c'est la vie (but keep it green)

Photograph ©2010 Jill Greenberg

Where have you been, Nathan? What's the deal'e'oh?! You went all out and celebrated your happy fifth anniversary, and then joined the witness protection program! I realize you had a lot of cake during your anniversary celebration! Did you fall into a sugar coma? Was that punch spiked just a touch too much? And you sure did throw down some moves, dancing your legs off to some pumpin' dubstep while confetti streamed down from the sky! Did you break a leg? I mean, it's been five years of method (and going green) lustfulness! Time flies! - And gives us squeaky green floors, and countertops, and sweet smelling sheets! And I'm so glad you've all been along for the eco ride! Because, as I've said in the past, without you lusters, well, I'd be blogging on Mars. Knocking down trees in the forest with no one around to hear them drop. You know, writing to the wind! So I'm really glad that hasn't been the case!

Oh, oh, oh... But alright. Where have I been? I've got some news. It's sniffly wet nose news. method lust is going on sabbatical. I'm sure you've noticed the trend of lighter posts for a bit now, and I just felt on the momentous occasion of our fifth anniversary (though I'm a little behind on this actual post, I realize) now is better than never. (Well, I'm sure we'd all like it to be never, but no, it's now, unfortunately.)

The reasons are vast and varied, so let me focus on the main one. Way back in 2008 there was no method social interaction. - Wha?! For reals. method didn't have a blog, a Twitter account, a Facebook page, nada. Actually I'm not even sure half of that existed back then. But hey, they didn't have a Friendster or Myspace page either. So I felt it was time they did, and so I could also gush and squeal about how amazing they are! And hence, method lust was born! Today, method has taken the reins and they've got a whole slew of social media means! We’re talking Twitter, Facebook, their own website blog, YouTube and television videos/advertisements and I’m pretty sure they even have weekly San Fran smoke signal messages! (Ok, they don’t really have weekly San Fran smoke signal messages. I stretched the truth there just a bit. I’ll admit it, ok?) So therefore, I've decided to take a sabbatical (how long, who knows? But keep reading) and let method shout it personally from their mountaintops! Alright, well more so from their offices! They're definite pros at it now! But never fear, they and you will always know how much I lust method! - Blog posts or not. (And this being the internet and all, just in case there's any "people-jumping-to-conclusions-ness" going on, this was solely my decision to make. I'm sure method would love for me to slather them in lustfulness forever!)

But here's my suggestion to you: don't go deleting ole' method lust from your bookmarks, or your RSS readers, or your feeds, or how the heck ever you read this! Because I'm not going away completely (remember, sabbatical.) When new products pop up on the shelves, or some huge news slaps me in the face, or I stumble upon the greatest eco-green idea on the planet and I want to share it with everyone else, well, you know where it's gonna end up! Here on method lust! So there won't be weekly fixes any longer, but the site will still be up for me to pop into every once in a while, and for everyone else to peruse. Because there is a lot of useful, fun, and wacky information here on this blog and I refuse to let it slowly fade away! I've put a ton of blood, sweat, sugary beverages, and tears into method lust - and I'm ever so grateful you (and method!) have been here with me! In fact, I'd love for you all to leave a comment, and let method lust (and all it's readers) know how long you've been reading this blog! Give yourself a shout out, because you deserve it!

Thank you method (for always supporting method lust, and me, personally. You all rock!) And thank you lusters for reading and sharing your thoughts, opinions and method-y desires! So don't be a stranger, and I'll do the same! And don't forget all these great official method choices for your lusting needs:

+ method Facebook
+ method Twitter
+ method YouTube

And last but not least, let's take a quick trip back in time to a bit of my very first post:

"...welcome to method lust! I'm so excited to have begun this blog. It's been on my mind for some time, and I've finally decided to get to it. My reason for starting this blog is simple, I'm a method addict! I love the stuff, and I can't get enough. From the amazing scents, to the gorgeous packaging, and the great for the environment products and mentality, I just LOVE it!"

the method method tease-athon #1

Hey method lusters! So, you might have heard a word or two down on the street corner that method is about to drop their big new book, the method method! Or, if you're a perfectionist, their slightly longer title of the method method: seven obsessions that helped our scrappy start-up turn an industry upside down! Whew! So to celebrate method's new pride and joy hitting store shelves on September 15th, I thought I'd present some Q&A and teaser quotes from the book starting today! Ya know, something to get your juices flowin', method style! So without further ado, here goes:

the method method tease-athon question #1 : What were method's first three products? In order of their debut! (example: Perhaps you'd think 1) hand wash, 2) candles, 3) laundry detergent) I'll reveal the answer during the next tease-athon! So, comment away! And don't forget...


