For those of us who listen to NPR (and I get it – all other news outlets) … you very well know – it’s been some particularly grim reporting lately.  THE ECONOMY, THE ECONOMY, the economy.  And certainly this isn’t the 1st time the dire financial situation our country is suffering has promoted some “green” lifestyle options (alternative energies, greater use of mass transportation, less gluttony overall), but I heard a story this morning, called Broken & Broke, that really gave me hope.

It was a story about the family-run Cortini shoe repair shop in Fulton, NY that has been operating since the 1920’s and business has never been better. The current owner (grandson of the original) was happy to report that now more than ever people are having their shoes repaired rather than replaced (cue heart swell!).  He said people were even bringing in inexpensive shoes… This is fantastic news!  Could this sucky economy finally bring to blossom the concept that REPAIRING & RE-USING is better than replacing or even recycling?  Be still me heart!

Mr. Cortini (I can only assume).

For those of you who are new to the repair game… don’t give up on your most beloved shoes, wallets, handbags, sweaters, jeans – the list could go on forever.  In these glorious days of the internet,  find the most respected repair shop near you and GO!  Having my shoes, bags & sweaters repaired gives me a natural high – and I am hard on my cherished pieces. And don’t you dare think that it’s too costly.  Ok, you only spent $40 on the shoes originally and the repair might be $15, but how is that not better than totally replacing???  You’re not supporting sweatshops, you’re not creating more waste for landfills and it’s only 15 f*%#ing dollars for a like new piece.  Once you’ve got the right repair shop on your speed dial… I promise – you’re life will be forever charged!

We don’t often cover fashion items that aren’t a part of the Green with Glamour collection, but as this is an exceptional handbag… we’re making an exception.  Matt & Nat, pioneers of high-end vegan “leather” accessories, have been creating stylish, luxe & modern pieces for almost a decade.  We’ve always been fans of their color choices, materials (their Japanese paper is incredible!) and silhouettes… but the Everest – OH, the Everest.  The yellow is our absolute favorite!

Check the details: Vegan leather handbag with tone on tone stitching, 100% recycled like color faux suede lining, antique brass hardware and MATT & NAT logo bar. The Everest features top double zip closure, and 2 shoulder or hand held straps. Interior includes zip pocket, cell phone and PDA pockets. $325.  Available in several colors… C’est Magnifique!

A couple beautiful things have converged in our world this week… and they’re both called Everest!  The first is an A-MA-ZING rock band, based in L.A. but about to play venues up and down the West Coast and the other is a gorgeous, vegan handbag from Matt & Nat.

3 very special things… all worthy of the name EVEREST!

A couple beautiful things have converged in our world this week… and they’re both called Everest!  The first is an A-MA-ZING rock band, based in L.A. but about to play venues up and down the West Coast and the other is a gorgeous, vegan handbag from Matt & Nat.

3 very special things… all worthy of the name EVEREST!

My dear friend, Elie, just turned me on to this fantastic online guide to all foodie things vegan here in Los Angeles – The Quarry Girl!  She has seriously been EVERYWHERE to dine on vegan foods around town.  Her comprehensive listing and reviews of not only vegan joints, but many “regular” restaurants that serve animal-free faire is informative and unparalleled.  She also has a scrolling list of links to vegan guides in other cities.

I am bookmarking the hell out of Quarry Girl!

Yesterday morning my dear friend Amy invited to me to the Hollywood Farmer’s Market – in desperate need of a cup of coffee and loving the chance to spend time with my oh-so-busy friend (she works on Top Chef – how fun is that?)… of course, I accepted! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting too much. I think of the Hollywood area of Los Angeles as fairly seedy and tourist-y, but I must say, the market did not disappoint!

Nestled in a newly updated area centered at the cross-section of Ivar & Selma, I found a bounty of organic veggies, herbs & breads along with prepared vegan comfort food (which we ate on the spot), the best dates I’ve ever enjoyed (& I’ve enjoyed A LOT of dates) and a custom-brewed organic coffee & raw almond milk drink called The Stimulus Package.

the Cafecito Organico menu, my adorable friend Amy mugging for the cam, and LOADS of brussel sprouts!

