We began a discussion of what makes a home green when my husband and I bought a fixer-upper a year ago. Since then, I’ve shared the details of what we’ve done to keep our green promises in each room, like in the last installment: the living room. And now we move on to the loo.

The bathroom was easily the scariest room of the house when we moved in. We gutted the whole thing (amazingly giving the cabinets away on Craigslist) and started from scratch. Here are ten ways we greened up our redo.

1 )  We chose eco-friendly paint in aptly named Friendly Yellow from Sherwin Williams’ Harmony line, which has a zero VOC base.

2 )  Our 100% cotton curtains came from Target.

3 )  We fell in love with this modern brushed nickel faucet from Moen (link below) and its water conserving technology.  The fact that it’s EPA WaterSense Certified was a bonus. Plus we’ve set the sink up to drain into a swale in the yard instead of into our septic tank. It’s our version of a greywater system and waters some of the backyard plants.

4 )  You won’t find anything less than 100% recycled content paper products in our home. Seriously, we have no business cutting down trees for this purpose! We’re partial to Seventh Generation’s 100% recycled, chlorine-free versions.

5 )  The real show stopper in this space is our dual flush toilet. Duals give you a choice of a full flush for solid waste or a half flush for liquid. Ours is made by Glacier Bay and also WaterSense certified.

6 )  You’ll never guess where we got our beautiful circa 1940s clawfoot tub.  We found it in our backyard! The previous owners discarded it and we couldn’t wait to bring it back in. It still needs to be reglazed, but it was definitely our best freebie find. (The tub also drains out to the swale.)

7 )  All of our bathroom linens are organic cotton and fabulous (found at overstock.com).

8 ) The lovely blue rugs on the floor are 100% recycleable at the end of their lifecycles and don’t contain harmful offgassing backings.

9 )  We decided to put polished concrete in the bathroom instead of vinyl or tile for now.

10 )  Our favorite oil painting purchased in a second-hand store to give it a second life.

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Roam and Omgirl

Two local lines made in a sweat-shop free environment in downtown LA, with all aspects of production done within a 5 mile radius, keeping the carbon footprint tiny. Most of the fabrics and dyes are sourced locally and organically. The result is the softest textile you’ll ever put on your body.

Roam clothing is for the sophisticated traveler with flattering separates in the softest fabrics. Their mix and match pieces are done in a well-edited color palette for your spa and vacation lifestyle.

Omgirl is a casual West Coast lifestyle brand that blends everyday urban activities with yoga sensibilities. This fashion line is made with organic cotton in ten soothing colors. I personally love their yellow!

YDT Deal: Wrap yourself in style! Roam Clothing is giving away a super cozy plaited cotton wrap to three of our lucky subscribers.

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.Jade Yoga Mat and Blocks

Buy a yoga mat and Jade Yoga plants a tree! That’s right Jade Yoga is proud to go natural and give back. All their products are made right here in the USA. Their mats are made from natural rubber, a renewable resource, the blocks from sustainable balsa wood. Give your Warrior I the resilience and cushion it needs while going green!

YDT Deal: Sign up for Jade’s newsletter by March 24 and be entered to win a yoga mat and block.

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As the saying goes, “children are the future,” which is why we’re thrilled that Ally Maize is around.  After watching An Inconvenient Truth at the age of 15 she knew that something had to be done, she wanted to take action.  She decided to help spread the message of green living to kids and founded the non-profit organization, The Green Youth Movement (GYM).

In the long term, GYM hopes to get a practical and researched-based environmental course in elementary schools across the nation in order to help educate kids on what they can do the make the planet a greener place.  The immediate goal, however, is simply to help elementary school kids to become aware.

Living by the words of Mahatma Ghandi , “you must be the change you wish to see in the world,” so Ally spends her time visiting elementary schools educating kids on what’s going on with our planet and empowers them to make greener choices and passes the torch of responsibility to an even younger generation.

Kids who are inspired to go further can then  sign up to be GYM ambassadors and help their schools adopt eco-friendly practices like installing sustainable gardens, fundraising with eco-friendly waterless car washes and more.

Ally believes adopting a greener lifestyle is not all that difficult,  ”The whole global warming issue is very big, but if you break it up into basics, it’s not that overwhelming, and if you just change one thing about your lifestyle, the impact is immense.”

And in two years, she’s already rubbed elbows with Vice President Al Gore whom was awarded the Green Youth Movement Inspiration Award in 2009.

