The weather here in LA is getting better, but I’m still finding myself wanting warm and hearty soups.   Minestrone often gets overlooked for it’s simplicity… but this yummy recipe is definitely worth the (fairly short amount of) time!

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped

3 tbsp olive oil

2 celery ribs, chopped

2 medium carrots, chopped

1 medium zucchini, chopped

1 cup of fresh spinach, chopped

6 cloves garlic, minced

3.5 cups of water

2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can kidney beans

1 can (15 oz) tomato puree

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

3 tbsp dried parsley flakes

2 tsp dried basil

2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 cup small pasta shells or elbows

In a large pot, saute onions in olive oil for 2 minutes.  Add the celery, carrots, zucchini and garlic – saute 3 minutes longer.  Stir iin the water, tomatoes, beans, tomato puree, tomato sauce and seasonings.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Stir in pasta and spinach and cook for 12-15 minutes longer – until pasta is tender.

Bon Appetit!

My latest piece for The Green Girls:

I have to admit, I’m not typically a huge fan “rustic” decor… but ’tis the Sundance Season and I got caught up in the hoopla!  As long as your home’s look is not uber-formal, a piece or 2 of “rustic” can look amazing just about anywhere and really warm up a space.   AND so much of it is made from reclaimed woods and recycled materials… it’s almost silly not to take the plunge!

To shed a little warm & woodsy light on the subject, the Light Block by Brave Space (at Vivavi) is a rustic-meets-modern head turner.  Made from EcoResin, this stylish light comes complete with a low-heat, energy-efficient light bulb.



Every week Green With Glamour features an item and discounts it to 33% OFF… this week we’re showcasing the super-cute Recycled “Pop” Tumblers by The Green Glass Co.  The set of 4 typically sells for $ 33, but this week they’re a ridiculously low $22.11!!!

So cute!

Enjoy the classic look and rich color of these incredibly popular Boylan Pop tumblers. These bottles were rescued from NYC restaurants and kept out of landfills by transforming them into these one of a kind glasses. The luck of the draw determines your assorted set of 4 – it’s part of the fun. Flavors may include: Black Cherry, Diet Black Cherry, All Natural Black Cherry, French Canadan Black Cherry.

Set of four, 8 ounces each.

Dimensions: 4 inches x 2 1/2 inches

Use code WEEKLYSTEAL at checkout for your 33% OFF discount!

It might seem contradictory that a beauty blogger would despise her morning makeup routine, but that is totally me. It all comes down to time and my life long love affair with sleeping. After hitting the snooze button far too many times each morning I am forced to run around my apartment cutting all unnecessary bits of my routine just to make it into the office on time (ish). This has successfully squelched any relationship I might have had with foundation. All that blending and dabbing is not happening at 7:00 in the morning.  However, I am no longer in my twenties and my days of naturally lovely skin are past me. So in a compromise with myself I decided to give mineral makeup a shot, since it’s all the rage these days.

A friend of mine did a funny video promo for Raw Minerals before the holidays (for your perusal below – get ready to laugh…or gag, depending) which brought the company to my attention. I liked what I saw on the website – no animal testing, natural and sustainably sourced ingredients. So I ordered some of the Active Mineral Foundation in Light 3 for $30. There is a bunch of other stuff recommended, like Skin Perfector and Active Veil, but brevity in application was my goal, so the foundation needed to stand on its own.

Active Mineral Foundation

Skin Perfector

I was really surprised at how nicely it matched my skin tone, after all ordering online is always a bit of a gamble in that regard. It wasn’t cakey, went on smooth and actually kind of creamy – something I wasn’t expecting. And the best part is it was quick! A few swooshes with a powder brush and I’m set. Much to my dismay my co-workers have noticed a big difference – “you look so rested,” “you’re absolutely glowing,” “did you get work done over the holidays?” Gee thanks, just ignore that sobbing you hear from behind my office door, it’s just me mourning my youth. Ah well, at least now I have Raw Minerals in my age-combating arsenal.