My final purchases included a loaf of organic date pecan bread (a bit pricey @ $7/loaf, but delish toasted with margerine!), the truly incredible, organic Khadrawy dates from the Bautista Family Ranch, a huge platter of vegan mac & cheese, “pot roast”, kale, bbq tofu and cornbread from A Taste of Life and a big bag of brussel sprouts for my delicious recipe!

Yesterday morning my dear friend Amy invited to me to the Hollywood Farmer’s Market – in desperate need of a cup of coffee and loving the chance to spend time with my oh-so-busy friend (she works on Top Chef – how fun is that?)… of course, I accepted! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting too much. I think of the Hollywood area of Los Angeles as fairly seedy and tourist-y, but I must say, the market did not disappoint!

Nestled in a newly updated area centered at the cross-section of Ivar & Selma, I found a bounty of organic veggies, herbs & breads along with prepared vegan comfort food (which we ate on the spot), the best dates I’ve ever enjoyed (& I’ve enjoyed A LOT of dates) and a custom-brewed organic coffee & raw almond milk drink called The Stimulus Package.

the Cafecito Organico menu, my adorable friend Amy mugging for the cam, and LOADS of brussel sprouts!

My final purchases included a loaf of organic date pecan bread (a bit pricey @ $7/loaf, but delish toasted with margerine!), the truly incredible, organic Khadrawy dates from the Bautista Family Ranch, a huge platter of vegan mac & cheese, “pot roast”, kale, bbq tofu and cornbread from A Taste of Life and a big bag of brussel sprouts for my delicious recipe!

There was no way I wasn’t going to this party… Global Green is such a powerful organization doing some amazing & effective work around the world – from re-building New Orleans to “greening” schools to working with Green Cross to bring Clean Water to developing communities. That being said – there was also promise of a lot of celebs and the chance to dress in cocktail attire… Done (read an earlier post for celeb & party details)!

So I donned my best “eco” ensemble, my escorts (dear friends Matthew & Brandon) stunned in their suits and we headed to Hollywood (ugh… but what can you do). Let’s start with Neil Patrick Harris… you can’t not like NPH! He MC’d the event and was charming, funny & thoughtful (and gorge)! Gavin Rossdale was lovely and Sheryl Crow had a lot of energy, but I wasn’t really there for the music. Leonardo was there (with Kevin Connelly in tow) – so that was fun! And Gwen Stefani was there in “body”, but I barely saw her look up from her crackberry (even while her husband was performing) and she wore sunglasses all night in the already dimly lit room (yawn).

And though these big, flashy events aren’t really my speed, I did have a great evening – but honestly walked away from that night more interested in and inspired by Global Green’s President & CEO, Matt Petersen and the organization’s “Greening” of schools initiative. I got teary eyed during his brief speech & looping slide show. If you’re looking for a cause to support, Global Green is definitely worth a look!

There was no way I wasn’t going to this party… Global Green is such a powerful organization doing some amazing & effective work around the world – from re-building New Orleans to “greening” schools to working with Green Cross to bring Clean Water to developing communities. That being said – there was also promise of a lot of celebs and the chance to dress in cocktail attire… Done (read an earlier post for celeb & party details)!

So I donned my best “eco” ensemble, my escorts (dear friends Matthew & Brandon) stunned in their suits and we headed to Hollywood (ugh… but what can you do). Let’s start with Neil Patrick Harris… you can’t not like NPH! He MC’d the event and was charming, funny & thoughtful (and gorge)! Gavin Rossdale was lovely and Sheryl Crow had a lot of energy, but I wasn’t really there for the music. Leonardo was there (with Kevin Connelly in tow) – so that was fun! And Gwen Stefani was there in “body”, but I barely saw her look up from her crackberry (even while her husband was performing) and she wore sunglasses all night in the already dimly lit room (yawn).

