October 9, 2009 - 9:52 am
I splurged on myself recently and bought Chopra’s Organic Vata-Balancing Herbal Tea (it’s uber-yummy!) and the Stephanie Kao mug I blogged about yesterday. This has inspired me to share a bit more of what’s got my wallet finger twitching.
J. Crew’s Sherpa Long Hoodie ($70; in pewter) :: saw this darling in my local J. Crew store & almost physically drooled over how soft ‘n cozy it is
Anthropologie’s Crocheted Cowlneck Sweater ($118; in dark yellow) :: though not very thick, it’s a beautiful color & has a nice feminine shape, thanks to its crochet pattern
Anthropologie’s Sweater Sleeve Coat ($228) :: I don’t need a new coat this winter, but I sure want this one. I wish it came in a jewel-toned purple plaid pattern (I like bright-colored winter coats, though not red).
J. Crew’s Pixie Pant ($88; in black, blue) :: Can’t help but envision Audrey Hepburn when I see these. They are delightfully cozy & have great stretch to them. I could see them becoming a favorite for day-to-day wear (which is usually jeans).
Aldo’s Balduf Boot ($130; in gray) :: Haven’t tried these on yet, but I’m on the hunt for a new pair of low/no-heal boots. I like the versatile color, buckles, & mid-calf length.
J. Crew’s Kelcey Crackle-Metallic Ballet Flats ($125; in metallic guava) :: These will do diddly-squat for me in the snow, but having a bright yet comfortable pair of flats has been on my “list” for a long time. These fit the bill marvelously.
TOMS Barletta Cordones ($69; in grey) :: I’ve wanted a pair of TOMS since the company first premiered in 2006. They just recently released their first design with laces & I’m swooning all over again. Simple, stylish, and functional!
What’s on your Current Yearnings list?
August 12, 2009 - 10:17 am
I’m taking a big step here by personally recommending a skin-care brand. Since hitting my teenager years over a decade ago, it is safe to say that I have spent more money (both mine & my parents’) on beauty products than I have on food.
After adopting a fully-sustainable lifestyle over 5 years ago, I’ve spent my money on nothing but eco-friendly options. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed many times & pass my “misses” onto to mum, who happily uses anything she gets for free (while I’m just trying to replace her addiction to Suave).
For the past 4-5 months, I’ve reeled in my spending & haven’t had the chance to try anything new. As expected, my list of skin care brands I want to try continues to grow. At the top of that list? It’s always been suki.
Why suki? Lots of reasons!
+ Ingredient lists I can always pronounce, which include nothing but natural, organic, fair trade & local ingredients.
+ All products are certified cruelty-free.
+ Sublime packaging that is easily reusable & recyclable.
+ An uber-impressive rating from the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database (though not all of their products are listed yet).
+ Company founder, president, and sole formulator, Suki Kramer is in her 40s, but looks 23 – if anything, that should be all the proof you need that these products work!
Mentioned in nearly ever major magazine, suki is an even more amazing company than I realized. A few fun facts that I learned recently: all products are made & shipped from their factory in Northampton, Massachusetts (about an hour from me!); 100% owned by Suki herself and staffed 95% by women; active supporter of 16 worthy non-profit organizations, including the Clean Water Fund, Co-op America, Friends of the Earth, Breast Cancer Fund, and Cancer Prevention Coalition.
OK, so I love what suki stands for … but I’m not going to recommend something if I haven’t tried it myself. The opportunity to test a few suki products, selected especially for my skin (see them in the picture above, which I took in my bathroom), presented itself and I jumped at the chance!
For the past month, I’ve been using sukiface transformative cleansing clay and sukispa bio-active purifying face serum twice a day, every day. It was less than a week before I started seeing results: smaller blemishes, less redness, more even skin tone, and less newly-formed blemishes. The results only got better as I kept using the 2 products. Right now, I have one zit … just one; that hasn’t happened in years. I’m still a bit flabbergasted at how well this stuff works – I’m just waiting for my skin to break out in a zit orgy (but keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t).
The only drawback? Cost – $43.95 and $75 respectively. I’ve been looking for an all-natural, DIY recipe to help keep my skin clear, but in over a year of research, I have yet to find one that really works. If you could only splurge on one skin care product, I’d recommend the sukispa line of serums. Yes, they are $75-80 a piece, but since you only use 2-4 drops with each application, they last 1-2 months before you need to buy more. They strong, concentrated, and powerfully effective.
Sometimes, the old saying is undeniably true – you get what you pay for.
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
July 9, 2009 - 9:43 am
Most of us have that favorite piece in our wardrobe that we wish we had in every color of the rainbow. For me, that’s Stewart+Brown’s collection of Lengthened Tees.
