For me, Summertime means several things… Making extra time to spend with friends, buying loads of fresh produce and playing Backgammon, Master Mind and cards, poolside (if possible).  My Backgammon set is vintage, my Master Mind is plastic (what can you do?)… and my playing cards – LOVE!  They’re modern and stylish and Earth-lovin’.

Joker Cards by Binth ($11)

 Original artwork on both front and back of cards will surprise and delight. 52 traditional playing cards with soy-based inks in a soft box.

Kirsten Muenster was one of Green with Glamour’s first designers.  We instantly fell in love with her unique, well-crafted and stunning work!  Just recently, Ms. Muenster launched a chic line of oxidized, cast recycled sterling silver pieces and we were lucky enough to score some!

Duo ring                                              Optic cuff links

 The weight, craftsmanship and incredible design of Kirsten Muenster’s work gives even Elsa Peretti for Tiffany a serious run for her money!

Single Limpet necklace                                        Facets ring

Incredible quality and design that will last a lifetime (at completely reasonable prices).  Kirsten Muenster’s pieces are of what heirlooms are made!

Half of me is still trying to squeeze every last glorious drop out of Summer… and half of me is running full speed toward Fall.  And while it’s not yet a Fall fashion climate here in LA, I can start making seasonal changes to my home.  As I’ve written before, our home is a small, weirdo 1923 cabin in the Silver Lake Hills – 3 rooms.  So, there isn’t a whole lot of room for seasonal re-decorating, but I do like to make a few impactful changes to switch up the mood of the place.  I opt for heavier, more colorful china in the colder months, I swap out my Summer-y sequins accent pillows for more elegant, patterned ones – and I add layers to my vintage Chesterfield sofa with tapestries & throws (why should I be the only one layering for Fall?).

Recycled Cotton Ikat Throw ($125)

Soft, stylish, & substantial, each throw is created from pre-consumer clippings cast off during the cut & sew process (think… all the cotton on a bolt that ISN’T used in the making of mass-produced t-shirts).  A brilliant way to reduce waste and preserve our precious resources!   Available in other colors.

Preface: I love everything we sell at Green with Glamour.  I hand-pick every piece that you find there… every bathrobe, every Men’s Tshirt, every table linen, every mini dress & every piece of high-end, sublimely stunning eco-friendly jewelry.

That being said, I have my moods… I’m not made of stone.  Some days I’ll obsess over a Dude’s track jacket.  OR I can moon over a tea towel for an entire week… but this week, it’s the recycled gold & conflict-free diamond Bevel Hoop earrings by Jennifer Dawes I’ve been craving!  I’ve been in LOVE with these from the get-go.  Every gift-giving holiday, my husband knows exactly what type of hints I’m going to throw his way.  And I think also I’m re-visiting my hoop love this week because recently I’ve been spending as much time as possible either poolside or walking the Silver Lake Reservoir – and whether wearing my basic black swimwear or my basic black workout wear… a big, gorgeous pair of hoop earrings separates the women from the girls. They give even the most utilitarian ensemble a mega dose of style.

“With .10 pts of diamonds, these statement hoops are stunning and sophisticated, yet perfect for every day! Jennifer Dawes has mastered the art of “eco” jewelry design as all of her gorgeous pieces are hand-crafted in Northern California of recycled golds & and conflict-free gems.”  $1800 at GwG

I did the math… I was not much older than 10 years old (I may have done the math, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to share the exact results) when I first saw Another Country.  I remember being enamored of the men in the movie, their passion (I was fortunate enough to grow up in a household where gay relationships were not taboo), their elegance, their stunning 1930’s style.  I’m a total sucker for a man who follows classic guidelines when it come to dressing.  And it doesn’t get more classic than a white collared shirt.

Rupert Everett, Colin Firth & Cary Elwes looked like perfection in this gorgeous love story – and in their white collared shirts.

Here we are in the 21st Century and the perfect organic cotton Men’s dress shirt is still hard to come by… Fortunately, Boll Organic has filled this void!

