I live with a lot of animals…

So… I guess you could call me an “animal person”.  And I’m just as particular about what they eat and wear (collars) as I am about what I eat and wear.  I’ve tried many different online and storefront “eco” pet retailers, but now I found my spot!  Olive: Green Goods for Modern Dogs is a wonderful resource to find goodies for furry friends.

I’ve been on a collar kick since we adopted our latest – Welsh Corgi/Queensland puppy, Harry Kalas, last week… I like match their little neck  accessories with their personalities.  And Norman, our Jack Russell, is on his 3rd collar because I just can’t seem to find the right match for him.  So, during my neckwear search, I happened upon Olive – and boy, am I glad I did!  They have a wonderfully edited collection of sustainably-crafted collars, treats, beds, blankets, toys, food & skincare… and plenty of cat goodies too.

For HK, I found a cool, mod Black & White bamboo collar and it’s perfectly suits the little spaz!

And for Norman, I opted for the chic “Pee Wee” stripe.  He’s personality is very measured and sweet… so, a linear design seemed right – and he looks just adorable in it!

I was also thrilled to find Sam’s Yams Sweet Potato Dog Chewz!  Our dogs are vegetarians… and finding chewies for them isn’t very easy.  I cracked these babies open yesterday and Norman & HK happily devoured!

My order arrived promptly and to sweeten the pot, Olive had included little samples of their homemade doggy cookies (also happily devoured by the boys) and a $10 OFF coupon for my next order!  From one retailer to another, I can tell you… Olive is doing it right!

And now… Naptime!

One of my favorite silhouettes for Spring is the feminine (but not too girlie) skirt!  I wear skirts constantly… for work, for play, day or night.  I keep the top fairly simple – a ribbed tank or a crisp white shirt and let the accessories & footwear really dictate the look.  I might do pearl earrings and ballet flats (or this season’s shoe star – Oxfords) for a casual day look and switch out to heeled booties for evening and add a statement necklace for evening… easy chic!

And the Ellie skirt by Mountains of the Moon (MotM) is at the top of my “Must Wear” list for this season.  Luxe but effortless, colorful yet versatile… the Ellie has it all!  I also noticed that Jason Wu’s Spring 2010 collection includes a short ruffled skirt (lovely as well), but in that it’s anything but “eco” AND over $700 more than MotM’s… my vote is the Ellie!

The Ellie skirt by MotM, $170

or

The Keira skirt by Jason Wu, $890

Valentines day gifts can really, well…suck. Roses? Yawn. Little boxes full of waxy, nearly inedible mounds of chocolate. Ew. Cheesy teddy bears holding a heart that you are going to do what with? Come on! It’s time we all stepped up our game. The best gifts are experiences or things that add to an experience.

After a nice evening out, or home cooked dinner, how about drawing a nice bath for you and your special someone. Embellishments are endless. Create some mood lighting with Pacifica’s soy candles. The sexy smelling Bourbon Island Vanilla will put you both in the right state of mind. Speaking of states of wine…I mean mind. Domaine Carneros’s Brut Cuvee Sparkling Wine is certified organic and will add the perfect amount of bubbles to your bath.

Now let’s get back to the issue of chocolate. I love it. That’s why I know when it’s done badly and it often is. Voges Haut Chocolat, however, does it very very well. Their organic peanut butter bonbons will forever turn you off the common drug store peanut butter cup. Upgrade.

Voges Haut organic peanut butter bon bons!

PI Organic makes lovely little things to compliment any body type. And the Red Love boy shorts by A Lot To Say are the perfect underthings for the jeans and t-shirt kind of girl (available at the Green With Glamour online store). So much more desirable than one of those synthetic rayon nighties that litter the local discount chain. Who wouldn’t feel their sexiest in these?

PI Organic nightie

End the night (yeah right) with a massage using Pangea Organics Pyrenees Lavender Body Oil or Body Lotion if you prefer a little more friction.

Most important of all, say tell someone you love them. Sometimes that’s the best gift you can give!

My latest piece for The Green Girls:

I have to admit, I’m not typically a huge fan “rustic” decor… but ’tis the Sundance Season and I got caught up in the hoopla!  As long as your home’s look is not uber-formal, a piece or 2 of “rustic” can look amazing just about anywhere and really warm up a space.   AND so much of it is made from reclaimed woods and recycled materials… it’s almost silly not to take the plunge!

To shed a little warm & woodsy light on the subject, the Light Block by Brave Space (at Vivavi) is a rustic-meets-modern head turner.  Made from EcoResin, this stylish light comes complete with a low-heat, energy-efficient light bulb.



