Your Daily Thread

March 5, 2010 Written by Sarah McClure

Strip away your reservations for all things leather – it’s not just for cowboys nowadays thanks to Topanga eco-designer Fahmina Khundkar who’s tarnishing the thought that leather can’t be green or is only allowed during certain times of the day. The part-time Bangladesh model reconstructs gorgeous, handmade leather accessories from 95 percent reclaimed and pre-cycled leather. For her collection, she always has an eye out for defected (read: scratched or otherwise considered tainted) leather pieces – stuff factories toss away by the millions of tons – giving her “born-again” items more carbon offset than most leather. Plus, Fahmina avoids using new resources to manufacture, helping to reduce the impact of tossed clothing on our overwhelmed landfills.

Fahmina is known for having hand-shaped the first luxe fanny pack—the chic while utilitarian Fanny Clutch. She designs her signature product in a range of styles from hand-painted graffiti looks to funky and neon-colored to more traditional leather. With room for your keys, wallet and Chivas vegan lip balm, the Fanny Clutch is convenient and secure enough to take on a morning run, hike or rock-climb (interior pockets perfectly stash your dried seaweed or fruit strips).

With adjustable leather straps and heavy-duty metal snap closures to ward off even the quickest of purse snatchers, the clutch also makes the perfect item to carry onto the dance floor or out on the town (one of my top choices is the eggplant Aubergine clutch, or the metallic lined with silk .  Need to take up the glam a notch? Try Fahmina’s Iridescent Blue Wave clutch, made with uber soft lamb skin leather and antique gold snaps.

Wanna merchandise your outfit up? Fahmina also offers a mind-boggling array of leather accessories that fit nearly every taste like feather leather earrings, belts, Eye D bracelets , wallets, pendants and recycled leather chain necklaces. Her cuffs and bracelets also display her fearless carving handiwork.

Now, let’s see those cowboys don upcycled leather, like us green girls.

Fahmina is available on her site or at Fred Segal Santa Monica, Kitson LA, Cami, Firefly, Jennifer Kaufman, Sirens & Sailors and Native on Franklin.

Images via Fahmina Khundar

February 3, 2010 Written by Sarah McClure

Many of us have, at some point, been challenged with what to do with an outdated or unwanted sweater. We’re talking about the one that’s brandished with a pattern only the cast from Saved By the Bell would wear. Maybe someone special gifted you with something, er, not so special?  Options are limited. Donning it is ruled out. You can’t leave it in your closet, dresser … pile of clothes on the floor collecting dust mites, and you can’t chuck it (definitely an eco-no no with our overwhelmed landfills). If you have time, you can always drop it off at your nearest Goodwill.  What are your options when it comes to disregarded duds?

Send it to ReKnit,  a Boston-based project started by graphic designer Haik Avanian and his mom. For $30, Avanian’s mom will unravel all the fugliness from your sweater and repurpose it into something new and rack worthy.

Or shall we say accessory-drawer worthy?

Each month, visitors can vote on the next item to be made. Sweatbands anyone?  Starting in February, she’ll be reknitting accessories in the form of two different styles of cut-off gloves. Order soon, since ReKnit limits orders to the first 30 (he only has one mom, after all). Find shipping labels to send off your sweaters here.

“The idea is definitely to have seasonal items so that they’re useful for the current month,” says Avanian.

“Reknitting has always been a part of my family and culture,” he says. “We’ve always been as resourceful as possible, in both tough and economic times.”

He hopes their yarn-y project will offer inspiration to others who might be thinking of resalvaging yarn or other fabric from old clothes (“It’s really not that difficult of a skill to learn”). “I definitely think that there’s room for repurposing in the world of fashion. People are slowing becoming aware of this option now out of necessity.”

“We’re hoping people see the potential in re-using clothing made from yarn, and maybe start similar projects within their families and communities,” he says. “It’s a small habit, but many of these small habits can add up to a whole sustainable lifestyle over time.”

Visit them on Twitter to vote on what you’d like to see in March. Current runner-ups include a hat, iPod case, socks and … sweatbands.

Want to learn more?  Visit Reknit at www.rekn.it or email Haik Avanian at haikoo@gmail.com

November 30, 2009 Written by Sarah McClure

Around 30 million Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. annually according to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), an organization that represents Christmas tree growers. Unfortunately, just 69 percent are recycled into mulch. I’ve unhappily observed too many dumpster-abandoned trees in the city. (And in case you’re wondering where to do just that, click here.) But now there’s The Living Christmas Company (TLCC), a Redondo Beach-based group that rents out locally-grown varieties of living Christmas trees as an environmentally-conscious and convenient alternative to cut or artificial trees.

This year, TLCC officially launches as the largest Christmas tree rental company – including being the first to rent, own and grow its own trees – in the country. “Our mission to redefine the way California celebrates the holidays goes beyond just saving a tree – we are working to create sustainable and regenerative solutions that we can pass down to future generations,” says TLCC founder and CEO Scott Martin aka Scotty Claus. After working in a nursery, Martin, playfully named Scotty Claus by friends and clients for delivering Christmas trees, wondered if the same idea would work with giving out live trees. It was sad to see those Christmas trees kicked to the curb just weeks after the holidays, according to Mr. Claus.

