You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Green’ tag.
Hello Be Nice Super Fans!!!
We at Be Nice are sending out some Holiday love and Occupy Wall Street knowledge on this beautiful fall day in New York.
We want all people of the world to know Be Nice is not a part of the 1%. o_o Don’t worry when it does happen we will bring the 99% with us! That’s guaranteed 100% freshness, something Be Nice has been giving their supporters since the start.
If you would like to get involved with Occupy Wall Street or just want some 411, here is their official website, occupywallstreet.org, their Facebook page, and their Twitter page. Knowledge is power.
Just a reminder for those that may not be in the know, each Be Nice shirt is printed with water based ink on Alternative Apparel, super soft, organic cotton shirts. All printing is done by hand in our Brooklyn studio. Each shirt is a one of a kind masterpiece.
Be original with Be Nice.
-Cara
P.S. – Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook to get awesome info faster or follow Be Nice’s super important tweets here. :]
In January of this year I mysteriously started receiving New York magazine. I have no idea where it came from, but 21 issues later, two separate addresses, no gift subscription notice and never one bill, she still arrives in my box a couple times a month. The crazy thing is I don’t think any of my friends would get me a magazine subscription as a gift. I used to go on and on about how they are nothing but a waste of paper and information readily available online.
Here’s the catch, I love this magazine. I love when I unlock my mailbox and it falls out. I love the feel of it, the touch, the articles, photos, events, trivia bits drawn in corners, the smell. I don’t think I ever got that before. People’s love of magazines.
My dilemma, being green is how militant should I be? Here’s what I do know, I may never resubscribe if New York magazine stops coming, but I’ll never cancel it either.
I’m just sayin’.
-Cara
I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 139th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.
Life Cafe in Brooklyn and some bowling in Queens.
-Cara
I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 105th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.
This is Be Nice’s newest design by me entitled, Who Stars. This owl is not only wise, but also a super hero in disguise. Who is the one who stars in the night? Who never takes flight from a fight? That’s right it’s the unknown hero of Be Nice. Stay tuned for more on this story…
Good times.
-Cara
What a great time for Who Stars and Homosapien Friendly to debut in the midst of three gift giving holidays. You’re welcome! Pick yourself up one or two or all of Be Nice organic t-shirts here at ubenice.com. If you’re not sure which Be Nice super fly, organic tee to get your friends why not get them a Be Nice gift card instead?
Since it is “The Season” we would like to offer our super fans a sweet deal on our fresh threads till the 26th of December. Use the promotional code, “Holiday“ for 15% off your “Tis the Season” order!!!
We have also redone some of our more popular shirts’ screens. One example that is already up on the site is Robot Girl aka Fem Bot to some. Robot Girl’s screen has been updated and she is now bigger and more beautiful than ever before. You to can have your very own fantastical, organic cotton, handmade in Manhattan, inspired by my very own marvelous mind, super soft, ONLY $40 t-shirt if you’d like, just click here. Technology can free us and Robot Girl is here to show us the way.
I will keep people updated on the other screens we have redone as we list them on the site. FYI the next re-design is Wind Turbines!
Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook to get the 411 faster or follow Be Nice’s super important tweets here. :]
Spread the love.
-Cara
I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 84th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.
Again, I am doing some self promotion. This is an amazing reprint of Robot Girl and watch out world, she’s bigger and better than ever before. That’s right, I said it. You too can have your very own organic cotton, made in Manhattan by my very own hands, inspired by my very own mind, super soft for only $25 dollars t- shirt. Here’s where you can find her amongst other cute tees.
Rock the robot.
-Cara
I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 57th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.
Today’s photo of the day is an obvious bit of self promotion for Be Nice, my organic cotton, hand printed, unique designs t-shirt business. I printed up two new designs for Be Nice this last weekend. One being Homosapien Friendly, a design by Marine Boudeau, which is today’s picture of the day. The second new addition to Be Nice’s repertoire is Who Stars, a design by me, Cara Reynolds. There are also the two slightly altered-for-the-better tees, Binary Queer and Wind Turbines. To check out all these new additions go to Day 57 – Be Nice.
