eco tip: let it (low) flow

this next tip will help you literally stop throwing money down the drain. low flow faucet aerators are a simple switch that will reduce your household's water consumption and shave a few dollars off your water bill. all you need is a wrench and a few minutes to replace your old water hog with something 40% more efficient.

15% of a home's water use comes straight from the tap so just by going low flow with your bathroom faucet will save the average family of four 17k gallons of water a year! standard aerators cost a few dollars and you may even be able to score a free conservation kit from your local utility.

our electric company (of all places) here in so/cal sent us a kit just for filling out a little online survey which made it easy to do our part even though our landlord picks up our water tab. i did a little digging and it turns out that the department of water on kaua'i is the only utility in the islands currently offering residents free low flow fixtures. it's off to the hardware store or shopping online for everyone else.

we also switched out the swivel aerator on our kitchen faucet to a lower flow version that has a neat flow restrictor which, with a quick flick, cuts the water down to a trickle. a welcome water saver when it's time to wash the dishes.

one small change you can make to ensure that every drop counts!

you're invited (no trees, please)

circles & dots

this week's show and tell of eco-friendly goods has been filled with a few happy coincidences like the news of joie studio's adorable and affordable letterpress invites which just happen to be printed on tree-free paper. it turns out tina from joie has been printing many of her designs on cotton rag paper since the early days of her indie printhouse and was kind enough to send along details.

here's the short story: leftover cotton from the ginning process is used to make the paper diverting what would have been textile waste away from the landfill so that it could be reborn into the foundation for joie's stationery line. yet another paper producer powers its facility with 100% green hydroelectricity sending off any excess energy generated to the local utility.

the new fill-in letterpress invites, which are a small way to add a little ooh la la to your next party without the sticker shock of custom letterpress, are just the beginning since tina plans to introduce even more eco paper goodness this year.

sakura matsuri

swimming otter

until then, click over to joie's etsy shop which is stocked with new designs for any occasion calling for old school correspondence. tina will also be heading up to the bay area for the bazaar bizarre during next month's maker faire so if you plan on attending do stop by and say hello!

click rewind to learn more about joie studio.

eco tip: byob(ag)

imagine a simple lifestyle change that has an immediate impact on the world around you. when i stopped by fighting eel's chinatown hq last year, the designers sent me on my way with a cute canvas tote which has become my little companion to the market, post office, library, drugstore, and so on.

i feel happy knowing this one small act is reducing our family's consumption of plastic & paper bags with the added bonus of a bag stuffed with bags no longer sucking up valuable real estate in our small space.

it seems like everyday a new bag is released for your consideration and just yesterday natalie from shasa emporium buzzed me about their new reusable shop bag available for purchase at their kahala boutique ($8 plus a one time 10% discount on shop purchases).

there are options a-plenty if you are up to the challenge from the modern patterns by envirosax (featured last earth day along with those super cool sigg bottles which are both now available at red pineapple & lily lotus) to the minimalist baggu and the sleek and sturdy rume. or just click over to reusablebags for one stop shopping.

a small step you can take to keep our planet happy and healthy!

stacia eco-spacedye collection

swing cardi + gathered vee

images of crunchy granola hippie gear may pop into your head when "eco fashion" is mentioned (if so, let me nudge you here and here for a look at sustainable style done modern), but la-based designer stacy johnson of stacia is putting a new twist on it via her eco-spacedye collection which utilizes bamboo jersey in this season's springtime knits.

stacia's signature spacedyed pattern has been reinvented in sweet pieces designed for tropical living since bamboo, once transformed into a textile, is known to be breathable, anti-bacterial, & naturally wicks away moisture. feminine silhouettes can be found throughout the spring collection which recently introduced solid colors into the mix for those who prefer to rock just a hint of pretty print.

take a peek at the entire collection in stacia's online shop or try your luck with the growing stockist list.

click rewind to learn more about stacy!

pacific home eco party

stop by pacific home tomorrow night for a belated earth day celebration featuring the debut of the heavenly home collection from mu'umu'u heaven designer deb mascia who is bringing the charming look of her kailua boutique (sustainably styled with vintage and reclaimed home furnishings) to island design fans.

photographer clark little and artist christopher reiner will also be in the house as will details on maui's good home, the first leed-certified gold home in hawaii (with a luxe price tag of $2.5m, dare we hope that affordable sustainable design is in the works for the rest of us?).

• when: thu, apr 24th - 5:30p to 7:30p
• where: 420 ward avenue
• fyi: pupus, refreshments & music will be served!