Anyway, here we are Monday it is and Flaunt It we will go! Today it’s a company called Way Basics. I thought this was such a unique product I was very interested in checking it out and letting you know about them.  Their zboards are made out of post consumer paper and are completely recyclable. They are also water resistant and don’t off-gas.  The boards can come in pre-fab kits or you can use your imagination and build your own design.  There are no tools needed to put these together they have strong adhesive strips and you simply stick them together.

A little about the company’s additional sustainability efforts (from the site):

We’re founding members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, a coalition united to promote environmentally healthy practices in the industry, and to help consumers identify good furniture choices. We are also proud to announce that for 2008, Way Basics went zero via the Conservation Fund’s “Go Zero Program.” This means that we offset our company carbon emissions by planting trees at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge! To learn more visit the Conservation Fund.

I was sent a sample of the pink cube for review. This cube was so easy to assemble and the boards are light but very solid feeling.  The girls got this sample due to the color it has been stuffed with toys and books and they really like it.  Unfortunately, the other day I think one of them my have jumped off the bed and straight on it. It took a beating.  It is still holding together, but the backing tore and stuck to the tape.

You can get them in different colors, wood grain or unfinished to decorate as you wish. These products are a very affordable and sustainable way to furnish your rooms. Just don’t let your kids mistake them for a trampoline!

WayBasics is offering all of my readers a 10% discount to try their products. Use coupon code WBEOG10 during check out. One of my readers will also win a $20 Coupon code to use towards a Way Basics purchase.

• Visit Way Basics, let me know what you would buy or build from their product.
• Follow Way Basics on Twitter and comment with your Twitter name.
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.
• Tweet this giveaway
• Stumble this giveaway
• Use other forms of social networking to spread the word about this giveaway.
• Subscribe to my feed to stay up to date with the latest from Eco-Office Gals.
• Buy anything from Way Basics (don’t forget to use your coupon code) and comment 5 times that you did! (I will confirm)

One winner will be chosen on Wednesday 7/1/09. Please don’t forget to leave a separate entry and any entries that show obvious laziness i.e. a simple “Thanks for the great giveaway” will not be published therefore not counted. It’s just not fair for the people that do know how to follow simple directions. US residents only. Thanks!

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Flaunt It! Monday: Way Basics

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

EcoStore USA Video Submission

The Green Crusaders

I was given the opportunity to review The Green Path Comany’s PDF version of the first in a series of The Green Crusaders: The Filaments see the Light.

The Green Crusaders are a group of Eco-superheroes who are dedicated to teaching families about simple ways to lead more earth-friendly lives. Our series of short stories, written for children ages 5 – 10 years of age, centers around Recycle Mycle, Hydro Hannah and Kilowatt Karlos and their sidekicks Plastic Mastiff and Eco-Ally.

Since my 6 year old spent the night at Grandma’s last night and my 4 year old is still crashed out, I read thru this book by myself as I sipped my morning coffee.  The Filaments are an unknowingly wasteful family, but with the help of the Green Crusaders they are put on a greener path.  It was a fun quick read, almost storyboard in fashion, I could totally see this being made into a Saturday morning cartoon! Actually better yet a series of commercials geared towards kids.  Oh I’ll hush what do I know of writing books, cartoons or commercials?  As you can see from the sample I pulled the illustrations are absolutely amazing, too!!

The last pages also include a pledge sheet, a checklist, and a fact sheet for kids to commit to going green.  The book is available on CD for viewing on your computer or printing. I am not sure of the CD format, but the standard .pdf format I received was typical scroll thru which is not so kid friendly, IMO.  I would love to see this presented in an e-publication, flip book fashion.

If you’re looking for a green weekend activity for the kids grab up this CD!

$500 from EcoStore USA: Clean and Simple!

EcoStoreUSA is giving away a $500 Gift Card just for using their Lemon Cream Cleanser! Grab some of this awesome cleaner, with no nasty chemicals and a video camera.  Just 30 seconds of cleaning and creativity can land a $500 Visa gift card in your hot little hands… now that’s my kind of cleaning!

Check out all the details on Ecostore USA’s Blog. May as well go over to their Facebook Fan Page and become a fan now, since that’s where you will post your video. Besides, they’re always doing exclusive giveaways for their Fans, so that’s double incentive!

Now, anyone have a video camera I can borrow? Have a great weekend!!

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Green Up your weekend: Book Review & $500 giveaway

An analogy for you: I had an ex-boyfriend that would order steaks from Denny’s and then complain every time about how terrible their steaks were.  If you want a good steak don’t go to Denny’s, go to a steakhouse. Go to Denny’s if you want a yum breakfast or piece of pie at 3 am. Likewise don’t hit up a steakhouse if you’re looking for fast food…. get my drift.

