From the tranquil kiss of the setting sun to the crouching headlights of a police car behind citizens being forced to the ground and thrown off of the road, we immediately hope for a light at the end of the tunnel for the fishermen who live in the village of Rossport.

After we are introduced to some of the residents and the knack they have for fishing both in water and in sand, the title character is introduced as a plan by the Shell oil company to use Rossport as a gateway for delivering their gas without the consent of Rossport residents. As the plight of the community expands and protests begin, it seems that the police are sympathetic with the other citizens, but are sworn to protect them as the corporate powers of the oil industry wreak their inevitable havoc beyond any protection the local constables can offer.

But eventually, whether for their feelings of ineptitude over not being able to serve and protect or their misunderstanding of who they are supposed to serve and protect, the police begin to resort to violence to make the citizens comply with full corporate freedom. To keep anyone from getting hurt, the residents put an end to their protest and face the difficult task of coming together as a community to find another way to protect their livelihood. Unfortunately, the footage of their meetings does very little to disprove the stereotype of the Irish temper, and progress is slow-going. Nevertheless, the protests resume and locals do what they can to stand together against the corporate interloper.

Because the battle is largely fought with money, there is essentially little the locals can do, as even their neighbors are bought off and turn their backs on the fight. The battle really comes down to one fisherman using his tiny boat to stop a mammoth tanker from laying the pipe in a classic David and Goliath scenario. The shepherd boy takes quite a thrashing in this story, but it appears as if he pulls it off in the end.

For those who find themselves in similar fights in the battle for human rights and dignity over corporate force, The Pipe offers an empathetic look at how long, arduous, and hopeless the fight sometimes feels. Yet it also reminds us that in the end, the fight is always worth it.

The Pipe is now available in the US through TheFilmBuffonDemand.com

Laying The Pipe is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image courtesy of Apple

Steve Jobs, the man that brought Apple back from the grave to become a leader in computers and consumer technology, has passed on. Jobs leaves many legacies and discussions will be had in days, weeks and even years ahead about how much of a technological visionary he really was. The question we ask here is – what about his contributions to green technology?

Apple certainly has had its share of controversy heaped on it by the likes of Greenpeace, which over the years has called out the company for things like the use of coal to fuel data centers and toxic chemicals in its popular products. The company, under Jobs’ leadership, made great strides to address these issues.

Image courtesy of nezabarom (sxc.hu)

In a 2009 interview with BusinessWeek, Jobs addressed the greening of Apple, noting that “the impact of products, not the emissions of factories, is what counts, and that it’s time to focus on a company’s results, not its lofty goals.”

Jobs himself took to the Internet to promote Apple’s greening, posting a lengthy document about his company’s efforts to be greener. Noting that Apple’s stakeholders wanted the company to be a leader in this area, Jobs outlined in detail the steps being taken – or already taken – to green its products. The results of the detailing showed the company to be a leader in the greening of consumer technology.

It is very common today for Apple to post an environmental scorecard of sorts with every new product it debuts, be it the latest Apple iPad or a new MacBook. These scorecards show time and again what green practices are made towards products that, by nature of what makes them up, harbor many non-green elements.

Image courtesy of Leonardini (sxc.hu)

Common choices by Apple under Jobs’ leadership for greening these items included meeting various energy efficiency standards and containing significantly reduced chemicals in the device’s physical aspects.

Apple, as well, also rebooted its e-waste recycling program to make it one of the most consumer friendly in the industry. It has also looked beyond greening its products to the actual footprint of its headquarters, with plans in the work for a new facility described as being ultra-green in nature.

TreeHugger, after Jobs stepped down in late August of this year from his role as Apple’s CEO, made mention of five noteworthy green moments during the Jobs era. it is a good read to see what green legacy he leaves behind. It is noted Apple still has a ways to go before it is the greenest consumer technology products company out there – which is something we concur with as well.

The question now becomes – with Jobs no longer at the helm, will Apple continue his desire for a company that not only puts out great products, but one which strives to make them greener as well?

“The Steve Jobs Legacy on Green Technology” republished with permission from Ecoseed.

