Eye Sightings

Checking Out Seeds... Literally

 

Spring is here... a time when the world starts to turn green again... a time of rebirth. But this year, instead of celebrating the renewal of the trees in the park outside our windows, we want to celebrate the rebirth of an agricultural tradition: the seed library.

2011 Wrapped Up

 

Gift season is upon us...but before we tear open our presents, we want to take a second to appreciate what's on the outside. Because while you can't judge a book by its cover, you might just be able to judge a gift (or its giver) by its thoughtful, crazy, value-added or just plain fun wrapping. Here are some of the most unique we've seen this year:

Questioning the "Caveman Diet"

 

Eyes On the Road: Talking with Tumbleweed Tiny Houses at the Maker Faire

Interested in downsizing your living space? An increasing number of Americans are reconsidering their square-footage requirements and abandoning large, inefficient homes for smaller spaces - sometimes much smaller. Check out our video to learn more about the history of the movement - as well as some of the technical considerations of moving into one of Tumbleweed's beautifully crafted tiny houses.

Eyes On the Road: Talking with Bamboo Bike Studio at the Maker Faire

Bamboo is a remarkable material - strong, lightweight, resilient and plentiful. It's used to make everything from floors to scaffolding, and one group in Brooklyn is even using it to craft bikes. Bambook Bike Studios started in Red Hook, and now also operates a branch in San Francisco as well as a mobile studio. You can't just buy one of their completed bikes, though - their bicycles can be purchased as do-it-yourself kits, or bought through a workshop program where experienced builders will help you craft your bike to your own specifications.

The Rise of the Celebrity Farmer

These days, celebrity chefs are everywhere – we watch their shows, eat at their restaurants (and all of their pop-ups, and spinoffs, and micro-chains), and buy their books and branded cookware. We crave the reassurance that we get from having a name and face attached to the food we eat, and it’s a trend that’s hardly fading away. In fact, it might be entering a new phase – that of the celebrity farmer. It’s great to know who made your meal, but it’s even better to know who made its ingredients.

Minimizing Packaging, Not Convenience

A new grocery store in Austin, In.gredients, is looking to change the way we buy our food. Shoppers are expected to bring their own packaging - typically jars and tupperware from home - and purchase loose items by weight, selecting from a wide range of meats, dairy, grains, spices and other items. Beer and wine will even be available on tap for those who bring their own growlers or bottles.

A Food Trend 5000 Years in the Making

Kosher food has been marching into the mainstream for about a decade, but lately the pace seems to have accelerated. In fact 13% of the adult population now regularly purchases kosher food, a group that includes (among others) Muslims, vegetarians and people with food allergies. Why the sudden kosher boom? On reason could be consumers' increasing concerns about food safety, and the generally held perception that kosher food is made to a higher standard.

Spring in Your Step

Congratulations - you've survived the winter! As the days of trudging through snowdrifts and slush fade into memory, it's understandable that your feet might be yearning to slip into anything but another pair of stuffy, functional boots. The fashion world must be feeling the same way - we're seeing a boom in clever, innovative footwear this spring featuring bright colors, athletic functionality, and sometimes even a green twist.

Eco-Kicks

It Was Twenty Years Ago Today

On March 4, 1991 Consumer Eyes opened its doors for business. Though it sometimes feels to us like that was just yesterday, it's not. So, as we look forward to the next twenty years, let's take a glance back.

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