Stop Global Warming
"Fashion is as profound and critical a part of the social life of people as sex, and is made up of the same ambivalent mixture of irresistible urges and inevitable taboos” - Rene Konig

Thursday, April 26, 2007

My Apologies

My apologies to all of you who have been very patient with the fact that I seemed to have disappeared from the blogosphere. I had a very delicate family emergency that I had to take care of. I promise I'll be back soon to resume Green Week and with all new posts. Thank you for your patience and please bear with me. Thank you all.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Green Week - Green Shoes

In an effort to create a more sustainable lifestyle we have traded conventional products for green ones. Food, fuel, cosmetics and hygiene products are among the most popular. But we can do even more, now there's Eco-wear, Eco-decoration, Eco-footwear and Eco-everything! While maybe riding a bicycle to work maybe a bit out of the question for some of you, there are alternatives to keep on the quest of a more planet friendly way of life. You can start taking baby steps toward becoming greener by wearing some Eco-friendly foot wear. Conventional shoes are a great source of waste since they are made from man-made, non-biodegradable materials such as rubber and synthetic fabric. Eco-friendly shoes are made with sustainable and recyclable materials and some companies won't even use leather in their products ( good news for the vegans!). Now, an environmentally conscious shoe doesn't always have to look like a Birkenstock, not that there's anything wrong with them, but I'm aware that some fashionistas at heart hate the look of the friendly Birkenstock (I personally love them). So, here are some companies that make some lovely looking shoes and also like to keep it green.


Terra Plana


Terra Plana Helena Heels 90.00 GBP or $180.00 aprox. Available at www.terraplana.com




Terra Plana Taj Flat 80.00 GBP or $180.00 aprox. Available at www.terraplana.com


Soft Stars Shoes (for the little ones)

Colorful Spring Specials!
Soft Star Shoes $39.99. Available at www.softstarshoes.com



Greentoe

GT Jane


Greentoe GT Jane $85.00 Available at www.birkenstocksd.com


Earth

Mirage
Earth Mirage Boot $119.00. Available at www.birkenstocksd.com


And ofcourse the One and Only...


Birkenstock

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Birkenstock Madrid Silver $69.00. Available at www.planetshoes.com


Now you can walk happily knowing that your helping the ground below your feet stay forever green. Tomorrow will be the last day of the Green Week and I'm coming up with lots of great GREEN stuff. Stay tuned, you don't want to miss it!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Green Week - Cleansers

Soaps and cleansers are part of our daily routine, and since most soaps are very irritating then moisturizing is also a big part of that routine as well. The more lather, the more likely the soap is to be harsh on your skin. Many soaps depend on chemical ingredients to make them sudsy which leads to irritation. Choosing a good cleanser or soap is not only about being squeaky clean, it is also about doing something good for your skin too, and if possible doing less damage to the environment. Shampoo, body wash, soap, even tooth paste, we use cleansers all day long and they always end up in our water reservoirs. The brands I'm featuring today are an all-in-one wonder since their easy on you and easy on the planet.


Avalon Organics


Avalon Organics Classic Aloe Unscented Soap $4.95. Available at www.avalonorganics.com

This soap is made with a blend of plant-based cleansers, Aloe, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and is certified organic.


Nature's Gate


Natures Gate Tea Tree and Blue Cypress Hand Soap $6.99. Available at www.naturesgate.com

With Tea Tree to calm and soothe and Blue Cypress to cleanse this hand soap is sure to leave your hand soft and sanitized.


Pangea Organics

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Pangea Organics Pyreness Lavender with Cardamom Shower Gel $12.99 . Available at www.pangeaorganics.com or www.drugstore.com

This shower gel contains Lavender, Cardamom, Aloe, Comfrey, Calendulla, Blood Orange, Centella Asiatica and a lot more to nurture your skin while cleansing, and it is organic.


JASON


JASON Glycerin and Rosewater Satin Shower Wash $11.20 for 30 oz. Available at www.jasonatural.com

Rosewater satin shower gel is full of natural oils and emollients such as Chamomile, Sunflower Oil, Apricot and Vitamin E for a delightful shower experience.