Can you believe it’s almost Christmas? Hanukkah begins Friday! How has this happened? I hope for your sanity and your loved ones that you haven’t failed in the gift buying department as hugely as I have this year. Luckily I have a great idea for stocking stuffers!

Spornette International, a 50+ year institution in the brush manufacturing world, has started making bamboo brushes, and they have quite the selection. I love their well-crafted ZHU collection with bamboo handles and nylon bristles. They range in style from a paddle brush, for the hang straight blow-out, to aerated rounders with ceramic barrels, for styling bangs and creating flips… and Spornette brushes can be found at over 5,000 beauty supply retailers (that’s pretty much everywhere)!

I have found that the smaller barreled rounder is perfect for creating lift when I work it around the crown of my head. The nice ceramic barrel also helps avoid embarrassing adolescent mishaps, like getting the bristles tangled in your hair so badly you have to have your mom cut it out with the kitchen shears.

Well, hello Hairbrush Hero!

Okay, well that was easy (and my hair looks luscious)… Now on to more last minute shopping.

I have a LOVE/HATE relationships with events… and it usually sways toward the “hate” side.  If it’s an event that revolves around a beloved band or a great new film – I’m better.  But shopping events typically pain me – which is ridiculous, because… not only do I LOVE shopping, but I, myself, host shopping events for Green With Glamour!  Go figure.

Anyway, this last Thursday was a full night… LACMA’s screening of Tom Ford’s A Single Man (stunning!) AND premier eco magazine (for which I’m a contributor in the current issue), Coco Eco holiday event at Fred Segal benefiting Toys For Tots.  And while there was a pitifully small amount of toys donated by the evening’s end (Seriously… shame on you, Party Goers), the event overall was relatively low-key and lovely!  Complete with celebrity guests like Rachel Leigh Cook and Rachelle Carson Begley… and Anna Getty with her book, I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas.

Rachel Leigh Cook (in Love Heals)                                           Rachelle Carson Begley

Coco Eco, in collaboration with incredibly environmentally thoughtful mother & son jewelry design team, Love Heals (10 trees planted per piece sold/320,000 trees planted thus far) hosted an evening of shopping, refreshments and hobnobbing that was simply divine!  I ran into and caught up with the lovely editor of Ecostiletto, Rachell Sarnoff and even found a Christmas gift for my oh-so-hard-to-shop-for Grandmother. I would say the evening was a resounding success (except for perhaps the Toys for Tots thing) and it was the perfect way to ramp up for a season’s worth of holiday events!  Stay tuned…

I have a LOVE/HATE relationships with events… and it usually sways toward the “hate” side.  If it’s an event that revolves around a beloved band or a great new film – I’m better.  But shopping events typically pain me – which is ridiculous, because… not only do I LOVE shopping, but I, myself, host shopping events for Green With Glamour!  Go figure.

Anyway, this last Thursday was a full night… LACMA’s screening of Tom Ford’s A Single Man (stunning!) AND premier eco magazine (for which I’m a contributor in the current issue), Coco Eco holiday event at Fred Segal benefiting Toys For Tots.  And while there was a pitifully small amount of toys donated by the evening’s end (Seriously… shame on you, Party Goers), the event overall was relatively low-key and lovely!  Complete with celebrity guests like Rachel Leigh Cook and Rachelle Carson Begley… and Anna Getty with her book, I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas.

Rachel Leigh Cook (in Love Heals)                                           Rachelle Carson Begley

Coco Eco, in collaboration with incredibly environmentally thoughtful mother & son jewelry design team, Love Heals (10 trees planted per piece sold/320,000 trees planted thus far) hosted an evening of shopping, refreshments and hobnobbing that was simply divine!  I ran into and caught up with the lovely editor of Ecostiletto, Rachell Sarnoff and even found a Christmas gift for my oh-so-hard-to-shop-for Grandmother. I would say the evening was a resounding success (except for perhaps the Toys for Tots thing) and it was the perfect way to ramp up for a season’s worth of holiday events!  Stay tuned…

Ooh la la… C’est chic!  When I saw Sublet’s (Dorothy) bow top – it was love at first site!  I thought… how girlie… how simply sophisticated… how fashionable without being too spendy.   It’s the kind of top that works with jeans and flats, skirts and heels AND leggings and boots – you name it.  It’s seasonless… cardigan and scarf for Fall, flip flops and cutoffs for Spring  – it’s perfection!