An eco-chic version of the ultimate Men’s classic (now on sale for $36) at Green with Glamour!

I did the math… I was not much older than 10 years old (I may have done the math, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to share the exact results) when I first saw Another Country.  I remember being enamored of the men in the movie, their passion (I was fortunate enough to grow up in a household where gay relationships were not taboo), their elegance, their stunning 1930’s style.  I’m a total sucker for a man who follows classic guidelines when it come to dressing.  And it doesn’t get more classic than a white collared shirt.

Rupert Everett, Colin Firth & Cary Elwes looked like perfection in this gorgeous love story – and in their white collared shirts.

Here we are in the 21st Century and the perfect organic cotton Men’s dress shirt is still hard to come by… Fortunately, Boll Organic has filled this void!

An eco-chic version of the ultimate Men’s classic (now on sale for $36) at Green with Glamour!

A classic design in 100% organic cotton… what more can we say?  Nice and long – perfect for layering or on it’s own!

In eel grey or white… Couldn’t be simpler, but chic as always (& now on sale for under $24)!

I’ve loved these “Coming Home” cards since I first laid my eyes upon them over a year ago.  I’m a real stickler for good stationary… I need high quality paper stock, deep, rich inks and a certain crispness in style.  Binth goods always fit the bill!

So all of the quality & style components are already in place… but the artwork on this particular set simply transcends me.  I find myself picking up this box quite often at the showroom, just to soak in the sunny, but quiet vibe of them.  There’s something so soothing and nostalgic about these cards that sending them off to friends feels like a gift in itself.

Screen printed on partially post-consumer recycled paper with hand-mixed water based inks, 2 of each design & envelopes.

Gone Surfing.

I’ve loved these “Coming Home” cards since I first laid my eyes upon them over a year ago.  I’m a real stickler for good stationary… I need high quality paper stock, deep, rich inks and a certain crispness in style.  Binth goods always fit the bill!

So all of the quality & style components are already in place… but the artwork on this particular set simply transcends me.  I find myself picking up this box quite often at the showroom, just to soak in the sunny, but quiet vibe of them.  There’s something so soothing and nostalgic about these cards that sending them off to friends feels like a gift in itself.

Screen printed on partially post-consumer recycled paper with hand-mixed water based inks, 2 of each design & envelopes.

Gone Surfing.

I’m not sure what it is about this (not-so) little snail… but I can’t keep my eyes off of him!  He’s a new add to the GwG collection, so he’s still got that fresh car smell, but it’s more than that.  He’s bright & curious, statement-y and maybe even a bit shifty.  Regardless, I love him.  White is my favorite, but the others do make me smile.

Made via Fair Trade by artisans in Haiti, these little guys are crafted into papier mache using recycled paper and finished with low-VOC paints.  He’s kind of grinning… isn’t he?

I’m really ramping up for a summer of entertaining.  We’re moving into a lovely, little house in Silver Lake with an incredible view – and I’ve already got my eye on a pair of vintage Hardoy chairs by Knoll for our patio.  Those along with an oak dining table my mother had when I was a baby and we’ve got one hell of a outdoor space for dinner with friends!  Picture it… grilled Mediterranean vegetables on a bed of couscous, Elote-style corn and a big green salad – enter the Ibiza bowl by Vidreco.

A real statement for the table, the Ibiza is made in Spain of 99% recycled glass.  It’s festive, sustainable and sturdy… pair it with the Luigi Bormiolo recycled glass pitcher from this week’s bargain buy and mix in some vintage barware & dishes – How chic will your summer be?

I’m ready for spring & I’m pinching my pennies (who isn’t & who isn’t, right?). This week I’m throwing the spotlight on the princess dress by Beau Soleil. I live in mine! It’s oh-so-comfortable, it’s perfectly current (spring 09 is a bit serious, stylewise), totally flattering and it’s SERIOUSLY marked down – orig $295, now $73.75… what?!?

It’s of super-soft 100% organic cotton with antique brass studs & recycled leather detail. Spring… come and get me!