Origins

calm to your senses™
Lavender and Vanilla Bath Bar $10.00. Available at www.origins.com

Origins Lavender and Vanilla soap is a blend of calming and moisturizing ingredients that is good for your skin and you senses.

Let's Circulate™
Origins Let's Circulate Salt Rub Soap $12.50. Available at www.origins.com

This soap is perfectly shaped for massaging while the Dead Sea Salt wash away impurities on your skin.


Burt's Bees

Peppermint Shower Soap

Burt's Bees Peppermint Shower Soap $5.00. Available at www.burtsbees.com

Made with Calendula, Comfrey, Ground Almond and Peppermint this bar will exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin in one easy step.


Tom's of Maine

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Tom's of Maine Natural Toothpaste $3.99 . Available at www.drugstore.com

Tom's toothpaste is made with all natural ingredients and flavored with natural oils. Never dyes, artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Not tested on animals!


Evidently, taking good care of your self is close to self indulgence with products like these, but best of all is the fact that you are being kind to nature as well. Tomorrow don't miss the post on one my favorites Eco-footwear. It'll be fun!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Green Week - Hair Care

The condition of our hair is a reflection of our health. However, eating well and taking vitamins alone won't do the work, you need to nurture your hair. There are countless shampoos and conditioners (specially conditioners) out there. Leave in, rinse out, deep conditioners, hair masks, color enhancing, defrizzing, you name it. Usually their are full of chemicals that you can even pronounce like Octylmethoxycinnamate or Mthylchloroisothiazolinone, or maybe Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride. So, if words like these bring back traumatic childhood flash backs from spelling bee competitions or you just don't like the idea of unpronounceable ingredients in your products there's hope. The hair care products I've found are made with all natural ingredients so you can have healthier, cleaner hair... and water.


Origins

Knot Free® Shampoo
Origins Knot Free $11.00. Available at www.origins.com

Knot Free is a super moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that will de-tangle your knotty hair in a jiffy while relaxing you with the aromas of Peach, Lemon and Black Currant.


Aveda

Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner $9.00

This beautiful duo is made with soothing ingredients like Peppermint and Rosemary to protect from environmental damage.



Natures Gate Chamomile and Lemon Verbena Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner $7.99. Available at www.naturesgate.com

This super charged shampoo is perfect for dry hair and it smells great too!


Ojon

Restorative Hair Treatment
Ojon Restorative Treatment $55.00. Available at www.sephora.com

Hydrating Styling Cream
Ojon Hydrating Styling Cream $30.00. Available at www.sephora.com

Ojon is a tree oil harvested by an ancient Indian tribe, The Tawiras, in a rain forest in Central America. This oil has the property of almost miraculously improving the condition of your hair without weighting it down. Ojon products are made with 100% pure Ojon oil and the product is 95% oil itself with the other 5% being natural antioxidant ingredients. Also, the company limits the harvest to protect the resources and ensure that the product is still hand made in the traditional way. This benefits The Tawira people who actually work harvesting and manufacturing the precious oil for this product.


Carol's Daughter

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Carol's Daughter Tui Herbal Shampoo $11.00. Available at www.sephora.com

This delicious blend of botanical ingredients such as Chamomille, Mari Gold, Guava Mango and Passion Fruit is the recipe for shiny, healthy hair.


L'Occitane

Angelica Shampoo
L'occitane Angelica Shampoo $17.00. Available at www.sephora.com

Angelica plant has been cultivated by monks for centuries and it was use to make the "Elixir of Life" so there's no doubt this will revive your dry, color treated, damaged hair.


Don't miss tomorrow soaps and cleansers.


Sunday, April 15, 2007

Green Week - Cosmetics

No body really wants to know what's in cosmetics you will be surprised and not in a good way. Parabeen, chemical abrasives, preservatives, dyes and I can go on. It is no surprise why many of us go thru product after product without really finding one that won't clog our pores or irritate our skin. Products come with beautiful promises that many fail to keep. Today natural products are the fastest growing market in cosmetics. We are really looking for products that will deliver, products that will keep their promises of beautiful, healthy skin. The latest trend in natural beauty is the revolutionary mineral make up. Brands like i.d. bareMinerals are all the rage now. Who doesn't know about the swirl, tap, buff? Natural cosmetics are made to not only make you look pretty, but to also improve the condition of your skin. After all, if your pores are going to suck in your make up, then make the most out of it and put on the right full-of-benefits products. The following cosmetic brands are not only packed with natural ingredients but are also made to be easy on the environment so you can swirl, tap and buff you way to a healthier more beautiful you.