And I did spy an Andrew Gn top that employs the same principles… white/cream with a sweet black bow.  Similar in design, right?  Well, NOT in pricetag!

Sublet Dorothy top, $185

Bow Top, Andrew Gn, $1465

Hmmmm… what do you think?

So… we thought it would be fun for the Green With Glamour team to share their holiday gift lists and wish lists.  We’re an eclectic bunch, but all seriously value style, substance and sustainability.  This week we’re featuring our First Lady of Beauty, Sara Jones-Rust!

Sara Jones-Rust

Getting:

My husband and I have a five year plan to live in a city that lets us have a yard, and in that yard we want a big garden. This beginners canning kit will help us eat local all year round.

Dirty Librarian chains have got to be my favorite find of 2009 (thanks to Deana). It’s hard for me to narrow it down to just one, but I think the “Reference necklace” would suit me just fine.

I am a book worm at heart and would love nothing more than to amass an entire library. From the classics to the Twilight series, I love them all. But why buy new when the latest best sellers pop up in my local used book store in no time?

Since I am also a makeup junkie, my list would not be complete without some BEAUTY!   The Nvey Eco gift set is complete with blush, bronzer, gloss and shadow.  This kit has it all.

And what’s an eco-diva to do with all those fantastic, sustainable, beauty products when she wants to leave the house? Put them in the gorgeous Alicia Silverstone line of makeup bags for EcoTools, of course!  The hemp & recycled plastic train case seems to be about the perfect size for all my basics with room left over for those fancy holiday shades.

Giving:

My favorite thing to give and get, especially this time of year, is a donation to a charity. One of my favorites is Women for Women International which helps women in war torn countries rebuild their lives. Having sponsored and corresponded with a young woman from Kosovo, I can tell you it’s an incredible experience and better than any thing you can buy at a store.

The hubs and I bought our holiday travel tickets this weekend and I’m already dreading the chaos that comes along with getting to and from our families. Carry-ons will be essential for the shorter trips and that got me thinking about travel size products. I do use refillable travel size bottles for some things, but I was curious to see what was on the market as far as travel size eco-beauty goes. That search lead me to our featured beauty retailer of the month – Upurea.com.  They have a huge selection of travel sized…well everything. I happen to be a sucker for a kit, preferably something that comes in it’s own carrying pouch, which I will, of course, re-purpose later.

This Mini Travel Set in Rosemary Mint (yum!) by Deep Steep caught my eye. With bubble bath, body butter and other fun products you can take a little indulgence on the road with you. Sneaking away from the holiday onslaught of relatives for a little R&R has never been easier.

I found shopping at Upurea to be a joy. They have bright symbols to indicate if products are organic, certified organic, vegan, etc… and most products have a complete list of ingredients below the description. They also have a points system so you stash some beauty bucks away for later every time you shop.
They also have a really nice selection of natural makeup (not to mention hair and skin care products, fragrances and bath & body products). I like the Vegan Cheek and Lip Shimmer from Perfect Organics. I’m not sure I’d use it on my cheeks, but the variety of colors will perk up any one’s pucker.

The last item in my online cart was a little something I’ve been needing to replace in my ongoing effort to green my makeup collection. Nvey Eco’s Organic Erase Concealer is the perfect thing to cover up those little things that aren’t so perfect. It’s certified organic and there are several shades to choose from.

Check out the variety for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

Giving my beauty regiment an earth friendly face lift did not happen over night. There was no dramatic arm sweep of all my synthetic fragranced, sulfate filled products into a trash bag. Sending them all to the landfill would have been an eco-sin of the first degree. Besides, who can afford to replace every shampoo, face wash, powder and eye shadow all at once? Kudos to you, if that’s in your budgie, but I am taking a different approach. Every time something in my daily beauty routine needs replacing I do a little research and purchase a product that is eco-friendly, not to mention much healthier.

This week my mission was eyeliner…pronto. Somehow, I ended up with only a tiny little nub left and I shudder to think of a day without eyeliner. Of course, being the beauty connoisseur that I am, Sephora is not new to me. (Hello, who doesn’t love free samples?) But they just weren’t selling the type of product I have been in the market for ever since I’ve been greening my makeup collection. But low and behold, after a few minutes with Google, I was oh-so pleased to find that while I wasn’t paying attention, Sephora has started their very own natural beauty line (and No Animal Testing)!

Their Pure Eyeliner was just what I was in the market for and all I had to do was run over to my local Sephora to get it. Crisis averted. No waiting for ground shipping or paying more than the eyeliner cost in the first place for a rush delivery. And I was very happy to notice that my frequent buyer points were still on record. With their bamboo encased shadows and ten different shades of Pure Lipgloss, I have a feeling I’ll be wracking those points right up again.

