your VOICE be heard!

• #1 Join the Take Back the Tap Campaign. Ditch single-use bottled water, support local water infrastructure, and refill at the tap. Join here: Take Back The Tap Campaign
   
• #2 Support local or national policies and efforts to reduce or find alternatives to single use plastics. If you're in California, send a letter to your Assembly member in support of Heal The Bay's Plastic Ban Policy to ban single use plastic bags, limit the distribution of paper bags, and require reusable bags for purchases.
   
• #3 Sign up and stay informed on Plastic Free Initiatives. Check out http://riseaboveplastics.blogspot.com/ 
   
   

Learn more and become a member to explore, share, discuss, volunteer, and donate at www.AllAtOnce.org

Learn more about Beth at http://www.ecostyledesigner.com/  

Still waiting for the economy to turn around so you can buy that big new house?  I wouldn’t hold your breath too long or it could be the end of you.  Instead why not remodel the place you already have to give it a new look and maximize your space.

Here are some ideas to make over your bathroom from completely gutting it to just adding simple touches that won’t require you to take out a loan.

Ok, let’s start big….the master bath.  Maybe your master bath isn’t that big but don’t let that keep you from creating your own personal spa like atmosphere.  In this bathroom I removed all the fixtures, cabinetry, tile, lighting, etc.  I designed a new vanity, built by my amazing dad, with a clean new modern look.  I topped it off with a eco-friendly CaesarStone counter top and new shower tiles.  The shower got a new seamless glass door.  The fixtures in the shower have temperature settings so you can have your perfect temp immediately with out running the water forever.  Keeping the colors light in a small space also helps give it a larger feeling.  

 

For extra light I added a Solatube with a combination venting system.  The Solatube acts like a mini skylight by capturing the natural light from the dome on the roof and then reflecting it down the tube and spreading it out around the room.  This particular system has the vent attached so you don’t need put in a separate bathroom vent.  If you really want an all in one system you can add a compact fluorescent light attachment that can be used when there is no natural light. 
 
 

Now that you have your new bathroom you might also want to think about conserving water.  I found these cute water timers that can be placed in the shower or tub to remind you how long you are spending in the shower. On average a regular shower head can waste up to 5 gallons of water per minute, so these little timers could really help remind you to shorten the shower time. 
 
 

Depending on how big your project is remember to think about ways to re-use, recycle and reduce your budget costs. 
 
 
 Learn more about Beth at http://www.ecostyledesigner.com/  
 

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner.  You know what that means…spring-cleaning!!!  I know for some of you out there anything with the word clean in it does not sound fun, unless you’re a freak like me and for some weird reason I usually enjoy it.  Let’s start with your closet and cupboards.  For me cleaning out the closet helps me de-stress because it keeps me organized.  If my closet and cupboards are cleaned out then I just feel better and function better.

Hear are some good rules for cleaning the closet. 

• Turn on some music that puts you in a good mood. 

• Clear out one section at a time, so you’re not overwhelmed.

• Then wipe down the shelves or vacuum the floor.

• Only put back items you really like, that fit well and are in style.

• Do not hold on to those clothes from decades ago that you think might come back in style, because if they do there will still be a new spin on it. 

• Organize by color or style, which ever feels better to you.

• Put smaller non-hanging items in bins.

You can get bins at places like the Container Store, but look around your house because you may already have what you need.  Try re-using plastic containers that your veggies came in.  This is a great eco-friendly idea.  They work great for socks, scarves or jewelry and you save them from the landfill.

If you are going to have you closet re-built you can use reclaimed wood or FSC certified wood. You may also want to get rid of those old mirrored door and update them with doors that open so you can see your entire closet at once! 

Think beyond just hanging clothes and consider putting some in drawers with a viewing window so you can easily spot what is in them.  Drawers can be useful for sweaters, t-shirts and even shoes and this could free up floor space. Once again my Dad did an amazing job building this closet!

Still not convinced…what if I said you could earn money doing it?!  Yes that’s right - what you may see as trash is another persons treasure. 

Here are some ideas for what to do with the old clothes

1. Have a clothes-swapping party with your friends.

2. Take them to a local consignment store for cash or credit.

3. Donate them to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

4. Craig’s List

5. E-bay

6. Garage sale

Remember to recycle as much as you can and save the planet!

Learn more about Beth at http://www.ecostyledesigner.com/