I love these chopstick bowls ($26) made of recycled bamboo chopsticks because they look great, are eco-friendly, and it folds flat when you're not using it. While living in China, designer Bryan Parks developed a unique process for reclaiming and sanitizing chopsticks (gross?), then constructing them into fruit bowls. The chopsticks get the warm brown color once they are dyed by tea. Bowl measures 14"x 11"x 4". Makes a great gift on the cheap!

Tailgating has to be one of the best parts of Autumn, especially in Chicago where there are equal amounts of football fans and grilling fans. There's enormous amounts of tailgating product out there, from BBQs shaped like a football helmet to thermometers with remote control lasers. I picked three stylish items that are great for tailgating and a whole lot more.
1. Bird-Electron portable speaker ($90); plug your iPod in and kick your feet up.
2. Built NY six pack tote ($23); this guy will keep your brews cold for four hours and will fold up when you're done--unlike a cooler.
3. Patagonia Tech Web belt ($25); there's a bottle opener on the buckle, 'nuff said.

If Harrison didn't already eat her kibble out of a Holden Designs pet feeder, I think these re-purposed wine crates would be at the top of my list. The company Whiner and Diner makes custom wooden wine crate Dog/Cat feeders ($150-$225), small beds and toy boxes that all come straight from European and Californian vineyards. You can chose from four different paint finishes in addition to the natural wood, and can even customize it with your pet's name. Check all their products out right here.

If you already know the brand Housefish, it is probably for their eco-friendly modular storage systems (above photo) that are supposedly unbelievably easy to assemble (check them out here). But, check out the return of their limited edition Suspended Bed 2.0 (photo below)! It's back, and only five were made. In case you're wondering those steel tension cables keep the mattress completely rigid, no swinging or swaying. It's sort of like a bed as a bridge...or a boat, I can't decide. You can customize the bed to be powdercoated in any color, or veneered in any wood species. Not my first choice for a bed, but very interesting, and I can see it working in some places. Check it out here ($2998).

Architects Jonathan Junker and Seth Grizzle of GrayPants Inc. have designed a stunning series of pendant lamps made from salvaged pieces of corrugated cardboard. Their intent is for their lamps to be a "play on light and shadow that invigorates once lifeless materials". From the image they look great. Check out the whole series right here ($135-$325).

Yes! I love it when I find iPod speakers that aren't made of white or black plastic. I'm really loving the Vers 2X iPod Sound System ($149) made with cherry wood by hand. That's right, each of these babies takes over a week to make. But if you're a serious sound person you already know that there's a reason why the best-sounding musical instruments are made of wood and not plastic; nothing sounds as warm, as rich—or as natural. The bonus: It's sustainably designed, the wood is from plantation sources, energy efficient electronics, 100% recycled packaging, and RoHS compliant. Adapts to almost every iPod.

I know a lot of people will think this is too out there, but I think it's really cool. What's so amazing about this ipod speaker is that it doesn't require any external power! The Phonofone II ($500) uses passive amplification alone, like a traditional phonograph horn. It transforms any ipod with earbuds into a sculptural audio console. And, just think, you could take it outside for an outdoor dinner party. Click here to purchase.

Earlier this summer I salvaged two vintage bikes from my grandparent's garage. We tuned them up and gave them a heavy-duty polish and have since been riding them everywhere this summer. Whether it's out for frozen yogurt or picking something up at the drug store—bikes are cool. I do want to add a basket to my early 70s cherry red Schwinn cruiser one of these days and think the above Carrie Basket ($64 including bike attachments) is pretty nice. Comes in black and white as well as green plastic shown above.

Stephen Lagan emailed me last night about his new retail operation that doubles as a social network called 66 Degrees. I turned to Matt and said, "social networking is such a fad." He replied bluntly, "Well, Facebook is valued at $6 Billion." Ok. I stand corrected. Anyway, it's an interesting concept to check out and as a consumer 66 Degrees is selling things you won't get anywhere else. I'm really loving the above Oyule lamp set ($650) by Brooklyn industrial designer Sergio Silva. I love his concept of reusing lightbulbs and essentially sending them "back in time".

Someone the other day asked me what I'm most looking forward to in terms of moving to a new place design-wise. I blurted out that I'm really looking forward to composting. I've been wanting to get going with it for a while (it just makes so much sense!), but the condo bylaws of our building don't allow it, even on the smallest scale. I saw this compost guide on Apartment Therapy and thought it was such a great resource that I'd post it here. Check it out!

Chicago Home + Garden's blog, Design Dose, definitely had the scoop of the day as they reported FLOR's latest release of modular tiles based on the textile designs of Alexander Girard—perhaps the most influential textile designer of the modern era. These designs are specifically modeled after the restaurant La Fonda Del Sol, which opened in the Time-Life Building in Manhattan in 1961. The entire restaurant including the furnishings, dishware, everything down to the table linens were designed by Girard. And what I wouldn't do to get my hands on some of the old matchbooks! By 1971 the restaurant was closed. Alexander Girard items have been notoriously hard to come by as few items have been re-issued, even with today's modern revival. Until FLOR's release, your best bet was ebay and Maximo Design. The FLOR collection, which can be mixed and matched with other designs comes in four different combinations of six tiles ($160), check them all out right here.

I really love these wooden MAGNO radios by designer Singgih Kartono, who chooses wood for his radios not just based on aesthetics but on his appreciation of wood's simplicity and organic vitality. I think they'd add a touch of softness to any corner, I really love the way they look. The Magno radio combines the most current mp3 player compatible electronics with sustainably grown woods. Click here to purchase or for more info. Small: $200, medium: $250; large: $300.

I can't believe Memorial Day Weekend is here and we're already kicking off summer. Matt and I have been eating al fresco every day this week and it was especially Summery last night when we made a summer salad using local farm fresh corn and tomatoes. Yum yum. These wasp catchers are so simple and great looking (and cheap!); and I swear they'll be the smartest thing you'll buy this entire season. Fill the wasp trap with sweet liquid or sugar water, hang it from a tree branch or put it away from the table and the wasps will immediately be attracted to it leaving you to eat your meal in peace. Get them right here ($5-$10).

I don't know if it's the fact that I'm smack dab in the middle of reading the hilarious memoir about growing up in San Francisco, Oh The Glory of It All, or because I'm jonsing for a slice of pizza from Pizzeria Delphina, but I'm starting to think that my brother, with his undying love for San Francisco, is on to something. Weird. Speaking of the Bay Area, I just found a great San Jose-based online store, Beklina. It's an online boutique run by a family that hand selects the best available in sustainable, green style—"modern organic" is how they phrase it. Above: Feather Hair Band ($110). Below clockwise from top left: 13" x 11" painting by Alta Walker ($185); Sisal Necklace by Rust Belt ($230); Vincent Van Duysen ceramic containers ($225-$325); Anouk Top By Eliza Gran ($130).

I was thrilled to get an email last week from my friend Laurie telling me about a fantastic new organic beauty product. Blabbermouth was created by Hannah Wood (sister of actor Elijah Wood) about a year ago with the idea that she wanted an all-natural organic balm that really was all-natural, not just labeled as such. I've tried a sample of this lip balm and absolutely love it. The organic recipe is simple: beeswax, extra virgin coconut oil, coconut butter, and shea butter. Blabbermouth is useful for both men and women not only as lip balm but as a skin moisturizer and healer. I also love the Blabbermouth website's design with all the sepia tones and old photos. Get a jar by clicking here ($15 per jar).

Is it Earth Day today? I think someone told me it was, but I feel like the concept of putting aside one day for the Earth is a little lost on most of us these days. It's more like Earth decade. In any case, my friend Anne who works for the company First Act musical instruments (what a cool job!) let me in on their new Green guitars—and they look great!! I believe it started when Adam Gardner of the band Guster asked First Act to create a custom 100% green guitar. The deets: The body of the guitar is crafted from Forest Stewardship Council certified wood, nearly all of the hardware and electronics are made from recycled or salvaged parts—even the exterior finish and paint were chosen for their low toxin emission. Additionally, the carbon emissions associated with electrifying the guitar for its entire lifetime will be made "carbon neutral" through renewable energy company, Native Energy. Check out Garnder's custom guitar and First Act's earth-friendly bamboo guitar ($399) right here. Thanks Anne, you rock!

**update** It's Earth Day EVE today. Sorry.

It's finally almost bike season in Chicago, despite the fact that the weather forecast called for snow last night. Srsly, Chicago, WTF, let's go, this is getting really dumb. Everywhere else magnolia trees are blooming and the sun is shining! If I had any choice in bikes I think I'd get my mitts on a Swedish designed Skeppshult. The company claims there are many reasons people love Skeppshult. Some appreciate Swedish design, some like the upright seat positions, some prefer Skeppshult for the easy to operate gear shift and brake system, and then there's those who choose Skeppshult simply because a good looking bike inspires them to ride more often. That would be me. The downside is of course the prices start at around $1800 and work there way on up from them. Click here for more info.

I got an email last night from Kat over at modern-twist asking me if I had seen their placemats. I had but I'm glad she reminded me I did! These mats are made from hand silk-screened non-toxic silicone, easy for cleaning and ideal for kids. Click here to find a retailer near you or online you can get the above Origami placemat ($17) and below Tangle placemat ($19) at Velocity.

Why is it mid-April, but in Chicago it feels like February? The constant grey drizzle is making me want to commit Seppuku. But in an effort to be positive (yeah, right), check out how cool The Brelli umbrella by Pam Zonsius ($48, $68) is. It's chic, supremely functional, and environmentally responsible. It's simply made from just bamboo, cotton string, and a clear canopy, all of which are completely sustainable and renewable resources. Plus, get this—The Brelli will completely decompose within five years in a landfill. Nice. Now get me out of here!

We put a placemat in front of Harrison's food and water dish because she's a messy eater—for her it's a two step process, get the food out of the bowl and on to the floor, then eat it. We use a Tair Mercier plastic mat and it looks pretty cool. After two years it's all banged up, so I've been eying some Luisa Cevese Riedizioni placemats ($50 each) as a replacement. Of course they'd look pretty spectacular on a dining table too! Bonus points: They're handmade in Italy from recycled industrial waste.