I brought this salad to a summer solstice party that I threw with my buds Traci and Siel.  It was super easy to make and is refreshingly yummy.

Two cut up organic cantaloupes (don’t forget to wash the outside before cutting).

3-4 sprigs of porch-garden-fresh-mint, finely chopped.  If you aren’t growing your own mint yet, it’s time to start.  It’s super hardy and grows like a weed.

One cup of margarita mix.  Luckily the hub just came back from a bachelor party he threw for his bro.  So we have a few handles of mix that need to be used up.

Combine and serve.

Thanks Rachael Ray for the easy recipe…. but enough with the Dunkin Donuts shenanigans, kay!?

Fave Green Reads is actually one fave read, and two fave watches. I’m lovin’ me some online videos today!

Episode 6: Trendy vintage shops, migrating plants, and new gardening how-to vids. Oh my!

Vintage shopping guide by Elle magazine.

California’s native plants may have tough times ahead because of global warming. Check out what my biologist buddy Scott Loarie has to say about it.

Oh, geez. Talk about a prcrastination tool. How to garden videos by this guy Ed Bruske who is president of DC Urban Gardeners.

This upcycled tote is a classic fave at BTC Elements. Its sturdy design and unique look is certain to get you tons of compliments, especially when they find out that it is eco-fabulous!

Heather, in Indiana told us what she thought. She wrote, “I am IN LOVE with my new purse, the Seatbelt Scrap Tote!! I am getting tons of compliments on it, and it helped me prove a point that an eco-friendly purse can still look good! I love your store and look forward to ordering more in the future!

Upcycle into great style with cute urbanite handbag!

Get 15% off this item this week only with coupon code “hotpick”. Ends Friday 6/27/08.

This sweet but styling frock is a hot summer hit at BTC Elements. The puff sleeves and cute drawstring hoody in soft organic cotton jersey are perfect for a fashionable trip to the Farmer’s Market.

Georgina, in New Jersey sent us a rave review. She wrote, “I just got my Ecoganik market dress that I ordered online today. I love it! Just wanted to let you know that this is my first time ordering from you and it was so nice to see all the measures you’ve taken to operate sustainably. I will definitely be ordering from you again soon.”

Frumpy sweatpants just won’t cut the mustard when you’ve got the choice of versatile eco-chic style.

Get 15% off this item this week only with coupon code “hotpick”. Ends Friday 6/20/08.

Last weekend Hannah and I headed downtown to LA Market for the Designers and Agents Show.  It’s a place where store owners go and check out row after row of booths with pre-edited fashion forward lines. Starting last year, the show began to promote several green designers. Green designers have a “green” sticker on their sign, and there’s also a sectioned of Green Room.

The degrees of “green” sway violently from ’slight hint of light green,’ to ‘deep dark green.’  As the owner of BTC Elements, it is really great to have these options all in the same building at the same time, but the tough questions about certifications, sustainability, and manufacturing still need to be asked.

Some booths labeled “green” simply planted trees for every purchase, yet the items weren’t made out of sustainable materials.  Another booth claimed “natural” materials.  While these are certainly steps in the right direction, they just aren’t eco-fashion.

The designers in The Green Room, a cordoned off section at D&A are more hard core and are pushing thre envelope with certified organic, recycled, and reclaimed materials.  I was able to meet a few designers that we will be carrying soon, and say hey to the designer buds that I already know like Jenny Hwa from Loyale, and Emily Katz.

I didn’t get too many pics from the show… cept this one of Hannah and I drinking out of our reusable water bottles…. I’d like to pat myself on the back for that, but I shoulda brought a reusable coffee cup instead for all of the joe I was downing.

All in all fall trends are looking good, and it’ll be a lot of fun when the deliveries come in!

Check out the very first harvest from my urban porch garden. Not a bad yield so far!

1 Cucumber

2 Strawberries

4 Kale Leaves

1 Smallish Cob of Corn (picked a tad early)

1 Bunch of Mint

I whipped up a little meal from using all of the stuff: Grilled Tofu with Tzatziki Sauce over a bed of Saffron Rice & Vegetable Chopped Salad.

Tzatziki Sauce
Make this first so you can chill it. Combine:

1 Cup plain lowfat yogurt

1 Cucumber (homegrown!)

5 Finely chopped mint leaves (homegrown!)

1/8 Cup fresh dill

Juice of 1/2 Lemon

2-3 pressed garlic clove

2-3 turns of freshly ground pepper

Grilled Tofu

Cut two packages of extra firm tofu into 1/2 inch thick rectangular steaks. Marinate in soysauce and olive oil for 30 minutes. When ready to cook, put grill on high and throw on marinated tofu. Add about a 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder to each piece. Turn the grill down to medium and cook until slightly crispy (10-15 mins). Flip and cook for another 10. These should end up lightly browned and crispy on the outside but still soft in the center.