Dr. Hauschka

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Dr. Hauschka Translucent Make Up $32.50. Available at www.drhauschka.com

This foundation is sheer to enhance you not hide you and it is made with Anthillis, Carrot, Witch Hazel, Avocado and Jojoba for super moisturized, dewy effect perfect for dry skin.


Photo of SALE! Eyeshadow Duo
Dr. Hauschka Eye Shadow Duo $20.96. Available at www.drhauschka.com

Beautiful eye shadow duos with Rose and Camellia extract to nurture eye's delicate skin.



Origins

Full Story™
Origins Full Story Lash Mascara $13.00. Available at www.origins.com

I can't stop telling anyone who's willing to listen how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this mascara. It leaves my lashes looking full and totally clump free thanks to their gel formula that goes on very smoothly. The pH of the formula is almost identical to your own tears to ensure zero irritation and it is safe for contact lens wearers like me!



Silk Screen™

Origins Silk Screen Powder $23.50. Available www.origins .com

Silk Screen Refining Powder will give you a flawless complexion, poreless , picture perfect skin.


Flower Fusion™
Dr. Hauschka Flower Fusion Lip Color $15.00. Available at www.origins.com

This lippy is made with flower wax from Jasmine, Lavender, Rose and Violet to soothe and perfect your pout.



Burt's Bees

Blushing Creme
Burt's Bees Blushing Creme $9.00. Available at www.burtsbees.com

This super soft creamy blush goes from butter-like to a powdery finish, but it doesn't feel dry and it gives you a very natural, flushed look. With Vitamin E, Coconut Oil and Rosemary to help treat acne this blush is a naturally good option.



Real Purity


Duo Eye Shadows
Real Purity Eye Shadow Duos $13.99. Available at www.realpurity.com

This eye shadows are full of Vitamin E and are rated five stars by users who swear by this products.



Ambodi


Pure Rewards Upgrades
Ambodi mineral Blush $12.50. Available at www.purebodysolutions.com

This mineral powder blush it's so safe it can be used on your eyes and mouth. It comes in 15 different shades so you can get creative.


Earth's Beauty


Pure Rewards Upgrades
Earth's Beauty Pure Complexions Mineral Face Powder $20.95. Available at www.purebodysolutions.com

Earth's Beauty mineral face powder goes on like silk and it contains organic arrowroot.



The Organic Make Up Company

petal shimmer

The Organic Make Up Company Lip Gloss Shines $13.99. Available at www.bewellstaywell.com

This organic lip shine is made with ingredients such as Candelila, Jojoba, Castor Oil and Shea Butter for soft and velvety lips, and it is also vegan!


As you can see looking good never felt better. All these products are made following the highest quality standards to improve not only your looks, but you health. As a consequence, growing the plants used in this products organically ensures a low environmental impact which is good for the planet.

What's next on Green Week? Hair care and soaps. When you wash your hair whatever you use go straight to out water resources; therefore, we must be particularly careful about the products that we use. The last thing you would like to drink in your water is all those chemicals in your shampoo. Stay tuned to learn how to get healthy locks and keep water clean.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Green Week - Skin Care

Natural, organic products seem to be everywhere now, but there are some that have been around since "natural and organic" wasn't considered "cool". This companies have fought really hard to sell not necessarily a product but a philosophy, a way of life, the secret to wellness and good living, be good to your self and nature. To take better care of your body doesn't stop at eating healthy the outside is important too. The skin is the largest organ in the human body, it protects you from external irritants and pollutants and keeping it healthy is vital. The reason our skin ages is due to cellular oxidation caused by free radicals that are constantly bombarding our cells damaging their structure and DNA. To keep your cells and therefore your skin healthy free-radicals must be neutralized immediately. Antioxidants neutralizes free-radicals rendering them less destructive. By using a skin care routine full of antioxidants you will be giving your skin the boost it so desperately needs to renew and repair so you can look younger longer. Who doesn't want that? The featured brands are true and tested full of good-for-you-ingredients from plant extracts that have been grown organically, which is good for the planet.