"To celebrate the upcoming publication of the method method: seven obsessions that helped our scrappy start-up turn an industry upside down, co-founders Eric + Adam will be hosting an interactive webinar on Wednesday, September 7th for budding entrepreneurs and fans of the brand.

the guys will tell candid stories about the first ten years of method’s success and share principles at the heart of our business philosophy. but they also want to hear from you! whether you’re interested in talking about being an entrepreneur, finding inspiration or you have a burning question for Adam or Eric, it’s sure to be a lively conversation.

want in? simply pre-order a copy of the book and email your receipt to methodbook@methodhome.com. you’ll then receive log-in details to join the conversation on Wednesday, September 7th at 9:00AM PT/12:00PM ET. enter by Wednesday, August 24 to be included.

learn more about the book and webinar here."

quick questions

Hey lusters big, tall, lanky and small! I gotta quick question for you (hence, the post name, quick questions! I know, I know. But it's Monday, I thought you might need a little help!) I want to know how you get your method dirt!

How do you find all your method news, scoops, and gossip?
+ method lust
+ method's Facebook page
+ method's people against dirty blog
+ method's "methodtweet" Twitter page
+ method advocate emails

I appreciate you taking a moment and letting me know via the comments! And if you get your method news through multiple spots, list each one (Example: "I read about method on method lust, and their Facebook page!") Thanks, lusters!

let's get method!

Sing it with me,now! (To the tune of Physical!) "Let's get method, method, I wanna get method, let's get into method! Let me hear your dishes talk, Your bathroom talk, let me hear your method talk!" Cause it's all about the method method!

And check out this rockin' cool deal for early bird lusters!

"to celebrate the upcoming publication of the method method: Seven Obsessions that Helped Our Scrappy Start-Up Turn an Industry Upside Down, co-founders Eric + Adam will be hosting an interactive webinar on Wednesday, September 7th for budding entrepreneurs and fans of the brand.

the guys will tell candid stories about the first ten years of method’s success and share principles at the heart of our business philosophy. but they also want to hear from you! whether you’re interested in talking about being an entrepreneur, finding inspiration or you have a burning question for Adam or Eric, it’s sure to be a lively conversation.

want in? simply pre-order a copy of the book and email your receipt to methodbook@methodhome.com. you’ll then receive log-in details to join the conversation on Wednesday, September 7th at 9:00AM PT/12:00PM ET. enter by Wednesday, August 24 to be included.

learn more about the book and webinar here."

+

How awesome is that! A book revealing lots of method obsessions that made them who they are today! And it features a case study on none other than your very favoritest in the whole wide universe method blog, method lust, and a webinar where you can chat with the big wigs (but they're really nice big wigs, I promise!) via your computer! It doesn't get any better than that! (Well, if you had some nice gooey chocolate chips cookies and milk to eat while you were talking to the method founders, yeah, that would be even better! Keep that in mind for the big day!)

Don't delay, you're last chance for this amazing deal is August 24th!

sneak peek - the method method

Guess what, squeaky green fans? method co-founders Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry have a brand new book hitting store (and e-reader!) shelves in September! (You've still got your snazzy copy of their first book squeaky green: the method guide to detoxing your home, I hope!) So I thought I'd give you a quick sneak peek at the new cover (above) to the method method, as well as a bit about the book (which, if I don't end up on the cutting room floor, Ha!, will also include a case study on none other than the ole' method lust blog! Yay!) Details include:

Founded ten years ago by childhood pals Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, Method has been making headlines and profits with a revolutionary blend of culture and commerce, style and substance. Today, Method's ecofriendly soaps, detergents, and cleaners are ubiquitous in stores, capturing valuable shelf space long dominated by the tired old products of giants P&G and Unilever.

Ryan and Lowry obsess over seven principles at the heart of Method's business philosophy, including:

+ Kick Ass at Fast: Use small size to your advantage; by bringing innovations to market faster, you can stay out in front of larger rivals.

+ Inspire Advocates: Rather than getting caught up in costly battles for market share, foster deeper relationships with fewer customers in pursuit of greater wallet share.

+ Win on Product Experience: Beyond satisfying your customers' rational needs, design experiences for them.

The Method Method is an irreverent, candid, firsthand case study. Readers will learn how today's consumers behave, how today's companies compete, and how both groups are acting together to drive profound global change.

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Will you be picking up a copy? (You know you want one!) Look for it online and in stores September 15, 2011!

meet me!