Ecoseed is a leading source for global green news, finance, and other resources in delivering green and renewable energy to mainstream business. Ecoseed’s mission is to provide global, complete, innovative, and up to date news, information, resources, and opportunities, catalyst to incorporate environmental awareness and responsibility into lifestyle, and in business practices. This world-wide platform is the place to find the latest and most relevant in-depth news and data covering the entire spectrum of the renewable energy industry and the low-carbon sector.

The Steve Jobs Legacy on Green Technology is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

After reading the back cover, I was ready to sink my teeth into it. But as I started reading the introduction, the author stated that it wasn’t necessarily a book to be read cover to cover, but one that should be savored at a slower pace. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t even have to be read in sequence.

So I have been taking my sweet time, reading each of the 2-3 page chapters as more of a daily devotional. Now having made it through most of the book, I am truly honored to write more about it.

Based on simple wisdoms with echoes of both Eastern and Western philosophies, Seth David Chernoff, a two-time cancer survivor, has written an easily accessible perspective on seeking happiness, connection, and fulfillment for a world often overwhelmed with minutia. The lessons are bite sized, but filled with spiritual nutrition, and it serves as a great precursor to meditational practice.

Touching upon a variety of subjects including time, illness, finance, death, balance, and happiness, Manual for Living: Reality offers an incredible glimpse into a deeper understanding of this thing we call life. It is one of those books that a reader can pull from the shelf, open to an arbitrary page, and find something that speaks to the soul.

Filled with incredible insights, it delivers these morsels of wisdom through simple language, making it extremely user-friendly. Never talking over people’s heads, the book provides grounded philosophical understanding that is guaranteed to change the perspective of anyone who reads it.

Having read quite a few books over the last year, Manual for Living: Reality stands out as the most precious among them. I read it nearly every day and look forward to the follow up Manual for Living: Connection to be released in September. The best thing I can say about the book is that I believe everyone should read it. In this time of great societal transformation, Manual for Living truly is a wonderful user’s guide for how we maneuver through these changes to create the world we are longing for.

Steve

Steve McAllister describes himself as a Renaissance Man. An author, filmmaker, songwriter, and perpetual artistic experimenter, he has recently re-released his second book The Rucksack Letters into paperback to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the journey. A journey of ink and soul, the book recounts his year and a half trek through 26 states, exploring the underbelly of America in order to better know himself. A pivotal first step for a generation in search of a new direction, The Rucksack Letters is available now. His latest book is How to Survive an Estralarian Mind Meld. Connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube.

A New User’s Guide to the Meaning of Life is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Indigenous Designs has been living the green dream far before it was fashionable. It came natural to owner Scott Leonard and Matt Reynolds back in the early 1990′s when Indigenous was created. Buzz words like Fair Trade and Organic were a natural evolution of business in the late 20th century. Today we must work together to find solutions to survive and sustain ourselves. “Voting With Your Dollars”, is something we all can do in our everyday life. We have control and we can create a more sane and just destiny for all.

Indigenous Designs fair trade and organic fashions as seen in Nordstrom, spas and resorts, now launching in London.

Modern Hippie Mag is proud to support Indigenous Designs.

Voting with Your Dollars – Indigenous Designs is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Another Oregonian couple is exhibiting that pioneer spirit, blazing a new trail in the hopes that thousands will follow. Richard and Pauline Mather became the first residential Salem Electric customers to install a solar system in their home.

Solar Oregon, a non-profit organization that provides public education and community outreach to encourage Oregonians to choose home solar, were pleased to make the Mathers “Solar Ambassadors.” Richard and Pauline were just as pleased to share their reasons for going solar and what it’s like living on power from the sun.

For the Mathers, going solar was a logical next step. Both are 75 years old and have always tried to do everything they can to conserve resources. Their yard has no lawn. Their property is landscaped completely with rock gardens and drought-resistant plants. They have owned four different hybrid vehicles over the years. Their newest car is the all-electric, quiet-as-a-whisper Nissan LEAF.

“It’s kind of how we were raised,” Pauline explained simply.

