One of my favorite silhouettes for Spring is the feminine (but not too girlie) skirt!  I wear skirts constantly… for work, for play, day or night.  I keep the top fairly simple – a ribbed tank or a crisp white shirt and let the accessories & footwear really dictate the look.  I might do pearl earrings and ballet flats (or this season’s shoe star – Oxfords) for a casual day look and switch out to heeled booties for evening and add a statement necklace for evening… easy chic!

And the Ellie skirt by Mountains of the Moon (MotM) is at the top of my “Must Wear” list for this season.  Luxe but effortless, colorful yet versatile… the Ellie has it all!  I also noticed that Jason Wu’s Spring 2010 collection includes a short ruffled skirt (lovely as well), but in that it’s anything but “eco” AND over $700 more than MotM’s… my vote is the Ellie!

The Ellie skirt by MotM, $170

or

The Keira skirt by Jason Wu, $890

I use my palette tote every day – no exaggeration.  For groceries, dry cleaning, sometimes I even throw my laptop in and go.  It’s incredibly durable AND I get compliments on it non-stop… and this week, it’s ONLY $11!

Ah spring. It has arrived. For us here in So Cal, it’s sunny and 80 and for our readers in the Midwest or East it’s a balmy 55 and rainy, but it’s welcome all the same. It’s inspiring me to freshen things up a bit. Buy a few new pieces to brighten up the wardrobe, make an appointment with my hair stylist for a sassy new cut and, of course, add a little pop to my cosmetics with some spring colors.

Josie Maran Cosmetics has a shadow and powder palette that will do just that. The Natural Wonder Powder Palette has five eye shadows, two blushes and a bronzing powder – after all, it’s never too early for a summer glow. The products are paraben free, not tested on animals and housed in a biodegradable case.

Natural Wonder Powder Palette

The cream blush might be a little much once the humid days of summer roll around, but I’m thinking it’ll be just perfect for that moisturized, dewy look over the next few months. And I’m also digging the toxin and petro-chemical free lip gloss in joie de vivre.

Cream Blush

A little joie de vivre!

You can get Josie Maran Cosmetics at a myriad of places, like their website and Sephora. So freshen up those winter colors and enjoy the lovely weather at your most fabulous.

Just a little love from an unexpectedly GWG magazine! In the April 2010 issue of Country Living, the Taj napkin by Hammocks & High Tea from Green With Glamour is chosen as one of their top 30 “eco-chic” picks for the home.

They truly are lovely napkins… great pick, CL!

Ah, the Taj… almost too pretty for food.

Check out other GWG/magazine love on our As Seen In page!

The weather’s getting warmer and we’ll all be hanging outdoors any day now.  So, there’s no time like the present to spruce up your outdoor space!  Whether you go for the rustic look, classic elegance or dig the modern vibe… I’ve found some of the best “eco” decor around for every style, every space.

I’m absolutely obsessed with these Ceramic Head planters.  They are glorious and oddball… I want one in each color… to create a movable herb garden.  How perfectly special!

If you’re in need of easy seating/small tabletops/statement-y plant stands, garden stools are the way to go.  They’re chic, versatile and luxe-looking (well, the good ones are).  And besides some beautiful vintage ceramic stools out there, the Recycled Aluminum “Miami” Garden Seat at Neiman Marcus (thanks Green Your Decor for the heads up!) is a serious show-stopper.  Modern, classical, tropical… and maybe even nautical, this seat will works it’s chic with many different styles!

I’m also a huge fan of bird watching (sounds a bit nerdy, I know).  I have an amazing array of wild birds that come to feast at the feeders I’ve placed around my house… and I could honestly watch them for hours!  But as to not have my home look like the Birdman of Alcatraz’, I make sure my bird-based pieces are as chic as everything else.

Enter this lovely and artful Recycled Glass Birdfeeder. Easy to fill (which not all are!) and easy on the eyes, it’s stylish, sustainable and gets the job done!

This recycled birdhouse is lovingly made by the students at Brown’s Foster Home in Rome, Maine.  Each little house is an individualistic work of art!  I particularly like this paint-splattered, ceramic doorknob number because of it’s 1980’s Soho meets historic Northeast vibe… Who wouldn’t want to live there?!

Now, take a load off and enjoy the warm weather with the oh-so-chic Modern take on the Adirondack rocker by Loll.   Available in 7 gorgeous colors, this rockin’ chair is made from 100% recycled HDPE (high density polyethylene)!

And what cheeky outdoor area would be complete without the company of a little guy known as the Garden Gnome?!  Let this little ceramic fellow cast a positive spell over your outdoor area… and may your Spring by simply magical!