Ok, well, you've already met me, lots of times here on ole' method lust, I know! But it's also the title of a new article (possibly for inclusion in an upcoming new book!) by David Bunnell. He's been writing a book on brand advocacy, and method was of course included! Not only that, but I was surprised when he asked if I would like to be interviewed for the book, too! How could I pass that up? So, here is my interview! (I even drew my own self portrait! What do you think? Does it look like me?) I hope you enjoy it, even just a little (if not just lie to me, ok? I'll probably not be able to tell the difference, and my feelings won't get hurt. And I have very thin skin, so you wouldn't want to hurt my feelings, cause I'll bleed and bleed all over. Oh yeah, and cry a lot, too!) So without further blah blah blah:

"Meet Nathan Aaron, Method’s Advocate Extrordinaire | by David Bunnell

Definition: Brand advocates are people who habitually review products and share their opinions with others around them. The sharing can be done in-person around the water cooler with a few close friends or it can be done online with email or on social media networks where advocates can reach many thousands of peers almost instantly.

Marketers are increasingly seeking out brand advocates and oftentimes “energizing” them by providing tools that make it easier for advocates to write product reviews, post messages, answer questions from customers or potential customers and even share coupons.

All companies have advocates. Some companies have fanatical advocates, amazing people who do amazing things for the companies or brands they love. Apple is an example, and so is Method; the environmentally friend cleaning products company.

One such fanatical advocate, profiled below, is Nathan Aaron who was so taken by Method, he launched a blog called “Method Lust” on which he has posted hundreds of articles about Method, the people who work there, and the importance of nontoxic cleaning products.

I learned about Nathan when I recently visited the corporate headquarters of Method in San Francisco. Below is a profile I recently wrote about him:

Struggling to explain his unusual advocacy for a brand of cleaning products, North Carolina graphic artist Nathan Aaron shrugs his shoulders and says, “Maybe I don’t have much of a life.”

But once you hear his story, you’ll realize this isn’t true. Nathan is a very interesting, passionate, and creative person..."

Read the rest here!

give me a 3!

Look who's three! (method lust, that's who!)

clean sweeps

+ method lust has a spiffy new look! I decided it'd been all same-same for a while, so it was time for some blog cleaning! Now it smells all almond, eucalyptus mint, clementine, lavender, minty fresh! Whew! It's still sorta slightly in progress - I've got a few small issues to work the kinks out on, but thought I'd debut it for everyone anyway! Let me know what you think! (And here's a quiz! How many method products can you find in the new above title image? There are lots! - The answer is in the comments section.)

+ Are you a past or present method hand sanitizer fan (as they still sell it online, and at some Office Max/Office Depot, etc. stores)? Well, according to this latest blog piece over on Cool Mom Picks, they've let the cat out of the bag:

"I'm also happy about the new hand sanitizer pump in Method's trademark beautiful tear-shaped bottle, which I don't mind displaying one bit. I just can't wait until they're available on line in a few weeks!"

+

I can proudly say I've seen these new pump bottles in person (old bottle shown above), and imagine method taking their hand wash tear drop bottles, and flattening them to half their size front to back (while still retaining their cute curvy sides!) Or, or, imagine the hand wash, on a Grapefruit diet! All successful and ready for it's swimsuit! They're cute, and will come in sea minerals and sweet water scents! This should be hitting store shelves in September (if not earlier.)

must reads

Just a quick announcement (cue loud tooting trumpets held why gentlemen in feather adorned pointy hats!) to let method lusters know that I've now added a section to the right sidebar called "method lust must reads"! It's teeny at the moment, but with time, patience, care, and three cans of flaky salmon dinner each day, it should grow into a nice big list!

Need to know why this wacky blog exists? Who and what exactly is method? How did it get its start? What happened to aircare (as everyone keeps asking this)? Want to learn about some old school method products? Well, head on down (Psst, it's right below the cute pic of method's co-founders) and you'll find this list!

So next time you're curious, check out the must reads! And yeah, uhm, if it's not there, do a search, ok? I can't do everything for you. Geesh. (But yeah, thanks for reading!)

spit polish

Hey lusters! Just wanted to make everyone aware of a couple of new fangled things I've sorta added to this here blog. (Things everyone else has had on their blogs since 1952. Didn't you know that's when blogs first began? Don't you read the internet? The internet is always right!)

Anyway, you can now choose to share each and every post you enjoy by just heading to the end of that post and clicking the plus sign on the share button! Facebook, email, Twitter, MySpace (if you still have a MySpace account, shame on you! Butterflies, unicorns, unreadable text and Creed playing in the background were so 2006!) Share away! It will only share that particular post (yay!), instead of what I originally had on method lust; which pretty much just shared the whole freakin' site. Ha ha!

