the go to girl

GREEN clean!

i've spent some quality time in my bathroom today and i gotta shout about it! whoa, that doesn't sound right. let me explain. i'm a green girl and being eco in the bathroom is a MUST for me. in my house, we're big believers in the "if its yellow let it mellow" philosophy. and method's LIL' BOWL BLU keeps our bowl gleaming & fresh! i luv method products and they're really affordable. get em' at Target!

investing in eco/organic beauty has been a BIG focus for me this year. burt's bees, dr. bronner's and nature's gate organics are just a few of my basic bff's in personal care. but, finding an organic line for my hair has been almost impossible. there is so much out there in eco beauty but not so much for the cocoa girls. well, a great green lady, Miss Randi Ragan of Green Bliss ecospa, went on a hunt and found Kinky-Kurly for me.

its an all organic line of hair products especially for ethnic hair. organic ingredients like mango, mandarin orange, marshmallow root and lemon grass. paraben & sulfate free! its organic curl care! i ordered COME CLEAN & KNOT TODAY and i just got them in the mail this morning thru a beauty retailer on amazon.com. i heart amazon.com but thats another post. so, tested em' out and i think i'm a fan. my hair is tricky so we'll give it a go over the next couple weeks and i'll get back at ya with a follow-up report :) i can't wait to share with my cocoa Sistah Carlin :) we luv trading great beauty finds.

p.s. thanks Randi!

a LITtle discovery...

i'm a candle fanatic, pretty picky and rarely stray from my VOTIVOs. mostly cuz i'm hooked on that red currant flavor that no one can beat. well i may have found a match that's delicious, luxurious, innovative and GREEN. DayNa Decker makes these impeccable soy candles with EcoWood Wicks. yep, the wicks are wooden and they crackle like mini fireplaces. r u kidding? TO DIE FOR! i have yet to sniff but their coming soon to a retailer near me! this fabulous little home furnishing shop in Manhattan Beach... Sur La Mer. LUV IT!

i'll let u know.

sPRIng CLEAnin'

got a head start on my spring cleaning yesterday, not sure what got into me? but it feels good TODAY! as i attempt to live more and more GREEN, i finished up the last of my hateful PINE SOL all purpose cleaner. gosh, that smell has been programmed into our sniffers our entire lives to mean CLEAN. but the YUCK bulb went off yesterday as i smeared that nasty chemical across my kitchen floor while gasping for any fresh air not being stifled by the fumes . i know, i know. i'm a green girl using PINE SOL? i promise, i've had the container forever which tells u how often i wash my floors. anywho, i just couldn't let it go to waste. so, its GONE now and i'm amped to buy some new green floor cleaners. think i'm gonna add to my MRS MEYERS collection of oh so delicious lavender scents, AND she's got a new BASIL scent that could be worth a whiff. SHAKLEE and METHOD have got some great products as well. just gotta try em out and find my MATCH.

PLUS, i am SO IN LUV with TWIST's loofah sponges. they don't get stinky, stained or dried out. AND they're super eco friendly, biodegradable and an earthy aesthetic alternative in my sink. these babies LAST!!! TWIST has lots of fun and funky sponges, check em out at delight.com.

eco HoLiday...

it felt so good! bringing home all of my holiday GOODies that are oh so nice to the environment and thus great for my spirit. i'm absolutely giddy using all of my new GREEN gear. check out some of my fun finds.

envirosax! i'm singin their praises. brilliant and chic reusable shopping bags. say GOODBYE to those harmful plastic bags your commercial grocers push and replace them with these delightful designs. not only are they great to look at, they're uber functional and extra roomy. it takes 5 sax and a couple of produce ECOBAGS on my big shoppin' days. the perfect grocery accessory and they look pretty adorable in my trunk too!