Chopped Salad

Chop and combine the ingredients below, and add a light vinaigrette.

2 red bellpeppers

1/2 Red onion

4 Kale leaves with stems removed (homegrown!)

1 Avocado

1 Tomato

1 Zuchini

1 Package of romaine lettuce

1 Corn cob (homegrown!)

Serve the tofu with sauce over rice with the salad on the side. As for the saffron rice, I cheated and used the package stuff. Any rice will do, but the saffron is a nice pairing with the tzatziki sauce.

The meal got oohs and aaahs from the crowd. And there were plenty of leftovers for the next day =)

And I’m spent! Me above on my final hour of b-day shenanigans. After celebrating my actual b-day dinner at fam favorite, Komatsu in Campbell, we drove back home to LA and celebrated the following day… again.

The hub threw a little wine tasting party for a few close friends, and purchased only wine made with organically grown grapes. I’ll admit that I was a little nervous, because I’ve had my share of disappointments with organic wine… but the results from our tasting were great! Out of several wines from a price range of $8-20, only one (see the “meh” comment below) got a mixed review from party goers.

The wines, and a few legible comments:

Bontera Vineyards Merlot, 2005 - “Rich, cherry, pleasantly surprising.” “Bold & fruity.” “Excellent.”

Full Circle Cabernet, 2006 - “Boysenberry, plum.” “Blackberry.” “Yummy.”

Red Truck Petite Syrah, 2006 - “Smokey, cedar, cherry, gravely.” “Meh.” “Pretty good.”
Casa Baranca Syrah, 2004 - “Tart, robust, woodsy, peppery.” “I like it.”

Green Bridges Zinfandel, 2006 - “Cherry, vanilla, sweet.”

After the wine tasting, we tried some 4 Copas organic tequila that was gifted to Siel and I from our friend Sarah. Super tasty and smooth, it got rave reviews from the crowd. The evening ended with a walk to the Huntley Lounge, which has few redeeming green qualities (it’s walkable), but it does have a killer view.

Thanks Siel for bringing the tequila over and Brad, PB, and Daroline for bringing extra wine glasses!

Photo by: Siel

This gorgeous gown is new to the BTC Elements collection, but is already garnering rave reviews. It’s no surprise really as this sumptuous organic cotton knit dress graces any body shape. The empire waist flatters and the beautiful cross back detailing will have them “ooohing & aaahing” all night.

Mary, in Indiana bought this dress for her teenage daughter’s prom. She wrote, “The Evening Show dress is exquisite - it has such a wonderful texture! Love your website - what a find! You have fabulous taste with a conscience. Thank you!”

Leave the dated, cheesy prom photos to make fun of 20 years from now to the rest. By choosing elegant, sustainable style this dress will be evergreen in your wardrobe.

Get 15% off this item this week only with coupon code “hotpick”.  Ends Friday 6/6/08.

Yes, I’m 29 and feelin’ fine. But a little exhausted after my birthday week. Part 1? The hub and I celebrated together a day early because we were headed up to the SF Bay for a wedding shower. We ordered some very birthday worthy veggie lasagna from my favorite Italian place, Spumoni’s. Yum!

When I say, “don’t get me anything for my b-day,” the hub hears, “spoil me with lots and lots of gifts!” Weird. Some of them were practical (replacing the wine glasses that I’d spent 2007 breaking, oops), some were pure fun (the Apple Store loves my man). All of them were wrapped in very eco-friendly packaging, using the pretty pictures from my old fashion magazines. We finished up the night sipping champagne with organic strawberries out of our repurposed champagne flutes. I’m thoroughly spoiled.

This cute little number has been a customer favorite all spring. Super light organic cotton with a fitted bodice, adjustable lace up back, and double layered cotton skirt. The natural softness of the cotton and the fullness of the skirt keep you cool and classy even on the hottest days. It’s also made in So Cal, about an hour away from BTC Elements.

It’s such a great piece that one of our customers chose it as a bridesmaid dress for her wedding! We later heard back from Vicki, a member of the wedding party. She wrote, “I love the dress! Myself and I think 5 other bridesmaids got it for our friend’s wedding in June, and she wanted something eco-friendly that we would wear again, so it worked out perfectly! Thanks so much! You guys have a great website, I can’t wait to order more from you!”

Forget those wear-once-and-ditch bridesmaids dresses of the past! Kudos to this green bride for choosing an organic cotton dress that can actually be re worn for years to come.