I recently read Malcolm Gladwell’s infamous book Blink, and was particularly intrigued by the bit about speed dating and a study that Columbia University did in New York City. The whole basis of Gladwell’s book is that the first impression of a situation or a person- that passage of time that is just a blink- is more insightful and accurate than any other means of accessing someone or something for the first time. Ok, so how that links back into speed dating is that you are only given two minutes to get to know the person sitting across from you and then you switch and have another two minutes with someone else, and so on and so forth.

The interesting part is that the study found that what people say they want or are looking for in a mate is often different to what they actually respond to- especially in first time encounters. Hm, for me that begs the question, “Are we really that good at knowing what we really want?”

It seems to me that a lot of us have decided what our “type” is and what attributes we want our significant other to possess. I am not discounting the past experiences we have had to learn those preferences or to help ‘weed out’ some of the people we know are not right for us. I guess what I am saying is that we still need to hold ourselves open. The next time you interact with someone for the first time and feel something there- it should not be overlooked. Vice versa, if it’s not there, it’s not. This is true for friendships and of course relationships. 

Bottom line: intellectualizing things is fine and dandy, but don’t forget to listen to that internal nudge too.

I know that there is a guy who ceaselessly stands on the corner of Spring and Broadway in NYC blowing bubbles- and that is usually where I get my fix, but there is something so wonderful about being the one behind the bubbles. Do they make eco-bubbles yet?…

(via artpixie)

An artist whose main focus is simplicity, Alena Hennessy celebrates nature in a striped down form. Her work is very recognizable and has also taken an eco turn.

Each piece from the eco-stretched series is hand screen-printed on sturdy woven organic cotton and stretched over wooden bars. Each one measures 14” x 14” with a 1.25” depth. ready to hang- framing not necessary. this is a completely ‘green’ product, even the ink used is earth-friendly and the woven fabric is bought locally in north carolina.

So, if you are doing some sprig remodeling or maybe have your eye out for a gift for Mom- Alena’s eco art might fit the bill perfectly.

(via: Daily Candy)

For all of you out there who have been saying you will buy a hybrid when a sports car company makes one, but the Tesla isn’t making the cut… Lamborghini has ponied up to the task! Set to release in 2015, Lamborghini will produce the new hybrid Gallardo.

The hybrid Gallardo will use a small electric motor for urban traffic.  When the road opens up, however, the full petrol engine will kick in; Lamborghini haven’t decided on a 10- or 12-cylinder engine yet.

You will pay for that horse power- the entry level price is $210,000. If the commercial and technical aspects of the Gallardo do well, Lamborghini is looking at applying the hybrid version to their Murcielago too.

Looks like we have officially entered into the “Luxury Green Movement!”

(via: slashgear)

Designers with an eco-emphasis are producing collections all over the world, and I felt it was time to get a sense for the LA scene. So, I reached out to a handful of designers for an eco-fashion project I am working on (top secret- but details coming soon!) and found them to be just as interesting and lovely as their designs.

Each collection has a sharp art influence balanced with the laid back Cali feel. Popomomo stands for post post modern movement and is the brainchild of eco-designer Lizz Wasserman. The pieces are produced using organic fabrics, including tencel. Wasserman started Curtorial as a less expensive and more free flowing line using dead stock fabrics from LA- some dating all the way back to the 1960’s!

The Battalion is another LA-based eco favorite of mine! The label is mainly produced from organic bamboo fabrics to create a tightly curated collection that retains a bit of fashion fantasy.

Calleen Cordero’s shoes and accessories are made from wood sourced from sustainable forests, leather that is vegetable dyed and metal that is non-processed, so that you could literally plant one of her shoes in the ground and it would biodegrade! Not that you would ever want to- they are so beautiful!

Outfit Deets:

leopard mini dress- Curtorial

tie dye and fringe top- The Battalion

neon fringe necklace- Popomomo

‘Stella’ shoes- Calleen Cordero

‘Trinta’ silver cuff- Calleen Cordero

clutch- Calleen Cordero

In Tinsel Town, not everything is as it seems, but the eco-fabulous designs coming out of LA resonate on both the style and conscious sides and are topping the charts!

The immediacy and the accessibility of the internet never ceases to amaze me- nor do the great minds that brainstorm up the best ways to put it to use. Alas, it was only a matter of time before ‘securitized fund raising’ would come to the fashion industry. 

It feels like a blend between KickStarter- an online site that allows people to submit ideas that they need funding for- and Threadless, the site that allows its community to upload designs that are voted upon to then go into production. One company is set to launch this initiative this fall called Fashion Stake.

Basically, ‘supporters’ of the brand give say $50 to buy into the brand and help with the upstart or raise for that year. In return they receive private showroom sessions, possible designer audiences, access to events such as runway shows, etc. It is like being an angel investor on a small scale with quite a few perks. Not sure if there is a monetary ROI, as the site is not yet fully live- but even if it is all given back in a non-monetized way it seems like a great way to support the brands and designers you believe in and be an active member of their evolution. Brands would be very wise to start developing the platforms to host this kind of engagement.

Changing the world one tweet at a time. Oh how I love it when social media partners with social good! From April 5- 9, Tweet My Smile has teamed up with Thread Social who will donate $1 to the Smile Train- a charity that performs cleft lip and palate surgeries on children in developing countries- for every uploaded smile to the Tweet My Smile site.

A smile is worth a thousand words, and in this case a little money that can go a long way.

This is pretty much the most awesome interview template I have seen. Definitely how it should be done and is inspiring me for my next interview…

[via: meaghano: (via designage: I interviewed todd selby the best way I knew how, and now we’re giving away three of his stellar books. (they even come with stickers, if you’re into that sort of thing.)]

Twestival is a global initiative born out of the inter-webs and desire to use social media for social good. By rallying tweeps around the globe, Twesitival provides a platform for people to come together in their local cities to donate to local charities. This year the theme is Education. 

Partnering with Concern Worldwide, Twestival is seeking to lessen the number of 72 million children who don’t have the opportunity to go to school.

A great cause that knows no boundaries and is gaining popularity. This year there will be an Auction 140 hosted by eBay 140 items by 140 amazing individuals including Imogen Heap, Yuli Ziv, Jamie Oliver and many others to raise funds.

So, now it is your turn to get involved. Go to Twestival.com to see where the nearest Twestival is happening near you. Tweet about it using a #twestival at the end of your tweets and enjoy an event that gives back, is globally active and is an incubator for other people like you! I will be at the Denver Twestival at The Lobby tonight, see you there…? 

Aspen Fashion Week was the place to be last week- with collaborations like the Ralph Lauren and FEED Foundation event exhibiting a limited edition FEED bag. Lauren Bush was there with her founding partner Ellen Gustafson to help raise support and funds for their relief efforts in Haiti. 

Word on the street is that Lauren Bush is launching a clothing line that is organically sourced… Can’t wait for that collection!

(Photos by Riccardo Savi.)