Your Virtual Assistant should have a specialty or a niche as the VA industry has seen fit to call it.  That one area they have become the “go-to-gal/guy“.   When I connected with Cristina Favreau on Twitter and saw her bio “I help VAs find their marketing voice, define their niche, get clients! Master at brainstorming.” I knew she was a sure follow.  She not only got the concept “If you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one” she had made it her specialty!  If you are a VA still struggling to find your place I recommend you check her out.

So, What about Eco-Office Gals? We are a Green Virtual Assistant Service. We strive to not only to provide your small business with administrative needs, but we are always looking for the best ways to make us all a little greener. We try to give your small business eco-alternatives to everyday administrative needs. We encourage electronic communications, e-signed contracts, and other earth friendly alternatives. Above all we are paperless. The best you will get out of us print-wise is designing a business card to print in a responsible manner.  We will create a blogsite, an e-newsletter or other e-publications, draft an email or design web advertising for you. If you need letters drafted, hard copy publications, fliers etc. Eco-Office Gals is not a good fit for your Virtual Assistant needs.

Do you have to be a green company to work with Eco-Office Gals?  Not exactly.  However, if your company has no desire to move in a sustainable direction chances are we will not make a good fit from the start and our partnership will be short lived.

So, while you do want your Virtual Assistant to “know it all”… don’t expect to find one that is willing to do it all. If you want a steak cooked to perfection… find good steakhouse.

Grow Green,

Jen

Image courtesy of Dallas Steakhouse Restuarant

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Don’t Pick A Virtual Assistant that “Does It All”

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Repower America

When looking thru her site I knew I had to check out this set of drink coasters:

This product is made of recycled magazines. The paper is first cut and then folded into long strips which are soaked in glue and dried. Once dry it is hand coiled, piece by piece until the desired shape is completed. 3″x3″.

This line was so intriguing to me since it really closed the loop on reduce, recycle, reuse.  The package arrived in a timely fashion and the coasters were so cool and a great conversation piece. The only downside to the coaster that I found was you can’t use them for a sweaty drink.  The glue that holds the strips together does get gummy.  I definately need to put my thoughts together and figure out what I could use to give these some sort of clear coating (like an apoxy minus the death by fumes… any thoughts?).

Above all Darcy has followed my business goal, figure out what you love to do and do well, and grow your business green! I love that!

Darcy is giving one of my readers a $25.00 gift certificate to Gretchen & Grace additionally ALL of my readers can use coupon code EcoOfficeGals until 07/15/09 for 25% off their purchase! So, go do as many of the below as you wish and leave a separate comment for each one. Good Luck!!

• Visit Gretchen & Grace let us know what you would love to try.
• Visit Gretchen & Grace, subscribe to their newsletter and comment here that you did.
• Follow Gretchen & Grace on Twitter and comment with your Twitter name.
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.
• Tweet this giveaway
• Stumble this giveaway
• Use other forms of social networking to spread the word about this giveaway.
• Subscribe to my feed to stay up to date with the latest from Eco-Office Gals.
• Buy anything from Gretchen & Grace (don’t forget to use your coupon code) and comment 5 times that you did! (I will confirm)

One winner will be chosen on Wednesday 6/17/09. Please don’t forget to leave a separate entry and any entries that show obvious laziness i.e. a simple “Thanks for the great giveaway” will not be published therefore not counted. It’s just not fair for the people that do know how to follow simple directions. US residents only. Thanks!

Here are your random numbers:

94

Timestamp: 2009-06-18 12:53:48 UTC

Congrats Kathy Pease! Headed over to give you a shout now!

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Flaunt It! Monday: Gretchen & Grace

The Green Office is giving away some office supplies. Just become a fan on Facebook and comment on their wall.  That’s it, once a week they will pick a winner. Check out details.

How about a HUGE discount on green business cards? I recently connected with PrintingForLess.  They really cover the spectrum of being green if you have to print.  Their standard is to use FSC certified paper, non-toxic ink, wind-powered facilities and more.  For first time clients I can also offer my readers a $25 Off your first order!  Use my referral code RP1D6SEJM and $25 dollars will get knocked off your first order!

I was recently introduced to a new company O’Bon and I am drooling to try a few of their products.  Recycled newspaper pencils, sugarcane paper and more.  You can request to review a product, enter to win or for more immediate gratification they have some great low cost specials.

I have to mention my tried and true favorite, Echosign.  Paperless, e-sign contracts that are SO easy to use. Don’t have too many contracts each month? They offer 5 per month for free.  If that doesn’t cut it you can go unlimited for as low as $14.95 per month.

I couldn’t close this up without offering Eco-Office Gals own green web hosting.  Starting with plans as low as $9.99 per month you can feel good knowing your site is being hosted with 130% wind powered hosting.

So, go ahead and make a few baby steps to grow your small business green without hurting your green.  Every step counts!

Image credit TheCubeKing Blog

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Green-Up Your Office For Free or Cheap!

Wendy and Jane’s goal at Organica Deluxe is to provide their customers with gorgeous and green, and they really hit the mark.  With gifts for all occasions you can buy for your family and friends knowing they will be impressed. Their site is beautiful with vibrant images to get your creative juices flowing. It’s easy to navigate and you can browse by occasion, price, recipient or item.