Available in 9 colors!

Giving my beauty regiment an earth friendly face lift did not happen over night. There was no dramatic arm sweep of all my synthetic fragranced, sulfate filled products into a trash bag. Sending them all to the landfill would have been an eco-sin of the first degree. Besides, who can afford to replace every shampoo, face wash, powder and eye shadow all at once? Kudos to you, if that’s in your budgie, but I am taking a different approach. Every time something in my daily beauty routine needs replacing I do a little research and purchase a product that is eco-friendly, not to mention much healthier.

This week my mission was eyeliner…pronto. Somehow, I ended up with only a tiny little nub left and I shudder to think of a day without eyeliner. Of course, being the beauty connoisseur that I am, Sephora is not new to me. (Hello, who doesn’t love free samples?) But they just weren’t selling the type of product I have been in the market for ever since I’ve been greening my makeup collection. But low and behold, after a few minutes with Google, I was oh-so pleased to find that while I wasn’t paying attention, Sephora has started their very own natural beauty line (and No Animal Testing)!

Their Pure Eyeliner was just what I was in the market for and all I had to do was run over to my local Sephora to get it. Crisis averted. No waiting for ground shipping or paying more than the eyeliner cost in the first place for a rush delivery. And I was very happy to notice that my frequent buyer points were still on record. With their bamboo encased shadows and ten different shades of Pure Lipgloss, I have a feeling I’ll be wracking those points right up again.

Available in 9 colors!

One of my biggest challenges in keeping my daily beauty routine green is finding the best products. It is always so much harder than just popping into the local drug or department store. So once a month Living GwG is going to feature one of our favorite beauty retailers where you can purchase all of your earth and body friendly supplies. At the top of that list is Beautorium.  This online boutique takes the guess work out of your shopping. Each product, which runs the gambit from haircare to makeup, has a a full list of ingredients and handy little symbols that signify what’s most important to you, like if it’s certified organic or has not been tested on animals (hint: none of Beautorium’s products are).

I have fallen in love with their Exuberance line of facial care products. The Exuberance Radiance – Daily Green Tea Cleanser has won a place in my morning routine. I’m generally not a fan of cream cleansers, but this one rinses clean and leaves nothing but silky smooth skin behind it all day long. It’s fragrance free, contains no parabens, petrochemicals or sulphates and the packaging design, while minimal, is fun and bright. After all, no need to just be fabulous on the inside. Plus, it’s vegan!

Another of my fav products from Beautorium is the Logona Free Body Lotion. One of my criteria for anything I’m putting on my body these days, is that it’s fragrance free. I’m not anti-fragrance, but I have a perfume that I love and I don’t want my body lotion or my deodorant fighting for top billing. It’s also free of tons of other nasties you don’t want slathered all over your skin (petrochemicals, paraffin, parabens and silicone to name a few). It’s not at all greasy and goes on light, unlike some of the “natural” brands out there that feel like you’re covering yourself in petroleum jelly.

Beautorium loves the Living GwG readers as much as we love them. They are giving you 15% off your purchases at Beautorium.com! Just enter the promo code “livinggwg” at checkout. Amazing products and an excellent deal!

I can’t even express how thrilled I am to be a part of the Living GwG team. I am an admitted beauty product addict. In middle school I was the girl who bought every scent of Bath & Body Works lotion the company manufactured. I had 80 different shades of pink lip gloss and my bathroom cabinet drawer was so crammed with perfume bottles that they clinked like wind chimes whenever anyone walked across the floor. Luckily for my husband, who shares a small apartment with me, my tastes have matured since then and I’ve become much more discerning in the beauty purchases I make. But there is still a teenage beauty hoarder lurking inside of me and I am so excited to use her powers for good and share all of my most eco-fantastic finds with you, the lovely Living GwG readers.

Sara Jones-Rust

Before I was a contributor, of course, I was a reader. So I thought it would be fun to feature a product that has become part of my daily routine because of Deana and Living GwG. Back in May Deana featured the Bamboo Facial Cleansing Wipes by Kaia Naturals. I love convenience, but let’s face it, many times convenience and making sustainable choices do not go hand in hand. But to quote her article these handy little cloths are ”made from sustainable bamboo, cashmere soft, unbleached, biodegradable and recyclable.” Jackpot! I ordered them right away, even though I had no real plan as to what I would do with them.

