18Aug08
The best part of your health & beauty regimen may be hiding in your kitchen.
My friend Edmund, who works with eco-rocker Sheryl Crow and introduced me to chemical-free cleaning, lives by a simple rule:
if you can’t eat it, don’t use it — and for
Pete’s sake don’t ever put it on your skin.
Much has been written about the chemicals found in cosmetics that may contribute to rising statistics of breast cancer in young women, testicular cancer, infertility and learning disabilities (check out this article “The Chemistry of Beauty” by Sena Christian). Stats aside, it doesn’t take Madame Curie to question what the downsides might be of slathering ourselves with chemical compounds does it?
It’s time to replace and revive. One of the first natural products worth giving a try may be found right in your own kitchen: olive oil. Julia Ormond’s character washed her hair with it in the film the English Patient, and the Hellenic men of Sparta were said to have oiled themselves at the gymnasium to bring more visual definition to their bodies. So whether you’re male or female the beauty secrets go on…
OLIVE OIL: FIVE TO TRY
- Makes for a great shave.
- Moisturizes cuticles, legs, elbows and feet right after shaving, showering or waxing.
- Controls frizz on humid days. Dab on the way you would any other hair laminating product.
- Removes your make up. Just rub on, wipe off.
- Exfoliates. Mix in with some sugar or sea salt — scrub and relax
BUYING TIPS
- Consumer Reports recommends Goya Brand Extra Virgin Olive Oil as a solid all-purpose oil.
- Stick with cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oils.
- Choose oils stored in dark bottles or opaque containers since light can make oils turn rancid.
Thanks to
Curbly for the tips. If you’re interested in other alternative uses for olive oil (25 in all) don’t miss their hotlist
here. It’s a great one!
28Mar08
Shabby chic less the shabby. This weekend project works great on cast-off dressers, sideboards, desks, and tabletops. If you don’t already have a piece in your own pad to experiment with, try hunting down a gem on Craigslist, a local flea market, Goodwill or garage sale.
A Green Twist
Finish it off with a hip, healthier paint option like Yolo’s Sprout Collection (for modern, spring-inspired colors), Benjamin Moore’s Aura, or Fine Paints of Europe (for rich, historically-derived colors). Other companies like Pantone have started offering non-VOC or low-VOC paints and primers as well so it’s much easier to go high style and fume free. The few extra dollars per gallon is worth it for the health and environmental benefits.
Video Podcast Instructions
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIJ-DDOtH6k&hl=en]
Prefer written instructions? Check out the complete post by Chris Gardner on Curbly.
Check out our full list of DIY Design ideas here.
Filed under Budget Decor, Furniture, Materials+Finishes, Paints+Techniques, Refashion+Refurb, Videos|
Tagged DIY furniture, eco friendly paint, Eco-friendly, how to refurbish furniture, modern DIY, Non-toxic, podcast |
24Mar08
Sweet dreams are made of this: modern, botanically inspired linens that just might be healthy for you. One of my favorite decor designers Amenity Home has gone completely organic. Nice going!
They also have introduced their once-custom order Muir Bed as a regular offering. Mid-century inspired, it’s made from mostly reclaimed Douglas Fir, finished with non-VOC stain, and is made by local artisans here in Southern California.
You can view the entire line of organic bedding, wall art, and nursery linens at the Amenity Home website. To learn more about the benefits of organic cotton check out this great primer on organic cotton at Treehugger.
Related Posts:
>>Fall Sample Sale @ Amenity Home
>>Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
>>See more posts on modern green beds and bedding
27Feb08
For three years, I’ve patiently hunted for a pair of sexy, sustainable knee-high boots and it’s worth the wait. Form & Fauna’s sporty, sexy look speaks to my inner-tomboy. Sleek racing stripes are a signature in this freshman collection of flats, boots and pumps. Even though they hail from the Fall 2007 collection — they are perfectly wearable for spring. Skinny Bitches and compassionate fashionistas take note: Form & Fauna just may become the “It” label to wear.