You may pre-order the new designs if you so desire. :] Please send an e-mail to info[at]ubenice[dot]com for this special promotion before they are released on the site to all. Be Nice shirts are only $25. Send the email and we’ll get the ball rolling on delivering your new, soft, hand printed, organic cotton, super fly tee to you asap.
Much love.
-Cara
Starting tomorrow I am going to see how many days I can go without buying any products “Made in China”. I have been reading all this stuff recently having to do with factories’ labor conditions in China, so I am motivated to do something.
You know I always rant to all my friends or anyone in earshot that they should not support Apple anything with all these Foxconn (a Taiwanese electronics firm that produces the iPhone) suicides (10 workers killed themselves at a factory in Shenzhen, China. An eleventh worker recently died at another factory in northern China. In total, there have been 13 suicides and suicide attempts at Foxconn factories this year). That the suicides have to be linked to working conditions and look I was right. I never have liked iPhones… Macs…iPads…iPods… it’s all junk…marketing for susceptible masses willing to overpay for the product they are purchasing. With cutting all these corners in production costs well you know, Steve Jobs is a billionaire…enough said.
I was also reading about the KYE Factory in China that manufactures Microsoft products. In particular, some interesting discoveries on The National Labor Committee’s web site on how they treat their workers
Workers pay out of their pocket for meals using a meal card. Workers who purchase a meal card for 30 days pay 208 RMB, $30.43, and for 31 days, 216 RMB, or $31.60. Though the food costs seem small enough, it lowers the workers’ take home wage in 2010 from 65 cents an hour, to just 52 cents.
Workers who purchase the monthly food plan are rewarded with two free “treats” each month, usually a piece of fruit or a chicken leg.
Cafeteria management prohibits workers from throwing food out.
[source]
For the approximately 300 people on each floor, there are two public restrooms on either end of the floor, each with ten bathroom stalls; ten sinks with cold water; five cold water spigots where workers can wash their clothes by hand; and three hot water spigots where workers fetch hot water in a small plastic bucket to take a sponge bath. Workers wanting to charge their cell phones have to go to the “electrical charging room” on the first floor of building “F” during the regulated hours.
Dorm lights are automatically shut off at 11 p.m.
In the giant KYE Systems Corp. compound, housing KYE, XYE, JYE, CYE factories, there are six dormitories-two for management and four for workers.
Single workers are not permitted to live in housing outside the factory compound. Even married couples can only opt out of the dorms after six months, and even then they must provide their marriage certificate and their landlord’s ID card and fill out an application. [Source]
Workers are prohibited from talking, listening to music or using the bathroom during working hours. Workers who do not follow the instructions of the foreman will be fined 40 RMB ($7.02), which amounts to the loss of 11 hours’ pay. Workers are strictly prohibited from staying outside the factory compound overnight. Workers who do not return to the factory are fined 200 RMB ($29.26) -more than a worker’s regular weekly pay, and immediately fired. I mean there is tons of stuff. If you want to read the whole article click here.
Crazy thing, this is one of the better factories to work at in China if that give you an idea of the bigger issue. I don’t want to support that. Plus they make so much stuff that is unnecessary for the world and harms people and their environment. I could go on…you know I could, but I won’t.
What I will do is personally take responsibility for me and not consume products made in China. I will make educated purchases and hold myself accountable.
I wonder if this is really going to suck or be much easier than I think it’s going to be. I hope the latter. :D I should shut up as it will be easier than working in the factories in China.
That’s right I said it.
-Cara
I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 33rd of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.
I don’t know the street name, but this place is on a small side street on the way to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. I’ll look next time I walk by it.
Check out the rest, Day 33 – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
Recycle, Reuse.
-Cara
Let’s use this Democracy we are so blessed to have. It will work if you work! Sign this petition that Care2.com hosts, urging the U.S. Senate to pass strong legislation that will lift this $75 “chump change” million dollar cap, and make BP and other multi-billion dollar polluters responsible for the damages their disasters have on our communities, environment and shared resources. Stand up and be counted.