Fourteen solar panels grace the roof of the Mathers’ West Salem home, saving the couple $20 to $40 a month on electricity. The system cost $23,800, according to Kim Berhorst of National Solar, the company through which the Mathers purchased the system.The Mathers, however, aren’t in it for the money. “I wasn’t looking at the return on investment, the age we’re at,” Richard said.

Instead, the couple’s mission is to set an example for people to follow. In fact, the Mathers hosted a solar party to introduce others to the technology, inviting representatives from National Solar to the affair, as well as staff from the McMinnville car dealership where they purchased their LEAF.

“They were definitely pioneers,” Berhorst said of the couple, and indeed, it does appear as if thousands are following the solar trail. According to a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), with a 67% growth last year, solar power is the fastest-growing energy sector in the United States.

Aided by declining costs in technology and federal tax credit incentive programs, the market share for solar power rose from $3.6 billion in 2009 to $6 billion in 2010. The federal tax credits, originally marked to expire at the end of 2010, have been extended through 2011.

Richard and Pauline Mathers are excited to be a part of it all. Pauline sums it up best: “It keeps us young.”

Brittany Mauriss is an editor and solar expert at GreenMarketing.TV, the green entrepreneur’s source for start-up ideas and interviews with the industry’s top thinkers. She also specializes in solar financing and blogs over at EntrepreneursforaChange.com.

Oregon Couple Blazes the Solar Trail is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Cause Haun and her husband Gang Chen are the founders of See Kai Run®, a children’s footwear company focused on offering

See Kai Run

both style and healthy comfort. After the birth of their first son, Kai, for whom the company is named, Cause became frustrated by what was available and was motivated to be a pioneer in the industry, developing kids’ shoes that were not only “fun and sophisticated” but also uncompromising in safety and support for little ones’ developing feet. Thus, in 2004, See Kai Run® was born, starting at small boutiques in the Seattle area to great acclaim and growing at an impressive rate. The shoes can now be found across the country and even the world, including in countries such as China, Israel, and New Zealand. Each of their shoe designs has received the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance, and the company now has three categories of footwear, addressing the needs of different ages: Smaller (0 to 24 months), See Kai Run (6 months to 3 years), and a new line, Kai (2 to 6 years), coming August of this year.

Here’s what one tester mom had to say:

“My son has pretty much only worn Smaller and See Kai Run shoes. The shoes really hit the mark… He seems to be so comfortable in them, and the styles are so unique without being over the top. I think my husband wishes they made dad versions! J I’m psyched to hear that they’re expanding to the bigger kid shoes so I can keep my little guy looking stylish and feeling comfy as he starts school in a couple of years!”

Here’s what Cause had to say to Modern Hippie Mag about the company, its charities, the shoes, and how See Kai Run® fits the modern hippie mentality…

What did you do before starting See Kai Run?

I have a degree in International Business and spent most of my career working with non-profit educational foundations to bring international exchange students to host families in the U.S.

How did you go about launching the company?

It was a small project at the beginning.  I had the idea to sell these great shoes to local boutiques and consignment stores in Seattle. It literally exploded across the country within months, and I thank my lucky stars every day!

What’s involved in creating shoes that look good, are made well, and are good for kids’ feet?

Ensuring they are good for kids’ feet has been figured out. Our shoe shapes are wide enough to allow the toes to fully spread out. The soles are made in a way that allows the most flexibility while protecting feet from the elements. The choice of leather uppers with leather lining makes the shoes breathable for those sweaty little feet. We make sure the collars and tongues are padded to prevent any red spots or “break-in period.” There should never be a break-in period needed for shoes!

I also believe we’ve done a very good job ensuring our shoes are made well. They have a hand-crafted quality to them, and our quality assurance program is quite rigorous. Because of that we have a very low defective rate and completely stand behind our product.

The most fun part is creating a shoe that looks “good.” I do my best to design shoes that I would want to see on the shelf and buy for my children. Part of the reason I took a chance in starting See Kai Run was that I did not see a lot of footwear on the market that appealed to me. I try to create unusual color combinations and styles to offer another choice to parents!