Fabulousness Kicked Up a Notch
Inside and out they’re made sans leather, opting instead for high quality Italian-made synthetics. Heels are crafted from bamboo or renewable plywood, while the insoles and cushions are crafted from recycled yoga mats (can you say Ohm?).
Bay Bertea, the designer behind the Form & Fauna label, found the inspiration for her collection from her days as a yoga instructor. Imagine how comfy it must feel to step out (and onto) a yoga mat every day.
Form & Fauna shoes are good for your health. Fume-free with the help of biodegradable materials, and non-toxic, water-based glues and dyes. They’re made in the good, old, USA (how many things can you say that about these days).
Good karma and style? A great way to kick your fabulousness up a notch.
Check out the Form & Fauna website for stockists and stay tuned to Fabulously Green for sneak peeks into the Spring ‘08 Collection.
Filed under Eco Glam, Fashion - Women, Indie, Refashion+Refurb, Shoes, Urban Style, Vintage|
Tagged Biodegradable, cruelty-free shoes, Eco-friendly, Form & Fauna, Indie, Non-toxic, Skinny Bitch, Sweatshop-free, Vegan, vegan fashion |
22Feb08
The rocking chair is one piece of furniture with a bad rap. Instead of being seen as dynamic and fun, it harkens associations of aging, stodginess, a bygone era that was soooo last century. Enter the Gotham Rocker.
I’m in love. Just look at it. It’s gorgeous and sculpturally interesting from all sides.
Designed by J. Persing Company (formerly Danko Persing), the Gotham Chair is actually made from surplus automotive seat belts, dyed with non-toxic water-based inks. Its lightweight form is intentional: great design with minimal material. It’s available in a wide selection of belt colors and wood stains. It makes a greener design alternative to fans of the iconic Risom Chair, and it’s more fun.
Interested in a little rocking chair trivia? Here’s what wikipedia says:
According to an american legend, the rocking chair was purportedly invented by Ben Franklin by simply taking a standard chair and adding rockers to it. Cabinetmakers began producing rocking chairs in the early nineteenth century, and many examples from that era still survive today. Their popularity has only increased, and antique rockers of many varieties are highly collectible today.
The Gotham Rocker retails around $1000 and was spotted at Vivavi.
22Feb08
One of my favorite children’s clothing designers kate quinn organics is having a sale: 20% off all kiddie track suits and track hoodies and pants until March 9. The collection features two toned track hoodies, and screen printed logo hoodies that are 100% SKAL-certified organic and certified fair trade. Sales prices range $24 and up for separates, $64 for a full track suit set.
Kate Quinn’s retro, sophisticated color combinations are a rare find in clothing for tots. A former Hollywood stylist, she injects fashionable details into her entire line. This season includes dresses sporting Peter Pan collars, pin tucks and puffed sleeves. Even a tuxedo shirt for boys.
02Nov07
Fresh from the Fab Green inbox: Nicole Chiala and Kristina de Corpo, the L.A. designers behind Amenity Home’s gorgeously modern, bedding collection are hosting a sample sale in their studio next week. Known for bold, botanically-inspired prints, the duo launched organic versions of favored designs last year, which are made from 100% SKAL-certified organic cotton, and printed locally using non-toxic, water-based dyes. Discounts between 60-80% off selected designs make sustainable style more affordable. Maybe we’ll see you there!
AMENITY HOME SAMPLE SALE
Friday November 9, 9:30am-5pm
Saturday November 10, 10am-5pm
Sunday November 11, 11am-3pm
WHERE:
435 S. Spring Street (near 5th Street)
Studio 839, 8th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90026
GETTING THERE:
Take the Metro (Yes, we actually have one and it’s pretty darn nice)
By Bus: From Santa Monica, hop on Bus 10
Not in L.A.? You can still take advantage of an extra 20% off online. Just enter FALL as the discount code. Good until Nov. 11.
