The good people at I-ELLA introduced themselves to us last week… and I have to say, I’m really excited, impressed and eager to shop!  I’ve browsed other online buy/sell/swap sites in the past, but NONE have come close to the quality and variety of pieces available at I-ELLA.

As I’m sure you can imagine, I get just about everything I wear (clothing, jewelry & handbags) from Green With Glamour.  However, I’ve been known to pepper my wardrobe with a vintage designer piece or 2 from Ebay, DecadesTwo and the like… but here’s why I think I-Ella outranks those others:

*They’re discriminating (in a good way) about what actually makes their site.  Excellent quality and condition seem present in every item.  From Chanel and Hermes to Philip Lim 3.1 and Diane von Furstenburg to J Crew and Nine West, they have a really well-curated selection of goodies (ranging from barely worn 2010 pieces to vintage).

*The site is easy to shop.  Their navigation system and categorizing is spot on!

*They GIVE BACK.  Every time you shop with I-ELLA, you give.  Each month, the I-ELLA team picks three charities to partner with running the gamut from funding for the arts in NYC to health initiatives in countries all across the world – including the Greater NYC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, Keep a Child Alive and H.E.L.P.

*As a shopper, you can borrow, buy, swap and/or sell.  I love the swap concept because it’s perfect for those pieces you’re not willing to totally part ways with – but you can send off on a little adventure and then have returned to the haven of your own closet!

*You can shop in various celebrity closets!  Whitney Port, Elizabeth Rohm, Veronica Webb… and proceeds go to a cause they support.

Check out some of my personal favorites available right now…

DVF                                 Lanvin                                                    J Crew

Feral Childe (eco)         YSL                                                                   April, May

I will say that everything I checked out was a size 6 or under, so… I’m hoping they broaden their range, but I’m pretty much convinced that I-ELLA is the place to go for 2nd-hand, online treasures!

It is a member’s only site, but you can use the referral code: INVITE2010 for instant access!

Let’s start off by saying that I am not the tannest person in the world.  Mostly intentional, partially genetics.  Regardless, during the summer months, no one wants to see my pale transparent legs in a dress. Seriously. Well, except for my boyfriend but he doesn’t really count when it comes to this.  Enter Nature’s Gate Glow Lotion, used daily it will gradually enhance and tan your skin.

At first I was a bit skeptical. But I gave it a shot especially since it’s filled with moisturizing agents: Shea Butter, Apricot Kernel Oil, Soybean Oil, Vitamin E, Rose Hip, Algae Extract, and Sweet Almond Oil. Used as a daily moisturizer it was quite easy.  I saw results in 24 hours. Although subtle, the effects were noticeable.

DAY 1                                           DAY 2                                         DAY 3

The tan was even and did not come across as too orange. It actually looks quite natural. The lotion smells nice, not funky and over powering like some other self tanners and lotions. Another bonus, It won’t stain your hands, as long as you wash them after application.  Cruelty free, vegan, paraben free, phthalate free, mineral oil free, petrolatum free, and synthetic fragrance free. It comes in 2 shades: Light skin tone, and Medium skin tone.

With The (Eco) Beauty Biz, celebrity hairstylist & make up artist, Vanessa Rose Price, schools us all about sustainable make up, hair and skin care .  Not only does she tame those famous Justin Bieber locks (along with a scrolling list of other celebs), but Vanessa kindly takes time out of her ridiculously jet-settery schedule to bring us “Eco” beauty tid bits along the way.

An incredible deal, right?  Kat & I both LOVE our Laurel trouser jeans by Del Forte!  The legs are actually a bit more flared than the photo indicates… they have a very Rachel Zoe vibe.  Long and wide, dressy and chic.  And now $39… that’s more than $150 OFF!!!

A little glam, a little casual and a whole lot stylish! Of a cool medium wash, organic denim finished off with gold-stitching detail, the “Laurel” design is long, lean and incredibly flattering. Works with anything from platform heels & your chicest metallic top to ballet flats and a loose cardy… Perfection – and only $39!!!