What are the materials used in the shoes?

We use a combination of different types of all-natural leather for the uppers and for the lining. We ensure that the meet all of the non-toxicity requirements in the U.S. and in all parts of the world, including the more stringent EU standards.

What is required to become approved by the APMA?

A lot! From their website: “The APMA Seal of Acceptance Program recognizes products which have been found beneficial to foot health and of significant value when used in a consistently applied program of daily foot care and regular professional treatment. The Seal is awarded to a product after the Committee on Podiatric Seals, a standing committee of the APMA, scientifically evaluates and determines whether the product allows normal foot function and promotes quality foot health. Additionally, evidence of usefulness and safety must be established, either by an appropriately recognized laboratory or clinical investigation, or by the product’s meeting certain physical standards applicable to materials, footwear, insoles, hosiery, equipment, or pharmaceuticals. Companies must provide research documentation, information on intended use, patents, composition, and evidence of quality control procedures for each product. A detailed scientific evaluation is conducted by each committee member on every product. The committee then sends its recommendation to the APMA Board of Trustees, which has the authorization to either accept or reject the recommendation.”

Your Smaller, soft-soled line ends at 24 months, and the See Kai Run, harder-soled line starts at 6-9 months. Why the overlap here? What do you recommend for parents when they’re looking to buy either from the Smaller or See Kai Run lines for a 6- to 24-month old?

The choice between Smaller and See Kai Run is really about the function required by your little walker or pre-walker. If your little one had not learned to walk well or is just getting started walking, Smaller is the best choice. It provides the most flexibility while those muscles are still developing. The rubber sole runs throughout the length of the shoe, with two pads poking through the suede to provide traction. The Smaller sole provides enough protection for light outdoor use. You would want to choose the See Kai Run line when your little one is spending a lot of time walking or running outdoors.

What has your charitable involvement been like?  I know you donate to Soles4Souls – How did you select Soles4Souls as one of the charities you participate in?

When I heard about Soles4Souls, I thought it was a perfect fit (no pun intended)! It is an awesome organization that started with a real, tangible need. There are 300 million children in the world who have never owned a pair of shoes. And it’s really not about comfort – it’s a matter of preventing injury and disease. Children in some parts of the world must walk through very dangerous environments.

Soles4Souls was started by a former footwear executive who knew about all the waste in the footwear industry: overstock, samples, getting put in landfills! He has grown this organization that collects unwanted footwear, both new and used, and delivers it to people who can use it. See Kai Run has donated thousands of pairs over the years, starting over four years ago. Give them your unwanted shoes (www.soles4souls.org)! J They will be put to good use!

We also donate to local organizations. One in particular speaks to me: Westside Baby (www.westsidebaby.org). They work with social service agencies around King County (where Seattle is) and collect new and used clothing and gear for children who need them. Another big focus for them is collecting diapers for babies. Fortunately, our government-assistance programs help with food for children, but unfortunately, not with the necessity of diapers. You can imagine what that would do for a struggling family to not be able to have diapers. It has a ripple effect on the family’s entire well-being.

How does See Kai Run embody the “modern hippie” way of thinking?

That’s a great question. Well, most obviously, we want to create footwear that is appealing to individuals unsatisfied with the status quo of children’s footwear, i.e., offering more sophisticated and unusual designs than what is widely available. I try to push the envelope a bit each season. We have created a great company environment – a small group of committed employees that are excited by what they do. I believe we’ve fostered this environment by encouraging our employees to truly be themselves. We’ve allowed our employees to bring their babies to work for up to one year, and that has also fostered an environment of humanity and spontaneity. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when there is a baby in your midst! And our company donates at least five percent of our profits to charities helping children.

Lastly, what do Kai and Ocean (Cause’s children) say about the shoes?  Do they have any input in the new designs?

They’ve always been around shoes. Whenever I make a comment about two colors looking nice together, Kai’s retort is, “Why don’t you make a shoe with those colors?” And Ocean is currently learning his way around Photoshop “designing” shoes. It’s fun!