*another tip... shop at VONS. they credit 5 cents per bag. isn't that GREAT? shoppin' at VONS just cuz they CARE!

the graphic series is kickin with lots of sassy styles. luv my retro but i've got my eyes on flora. and u can order all this and more at a TERRIFIC site called delight.com.

oh yes, and my beloved FEED bag. not especially green but definitely a GOOD thing. buy a bag, feed a child... for one full school year. once again, TOMS! luv em! binders by russel+hazel. another one of my long time super crushes! and the funnest find thus far... Nellie's DRYERBALLS. never use a fabric sheet again. throw these spiked little do dads into your dryer for softer fabric and reduced drying time.

find many of the above mentioned GOODies at delight.com. great selection of eco-items and their delivery and customer service is impeccable.

it feels good to be GREEN!

p.s. i was super jazzed giving out holiday gifts in trader joe's bags. no need to wrap presents. no waste, saved money! cheap, cheap, cheap, REUSABLE...LUV IT!

 

it's not easy being GREEN...

i never really cared for kermit THE frog. i was kind of a weird kid not into puppets, cartoons or animation so much. it should have resonated for me growing up a little cocoa girl in the suburbs but frankly, i found kermit to be nasally and annoying. i double checked the song title on google and stumbled upon this you tube clip. i'm embarrassed to admit it but i kinda got verklempt (total sapster these days). kermit's so vulnerable and sincere and really relevant.

YIKES, where am i going with this? i didn't intend to go on a tangent about kermit. just hoped for a catchy segway into being GREEN! its easier than you think kermy! (one more rant... i loathe miss piggy)

it's EARTH DAY folks and i'm gonna tell u about lots of GREEN products that are practical and fashionable ways to CAUSE change! there are of course so many WONDERFUL green products out there these days and i can't possibly share them all with you. so, here are a bunch of my PERSONAL favorites including links and great sites to keep u GREEN and AWARE!

SUN JAR - "Store up sunshine during the day so you can use it at night! Made of beautiful frosted glass, the Sun Jar comes equipped with a solar-powered cell and rechargeable battery. Its energy efficient LED light will automatically switch on when it gets dark to give you 5 hours of candle-like light, but also includes a switch to turn it off if you're not home to enjoy the glow."

how cool is this little deLIGHT! brings back memories of catching dragonflies in mason jars. not that i ever did that but this is how i imagine doing it the GREEN way. no better NIGHT LITE out there! i'm so in LUV!

LENORE COLLECTION "HERALD" - "Make a fashion statement that makes good sense, for the environment. Each handbag is individually designed and entirely hand woven using recycled newspapers, magazines, telephone directories, posters, and other paper products."

i'm a bag FANatic! this ones got everything i love. a hand-made bag constructed out of recycled editorial. what's more... they'll customize a bag from your personal ads, news clippings, magazine covers, WHATEVER! u send it in and they'll make it YOUR WAY! AMAZING!!!

Mrs. Meyer's -  "Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day makes honest, hardworking cleaners that work like the dickens on dirt. Remember, keeping clean is easy. All you need is a sensible pair of shoes, a little elbow grease, and the right soap."

i've been proudly using MRS. MEYER'S for years now. i say proudly cuz its good for the environment and from my home state of Minnesooota, YAH YOU BETCHA! the lavender dish soap is absolute HEAVEN. i actually look forward to doing dishes when i use my meyer's. the kitchen smells delish when u clean a dish! u can purchase online or at WHOLE FOODS, WILD OATS, BRISTOL FARMS and many mom & pop hardware shops nationwide. see online store listings in your region!

p.s. there's lots of great GREEN cleaning products available like METHOD, SEVENTH GENERATION (both found at TARGET) another MN business :) and SHAKLEE products.

RED FLOWER - "organic based product line defines Yael Alkalay's cult brand as a "life force created to transform everyday experiences to their utmost extreme." founded on the principles of world traditions, sustainable sourcing, ritual, well-being and aesthetics."

i LOVE red flower products! my absolute fave... ITALIAN BLOOD ORANGE CANDLE!