Secondly, I've added "more method lusts" to the bottom of each post (the bottom of these posts is where it's at, I'm tellin' ya! The par-tay is happenin' THERE! You've been warned, invited, and as long as you bring a bottle of wine, appreciated!) Now if you want to read more about reusable bags (and who doesn't?! Right? Right?!) or candles, or whatever it may be, you have more articles to choose from relating to the one you just read, without hunting and pecking your way through method lust!

Just me trying to help out my lustful peeps! I know, I know... never say peeps again. Sorry.

hello?

Anyone out there? I'm not sure why, but I sure am starting to feel all lonely here... (luster roll call!)

pardon me, do you have any q+a?

Oh, get ready for something fun! - And new! - But not improved! Cause well, we've never done it before, so how can you improve something before it really exists? I don't know! Ask your science teacher, and get back to me on that! Until then, let's move on, ok? Alright!

Let's get ready for the first ever method lust q+a session! I'm always seeing comments with questions, thoughts, rants, raves, and it got me to thinking! (Which is sorta rare.) Why not take'em to the experts? Great idea, Nathan! Why thank you, I couldn't have thought it up without your help! Oh pish posh, but I do appreciate a good pat on the back every now and then! Well, pat pat to you, my good sir!

Are you ready, cause here's your chance! I want you, oh yes, YOU, to give me your questions! Anything! Good, bad, happy or sad! Mean or pleasant! Don't hold back! Carte blanche, baby, carte blanche! Throw method lust your questions in the comments section of this post; once we've rounded up a bunch, I'm going to sift through them, selecting a wide variety, and send seven or so on over to those method advocate experts! Then they're going to ANSWER your questions, and I'll post the results here on method lust's first ever (did I already say that?) q+a session!

Sound like fun? So get to askin' already! And like I said, don't hold back! This is your chance to be heard! If this goes well, we might make it a semi-regular thing here on ole' method lust! Oh wait, those experts don't know that yet, do they? Shh, I won't tell anyone if you won't.

Now get! Why haven't you asked a question yet? (OH, you're thinking of one! Well, ok, in that case...)

clean sweeps

+ method's new citrus leaf dilutable cleaner is starting to pop up at Target stores! It will be stocked with the floorcare (well, at least at my Target!) With an insanely great price of only $2.99!

+ There are some new polls up! Word, that took forever! This time around it's all scents, scents, scents! (And your favorite method line!) Go at it, vote! It's your democratic duty! (That and, I just don't want to end up with empty polls!)

oh.my.word.

Uhm, yeah, ok. So who might be in this photo? Well, could it be none other than 1) Rachel Goldberg, method's Squire of Scoop; 2) sorta like, me, method lust guy; and 3) Danny Seo, method's Healthy Home 'co-conspirator'! Yeah, I've got a BIG blog post coming this weekend, get ready!

method in a minute

Wow! Ok, while digging around Tom Fishburne's site (see the post below as well), I came upon this GREAT "method in a minute" (well, that's what I'm calling it! Cause it sorta is, method, in a minute!) video! It gives you a lot of insight into method! (Click on the lower right 'full screen' button to get the best view! Then click pause, and scroll through the images one at a time. That'll give you the best chance of taking it all in at your leisure!)

AND, and, I so did not know this until I just watched it this very minute, but method lust is in it! NO way! YES way! Yay! Now you, you, yes you... click play!

you've got mail!

...Yeah, I know, does anyone even still use AOL? I didn't think so. And yet that man's voice will go down in generational history. Lucky him! Oh, and lucky me, too! I'm so excited! Did you get your monthly method email newsletter? Cause I did, and I'm SO freakin' excited, because method lust is spotlighted in it! Yippee! method gives method lust and our big ole' one year anniversary a loud U GO! and I'm just all giddy inside! If you didn't get yours, you can check it out here! And make sure to sign up on method's website, too! (You'll see the sign up at the bottom of the page.) Thanks method! (I'm gonna go skipping now! Hey, maybe I can bring it back. It's about time skipping came back into fashion! Oh yes it is.)

+

And be sure to check out their monthly special for February, and Vaaalentine's Day! (Smooch!)

"roses are red, violets are blue, now through the end of february (or while supplies last), you'll get our foaming hand wash and all surface wipes for 30% off.* okay, so we might not be shakespeare, but we can give you products we love - foaming hand wash and all surface wipes - at a great price. flowers and chocolate are cool, but we think you could shower that certain someone you love in a new way (not literally). and besides, they're more earth friendly, less filling.

get 30% off *offer ends february 28 or while supplies last. offer valid only in the us and canada."

