kulae: biodegradable yoga mats

Kulae yoga mats are 100% biodegradable and four inches longer than a standard yoga mat. Constructed using closed cell technology (so germs, bacteria + odor cannot penetrate the mat surface) and weighing less than 2.5 pounds, this mat is revolutionary, and is the new eco standard for yoga mats. Kulae mats are also 100% recyclable once it has outlived its usefulness in your practice (PVC- and Latex-Free).

top picks: haute heart shapes in nature

Isn't it lovely when NATURE gives a little HAUTE LOVE ❤ back?
Heart Leaf
Heart Stones
Heart Tomato
Heart Cloud

elder co-housing: spreading retirement concept

As baby boomers turn 60, many are beginning to plan how they will spend their golden years. Many will shun institutional facilities for a concept spreading across America "elder co-housing' experience. These co-housing villages and communities are created by residents for mutual support and environmentally conscious living. Although Cohousing Communities for Elders are somewhat rare and just now catching on in the US, they have been a staple in many European countries for decades. (Netherlands, Denmark)

The Glacier Circle Senior Community in Davis California began in 2002, With the help of co-housing designer Virginia Thigpen, eight households evolved. In Abingdon Virginia ElderSpirit Commmunity is a larger project that includes privately owned homes as well as affordable rental units. Others Elder Co-Housing communites are springing up across the country from Alaska to Florida.

You can obtain more information for yourself or a family member at:
Plan B Retirement
Aging in Community
Culture Change Now
CoHousing Association of US.
Aging Today

arts & crafts at burning man festivals

Craft and Art are central to the theme here at Haute Nature.

As objects for daily use, works of decorative art allow deep insight into the culture and time in which created. Objects and their aesthetics are a human construct of representation, describing and standing for something in our reality. We create art in order to make sense of the world.

Representation began with early literary theory in the ideas of Plato and Aristotle, and has evolved into a significant component of our language, our objects and our personas. Our created goods reflect our tastes, our desires and aspirations.

As craft agenda has changed throughout time from: dogmatic ideology, skilled master and apprentice, aristocratic indulgence, social inclusion to industrialized convenience; humans have traded raw ingenuity & variety for cost margins and quick mass production.

As representation still retains its communicative nature of sending a symbolic message, the contemporary world restricts subject matter, setting boundaries that limit audiences (ie. movies) promoting a certain set of accepted ideologies and values. Within a society many of these codes or conventions are informally agreed upon and have been established over a number of years. Despite these restrictions, representations still have the ability to take on a life of their own once in the public sphere.

It is refreshing to see a venue where these obstructions for the most part are erased and there is merely "objects representing", produced, valued, viewed and exchanged. Such is the canvas of Burning Man. Year after year, it seems to be an arena for endless amount of this raw, representational craft. In the real world, craft will continue to require the underpinnings of funding allowances, protective and legal rights, tax issues, etc.. but inside the culture of Burners you'll find art and craft in a universe free from monetary agenda or definitive purpose other than expression. At BM, sculptures made from disgarded parts, giant welded insects/structures fastened together from scraps and truly whimsical concept cars ignore the inherent contradictions between craft as a lifestyle and craft as a business. There is a sense of art purely for the community at Burning Man.

Can we make a transition to a new sustainable model for art and public works that combines representation and business? What role will craft play as the world changes?
Fun resources:
Craft Council
Decorative Arts
MET Decorative Arts

sprig toys: recycled milk jugs

Designers Justin Discoe, David Bowen, David Monahan & Chris Clemmer decided that toys they were creating and sending to manufacture weren't ecological in the least bit, actually harmful to the environment, thus Spring Toys was born. This socially responsible children's toy company works tirelessly to make high-quality toys, directed in their offerings with a simple mission statement: "Active, inspirational, fun toys made safely and sustainably." Made from recycled materials and powered by that seemingly limitless energy source - KIDS! -The world of Sprig is a place where kids power the fun, which fuels their imagination. It's where the batteries stay out of landfills, and kids get off the couch.

Sprig's adventure vehicles and character guides become favorite toys to recipients! The clean design of all the adventure mobiles take imaginary safaris to Africa, to the Arctic, the Amazon, the Outback, or the Himalaya. Sprig Toys are all made of Sprigwood, a kid-friendly, durable, bio-composite material made of recycled wood and reclaimed plastic. I am proud to support Sprig Toys, a local Colorado company based in Fort Collins Colorado. They are perfect presents!!

geodesic, spherical treehouses: ecological backyard retreats

Arboreal architects Tom Chudleigh, Jayson Fann & Dustin Feider all produce environmentally sensitive treehouse structures from wood. Any of these men can be commissioned to make you your very own treetop canopy dream space.

