I just love getting assignments from magazine editors!  They always ask me for lists… of anything from big ticket goodies to super budget-y finds.  I get to (online) shop and dream and create new vignettes in my head.  It’s just about the best thing ever.  My latest assignment was given to me by The Knot… a really chic wedding magazine.  The list – a simple rundown of my 10 decor obsessions for Spring.  Done!

The Goods…

Handmade Blue Nature stool at Barneys New York, $5998

Recycled cotton Nesting Dolls throw at Green With Glamour, $115

Organic Botanical Embroidered bedding at Pottery Barn, $49-$299

Carmel chair at Green With Glamour, $2950

Recycled glass goblets at World Market, $37

Bucephalus living sculpture by Robert Cannon at Eco First Art, $8600

Courtney pendant lamp at Green With Glamour, $625

Organic Crab pillow at Green With Glamour, $73

Recycled polypropylene Casbah rug at CB2, $80

Gold Kalamkari napkin at Ten Thousand Villages, $6

Here’s to a happy & stylish Spring!

We are absolutely honored to feature the incredible Thandie Newton and her kind words about Green With Glamour.  We’re longtime admirers of Ms. Newton’s grace, style, commitment to mindful living and serious acting chops.  She’s an inspiration.

I, personally, first became aware of Thandie in 1991 (OMG, that’s 20 years ago!) when I first saw a brilliant film called Flirting.  I was immediately taken with her confident, smart girl-meets-total knock out presence.  It’s a rare combination (though also possessed then by her Flirting co-star, Nicole Kidman).  The story is poignant, the direction is sultry yet serious and the acting is stellar.  And in the past 2 decades, Thandie has built a wonderful repertoire of performances in films (and t.v.) including Jefferson in Paris, Beloved, Mission Impossible II, Oscar-winning Crash (for which she won a BAFTA), W. (as Condoleeza Rice?!),  For Colored Girls and E.R. Amazing!

Seriously stylish, regardless of occasion

Thandie’s style is that of a true “icon”.  I don’t throw that word around lightly.  Very few actresses of our generation have earned it as far as I’m concerned.  But her looks are always pulled together and unique whilst never looking fussy or overdone and her approach to fashion is that of a yesteryear social doyenne (think Babe Paley, the Countess of Bismark, Gloria Guinness).   Easy elegance.  And the fact that she calls The Clutch that I designed her “favourite of all time” is just beyond! I’m blushing.

Add to that her dedication to the environment (like convincing other celebs to swap their gas guzzlers for energy savers) and humanitarian efforts (including the support of Breast Cancer Care, Artists for Peace and Justice and the NSPCC)… and our crush goes through the roof.  Well done, Ms. Thandie Newton.  You’re a role model for us all!

Lately it seems like everyone’s been talking about hair masks – maybe as an end of winter exercise.  And typically, I’m the one who runs out to try whichever great, organic product is recommended… but not this time!  In my research to find which mask to buy, I stumbled upon this oh-so-easy recipe to make.  3 simple ingredients.  I didn’t even have to go shopping… I had it all on hand!
1 ripe avocado
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 tsp olive oil (**I doubled the amounts because I have long, thick hair.**)

How to:
1. Mash the avocado with a large spoon until it’s completely smooth

2. Combine the coconut milk and olive oil, stirring rapidly to make sure it’s mixed in well.

3. Warm up the mask in your microwave, about 20 seconds or until it’s slightly warm (*I don’t have a microwave, so I did old school stove top).  Apply the mask to your hair a palmful at a time from roots to ends, and massage it into your scalp.

4. Leave on for at least thirty minutes or as long as you can (I did 1 hour) and wash your hair.

And presto… shiny, healthy, moisturized hair & scalp!

I must admit, I don’t really care for the Harry Potter dynasty.  I tried… I really did.  My dear friend, John Burns, loaned me all of the dvds and I couldn’t sit through 1 of the 3 movies I tried to watch (the others, I didn’t even attempt).   That being said, I thought Daniel Radcliffe was hilarious on Extras.  And that concludes my personal exposure to Daniel Radcliffe.