Target: U.S. Senate
Sponsored by: Food and Water Watch
Fishing boats are docked, seafood prices are skyrocketing and oil is still washing up on the shores throughout the Gulf of Mexico. We may not know the full impact of the BP oil rig explosion, yet one thing is clear: the oil spill is BP’s fault and they should pay for the harm they’re causing.
The current law puts a $75 million cap on how much an oil company has to pay in the event of a disaster. Unfortunately, the fishing communities, restaurant owners, tourism industry and other individuals affected by the oil spill have already lost more.
Urge the U.S. Senate to pass strong legislation that will lift this cap, and make BP and other multi-billion dollar polluters responsible for the damages their disasters have on our communities, environment and shared resources.
It’s time to bring electric cars to the forefront, solar panels, wind power, water power…
-Cara
I have been having trouble with some mildew in the shower and needed a refresher course on how to handle it friendly to the environment style. I did a little research and came up with this…
Mold Remover
Vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner; use it straight for tough jobs, or dilute it with water. Tea-tree oil is a natural fungicide and can help disinfect surfaces — mix 2 teaspoons with 2 cups water. To whiten stained tiles or grout, use a mixture of 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide to 1 cup water. All of these solutions can be sprayed onto a surface, allowed to dry, then wiped with a damp cloth.
Tub and Tile Cleaner
Vinegar works well on soap scum and mineral deposits, but rinse thoroughly, as it can corrode some fixtures and etch glaze on tiles. You can also try tea tree oil — 2 drops tea tree oil with 1 cup water — in a spray bottle. A natural antiseptic and fungicide, tea tree oil costs more than vinegar but will kill most types of mold and help prevent growth; as with all concentrated oils, it should be used with caution, as it can trigger allergic reactions if it comes into contact with skin.
I stumbled upon these great natural carpet stain remover tips as well…
Pour a small amount of soda water onto a fresh carpet spill, and blot with a towel. Don’t rub, as you may mat the fibers. If the stain is set, try hydrogen peroxide: Pour some onto a clean, white cloth, then press cloth to carpet. Wait about 15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth. There should be no need to rinse.
I am going super green style in 2010!
-Cara

Martha chats with Robert Kenner and Joel Salatin about the behavior and impact of the commercial food industry.
That is right I said it, as someone who will be enjoying a delightful, sure to be delicious, vegan Thanksgiving feast at our friend Joanna’s abode today and has had the guilty pleasure of being a stalker of all things Stewart for many a year, this is great news. I know her daughter Alexis is a vegetarian and has helped Martha to see the light that fur is not cool, but still, the classic Martha Turkey Day blow up…vegetarian? That my friend is revolutionary if you wrap your mind around the whole picture.
I have heard about Food Inc as well. It looks like an amazing movie and sounds like a great Christmas (or Yule, Chanukah, Kwanza, Three Kings Day, Day of Ashura, Holiday…) gift! :] I will definitely check it out.
I hope at some point to be the person that does not have to keep watching these types of movies, videos, etc to remember why everything we choose to do is so important. I am very tired of how people can not see what is right in front of them or choose to not be inconvenienced. This show with Martha Stewart promoting this film, Food Inc is inspiring to me as I do not expect someone in Martha’s position to promote something so risky. This coming from someone that was previously set up for a fall just to be taught a lesson…a lesson it seems she thankfully did not learn.
Martha Stewart is a rebel!
-Cara
Yes, Thanksgiving has not even happened yet, but I know there are those that like to be done with their Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving, even Halloween. I didn’t want to leave these particular individuals out of the loop about our super fresh Be Nice gift cards. This is a perfect gift for those who feel it is too much pressure to pick out which one of our super soft, organic, handmade, awesome shirts they should buy their family, friends, boss, co-workers, neighbors, orphans, whoever you feel the need to give a soon-to-be new favorite shirt(s) to. :]
You also have the option to personalize the gift card however you feel, from choosing the amount you want to bestow on said lucky individual(s), to adding a witty, perhaps moving, personal note, and you can even schedule on which special date it arrives in their e-mail (paperless is a nice way to show a tree some love this holiday season).