And though these big, flashy events aren’t really my speed, I did have a great evening – but honestly walked away from that night more interested in and inspired by Global Green’s President & CEO, Matt Petersen and the organization’s “Greening” of schools initiative. I got teary eyed during his brief speech & looping slide show. If you’re looking for a cause to support, Global Green is definitely worth a look!

This seriously delicious recipe I found on a site called Megatarian. I used to LOVE those orange & chocolate Milano cookies and these are an even more amazing vegan version:

Dark Chocolate Dipped Orange Cookies (or as I’ve named them for an Oscar party… The Dark (chocolate) Knight orange cookies – R.I.P. Heath).

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp orange juice concentrate
The zest of one orange
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup soy yogurt — plain or vanilla
2 cups + 2 tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

8 oz dark chocolate
1 tsp canola oil

1. In a large bowl, mix together the sugars, margarine, oil, OJ concentrate, orange zest, vanilla and soy yogurt with an electric mixer.

2. Add the flour, powder and salt and mix until combined.

3. Refrigerate the dough at least 2 hours.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prep baking sheets by lightly spraying with cooking spray.

5. Scoop out heaping tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten the ball with the bottom of a glass dusted with flour. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the edges of the cookie are golden brown. Let them cool on the cookie sheets for about 10 minutes until they harden up a bit, then cool completely on a cooking rack.

6. Break up the dark chocolate if it is in bar form. Add the 1 tsp of canola oil and melt it in a double boiler.

7. Dip or spread half of the cookie in chocolate, top and bottom. Set on wax paper to harden. The fridge will expedite this process. and then… YUM!

I love ecofabulous! It’s the first blog with which I ever became obsessed… and my love continues to this day. Zem Joaquin, the founder & head mistress of ecofabulous, is a bit of a modern icon – gorgeous, “green”, successful, stylish and being friends & Global Green collaborators with Dicaprio doesn’t hurt either!

Anyway, the good people over at ecofabulous asked me to post their fantastic guide to Los Angeles’ Westside. Check it… They highlighted some great spots!

Your insider’s guide to the smartest things West LA has to offer!

In case you’re packing for your trip to the Oscar’s (or just daydreaming about all the gorgeous gowns that will be on parade) we’ve taken the liberty of planing everything for you. We’ve got everything you’ll need to hit up West LA in style, while keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum. Enjoy!

	Fresh back from TED in Long Beach, CA, ecofabulous got a chance to catch up with a few of LA’s green and glamorous women – Meg Ryan, Daphne Zuniga, and Elizabeth Rogers. We compiled a list of their favorite hotspots in West LA (East LA will follow soon!) so you’ll know just where to go for hot eats, sweet treats and the best in eco-conscious shopping. Make sure to check out Goodlife.com for more on green and healthy listings in LA (they even have a mobile-friendly directory).
	Best Eats:With an almost entirely organic menu and a quaint outdoor patio complete with a living wall, Kreation Kafe on Montana Ave is the perfect oasis to enjoy a sustainable super – make sure to BYOB as there’s no corkage fee and the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol. Other great spots are Urth Caffé for a cup of joe and great organic soup and sandwich options, Real Food Daily for seasonal vegan cuisine, and Interim Cafe for their amazing ice cream.
	Best Drinks:An early participant in the local non-profit Sustainable Works’ Business Greening Program, The Library Alehouse on Main Street got it right – for tired tourists, one of the best beer-side companions is a book. Feel free to borrow from their shelf as you munch on organic snacks from the pub’s restaurant. If you’re feeling like something a little sexier, we recommend the French Kiss organic cocktail at Akasha with organic vodka and baby ginger liquer.
	Best Sweet Dreams:Opt out of the standard hotel track and stay like a local just four blocks from the beach in one of the three solar-powered Venice Beach Eco-Cottages. Who doesn’t want to soak in “an energy efficient outdoor hot tub that uses ozone and UV light to clean the water, with an exterior make of recycled plastic milk jugs!?” For those that still prefer a larger hotel (with a smaller footprint) try The Ambrose Hotel, the first hotel to earn LEED-EB certification.
	Best Fresh Air & Fresh Finds:When the city life gets to be a bit much, Meg Ryan heads for the hills for a breath of fresh air. Just off the Pacific Coast Highway is the Paseo Miramar hiking trail. Meg calls it “magical,” her favorite spot in the city. She recommends following the hike up with a trip to the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmer’s Market for some fresh f

