St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and you know what that means – time to pull out the green and avoid the pinch!  With lots of fun, eco-friendly options, this year it’s easy to be green while celebrating with your friends. Check out some of our favorites below…

For chic eco apparel, Elroy‘s got it covered. Perfect for your St. Patty’s Day celebration and pretty much any day after, this dress is made with 60% pineapple silk. Yep, pineapple! I didn’t know it was possible either, but apparently the fiber has been used for centuries to create super soft clothing. Love it!

Maybe wearing green panties won’t help you avoid getting a pinch, but sporting them will help protect the oceans and recover sea turtle populations affected by the Gulf oil spill. Made with organic cotton from the online store Pact, a percentage of sales goes towards Oceana’s marine efforts.

Every day is a good day to support world peace, so why not St. Patrick’s Day! This shirt was hand screen printed by RC Tees with super soft organic pima cotton.

We can’t forget about the lil’ leprechauns of course! These super cute handmade booties were designed with eco-friendly felt and an elastic band to stay snug on infants feet. Don’t they look cozy?!

They may be a bit silly, but these earrings do fit the green theme? They’re made out of recycled legos!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from GRN Events!!

Call me funny but, I have a love/ hate relationship with shopping for food. First of all, I love to cook; but I hate running around the store looking for all the ingredients like I am on a scavenger hunt,  then usually standing in line for at least 30 minutes… even in the “express” lane or self-check out (where there is always a new convert to self-service who doesn’t know how it works)!  To make shopping even more hairy I use to get looks from the store check-out clerk when they would ask “Paper or Plastic” and no matter what choice I made I often would get a groan, especially since I shop at either Whole Foods or Henry’s both stores – both are big on being green. So finally last year in Orange County I started bringing my own shopping bags to the store.

Lots of stores try and push you to buy their logo shopping bag for $1.99 to $3.99 a bag, but if you like to be unique and you like stylish things I suggest getting your own bags that make a statement. My favorite shopping bag is one that I got from a friend that has really cute pink and green dragons on it. Since I believe we should all shop in style I am giving you a list of my favorite five stylish shopping bag websites:

1. Re-usable shopping bags have taken a turn for the stylish.  Make Love Not Trash carries a line of handbags, accessories, and re-usable shopping bags made out of natural or eco-friendly materials and decorated with non-toxic printing technique.
2. Ella Vickers Recycled Sailcloth Collection is the most refined & quality built on the market.
3. It’s hard to do a top 10 handbag story without including one of the trends that started it all…recycled candy wrappers.  Check out Ecoist.
4. Get in the groove with Shagbag… be a stylish hipster as you shop till you drop
5. Want to create your own stylish design? Go and order one at GoGreen-bags.com

Tired of the same old boring routine? Check out The Week Ahead in So Cal and bring a little spice back to your life.

Monday 6.28

Farr Ligvani Exhibit at Soka University. Ligvani was born in Iran, began painting at age four and designing furniture by 12! Don’t miss the opportunity to view his beautiful artistic creations focusing on eastern worldview and western psychology in Aliso Viejo through August.

Tuesday 6.29

The Submarines at the Detroit Bar. Having built their musical career almost entirely through TV Show and commercial spots, the Submarines are ready to make a name for themselves the old fashion way. The band will be stopping by Costa Mesa on their west coast mini tour to give fans a taste of what they’ve been working on for the past 2 years since their last album. $10

Wednesday 6.30

Social Media Day at the OC Register Headquarters in Santa Ana. Mashable.com has deemed 6/30 the official Social Media day. While there are many events going on throughout the country, the afternoon planned at the OC Register appears to be one of the best. Listen to expert panels on how social media can improve your business, plus enjoy food from several yummy food trucks.

Taste of Downtown, Long Beach. About a dozen restaurants are participating in the first annual event being held in the East Village from 6-9pm. Tickets are only $1 each or 12 for $10 and the PawnShop Kings will be playing live throughout the evening.

Thursday 7.1

Pick of the Week!

First Thursday’s Art Walk in Laguna Beach. Laguna Beach is world renowned for their exceptional variety of art and on the first Thursday of the month the entire city stays open late so you can enjoy an evening stroll through the galleries while listening to live music, munching on cheeses, and sipping wine. This month, while you’re down there, be sure to check out the Art Shack Collection at the Laguna Beach Museum of Art and the Summer Fashion Show at Arin Contemporary Art. Both events you won’t want to miss!

Friday 7.2

Free Friday’s at Long Beach Museum of Art. Visit the Long Beach Museum, and check out over 5 current exhibits, for absolutely nothing. Thank you LA County Arts Commission!