Ellie

Ellie P. Campbell‘s eco-interests range from natural and organic foods to skincare products, clothing and other useful gear. She is a freelance photographer, editor, writer and graphic designer. Find her beautiful photography at www.elliepcampbellphotography.com. 

Modern Hippie of the Month: Cause Haun of See Kai Run is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Three years ago, our weekly food bill was $75 a week. In 2011, it jumped to $130 a week. Yes, food prices have gone up, but how can we justify spending over $200 more on groceries every month? Where was our money going? Why were we putting it there, and what were we getting back in return?

We began paying attention to food packaging labels, and were horrified to see that our trusty Great Value brand frozen peas were from Guatemala, our milk was from China, our packaged bread had an ingredient list that took half the package, our juice was made of high fructose corn syrup, the beans from Hanover (a company in Pennsylvania) were from Canada. Seriously, what is BPA doing in our canned foods, MSG in seasonings, and salmonella in our meats? It’s very chilling to know that all this is packaged up nice and pretty at our fingertips. How much of our health do we have to sacrifice for cheap food? We started to picture food shopping like navigating a mine field; looking for the smart foods in a sea of toxins with any mis-step having consequences.

Our emergence from the consumer fog caused us to ask four fundamental questions that we should have been asking all along:

• Where was the product made?
• What is it made out of?
• How was it made?
• What was the cost of making it?

Our rural community is filled with farms and farmers who work hard to produce delicious fruits, vegetables, grass-fed meats, natural milks and cheeses. We have Amish in our neighborhood who produce raw milk, homemade Kombucha tea, and honey made from bees they raise. We know this because instead of going to Walmart every week, we started shopping at the farmer’s market. We chatted with some of the dedicated farmers who show up every week and share their nutritious bounty because it is their livelihood, this is what they love to do, this is how they provide for their family and support the farm. If “only 2% of Americans are farmers in the U.S. today”, why shouldn’t we support our own or at least try to create it ourselves?

new farm

In March, began our own Mindful Shopping Mission beginning with planting our own 20 x 20 organic garden, our first one ever. It now produces a dozen or so zucchini and squashes every week, lettuce, broccoli, beets, onions, peas, beans, and any day now, tomatoes. Every night before dinner, we go down to the garden and pick what’s available and our harvest becomes our dinner, and then lunch the next day, sometimes even breakfast. We truly feel that it is the wisest investment we have made, and we are reaping the rewards of nutritious, free food. The investment to start and maintain a garden is small, and the beneficial effects on the mind, body and spirit are priceless.

It has only been two weeks since we began our Mindful Shopping Mission, and with the added benefit of having our own garden providing some produce, we were so surprised to only have spent $80 for a delicious, organic, local food without setting foot in Walmart! Who would have thought that shopping at a discount big box store would cost us more money?

We can’t wait to share lots more about what’s happening now: our path towards preservation and away from consumption, and the tricks we’ve learned about how to spend less on organic and local foods!

In the meantime check out these helpful resources:

• find a farmer’s market near you: http://www.localharvest.org/
• learn about going local: http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/eatlocal/
• plant your own organic garden to supplement your food supply through this fall and winter:
• http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8001.html
• http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/Fall-Gardening-Best-Fall-Garden.aspx

Credit:  http://www.americanfarmmovie.com/

Emily

Emily Wenda is a 27 year old, college grad, married, formerly lived in the suburbs but fled the nest to the rural countryside and bought a small house on 7 acres in an unfamiliar, yet beautiful area. With no knowledge of how to live on a farm, let alone never seeing an Amish person before, my husband and I have spent the last two years learning about nature, farming, and issues affecting rural communities. As a profession, I am an independent artist working with collected objects to reduce my carbon footprint.  Read more about Emily’s journey towards preservation at http://smallandsustainable.tumblr.com/.

A Mindful Shopping Mission is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Amanda

I always get totally giddy when asked to collaborate on these types of articles. Naturally a few days were spent tossing around what I would share with you as “my must have for summer”, I went down the list: Bug Spray, Hats, Sunglasses… I took a few moments to go down the list of summer activities and then it hit me! What goes with us, EVERYWHERE and is often on my bedside table at night? What do we buy by the case and is our go to in sickness and in health?  Coco H2o!!

