Not long ago I had the pleasure of meeting social entrepreneur, Mary Fanaro, creator of the OmniPeace. OmniPeace is a humanitarian fashion brand, donating 25% of all profits to charities promoting peace, education, human rights and ending extreme poverty in Congo, Africa.

OmniPeace reaching out to communities in Congo, Africa

As a t-shirt and jeans girl, Mary Fanaro created the silhouette of Africa logo and printed them onto various styles of t-shirts. Mary’s t-shirts are made from all eco-friendly materials and are available for men, women, and children sizes.  The easy chic tote bags are perfect for work, daytime errands… and make fantastic gifts!  Beyond the fashion,  Mary has worked closely with UNICEF & the V-Day Foundation to build and help maintain the City of Joy, a healing center and safe community for Congolese women and girls.

OmniPeace Sequins Tote, $75

OmniPeace Jute Shoulder Bag, $30

Though Omnipeace is much more than a T-shirt and tote bag line.  They’ve placed a call for action to aid the people of Congo – and YOU can easily help!

Congo Pledges

1.Urge Industry Leaders to Make Conflict-Free Products by emailing the 21 Biggest Electronics Companies here.

2. Call your Senators and urge them to cosponsor the Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009 (S.891).  Just dial the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for the Senator’s office.

3. Fill out the form to send President Obama a copy of the call-to-action OmniPeace Hangtag from the Congo t-shirt line.

Through high-profile endorsements, OmniPeace gained popularity in the public eye.  Celebrities from Jessica Alba to Alicia Keys,  David Beckham to Common have all been spotted wearing & supporting the OmniPeace line.

Jennifer Aniston, Sheryl Crow, Mary Fanaro, and Courteney Cox in/for OmniPeace

I am inspired by OmniPeace and Mary Fanaro because of generous and dedicated outreach to those in need (and those who are often overlooked).  Mary has built schools for children in Africa and has created support groups for women and children who have been victimized by rape and violence.  At Green with Glamour, we celebrate individuals who care for the environment and others around them. Living a green lifestyle is not only about wearing eco-friendly clothing or reducing your carbon footprint but is about bringing peace to the world around us.

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!

I don’t know what you have planned for Saturday afternoon… but I know where I’ll be.  As a “guru” for The Green Girls, I’m always included on such great invite lists – and their events are always the perfect combination of fun, thoughtfulness and great information.

Join us on Saturday, December 12th for The Green Girls Holiday Spectacular Event at The Strawberry House in Encino Hills!
The Green Girls are celebrating the holidays with a spectacular event that gives back to our community. Join us for The Green Girls Holiday Spectacular Event & Food Drive for the local Los Angeles shelter. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the non profit organization, Green Wave

LIMITED TO 100 GUESTS

The Stott Family of Lena, IL were the subjects of this week’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC.   Down in their luck – not only because if the hard hit American farmers have taken in this economy AND with global warming climate conditions – the wife and mother of three teenagers, Joey, is a Leukemia survivor.  To help design the new, energy efficient farm house for the family of 5… David Duchovny was on hand to lend support to both the show and the idea of building with energy efficiency (the new farm is complete with a windmill!).

For the interiors… who did the design producers turn to for some amazing, “eco-chic” home decor?  You guessed it – Green With Glamour!  Front and center on the Stott Family’s new coffee table sits the recycled glass pedestal bowl from GWG!

And for the Master bedroom, the shows host Ty Pennington, opted to display 2 beautiful, one-of-a-kind salvaged wood pieces by Hitoshi Tanaka (we have since sold out of Mr. Tanaka’s pieces).

One of Tanaka’s gorgeous pieces used for the EMHE Stott Family house!

And scene.

The Stott Family of Lena, IL were the subjects of this week’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC.   Down in their luck – not only because if the hard hit American farmers have taken in this economy AND with global warming climate conditions – the wife and mother of three teenagers, Joey, is a Leukemia survivor.  To help design the new, energy efficient farm house for the family of 5… David Duchovny was on hand to lend support to both the show and the idea of building with energy efficiency (the new farm is complete with a windmill!).

For the interiors… who did the design producers turn to for some amazing, “eco-chic” home decor?  You guessed it – Green With Glamour!  Front and center on the Stott Family’s new coffee table sits the recycled glass pedestal bowl from GWG!