The Hero

Now onto something actually important.  Daniel’s do-gooding.  This June, Master Radcliffe will receive the Hero Award from The Trevor Project – for his work with the organization.  The Trevor Project seeks to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing a twenty-four hour crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs.

Radcliffe has since said that The Trevor Project is “absolutely one of the most important, if not the most important, thing that I’m associated with.”

In addition to financially contributing to the organization, Radcliffe filmed a PSA to spread the message about their imperative work.  Daniel has said of The Trevor Project, “It’s extremely distressing to consider that in 2009 suicide is a top three killer of young people, and it’s truly devastating to learn that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. It’s vitally important that young people understand they are not alone and, perhaps even more important, that their young lives have real value.”

Seriously, Daniel… Way to go!  We need more outspoken Heroes like you.

I love music.  I do.  We always have it playing here at Green With Glamour.  I couldn’t live without it because I believe it feeds the soul.  And it’s all types that I enjoy… rock, blues, classical, hip hop, country, jazz, soul, global and even some pop.  Which brings me to my current obsession – Night Covers by The Watson Twins.  It’s a soon-to-be-released album (I have an advanced copy) of all cover songs as sung by the oh-so-harmonious TWT.

Photo by Darrin Noble

And here’s why it’s worthy of my fanaticism… not only does it feature the beautiful and soulfully melodic voices of Chandra and Leigh Watson, but the array of songs they cover is inspired!  From The Turtles to The Eurythmics to The Black Keys, The Watson Twins put their musical swerve on songs I know and love.  Thought the album isn’t in wide release for a few weeks, check out this video teaser to Night Covers (featuring Bo Koster of My Morning Jacket) for a teeny, tiny taste… AND then watch a teaser to my biggest obsession of the obsession, The Watson Twins’ cover of You Showed Me by The Turtles.

Annnnnnnd… get a FREE DOWNLOAD of “You Showed Me” HERE! Ob-sessed.

Spring is officially here…so why not celebrate the season with an exotic berry fragrance in your own home!  Enter Infusion Organique’s Acai Rain Parfum de Maison.   Infused with the tart berry accords of certified organic Açaí extract and sparkling organic orange oil – Açaí Rain combines natural raspberry and currant, white peach, fresh greens and organic vanilla extract. The resulting scent captures the transformative essence of the Brazilian Rainforest for you and your home.

“Drift east from the Andean headwaters of the Amazon – through Peru to the lush jungles of Brazil. Continue under the misty canopy of the Brazilian rainforest where local Indian tribesman first discovered indigenous Palms laden with Açaí (ah-sah-ee) berries. Popular in Brazilian culture for generations, Infusion Organique has captured the fresh scent and organic power of this magical fruit in Açaí Rain.”

A beautiful and inconspicuous accent for any room or bathroom in the house, Infusion Organique’s Parfum de Maison fills the air with the rich blend of our organically infused fragrances. Non-aerosol and water-based, Parfum de Maison follows the manufacturing guidelines set forth by the carbon-reducing California Air Resources Board (CARB). So you can enjoy a fragrant, organically infused and environmentally friendly home.

Leave a comment and you’re entered instantly.  GOOD LUCK!

Spring is just around the corner and Green With Glamour is ramping up for warm weather looks!  New  fashion is trickling into GWG Headquarters and our excitement is on the rise.  We’re really vibing a polished, 70s look for the upcoming season… pretty patterns, bold (without being too bright) hues and feminine-without-being frilly silhouettes.  And though our in-house line, The List by GWG is young & small… we love each piece.  All hail The Clutch in 70s Chic!

Made from vintage deadstock cotton fabric… from the actual 1970’s, The Clutch is the perfect piece for both ladies who prefer to use patterns sparingly (just imagine how cute with a beloved LBD and wedges) AND for ladies who like to be bold with prints (just picture with your favorite striped tee or floral sundress).  It even works sooner than Spring/Summer with a tank, cardy and skinny jeans. So, so, so stylish!  And like every piece from The List by GWG collection… it’s a limited edition – available only Spring/Summer 2011!

Lined in organic cotton/hemp linen, The Clutch is sustainable, stylish… and oh-s0-current!  COMING SOON….