I love ecofabulous! It’s the first blog with which I ever became obsessed… and my love continues to this day. Zem Joaquin, the founder & head mistress of ecofabulous, is a bit of a modern icon – gorgeous, “green”, successful, stylish and being friends & Global Green collaborators with Dicaprio doesn’t hurt either!

Anyway, the good people over at ecofabulous asked me to post their fantastic guide to Los Angeles’ Westside. Check it… They highlighted some great spots!

Your insider’s guide to the smartest things West LA has to offer!

In case you’re packing for your trip to the Oscar’s (or just daydreaming about all the gorgeous gowns that will be on parade) we’ve taken the liberty of planing everything for you. We’ve got everything you’ll need to hit up West LA in style, while keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum. Enjoy!

	Fresh back from TED in Long Beach, CA, ecofabulous got a chance to catch up with a few of LA’s green and glamorous women – Meg Ryan, Daphne Zuniga, and Elizabeth Rogers. We compiled a list of their favorite hotspots in West LA (East LA will follow soon!) so you’ll know just where to go for hot eats, sweet treats and the best in eco-conscious shopping. Make sure to check out Goodlife.com for more on green and healthy listings in LA (they even have a mobile-friendly directory).
	Best Eats:With an almost entirely organic menu and a quaint outdoor patio complete with a living wall, Kreation Kafe on Montana Ave is the perfect oasis to enjoy a sustainable super – make sure to BYOB as there’s no corkage fee and the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol. Other great spots are Urth Caffé for a cup of joe and great organic soup and sandwich options, Real Food Daily for seasonal vegan cuisine, and Interim Cafe for their amazing ice cream.
	Best Drinks:An early participant in the local non-profit Sustainable Works’ Business Greening Program, The Library Alehouse on Main Street got it right – for tired tourists, one of the best beer-side companions is a book. Feel free to borrow from their shelf as you munch on organic snacks from the pub’s restaurant. If you’re feeling like something a little sexier, we recommend the French Kiss organic cocktail at Akasha with organic vodka and baby ginger liquer.
	Best Sweet Dreams:Opt out of the standard hotel track and stay like a local just four blocks from the beach in one of the three solar-powered Venice Beach Eco-Cottages. Who doesn’t want to soak in “an energy efficient outdoor hot tub that uses ozone and UV light to clean the water, with an exterior make of recycled plastic milk jugs!?” For those that still prefer a larger hotel (with a smaller footprint) try The Ambrose Hotel, the first hotel to earn LEED-EB certification.
	Best Fresh Air & Fresh Finds:When the city life gets to be a bit much, Meg Ryan heads for the hills for a breath of fresh air. Just off the Pacific Coast Highway is the Paseo Miramar hiking trail. Meg calls it “magical,” her favorite spot in the city. She recommends following the hike up with a trip to the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmer’s Market for some fresh f

I’m ready for spring & I’m pinching my pennies (who isn’t & who isn’t, right?). This week I’m throwing the spotlight on the princess dress by Beau Soleil. I live in mine! It’s oh-so-comfortable, it’s perfectly current (spring 09 is a bit serious, stylewise), totally flattering and it’s SERIOUSLY marked down – orig $295, now $73.75… what?!?

It’s of super-soft 100% organic cotton with antique brass studs & recycled leather detail. Spring… come and get me!