Chudleigh based on Vancouver Island, creates his handcrafted Free Spirit Spheres and suspends them gracefully with a web of rope, use for leisure or meditation.

Jayson Fann of Big Sur California carefully assembles his giant nests from branches, his work can be found at the Big Sur Spirit Garden and Treebones.

Dustin Feider of LA had been commissioned by many California residents as well as the LA County Museum of Art for his geodesic constructions, averaging $20,000 and 1,500 pounds. The wooden polygons distribute stress across the entire structure using a cable suspension system to hang the orbs without drilling a single hole in the trunk or branches. “The house moves with the tree,” he explains, “like a boat in water.” His O2 Sustainability Treehouses are inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s infamous geodesic domes. These stable structures with their new pleasing aesthetic are all sensitive options for the ‘traditional’ treehouse retreat.

jack & marjorie: handbag give away

Repurposed Jack & Marjorie tote bag GIVEAWAY! This lovely tote bag is handcrafted in Toronto from recycled military surplus materials. J&M construct their durable bags with military tents, cotton tent fabric, wool blankets, duffle bags, parachutes, sling straps, webbing and the like, the bag linings are always organic cotton twill. The repurposed 30-40 year old fabric has a rich character. This particular bag for the giveaway (HauteNature is hosting), has a black organic cotton lining, recycled wool and recycled tent fabric. Again, this is a HAIKU contest, so give me your best shot, write one about military service or service in general. (Not war) This can be a late exercise for Veterans Day. Best of luck readers! Winner announced Nov. 28th.

frank lloyd wright: beth shalom: elkins park pennsylvania

Frank Lloyd Wright was invited by Beth Shalom Congregation of Philadelphia to design a new synagogue in the suburb of Elkins Park. Mr. Wright accepted the comission in September 1953. In March of 1954, he submitted a design to the Board of Directors of the Congregation. The Board approved the beautifully executed designs of Mr. Wright and arranged to build the new structure. The building, explained by Mr. Wright, is meant to evoke an image of a mountain. It is the Mt. Sinai in modern materials of concrete steel aluminum and glass. Mt. Sinai was the location God chose to reveal his Torah to Moses for Israel and for mankind. Mr. Wright therefore designed a natural symbol of communion betwen God and humanity with this his only synagogue he designed durning his career and the last project he completed before his death.

I had the pleasure to tour the synagogue myself, to see this wonderful piece of architecture, now a National Historic Landmark. The interior is a grand light filled space with soaring dimensions and handcrafted modern details. I feel it is truly one of his best works.
Beth Sholom Synagogue

hemp couture: sustainable eco fashion

In modern times, industrial hemp has been used for paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food, and fuel. In the past three years, commercial success of hemp food products has grown considerably. Hemp is one of the fastest growing biomasses known, producing up to 25 tonnes of dry matter per hectare per year. Hemp is one of the earliest domesticated plants known. For a crop, hemp is relatively environmentally friendly as it requires few pesticides and no herbicides, saving our soil from pollution.
This roundup of gorgeous hemp products by Hood Lamb, Livity, Sidual, Sativa Bags, Braintree Hats and Heather Heron Handbags show just how far this sustainable plant fiber has come. For more information go to Hemp Industries Association.

cha cha handbags: recycled leather

ChaCha Lifestyle from Toronto Canada, makes handmade and one-off leather handbags, headbands. This new eco-friendly accessories label created by young designer Lori Chalmers', includes woven totes made out of salvaged leather.

happy birthday: eva ziesel turns 103!

World-renowned Hungarian industrial designer Eva Zeisel turned 103 on Friday. Though she is best known for her decorative art ceramics, Zeisel has designed furniture and other housewares. Zeisel's work is in the collections of the MoMa, the MET & the V&A. She was awarded with the National Design Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York in 2005 at the age of 99. She continues to create new works and her repetoire of design is still fresh and very current today thanks to her signature organic shapes. New York magazine named Zeisel as one of nine living Design Revolutionaries back in '07 as well. You can pick up some of her tableware at Unica Home & Crate & Barrel or shop for vintage pieces too. Learn more about her and her work on the Eva Zeisel collectors forum and don't miss her TED talk below!