1

Can you believe it! method lust is having it's one year anniversary today! Wow! Who would have thought? That the guy that can't follow through with anything, would make it an entire year spouting off his (extremely unhealthly) lust for method home products, to the world! All I want to say is THANKS to you! Because without you method luster advocates out there reading away each day, well, I'd pretty much be writing to myself. And my ego is definitely not that big! (Shh! You back there, be quiet! It is not!) Happy Anniversary! Now go get me something papery! (Cause you know, apparently a traditional first anniversary gift is something paper. What is that all about?! I think it should be cleaning products! Yeah! Let's go with that!)

One down!...

+

Here's the post that started it all, mint is my man!

the house that method cleans!

...And let the method lust contest begin! Just in time for all you readers to snatch up your digital cameras and get busy over the weekend!

So what's the contest you ask? And what are all these images of someone's beautiful home, you ask? Who could live in such an amazing palace of charm and sophistication? Why, it's indeed a work of art! It's too much for my simple eyes to take in all at once! Please, please, let me rest my mind of all the grace and modern amazement! Let me... ok, ok! I get it. I'll stop now. I'm so jesting with you! (No, really I am. I am... right? Hmm...) Ok, so this happens to be my humble little abode, and this is your contest! (Well, my humble little abode ISN'T your contest, but it sorta is... oh, just keep reading!)

The brand new method lust contest is simple! And it's your chance to win not only an awesome peppermint vanilla aroma stick set, but a few other method goodies that'll come with it! It's like a surprise method box! Whee! And this, my fellow friends, is what I want from you! (See, contests and prizes never come without a catch. Well, ok, some do. This one, not so much!)

I want YOU to send me a minimum of three photographs of "the house that method cleans!" Meaning, YOUR house! Cause you read method lust, you lust method, you clean houses, method makes house cleaning products, put that all together, and you got well, you know what you got! A clean house, all thanks to those wonderous method products! And we wanna see your clean house! In all it's beautiful glory! Or hey, we'll look at your dirty house, too (if you don't mind some snickering and whispers from some people in the back. Ok, that might not be nice, so maybe we should just stick to the clean houses!)

Three (or more) pics of rooms from your home! That's all you gotta do! Send'em in to me (directions below) and you're entered! And you're not only entered once, but your name is entered TWICE! (Oh, and just so you knows, those pics, yes, they WILL end up on method lust! Ha ha! So, I just thought I'd let you know! But come on, if I can post MY house up here, surely you can post yours, too! Right, right! Let the world know about that great little space you live in! We wanna see!)

Now, if you're shy, there's ANOTHER way to enter into the contest! Send in your method advocate spotlight! You've read them, you've seen them, you know they're better than ever now! So go on, send it in! And I'll enter your name ONCE into the contest! BUT, and here's the huge'o news! If you send in your advocate spotlight (which is so freakin' simple to do!) AND your "the house the method cleans!" three little bit'tle photos, you'll be entered into the contest, not once, not twice, NOT three times, but FOUR big times!

This is how it works, I'll write your name on a piece of paper (so that's four pieces of paper, if you enter both ways! Four, I say! Fo' big chances to win!) And at the end of the contest, I'm gonna old style throw all those names into a big orange bowl, shake well, salt lightly, pepper a little, and PICK a winner! Tada! Just like method lust's last contest winner!

So, what ARE you waiting on? Here are the rules:

"The house that method cleans!" contest rules: Take three pics of rooms in your home, which you clean with method products, and send them to me! Done! (Don't forget to include your name, just so you know, it's really helpful that way!)

and Advocate Spotlight contest rules: go here! And again, done!

This contest will end on 2/15/2009! So get going! You know you lust some peppermint vanilla aroma sticks! (And much more! I'm keeping the rest a hush, hush surprise! Cause that's what a contest is all about! Yes, yes, it is. Stop trying to make me tell you. Now, go, shoot! Send! Win!)

peppermint lust?

Wanna win yourself this peppermint vanilla aroma stick set (and a couple more great method goodies?) Stay tuned for method lust's next great contest! (and get your digital cameras ready! Hee hee!)

+

PS - New polls are up! Give'em a go!

take it to the max

...Office Max, that is! Just in case you happen to have one near you, I thought I'd let you know that the aroma sticks (that's all they have left at the one near me) are freakin' $4.80! That's $4.80 worth of cinnamon bark, hollyberry, and peppermint vanilla goodness! Originally $15.00!?! I was so excited! It's not REALLY 75% off, but close enough! So run on out and pick some up before they're all gone'oh!

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OR, if you don't have an Office Max near you, never fear, you can soon try for your chance to win one in method lust's next CONTEST! Details coming real soon like!