Saturday 7.3

Farm to Fork Class at The Ecology Center, San Juan Capistrano. Starting with the gardens at The Ecology Center, children will explore where their food comes from. After a short harvest walk, participants will prepare simple small plate meals catalyzing the connection from farm to fork. Sign up your kids for this great fun and educational class through Th Ecology Center website. $25

Sunday 7.4

Happy 4^th of July! Enjoy a day of fun in the sun!! And no work tomorrow if you’re lucky….

Tired of the same old boring routine? Check out The Week Ahead in So Cal and bring a little spice back to your life.

Monday 6.14

The New Limb in San Diego. The Costa Mesa indie rock band is heading down south to play at the Soda Bar on El Cajon Blvd.  Cover is only 3 bucks and DJ Oldboy will be spinning throughout the evening.

Tuesday 6.15

Spirits and Headhunters: Art of the Pacific Islands in Santa Ana. Boasting over 150 unique pieces including masks, tools of the shaman, weapons, and currency, this fantastic exhibit is at the Bower’s Museum until December. Yes, I know you’re thinking that you have plenty of time to go, but if you’re a Santa Ana resident you get in free today, so stop procrastinating and check it out this week.

Wednesday 6.16

Kombucha Kamp in Los Angeles. If you’re like me and could easily get hooked to GT’s Kombucha if it weren’t for the $3.50 per bottle price tag, now you can learn to make it yourself. I went to the class several years ago, and trust me, Hannah is the Kombucha master – you’ll leave with lots of info and a starter kit to begin making your own flavored Kombucha for a fraction of the price.

Thursday 6.17

OC Green Drinks in Irvine. With the hiatus last month it’s been entirely too long since one of my favorite green get-together’s. Lucky for me (and you!) this month Green Drinks is headed over to Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine. So along with hanging out with the cool eco crowd that actually does exist in the OC, you can also munch on tasty organic appetizers and delicious cocktails.

Friday 6.18

The Cool Kids and Kids in the Hall in Pomona. The “leaders of the new old school” duo from Chicago will be joined by the Kidz in the Hall at the Glass House for what I’m sure will be an evening of some great hip hop.

Saturday 6.19

Pick of the Week

Frugal Festival Summer Swap in North Hollywood. Join hundreds of “swapaholics” for the annual clothing and houseware swap at the NoHo Performing Arts Center. For only $5 (or $10 if you want VIP early entrance) take part in the best clothing/houseware recycling event I’ve heard of in So Cal. If you love thrift stores, you don’t wanna miss this.

Sunday 6.20

It’s Dad’s Day! Spend some time with Pops at the beach, in your backyard, or at the park. Get outside…it’s gonna be a beautiful day!

Tired of the same old boring routine? Check out The Week Ahead in So Cal and bring a little spice back to your life.

Monday 06.07

Steelwells plus Guests at Detroit Bar. First night of the band’s June residency every Monday evening of the month. No Cover.

Tuesday 06.08

Green Business Networking in Santa Monica. Meet at the sustainable Ambrose Hotel for an evening of green business networking, organic hors d’oeuvres, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Wednesday 06.09

Dinner with Dave at Memphis Santa Ana. Billy Kernkamp will be playing live plus a complimentary dinner from Chef Dave Mau. No Cover.

Thursday 06.10

Billabong’s Design for Humanity in Hollywood. Billabong will be hosting their 4^th annual block party in the Paramount Studios backlot. The event will be featuring a one-of-a-kind Billabong runway show, DJ Mark Moreno spinning on the 1′s and 2′s, live art installations, and 4 food trucks to choose from. 100% of the proceeds will be going to Invisible Children, a movement seeking to end conflict in Uganda and the abduction of children.

Friday 06.11

Pick of the Week!

Hands Together for Haiti in Costa Mesa. Abolish Slavery and Ecofficiency.org will be hosting a special event to benefit human rights and rebuilding efforts in the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake. All proceeds will go towards their June mission to Port-au-Prince. Live music from Echo Echo, Tiana Star, and Love Amos, plus a silent auction and the Kogi truck!

Saturday 06.12

OC Weekly Presents the Liquid Aloha Festival. Free event at The Strand in Huntington Beach with live performance from Iglu & Hartly and Marc B., plus a beer garden and after party. Starts at 3pm.

Sunday 06.13

Graffiti Beach Independence Pop-Up in Huntington Beach. Surf inspired pop-up shop event with emerging designers, fashion show, art sale, and live music. $10/15 with 50% benefiting the Project WOO charity.