Holiday Shopping with a Purpose

You can find something for everyone this holiday season and feel good about giving -two fold.

Many of your favorite causes now offer much more than mugs and calendars emblazened with their logos. So take a moment to look over those wish lists to see if you can find those kind of gifts while giving to your or your recipient's cause. Here are a just a few that we love:

Born Free USA -  United with the Animal Protection Institute

Get in Touch Foundation - for the prevention and early detection of breast cancer

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

The Human Society

And, what to give that someone who has everything, two words Hieffer International - Hieffer is working to end world hunger and poverty globally. It's the whole teach a man to fish philosophy at it's best and a gift that keeps giving. Be the first on your block to gift a water buffalo. We know that your a trendsetter, time to show the rest of the world.

Get in Touch Girl!

Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, executive director, founder, cancer kickin' survivor and health activist as well as one of our neighbors here in Milford started the Get In Touch Foundation after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her foundation encourages gals of all ages to “Get In Touch” with their bodies, information, and each other in a crusade against breast cancer. Mary Ann developed a fun ‘Daisy Wheel’, that explains the importance of breast self-examination and facts about breast cancer. She has also worked tirelessly to convince health educators nationwide the importance of "starting early". Mary Ann developed a program whereby health educations give out the ‘Daisy Wheel’, when girls are in grades 5-12 during health and hygiene classes.

October is national breast cancer awareness month and we wanted to give a well deserved shout-out to Mary Ann for all of her hard work and efforts on all of our behalves.

If you would like to donate to the Get In Touch Foundation click here

LOCAL PROUD

Buy local, buy local, buy local, at GG2G it's our mantra...and now you can get involved in Milford's own Local Proud campaign too! Check out the website, there are loads of good stats about what buying local means to the environment and to the community. Whether you are in Milford, CT or Macon, GA your can give back to your community simply by buying local. Everything from produce to platform shoes, if it's made or sold locally (in an independently owned store), it can make a difference Did you know that:

Studies show that dollars spent locally tend to stay local; local businesses contribute more to local non-profits and participate more in community life; and local independents demand less energy resources and public infrastructure.  A thriving local economy creates more opportunities for entrepreneurs and builds community economic strength for everyone. 

And that's just one of many statistics you'll find when you go to Milford Local Proud dot Com

MOD GREEN POD

How many times have you said to yourself and your BFF's "Why, oh, why does organic fabric have to be so blahhhhh?" It was, of course, rhetorical at that point but not so now -- Mod Green Pod has taken that oatmeal floating in a sea of beige and turned it on it's boring little head. Above are just some of the gorgeous fabrics that await you (and now wallpaper too). Their 100% organic cotton home textiles and wallpapers are US-made and follow Global Organic Textile Standards to help create a healthy home.

They also have a really groovy Room Creator page so that you can get a sense of scale before you purchase.

Changing the Shape of Modern Surfing

thomas meyerhoffer: changing the shape of modern surfing
since 2004 thomas meyerhoffer has been developing a new kind of surfboard which is now considered by some as the most radical leap in surfboard design in the last 50 years. the 'meyerhoffer' board is shaped like an hourglass to emphasize noseriding and tailriding for recreational surfers. it is supposed to be a longboard that rides like quicker more manoeuvrable shortboard. 
Shared via AddThis

3.5 Billion Wire Hangers Go into U.S. Landfills Each Year

We don't have to tell you how terrible dry cleaning is for the environment, right?
All of you savvy greenies out there ONLY use green dry cleaners, of that we are sure.
But we digress, we want to talk to you about those pesky, ever-tangled wire hangers that you get with every shirt, skirt and pair of pants. 35 Billion wire hangers are tossed into the landfill every year! Where they just sit...and sit. Did you know that it takes 40 inches of wire to make one hanger? Just one year's worth could wrap around the earth 88 times! Aghhhhh!
Good news! There are a number of very non-painful ways to get around this.
Here we go, starting with the simplest.
1) Every time you pick-up from your favorite green dry cleaner drop off the ones from the previous pick up. They will love you for it!
2) Have your clothing pressed and folded.
3) Insist that your already green dry cleaner get with the program and use eco-friendly hangers

Here's a list of the ones we like best:
EcoHangers
Bamboo Hangers
Green Hanger

Now...what to do about that plastic they wrap everything in...