Then in June I got married, which required flying from Los Angeles to Chicago and back. It’s a four hour flight that is just long enough to make you feel completely grimy. A quick swipe of the light citrus scented bamboo cloths over my neck and face (staying away from the eye make so it wouldn’t smudge) was enough to feel totally refreshed. And with that wedding came many parties, not to mention drinking for stress relief, then the honeymoon (10 days of decadence) and a summer filled with barbecues, patio cocktail hours, taco (aka margarita) Tuesdays, birthday parties and well you get the idea. I’ve been living like a sailor on shore leave for the last 3 months!

August is my month to get back to the gym, which is where the bamboo wipes have come in the most handy. I have an issue (compulsion?) about sweating in makeup. If I don’t take it off, I feel like there is a plastic dry cleaning bag sealed to my face. Plastic bottles of cleanser are clunky and leaky, but the wipes are perfect. They take off the day’s, bronzer, blush and eye make-up, which is no small feat because I’ve always been a fan of the classic black accent line on the top lid. So two minutes in front of my locker and I’m set to go. A trip over to the sink isn’t even necessary. Guilt free convenience. Love it!

Perfect for a picnic or patio dining!  Confetti Melamine is a total throwback, but RECYCLED confetti Melamine is completely current – and really cute, right?  I found these pieces at Target… tumblers, bowls and divided plates (ideal for those of us who can’t stand when your potato salad assaults your watermelon) .  Sold in packs of 6, the price starts at $19.99!

Who wants seconds?

If you haven’t realized by now… I’m a Vegan.  It’s something about which I’m very serious and very proud.  It’s also something about which I have no interest in preaching.  If someone has questions, I’ll happily give answers – I think everyone should be informed about animal “farming” and the effects of meat & dairy on the body… but believe it or not – I don’t preach.

I do, however, LOVE jewelry… and the silver-plated “Vegan” necklace from PETA is my new obsession!  Mine just arrived in the mail – and I can’t stop wearing it.  It’s bright (looks great with a summer tan!), stylish and a total conversation starter!

 Designed by Jason Landver of Lucas Design International, it’s a complete steal at $20!

If you haven’t realized by now… I’m a Vegan.  It’s something about which I’m very serious and very proud.  It’s also something about which I have no interest in preaching.  If someone has questions, I’ll happily give answers – I think everyone should be informed about animal “farming” and the effects of meat & dairy on the body… but believe it or not – I don’t preach.

I do, however, LOVE jewelry… and the silver-plated “Vegan” necklace from PETA is my new obsession!  Mine just arrived in the mail – and I can’t stop wearing it.  It’s bright (looks great with a summer tan!), stylish and a total conversation starter!

 Designed by Jason Landver of Lucas Design International, it’s a complete steal at $20!

I was walking through REI yesterday when I spied these… how incredibly cool, right?  And I typically don’t care for many things stainless steel, but stemmed drinkware – C’mon!  Perfect for evenings at the Hollywood Bowl or Ravinia – or even just to “class up” your camping gear, this stainless steel drinkware will last you an eternity (and you can ditch the toxic, nasty plastic pieces) and looks oh-so-chic!  Available in Martini, Wine and Margarita form.  Is it wrong that I want a Champagne version as well?

Priced at $9-$10 per stem AND will last you a lifetime!

I’ve been tending to my first actual garden with the utmost attention & love… in addition to the flowers, I’m raising tomatoes, anaheim peppers and BASIL!  The peppers are delish – but a little limiting.  I do use them every time I cook Mexican though.  And the tomatoes have come in on the small side and the bounty isn’t exactly plentiful.

But the basil… oh, the BASIL!  The smell of it… and of course, the taste.  I want it in everything – from salads to pastas to sandwiches.   It’s sharp and fresh with just a beautiful bit of spice.

Gorgeous, right?

 So, I went on the search for non-food related products… now I can enjoy Basil even when I’m not eating.  Check the Sweet Basil soy candle by BSAB Candles.  With hints of Vetiver, Terragon, and Cypress… this little beauty is sure to comfort and stimulate at the same time.

Why not a little basil for your hair?  MOP’s organic basil mint shampoo & conditioner are the perfect beauty solution for those of us who just love the fragrance of this great, green herb!

 And what could make cleaning less of a chore?  I think by now you know… Mrs. Meyer’s has an entire line of household cleaners scented with basil!  I cannot stand to clean, but this has to make it better, right?  From laundry detergent & dryer sheets to window spray & surface wipes – this gorgeous-smelling group cleansers is officially on my shopping list!