I’m a little obsessed with my own closet. It’s pretty much the reason why we moved into our current apartment (that… and the kitchen cupboard storage that can hold ALL of my ridiculous amount of vintage & heirloom tableware). My closet is huge, with built in dresser drawers, 10 feet of hanging space, miles of shelving & a gorgeous window in which my cats can sun themselves. And I’m a little particular about organizing but the hanger thing has always bummed me out. Over time, I’ve stayed true to those clear plastic nasties (though stopped buying them a couple of years ago), but now I’m stuck with them. C’est la vie, right?

Well… Green with Glamour will be opening a storefront once the economy swings out of this depression – which puts me back in the hanger game (I can’t be the only one who gets so excited about hangers… am I?). Well these 100% recycled plastic Ditto Hangers, are the clear front runners!

Not only are they great-looking… but check out their features:

These beauties are available in 4 colors – ice, ivory, smoke and black (only 20% recycled plastic). I’m hung up on the smoke. Tres chic!

I’m a little obsessed with my own closet. It’s pretty much the reason why we moved into our current apartment (that… and the kitchen cupboard storage that can hold ALL of my ridiculous amount of vintage & heirloom tableware). My closet is huge, with built in dresser drawers, 10 feet of hanging space, miles of shelving & a gorgeous window in which my cats can sun themselves. And I’m a little particular about organizing but the hanger thing has always bummed me out. Over time, I’ve stayed true to those clear plastic nasties (though stopped buying them a couple of years ago), but now I’m stuck with them. C’est la vie, right?

Well… Green with Glamour will be opening a storefront once the economy swings out of this depression – which puts me back in the hanger game (I can’t be the only one who gets so excited about hangers… am I?). Well these 100% recycled plastic Ditto Hangers, are the clear front runners!

Not only are they great-looking… but check out their features:

These beauties are available in 4 colors – ice, ivory, smoke and black (only 20% recycled plastic). I’m hung up on the smoke. Tres chic!

taken directly from Ideal Bite and we love it!

Everyone I know is in love with Splenda. It’s sweet, it’s light, it’s calorie-free. Seeing as how everyone loved saccharin (Sweet’N Low) and aspartame (Equal/NutraSweet) before we decided they might give you cancer, it seemed too good to be true, so I did a little poking around on the interwebs.

Turns out Splenda, known as sucralose, is essentially made by adding chlorine to sucrose. There are unsubstantiated rumblings that it was discovered by accident during pesticide creation trials – not a totally ridiculous claim, since many pesticides are chlorinated compounds.

To be fair, that’s not as scary as it sounds, either – I mean, salt is a chlorinated compound, and it’s the best thing ever to ever be invented by the universe ever. (EVER.) But we also thought trans fats were fine too, and look how that turned out.

So it comes down to this: Agave nectar is awesome, and it’s less likely to be labeled as a carcinogen in the future. Now give me some so I can pour it all over my gummy bears.

-Senior Editor Mike…off to rub some stevia on my gums…

seriously… agreed (except the gummy bears. i’m more a black licorice kinda gal)!

taken directly from Ideal Bite and we love it!

Everyone I know is in love with Splenda. It’s sweet, it’s light, it’s calorie-free. Seeing as how everyone loved saccharin (Sweet’N Low) and aspartame (Equal/NutraSweet) before we decided they might give you cancer, it seemed too good to be true, so I did a little poking around on the interwebs.

Turns out Splenda, known as sucralose, is essentially made by adding chlorine to sucrose. There are unsubstantiated rumblings that it was discovered by accident during pesticide creation trials – not a totally ridiculous claim, since many pesticides are chlorinated compounds.

To be fair, that’s not as scary as it sounds, either – I mean, salt is a chlorinated compound, and it’s the best thing ever to ever be invented by the universe ever. (EVER.) But we also thought trans fats were fine too, and look how that turned out.

So it comes down to this: Agave nectar is awesome, and it’s less likely to be labeled as a carcinogen in the future. Now give me some so I can pour it all over my gummy bears.