DIRTY DOZEN

At GG2G we are all so excited about the bounty of summer. So we thought that this might be an apropos time to talk about the Dirty Dozen. The 12 most contaminated fruits and veggies - we are talking about non-organic here folks. Take a look and then buy organic versions. Because we subscribe to the "glass is half full philosophy" there is a list of the top 12 safest non-organic fruits and veggies at the end. Bon Appetite!

THE MOST CONTAMINATED FRUITS & VEGETABLES:

1.PEACHES: Over 94% tested positive for traces of 45 different pesticides.

2.CELERY 94% tested positive for 29 different pesticides.

3.APPLES: 92% tested positive for 36 pesticides.

4..SWEET BELL PEPPERS: 68% tested positive for 39 different pesticides.

5.CHERRIES: 91% tested positive for 25 different pesticides.

6.IMPORTED GRAPES: 86% tested positive for 35 different pesticides.

7.NECTARINES: 97% tested positive for 26 different pesticides.

8.PEARS : 94% tested positive for 35 different pesticides.

9.POTATOES: 79% tested positive for 29 different pesticides.

10.RASPBERRIES: 59% tested positive for 39 different pesticides.

11.SPINACH: 83% tested positive for 36 different pesticides.

12.STRAWBERRIES: 90% tested positive for 36 different pesticides.

THE LEAST CONTAMINATED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:

1.ASPARAGUS

2.AVOCADOS

3.BANANAS

4.BROCOLLI

5.CAULIFLOWER

6.SWEET CORN

7.KIWI

8.MANGOES

9.ONIONS

10.PAPAYAS

11.PINEAPPLES

12.SWEET PEAS

BYE-BYE Reefs!

Reefs could perish by end of century, experts warn

LONDON (Reuters) - Increasingly acidic oceans and warming water temperatures due to carbon dioxide emissions could kill off the world's ocean reefs by the end of this century, scientists warned on Monday.

The experts told a meeting in London the predicted pace of emissions means a level of 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere will be reached by 2050, putting corals on a path to extinction in the following decades.

The two dozen coral reef specialists and climate change exerts represented universities, government research offices and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

"The kitchen is on fire and it's spreading around the house," Alex Rogers of the Zoological Society of London and the International Program on the State of the Ocean, said in a statement.

"If we act quickly and decisively we may be able to put it out before the damage becomes irreversible."

Read full Article

SIMPLE AND PATRIOTIC

We thought that the 4th of July would be the perfect time for a nudge to not only buy local but to buy American-made products whenever possible. Think of it this way: You are not only helping to boost the economy, create jobs and help local manufacturers you are also keeping that pesky carbon footprint low at the same time. From your bar-b-que to your dishes keep it US made and while your at it how about reusable too...

Here are some great red, white and blue buys:

Fiesta Ware  - yes they are still around and still USA made! 

Webber Genesis Grills need we say more?

Northwest Planks  - got to have smoky cedar plank flavor, we love this company!

Cream City Ribbons - Feeling like you need red, white and blue decorations, check'em out.

Do Your Part to Stop the Slaughter

Each year, Canada allows fur companies to brutally kill baby seals. Hundreds of thousands of precious baby seals have their skulls smashed, and their eyes, mouths, and cheeks hooked to avoid damaging the fur before they are dragged across the ice. PETA has passionately joined forces with the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee to persuade the Canadian government to end the slaughter of seals. You too can urge the Olympic Committee.