Keeping it real… garden style!

All things (the environment, the electronic age) considered, I’m still a fan of a thoughtful, hand-written note.  It’s a physical keepsake, a personal gift to the recipient… with which no email can compete!  I’m also a complete snob about paper stock and ink quality for me stationary – which is why pieces by Binth are perfectly suited for me.  Not only are they of top quality materials, but they are highly sustainable and visually de-light-ful!

A perfect example is the “Hello“ boxed set.  The are elegant and artful, recycled and perfect for any occasion… and this week – they’re ONLY $10.05!

Let those special someones know you are thinking of them with these sweet little greetings. Screen-printed on recycled white stock, boxed set of 6 cards & envelopes. Made in the US.

ONLY $10.05 (orig $15) - good through 3.17.10

About a month ago I was introduced to Marie Veronique Organics and I’ve been using their four step facial regiment ever since. The first word that comes to me when trying to describe this natural skin care line is simply – lovely. The products look lovely, smell lovely and make my skin look and feel, you got it, lovely.

First of all, they come in charming brown glass bottles that make you feel like you had an age-defying potion especially mixed up at an old-timey apothecary. And they are oh-so attractive in the medicine chest (if you’re the type of person who likes the inside of their cabinets to look good – which I am.)

Cleanse – I have been using the ‘Gentle Cleanser.” It smells fresh and leaves your skin feeling soft and not at all dry. It has a base of green and white teas and is infused with spirulina, so it’s a nice shade of green. I do recommend using an eye make up remover if you don’t already.

Hydrate – The “Anti-Aging Mist” smells so nice that I always have to force myself to stop spritzing the intoxicating concoction of tea, flower extracts and essential oils on my face.

Replenish – I wasn’t sure how I would feel about using an oil instead of my typical cream based moisturizer, but the “Anti-Aging Oil +” is just spectacular. This is not just any old oil, it is a complicated mixture of many natural oils that combine for maximum moisturize-ation, without grease-ification. And it’s completely free of any toxins, just as all MVO products are.

Protect – The sunscreen doubles as a tinted moisturizer. The “Moisturizing Face Screen +” is SPF 30 and the light scent doesn’t cling to your skin like some SPF moisturizers. I used the medium tint, which I would typically think would be too dark for me, but this blended beautifully with my skin tone and did a great job of evening out my pink spots.

I would highly recommend checking out these and other MVO products, for healthy and naturally lovely skin.

Who couldn’t use a little sparkle for Spring?  Whether you pair these babies with a tank top and jeans or your favorite Little Black Dress, these glammy hoops will “up” your look instantly!

Of reclaimed exotic wood, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and harvested by sustainable methods finished with Swarovski crystals… so chic! $150 retail.

Leave a comment below and you’ve entered the giveaway instantly!

GWG pres & creative director, Deana Bracken, has a real issue with discarding anything (I mean ANYTHING)!  She’s a die-hard recycler, but if she think something has an aesthetic or practical value to her or anyone else, she’ll try her damnedest to find said piece a home.  As Deana also continues to work on a handful of interior design projects, she perpetually finds herself with remnant or sample fabrics and wallpapers… with these she makes these silhouettes, combining two of her absolute favorites – animals and design!

Black Cat wallpaper silhouette, NOW $36.85 (orig $55)

14 inches x 10 inches

Scottie wallpaper silhouette, NOW $30.15 (orig $45)

12 inches x 8 inches

Boxer wallpaper silhouette, NOW $43.55 (orig $65)

All hand-cut finished with no-VOC paint. Ready to hang, made in Los Angeles.

I believe I’ve mentioned my feelings on fragrance on this blog before – I like hate it in my cosmetics, unless it’s very subtle and dissipates quickly. I do, however, enjoy the occasional spritz of perfect perfume, but it has to be light and never synthetic. I prefer Earthy scents over flowery or fruity, but nothing too reminiscent of a Grateful Dead show.

I have been loving the “Lotus Bamboo” scent from Acorelle. After all, who does fragrance better than the French? All of Acorelle’s scents have an impressive 90% organic ingredients. They are made out of flower water, essential oils and natural extracts.

Even the perfumes with more of a food-centric note, which I typically don’t care for, such as the “Wheat Almond”

or “Citrus Verbena” went on light and blended nicely with my natural scent. I wasn’t reminded of baking in the slightest.

The best thing about this line of natural perfume is its subtly. There is no chance of overpowering your carpool mates or leaving your smell on anyone you might happen to hug, like a dog marking its territory.

Let whatever fragrance you pick compliment your style, enhance your essence. It should not be the only impression you leave behind.

Get your preferred Acorelle scent HERE!