We wish everyone a Merry “Green” Christmas (or if you don’t swing that way a Happy Yule, Chanukah, Kwanza, Three Kings Day, Day of Ashura…) this year from us here at Be Nice. May it rock!
Much Love.
-Cara and Marine
I know all my stalkers like to know when they can catch a glance of me from a safe distance of 20 to 30 feet, well tomorrow is your lucky day! Marine and I will be selling our cute, handmade, organic, soft shirts at The Market NYC for the first time. This all courtesy of our green little company, “be nice“. If you would like to learn more about it, you can on the “be nice” blog!
Hope to see some non-crazy peeps there as well.
:]
-Cara
Guess what I am doing tomorrow…
Human Countdown: Climate Wake Up Call
On Sunday, September 20th, 2009, people of all walks of life will come together in New York’s Central Park for a bold creative action to tell world leaders that the TIME TO ACT is RUNNING OUT. More than 2,000 people will form a moving human sculpture of our world in a race against time—a massive, living Earth and Hourglass to be picked up by the media worldwide.
On the cusp of the UN climate summit, our Human Countdown will urgently call for a fair, ambitious, and binding new climate treaty, and launch global actions for Climate Week NYC and the Tck Tck Tck Global Climate Wake Up Call.
We will assemble in two groups. The first group forms the living Earth and convenes at 9am in the morning to rehearse the movements. All others come at 1pm to form the hourglass. We will perform the Human Countdown together at mid-afternoon, hear from notable national and international speakers, and conclude by 4pm.
We need a global climate treaty. This is the time, this is the place to make history – we need YOU to join the HUMAN Countdown! All are welcome!
The goal is to show our leaders that time is running out to act on global warming. Video of the image we create will be broadcast the next night at The Age of Stupid global film premiere and delivered to world leaders.
Come to the Wollman Ice Rink in Central Park (Southern end of central park by 6th Ave) this Sunday at 12.30pm.
Click here to RSVP [I found all this stuff thanks to AVAAZ:
http://www.avaaz.org/new_york_climate_action
While action on climate is always urgent, this is an especially important moment for public action. This December in Copenhagen, world leaders will meet to negotiate a new global treaty to avert a climate catastrophe.
This is going to be awesome.
-Cara
Hello World,
I just signed a letter to my Senators asking them to support comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this year.
You can too!!! Go here: http://act.repoweramerica.org/page/s/emailsenate
It’s about creating good jobs here in America, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and protecting the planet. And right now it’s up to our Senators to get working on making the transition to clean energy a reality.
Please sign a letter as well — it’s quick and easy.
Thanks!
-Cara
‘be nice” my sweet store co-made with Marine Boudeau is having its first sale. We’re offering fresh deals on original, handmade, organic tees. This is the last of our first collection…one day they will be worth millions!!! :]
Get them while you still can.
I said it!
Cara Reynolds
Co-Founder Of Be Nice
This week Be Nice is releasing additional super fresh designs, shirts, and colors on the fantastical site ubenice.com. We will also be changing the look of our “store”, because change is good. Please bear with us as we go through this transformation, it won’t take long. Until then we will be deactivating the online store. What this means is if you see a shirt (or shirts…don’t let us hold you back.) you like, you will have to email us at info[at]ubenice.com. Then we will send you your invoice through PayPal.
For the size chart visit the FAQ section.
We hope you like the new designs.
-Cara
Do not fear. There is a way to avoid the assassin…at least if you live in the Northeast.
Here is a cool link for the seasonal fruits and veggies in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can also use this interactive map to see what’s fresh in any area, by month.
Eat fresh.
-Cara
Here’s a simple trick for all users of hand soap, dish soap, and all other liquid soaps. When you get to the bottom of the soap vessel and think you are all out of your precious cleaning elixir, this is when you add a little hot water to the remaining soap and voila, you’ll get at least a few more days of washing. Good times.
Waste not, want not.
-Cara
Why save water?
Of all the water in the world, only 3% is fresh. Less than one third of 1% of this fresh water is available for human use. The rest is frozen in glaciers or polar ice caps, or is deep within the earth, beyond our reach.
To put it another way, if 100 liters represents the world’s water, about half a tablespoon of it is fresh water available for our use.