And for the Master bedroom, the shows host Ty Pennington, opted to display 2 beautiful, one-of-a-kind salvaged wood pieces by Hitoshi Tanaka (we have since sold out of Mr. Tanaka’s pieces).

One of Tanaka’s gorgeous pieces used for the EMHE Stott Family house!

And scene.

The lovely & talented actress, animal rights advocate and eco-chic style arbiter Ginnifer Goodwin is one of those tough cases we encounter a lot with our “Do-Gooder” pieces… it’s hard to narrow down a specific week to feature her because she always seems to be doing good.

Whether she’s raising awareness to stop the atrocities of puppy mills with the Humane Society or heading up the Adopt-A-Turkey Program with Farm Sanctuary – or promoting Veganism via W Magazine… Ms. Goodwin is our kind of celeb – chic, thoughtful, talented and socially responsible!

However, this week we had to feature the Big Love actress because we spied her at Environmental Media Association Awards in Los Angeles wearing an edgy & elegant dress made of old hospital scrubs!  Did you see???

Created by students of the Academy of Art University, the re-used fabric had been treated, dyed and pleated into this gorgeous, “green” number.  Brilliant “sustainable” design meets beautiful, eco-minded actress… love, Love, LOVE!

The lovely & talented actress, animal rights advocate and eco-chic style arbiter Ginnifer Goodwin is one of those tough cases we encounter a lot with our “Do-Gooder” pieces… it’s hard to narrow down a specific week to feature her because she always seems to be doing good.

Whether she’s raising awareness to stop the atrocities of puppy mills with the Humane Society or heading up the Adopt-A-Turkey Program with Farm Sanctuary – or promoting Veganism via W Magazine… Ms. Goodwin is our kind of celeb – chic, thoughtful, talented and socially responsible!

However, this week we had to feature the Big Love actress because we spied her at Environmental Media Association Awards in Los Angeles wearing an edgy & elegant dress made of old hospital scrubs!  Did you see???

Created by students of the Academy of Art University, the re-used fabric had been treated, dyed and pleated into this gorgeous, “green” number.  Brilliant “sustainable” design meets beautiful, eco-minded actress… love, Love, LOVE!

We don’t typically re-post other people’s writing here, but considering how much we love Rory Freedman (best-selling author of Skinny Bitch) and the healthy-living blog, Crazy Sexy Life… we though we’d be fools to not share this wisdom:

1. Don’t say “yes” when you mean “no.” It’ll make you resentful. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

2. When driving, if someone wants to get in front of you, let him in front of you. And do it with a smile. It’ll make his day better, and it’ll make you feel good. You just changed the world.

3. Try to make a gratitude list each day. Include big things and little things. Invite your friends to make their own lists; you can all email one another each day, sharing your gratitude.

4. Don’t be a problem solver when a friend just wants you to be a listener.

5. Call your parents or grandparents. Sometimes, a five-minute phone call is all they need to feel loved.

6. Be a good neighbor: Be considerate inside and outside your home/apartment so your noise doesn’t bother those around you. That includes opening and closing your front door quietly.

7. Pee in the shower. If we each did this once a day, it would save an enormous amount of water and toilet paper (trees).

8. Write a “fan letter.” Tell someone you know, or someone you’ve never met, why you admire him or her. You’ll make someone’s day.

9. Curb your jealousy. Be happy for others.

10. Be willing to be wrong. If someone has a grievance with you, really try to see her point of view. If called for, apologize. It’s hard to do, but it feels really good and makes life so much easier.

11. If you are in a room with someone you don’t know, introduce yourself right away. It takes away the social discomfort immediately.

12. Pick a cause close to your heart, and get involved. You don’t have to quit your job and dive in headfirst. Just get involved on some level and do what you can when you can. Go slightly beyond your comfort zone but don’t overextend yourself.

13. Be a good friend to your friends. Tell them what’s good about them, that you appreciate them, and make the effort to spend time with them.

14. Go vegetarian. Animals raised and slaughtered for food suffer immeasurably. Visit GoVeg.com for a free vegetarian starter kit.

15. Do your best to think good thoughts. They affect your health, happiness, and the people around you.

16. Do something frivolous for someone you love. (It doesn’t have to be extravagant.) It feels so good to do nice things for other people, it’s almost selfish!

17. Practice accepting compliments. The person complimenting you is giving you a gift. Receive it graciously, even if it is difficult.