-Senior Editor Mike…off to rub some stevia on my gums…

seriously… agreed (except the gummy bears. i’m more a black licorice kinda gal)!

I certainly do love clothing & jewelry, shoes and the like, but it’s items for the home that most make my heart race. And one of my very, very, very favorite lines that we carry at Green with Glamour is Ortolan Organic. Here’s a story of 2 sisters (Bethany & Jenna Mallet), raised on a farm in Ohio – who then moved to the big city (NYC) – who then launched the most gorgeous, edgy line of organic textile and earth-safe dyed pillows, table linens & blankets! You know when you discover a collection and you just think… I want 1 of everything? That’s me with Ortolan.

Anyway, the sisters of Ortolan have teamed up with artist, filmmaker & all-around sexy bastard, David Foote, as 1 of 10 artistic collaborations in his series, No. 10. Here’s the result…

The limited edition pillow has all of the trademarks of an Ortolan piece (organic fabrics, non-toxic dyes, animal-free & sustainable kapok filler, domestic fabrication and pure gorgeousness), but also features the alluring work of Mr. Foote. Divine, isn’t it?

Ortolan pieces don’t come cheaply, but I can personally attest that they are of the highest quality and have an important, timeless feel that make you want to live with them forever! AND with the purchase of this pillow ($275), the No 10 collaborators make a 10% donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (an organization that’s been close to and supported by my family for generations).

Side note: here’s the skeleton pillow by Ortolan – One of my absolute favorite pieces we carry at GwG (also a favorite of Ms. Emily Deschanel & Ms. Leigh Watson)! Mine graces my dining room (a typically skeleton-free room… get it? we’re vegs) and it’s luxe & large, chic & statement-y. Like I said, Damn, Ortolan Organic… you’ve done it again!

I certainly do love clothing & jewelry, shoes and the like, but it’s items for the home that most make my heart race. And one of my very, very, very favorite lines that we carry at Green with Glamour is Ortolan Organic. Here’s a story of 2 sisters (Bethany & Jenna Mallet), raised on a farm in Ohio – who then moved to the big city (NYC) – who then launched the most gorgeous, edgy line of organic textile and earth-safe dyed pillows, table linens & blankets! You know when you discover a collection and you just think… I want 1 of everything? That’s me with Ortolan.

Anyway, the sisters of Ortolan have teamed up with artist, filmmaker & all-around sexy bastard, David Foote, as 1 of 10 artistic collaborations in his series, No. 10. Here’s the result…

The limited edition pillow has all of the trademarks of an Ortolan piece (organic fabrics, non-toxic dyes, animal-free & sustainable kapok filler, domestic fabrication and pure gorgeousness), but also features the alluring work of Mr. Foote. Divine, isn’t it?

Ortolan pieces don’t come cheaply, but I can personally attest that they are of the highest quality and have an important, timeless feel that make you want to live with them forever! AND with the purchase of this pillow ($275), the No 10 collaborators make a 10% donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (an organization that’s been close to and supported by my family for generations).

Side note: here’s the skeleton pillow by Ortolan – One of my absolute favorite pieces we carry at GwG (also a favorite of Ms. Emily Deschanel & Ms. Leigh Watson)! Mine graces my dining room (a typically skeleton-free room… get it? we’re vegs) and it’s luxe & large, chic & statement-y. Like I said, Damn, Ortolan Organic… you’ve done it again!

Yes – it’s me. I’m not typically one for huge parties at Hollywood venues, but Global Green is not only an organization I firmly support, but Green with Glamour (in collaboration with Lucky Magazine) proudly donated goodies to their #1 Holy Cross Project house back in 2008. AND check out the celeb list… how could I turn this down?

So, I’m breaking out my best bamboo, one-shoulder dress, my decade-old Pucci pumps and I’m borrowing a pair of the oh-so-stunning black onyx earrings by Dawes Design.

Norman Lear… here I come!