Last year while searching for eco-friendly men’s clothing to wear on my television show, I fortuitously stumbled into Topo Ranch’s storefront on Abbot Kinney BLVD in Venice, CA. At the time, I was trying to cultivate a fashion look for the show that we had dubbed “Urbiana Jones.” You know what I mean, Urbiana Jones is the urban adventurer, the fashion-forward (but not too far forward) man who always keeps his passport on him – just in case. The man who goes nowhere without his ultra-portable laptop. The man who admires other men who carry fishing rods and possibly hunting rifles instead of ultra-portable laptops, but knows deep inside that that will likely never be him. The man who looks comfortable heading off into the forest on a five-day camping trip to hike mountains and bathe in rivers but truly prefers to spend five days at a hip, boutique hotel kicking it poolside on the hotel’s roof.

That man is Urbiana Jones. And finding Urbiana Jones fashion in eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton is no easy task. Enter Topo Ranch, a company that at its core is precisely about proving that you can simultaneously look good and respect the planet and do it a respectable price point.

Here are my three favorite Topo Ranch shirts for the fall that I’m sporting around town. All three are made of 100% organic cotton. The fit is more refined and tailored than previous versions and the hand is outstanding.

Nolero Shirt (100% Organic Cotton) – $68

Late Night Weave Shirt (100% Organic Cotton) – $68

Boulder Shirt (100% Organic Cotton) – $68

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As the weather changes, the best investment piece a woman can have is a versatile skirt. In warmer weather, it keeps the bottom half of your body cool (both temperature and style-wise) then it easily transitions to a smart fall piece when worn with print or solid tights.  A few no-nos to keep in mind are not too short (a finger tip test with your hands hanging by your sides is a good length for a min-skirt), no sweat suit skirts, and if you wear a print, make sure it flatters your body. In other words, if you are a bigger bottomed woman, look for a larger print that is proportional to the surface area it covers.

Duex FM’s Indigo skirt captures two major trends transitioning wardrobes into the fall and winter: a high waist and pencil shape. This 98% organic cotton skirt has a bit of spandex (2%) for added clutch and comfort, and makes every woman’s waist into the perfect hourglass shape.

A tulip skirt, like this one by Emily Katz, is a great way to dramatically play up volume on the bottom while streamlining the top. Pair this organic cotton version with a tube top or body hugging tank to rock the proportions just right.

Instead of slacks for a Sunday picnic, why not go with a skirt?! Ibex has created a 100% organic one that anchors most any top you can think to pair it with. So, get as creative and loud as you want with an unexpected blouse pairing and some funky jewelry.

Instead of a dress for your next cocktail party, find yourself the perfect skirt in a metallic color, like this bamboo blended Christin Michaels piece. Whether yours is in a shiny silver or perhaps a more subtle gunmetal color, the light will catch the separate just right and voila! A modern look that is yours and yours alone.

As far as comfort goes, you’d be hard pressed to beat this 100% organic cotton striped skirt by Pi. The wide elastic waist band cinches the otherwise loose fitting garment and should be worn at the navel or just a bit above for optimum style and fit.

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle powered by an internal combustion hydrogen engine.

In a bid to curb carbon emissions from one of the most trusted vehicles for city commute in India, Mahindra & Mahindra have launched the world’s first hydrogen-powered three-wheeler. Dubbed Hy-Alfa the vehicle boats a 396cc engine that is capable of generating that is capable of generating 4.5KW of power at 3600rpm.

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Eco Factor: Mini-planetarium made from recycled materials.

Graduates from the California Institute of Arts have designed a mini-planetarium in a geodesic dome that is made from salvaged materials ranging from office waste that is glued together using a paste made from rice. Dubbed as the Reclamation Project, the mini-planetarium shows a starry night sky in a white papered dome.

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission aircraft designed to run on muscle power.

At an age of 16 when many would just sit back and admire aircrafts fly over their rooftops, Jesse Van Kuijk thought to take on to the skies in an aircraft that he will design himself. The dream took three years to realize and at the age of 19 the inventor finally designed an aircraft that runs on pedal power.

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Eco Factor: Mixed use tower incorporated with sustainable features.

Spanish architecture firm Moho Architects are planning to build a sustainable mixed used tower in San Jose, Costa Rica that will feature a set of sustainable technologies to reduce the dependence of the tower on grid electricity. The architecture is driven by a progressive environmental strategy that is expected to establish a new benchmark in the region.

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Eco Factor: Concept car designed to be powered by a low-emission hybrid engine.

This year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in September will be hosting BMW’s latest concept car the Vision EfficientDynamics. The low-emission hybrid car is a 2+2 sports car which features lightweight and the use advanced aerodynamics to limit the consumption of fuel

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Eco Factor: Self-sufficient outdoor habitat for camping industry.

Mostly all campsites are far from cities and require fuel-eating generators to bring illumination after dark. Industrial designer Benjamin Charles is out there to help the camping and the hotel industry with semi-nomad structures that are almost self-sufficient.

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Eco Factor: Odorless composter to aid the green drive.