Derma E

No Image!
Ester C Moisturizing Creme with E Skin recovery Complex $16.95. Available at www.dermae.com

This cream is packed with super potent antioxidant Vitamin Ester C, Vitamin E, Borage Oil and Green Tea to promote the production of collagen and elastin.


Dr. Hauschka

Photo of Quince Day Cream
Dr. Hauschka Quince Day Cream $29.95. Available at www.drhauschka.com

Dr. Hauschka's ingredients for their products are grown organically in their own farms to ensure the highest level of quality. This rich moisturizer contains Quince seed extract, Shea Butter, Witch Hazel, Almond Oil among many other natural ingredients to encourage skin moisture balance.


Origins

A Perfect World™
A Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian $32.50. Available at www.origins.com

A personal favorite of mine this serum is created to form a protective shield on your skin so external damaging agents can't get in. With ingredients like Silver Tip White Tea, Boswelia, Bergamot and Orange you skin will be well protected from youth offenders.


Aveda



Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion $30.00. Available at www.aveda.com

This light weight lotion contains Coconut, Jojoba, Chamomile and Lavender for a super soft, supple skin.


Kiss My Face


Kiss My Face So Refined Jojoba and Mint Scrub $10.00. Available at www.kissmyface.com

This scrub is gentle yet effective with Jojoba beads for exfoliation, Mint to stimulate circulation and aromatic essential oils of Tea Tree, Eucalyptus and Bergamot this will be a true experience.


Burt's Bees


Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme
Burt's Bees Almond Milk Hand Creme $8.00. Available at www.burtsbees.com

This cult favorite (and mine) is a deliciously rich hand creme that contains Vitamin E, Aloe and Almond Oil to keep your hands looking forever young.


Pangea Organics

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Pangea Organics Facial Cleanser $21.99. Available at www.pangeaorganics.com or www.drugstore.com

Pangea's facial cleanser is full of benefits with a never ending list of natural ingredients such as Calendula, Blood Orange, Chamomile, Lavender, Rosemary, Jojoba, Almond Oil, Rose, Shea Butter, Vitamin E and the list keeps going on!

Pangea Organics is very serious about their commitment with the environment, even their packaging is recyclable and a portion of their profits go to help build the Pangea Institute, an organization dedicated to the researching and teaching of sustainable living and business practices.



Tom's Maine

Natural Long-Lasting Deodorant Roll-On
Tom's of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant Roll-On $5.49. Available at www.tomsofmaine.com or www.drugstore.com

These deodorants like every Tom's of Maine products are made with only natural ingredients and 10% of their pre-tax profits go to charitable organizations around the U.S. Awesome, ha?


Weleda


Weleda Skin Food $11.79. Available at www.weleda.com or www.ihealthtree.com

Skin Food the name says it all. An ultra-moisturizing creme with pure Lanolin and Pansy Extract to keep skin healthy.


Nature's Gate


Nature's Gate "Light Switch" Brightening Serum $29.95. Available at www.naturesgate.com

A super charged Vitamin C Serum that is packed with Lemon, Grapefruit, Lemon Verbena, and Japanese Mandarin to help diminish the appearance of age spots and refine skin tone.

There are many more wonderful brands, I can keep going on for days about the beauty-health companies that offer amazing products and are also very much determined to have the littlest possible impact on earth, but these are my favorites the ones I have tried and swear by. Tomorrow I'll talk good-for-you-good-for-the-planet cosmetics. Stay tuned, you don't want to miss it!



