When she had trouble finding appealing eco-friendly fashions online several years ago, Santa Monica’s Summer Bowen was inspired to start her own online boutique, BTC Elements (“be the change”), which stocks stylish apparel and accessories from green designers.

Best part of your job?

Getting to work with creative people that have the same aspirations for a better world as I do. I also like the creativity of fashion, the challenge of marketing, and being able to see measurable successes in most things that I do.

What are some of your favorite local green restaurants?

I like Monsoon on the promenade because I can walk there. They don’t market themselves as green, but they use a lot of farmers’ market produce. On special occasions, I love Rustic Canyon: tasty, classy—and bikeable from where I live. Plus, they have a nice selection of organic wines.

Where do you shop for organic groceries?

Wild Oats, the Farmers’ Market, and in a pinch I’ll buy from yummy.com. They have some organic options and they deliver.

What are some of your favorite local green businesses?

I like Infuzion Café because it's a small minority-owned business that has the best organic coffee (Groundworks) and croissants in town. And they don’t think it’s weird that I bring my own ceramic mug.

Is there a particular environmental non-profit you support?

Heal the Bay.

What’s your favorite thing about living in the city?

I love everything about living here. Sometimes I wish I had more space, but then I look around at all of the parks and the beach. There’s plenty of space, even though it’s communal.

What would you say is the city’s undiscovered or underrated jewel?

I like the park right outside the Hollywood Bowl for picnics before a concert. It’s a beautiful little place with benches and it's a great place to have a glass of wine and some tailgate-food with friends before walking up to a concert.

Where do you like to take out-of-town visitors?

Right around the corner from me, there is this swanky hotel called the Huntley. The view is amazing, the food is incredible, and the people-watching is hilarious. It definitely has that this-is-sooo-L.A. vibe.

What’s your favorite vacation destination?

A good ski trip with nice weather. And I also camp a lot with friends.

What’s your favorite weekend outdoor activity?

I like biking down the beach path from Santa Monica to Venice. Also, hiking. This year, my husband and I are going to do a mini-backpack trip every month.

What’s an eco-friendly gift you like to give?

I’ve been on an antique kick, where I like getting people old stuff. For Christmas I found a sugar and creamer set on Ebay that matched my mother’s antique China set.

Is there an environmental book or movie you recommend?

“Blue Vinyl” is a clever documentary about the environmental impact of vinyl. “The City of Embers” is a young adult fiction book that has an interesting take on resource use and the future. When I taught sixth grade, I read it aloud to the kids.

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

I’d be an orange tree. That way I could live in L.A. and bear delicious, healthy fruit.

Describe your path to green: how and when you became eco-conscious.

I’ve always been one shade of green or another. When I was little, my mom and I lived in a little house where we grew a lot of our own food and raised chickens. She was getting her Biology degree at the time and would point out flowers and animals, and basically teach me about the natural world.