design^sprout

D^S Contest! Win a set of luxurious ORGANIC towels!

   Who doesn't love the cozy feeling of wrapping yourself in the comforting arms of a FLUFFY, white towel? Who doesn't love the feeling of that fluffy, white towel being ORGANIC? Alright, now who doesn't love the feeling of that towel being fluffy, organic and totally FREE? Sound good? Ooooh yeah, read on...
                  
                            WIN A SET of 4 TOWELS!

   MicroCotton has generously donated a set of their eco-friendly towels to you greenie Design^Sprout readers. Born out of life cycle thinking, Green Earth towels leave less of an imprint on nature.The basic design of the product promotes sustainable consumption of cotton as well as the conversation of water and energy during its life cycle.  Does it get better than that?

   Drop me a comment and you'll be entered to win - yup, say any 'ol thing and you too can wrap yourself in luxurious, do-goodedness. I'll be closing the contest on Friday, drawing the winner out of a hat and announcing the winner on Monday via the comment page.

     Oh, and if you love these towels soooo much that you want to increase your chances, MicroCotton is having a contest too. Log on and tell them in 100 words or less why you deserve to win a whole linen closet full of 'em. Good luck!

DIY - Recycled Suitcase Dog Bed!

     Okay, it's not the most life-changing DIY you've ever seen, but the sad, little dog bed my 4lb. Yorkie, Winnie called home (yeah, I know what you're thinking, but I promise I am not that type of girl...) needed some help! Store bought beds are easily $50 and not great quality, so I thought, "hey, maybe I can just make one."  After much internet research, a perfect solution (and creative inspiration!) was found via Kristen, Etsy seller and winner of the Design*Sponge DIY challenge (below). 

   Because Winnie is so tiny and likes to nest in small spots, I knew an ordinary suitcase would be too big for her.  Luckily, in the back of my closet I had this vintage Samsonite hat case that I've been carting around for years - finally, a reason to dust it off! Again, a stroke of luck when it turned out that Winnie's old dog bed was the perfect fit! Check out Kristen's instructions (scroll to the bottom) for how to sew a pillow to custom fit your suitcase.

   Next, I bought a fun, vintage Afghan for $1 as it was riddled with holes, cut off the offending parts and used some left over yarn to sew a sleeve covering the old bed. I tucked in the open end at the bottom as I want to be able to remove it for washing.

   Next, add dog toys (which she immediately attacked!), her favorite blanket and viola! What was once kicked under the bed when guests arrived is now a conversation piece! All for $1. Doesn't get much better than that! Thanks Kristen!

     Yeah, she likes it.

Eco Chic!

     I don't normally write about fashion (although I am such a slave to it!) but every so often I find myself so enamored with someone new that I just have to share. My absolute favorite, "new-on-the-scene" designers, Tara and Inessah of Sublet Clothing, have seamlessly blended their fashion savy with environmentally-friendly manufacturing, resulting in some of the most elegant, forward-thinking and wearable clothing on the green market. Most of their items are priced around $100, making this a splurge you can feel good about twice!

You'll just eat this up!

     So.... that's what happened to all my missing pen caps! From the genius designers at Din-ink - pen caps that double as cutlery! Now, if I could just find out what clever things they've been inventing with all my long-lost dryer socks...

TGIF - Bikes! Gotta love those green, mean, earth-loving machines!

     While having dinner with a girlfriend last night she mentioned her fiance and how everything would be just peachy between them if he didn't have such a complete obsession with his bike. "Seriously," she said.  "He's on the internet everyday looking up bikes and bike paraphernalia and people writing about their bikes and artists who paint their bikes... I almost wish it was porn so then I could at least be mad at him!  They don't have support groups for insane bike love!"  I did the obligatory friend nod then went home to see what the fuss was about.
  Sorry friend - I'm on the man's side of this one. Bike's are freaking adorable - not to mention-green! Check out these fun finds and see if you don't agree. Maybe we can start a support group together?

These cute graphic bike mugs (above) would perk up any morning!

Can't say I'd object to keeping my coinage in this cute purse.  These vintage buttons add a whimsical touch to a dresser - maybe to your adorable baby bike fan's changing table?

Bike necklace from Etsy seller Liz Mathews. Go green with a bike grocery tote while showing support with these cute magnets.

Your tot would rock this dress! How cute!

Bike art looks good anywhere! Add a wall decal to keep you motivated.