NYC · Eco-Chick · Part 13

Browsing all posts tagged with NYC

The Weeping Willow has the Answer

In some ways I am thankful that I no longer have my car since I have been here in NYC. Unfortunately, for those of you who do, as you may have heard oil prices have surged to a record cost at over $75 a barrel . I hope that many were reminded on Earth Day that attention to alternate fuel sources must be raised and executed.

If you didn’t get a chance to see “Too Hot to Handle”, produced by the great Laurie David, I suggest you check out HBO on Demand tomorrow to see what is a great documentary on the causes and effects of Global Warming.

The state of New York along with the State University of New York (SUNY) are currently investing money and research into technology which would produce corn-free ethanol primarily from wood chips from willow trees. The result of this new source of energy is clean and affordable fuel. Currently Governor Pataki is backing the conversion of the old Miller Brewing Plant (which used to provide college students’ beer), into a plant that will now produce non-corn based ethanol. As written in the NYT, the current engineering director is attempting to convert the 420 acre plant into what would be the Northeast’s largest Ethanol production plant.

This is great news for my state. I hope that local government officials will continue to support innovative, affordable, and much-needed solutions such as alternative energy and sustainable production and design methods. As a SUNY alumni from FIT, its makes me glad to see the push for out of the box thinking regarding environmental solutions. I hope to see more of the same types of initiatives very soon.

business, car, corn, design, earth day, Eco-Chick, Energy, Global Warming, local, News, NYC, NYTimes, oil, produce, solutions, spa, style, sustainable, Technology, trees, wood

Nouveau Novo

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by Danelle Brown · 04/23/06

This past Saturday I was meeting a few friends for dinner at a new tucked-away restaurant called Novo on the outskirts of Tribeca/Soho. As we were waiting for the rest of our party, I couldn’t help but notice the finishes and fixtures used in the restaurant’s interior. I asked our waiter if he knew if the restaurant was intentionally designed in an eco-friendly matter. I figured correctly.

The first green flag was the menu printed on recycled paper and then the fact that both the main bar and the open kitchen prep wall was faced with cork tiles. The wallpaper throughout the space is made from hemp, and reclaimed thin brushed metal sheets accent some of the walls. The light fixtures were made from recycled glass and non-bleached paper shades. The over all palette appeared to be neutral crèmes, chocolate browns and petrified woods.

Projectors are used to cast floral graphic images on adjacent screens. This allows for a wide variety of decorative art without have to hang up a new piece of canvas or paper every so often.

Although Novo doesn’t use organic veggies, they do only use local produce and suppliers to create their unique dishes. The overall menu is an eclectic palette of Latin American dishes and drink specials. Being that Novo is still new, they do not yet have their liquor license so its BYO. So although there is no organic wine on the list you’re more than welcome to bring your own and they will even turn it into a fabulous sangria for your table.

I do have to say that the portion size for most of the menu items is fairly small and this is the type of restaurant that you go on a 1^st date because you can share amazing appetizers and not feel ashamed to order what you really want later since it will be a small portion. The food is amazing and an average meal (appetizer & entrée) will run you about $20-$30.

Go There: Novo, 290 Hudson St., New York, NY
Call: 212.989.6410

decor, design, Eco-Chick, Food, hemp, liquor, local, media, NYC, Organic, paper, party, produce, recycle, recycled, restaurant, spa, style, Wine, wood

Is the 3rd the Charm?

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by Danelle Brown · 04/18/06

Tribeca seems to be becoming the little Mecca of eco-friendly living. First there was the remarkable Solaire, then the Tribeca Green, now the new comer in town, The Verdesian, is making its way as the new environmentally advance residential tower of lower Manhattan. Located at the NW corner of Battery City Park at 211 North End Avenue, The Verdesian stands 26-stories tall. This new eco dwelling is jammed packed with amazing features.

24 hours a day the indoor air quality is monitored and as a result 85% of the unknown particles floating around the NYC air are removed, and only the freshest of air enters each unit. With a beefed up HVAC, electrical demands are reduced to 50% of the normal lower peak demand. This definitely cuts back on the utility bills. Not to say that will make it that much more affordable to live at the Verdesian. A typical studio of about 500 Sq.Ft. goes for $2350 a month and a 3 bedroom will cost you $6500. But hey if , if I had the extra green $ I would splurge.

With floor to ceiling windows, an amazing view of Tribeca, and custom solar shades for when we feel a little vampirish on a Saturday morning, why not dive into those pockets of yours a little bit deeper?

If those amenities don’t grab your eco-attention, how about the fact that the pesticide-free green roof garden atop the residence is irrigated using harvested rain water and uses grey water from the toilets? The HVAC units are re-used which cuts the demand from the city’s water supply, and all of the appliances are energy star.

So if your apartment-hunting I would check out The Verdesian before these units are gone.

corn, Eco-Chick, electric, Energy, garden, Manhattan, NYC, oil, reduce, spa, style, water

The New Green Gem

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by Danelle Brown · 04/17/06

Will Esquire, Harper’s BAZAAR, or maybe even O Magazine have the next big talked about “Green” Issues?

This I thought to myself while admiring the NYC skyline from within Central Park on an amazing Saturday afternoon. There was one particular building I was starring at, that made me think that this would be in the works shortly. Why?

The parent company of the above publications, The Hearst Corporation, was the owner of the building that held my focus while I was in the park. Next month, the new Hearst tower is set to open its doors as one of the 1^st “Gold Certified” Green Office Towers in New York City.

Located at 300 West 57^th Street, this immaculate structure designed by reknowned London-based architect Norman Foster, is a true ecosystem in itself. Superior indoor air quality, uber energy efficiency and self-sustainability, formaldehyde-free furniture, and carpet made of 100% recycled content, its architecture and interior design is green design at its best. NYC’s new emerald is sure to be the model form to guide future construction in the “Big Green Apple” and across the country.

I am sure others share my hope that in a few years from now, the New York City Skyline will be regarded as the “Emerald City”, a city filled with “Green” buildings that are not only brilliantly engineered but also aesthetically magnificent like a rare gem. The NYT just wrote on this very concept about green office building’s expansion in the city.

architecture, car, design, Eco-Chick, Energy, fur, Furniture, London, magazine, model, New York City, NYC, NYTimes, recycle, recycled, spa, style, sustainability

Wearing those knees thin in your favorite jeans?

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by Summer Rayne Oakes · 03/24/06

They are our favorite jeans for a reason. They may make our butt look good (a definite pre-requisite for buying them in the first place); they elongate our legs (good for petite women); they just…fit (thank god for a little lycra); or, they’ve been with you since college, bringing home the 4.0s (okay, not touching that one)…

…Recently my very pricey Loomstate jeans managed to get a big fat hole around the knee area. Doesn’t look so bad since the majority of the jean is distressed, but when a hole manages to find itself in a hinged area of your body, it’s just plain annoying. The answer? Don’t throw those pair of jeans away, take them to the doctors at Denim Therapy. Founded by Francine Rabinovich and Karla Schuftan, the two women saw ample opportunity for business in New York City, a city over-populated with $100+ jeans. Anyone would pay to maintain with fractional prices ranging from $21 – $30 and with turnaround time being about 2 weeks. The secret? Jeans are prepped for a fusable fabric that will be embroidered back into the jeans. Voila! Brand new.

If you aren’t in the NYC area, simply ship using fedex (or another trackable method) to

Denim Therapy
c\o schuftan
1182 Broadway, Suite 504
New York, NY 10001

You send it to them, they confirm receipt and cost via e-mail.