18. Be generous with your compliments. Don’t blow smoke up anyone’s ass. Just say nice things when they occur to you.

19. Forgive those who have wronged you. Holding onto anger and resentment poisons your body and your life. There are no benefits in staying mad. Let go. It’s okay.

20. Forgive yourself. It’s okay to be imperfect and to have made mistakes. Try to do better, that’s all.

We don’t typically re-post other people’s writing here, but considering how much we love Rory Freedman (best-selling author of Skinny Bitch) and the healthy-living blog, Crazy Sexy Life… we though we’d be fools to not share this wisdom:

1. Don’t say “yes” when you mean “no.” It’ll make you resentful. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

2. When driving, if someone wants to get in front of you, let him in front of you. And do it with a smile. It’ll make his day better, and it’ll make you feel good. You just changed the world.

3. Try to make a gratitude list each day. Include big things and little things. Invite your friends to make their own lists; you can all email one another each day, sharing your gratitude.

4. Don’t be a problem solver when a friend just wants you to be a listener.

5. Call your parents or grandparents. Sometimes, a five-minute phone call is all they need to feel loved.

6. Be a good neighbor: Be considerate inside and outside your home/apartment so your noise doesn’t bother those around you. That includes opening and closing your front door quietly.

7. Pee in the shower. If we each did this once a day, it would save an enormous amount of water and toilet paper (trees).

8. Write a “fan letter.” Tell someone you know, or someone you’ve never met, why you admire him or her. You’ll make someone’s day.

9. Curb your jealousy. Be happy for others.

10. Be willing to be wrong. If someone has a grievance with you, really try to see her point of view. If called for, apologize. It’s hard to do, but it feels really good and makes life so much easier.

11. If you are in a room with someone you don’t know, introduce yourself right away. It takes away the social discomfort immediately.

12. Pick a cause close to your heart, and get involved. You don’t have to quit your job and dive in headfirst. Just get involved on some level and do what you can when you can. Go slightly beyond your comfort zone but don’t overextend yourself.

13. Be a good friend to your friends. Tell them what’s good about them, that you appreciate them, and make the effort to spend time with them.

14. Go vegetarian. Animals raised and slaughtered for food suffer immeasurably. Visit GoVeg.com for a free vegetarian starter kit.

15. Do your best to think good thoughts. They affect your health, happiness, and the people around you.

16. Do something frivolous for someone you love. (It doesn’t have to be extravagant.) It feels so good to do nice things for other people, it’s almost selfish!

17. Practice accepting compliments. The person complimenting you is giving you a gift. Receive it graciously, even if it is difficult.

18. Be generous with your compliments. Don’t blow smoke up anyone’s ass. Just say nice things when they occur to you.

19. Forgive those who have wronged you. Holding onto anger and resentment poisons your body and your life. There are no benefits in staying mad. Let go. It’s okay.

20. Forgive yourself. It’s okay to be imperfect and to have made mistakes. Try to do better, that’s all.

Our patron saint of eco-design, Emily Deschanel, has graced GWG with her Eco-Faves again!  Every season, Ms. Deschanel chooses her favorite, new products at Green With Glamour… and we couldn’t be more thrilled!

From recycled silver hoop earrings to the perfect sushi tray, the lovely Emily has chosen some winning & stylish new pieces!

Click here for the full scoop!

So just this last Saturday I was privy to a party in Malibu thrown by none other than Chris “Ludacris” Bridges – and it was a fundraiser for his Ludacris Foundation, an organization dedicated to “Helping Youth Help Themselves.”

I have to admit, before this party, I knew nothing of Ludacris’ charitable work or the Ludacris Foundation, but since I’ve been nothing but impressed with the man and his efforts:

VISION – To inspire youth to live their dreams, uplift families and foster economic development in the community.

MISSION – To show young people they are the architects of their future and instill our “Principles of Success” – a roadmap for achieving dreams. To connect with our youth to build stronger families and communities.

HISTORY – Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, William Engram and Chaka Zulu were the inspiration for the development of The Ludacris Foundation (TLF). The foundation is based on the principles Ludacris learned at an early age: self-esteem, spirituality, communication, education, leadership, goal setting, physical activity and community service. Officially established in December of 2001, The Ludacris Foundation was created to make a difference in the lives of youth. These men have illustrated their deep-rooted tradition of community service, which has broadened with their celebrity status. The Ludacris Foundation is committed to helping youth help themselves.