Friday, April 13, 2007

Green Week

It seems that be environmentally conscious is in, every magazine has a green issue, people are looking for a more natural lifestyle and big companies are doing their part (or at least pretending on their TV commercials) to be more earth friendly. It seems more like a trend than a conscious effort to make a difference but either way I say bring it on, about time! Therefore, in honor of the effort everybody seems to be putting now on moving toward a more civilized way of living, I'll give you Green Week. This next week is going to be all about earth friendly beauty products, fashion and lifestyle. You don't need to be a rasta, vegan tree hugger to make a difference, just do what you can even if it's just putting that pop can in a trashcan instead of littering. Every little bit will make a huge difference in the long run. It doesn't matter if you believe in global warming or not, if you care about extinction or not, there's a truth that no one can deny, this is our only planet our home and taking better care of it it's just common sense and fair. So let start with Nature 101 and have fun while being kind to yourself and mother earth.

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Stop Global Warming!

If you really want to know how you can be pro-active and really make a difference please visit www.stopglobalwarming.org to learn more.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

That's Handy!

I have been miserable these days. After two beautiful summer-ish days a couple of weeks ago the weather has gotten stock in stubborn winter like temperatures. I can't take it anymore, my skin can't take it anymore! Where's spring?!? Cold temperatures are torture for my hands. They have been peeling and cracking and it is not only hurtful it's very unattractive too. So, I decided to give Skin MD a try. I got it on the mail like the gazillion of samples I get sent all the time and didn't give it much thought . But I needed something that would actually work because not even putting lotion every 5 minutes was working anymore. So I reached for Skin MD in my products cabinet because I remember reading on the pamphlet it came with that Skin MD was excellent for acute conditions like eczema and dermatitis and it is dermatologist recommended. Skin MD Natural is loaded with good-for -you natural ingredients like Aloe, Comfrey, Arnica, Yarrow, Chamomile and Vitamin E. that forms a protective shield on your skin to keep irritants out and moisture in. I've been using this product for more than a week now, but I saw results immediately. The itch, cracking and peeling is gone and my hands have never looked or felt better. This lotion feels so velvety and luxurious it is hard not to keep applying it all over my body and a little bit goes a long way. Now winter is no match for my skin.



Click to order Skin MD Natural
Skin MD Natural $25.00 for a 4 oz. bottle. Available at www.skinmdnatural.com

Saturday, April 7, 2007

A Day With Out Make Up

My morning routine, when it comes to skin care, it's pretty simple. Not because I have found that miraculous product that does it all, but because I haven't found a good moisturizer that will actually deliver, so I don't care much. If it wasn't because my skin feels really tight after cleansing I would skip moisturizing altogether and go straight to make up application. My skin is the dreadful oily/combo which means that some days I got a shiny T-zone AND dry, flaky patches on the rest of my face, so I use a pore minimizer on my oily areas and spend the rest of the day re-applying moisturizer on the dry ones. How is that possible?!?!? That is until I discover Boots Botanics. Recently, I ran out of my blah moisturizer and thought that since they are all the same to me I will not spend more than $10 on a new morning cream. So I headed to Target ready to get any Aveeno or Olay moisturizer with SPF and there it was, the Boots display so pretty and new (I love pretty and new) it attracted me like flypaper. The first thing that actually caught my attention was the No 7 line with their high potency, age fighting ingredients at prices ranging from $5.99 to $20.00 it was a dream come true. But I have to admit that I am a natural products junkie, I love everything that says "botanical" because I believe in the power of plants. Boots Botanics claims to have very high concentrations of plant extracts in their product so you can actually benefit and see a noticeable difference on your skin. That day I got me the Complexion Refining Day Moisture Lotion SPF 12 and the Skin Brightening Cleanser. The next morning I washed my face and noticed that it didn't feel tight at all, but proceeded to apply the moisturizer with the same indifference I do everyday. I was running late so I didn't do my make up thinking that maybe I would have 5 minutes to do it at the office, the day got crazy and I never did my make up. What a surprise when I went to the restroom and looked at the mirror, my face was glowing, no shiny areas, not a dry patch, no huge pores, just beautiful skin. I honestly just stood there in disbelief, I have finally found a product that actually delivers, that is natural and that doesn't cost a fortune. Now I actually look forward to my morning routine and might as well just skip make up altogether, well, not really, but I could.


Boots Botanics Complexion Refining Day Moisture Lotion SPF 12 $12.99. Available at www.boots.com or Target.


Boots Skin Brightening Cleanser $6.99. Available at www.boots.com or Target