ART OF VENTURES "SHOMPOLE" - "Anthony Russel, a native of Kenya, founded this small luxury GREEN lodge which opened in 2000 on a Kenyan conservancy. 8 room Shompole uses indigenous materials and is powered almost entirely with solar energy. What's more, this $400/person/night lodge supports the locals and protects wildlife."

i DREAM of visiting this breath taking GREEN resort! i discovered it in the March issue of DOMINO MAGAZINE (one of my favorite mags). i hope to visit after my volunteer trip to South Africa next year! fingers crossed :)

ECO BAGS - "A set of classic market bags. Whether it's a day at the beach, the spa or a day around town, this set of market bags is what your eco soul wants to bring purchases home in. Complete line of ECOBAGS® Brand bags in natural and certified organic cotton, recycled cotton and hemp/cotton blends."

i can't wait to purchase these for my grocery shopping! i HATE all the plastic bags in the produce sections. i NEVER use them and end up with a cart full of fruits and veggies rolling around. what a FABU solution. be sure to bring along canvas bags for the trip home. and when they ask "PAPER or PLASTIC" u simply answer NEITHER!

i can never have too many bags! what a great bag for the beach too!

ANYA HINDMARCH "I'M NOT A PLASTIC BAG" 

this bag says it ALL! Anya Hindmarch's statment "GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK" is apparently true. her bag quickly sold out in Europe and is soon to be released in the US in June. For $10 a bag, you better get on the mailing list FAST!!!

SIGG - "The Euro-hip bottle's aluminum casing and baked-on epoxy resin liner have been extensively tested on both sides of the Atlantic for 0.00% leaching to ensure that neither finds its way into your beverage. And never means never, since the liner's even resistant to fruit acids and isotonic drinks. Oft-copied but never equaled, the quality aluminum SIGG manufacture will keep you hydrated while keeping your drinks cold, longer. Includes a twist-off top that helps prevent leaks and can be clipped onto backpacks for when you're on the go." idealbite.com

what a HIP way to conserve plastic bottle waste and keep hydrated!!! pick from their great designs or custom design your own bottle at mysigg.com! for local LA folk... pick up your SIGG and more at YOLK in Silver Lake!

EDUN - "EDUN is a socially conscious clothing company launched in Spring 2005 by Ali Hewson and Bono with New York clothing designer Rogan Gregory. The company's mission is to help increase trade and create sustainable employment for developing areas of the world with an emphasis on Africa, providing a business model that others can replicate and follow."

i HATE shopping for jeans but am lovin' my EDUN's! comfy, quality, GREEN and they make my tush look GREAT! i hear LOOMSTATE is pretty fabulous too! can't wait to check them out!

SIMPLE SHOES "GREEN TOE" - 100% sustainable product using their "GREEN TOE" method. Focusing on using natural sustaining resources like bamboo, cotton, crepe, jute and cork along with recycled materials like used car tires.

for example, this STOP GLOBAL WARMING TOPEKA shoe is made of organic cotton and car tire. ships in a biodegradable bag & box and SIMPLE donates 5 bucks to StopGlobalWarming.org for each pair of Stop Global Warming Toepeeka flip-flops they sell.

well, i could go on for days on end but i must stop here. i PROMISE to keep the spirit of this day alive by posting new products on the 22nd day of each month. below, you will find some more links to great resources for BEING GREEN!

GE Energy Smart™ Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - easiest way to make a change RIGHT NOW!!! replace all of your bulbs. save the planet and save your pocket book!

GREENdimes - a dime a day will reduce your junk mail 75-90% plus they'll plant a tree in your honor each month!

TreePeople - a nonprofit organization serving Los Angeles offering sustainable solutions to urban ecosystem problems.

StopGlobalWarming.org - need i say more?

Earth911 - learn how to recycle the right way in your town! GREAT RESOURCE!!!

stewart+brown - organic pioneers FASHIONABLY!!!

greenloop - green life. green style. sustainable fashion.

wild harvest herbs - healing whole food AMAZONIAN botanicals from the amazon rainforest. a leader in superior rainforest nutrition.

here are some great, great, great GREEN WEBLOGS:

idealbite

treehugger

ecofabulous

JUST A TIP... click on any GREEN text and it will take u to the appropriate website:)

if u haven't seen discovery channel's PLANET EARTH u GOTTA check it out! buy it, netflix, TIVO, whatever!

lets make a SPLASH in GREEN. what's the point of looking GOOD if we're not DOING GOOD?!

make your GREEN mark on this planet PEOPLE!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!