We all know that recycling the waste we produce each day is important, but some people just want to work with a conventional composter and simply throw all waste in normal trash bin. Industrial designers Julien Bergignat, Cecilia Jia and Johnny Chen are trying to make the process of composting easy for everybody with a product they call the Braun Envi.

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Eco Factor: Sustainable building designed to reduce energy consumption and generate renewable energy.

Rothe Lowman Architects have planned out the first true high rise residential building even built in Coburg, which in addition to housing 259 apartments will also include renewable energy generation systems and other features to reduce the overall energy consumption of the building.

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Ah, the onesie—the ultimate in baby clothing. No babyhood would be complete without a drawer full of the crotch-snap cotton T-shirts. Outfitting your infant in this ingeniously designed article of clothing guarantees that her belly will stay warm through it all. I learned this firsthand when W was born in the heart of a New York winter.  His onesies functioned like baby long underwear—another layer to keep core heat inside. But onesies aren’t limited to winter weather. In the warm months a short sleeve or tank top onesie is all your little one needs. And that snap bottom is not only convenient for diaper changes, but also seems to keep things contained between those changes (and there is way more to contain than you could ever imagine).

Break the blue for boys/pink for girls paradigm and set your babe up with a collection of cool, unisex onesies that will give him/her street cred and elicit some smiles at the next family gathering. Here are my current faves:

Hive T’s got snarky down with this collection of organic cotton onesies ($19.99) emblazoned with witty hipster turns of phrase. I’m partial to the simple, but effective “New,” and just can’t get enough of “Party at my Crib” (with image of crib) and “That’s How I Roll” (with picture of stroller). Urban, funny, ironic clothing—just what your infant needs.

Sometimes you need to keep it simple. Sometimes you need to keep it simple, organic and cozy. That’s when I turn to Kate Quinn Organics. Always soft and durable, Quinn’s onesies are also rich in super-saturated colors that can be rocked by baby boys or girls. Take this Storm Blue long-sleeved onesie ($14)—ideal tucked beneath a mini jean skirt or under a pair of overalls. Versatile, really.

Under the Nile are masters of crafting decadently soft organic Egyptian cotton into the most charming babywear. If you or someone you know is expecting a summer baby, this monkey-themed tank top ($13) is a classic gift for the new arrival.

Skip the soy latte in favor of a longer lasting soy product—a soy onesie. BabySoy transforms soy protein fiber into stylish little one pieces ($13.95) in an array of tantalizingly named colors—ocean, chocolate, blossom and so on.

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If you’ve ever felt confused by the term “business casual” you are not alone. The main reason for the mix-up: business casual can mean a whole host of things.  For instance, in a formal work-place environment, bc signifies a jacket and tie while at a more relaxed work place or leisure event, a polo shirt is just fine. For all occasions, however, the guidelines for bc pants — be it khakis, chinos or corduroys—is that they are non-denim and (mostly) wrinkle-free.  Make sure to wear a belt, and match the color to your shoes, and wear socks that match your pants color.  If you are still unsure about your office’s definition of business casual, ask human resources.  Meanwhile, here are some great eco-friendly, business casual pants.

Timberland has made a pair of organic cotton chinos with a washed soft feel and a plain front for those in need of a business casual staple.  Plain front is ALWAYS a more flattering fit than a pleated-front, and makes for a younger overall look.

Patagonia offers a business casual “Shop Pant” in organic cotton canvas for those fellas whose business is more casual than formal. The back pockets, like the back pockets found on jeans, and the steel rivets create an overall chillaxed pant that can be worn a little dressier with a nice button-down shirt.

You’ve just got to love Loomstate’s Fabian chino: the color, streamlined fit, and well cut front. These pants would look super fresh with a crisp collared shirt in white, gingham or even sky-blue.

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Eco Factor: New data center strives to cut emissions by 20%.

Hitachi Data Systems have powered up a new data center, which is being claimed to be one of the most robust and green data centers in the world. The new center breaks ground in Yokohama, Japan and is designed to cut carbon emissions by as much as 20%, by making use of energy saving and energy efficient systems.

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Eco Factor: New process to remove cancer-causing dyes from wastewater and reuse it to color plastics and rubber.

Azo dyes, a commonly used dye to color fabrics can cause cancer if released into the environment with wastewater. While manufacturers mostly use adsorption techniques to destroy the dye molecules, the process is both expensive and wastes the dye which could be reused. A group of Chinese researchers from Tongji University in Shanghai have developed a cheap and ecofriendly method to extract dyes from wastewater and reuse it to color plastics.

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Eco Factor: Solar-powered miniature robots for military surveillance.

The latest advancements in chip design and fabrication techniques has made researchers develop products that are smaller, more efficient and more intelligent than their predecessors. Using these tiny wonders of technology researchers from institutes in Sweden, Spain, Germany, Italy and Switzerland are trying to develop new “Microbots” that can be programmed from a variety of applications, such as surveillance, micromanufacturing, medicine, cleaning and more.

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Eco Factor: Electronic Ink displays powered by solar energy.