Click to watch Raw Minerals Video

*Just a note on some nasty rumors on the interwebs about some scam Raw Minerals is running regarding free trials of their product. I wasn’t trying to get anything for free. I paid full price and got a fully functioning product in return so I can’t comment on anything that may or may not have happened to others. But always remember, you get what you pay for, Lovelies.

So typically our “Runway to Real Way”s feature fashion pieces, but I think it makes sense to include some home design pieces every once and again as well.   I’m personally in love with Green With Glamour’s recycled glass cobalt tumblers. They’re chic and simple and sturdy… just what I look for in glassware!

Recycled Colbalt tumblers from Green Glass Co. at GWG, $43/set of 4

But just recently, I spied these very similar tumblers at Neiman Marcus (I mean, I’ve got to keep my eye on the competition, right?) I couldn’t quite believe that they were asking $112 for a set of 4 NON-RECYCLED (and not quite a good-looking) tumblers. Yikes.

“Iris” Cobalt tumblers at Neiman Marcus, $112/set of 4

You be the judge.

2010 is anticipated as a year of progress (we’re feeling it already)!  So, in an effort to do our part… Green With Glamour is introducing the Weekly Steal.  Every week we’ll give one of our lovely items a serious markdown and feature it here at Living GWG (also posted on Facebook and Twitter).

This week’s lucky pick is the Beatrix Top by Stewart + Brown.

Talk about “street chic”! A mix of downtown design with uptown quality, the Beatrix top is as seasonless as it is stylish. Oh-so-soft 100% organic cotton in a subtle and richly-hued plaid. Whether you pair it with leggings & ballet flats or a pencil skirt & heels, you’ll be the talk of the town. Machine washable, made in the U.S.

Originally $185… now $122!

Ok… I just made this and Mon Dieu!  It was a last minute, use-what’s-in-the-frig situation and it was in fact A-MA-ZING!

Yum.

Ingredients:

1 store-bought, ready-to-bake pizza dough

Barbecue sauce

Sliced red onions

Basil (preferably fresh, but dried will do)

Vegan “meatballs” (or faux chicken pieces)

Vegan mozzarella or “Italian” cheese (I used Daiya)

While sauteing  meatballs in a bit of oil (until they’ve crisped up), pre-heat oven to 375 degrees and let dough rise.  Sprinkle pizza pan or baking sheet with a bit of semolina and stretch out the dough.  Coat the dough with the barbecue sauce and top with the onions, meatballs, salt & pepper… and I drizzled just a touch of jalapeno olive oil over the pie and then added the cheese.  Bake for about 15 minutes.  Upon taking pizza out of the oven, add the basil.  Insanely dee-lish!

My latest article for The Green Girls…

I recently learned that controversial writer (Henry & June), erotica advocate and elegant bohemian Anais Nin lived in my neighborhood, with husband Rupert Pole, for about 20 years beginning in 1962.  She helped design her hill-perched Silver Lake getaway home with architect Eric Lloyd Wright (grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright).

Interior shots of Anain Nin’s Silver Lake home

The Pole (& Nin) Residence by Eric Lloyd Wright

Needless to say, I’m now officially obsessed with the house and it’s feminine take on early 60s Modern architecture.  Nin’s decor style is not dissimilar to my own… nods to Japanese style and Chinoiserie, ethnic textiles and mixing clean, mod pieces with organic, natural-y furniture and classically refined American & French staples.  So, there aren’t many tasks I enjoy more than searching for new (& old) goodies that work for the likes of Ms. Nin.

Reclaimed wood print block panel at CB2

Art Deco box

The Kalafornia Lounger by WhyrHymer at Green With Glamour

Vintage Curtis Jere lamp

Reclaimed Oriental rug made from 100% recycled plastic bottles

Anais Nin at home in Silver Lake

We want to kick off 2010, Green With Glamour’s year of giveaways, with a serious bang!  So, hello adorable, hemp and vegan-chic bags from Eco Tools… designed by none other than accomplished actress, animal rights activist and all-around-darling, Alicia Silverstone.