1% spandex for stretch, 33.5 inch inseam, Made in the U.S..

A perfect dish on a cozy evening… now that the nights are getting cooler!
*We love love love the whole wheat pre-made pizza dough by Panebelle.  The packaging is what caught the eye first and when we brought it home, opened it, were even more enamored.  With the self rising box, it’s a no brainier, it’s as easy as pizza pie!  Plus the dough once baked is delicious, crisp outside, chewy inside, and vegan.

INGREDIENTS:
1 small onion, in 1/2” slices
1 head of garlic, peeled and cloves left whole
1/4c. small seeds such as sunflower and or pumpkins seeds
3 sprigs rosemary
3 sprigs thyme
5 sage leaves
3 Tbls olive oil
Salt and pepper
2 potatoes, 1/2” chunks
1/2c. cubed yellow squash
1/2 fennel bulb, 1/2” slices
And other various seasonal root veggies such as beets, turnips, and carrots

Preheat oven to 350.
Toss all above ingredients in olive oil, spread on baking sheet, salt and pepper liberally.  Bake at 350 for 45 min, turning every 15 minutes.

While veggies are roasting prepare the pizza crust…

1 pizza crust, pre-made or homemade*
2 Tbls olive oil
Salt
2 Tbls parmesan cheese – optional

Press pizza dough on oiled cookie sheet, brush dough with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.  Spread roasted veggies on dough, be sure to remove the stems from herbs, and follow cooking directions on packaging for pizza crust.  Once cooked sprinkle with parmesan cheese and dig in!!

Que Bella!

Abby Lutz & Shane Walsh

Switching gears from the fast-paced hullabaloo to the bucolic countryside, comes our new foodie team, Abby Lutz & Shane Walsh.   A clothing designer and photographer respectively, this couple traded in their edgy Brooklyn address for a bit of paradise on a farm in rural Pennsylvania.  With a slower paced life now (though they still both work and turn out insanely gifted work), Abby and Shane have found themselves lingering in the garden and creating in the kitchen.  The result?  Mouth-watering, inventive concoctions crafted from the very food they grow.  Whatever is ready to be picked is what goes on the plate…  the very reason why they are The Accidental Gourmands.

Despite the scorching heat in LA this past week and weekend, I braved the high temps and hit the Melrose Trading Post once again! This time I am in search of fun, unique fixtures for my apartment.  Lucky for me there are more than enough vendors for my viewing pleasure.

When you first enter the Trading post you may think this is not what you’re looking for if you’ve come to purchase furniture or art. However, push past the first 20 booths or so, and you’ll find what you want.

One of my favorite vendors for abstract art can be found in the most open area of the parking lot, 2nd row in. His name is Jim and he tries to make it to the Trading Post every Sunday. Jim’s use of colors is incredible and he can make you anything you can dream up. His paintings range from small to quite large wall.  Jim was also recently featured in 944 Los Angeles and is definitely an artist on the way up.

If you keep walking past the ‘A Englishman In LA’ booth you will reach the booths filled with furniture, wall art, and various home accessories.  The adorable couple Manuel and Josephine run a booth which focuses on everything and anything you could want for your home. They have dressers, tables, art, comics, and even this week they included an old wooden boat steering wheel you would expect Captain Jack to be using. Manuel is a top-notch bargainer and always willing to negotiate.

Last but not least, you’ll definitely want to check out the furniture booth ran by Zbigniew and his daughter Kasia. Zbigniew has been selling his furniture at the post for years now and has a plethora of items to choose from. One of my dear friends bought a vanity set from Zbigniew in 2008 and it has withstood 2 moves and received endless compliments over time.  Zbigniew refurbishes each piece and also adds his own personal touch so not one fixture is alike. He is incredibly friendly, knows all about furniture, and will help you load any item of furniture into your car for safe traveling.

Happy shopping!