Wrap your groceries in style

Rosie, a.k.a. Rosiane Machabee, is a Montreal designer and artist, concerned about environmental issues. She creates and paints ecological grocery bags, all unique, hand-made and fair trade. Her style is fresh, naive: your mom, sister, and girlfriend will appreciate how thoughtful you are.

Believe me: you will definitely score some brownie points.

Petite Rosie
www.petiterosie.com
www.directionvert.com/rosie.htm

FACEBOOK - HOW TO USE THE $1 GIFTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

On Facebook, you can keep in touch with your friends by: offering them a beer, a flower, a pumpkin pie, or a martini.

On Facebook, for the same dollar, you can keep in touch with your friends by choosing from 1,000 meaningful gifts such as: to free jailed writers, support research on aging, or adopt a dolphin.

Nothing against the martinis. Just buy me a real one.

You can download the application, provided by ChangingThePresent.org, by visiting : www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2551062524

PORTABLE ASHTRAYS

For some very obscure reason, getting rid of a cigarette butt in a graceful gesture, right on the sidewalk, is not considered littering by most people in North American culture.

I was once a smoker, and I was once in Japan, where I was thrilled to show my savoir-faire by throwing my dying cigarette far in the middle of the street. While I was expecting applause and enthusiasm, I only got an horrified look from my fellow smoker friends. Not only smoking is forbidden while walking in Tokyo, but getting rid of a cigarette by throwing it, even in the most expert and graceful way, is considered littering and can result in a 20,000 yen fine.

That is the reason why smokers in Tokyo have the smart habit to carry a portable ashtray, smell and fire proof. No need to go to Japan to buy your own: many online boutiques will be happy to deliver it at your door! Some are ugly, some are trendy. A good way to reduce your environmental impact as a smoker...

Smoking in Tokyo:
www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/basic/basic09.html

Ontario War Against Butts:
www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/05/18/butts-wed.html