Korean manufacturer Neoluxiim has developed a new range of solar-powered E-ink displays that support rotating display images and text. The new displays are self-contained units with everything from the power generator, the program that run the displays and the unit itself is packed into a single unit.

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Eco Factor: Sustainable treehouses generate solar electricity.

Do treehouses always have to be constructed by nailing a room into place, thereby jeopardizing the life of the tree? Heinz Legler has a different thinking, the designers have unveiled their latest treehouses, dubbed V-Houses, which do offer the same adventure as a treehouse does but without actually constructing the house on a tree.

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Eco Factor: Concept device converts changes in temperature to electricity to power a range of devices.

Solar and wind energy seem to have kept designers on their toes. The enormous potential that rests in these sources of renewable energy have always made designers think about the endless devices that can be powered using them. However, there are still some ingenious designers who think there’s more to renewable energy than just the common sources of green fuel.

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Eco Factor: Concept ship designed to be powered by solar and wind energy.

Ships with their massive engines are one of the biggest polluters on the planet. However, being an important way to travel across continents or to ship goods that are too heavy for all other forms of transportation, ships do need to go green. Industrial designer Nicolas Souliman is trying to give the shipping world what they’ve always longed for – a ship powered by clean energy.

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Eco Factor: Demonstration building to educate the community about the latest in ecofriendly technologies and architecture.

HMC Architects has unveiled plans of their 14,000-square-foot demonstration building that will serve as a learning ground for those interested in green design and architecture. Conserving natural resources and making use of sustainable technologies is something that can prevent our planet from the perils of global warming. Dubbed the Frontier Project, the building will make consumers and builders informed about alternative building methods to encourage green behavior among the masses.

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Eco Factor: Concept vehicle designed to be powered by electricity.

Of all the green fuels that promise to offer car drivers a zero-emission ride, electricity does seem the most promising. Moreover, if electricity too is generated from renewable sources of energy, you can be sure that you are doing your bit in driving around in that car. Industrial designers Alex Sherbak and Artem Sazonov are trying to merge the benefits of an electric car and the inexpensiveness of public transport in a vehicle they call the Modular Electro Car.

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Eco Factor: Solar-powered portable electronics charger.

With the number of portable electronic devices an average human owns on a rise, inventors are looking for green ways to charge these devices. Solar energy seems the most promising way to charge our electronic gear and there has been no shortage of solar-powered gadgets on the market. Industrial designer Fandi Meng has designed the “Sunny Flower,” which promises to offer your gadgets a green charge every time.

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There was a specific time in W’s young life where a nightly bath transitioned from a quick, easy (even optional) experience to a soggy, mandatory part of each day. As soon as he became mobile rolling around in any available dirt pile took over as his all-time favorite activity. Add to that his ongoing appreciation for eating—and wearing—a variety of foods and you have enough motivation to fill the tub each night, regardless of how damp you’ll end up at the end of the bath time experience.

There are a couple of key things I’ve learned about bathing my perpetually sticky, often grimy one and half year old son: 1) don’t wear anything that can’t handle getting wet; 2) hair washing requires speed and agility; 3) it’s all about the toys.

Now, about those toys . . . playing in the tub not only makes bath time way more fun for the one being bathed, but I’ve found that it also improves my life by maximizing the time that W actually spends in the water. The longer he stays in there, the better my chances are of having a clean, sweet-scented baby. At least until tomorrow.

The following toys would be a welcome addition to any tub:

I love modern spins on a classic and Boon has done it brilliantly with its series of Odd Ducks ($5.99). BPA and PVC-free, the boldly colored ducks—I’m digging the orange and white stripes—are also mold-resistant. And these ducks score extra points by being equally charming perched on a shelf or squeezed tightly in a damp toddler hand.

If you’re looking to add a carnival theme to bath time, check out Boon’s Splat Floating Ring Toss ($6.99). You and the little one can hone your aim by taking turns chucking BPA, PVC-free rings onto the floating base. Note: prepare for some serious splashing.

Let’s hear it for multi-use toys! Green Sprout’s colorful stacking cups ($5.99) are as fun in the water as they are in the living room or the back yard or in the car during the almost-too-long drive to grandma’s.

While not technically a toy, Little Twig’s bath mitt ($4.99), is certainly entertaining. A terry washcloth disguised as a ladybug or bumble bee, this mit is one of those trickster baby items that helps you do your job while entertaining the wee one. W loves to tug and chew on its little antennae while I scrub behind his hears and under his chin.

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Eco Factor: Sustainable city center for a totally sustainable eco-city in the desert.

Australian studio LAVA has won an international competition to design the center of Masdar, a completely sustainable city in the desert. The design will include a central plaza, five-star hotel, long stay hotel, convention center, entertainment complex and retail facilities.

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Eco Factor: Tower made from hundreds of living trees.

Constructing skyscrapers is now more of a necessity than an architect’s dream turning to reality. With the growth in population and the increase in the number of people living in urban cities, architects have been designing modern skyscrapers that can house the masses. However, construction waste and the use harmful materials have often criticized modern architecture.

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