Filed under Bedrooms, Sales+Shopping, Small Space Style|
Tagged bedding, Decor, Eco-friendly, green home, home, Linens, modern home, modern style, Non-toxic, Organic, sustainable style |
11Jul07
I’m enraptured by these gift papers by Fish Lips Designs. Bold graphics printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Oh, and the dyes are soy-based and chemical-free. As a former graphic designer I will say that going green in printing and paper is no easy feat. And the prices for papers are pretty reasonable.
DIY tip: Having seen these papers in person (owner/designer Kimi Rutkin dropped by some samples), they are handsome enough to frame as wall art. Buy a large sheet and create your own tryptic, or cluster a few patterns together of varying shapes and sizes to create a composition.
Other Fab DIY Possibilities:
* Book Covers
* Drawer Liners
* Scrapbooking
* Placements
* Handmade greeting cards
* Lampshades
* Switchplates – if you know how to decoupage
See the whole collection at the Fish Lips website. Go ahead, get wrapping!
Filed under Budget Decor, Gifts+Gifting, Lifestyle Tips, Recycled, Stationery+Cards|
Tagged Eco-friendly, Fish Lips Designs, gift wrap, Kimi Rutkin, Non-toxic, Recycled, recycled wrapping paper, retro gift wrap, Stationery+Cards |
08Jun07
Dear Fab Green,
I’m taking a trip to LA tomorrow; do you have any suggestions for eco-home stores or clothing stores to see while I am there? My idea is to create a store in my area that would infuse “green” ideas and products in a not-so-green ‘yet’ community.
Thanks, Janette Lareto
Welcome to L.A.! Thrilled to hear about your interest in launching a green home store. There are a few on-the-ground eco-home stores you can look into:
Viesso.com in Santa Monica on Colorado Blvd. – They design affordable, modern, custom green furniture. I visited the show room last week and met with Travis, the co-founder. Customers can choose a style, a coordinating fabric, and in 3-4 weeks the piece is made. I asked Travis where if they fabricate their pieces locally and he said yes. Upholstery options include sustainable fabrics from top companies like Maharam and Designtex.
Living Green in Culver City on Washington Blvd. – Living Green offers a broad range of green products including furniture, flooring, finishes, paints, garden supplies, etc. Some of my favorite products include Syndecrete, an eco-friendly concrete used to fabricate the sink in the photo (warning: not cheap), Yolo Colorcraft paint, and Kirei board furniture. They sell some of their products online as well.
Another local offering which may or may not be on-the-ground is green with glamour. Designer Deana Bracken founded gwg a month or two ago. The eco-chic shop focuses on a range of eco-glam accessories for the home, like this glass doylee bowl made in a studio using wind power. If you love Kelly Wearstler’s style, you’ll love green with glamour.
Others anyone?
05Jun07
Let me be honest: I wanted to love this purple pill. I wanted it to deliver the aromatherapy I sorely needed and that was promised to me by the company. In truth, the new aroma pill by method falls very short of my expectations. Although a delight on the eyes, it’s been an assault on my nose.
Many of you know out there know of my personal love for method cleaning products, which sit proudly on the countertops in my kitchen and baths. I fell hard for their “good looks-meets-good cleaning” approach. So what went wrong this time?
THE UPSIDE
Design: visually flawless (Karim Rashid impresses again). Who thought an air freshener could look sophisticated, elegant, and fun-loving? Bravo.
Green Factor: Biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients, recyclable packaging, and a “no animal testing” policy have made method a favorite company of mine.
THE DOWNSIDE
Function: a promising idea that failed to deliver. You plug it into an outlet and miraculously, the fragrance wafts into the air. It plugged in easily, sorely needed fragrance control. After an hour in the socket my nose was overwhelmed. I plugged it in a second time hoping for different results. The aroma had enough of a “deodorant” smell to be grating. Out it came.
Price: an eye popping $10. Steep for air fresheners, but since method did promise aromatherapy it seemed worth the price. I’m hopeful that perhaps the Eucalyptus + Mint refill might prove me wrong.
Anyone else tried these? If there’s one you recommend I’d love to make the switch.
