As you head to the beach or pool this summer, don't forget your sunscreen…and your hat and your sunglasses and your towel and your trashy novel and… and… and… Make it easy on yourself (and the planet) by toting all your beach gear in one of these eco fashion tote bags. As pretty as they are practical, these bags will hold all your beach essentials without weighing you down. We think that's beachy keen!

44 Knots Octopus Bag

You won't need eight arms at the beach when you stash your stuff in this oversized beach bag with the cutest baby blue octopus applique. Made from recycled sailcloth, each of these beach themed bags comes with a pretty silk scarf. If you're not an octopus kind of girl, there are many other options: a crab, peace sign, anchor, sea horse, lobster and more. Available in small ($96), medium ($150) and large ($165) sizes. at www.44knots.com.

By Bonny Osterhage

THE LATEST ECO DESIGN NEWS, FROM RE-EXIST

From an eco design context, the total value chain of a product is a long one. It starts with the raw materials, and continues with the design of the product, its production, the transportation to the end customer, the usage, the recycling, and the consequential consumption. At each stage of this life cycle, energy consumption and the production of hazardous waste are considered and the impact quantified. The "unwanted" output consists of emissions such as heat, waste water, greenhouse gases, process chemicals, even more greenhouse gases during transport and usage, and upon recycling even more chemicals and landfill. Quantifying all the impacts in dollars and cents, and summing it all up results in what is called the "lifecycle cost".

It is obvious that in this case less is more. What can be done? Since the biggest impact, at least with energy using products, is typically to be gained with improved efficiency during operation and standby, a lot of the attention must turn to power supplies and electric motors.

By Alfred Hesener

THE LATEST ECO DESIGN NEWS, FROM RE-EXIST

One of the Seattle area's most prominent companies has announced that its stores will soon become more eco friendly than ever.

Starbucks announced recently that it was adopting new environmental goals for its stores, along with new building styles that will make them fit more with specific regions of the country.

"Ultimately, we hope customers will feel an enhanced sense of community, a deeper connection to our coffee heritage and a greater level of commitment to environmental consciousness," said Arthur Rubinfield of Starbucks.

The company's environmental goals include deriving 50 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2010 and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent during that same time period. Starbucks also hopes to gain LEED certification for new company operated stores by late 2010 while also increasing its recycling of cups and other waste in the coming years.

Two stores in the Seattle area have already been undergoing renovations that feature eco friendly design techniques and materials.


By Washington Energy

THE LATEST ECO DESIGN NEWS, FROM RE-EXIST

Eric Herron with Sixth River architects says, "It's incredibly frightening to try and redesign something that was so great. People have memories from here for years. Myself, I've been here 20 to 30 times watching great shows here."

The venue is currently being designed by Sixth River architects but they'll get a little help from U.T. architecture students through a competition.

Herron says, 'It's something that's a lot more interesting than some of the stuff they work on. You know a music venue, obviously, it's exciting, it's fun. They've probably all been to the Backyard and they have an opportunity to have say in what we build here.'

UT architecture student Emily Teng says, "It's very hands on collaborative. It's not all textbooks. It's making something. Hopefully, it will influence and be built one day."

More than 65 teams of students are competing and walked through both sites. Design entries will not only try to recreate the same "feel" of the old Backyard, but it will also focus on eco friendly initiatives,integrate the natural environment with the end goal to be "the greenest music venue in the world."

Backyard owner, Tim O'Connor says, "What's more important is that we take the environment and take it into consideration with anything we're doing. That's what we're trying to do over there."


By Stephanie Serna

THE LATEST ECO DESIGN NEWS, FROM RE-EXIST

Amber Marie Bently presented her collection of twenty three one of a kind pieces inspired by the mystery and romance of the renowned exhibition, 'Tutankhamen and The Golden Age of the Pharaohs' that opened today at the de Young Museum in San Francisco.

The de Young's Director of Marketing and Communications, Susannah Stringam, invited Ms. Bently to design the collection. 'As one of San Francisco's most unique artisans, Amber was the perfect choice. Not only does her sense of history and extensive travels infuse her work, but like the treasures from the golden age of Egyptian artistry, her work has timeless and enduring qualities.'

Inspired by ancient Egyptian jewelry techniques, Ms. Bently's collection features King Tutankhamen's iconic scarab motif and a silver wire wrapping jewelry technique from the later era of Cleopatra. The necklaces are hand crafted from brown Soo Chow jade, Russian green jade and blue lapis. Each piece is designed to be worn long, below the breast, and features exquisite silver wire wrapping details.

Amber Marie Bently's collection can be found in the Museum's Tut store. For more information and to make purchases, please go to www.kingtut.org. To learn more about Amber Marie Bently, go to www.ambermariebently.com.

THE LATEST ECO DESIGN NEWS, FROM RE-EXIST