So, for those of you who would like to continue to follow along, join me at my new (gasp!) Tumblr, posied.tumblr.com. Thanks for everything, readers. You’ve been a really swell bunch.

SWAK, Rosie

Readers! (Didn’t you just adore the way Jane Eyre called the members of her captive audience readers? So obvious and yet so appropriate. I’m going with it.)

Readers! It’s been nearly one solid year of my life since I last updated the ol’ Gamine. And as it turns out, I’ve missed you all to pieces, if only because I enjoy waxing poetic about my adoration for all things ridiculous that just so happen to be green. (It’s a nice bonus that I don’t have to publish your responses to said exclamations if they’re less than kind.) (You’re always kind, though. Thank you, munchkins.)

But anyway, Starbucks has had their much-awaited (by everyone, honestly, much as they complain about them, including me — for enthusiasm, not complaints) Christmas cups out and about for a week now, and I suppose it got me into a non-Grinchy mood. Not to say I was in one, but then I caught a polite afternoon screening of Puss in Boots (3D!) with my grandfather, and I saw Coca-Cola‘s latest ad during the previews for the previews, and oh my goodness! If polar bears and their plight don’t get you all Good Will Towards Men (and Bears), then I just think you’re missing your holiday heart (and you should check on that, ’cause it’s a prime organ). Anyway, rolling!

I am absolutely overwhlemed by the amount of cute in this commercial. As you can see, they’re hawking their new polar bear-white cans — kind of novel all on their own, since Coke’s been stylin’ their iconic red cans since, oh, about forever. But as you now know, these white cans are for an extra-special cause.

Ya see, Coke’s been putting the polars to work for years, sippin’ from glass bottles to spread holiday cheer, so they’re finally saying thank-you for the use of their furry visages by donating $2 million to WWF, ‘specially to keep these teddies alive. (Numbers are dwindling and global warming isn’t helping the sitch much at all.) We plebeians are welcome to make slightly smaller donations on their website, Arctic Home, and Coke will match them buck-for-buck. Pretty sweet, right?

So if you’re inspired, thirsty, or just in the mood to see real-live Coke mascots in cuddle mode, head on over to their site tout suite!

XO, The Green Gamine

P.S. I’m baaaaack! So, follow me on Twitter @GreenGamine.

Much like American Idol this season, PETA seems to be aiming to impress Beliebers and Gleeks. And why not? It seems that teens are where it’s at. Just take True Grit‘s Hailee Steinfeld, the adorable teen who showed up on the Golden Globes red carpet this past Sunday looking delicious in a prim but fresh Prabal Gurung number. (Rumor has it she’s up for the role of Katniss Everdeen in the silver screen adaptation of The Hunger Games—dream casting I support wholeheartedly.) She was standing not-so-far from the Biebs himself, who was hawking his biographical concert film, Never Say Never. The two presented the award for Best Animated Film, a coupling that prompted Toy Story 3‘s director to muse, “Were you two even born when the first Toy Story came out?”

Point. But a bit of gossip to segue. Allegedly, post-audition on the Paramount lot, Miss Steinfeld approached Lea Michele (who was dressed in Rachel Berry regalia) and timidly offered her salutations. Only to be snubbed by the Glee goddess herself! Eeps! Not the first time Lea has been accused of diva-like behavior. Seems like someone’s sourpuss is in need of a PR coup.

Which is why her second PETA ad comes at an opportune time. Posing with a white horse, Michele looks serene and lovely, like a perfect Disney princess. A tinge out of character, so what’s the deal? Equus revival? (Nah, DanRad is moving on to How to Succeed in a Business Without Really Trying! Have you seen him sing the periodic table? That HP’s a doozy.)

Apparently, Michele is against those horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. In a video (below) for the pet-friendly org, Michele is seen crying on cue, with images of the horse’s too-tight stalls in the background. She says the stalls aren’t kept clean and they’re too small to sleep in, which means that even after a long workday these critters sleep standing! I always thought those rides were romantic, but nothing kills the mood like a pony in pain. Take a peek. At least she’s milking it for an excellent cause.

On the other hand, let’s talk about the stock photo of Justin Bieber used in his PETA ad. Like Michele, he’s also on his second effort. Still, would it have been so hard to get the tyke with a pooch? He is, after all, encouraging kids to get out there and adopt animals—much to their parents’ delight, I’m sure. As the owner of a golden retriever and a couple of kittens, I fully support the cause. I just wish this didn’t smell of insincerity. Thank goodness I saw Selena Gomez’s paramour in concert last summer, otherwise I’d be outraged. Instead, I can’t help but downgrade the fury to slight peevement. And he did look adorable at the Globes with his tousled ‘do—especially next to Hailee, who surpassed him by a few inches. We smile, he smiles, pets smile. Everyone’s happy, I think.

Sigh. See? Those kids hit me where it hurts. Which is to say the heart. Keep it together people! I’m a lady.

Will you be boycotting pony rides anytime soon? Hitting up the local shelter in hopes of spotting a Bieb? Volunteering as a lunch lady at your local high school? Break out the hairspray and hormones.

XO, The Green Gamine

Happier times. More successful times for Chad.

So, home alone the other day, I flicked on ABC Family and tuned into Christmas Cupid starring one Christina Milian—where the heck has she been?—as a control freak/career girl and her hot doctor-to-be beau, played by the inimitable Chad Michael Murray. I forgot how much I enjoyed watching Chad on One Trill Hill, which got me thinking about his onscreen love affair with cheerleader-turned-designer Brooke, which got me thinking about his off-screen ex-wife, Sophia Bush.

There are a number of things I love about Ms. Bush, not least of which are her dimples, which rival the likes of Cheryl Cole’s. (Sidebar: See what I mean? Wouldn’t you be a better, happier person with these dimples?) I also love that she’s found a new love in her current OTH boyfriend (or is it now husband?), and how he just happens to be a self-proclaimed green geek like the starlet. Score! Turns out, playing the seven degrees of Chad Michael Murray’s poor life and career choices can be fun and uplifting after all—for everyone but Chad that is.

But now that we’re on the topic of Sophia, let’s talk about her eco-obsessions for a moment, shall we? Cutely, she recently surprised her “biggest fan” by refurbishing his home in the way of the green. Aw, right? She and Austin Nichols, the aforementioned boyfriend, have also recorded a compilation album called Gasoline Rainbows, the proceeds of which will go to Global Green to help those who took a hit during the oil spill. Adorabs! These two may very well be my favorite humanitarian lovebirds, second of course to Team Jolie-Pitt over there in France.

Which reminds me: Are those two coming back to the states soon? Can they bring Johnny Depp and his French brood with them as well? Perhaps they can have Mad Hatter tea parties together instead of making ridiculous (but beautiful!) movies together in Italy. Sigh. L’amour!

XO, The Green Gamine

PS: You can now watch Christmas Cupid in all its sappy glory over on Hulu. Ah, Chad, let’s ask Santa for a kick-ass 2011, yes?

"Say, what's in this drink?"

Speaking of warm places, let’s talk Cali for a sec. Surfer Nation, if Mother Nature’s snowless Christmases have you in a funk, forgetting to remind you to pick up your holiday plant of choice, allow me to suggest renting a tree. The fine people over at The Living Christmas Co. have come up with the fab concept of potted Christmas trees (yes, it’s been done before, but not without so pretty a website to lure you in!). Inspired by the number of trees taken from California for Christmas each year, these dudes brought together tree tenders and delivery boys to bring you the Blue Cedar of your caroling dreams—with the agreement that you’ll give it back come King’s Day. This way, the tree can go back in the ground, patiently waiting for the next Charlie Brown to give it a holiday home.

Presumably for parents, this means less pine needles all over your carpet, trampled over numerous times by those monkeys you call your kids, since these trees stay alive—so fresh, so fine. California gets to keep its trees and your vacuum gets to take a break—everyone wins!

Yuletime Tidings to All, The Green Gamine

Realer than a Death Eater killing Hedwig.

And according to the Indian Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh, Harry Potter is to blame. Ramesh says, “Following Harry Potter, there seems to be a strange fascination even among the urban middle classes for presenting their children with owls.” He explains that the Harry Potter series is just as (if not more) popular in India as it is in the rest of the world. As opposed to books or even brooms (as Quidditch is also on the rise!), these kids want owls for the upcoming holiday.

And no, we’re not talking Christmas or Hanukkah. If rumors are to be believed, owls were sacrificed in black magic rituals during the Diwali, also known as the festival of lights. I don’t know if I believe all that hoopla, but if it’s true that owls are this year’s sacrificial lambs, someone should get on that – pronto. Owls were neither meant to be trained like kittens nor slaughtered in the name of magic.

While HP7: The Beginning of the End gets pretty bloody, the book doesn’t promote violence. On the contrary, Harry rages through war because he hopes to bring peace back to the wizarding world. I’m pretty sure J.K. Rowling meant for us to apply the sentiment to this world – the real world – as well. I truly hope we’ve only heard one side of the story, and that the other side is much happier.

How ’bout we buy the kids a canary next time, yes? Wondrous.

XO, The Green Gamine

Prince Charles and Kate Middleton are going to the chapel...or the Abby.

There’s nothing like a call from your mother at 8:30 in the morning to wake you up, particularly when it’s followed by a squeal of excitement. Her source of happiness today was none other than the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton, or “Waity Katie” as those biting Brits call her. The spawn of the People’s Princess popped the question last month while vacationing with his beloved in Kenya. And the best part of this story? Kate was gifted with Diana‘s sapphire stunner of an engagement ring. Swoon! (Feel free to insert references to The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement here.)

So the question is, how on earth does Kate’s Cinderella story, touching as it may be, relate to my green blog? Thanks to this article, I was clued in to the possibility of a green home for the newlyweds-to-be.

Let me backtrack a little bit. Although I admit I am very much behind, I only recently discovered Charles‘ bid for a title change, something along the lines of The Green Prince. It’s been reported that the first in line to the throne has renovated no less than three rooms in his various homes with sustainability in mind. He also asked his servants (?) to swap cars for bikes for a time. He’s even written an article about his commitment to greening the world in Vogue, which was an unexpected and advanced choice on his part. His suggestion to fashionistas: recycle clothing by going vintage.

And in addition to all of this, Charles got the greenlight, no pun intended, to build an eco-friendly “starter” home (above) for his son and his lady-in-waiting. The six-room home, to be built on the lands of the Harewood Park Estate, would boast a rainwater reservoir, stable and a chapel. The roof would be insulated with wool, the walls would be partly made up of volcanic ash, and the floors would be constructed from recycled brick and stone. When blueprints were released in 2007, Kate and William temporarily called it quits, but now that the pair is very much on, perhaps we can hope to see the realization of Charles’ designs in the future.

Two questions: Rhetorically, what starter home has six rooms? But more importantly, do you think ever-chic Kate can spearhead a green revolution in cranky England just by inhabiting a green home? Here’s to hoping, kids.’Til then, my mom and I will be anxiously awaiting our Save the Dates. After all, there’s no better view than the one from your couch.

XO, The Green Gamine

Red Cross, green heart.

Ian Somerhalder is delicious on The Vampire Diaries, is he not? Which is not to say I don’t love Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore because I do—sappy, immortal Stefan is my ideal man. But Somerhalder as Stefan’s big bro Damon is a Rebel Without a Cause for a new era, and who among us can resist a man with wild eyebrows and a bad-ass leather jacket? No one.

That said, I’d like to point your attention to another reason The Bad Salvatore is red hot: he’s green! Check out this article he wrote for The Huffington Post about the BP oil spill and its ongoing effects. Somerhalder talks growing up on the Bayou, where the Gulf served not only as a resource to many neighboring families but also as the cornerstone of their culture. And he reminds us that, sadly, families are bereft because the oil spill recovery is far from complete. Just because the media is no longer there to capture the consequences doesn’t mean they don’t exist. He broke my heart a bit—just like two weeks ago when (SPOILER!) he told Elena that he loved her before erasing her memory.

Somerhalder is also an avid tweeter, which is how I discovered he’s such a greenie. After innocently stumbling upon his page, I read a number of his tweets concerning wildlife and conservation. A quick Google search directed me to the HuffPo article. How did we not know this? Tell me those (ahem) kids who watch TVD wouldn’t be happy to give a helping hand after hearing this. Way to use your platform for good, Damon, you delectable demon you.

It’s official: Leo is out and Ian is in as my fave green celeb. Who’s yours?

XO, The Green Gamine

Needless to say, thanks to her latest release, my obsession with all things Swizzle has risen to new heights. Thus, while skimming various sites for Taylor-related content—quotes on the inspiration behind her latest album and the like—I stumbled across this post on Valentine’s Day, in which Taylor starred (quite horribly, despite her cuteness, I might add) alongside Taylor (Lautner that is, whom she briefly dated and the wrote this song about).

Though I did not know this when the film was released, oh, 9 months ago, Valentine’s Day was touted as the first movie with an entirely green set, with reusable set pieces, solar-powered lighting and hybrid vehicles. The sunny Los Angeles set also allowed for the use of solar generators, said star Ashton Kutcher. Distributer Warner Bros. says that the entire team’s efforts reduced the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by 67 metric tons!

The film’s director, RomCom King Garry Marshall said, “There are a lot of things wrong with our environment, so to ‘go green’ seemed to be a very good thing. It’s not that big an effort; if we could do it, others can do it.”

Though Warner Bros. was at first concerned about a surplus cost, Marshall was happy to report that they broke even after saving so much on sustainable set pieces. If there’s no loss for the studio, then there’s no reason for TPTB to object, right? Hopefully, this means many more green movies to come, including that sequel about New Year’s Eve.

And less cameos from T-Swizzle. Let that girl do what she does best: bitch about breakups. After all, honey, we’ve ALL been to Dumpsville, and its much more fun with karaoke.

XO, The Green Gamine

Terry Richardson/GQ

I love this picture of Lea Michele and Dianna Agron. Much more than the now-infamous GQ cover shot of the Glee stars (eh, cliché much?). Only slightly more than the stampede of Louboutin stilettos the songstresses sport throughout the rest of the racy shoot with Terry Richardson. Lea’s hot pink heels on the cover are scrumptious.

Particularly, I love the expression on Lea’s face. It screams, quite literally, “Eat this, Streisand! That Funny Girl revival is MINE!” However, in the midst of all that tomfoolery, she perhaps forgot the statement she released following her tame shoot for PETA, the anti-fur organization also infamous for its near-naked ads of starlets—in the name of activism, of course.

The sometimes wide-eyed starlet, who loves to flaunt herself as a long-distance monogamist and a lover of red velvet vegan cupcakes, scoffed at the sexy shots and said, “I don’t know how they got me to do half the stuff I did!” She best be covering her tracks, considering that just months before she rather piously told the press, “I don’t think we need to see a billboard of me naked to know I am anti-fur.

Although I agree with the girl—I mean, we all get the metaphor, but does a gorge woman in her skivvies real embody the anti-fur sentiment best?—it seems a little hypocritical to then bare it all to fulfill the fantasies of rumored pedo/perv Richardson, who shot these girls in an overused school setting in the name of…what exactly? At least PETA has a purpose.

Then again, this stunt is kind of in keeping with Lea’s two-faced overachiever, Rachel Berry, on Glee. Perhaps this was the former Broadway star’s tiptoe into method acting. Or TPTB are casting a revival of Jekyll and Hyde, reinvented with a female lead. Damn, I just did a 180 and convinced myself that this was a skillful move on Lea’s part. You’re a sly fox, Berry.

Do you think the shots are racy? Fitting (they do play high school students, after all)? Blasé, like me? And what of Lea’s PETA ad? Sex sells, sweetie. If you’re going to unbutton up, do it for our furry friends.

XO, The Green Gamine