Summer is the time to enjoy water, food, and fun OUTDOORS. Inevitably it’s also the time for massive amounts of heat and sweat that can leave even the most self aware person in a bit of a sluggish state. Signs of dehydration can include: loss of sweat, heart palpitations, and vomiting (Totally a party foul at the 4th of July BBQ) and can sneak up on you fast. It’s particularly easy for little ones to get dehydrated due to their little bodies working supremely hard to regulate their body’s temperature. With all the sketchiness surrounding bottled water, why not choose Coconut instead? An excellent source of potassium ( an essential electrolyte that keeps the cramps away) an average 8oz. serving of Coco H20 contains a whopping 294 milligrams!

Low in sugar=(contains only naturally occurring sugars) completely kid friendly. 99% Fat Free= Mommy approved, Organic hydration a’la Mother Earth.

Jerah

I like my smoothies with mango, my coffee with cream, my jeans skinny and my jewelry natural. The most unusual summer fun jewelry is coming out of South America. The colors are brilliant, the weight light, the designs vogue, and the price affordable. My sustainable summer pick for jewelry is the Palma Collection, bringing you exotic handcrafted pieces, each made unique from a rare palm tree nut only found in the tropical rain forests along the South American coastline.

The nut, known as Tagua, a 200 year old ivory, is used to make buttons, necklaces, sculptures, and chess pieces. Also called the “vegetable ivory” of South America, similar in nature to animal ivory, for its texture and cream color but smoother, harder and more manageable to carve. Harvested after it falls off the palm tree with brilliant colors infused with non-toxic dyes, makes this entire process environmentally friendly (click to watch video). Interestingly enough, Tagua was a major commodity of luxury and utility items in the global marketplace spanning over three continents until plastics came along.

Tagua is known to bring happiness, prosperity, love and abundance. The Palma Collection has designed an array of beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces to choose from including vegan friendly necklaces, adjustable straps, chokers, dangling collars and plunging necklines. Don’t be afraid of color this summer, and pick up a necklace with a matching pair of earrings and a bracelet from Palma Collection. Kudos to Palma for giving 5% of gross sales to causes that support preserving Mother Earth and fighting cancer.

Palma Collection - Tefani Earrings, Hozwayama Necklace, Arrayan bracelet

My 3 picks are an un-dyed Hozwayama necklace, a yellow pair of laser-cut Tefani earrings and a black and white zebra striped stretchy Arrayan bracelet. What’s yours?

Shayna

While there is a lot of information out there (most of it conflicting) about the risks and benefits of using an SPF, there’s one thing that is certain: if you’re out in the sun for long enough without one, you’re gonna get burned. So what’s the safest way to keep you and your family protected from the sun’s damaging UV rays this summer without putting your health at risk in other ways? The answer is a 100% natural sunscreen that uses minerals (zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide) to protect skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays along with naturally protective plant oils and anti-oxidant rich botanicals.

My pick for the past few years has been Badger Balm’s award-winning SPF30 Sunscreen and it isn’t changing. Using only NON-nano zinc oxide in a base of certified organic oils, this SPF is fantastic! The mineral Zinc reflects and scatters UV rays to prevent burning and sun damage. The organic extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, jojoba oil, cocoa butter and shea butter protect skin, enhancing its lipid barrier and preventing water loss without clogging pores while the nutrient-rich and reparative vitamin E and Seabuckthorn prevents and repairs damage. It’s also super concentrated and water resistant (after an hour in the ocean, the water was still beading off my skin where I had applied it) and it starts working immediately upon application (no need to wait 20 minutes like with chemical SPFs). After a day at the beach, my skin is still soft, moisturized and burn-free.

It’s available in a completely unscented version, lavender, a chamomile and calendula baby formulation, and an essential oil-based anti-bug formulation .And at under twenty bucks, it’s one of the most reasonably priced organic sunscreens available. The only caveat, being non-nano, it does leave a slight “sheen” if you have darker, more tanned skin; on the flip side though, you’ll know if you missed a spot!

