Looking for clothing with conviction?  Sustainable style with sense?  Apparel with altruism?  Join SLO Green Drinks and HumanKind Fair Trade for the Eco Fashion Show on Thursday, May 31 at the Steynberg Gallery (1531 Monterey St) from 6-9pm.  The event will feature attire from local retailers, including HumaKind Fair Trade, Hemp Shak, Curio, Nekkidd and yours truly, Bambu Batu! Mingle with your fellow fashionistas as you watch the night’s lineup of dance and music performances, take part in the silent auction, and grab a drink or a bite to eat from the cafe.  All proceeds will benefit HumanKind Fair Trade, a non-profit store that provides vital income for artisans and farmers in the developing world.

Tickets are $10 presale (available at Steynberg and HumanKind) or $15 at the door.  See you by the runway!

Your mom is strong, versatile, flexible, and multi-talented.  She clothed, fed, and supported you right from your very first days.  Give her a gift that is as nurturing and multifaceted as herself.  Surprise her with something bamboo this Mother’s Day!

Soft- Mom has always shown a great amount of compassion and sensitivity.  Clothe her in silky bamboo with a stylish shawl, luxurious pajama set, or elegant dress.

Strong- Like the sturdy bamboo plant, mom has demonstrated toughness and perseverance.  Remember your teenage years?  Present her with one of our attractive and durable bamboo serving bowls or cutting boards.

Nourishing-  Let her pamper her body and replenish her spirit with our selection of body products and candles!  We feature pure beeswax candles from Big Dipper Wax Works as well as  organic, natural skin body butters by Nourish.

Wise- With an inspirational scroll or stone bearing an insightful quote, you will demonstrate to mom that you have taken her words of wisdom to heart!  A truly thoughtful gift! Choose a saying from the Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Buddha, Albert Einstein, Rumi, and many, many more!

Flexible- Mom has had to bend over backwards for you.  Let her know you appreciate her flexibility with a soft, stretchy pair of bamboo yoga pants.

Whether it is breakfast in a bed outfitted with our bamboo sheets, or a childhood photo of you in a bamboo picture frame, you are sure to find a meaningful and memorable Mother’s Day gift here at Bambu Batu!

It is important to stand up for what you believe in, and when you own green furniture, it is also possible to sit, lie down, and and lean on your convictions.  To fully relax with a clear conscience, it is best to purchase furnishings that take advantage of recycled materials, sustainable woods or grasses, and are free of harmful chemicals.  As a bamboo specialty store, Bambu Batu supports the increasingly popular trend towards eco-friendly fabrication and design.  Hoping to outfit your home with stylish appointments worthy of the earth-respecting soul that you are?  Here are a couple of companies we would suggest:

Anji Mountain-  Bambu Batu is happy to carry Anji Mountain’s beautiful bamboo mats.  The company takes advantage of other renewable natural fibers and offer full lines of area rugs from jute, seagrass, wool and sisal.  Unlike many other floor coverings, these materials do not release pollutants and large amounts of carbon during production or release heavy metals and synthetic chemicals during disposal.  Man-made fibers can emit VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) while sitting in your home.  Avoid allergies and respiratory illness by choosing plants over plastics!

Modern Bamboo- Contemporary design and environmental awareness converge in Modern Bamboo’s clean, sleek chairs, closets, and tables.  Fabricated in the USA by skilled craftsmen, the company also custom builds pieces from reclaimed materials and uses VOC-free glues and finishes.  Taking advantage of bamboo’s natural strength and flexibility, the designs reminiscent of Charles and Ray Eames help to create an indoor atmosphere that is sure to remain in style far into the future.

Atmodsphere- Located in downtown San Luis Obispo, home and kitchen decor boutique Atmodsphere showcases beds, desks, chairs, and tables fashioned from reclaimed wood, recycled milk bottles, and poly lumber.  Ranging from the affordable to the very high end, the store hand selects the best in modernist style.  Drop in to browse or take part in one of their many handmade-craft workshops.

El Dot- Simple and stylish, you too will dream of outfitting a whole room or office in an El Dot collection.  Constructed from a Nepalese timber species of bamboo and of rosewood, the frames of their pieces are harvested annually by local farmers from private land.  Cushions, padding, and upholstery fabrics are composed of non-toxic and biodegradable wool, hemp,  and organic latex.  The nuts and bolts are all brass, and sourced from Kathmandu.

Linker Workshop- Central Coast local craftsmen Jamie Coxon and Nick Wilkinson provide custom installations, furniture, and displays from reclaimed materials through the Linker Workshop.  From succulent-adorned wall planters to jewelry cases, lighting fixtures to seating build-outs, picture frames to decks, these two can make just about anything for your home or business.