TLCC trees are delivered by biodiesel truck (local routes only) and returned to the nursery after the season’s end to be maintained until next year.

And don’t be fooled. Despite arguments that say artificial trees are better for the environment since cutting trees is avoided altogether, phony firs can actually contain petroleum-based materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), emitting toxic chemicals like lead dust. In fact, the 85 percent that do come from China are required by California Proposition 65 to have a warning label. “The embodied energy in an artificial tree is immense – creating PVC or even polyurethane is a messy, energy intensive process,” adds Martin. “You might be ‘saving’ a tree for six to seven years, but you are also burdening the planet with a tree that won’t decompose for millennia.”

And ever wondered what inspired those fake brush-like trees? One of the first artificial trees created in the 1930s was by Addis Brush Company, which used the same machinery to make toilet brushes.

NCTA, the same group that donates a tree to the White House’s Blue Room, furthers that on average, an artificial tree is used only six to nine years before it’s tossed to the landfill where it might sit for centuries before decomposing.

“The general public is considering the source, process and disposal of products they purchase – and we are challenging them to re-evaluate and re-shape their traditions, one tree at a time,” says Martin. It’s TLCC’s hope that Angelenos will not only realize the environmental impact from annually discarding these live trees, which take several years to grow, but be able to do something about it. Definitely good planet-karma, considering as Martin puts it, “that even Santa can’t just snap his fingers and grow 7-inch trees.”

Location: The Living Christmas Company, 800 S. Pacific Coast Hwy #443 Redondo Beach, CA 90277 Web: www.livingchristmas.com

Images courtesy of The Living Christmas Company.

November 20, 2009 Written by Sarah McClure

This month, both vintage and eco enthusiasts are flocking to Warwick, where during the month of November, the Echo Park boutique on Sunset will be hosting Eco in the Echo, featuring sustainable, locally made and eco-friendly fashion, design and art.

Owner Justin Warwick, whose one-year-old shop specializes in restyled and high-end vintage fashion and accessories, was keen on throwing an event that would not only encourage more involvement from the surrounding community, but also heighten people’s awareness of sustainable and socially responsible duds.

“I feel as a society we often are wasteful with valuable things and I think that perspective has enhanced my passion for sustainable fashion and design,” says owner Justin Warwick. “I believe there’s a way to look hot, unique, even extraordinary from something that already exists, is recycled and fabulous.”

Participating vendors this month include sustainable floral artist Chandra Abel Designs, designers Docs Pop, Button Muse, Nooworks and Joanna Oster. Plus, local eco graphic artists Colleen Corcoran and Joseph Prichard will be displaying and selling selections from their art collection.

“We as an American society are finally considering ways that as individuals we can have sustainable lifestyles,” says Warwick. “Including fashion into that environmental movement is fantastic, but more importantly supports a global issue. Eco in the Echo is all about recognizing that.”

And be sure to join Warwick and friends every third Wednesday of the month  for Hospitality Night, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Location: Warwick, 1461 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 (between Short Stop and Little Joy). Website: www.warwickshop.com Email: info@warwickshop.com. Twitter:  @warwickshop

Images courtesy of TIGER TIGER.

November 17, 2009 Written by Sarah McClure

As a parent or not, you’ve more than likely questioned just how healthy our modern, conveniently sterilized lifestyle is all that it’s chalked up to be. Whether it’s wondering how much chlorine is in our tap water, if there’s such a thing as disinfectant overkill, or what holistic alternatives there are to conventional household cleaners – keep reading below.

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A leading national organization of its kind, Healthy Child Healthy World (HCHW) was founded in 1991 by parents James and Nancy Chuda after their daughter died from Wilms’ tumor – a rare non-hereditary form of cancer. Today, HCHW works to help parents understand and prevent chronic disease and illness, which many (including Mount Sinai MD’s and First Lady Michelle Obama to name a few) believe are largely caused by environmental hazards and household chemicals. The L.A.-based nonprofit provides eco-educational efforts as:

-Expanding awareness and understanding of environmental hazards to children’s health

-Helping the public learn about healthier practices, solutions and products in the marketplace

-Encouraging daily action and informed lifestyle choices

-Creating standards and policies for safer products, foods, materials and chemicals used in the home – promoting safer options and new alternatives

-Advocating for corporate policies and governmental legislation that protect children from environmental risks

-Engaging communities to make wise choices and responsible decisions so families can flourish

Last month, child health advocates, along with a slew of celebrity supporters, including Sheryl Crow, Steven Spielberg, Arianna Huffington, and Mariel Hemmingway, attended the Healthy Child Healthy World benefit gala on Wednesday, October 28 at the LEED-certified Montage in Beverly Hills.

The event honored three “Champions of Children’s Health” and recognized “Mom on a Mission” Shelby Rodriguez, who was selected from 128 applicants, for her work in stopping a corporation from using a toxic roof tar that was causing health problems for herself and her young daughter.

Image courtesy of Healthy Child Healthy World

YDT RECIPE: If you missed it be sure to check out our Sweet Seasonal Sweet  Potato Baked Fries with Truffle Oil.