If you have not clicked the link for CUPCAKEFEST, you’re totally missing out!
Monthly Archive for May, 2008
Timbuk2 has made amazing bags for years and this year they decided to step up the game and use some green materials. Now, I’m not going to lie, I have been a fan of Timbuk2 for many years. I actually own a laptop messenger and a gadget case (for my iPod) but when I saw they offer PET and hemp bags, I was more than excited!
Timbuk2 always has fun and unique bags, but they have a few distinctive features. Notably is the three-panel design on their messenger bags and their spiral logo.
Both the Hemp Metro and the Hemp/PET Messenger bag are part of their new eco-friendly line and both are amazing. The detail and quality of the craftsmanship stays in line with their other products and they stand behind their product. If there is a defect, Timbuk2 will remedy the situation.
The Hemp Metro, in black, is very small. It is really cool but a bit too small. I wouldn’t use it for long distances, but is perfect for a bike ride. I actually use it for that now that it is warm outside. I fill the pockets with my wallet, keys, iPod, camera and whatever else I want to bring with me. Some may consider it a man purse and I sort of agree, but for light biking or basic hiking, it is great. The hemp is rugged and strong and really cute for the ladies.
The Hemp/PET Messenger bag is even better. Do not let the picture on Timbuk2’s site steer you away. The grizzly and slate color scheme is manly and badass. The Hemp is cool but the recycled plastic or PET is really standout-ish and so unique for Timbuk2. I’ve not only received compliments from friends, but random strangers too.
They have been building this style of bag for 18 years, so these San Franciscans know what they are doing. I use this bag now for everything. I’ll fill it with my notebook (inside a sleeve) add my paper notebook, pens, camera and business cards too. Like all messenger bags, you may want to rest your shoulders a bit, but the bag comes with a shoulder pad to help comfort your body.
I like the fact that the inside has a soft internal cell phone slot and business card slot too. They are really thinking of lots so we don’t have to.
When you receive your bag, keep the plastic bag it comes in too. It’s a map of San Fran for you bikers out there. I’m sure Jonny has one of those lying around somewhere!
Show Timbuk2 some love and check out their site. I hope to see more from these bagmasters in the future.
Fair Trade is Equal Exchange’s primary mission along with offering high quality foods and beverages. Equal Exchange products range from teas and coffees to nuts and chocolate.
The loose, organic Ceylon Green Tea is a perfect example of fair trade tea. Picked in Sri Lanka, the green tea is sweet and fruity. I tried the tea both hot and cold and I actually prefer making it cold. Here’s my trick, if you are interested. Add a tablet or two of sweetener such as Stevia or agave to freshly brewed hot tea and cover with cold filtered water and shake it up a while. Let the sugars mix in and wait a day. Enjoy the iced tea and your all set. I use maybe three tablespoons of tea for 64 ounces of water.
Sweet, antioxidant-rich green tea with a hint of sweetness is just what the doctor ordered.
Be on the lookout for more Equal Exchange reviews. As an update, since I wrote this review, Equal Exchange is discontinuing their loose tea line and replacing it with eco-tea bags.
Flavored waters are gaining popularity and Carpe Diem is doing it the all natural and herbal way. Carpe Diem’s Harmonizing Water adds herbs that are meant to refresh your body with subtle berry and herb flavor flavors. Did it harmonize my spirit? Well, not right away and I’m not sure if it actually harmonized anything. The flavors were decent but too subtle for my tastes. The light carbonation is a bonus. Carpie Diem seems to use the carbonated water as a base for all their drinks.
The Vitalizing Water is refreshing beverage with mellow hints of pear, lemongrass, ginger and many more herbs. It’s a good taste overall, very smooth, fruity. It is an eclectic blend. The unique combination really works well together.
Carpe Diem uses PET bottles and traditional methods for their products, though they are not organic, they do use some green practices.
Their website is not too user friendly, so if you want more info, you are better off checking out BevNET.
Burt’s Bees is another company to sell out to a larger corporation. While that makes me happy for them, I do not want them to loose their core values of being cruelty-free and eco-friendly.
Burt’s Bees Men’s Line has an odd smell to it. I do not like nor hate it. It’s tolerable, but it’s hard to pinpoint what it is exactly about the fragrance. It’s actually a combination of patchouli, lavender, lemon, orange, rosemary and lots more. It is very faint and it dissipates quickly, but it’s not a fragrance I would choose.
Aside from the fragrance, the body wash, shaving cream and after shave work well. The cream is creamy enough to get a good shave and does not leave a razor burn on my sensitive face. The body wash cleanses nicely and does not leave a soapy residue. The aftershave does its job too, whatever aftershave is supposed to do.
There is even more in Burt’s Men’s line like cologne and bar soap and we’ll have those reviewed soon. In the meantime, read more reviews or leave some feedback.
When the cold weather turns into sunny, warm days, there is really nothing better than sitting down on the balcony sipping an ice cold beer from an ice cold glass. Not all glasses need to be made of glass, however. From the makers of The Chillster, Stop Global Beer Warming created a Chillster pint glass made from PET (recycled plastic) that actually contains the same proprietary ice crystals that The Chillster does but inside the base of the pint glass.
The glass is designed to keep your beer cooler longer and it works. I sat outside on the balcony sipping my Garde Dog, Flying Dog’s Spring/Summer Seasonal Farmhouse Ale, and boy was I content. The beer is very light, summery with a hint of spice and fruit. I then followed the Garde Dog with Flying Dog’s Winter Ale also known as The K-9 Cruiser. This beer warmed me right up with it’s dark body and malty taste.
Flying Dog is one of the pioneers of beer innovation with both web-based ideas such as The Open Source Project, blogs and microblogs as well as being cruelty-free and eco-friendly. Their mash is given to local farms for bedding, for instance.
Flying Dog knows beer and this is a spring/summer hit! So, let’s try to stop Beer Warming by purchasing these shatterproof, dishwasher safe, non-toxic, pint glasses. A portion of the proceeds goes to The Alliance for Climate Protection so you are doing a good thing for the Earth and the beer.
Now, the team at Stop Beer Warming/The Chillster provided a coupon code for all you lucky beer drinkers out there. Use coupon code leafygreen for a free pint glass. Buy 3 Chillster Pints and get the 4th FREE! Add 4 individual pints to your cart and use the Coupon Code: Leafygreen and the fourth will be free.
They also have shirts too with the same logo that adorn the glass. They are fun and green!