Remember that our local water supplies are part of a bigger global water cycle.
Fix those dripping faucets. If it drips every second it can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.
Filling up your tub can require up to 70 gallons of water, where a 5 minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.
When you brush those teeth of yours don’t run the water. That way you save about 8 gallons per day.
Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.
Don’t let water run while shaving or washing your face. It’s just a waste.
Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator. You snooze you loose.
I myself save water by never drinking it except in restaurants. ;-]
Just some things to think about.
-Cara
Here’s a little blurb about what’s going on with my organic, handmade t-shirt company I run with Ms. Marine Boudeau.
Good times.
-Cara
Join us at Pridefest this year in the West Village:
Hudson St. between Abingdon Sq. & West 14th St
Sunday, June 28th, 2009
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Come check out our handmade, organic, super fresh t-shirt collections, hang out, take pictures and buy plenty of shirts for you, your peeps, lovers, family…
Sign-up for our newsletter to receive any Pridefest updates and possibly discover many other amazing and interesting things.
To learn more about this super gay weekend visit NYC Pride.
Cara & Marine
Founders of Be Nice
If you live in New York City and have electronics you want to get rid off in a green, eco, recycling way. Here are two upcoming events I found on the Lower East Side Ecology Center’s website:
April 26th, 2009
Central Park
West 67th Street and Central Park West
and
May 2nd, 2009
119 W 23rd Street at Tekserve between 6 & 7th Avenues
Manhattan
Here is what techotrash consists of:
Working and non-working:
Computers (laptop & desktop),
Servers, mainframes
Monitors
Printers, scanners, fax-machines, copiers
Network devices (routers, hubs, modems, etc.)
Peripherals (keyboards, mice, cables, etc.)
Components (hard drives, CD Roms, circuit boards, power supplies, etc,)
TVs,VCR & DVD Players
Audio visual devices
Radios/Stereos
Cell Phones, pagers
PDAs,Telecommunication (phones, answering machines, etc.)
Media (floppies, cd’s, zips, VHS tapes)
I have a bag of stuff I have been saving up for the next techno recycling gala event. This is such a sweet deal.
Goodbye old and improperly burned cds, printer ink cartridges, old laptop batteries, etc…goodbye.
-Cara
The first thing to do with ketchup packets is not use them. When you order delivery remember to say, “no condiments” and “no plastic utensils” is also a good way to go. I bet you have ketchup at home and I am sure most people have utensils, so you don’t even need them.
I have a hard time remembering this as I looked at ketchup packets siting on my counter this morning from last nights delivery. I decided I need to look up some information on said ketchup packets that will really push me to remember the little things that make a big difference.
Here’s something I found,
Heinz sells 11 billion single-serve packets of ketchup per year around the world. That’s 2 packets for every person on earth. That means that 11 billion packets are landfill-bound. This is just Heinz packets.
Enough said.
-Cara
Marine is doing some research for our organic t-shirt business, be nice and sent me this web site, http://actionnetwork.org/. They are a part of Environmental Defense. One of their featured action alerts has to do with humans increasing resistance to antibiotics. Go here to send a message to your Congressperson and Senators.
I, myself have never been a big fan of Western medicine, especially that flu shot. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, that flu shot is just the government doing some crazy testing on us or something to that affect. I am sure of it! It is the same way with goldenseal root and penicillin, if you take them for too long or just take too much you become immune to their positive/healing effects. I also think that Western medicine mostly covers up the aches and pains of sickness till you heal, unlike natural vitamins and herbs that act as a preventative measure and heals you rather than covering up the sickness.
Heal naturally when possible.
-Cara
New Reality ad directed by the Academy-award winning Coen Brothers.
In reality, there’s no such thing as clean coal.
Learn more. Join the campaign.
-Cara
Living in NYC, it is strange to wrap my mind around all that nature and chimpanzees swinging around everywhere. I think any of those jobs would be cool. The coffee sniffing, the chimpanzees studying and the farming, but maybe not on such a large scale. I’m more of a fire escape gardener than coffee farmer.
I love organic coffee, chimpanzees and fair trade!!!
-Cara
What Did You Say?