Which came first: building HVAC guys going overboard with the air conditioning or the proliferation of summer scarves? We don’t knock anyone who chooses style over comfort, because what’s more uncomfortable than not being the best dressed person in the room? But, as far as warm weather attire goes, we kinda like skin.

Sartorially, we harbor no ill will towards summer scarves, but we haven’t embraced them—partly because they’re a little too Jonas Brothers, but mostly because we like to wear our neon green Santa Claus sweater around the office. It’s our passive aggressive way of telling the building facilities guy that it’s too f#%king cold.

Bacon Bits

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John and Jen may be done (the fact that no one could combine their names à la Brangelina should have been a hint), but Jen’s not sitting anything out. There are already reports that she’s been out with a Mystery Man, and smooching him, too! Please, for our sake, use organic lipsticks that don’t contain cow brains or carcinogenic coal tar dyes. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that 61 percent of brand-name lipsticks have traceable amounts of lead, which would not only would get into MM’s mouth, but Jen’s, too. Organic lipsticks like Burt’s Bees are made from natural products and colors and come in recycled/-able aluminum and plastic containers.

IK

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That’s right, DeGeneres and de Rossi are getting MARRIED this weekend! After nearly four years of dating, Ellen and Portia will have a small ceremony Saturday with friends and family. The ladies first announced their upcoming nuptials back in May when the California State Supreme Court said same sex marriages were all good in the hood.

So exciting! And apparently annoying. DeGeneres told US Weekly "Planning a wedding is very stressful. It’s crazy. My gardener is now invited.”

Well, it looks like the bride and bride have it all figured out now, but how about other brides who need help? There’s a website to help couples (and overbearing future mother-in-laws) plan eco-friendly weddings: EthicalWeddings.com. You can check out environmentally responsible vendors (from vegan catering to organic dresses), read stories about real life “ethical” weddings (um, is making five grown women wear the same pink taffeta gown really ethical?), and get some great DIY tips.

Happy marriage to DeGenerossi, and happy planning to the green brides who be reppin’ the environment hardcore!

Jen

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Stranded on a deserted island with Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow? Hey, we all have (recurring) dreams, right? But for reals, Johnny owns a real life 35-acre island in the Bahamas where he enjoys privately retreating in the sun and the sand with his family and friends. (He even invited LiLo there after they met at the MTV awards. WTF?! We were totally available that weekend)

To add to our fantasy, he is investing in a state-of-the-art solar power system to keep the island completely cut off from the grid. The system also integrates hydrogen power that is created when an excess of solar energy is stored. Engineer and owner of the first solar/hydro house (in NJ?), Michael Strizki explains how it works.

If we were on "F**k Off Island" (it’s real name, according to the internets) with Johnny, we don’t think we would need any electricity for any activities we had in mind, (uh, sand castles and raw food, obviously) but we appreciate the effort.

Depp’s astonishing talent has landed him in eccentric roles such as a sensitive shrub sculptor Scissorhands, a candy lover/maker Willy Wonka, a demon barber from fleet street Sweeney Todd, Hunter Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and a sexy, bohemian guitar player in Chocolat (yum on so many levels). Look for his latest projects in other whimsical roles such as the Mad Hatter in a Burton rendition of Alice in Wonderland and (internet rumors, again) the Riddler in a Dark Knight sequel. Captain Jack, we heart you and your solar style.

Sharona

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The Do Something Awards and Teen Choice Awards pre-party

Beanstockd’s West coast greenie was fortunate to attend the Do Something Awards—the pre-party for the Teen Choice Awards on Saturday, August 2 in L.A. Do Something gives grants to kids under 25 who are initiating social change worldwide with some awesome and inventive projects. The Do Something Awards presented 10,000 big ones to 9 winners at the pre-party, and $100,000 (and a surfboard) to one lucky winner at the Teen Choice Awards.

In attendance, besides the group of seriously dedicated and inspirational Do Something Award recipients, were plenty of teen and tween celebs like Olivia Wilde, Brittany Snow, The Cheetah Girls, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Lil’ Mama, Monique Coleman, LC and Lo, and hosted by JoJo.

We were a little surprised (and admittedly excited) to see some vintage 30-somethings on the red carpet, Elizabeth Berkley and J.C. Chasez, and had to find out if they too are doing something, for our foremost, favorite cause—the environment. With some (eco) liquid courage (after gladly helping ourself to an “Eco-Lemonade” offered at the venue’s—Level 3—bar, made with eco-friendly acai liqueur, Veev), we asked America’s best dance show hosts about their own green efforts.

JC Chasez and Beanstockd’s Sharon

J.C. Chasez told us, “I basically do the normal things that everyone does. Turn the lights off before you leave the house; recycle. In Florida, we conserve water a lot, and I know that sounds ridiculous cause we’re surrounded by water, but we conserve it.”

Even though he works a lot in L.A. for MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, he is still aware of the current events in his home state of Florida, such as the conservation of the everglades, and the new Orlando biofuel transportation system. Word up, Orlando.

Step It Up And Dance’s Elizabeth Berkley

Remember when Jessie Spano stood up to oil drilling at Bayside High? The Step It Up And Dance host and lifelong dancer grew up in Michigan and “was raised with an awareness." Her mom is an animal activist so, "it was a huge part of my upbringing.”

How about pop culture and environmentalism? “The entertainment industry has a big voice in our world, so anytime we can use it for raising awareness, especially something that’s important to everyone, then I think people should use their voice."

"I am so glad now that the consciousness has been raised in a way that people are taking action. It’s hip to do it now, ya know?”

These days, Elizabeth Berkley is taking on her own charitable project, an MTV program called Ask-Elizabeth, in which she will answer questions and advise young girls on teen topics. Way to do something. (“put your mind to it, go for it, get down and break a sweat”. . .)

It’s no surprise that many of the Do Something award winners’ projects spread healthcare and support to those in need. Leave it to the kids to raise global awareness on issues that we see as key to a better future for all. Empowering our generation to change the world to benefit our future. Sound good? Get involved! Find out more at dosomething.org.

Sharona

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Isabella Rossellini has developed a series of short films surrounding the mating habits of insects entitled Green Porno. In the film above, Rossellini dresses in a green unitard and plays the role of a male praying mantis. She mounts a human-size paper mache female mantis and goes about some mantis luvin’. All the while, Rossellini narrates this sexual (and murderous) encounter with the detached enthusiasm of a 7^th grade science teacher. One wonders where Rossellini got the idea for such a film series. Possibly, she believed that combining porn (an ever hot topic) with the growing interest in environmentalism would equal a fascinating, artistic film. If so, she was a bit off. The absurdity of a well-respected international film actress dressed as a bug and impregnating pieces of paper, paste, and cardboard makes one laugh (and kinda creeps us out), but not much else. Instead, grab some bug spray without the brain-cell-killing-chemical, DEET, like NeemAura Naturals Bug Disenchanter, to keep the insects and performance artists at bay.  Just because certain actresses have seemingly lost their minds, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice anymore of your own brain cells.

LD

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The Tyra Banks extravaganza known as America’s Next Top Model will be back this fall to exploit, I mean, empower transgender fashionistas (does everyone remember the ratings spike when a bunch of allegedly straight girls made out with Kim, the out contestant, a few cycles ago?). Isis, a 22-year-old former receptionist describes herself as, “a woman born physically male.” Regardless of how she was born, Isis should practice looking fierce with organic lipsticks, like Burt’s Bees, because those other 13 girls aren’t going down without a fight.

LD

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