Jaszy

Personally, for me summer means VACATION and getting away from my normal routine…even if for only a weekend at a time. Why not carry your summer essentials in fab eco-fashion style?!

Check out the Canopy Verde Cassia Weekender bag ($199.00) made of organic cotton and bamboo blend fabric. CanopyVerde designer, Linda Wong, is committed to ensuring that her designs are of the greenest handbag collection by examining every aspect of production down to the last detail. Everything from the lining to the stitching was taken in to consideration. The organic cotton used is dyed with special OEKO-TEX 100 Certified Dying Process. They are then finished with chemical-free embroidery, chrome-free leather and wooden hardware.

I love that the designs are light to carry with a simple aesthetic. The Cassia Weekender features an opening similar to the doctor’s bags of days old, making it easy to stay open for loading your digs.

Canopy Verde also has a collection of clutches in bright summer hues like coral and plum!

My ultimate summer must-have is a travel size version of my most favoritest board game ever…Scrabble!!! I love words and I love strategizing, which is why I LOVE this game…I always go for the triple word scores! I have fond childhood memories of playing game after game of Scrabble with my family, especially during summer vacation from school.

The travel size version of Scrabble makes it so easy for you to take it on the road…in the car, to the park, on a flight even! The cute board folds in half with storage inside for the game parts. The letter pieces snap in place on the board so there’s no worry your game will be disrupted by potholes or turbulence. And comes with a nifty zippered travel case.  I love it!

In honor of my favorite summer past-time and all our facebook fans who love it too…we’re giving away one travel-size Scrabble game to one lucky Modern Hippie Mag reader!

Here’s what you gotta do…

1. Leave a comment here telling us what your family summer plans are.
2. Like Modern Hippie Mag on Facebook.
3. Follow Modern Hippie Mag on Twitter.
4. Tweet this: {Giveaway} Playin’ Summer Fun with Modern Hippie Mag http://ow.ly/5oKdl #mhmfun (Tweet often but don’t forget to add #mhmfun to your tweet so that we can keep track!)
5. Subscribe to Your Weekly Vibe to know if you’ve won!

For additional entries, chat us up!

• Blog about this giveaway and link to this post.
• Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall.
• Add Modern Hippie Mag to your Blog Roll or Featured Blogs list.

(Remember to leave a separate comment for each requirement for more chances to win!)

More details:

• Open to U.S. entrants only.
• Recipients chosen at random using Random.org.
• Won something in the last thirty days?  Last month’s winners are ineligible for this giveaway.
• Giveaway ends 12 noon EST, on Friday, July 8, 2011.
• Be sure to subscribe to Your Weekly Vibe to know if you’ve won!

5 MUST-HAVE’s for Summer! is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

One company is doing something to reverse this alarming trend.  uSell (www.uSell.com) is the leading cash commerce platform that lets consumers turn their old cell phones into cash.

Based on EPA estimates, over a billion wireless phones are gathering dust in households across the U.S. and will likely end up in landfills, rather than being reused or recycled. uSell recognizes the value of these electronic devices and lets consumers turn their unwanted cell phones into cash.

Doug Feirstein

To date, uSell has reused or recycled more than 60,000 phones, keeping them out of landfills and helping consumers reduce carbon footprints and earn extra cash in a sustainable way. Just think, if Americans recycled the approximately 130 million cell phones that are tossed annually, they’d save enough energy to power more than 24,000 homes in a year.

I had an opportunity to chat with founder and CEO, Doug Feirstein to learn more about his company and his efforts to save our landfills from unwanted electronics.  Listen…

Ep 70 Chattin’ with Doug Feirstein – uSell.com is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Love Is the New Currency invites you on a journey to:

• MEET people who are shifting their thoughts and actions to create a world where the currency of love has a greater, more enduring value than metal or paper.
• WITNESS how everyday people are changing lives through ordinary and extraordinary acts of love and kindness.
• DISCOVER 111 simple ways that others are making a positive difference: ideas that will incite and inspire you to create your own currency of love.

Love is the New Currency is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag