Virgin America: Obsession of the Day

I know I become obsessed with things too easily, but I really must say that Virgin America provides luxury coach service like none other. Since I first stepped onto the flight with the pink and purple mood lighting on Thursday, I have been a Virgin America evangelist. Here's why:

1. I usually pay about $1000 when I book the week before for my flights from D.C. to San Fran (direct). Using Orbitz.com to book, I paid $236- huge savings!

2. Cup Holders. You know how difficult it is sometimes to read a book and have a foot up in some yoga like position trying to get comfy in the seat that was made only for anorexic-Lohan-types? Well Virgin America saves the day with a cup holder, no need to put the whole tray down. Beverage Brilliance!

3. Personal Touch Screens: Watch live TV via Satellite, play touch screen games, listen to music, order food, chat with others on the flight (I was the only nerd in the chat room on both flights... dork), and more. Its amazing!

I have flown Virgin all over the world- in Africa and Europe- but never departing and landing in the States. The experience is unparalleled. I'm only flying Virgin America from now on when I can... I can't wait for Virgin America to expand to more cities!

Ecotourism Gala at the House of Sweden

I am so bummed I am missing this incredible opportunity to see some of the finest holiday packages available. The Ecotourism gala kicks off tomorrow at 6pm at the House of Sweden in Georgetown. Focused on sustainable travel, the gala is sure to raise eyebrows as some of DC's finest has the opportunity to see the amazing vacations they can take, that will actually help preserve the beautiful places they love to travel.

ZipCar- Go Green and Do More

When I first moved to D.C., I didn't ship my car out from California, instead I got a ZipCar. Fascinated by their business model, I strongly support what they are doing- saving the earth while saving their drivers a lot of money!If you can go green while saving green, why not? ZipCar includes your insurance, gas, and parking and many of their models are hybrids! All you have to do is sign up online and head over to one of their hundreds of spots in the district and pick up your car. It is really easy... even for a dumb blonde like me!

ZipCar is rewarding humanitarians in the Boston area by showing National Geographic's Arctic Tale in a drive-in setting in Harvard Square's Brattle Theatre tonight. Car owners are then asked to leave their car at the theater as a donation to Habitat for Humanities, in exchange for a free one-year ZipCar membership and $500 in their CarforHomes project.

Barbie in an Eco-Friendly Bentley? Sweet!

Bentley announced at the Geneva Auto Show that by 2012 all their engines will be bio and flex fueled engines. Basically, you can spend big bucks and help the economy with the added bonus of helping the environment! Sugar daddy anyone?!

Such an Eco-Friendly Enterprise

Enterprise Car Rental is eco-friendly! Well, sort-of. I have to applaud them for their efforts to turn a gas-guzzling-C02-emitting business into one with a conscious. Enterprise now offers users to pay just $1.25 additionally for Carbon Offsetting which allows for development of a cleaner atmosphere.

Kudos to a great and green idea!

“Enterprise Rent-A-Car is pleased to offer you the opportunity to
benefit the environment by offsetting carbon dioxide emissions generated by
a rental vehicle. For just $1.25 you can offset emissions produced by the
average rental. The money will go to TerraPass to fund certified offset
projects that work to remove carbon from the atmosphere. What's more, we
will match these customer contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million dollars.”

Flying in the Eco-Friendly Skies

Flying eco-friendly in fashion is available through Silver Jet between London, New York, and Dubai. The British airline joins the mile-high club in business class luxury only- making the long haul flights far more enjoyable. Flights to London will run you about $2500 and $4200 to Dubai- comparable to a business class seat on any other airline, but Silver Jet allows for a more private experience and less of a cattle call. The carbon-neutral airline gives me hope that perhaps jet setters will realize they don't need to have little man syndrome and each out do each other's private jets like the trend of the 90s in Silicon Valley.

Green-Limo Service

The Eco-Luxury lifestyle is getting even easier to live in D.C. with the areas first private car service, Greenwood. For only $25, get a ride out to Dulles, $12 to National and $10 within the city- and you can even pay by credit card online! I haven't yet had the opportunity to use this service but look forward to posting a review once I do, congratulations on the fantastic ambition!

EMAIL: greenwoodcar@gmail.com

LOCAL PHONE: 202.422.0069

NATIONAL PHONE: 1.877.760.greenwood(4733)

ZipCar

I have been a member of ZipCar/Flexcar for about 3 years now, although I keep my gas guzzling Land Rover parked in its spot below my condo and use it about once every two weeks. I have been contemplating selling it, being that the big white monster doesn't even have 15k miles on it yet and I have had it since I was a junior in college. Zipcar just seems to offer a more affordable price point for my transportation needs. For approximately $10 an hour I have my insurance, gas, and vehicle paid for- far cheaper than spending $400/mo on insurance, $79 each time I fill up, parking, etc. And it helps save the earth! I was honestly quite surprised when I took a gander at the new ZipCar website and learned that each ZipCar replaces at least 15 other vehicles- reducing road congestion, pollution, and lowers fuel consumption. Sounds like a win-win. One of the other fabulous benefits which I have reaped is that in the dozen other cities (even London!) where ZipCar has made an impact, I can use a vehicle... which is awesome because being under 25 tends to cause a problem when I try renting. Still haven't decided if I am ready to commit fully to a communal car service while giving up my baby, but I will keep you posted!

EnviroCab- Arlington

Saw one of these taxis driving down Wisconsin Ave yesterday and decided to investigate further. EnviroCab is Arlington, Virginia's first environmentally sustainable taxicab service, which are estimated to produce 60% less carbon emissions than a traditional cab. Welcome to the DC Metro area EnviroCab! To utilize their services call (and program into your cell!) (703) 920-3333 for your next taxi ride!