Ethical Ocean

I just discovered the most interesting and fresh place to shop!!! (Thanks Andrea! xo) Ethical Ocean is a socially responsible online marketplace for eco-friendly and ethical products that are sourced from vendors around the world. In 2007, a group of travellers were packed like sardines into a small car en route to Montreal from Toronto. As they bounced down the highway, they bounced around ideas for businesses that would help to improve the world. The rest is history; two and a half years later, an idea that started small has grown in to a fully-functioning online ethical marketplace. Our six team members come from various backgrounds, but have come together under a common belief: that trade and ethics need not be separate; rather, the future of commerce will require the integration of ethics. It will be consumers who demand these type of products and services, and the businesses who combine economic and ethical motivations will flourish. These remarkable glasses were created from bottles rescued from the waste stream. Isn't that so cool!!!!??? They have been made on the shores of Great Slave Lake in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories since 1994. They use original northern patterns made by local artists. Each of their pieces are individually polished, stenciled and sand-blasted by hand. I think they'd make wonderful flower vases too! Oh...gotta go...the site is so intriguing. I know you'll find something very wonderful! LPxo

Fall In Love With Carnations Again

Flower snobs. Yes, they do exist. They discriminate against less expensive blooms and 'poo-poo' anyone who may consider setting a full and over-flowing bouquet in a splendid vase on any table. 'Floristry Snobbery' is not new. It has been around for years, but not as long as you think. Carnations fell out of favor in the late 80's and early 90's when the boomers' only thoughts were spend, spend, spend and when their once beloved 'country style of decorating' faded. Today, carnations are making a comeback in a big, glorious, design-savvy way. They are affordable, adorable and last for weeks on end. They are the new chic flower to take home every Friday. Designers online, in mags, on TV are touting the beauty of carnations. Oh Eddie (Ross), how I love thee. I am partial to the creamy vanilla ice cream 'white' carnations. I love the icy-blue-green-meets-apple-lime stems and leaves. They have a dusty miller colouring to them, which I am so drawn to. Carnations are a big trend with longevity and come in all different colours to suit any decorating diva's space. (good price to send to friends) Don't you just love their ruffled little edges. (ruffles are 'in' you know) Fall in love with carnations again. LPxo

"Your carnations may arrive with closed buds but will open over the next few days after conditioning. Start with a very clean vase. Hold each carnation next to your vase to gauge how much stem you'll need to trim; you might also want to remove some of the leaves. Using a sharp knife or pruners, cut stems at a 45-degree angle. This prevents them from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase and allows for better water absorption. When conditioning carnations, be sure to cut above one of the nodes that run up the flower's stalk; this will allow the stem to more easily draw the water it needs. Add the included cut-flower food to the vase; use the extra pack with your first change of water. Carnations should be reconditioned every two or three days: Recut the stems, change the water, and add nourishment. To nourish the flowers after the flower food is used up, refill your vase with a solution of one teaspoon of sugar and two drops liquid bleach per gallon of fresh, cool water. Carnations are especially sensitive to ethylene, a gas that causes flowers to deteriorate rapidly. Keep the blooms away from possible sources of this gas, which include wilting plants and ripening fruits and vegetables. Keep the flowers away from drafts, direct sun, and excessive heat." - Martha Stewart

Try this St. Patrick's Day Arrangement!

To Teach (Design) or Not To Teach

That is the (design) question. (?) I would love to hear your opinion on this topic:

Should Designers Teach What They Know?

There are probably two or three different ideas on this. Some designers keep their cards close; we don't know their 'real' secrets, while other designers lay their cards on the table for all to see. Some business owners believe that if you 'teach them' they won't need you. There is fear that the educated consumer will purchase the materials on their own and complete the project without professional advice, experience and fees. Others believe teaching builds customer relationships, loyalty, (free) publicity and knowledge - which ultimately equals 'more' revenue. There is another point of view that I completely agree with: Designers Get Schooled and Improve By Teaching! We find out that there are many things about our own subject that we didn't know. Our students teach us! Two of the greatest design teachers of all time are Martha Stewart and Dorothy Draper. Martha has based her entire empire on the act of 'teaching' others to be as good as her and look at her omnimedia sales! She teaches everything from flower arranging and gardening to crafts and interior decorating and cooking. I would even go so far as to say that Martha is the wealthiest teacher on the planet.

