There are very few things I enjoy more in the fashion world than a full length dress.  I love formal gowns, I love vintage caftans and I love modern Maxi dresses!  At Green With Glamour, we currently have 2 very different Maxis… and I own (and LOVE) them both.

Classically chic… And 70s inspired casual.

On the left we have the Carmelina by Kelly B.  It’s crazy flattering, elegant and soooooo easy to wear.  I throw it on with anything from flip flops to espadrille wedges and it always garners a wild amount of compliments.  The beautyWear it day or night… with pearls or with bold, nature-y jewelry like tagua.  And on the right, we’ve got the Fleetwood by She Bible.   It’s easy, breezy, and oh-so-Seventies!  It’s not quite as all-purpose as the Carmelina… but what the Fleetwood lacks in versatility, it makes up for 100 times of in WOW Factor!  There has not been a time when I’ve worn this that I haven’t had a stranger or 2 stop me to ask about it.  It’s super-flattering and unlike anything else out there.  Get you Max on, Ladies!!!

I was talking (Facebooking) with a girlfriend from high school just yesterday… and in the morning, she sent out a really lovely announcement in support of her grown stepson’s new job, in the early afternoon she sat at the hospital while her husband underwent surgery and by late afternoon she was headed to her young son’s music recital… this is what Mothers do.  Everyday they wear so many hats and handle so many situations.  What I see as incredibly impressive… they see as just another day.  So, with Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to celebrate the ladies who put us on the map!  Here are my picks of gifts for all types of Mothers -

For the Mother who loves picnicking in the park, a recycled sailcloth wine bag, $29.

For the Mother who embraces the world, a befitting necklace, $90

For the Mother who can work an “easy chic”,  a hemp cardigan, $149 (this is what I’m getting my Mother, btw).

For the Mother who hates to waste, an upcycled wine bottle coat rack, $75

For the Mother who likes to travel in style, an organic tote, $75

For the Mother who’s all about her home, a posh pillow, $73

For the Mother who wants to give back to other Mothers, a donation to Women for Women, any amount.

And… for the Mother who’s child has a BIG budget, a stunning ring, $1950

The weather is finally to a point, here in Los Angeles, where it’s pretty much perfect… not too hot, nice and bright – and I now spend as much time as possible outside.  And though LA is littered with great outdoor spots, I have to admit, my own backyard is one of my favorites.  Today seemed particularly beautiful… and I couldn’t resist taking some snaps!

Our hideaway house in lush LA

Grapefruits growing from one of our several fruit trees (they’re delicious… fresh squeezed – with a little organic vodka)!

Yep, that’s an IKEA Lack table… they make wonderful side tables for an outdoor living space.  I’ve used a few of these citrus-hued numbers around the lawn.

I wish I could take credit for the beautiful landscaping, but it was here before I was…

An old fountain (that we only run on special occasions) sits under our Clementine tree… total serenity.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t know the type of either of these trees… any ideas?

One of my favorite planters… a gift from my mother.

And the best thing ever… this massive Oak that looms over our house and our lawn.

What’s the best element of your outdoor space???

“I could gush on forever about Tiffany Romigh’s style… I’ve seen her rock a designer cocktail dress and Louboutins at a party where most everyone was wearing jeans (Musicians!?!), and reversely, I’ve seen her turn heads in a tank top, jeans and sneakers at a tony Beverly Hills watering hole. I’ve seen her wear rare Courreges at home and I’ve seen her work a daring neckline in the daytime. Tiffany dresses for her mood – not for you, me or whatever trend is rolling around. She takes risks (and not just with her style), and I so greatly admire that.

—Deana Bracken, GWG President & Creative Director

If nothing else, style to me is about options. My closet has had a Denim Invasion. A late 60s, French moment. A studs-and-leggings Sunday. And I even have the gear to be that woman at the pool; the one who wears her bathing suit with a pair of low, sling-back heels and a summer-weight cashmere wrap and drinks lemonade from a martini glass. (I just hope I have the guts to step into her skin.)

What am I saying? I’m saying that because of the new wave of style innovators and the always-chic design legends and their care and feeding of the objects that have become a real part of our lives, I can be a 70s rock chick one day and a demure coquette the next and still feel like myself. There are that many great things out there.

So this season, I bow my head and blow a kiss to options: a luxe cotton dress with a ruffle down each side.

A clutch that’s both backstage and center stage.

Some studs that come up roses.

Wooden sunglasses that are equally at home in a vintage station wagon and on a beach.

And a denim skirt that could have been designed in the 1920s or in 2020.

But here’s the thing. Whichever way the wind blows, it kind of doesn’t matter. Because when I put together something that feels perfectly “me”, it always feels like home. And with all the options this season, I can buy a home in every place I like.

—Tiffany Romigh, Writer and Living GWG Contributor

Adapted from a recipe found at Libra Loves, this dish made quinoa fans out of a couple of haters (including myself).  So easy, so tasty, so good for you!

photo from Libra Loves

Red Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf

1 T olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 small clove garlic, minced

1 4oz can mushroom stems & pieces, drained

2 C vegetable stock

salt, pepper & adobo (or garlic powder) to taste

1 C Red Quinoa

½ C frozen peas
In a saucepan, sauté onion and celery in oil for a few about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, stirring for 1 minute. Add mushrooms and stock and bring to a boil. Season with salt, pepper and adobo seasoning to taste.
Add quinoa and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover for 10 minutes. Add peas and simmer another 5-10 minutes until stock is absorbed and quinoa releases white curlicues.  Stir to fluff before serving.

*Optional: toss in cooked Gardein “chicken for a one-bowl meal.  Brilliant!

We LOOOOOOOVE this dress!  It’s vintage Babe Paley, it’s better than Tory Burch, it’s modern sustainability meets 60s glam… the Flannery dress by Koch is brand new for Spring – and because we love you – it’s 35% OFF this week only!

The Flannery – originally $305… this week only $198!

Flattering and super luxe-looking, the sophistication of this numbered is balanced by a chic, but cheeky, Origami swan print. Gold sequins compliment the khaki and muted metallic gold fabric. Hem hits most at mid thigh, 3.5 inch front slit. Of organic cotton, Made in Dallas. XS-XL.

Poached from interior design blog, Occasion…

Preface:  I love the concept of Etsy.  I think it’s vital that small time/part time artists, designers, crafters, etc. have a platform with which they can showcase and sell their goods.

That being said, I have little-to-no patience for actually browsing the site.  I end up overwhelmed by the amount of cheesy headbands, ironic wallets and very “handmade”-looking home decor (I know… I’m awful).  What I do like is when my much more patient friends scour the site and find truly exceptional pieces!  Enter Sonia Sharma.

My dear friend, super stylish gal, and principal at Southern California-based Sonia Sharma Events, sent over some of her favorite Etsy finds for me to check out… and here’s the 1st taste of what she found by way of pillows* (the fastest, easiest and least expensive way to update the look of a room – or change it seasonally!):

Red & Gold Lace Medallion Extra-long Lumbar pillow… a perfect punch of color and exoticism for a sofa, chair or bed.

Red & Tuquoise Ogee pillow case*… I love the Moroccan influence here!  Very faraway land-meets-city chic.

Also in Turquoise & Ultramarine.

And I’m personally swooning over this Pink & Dark Orange Sunflower color combo… It’s my favorite thing for Spring!

*I’ve noticed that a lot of pillow cases on Etsy don’t come with the forms – which I personally prefer because I’m pro-Kapok and Eco-fiber and anti “down” feather, so here’s a great resource for pillow inserts.

Thanks for being my Etsy spy, Ms. Sharma!