I really loved their delivery presentation. The beautiful aqua blue box was a welcome change from the mainstream brown cardboard most items are packages in.  Everything came in one package – no boxes within boxes, they use cornstarch packaging peanuts, FSC certified paper for their mini-catalogs and more.

Ok, lets dig in.  Jane and Wendy sent a few nibbles from their collection for me to try for Flaunt It! Monday.  The package included Barra Chardonnay, Hand Dipped Salt Caramels and Organica Ginger Cookies. This was my first shot trying organic wine, I can’t say I loved it, but my husband and mother-in-law did enjoy it, so it may have just not been my cup of tea glass of  wine.  The caramels were very nice and smooth and the salt on top was an interesting change.  Saving the best for last … OMG the Organica Ginger Cookies were SO AMAZING! They were super spicy and soft. I could have eaten them all in one shot, but I saved one for morning and was so mad when I got home to find our puppy got his grubby paws on it and wiped me out!  This was a very nice treat to review and had I received it as a gift, I would have definitely been impressed.

Want a chance to win a Father’s Day Treats for Dad Package?  For that one day or any day, this collection of premium treats will satisfy all his cravings. Award winning cookies, whole roasted cashews, lots of yummy chocolate and a fabulous bottle of red – good for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night. Great for the office too!?  Do as many of the below as you wish and leave a separate comment for each one.

• Visit Organica Deluxe let us know what you would love to try.
• Visit Organica Deluxe, subscribe to their newsletter and comment here that you did.
• Follow Organica Deluxe on Twitter and comment with your Twitter name.
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.
• Tweet this giveaway
• Stumble this giveaway
• Use other forms of social networking to spread the word about this giveaway.
• Subscribe to my feed to stay up to date with the latest from Eco-Office Gals.
• Buy anything from Organica Deluxe and comment 5 times that you did! (I will confirm)

One winner will be chosen on Wednesday 6/10/09. Please don’t forget to leave a separate entry and any entries that show obvious laziness i.e. a simple “Thanks for the great giveaway” will not be published therefore not counted. It’s just not fair for the people that do know how to follow simple directions. US residents only. Thanks!

Here are your random numbers:

43

Timestamp: 2009-06-11 12:13:17 UTC

Congrats! Tracy Lewis

Would love to try the Wine Herb Garden with Red. What a creative idea! Thanks for introducing a great new company to me.

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Flaunt It! Monday: Organica Deluxe

Jen

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Mac Attack

We love candles and that’s why we handpour Scented Soy Candles for our customers to enjoy. 

Unlike ‘regular’ candles, our candles don’t produce toxic fumes when they burn! Yes, ‘regular’ candles produce black soot and fumes.  Our candles are natural & non-toxic!

I enjoyed experiencing this wonderful candle. I was sent the 4oz cinnamon bun. I love spicy scents and it would have been hard for me to choose between the cinnamon bun, apple pie or pumpkin pie. I did not make a scent request for this review, I just mentioned that I was allergic to Jasmine so I was so excited that this is the scent picked for me to review.

The candle really made the house smell amazing – the whole house – not just 2 inches around the lit wick like some candles. The candle burned fairly well.  I realize there are a set of instruction for caring for candles properly, and I’m not always the best at flowing direction, it my have lasted longer if I had done so.

Sally Lee Candles also implement Green policies (from the site):

Sally Lee Candle Co. is trying to be as earth-friendly as possible.  We believe in not “over-packaging” products, re-using boxes/papers etc.  Your order may be delivered in a used box with used newspaper or shredded office papers…but your product will be brand new!  The tins we use are made from 30% recycled materials so please wash them out with hot soapy water when done…and then use again!

We have several other green items we are working on including adding solar panels to our workshop to power our manufacturing process!

Now, that what I love to see… small businesses growing green!

Want a chance to win 2 – 4oz. travel tin candles, your choice of fragrances?  Do as many of the below as you wish and leave a separate comment for each one.

• Visit Sally Lee Candle Co. let us know some of the benefits of Soy wax or a concern about using paraffin wax NOT mentioned in this post.
• Visit Sally Lee Candle Co. and comment here on which product you would love to try
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.
• Tweet this giveaway
• Stumble this giveaway
• Use other forms of social networking to spread the word about this giveaway.
• Subscribe to my feed to stay up to date with the latest from Eco-Office Gals.
• Buy anything from Sally Lee Candle Co.  and comment 5 times that you did! (I will confirm)

One winner will be chosen on Wednesday 6/03/09. Please don’t forget to leave a separate entry and any entries that show obvious laziness i.e. a simple “Thanks for the great giveaway” will not be published therefore not counted. It’s just not fair for the people that do know how to follow simple directions. US residents only. Thanks!

Sorry people better Late then never random number 14 is the winner JoAnn Legano, Congrats!

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Flaunt It! Monday: Sally Lee Candles