Shades of Green

Our friend and award winning documentariana - Christina DeFranco Taylor will do it again with Shades of Green. Shades of Green: New England is a weekly magazine-format show that highlights the green movement sweeping the nation. This half-hour program showcases New England companies that have an environmental mission linked with their business plan - some putting “planet” before profits; others demonstrating that being green can also be good for business.We were lucky enough to be part of the pilot episode along with a fantastic company called Eco-Fish. Have look here then pass it on! Just think, this way you can say you knew us when...

Green that Manicure

And you thought going green meant giving up the nail polish...All Hail Zoya!

Zoya non-toxic nail polish. Polishes begin at $6 and are Toluene, Formaldehyde, Camphor and DBP free. Zoya was voted Longest Wearing Nail Polish in Women's Health Magazine in 2008. Check out the 300 stunning shades -- including green. Available in singles or samplers. 

Dear Old Dad- this one's for you!

Dear Dad, so often you are the hardest person to shop for. I know just what to get the other treehuggers in my life, but you, you usually stump me.
But, not this year! I discovered GG2G.
In addition to the George Dopp Kit (seen above) they also carry the Norton Notebook, Foleo laptop case/portfolio protector and tool/pencil pouch. They're all one-of-a-kind (just like you) and made from recycled highway billboards- how cool is that?
Love,
Your Favorite Treehugger

Born Free USA ladies rock their Lota bags!

Monica, Sharie, Nicole, and Tracy from Born Free USA show off their stylish Lota bags!

The Greening of Dad's Day

It's perfect for him...We've just given you the perfect option for Dad's day! Our George Dopp Kit always comes out clean. Look no further in your search for manly-man green accessories.

Interior pocket, zipper closure, sturdy handle, do we hear a Booh Yah! 

Home Goods for the Homeless

New Haven Home Recovery, Inc., founded in 1990, is a non-profit agency determined to help homeless people in Greater New Haven, CT. NHHR operates emergency shelters, CareWays Shelter and Martha’s Place, provides over 100 supportive housing units, and collaborates with The Furniture Co-Op to fill empty houses with furniture and household items. New Haven Home Recovery addresses the crisis of homelessness and aggressively tries to comfort those in need.

Buy a Tote, Save an Animal

We are so excited to finally be bringing you our latest collaboration with Born Free USA, a non-profit group who's mission is is to advocate for the protection of animals from cruelty and exploitation.
To kick off the "Keep Wildlife in the Wild Week," we have made a series of limited-edition totes from their billboards that featured "Lota" the elephant. Lota suffered in chains, behind bars, and in the circus for most of her life. Lota was able to spend her last days at a sanctuary, thanks to compassionate individuals and groups that fought for her freedom, and never gave up. 15% of the sale of these bags go to Born Free USA.

CHANCEtoGIVE has also teamed up with Born Free with their new iPhone application allowing phone users to donate to US charities, all within a few clicks! iPhone users will be able to contribute to Born Free USA, thanks for CHANCEtoGIVE.

Keep Wildlife in the Wild Week is June 1 through June 7, 2009.

Show 'em Love!

We're in a few new stores and we would love you to visit them and tell them how much you love GG2G bags and they should probably stock more :)

Sol-La
44 Garth Road
Scarsdale, NY
914-853-4059

Zig Zag Gallery
Cross Pointe Centre
101 E. Alex Bell Rd #172
Dayton, OH
937.434.3565

The Waygoose
4848 Bethesda Ave
Bethesda MD
301.656.1768

BKB and Company
1734 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA
253-272-6884

Blue Dolphin
10320 Water Street
Ephraim, WI
1.800.765.0141

Sun-Up Gallery
95 Watch Hill Road
Westerly, RI
401-596-0800

Take'em Back

Make your local nursery happy! Once you've snuggeled all those little beauties into their new beds you can take the seeding and growing trays back . Just give them a quick hose down, let them dry in the sun, tap the dirt out and the next time you find yourself at the nursery or nearby, drop them off. They'll be happy not to have to buy them again next year.

So easy to recycle... While we are on the subject why not consider perennials? Then you will not need those plastic trays to begin with.

GIve Thanks to Your Mom...

...and Mother Nature at the same time!

GG2G has teamed up with eco-friendly body care, and women-owned company, Biggs and Featherbelle to bring you this limited time offer. Three of Biggs and Featherbelle's best-sellers are packaged in this multi-functional pouch made from recycled highway billboards. Ain't it darling? Each bag is one-of-a-kind so you can be sure Mom is getting a gift like no other. This is a limited time offer and can only be ordered until May5th!

9.6 Million

That is the number of animals euthanized each year according to the American Humane Society. Spay and Neuter your animals and encourage everyone you know to do so as well. Old news you say? We think not.

9.6 Million means that quite a few of us are not getting the message. And wait, there's more. Feral animals kill mammals and songbirds and have been known to infect wild populations - and they are often the offspring of family pets. For instance, it is believed that the feline distemper afflicting the endangered Florida panther was transmitted by house cats. Controlling the population reduces these problems and saves countless animals from suffering, both wild and domestic.

And while we are on the subject why not get your next family member from your local shelter. Discount coupons are often available to help offsett the cost of spaying and nuetering services. Ask at the shelter.

OUR 15 MINUTES OF FAME

CHECK US OUT TONIGHT ON CPTV

GG2G will be featured on the pilot episode
of the Diane Smith show,
ALL THINGS CONNECTICUT!

Get the popcorn ready!

DEAR EARTH, HAPPY EARTH DAY

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL STUFF YOU MAKE LIKE...

Ohhh, for example coconuts. We love coconuts!

Call Me...

...on the NEW line, call me, call me anytime! We have a new phone number so update all your gizmos and gadgets. Ready? It's 203-283-4790. Can't wait to hear from you.

Are You Smart?

Put your recycling, artistic smarts to work and win the grand prize.
Enter the Smart Art Competition where you are encouraged to turn trash into works of art, be it sculpture, 2D art, photography, functional items, video and even music!
The grand prize winner gets:
•$2,000 Cash Award
•Future exhibition opportunity in a highly visible San Francisco venue
or museum
•Featured in the online Art Gallery of the SMART Art Competition
•Displayed as part of the SMART Art Exhibit

There are 2nd and 3rd prizes which are pretty sweet too. The guest judges are many and include uber environmentalist David de Rothschild, Sundance Channel's president, Evan Shapiro and many more!
But hurry up- you only have until May 1st!

Photo Shoot Sneak Peek

Just a little teaser from our photo shoot on Wednesday. The very lovely Sheila was styled by Anna and photographed by Jennifer Andrews. Who knew that New Haven county had such a talented group of women? We did!
We'll post some of the photos when we have them. What do you think?

New Partnership!

We're excited to be partnering with a really worthy group, Born Free USA. Together with the Animal Protection Institute, they are a national animal advocacy nonprofit organization who's mission is to advocate for the protection of animals from cruelty and exploitation.

Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers on the set of BORN FREE with one of the lionesses who played Elsa. PHOTO CREDIT: Columbia Pictures.

You can do your part to help "millions of animals that suffer in fur farms and circus cages" by shopping at Shopp GG2G. Simply enter the promo code BFUSA upon check out and Born Free gets 10% of your total purchase. You can check out our page here on their website. So get going!

Pretty Pictures

We are so excited because next week we're working with trés talented photographer Jennifer Andrews. This will be an all-Milford crew. Our lovely friend Heather will be our model and Anna from André Philips will be our make-up and hair guru. We'll be shooting our high-end line of bags we call FluxuRe (pronounced f-luxury) at our studio and all around Milford. If you see us, honk! Stay tuned.

Win a GG2G bag at Savvy Moms Boutique

We're always excited about partnering with our favorite green people- especially ones as sweet as Daniela from Blend for Kids, in Branford, CT. She has created the 1st annual Savvy Moms Weekend Boutique, a consignment sale for kids stuff. You can find more detailed info by clicking the link above but the basics are right here. You can participate as a vendor or shopper or both!

Savvy Moms Weekend Boutique
Friday, April 17 6-9pm and Saturday, April 18 10am-4pm
On April 18 from 2-4pm everything is 50% off!

Where smart moms shop and sell their quality children’s items.
Come and join Blend for this inaugural event that will feature quality gently used and new children’s items such as baby gear, toys, books, games, videos, clothing, shoes, bedding, décor.

Don't forget, while you're there, enter the raffle to win our recycled billboard bags! What? I'm so there!

Connecticut Magazine is here...

...and while we were hoping to make the cover, we're happy to have made it in at all! The spread is in conjunction with our appearance on Diane Smith's new CPTV show called "All Things Connecticut." We'll be in the pilot episode of this 8-part series. Check out the promo in the link above and then check your local listing for times. We'll be on the Thursday, April 23rd episode at 8pm and will be rebroadcast on Monday at 11pm and Wednesday at 5pm.

Confirm Our Hotness!!!

OK, troops listen up! We've got about 50 more hours to get that meter movin' to the right. So, tell your mamma, tell your friends. We're on a mission to be selected as one of the top 200 mom-owned and women-owned businesses...and we're green to boot! Does it get any better than that? Deadline is Tuesday. Click here or click on the image above to get to our page. Thanks again for all your help!

I want my GG2GTV!

We know, you haven't had enough of GG2G on TV!
Well, fret not, we're here to tell you that we've got another upcoming appearance on Diane Smith's new CPTV show called "All Things Connecticut." We'll be in the pilot episode of this 8-part series being interviewed by our favorite local anchor, Christina DeFranco Taylor. Check out the promo in the link above and then check your local listing for times. Let us know what you think.

We're all friends...

Did you know you can find us on Facebook?
If you become a fan of GG2G, you can get up-to-date postings about what is going on with us...and what could be better than that? hmmm..I'm thinking...nope, nothing!

In the 'hood

Just a quick shout-out to a few new stores that are carrying our bags.
We encourage you to buy locally so check out our retailer page to see if there's a store close by that is carrying GG2G. If not you can always go to our online shop.

We've made it to HOt-lanta, ya'll! Eco-Emporium is a new green store (see pic above) that has opened up in a revitalized Atlanta neighborhood. Please visit them if you're in the neighborhood and tell Carol we said, "Hello."
1000 Marietta Street, Ste. 114 Atlanta, GA 404-875-5224

We've also landed in Day's old stomping grounds...Providence, RI. Check us out at Studio Hop- we're told it's an amazing gift shop chock full of work by American artists. We can't wait to stop by for a visit!
810 Hope Street Providence, RI 401-621-2262

Next up is Goggleworks in Reading,PA. Are you not intrigued by that name alone? As you can guess, this large art studio is housed in a former goggle factory. Lots to see and do and this looks like a fun place to bring the kids.
201 Washington Street Reading, PA 610.374.4600

Lastly, but certainly not least, is Studio 41 in Benicia, CA. Be sure to check out their display for Earth Day.
700 First Street Benicia, Ca 94510 707.745.0254

Go Ahead Talk About Us Behind our Backs!

Really...go ahead!

We need your comments and votes to help us to win a $25,000 Small Business Grant from the generous folks at Intuit. Pretty please with organic Demerara sugar on top!

Go here and tell'em what you think about us!

Going Green By Thinking Out of the Box

BMAC Spotlight: Jak Designs

We go to the BMAC a few times a year and without fail, each time we meet great people that we connect with. Jen and Tanya of Jak Designs are two such people. They are an inspiration. They hand loom all of their pieces in their home state of Ohio and they use all organic fibers in their creations. Check them out in the video below.

Buyers Market of American Craft-Day 1

Greetings from lovely downtown Philly (we really do love it)! Right now we are participating in the Buyers Market of American Craft, a twice yearly juried trade show for artisans who design, work and manufacture in the U.S. We love the atmosphere at this market and have made lots of new friends. It's wonderful to be surrounded by so many working artists and an appreciative buyer. This little vid is just an overview of our booth display and products. Stay tuned for views of days 2 and 3 and meet some of our friends and fellow green artists.

Green Secret To Be Revealed

Shhhhhhhhhhhh, it's a secret! GG2G gets Smart! With Smart Glass that is! Here's a litte taste.

Posted with LifeCast

The Rundown: Menswear

You poor men! Now it's not often you'll hear those words uttered from our lips but when it comes to menswear, we'll concede, it has been hard in the past to find great menswear that was organic or green in some way. That has changed and there are plenty of options out there now for men.

Nau - sporty yet sophisticated
Restore Clothing
Evo - Great source for women too
By Nature - Organic from across the pond
Howies - Another option from the Brits
Splendid - Great basics
This Old Thing? - Recycled clothing (image above)
Turk & Taylor

Green and Clean!

We love that Seaside Naturals is yet another Connecticut-based green company helping to make the earth cleaner in a greener way. They have a wonderful line of cleaning products that are natural, cruelty-free and smell great! Besides the household cleaners their product line includes baby products, personal care and their new pet care line. We can personally attest to their effectiveness as we use the All Purpose Cleaner to wash each and every billboard- leaving them sparkly, fresh smelling and ready to transformed into a GG2G bag!

We're ready for our close-up!

Exciting News!
Last spring we were interviewed by veteren (and award winning) WTNH Channel 8 newscastor, Christina DeFranco Taylor for a TV series pilot about green businesses called Shades of Green. We wanted to show you the trailer as it features both GG2G and a great green company called EcoFish....

(Hint: once you click on the Shades of Green link, click on the "shows" button, then on the Shades of Green logo and then on "Watch the trailer.")

And, hey...don't be shy about passing this around!

Obama-size Me!

Let's just say we couldn't be happier. We know it's a tough road ahead and that there are no miracle cures or quick fixes, but there's no one else we would rather have at the helm to guide us through these murky waters. Go Barack!
(For those of you who want see how we created that nifty image of us, check out Obamicon.)
If you missed Obama Inaugural address, check it out here.

Preserving Poop for Posterity?

A touchy subject fer'sure! So y'all are using those old supermarket non-biodegradable trash bags to ohh-sooo responsibly scoop the poop, right? What will future archaeologists say when they unearth billions of little individually wrapped, lovingly preserved packages of canine crap? Well, yes of course they will exclaim "Those kooky 21st century humanoids sure did love their pets...look G57nic, they even saved Fido's feces for us... what could it all mean"?

What to do, you ask yourself? It's simple! Use biodegradable poop bags to scoop-up those little treasures. Most are made from corn and can be thrown right into your backyard composter or set curbside with your other garden/lawn debris.

But where to find them you exclaim! Relax, remember we are the queens of Listology.

So here you go:

BioBags

PoopBags

and for you city slickers - Flushable style too, available at, Flush Doggy.
Happy Scooping!

The Rundown: Cosmetics

Now we wouldn't consider ourselves experts in the field of cosmetics, but when we need to pick up a few of those items to "enhance our natural beauty," we make darn sure that we go earth and animal friendly all the way! Here are just a few companies that make it easy to leave the big (and not so eco-friendly) brands behind:

• Alima Pure
• Eve Organics
• Colorganics (Image Above)
  
• Zosimos Botanicals
• One With Earth Organics
  

And if you need help finding out about healthy products or what ingredients are potentially hazardous, check out Dying to Look Good.
For more eco-friendly brands, check out the brands listed on "Green America (formerly Co-Op America)."

Oh and did we mention that these items would fit perfectly into our one-of-a-kind recycled billboard make-up pouches? Which is a perfect companion to the JackJ bag. Just thought you'd wanna know.

Sneak Peek

We've been busy little elves...or is it bees? At any rate, we've been hard at work creating prototypes of new bags styles for 2009. We're also working with some new materials that we're going to keep mum about for now...but just to tempt your tummy, we thought we'd give you a wee sneak peek at a couple ideas we're workin' on...what do ya think?