To Teach (design) or Not To Teach. That is the (design) question?

FLOWER SCHOOLS SHOWN

Beach Blooms

Saipua

Vintage Gardener

Paula Pryke

Jane Packer

Beautiful Blooms

Facebook Follies: Bloggers Unite !!!

Is it me or are 'we' bloggers having a blast over at facebook? I am loving it right now. It is so instantaneous with speed-of-light feedback, sharing and commenting. Mobilizing, photo album sharing in warp-speed - group forming, event planning and inviting - social media at it's fun-wow best. Why don't you join us? You'd be surprised at all the top bloggers who facebook a lot! So, when we're not here....we're here. Start today. Click here to become my friend. Let the Facebook Follies begin!

Consumers Boycott Tiger Woods' Endorsement Companies Because They Are Dropping Him

LP: Tiger Woods will catch that 'first stone you cast' at him. Yes he will, for he is human and that means he is allowed to and expected to make mistakes. I've had a revelation overnight listening, watching and reading all the 'Go on, Be a Tiger' bashing, hit a fever pitch (putt). Let's face it. Tiger wasn't meant to be married, that's obvious, so let's 'let him be' (and if he wants to and can work it out, great.) - if he wasn't married when all this happened, none of this would matter. As you know, one of the things that drives me c-r-a-z-y is judgemental people. None of us are perfect. Are you perfect? Prove it to me (if you think you are). I declare that the 'Boycott Tiger's Past Companies Year' to commence today and in to 2010. If a company walks away, drops, bops or banishes Tiger from their roster, then consumers around the globe will boycott said company. (Yes, I know, all of their Executives are prissy-pure-hearts with no skeletons or baggage or naughtiness in their past, present and future - I know, I know.) Let the backlash begin. 'Go on, Be a Tiger' (insert bully, hypocrite, asshole, self-righteous, bigot, dummy here) Let's see how you like it when your 'money-stream' is taken away 'just like that'. (How many people can play God? My understanding is that there is only one.)

10 Trends for 2010

’10 Trends for 2010’

1. BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL Forget the recession: the societal changes that will dominate 2010 were set in motion way before we temporarily stared into the abyss. More »

2. URBANY Urban culture is the culture. Extreme urbanization, in 2010, 2011, 2012 and far beyond will lead to more sophisticated and demanding consumers around the world. More »

3. REAL-TIME REVIEWS Whatever it is you're selling or launching in 2010, it will be reviewed 'en masse', live, 24/7. More »

4. (F)LUXURY Closely tied to what constitutes status, which itself is becoming more fragmented, luxury will be whatever consumers want it to be over the next 12 months. More »

5. MASS MINGLING Online lifestyles are fueling 'real world' meet-ups like there's no tomorrow, shattering all predictions about a desk-bound, virtual, isolated future. More »

6. ECO-EASY To really reach some meaningful sustainability goals in 2010, corporates and governments will have to forcefully make it 'easy' for consumers to be more green, by restricting the alternatives. More »

7. TRACKING & ALERTING Tracking and alerting are the new search, and 2010 will see countless new INFOLUST services that will help consumers expand their web of control. More »

8. EMBEDDED GENEROSITY Next year, generosity as a trend will adapt to the zeitgeist, leading to more pragmatic and collaborative donation services for consumers. More »

9. PROFILE MYNING With hundreds of millions of consumers now nurturing some sort of online profile, 2010 will be a good year to help them make the most of it (financially), from intention-based models to digital afterlife services. More »

10. MATURIALISM 2010 will be even more opinionated, risque, outspoken, if not 'raw' than 2009; you can thank the anything-goes online world for that. Will your brand be as daring? More »

-Reinier Evers, Founder

http://www.trendwatching.com

Photo Credit: With apologies...Unknown (please comment if you know, Thank You)

New Urbanism

Written By New Urban Mom:

In a nutshell “new urbanism” is rooted in the idea that cities are gathering places where residents and visitors alike live, work, run businesses and play in locations that are close to one another. Today, that means trying to reshape and bring life to older cities and newer suburban communities to make them more attractive and more accessible to everyone, especially pedestrians.
Here are the principles of new urbanism as spelled out by the folks at newurbanism.org:
1. Walkability
-Most things within a 10-minute walk of home and work
-Pedestrian friendly street design (buildings close to street; porches, windows & doors; tree-lined streets; on street parking; hidden parking lots; garages in rear lane; narrow, slow speed streets)
-Pedestrian streets free of cars in special cases
2. Connectivity
-Interconnected street grid network disperses traffic & eases walking
-A hierarchy of narrow streets, boulevards, and alleys
-High quality pedestrian network and public realm makes walking pleasurable
3. Mixed-Use & Diversity
-A mix of shops, offices, apartments, and homes on site. Mixed-use within neighborhoods, within blocks, and within buildings
-Diversity of people – of ages, income levels, cultures, and races
4. Mixed Housing
A range of types, sizes and prices in closer proximity
5. Quality Architecture & Urban Design
Emphasis on beauty, aesthetics, human comfort, and creating a sense of place; Special placement of civic uses and sites within community. Human scale architecture & beautiful surroundings nourish the human spirit
6. Traditional Neighborhood Structure
-Discernable center and edge-Public space at center-Importance of quality public realm; public open space designed as civic art-Contains a range of uses and densities within 10-minute walk-Transect planning: Highest densities at town center; progressively less dense towards the edge. The transect is an analytical system that conceptualizes mutually reinforcing elements, creating a series of specific natural habitats and/or urban lifestyle settings. The Transect integrates environmental methodology for habitat assessment with zoning methodology for community design. The professional boundary between the natural and man-made disappears, enabling environmentalists to assess thedesign of the human habitat and the urbanists to support the viability of nature. This urban-to-rural transect hierarchy has appropriate building and street types for each area along the continuum.
7. Increased Density
-More buildings, residences, shops, and services closer together for ease of walking, to enable a more efficient use of services and resources, and to create a more convenient, enjoyable place to live.-New Urbanism design principles are applied at the full range of densities from small towns, to large cities
8. Smart Transportation
-A network of high-quality trains connecting cities, towns, and neighborhoods together-Pedestrian-friendly design that encourages a greater use of bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and walking as daily transportation
9. Sustainability
-Minimal environmental impact of development and its operations-Eco-friendly technologies, respect for ecology and value of natural systems-Energy efficiency-Less use of finite fuels-More local production-More walking, less driving
10. Quality of Life
Taken together these add up to a high quality of life well worth living, and create places that enrich, uplift, and inspire the human spirit.

BENEFITS OF NEW URBANISM

1. BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS
Higher quality of life;
Better places to live, work, & play;
Higher, more stable property values; Less traffic congestion & less driving;
Healthier lifestyle with more walking, and less stress;
Close proximity to main street retail & services;
Close proximity to bike trails, parks, and nature;
Pedestrian friendly communities offer more opportunities to get to know others in the neighborhood and town, resulting in meaningful relationships with more people, and a friendlier town;
More freedom and independence to children, elderly, and the poor in being able to get to jobs, recreation, and services without the need for a car or someone to drive them;
Great savings to residents and school boards in reduced busing costs from children being able to walk or bicycle to neighborhood schools; More diversity and smaller, unique shops and services with local owners who are involved in community; Big savings by driving less, and owning less cars;
Less ugly, congested sprawl to deal with daily;
Better sense of place and community identity with more unique architecture; More open space to enjoy that will remain open space;
More efficient use of tax money with less spent on spread out utilities and roads

2. BENEFITS TO BUSINESSES
Increased sales due to more foot traffic & people spending less on cars and gas;
More profits due to spending less on advertising and large signs;
Better lifestyle by living above shop in live-work units – saves the stressful & costly commute;
Economies of scale in marketing due to close proximity and cooperation with other local businesses;
Smaller spaces promote small local business incubation; Lower rents due to smaller spaces & smaller parking lots;
Healthier lifestyle due to more walking and being near healthier restaurants;
More community involvement from being part of community and knowing residents

Photos of Poundbury, England. New Urbanism Project by Prince Charles