After Living GWG’s very own beauty editor, Sara Jones-Rust, gave the bags her seal of approval… we thought to ourselves, “you know who would really enjoy these gorgeous bags?  Our readers, clients, colleagues, um… everyone!”  And here we are.

What exactly we’re giving away:

1 Eco Tools “Overnight” bag along with a matching “Cosmetic” bag – both designed by Alicia Silverstone, given as a set.  The Overnight (11″ x 9″ x 3.3″) is perfect for traveling.  It’s roomy and chic while it’s multiple inside compartments make it easy to stay organized at the same time.  The Cosmetic bag (8.5″ x 5″ x 2.5″) is the go to bag for your everyday makeup needs.  Throw it in your handbag, on your vanity, in your car… and you’ll always have your beauty necessities at the ready!

The Overnight Bag

The Cosmetic Bag

Both bags are made of a gorgeous hemp print (non-toxic inks), lined with recycled plastic and finished with a “tree free” hang tag featuring the lovely Alicia.

How (easy is it) to win? Leave a comment on this post and you’re automatically entered.  Winner will be chosen at random and notified in the 1st week of next month.  GWG provides all shipping and handling costs. YAY!

We’re currently on a bit of an Alicia Silverstone kick over here at Green With Glamour.  She has a brilliant new book, she’s given us self-designed beauty bags to give away (check back tomorrow for details) and she keeps a kickass blog called The Kind Life… so, what’s not to love?!  This recipe is from said blog – it’s hearty and delicious, but not in that post-holidays-can’t-overstuff way!

photo from The Kind Life

INGREDIENTS
1 large head radicchio
Olive oil
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
White truffle oil, to taste
1 fresh pizza crust (preferably a healthy, whole grain one)

STEPS
Cut the radicchio in half, then slice each half crosswise into thin ribbons (as thin as possible).
Dress with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a few dashes of white truffle oil to taste.
Preheat the oven to 415 degrees Farenheight.
Toast the pizza crust in the oven for 7 minutes, or until it is heated through and slightly golden, but not crunchy.
Scatter the dressed radicchio over the pizza crust and return to the oven for another 3-5 minutes, until the radicchio is warm and just starting to wilt.
Serve immediately.

We have A LOT lined up for this coming year, but here are the top 3 exciting goodies you can anticipate from Green With Glamour in 2010:

1. The GWG product line

I, personally, am crazy-excited about the upcoming Green With Glamour line of fashion, travel and home essentials!  It’s a perfectly sized, 9 piece line of super-chic, signature pieces to wear, take with you and live amongst.  The idea started as a shortlist of items I’d prefer not to live without and has blossomed into a collection of gorgeous goodies that I think everyone will enjoy.  Unfortunately, I can’t give away too much at this point… but let’s just say it involves caftans, backgammon and animal inspirations (of course)!

2. Living GWG giveaways

Why not, right?  I think this once-horrid-and-now-getting-somewhat-better economy has softened us all a bit to the point where “free stuff” doesn’t have to be taboo.  Sometimes “gratis” can be gracious… so we’ve put into motion monthly GWG giveaways – and we’re only giving away pieces you’ll actually want.  No junk.  From life (and hair) changing bamboo hairbrushes and yummy soy candles to gorgeous jewelry pieces and fashion-forward accessories… First up – EcoTools Makeup Bags designed by Alicia Silverstone (stay tuned)!

3. And maybe… just maybe a tv series about GWG!

I don’t like to count chickens before they hatch (I actually don’t think I’d like to count chickens at all), but there has been a bit of a buzz around a reality show (I know, but don’t hate) revolving around us kooks that run/work with/live for Green With Glamour. The highs, the lows, the everyday madness that is our lives. Again, I can’t currently give away too much, but cross your fingers for us… and we’ll give you tv gold!

Happy New Year Everyone… may this be the best year yet!