We’re glad that the next generation has kids like Ally who are striving to make meaningful change in a positive way.

If you want to learn more about the Green Youth Movement or get involved visit www.greenyouthmovement.org.

YDT GIVEAWAY: The Green Youth Movement is hosting The Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show at Gower Studios this Saturday.  The event is a fundraiser for GYM and tickets go for $25.  YDT readers are in luck as we’re giving away 3 pairs of tickets to the show.

If you want to support GYM, you can purchase tickets here.

To enter, comment below on how you think we can help kids go green or how kids can help us.  Winner will be picked on Wednesday, March 17th and be notified via email.  Good luck!

The Green Initiative Fashion Show takes place on Saturday, March 20th at 1 p.m. at Sunset Gower Studios, 1438 N. Gower, Los Angeles, CA 90028

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Images via Greenyouthmovement.org

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For some, St. Patty’s Day conjures up images of leprechauns, shamrocks and Irish cheer, but for me, I think about the beer.

 While purists might say the only drink acceptable on this holiday is a Guinness, I say to think outside the traditional box.  Guinness is good, but it hails all the way from Dublin…that’s a pretty long journey.  Fortunately, good local beer is here and many of these brewers use sustainable practices.

 Check out our picks for drinking locally and sustainably St. Patty’s Day and everyday:

 Drink Like a Local

Angel City:  Based in Torrance, this local brewery shares space with the Alpine Village (a hot spot for Oktoberfest).  I love the Dunkle, but it’s more of a fall style beer. 

 Skyscraper:  This brewery offers beer-tastings and tours in El Monte. 

 Eagle Rock:  This one also has a public tap room where you can drink on the premises (bring some food or buy from the local taco trucks parked outside).

 Craftsman Brewing:  The Owner Delivers the beer himself (well sometimes).  They also offer tours and tastings. 

Farther Away But With a Focus on Sustainability

 Stone Brewing Co:  The largest purchaser of local, small farm organic produce in San Diego County.  Definitely worth a day trip for a brewery tour and tasting at the all organic Bistro.

 North Coast Brewing:  Makes Belgian Style Ales in California with organic ingredients.  Their Old Rasputin is a yummy local alternative to traditional Guinness.

 Sierra Nevada:  This brewery’s roof is completely covered by solar panels and is a hotspot for kids at Chico State University.

New Belgium:  Uses wind power and bicycles to make some of the tastiest sustainable brews in North America.

Do you have a sustainable/local beer that didn’t make our list?  Share your favorites with us in the comments.

Images via istock, xmasberry’s flickr and foodwoolf’s flickr

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Art + Bikes = ArtCycle

What happens when East Hollywood bicycle culture meets local art? You get ArtCycle, an event that showcases both these emerging street cultures into one enjoyable afternoon. Come for the yummy food, bicycle art tours, BYOT (bring your own tee) silk screening, sweet sounds from Dublab and more. Why? Cause Creativy and Cycling go hand in hand.

Location: Santa Monica Blvd & Madison, Hollywood CA, 90029  Date/Time:  Saturday, March 13th from 2 to 10 p.m.  Web: http://easthollywoodartcycle.com

No we’re not talking about things like dying your beer green, rather your celebration.  If you’re looking for a fun celebration, head over to Boulevard 3 in Hollywood this Friday Night.  Proceeds of the event will benefit Operation Green Leaves, an organization dedicated to rebuilding and reforesting Haiti.  You’ll get the full “green carpet” treatment at this event including eco-friendly spa treatments, models showing off the latest in eco-lingere from Urban Fox,  Why?  When you give goodness, you get goodness.

Location: Boulevard 3, 6523 West Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028  Date/Time: Friday, March 12th from 9:30 to 2 a.m.  Web/Reservations: www.boulevard3.com/reservations.html

We drink it, we shower in it, we grow our food with it, but as of late there is less and less of it. I’m talking about blue gold, water, the essence of life. This issue deserves serious attention and you can give it that and learn more at the Natural History Museum’s Sustainable Sunday event celebrating World Water Day. Why? We know you want to be an efficient water user and not a water waster.

