FAVORITE ECO-FRIENDLY FINDS: AUGUST EDITION

Starting this August I'm going to begin sharing my five favorite eco-friendly finds of each month. This month I focused on eco-friendly home decor. If there is a product you have been desperately trying to source, leave me a comment below, and I'll see if I can find something to suit your style needs for future posts! 

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HOW TO EAT WITH THE SEASONS

I have been busy out in the garden harvesting all sorts of goodies, so today I wanted to share a list for eating and selecting foods with the seasons. Planning out your garden all year round, and selecting foods from the market that are in season will help you save money, and ensure that you are choosing foods that were grown closer to your home. It takes so much more money and energy to grow, harvest, and transport, a tomato to South Dakota in the middle of February than in late August. I know the winter food list isn't as appetizing as the summer list, but hey that's what canning is for right?

Update: for a great list on foods most contaminated by pesticides, see this post. 

SHIPPING CONTAINER HOMES

Don't forget to enter this weeks giveaway for a $75 gift card to eco boutique, Future Standard. It closes Monday night!

Today, I want to share some great "contained" spaces. You may have noticed this trend taking off in the last five or so years. Shipping containers that are being recycled into very affordable and innovative living spaces. Container architecture is blowing up lately, because its not only budget friendly but very eco friendly as well. These containers are being transformed into very flexible living and work spaces, by large architectural firms and by the everyman.Check out these homes below, some of these interior shots don't look like shipping containers at all.

The interiors of this container were finished the same as most conventional homes, and the exterior is clad in wood, hiding any evidence of it's past life as a container.

The roof on this home is not only beautiful but helps keep the space cool.

Each space in this home has its own little container, and then the central area creates one large great room.

Can you believe that interior shot is a container home? I love the decks and walkways in this Kansas City home.

This one reminds me of Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House

This shipping container home has such a high end look, mixing glass and concrete into the design.

GIVEAWAY: FUTURE STANDARD

I am excited to announce the August Giveaway, and it's right in time for all your back-to-school fashion needs! We are giving one lucky reader a $75 gift certificate to Future Standard. Jessica Althoff is the founder of Future Standard, an online boutique that provides ethical clothing and accessories. I love their motto, "We do not compromise on style and do not think our values should get in the way of looking great."

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Like Style me Green AND Future Standard on Facebook 

2. After you've done these 2 things leave a comment below stating how you would use your gift card, if you don't have a blog or google account please leave an email with your comment, so we can notify you if you're the winner!
FOR AN EXTRA ENTRIES
1.  Follow Style me Green on twitter/pinterest, be sure to leave an additional comment on this post (up to 2 extra entries).

2. Mention this giveaway on twitter/facebook/personal blog, be sure to leave an additional comment on this post (up to 3 extra entries).

3. Pin this giveaway on pinterest, be sure to leave an additional comment on this post (up to 1 extra entry).

The giveaway ends Monday August 27th at 11:59 PM.
One winner will be selected using random.org and will be notified by email!

*Remember you have to comment to be entered, if you don't comment you can't win.

ECO OBSESSION: TRESTLE TABLES

My latest obsession comes in the form of reclaimed dining tables. Especially those with trestle bases. What is a trestle base? The trademark of a trestle table is its horizontal support beam, rested across two vertical legs. The classic traditional trestle has "X" shaped legs, while more modern style tables may just have slab legs or unadorned vertical supports. Don't you love them? Now, we don't have to drive through miles of farm land to find old barn wood to build our furniture. Many chain stores offer reclaimed wooden products, making it easier than ever to adopt a greener way of life. Here are just a few great options you could order from a catalog or online.

Vintage Fir Cross-Beam Table from Viva Terra

Emmerson Table from West Elm

Reclaimed Pin Rectangular Table from Williams-Sonoma

Trestle Salvaged Wood Table from Restoration Hardware

Or if you are more of a DIY kind of person you could put your work gloves on and try out this Farm House Table tutorial from Ana White Homemaker. This project seems to be blowing up, so many people have posted pictures of their completed projects. Some are touting that it only cost them $65.00 (imagine if you had the wood for free!) If you build this you have to send me pictures.