There’s so much to love about them:
+ 100% organic cotton
+ Lightweight & easily layered
+ Mid-thigh length
+ Raw hems
+ Available in 3 sleeve lengths (long, 1/2 sleeve, & short-sleeve)
+ Available in 6-12 different colors & patterns which change each season
I can’t say enough good things about them … except the prices, of course ($76, $73, & $62). A simple web search will often turn up discount codes for the brand’s online store – you can almost always save a little on your order.
June 22, 2009 - 7:35 am
Been dreaming of my (hopefully soon) honeymoon to Block Island, Rhode Island with my delightful husband. Yes, you read the right – we got married on May 12th and still haven’t taken a honeymoon. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get to go before the end of August (when the Fall college semester starts up).
The only wrench in our plans? My husband got promoted at work last week (hooray!). Now he’s a manager and will be running a retail store. You know what that means: longer hours, more commitment. We still need to talk to his district manager to find out if he would be able to get a week off in early August … keeping my fingers crossed!
Anyhoo, Block Island and beaches have been on my mind a lot (thanks, Coastal Living) … which also means I’m thinking about summer attire. I’ve had this bikini bookmarked for almost a month & I’m saving my pennies to be able to get it for our honeymoon.
Available exclusively on Anthropologie’s website, the bikini is designed by Rachel Pally. The 1950s style is just enchanting & the nautical stripes make it perfect for any New England beach. I’m a sucker for high-waisted anything too (no, I don’t think it makes me look like a granny!). I’ve actually been searching for a bathing suit just like this for a few seasons, but every one I find it made by some overblown Italian brand that wants $500 for it. Thankfully, Rachel’s version is much more affordable.
Rachel Pally “Vargas” Halter Bikini Top ($98)
Rachel Pally “Vargas” Bikini Bottoms ($98)
[Images courtesy of Anthropologie]
June 8, 2009 - 9:50 am
I began practicing yoga at age 16, while attending high school in Avon, Connecticut. My mom took me to a class at a new gym nearby – we both fell in love with the postures immediately. I didn’t realize how much yoga would influence my life until half-a-decade later when I moved to San Francisco at age 21.
My practice sputtered from one weekly class to another, but within 2 years, I was practicing daily at home, reading every yoga book I could find, & growing in ways I could never have imagined. My passion for yoga led me to work the front desk and produce the newsletter of a major SF yoga studio for a year & even an interim position at Yoga Journal Magazine (which I’ve also written for 7 times). Even after moving back to Connecticut in January 2009, I dedicate myself to a regular daily yoga practice, even if it is only 10 minutes.
A love of creativity and yoga was what brought Tara Hogan & I together. We first met online while I was living in San Francisco. I was first drawn to her simple & honest, yet powerful eco-inspired designs she made for her company, Ink+Wit. Turns out she was also a certified yoga teacher, which ended up giving me the chance to feature her in Yoga Journal Magazine.
After chatting on the web for almost 2 years, we talked on the phone for the first time last week – it was magical. She has become one of a handful of true friends I’ve ever made. Before the summer is over, we will get the joy of meeting in person (I’m going to take pictures). Both personally and professionally, Tara is a glowing beacon that I am thankful for each day.
Now … in relation to all that … my dear friend Tara has a new line of tunics and tank tops that are inspired by, you guessed it, yoga! As with all her creations, Tara brings her fresh and fluid style to 3 unique designs that look great on everyone. I’ve got one of the “Peacock” tunics for myself & I must say that it is my new favorite piece in my (very small) wardrobe.
The “Got Kombucha?” Tank Top. $30/each.
The “Peacock” Tunic. $36/each.
100% Organic Cotton “Yamas” Tunic. $36/each.
Yamas are yoga’s code of conduct for life, which help to separate us from our ego & become more enlightened (similar to Buddhism’s Noble Eighfold Path).
For more info about Tara’s new clothing line & the inspiration behind each of the designs, visit the Ink+Wit blog. 
[All images courtesy of Ink+Wit]
May 23, 2009 - 7:47 am
Nearly every design blog I read has posted about these already, but I can’t resist … they are painfully gorgeous! These show-stopping reusable fabric scarves won’t be available for sale until next month (June 2009), so start saving now to buy a boatload. I don’t know about you, but it would hard for me to give these away …
Your gift presentation should be as meaningful as your gift. Give Luck. Give Love. Give Wisdom. Give a lovely gesture with these reusable fabric gift wrap. Hand-printed on organic cotton with soy-based inks. Measure 28″ x28″. – from ChewingTheCud.com
Though they are intended to be used as gift wrap (known in Japan as furoshiki), Chewing the Cud’s designs remind me of my all-time favorite collectible: tea towels. I’d buy a few for gifts, a few for use in the kitchen, and a few to hang as art. 
[Photos from Chewing the Cud]