As for the party…

The man is smooth… He was thoughtful to his audience.  He was loving toward his attending family and friends.  He was generous with his stage time.  And his sunglasses were simply divine (I’m thinking they’re Mosely Tribes, but I can’t find… let me know if you have any info on them, please)!

And I certainly enjoyed my time there… saw Gene Simmons (creepy) and Andrew Keegan (cute), but Apple Levy, the Founder of The Green Girls, definitely got the scoop – with interviews and the taped performance.  Click & enjoy!

The prettiest of prints… Julia Roberts shows off her feminine side with the Semina Print by Loyale!

Available at Green With Glamour… but ONLY 1 LEFT!!!

The latest effort, It Might Get Loud, by Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth – um… and also the new Melrose Place pilot) is a documentary about the electric guitar “from the point of view of” Rock-n-Roll legends, Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather – and my dreams), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin and The Yardbirds) and The Edge (U2).  I heart music documentaries… Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll (Chuck Berry) lifted my spirit and Let’s Get Lost (Chet Baker) crushed it.  Hell, I even saw Truth or Dare in the theatre.  And now, comes my next chance to fall in love with, potentially question the motives of and get an altogether different perspective on 3 more remarkable musicians!

Hits LA & NYC theaters this weekend!

The latest effort, It Might Get Loud, by Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth – um… and also the new Melrose Place pilot) is a documentary about the electric guitar “from the point of view of” Rock-n-Roll legends, Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather – and my dreams), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin and The Yardbirds) and The Edge (U2).  I heart music documentaries… Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll (Chuck Berry) lifted my spirit and Let’s Get Lost (Chet Baker) crushed it.  Hell, I even saw Truth or Dare in the theatre.  And now, comes my next chance to fall in love with, potentially question the motives of and get an altogether different perspective on 3 more remarkable musicians!

Hits LA & NYC theaters this weekend!

I’m not her biggest fan.  It’s not that I don’t care for her, it’s more like I don’t identify with her, but… check this out.  Rachael Ray has offered up $200,000 to charities the help animals in need. In what she’s calling “Mutt Madness”, Rachael has launched an initiative to help raise money for organizations that practices no-kill animal wellness.

According to Ray’s site:

”If you’ve got a [charitable] organization that practices no-kill animal wellness, then enter to win up to $50,000! How does it work? Our panel will choose 64 qualified organizations to participate in a fun, brackets-style program where the public votes for the winners. After 6 rounds of cash rewards, the grand prize winner will receive $50,000! All in all, we are giving away over $200K to organizations that have shown a serious committment to helping animals in need.”

Right on, Rachael!

There’s definitely something sexy about compassionate, young dads, right?  Unselfishness is about the most attractive trait a man can possess, in my book.  Think Brad Pitt, think Blake Mycoskie, think Robert Kennedy Jr. and now – think Tobey Maguire.  Mr. Maguire, father of 2, has written an impassioned letter to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, to draw attention to the current unhealthy & meat-driven meals served in U.S. schools and ask for more nutritious, more vegetarian-friendly dishes for our future voters, community leaders, teachers, etc. during their school day.

“My wife and I just had our second child, so this issue is tremendously important to us…Let me ask you please to ensure the Child Nutrition Act provides more fruits, vegetables, and healthy vegetarian foods. Young people deserve healthful food, and I can’t imagine a better investment in the future of our country.” – Tobey Maguire

To read Tobey’s letter in it’s entirity, hit up Ecorazzi.  And to sign the petition for healthy school lunches, click here!

I love this story!

Gorgeous pop songstress and animal rights supporter, Leona Lewis, approached a homeless man last week who was leading a rabbit on a leash down LA’s Melrose Avenue.  When she inquired as to what his plans were for the little bunny, he responded “… probably eat him.” The quick-thinking and compassionate Leona promptly offered the gentleman $100 for alternate food in exchange for the rabbit – which he gladly took.  The lovely Ms. Lewis took the sweet bunny back to her home garden where the newly-named “Melrose” is living happily.

 This is not the lovely Ms. Lewis’ first act of animal love.  According to Ecozazzi, “Leona is a vegetarian and an avid animal rights supporter. Last year she turned down a $2 million offer from exclusive London store Harrods to open its summer sale because the store sold fur. She is currently living in LA to record her second album.”