Location: The Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007    Date/Time: Sunday, March 14th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Web: www.nhm.org/site/activities-programs/sustainable-sundays

Whether you’re an eco-beauty or eco-food junkie, you’ll be over the moon at the  Natural Products Expo West, happening this weekend in Anaheim. Yes it is a bit of a trek, but this is the ultimate display of green beauty and natural foods all under one roof. It’s more than just an expo, there are panel discussions, displays and event parties.  Why? It’s definitely worth the drive down, especially if you can carpool.

Location: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave Anaheim, CA 92802  Date/Time: March 11th-14th, times and events change daily, check the website for updated info     Web: www.expowest.com/ew10/public/enter.aspx

Though it’s in the 60s this week, we know that in L.A. warm weather is always around the corner.  That’s why Cisco Home (one of the original sustainable furniture companies in Los Angeles) has launched a sustainably designed outdoor furniture line and is showing it off tonight.  Why? eco-chic patio furniture, Veev cocktails and yummy appetizers will make you feel like summer days are not far away.

Location: 440 N. La Brea Ave.  Los Angeles, CA 90036  Date/Time: Thursday, March 11th from 7 to 9 p.m.  RSVP: A Must to Courtney at cmullin@hlgrp.com / 323.966.4600

Images via Artcycle

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Here are recent photos of the L.A. River near Griffith Park after recent rains.  As you can see, many plastic bags are clogging up the river (and these aren’t even the one’s that made it to the ocean).

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Remember, always Bring Your Own Bag (and if you do have to use a plastic one, make sure you recycle it properly).

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If you have sensitive skin like mine, you know the battle to find beauty products. With so many soaps, moisturizers, creams and makeup, what’s a sensitive girl to do? So today I unveil my tried and true must have sensitive soothers. Each one of these products is part of my personal daily regimen.

Face and Body Soap

Chivas Skin Care ‘Fragrance Free’ handmade goat milk soap is nourishing and moisturizing with good for you vitamins that absorb quickly into skin. The Fragrance Free bar contains no added essential or fragrance oils which can irritate super sensitive skin. The result is a smooth touch and flawlessly even tone. I use this bar all over my body and face to freshen up and remove makeup.

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Toner

Kimberly Sayer of London Organic Lavender Toner immediately calms inflammation and redness. Also, the fragrant aroma of lavender makes the spray an immediate pick-me-up. I won’t travel without it! Sold locally at Palmetto in Santa Monica.

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Day/Night Moisturizer

L’uvalla Balancing Day/Night Cream is a velvety and fast absorbing moisturizer that leaves no grease behind. It purifies and un-clogs pores with aromas of organic thyme, clove and cinnamon. I love how it preps my face, leaving a matte base before makeup application. Great for men as well.

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Eye Cream

Thibiant’s Complex Organics Eye Cream has me hooked since my first Thibiant Organic Facial. With its richly cooling and hydrating effect, delicate eye tissue gets a natural shot of green tea, making the skin firm and smooth. One of my favorite eye creams of all time!

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Night Treatment

Aubrey Organics Rose Hip Oil soothes any redness or even rosacea rash while you sleep. Use the roller ball applicator to glide over troubled and dry areas, then wake up to happier, more evenly toned skin.

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Foundation

Cargo Cosmetics’ Wet/Dry Foundation rates an incredible ‘1′ on the Cosmetics Database. So not only does it feel light as air on the skin, it’s totally safe. This seemingly invisible makeup creates a soft veil that won’t clog pores or cause irritation. I can wear this foundation all day without it changing color or going greasy.

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Special YDT Deal: New members are entered to win a Free Cargo Wet/Dry Foundation. Subscribe by March 15.

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What if one way to make L.A. more people and less car friendly were to narrow the streets? What would tapered streets look like? How would a two lane road instead of a four lane one change the mood of a thoroughfare? How might they encourage/necessitate alternative transportation? What would it be like not to be “sunning at an outdoor cafe just steps from the edge of a six-lane, 50mph road”?

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So asks David Yoon at Narrow Streets: Los Angeles. http://narrowstreetsla.blogspot.com/

And then he makes it happen. In photographs anyway.

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Here’s Main and Hill in Santa Monica.

And here’s the same, but narrow.

It looks a lot more inviting to pedestrians and pedalers with sidewalk size in proportion to the street. And crossing now looks like a hop or skip versus a jog.  Here’s Sunset and Virgil by the Vista Theater.

And here’s the same, but narrow.

That vast expanse of asphalt has certainly shrunk as has the distance between destinations. Narrow Streets: Los Angeles takes requests if you have a street in mind that needs some shrinking.

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