Once it hits your lips! The concept of dessert only flies out the door with this this Organic, one batch + hand-packed Bliss Ice Cream. The Chocolate was added to my Cappuccino in the morn. The Honey Lavender was lovely to de-stress with mid day. Lemon Blueberry was fun to share with my lil’ boys as an after school snack. Hubby + I shared a Strawberry with hot fudge dessert! Do I need to go on…it is making me crave yet another flavor – Ginger! Bliss uses only fresh, organic ingredients.

Fall in love with your man or with your ice cream.

Pure Bliss.

Ahhhh to now have my very favorite NY luxuries in my own bathroom (read: my own lil’ deep soak bath mini spa + beauty bar).

Their entire arsenal of the most luxe Blow dry bar hair products are now available to ship directly to your door, isn’t online shopping just fabulous.  Their collection of professional formulas is fortified with exclusive pure protein blends to protect, perfect and prolong your blow out every day.

The line is oh so ecoFab too, being free of sulfates and parabens that deplete hair and limit the life of your blow out, not to mention do a doozy on our water supply.   Naturally, never testd on animals, never to be taken for granted.

Here is one stand out from the line…damage control.  I love this pre & post holiday party season…but hopefully the only party damage control I’ll need.

peace & love. that ’s what i say…right’

algow has our motto down by candle light. soy candle light none the less.

and all luxe, for sure.

aglow makes soy based candles, burning beautifully for the earth and luxuriously for your home. the designers of aglow believe that you can love this planet and live a beautiful life all at the same time.

me too!

find your fave symbol and light it up.

xo H

I know, I know.

I have you singin’

What’s up Girl?  What have you done for me lately.  Ooh Ooh Ooh Yeah.

To me, Paper Cloud is color, creativity and a whole lota coolness.

The husband and wife team Matthew and Ariana Broerman are a duo to be reckoned with in this design space; and moi had the absolute pleasure of meeting them in NYC while they were launching their fall line.

I immediately fell in love with these Wood Plank pillows.  It was truly one of those moments where you see something gorgeous and just know exactly where it will fit in your life, or on  your favorite white leather chair in this case.
The texture of the fabric and the vibrant and clean design of this collection is guaranteed to win you over too.

Matthew and Ariana say, their designs are inspired by the sometimes quirky beauty of nature, interpretations of all that surrounds them. Theses pendant lamps show that inspired design and how it all comes together, a little unexpectely, yet spot on.

So, Paper Cloud, click over.

Peruse and find your favorites.

xo H

Doll,
I’ve missed you too.   What is a girl to do when the goin’ get CraZy?  So, I will be a peace maven next week and get you all the scoop you’ve been waiting for.  Love ya, mean it.

At least there have been some Apple Cider Bellinis  involved to keep everything on keel.  (my sigi drink for fall xH)

xo H

Tamarind Lychee Candle

The fruits of passion entwine, transporting you to a garden of earthly delights. A place where refreshing white grapefruit, tamarind, lychee blossom and zest of yuzu are warmed with aromatic ginger and smooth, creamy coconut milk to awaken and invigorate the senses.

Malagasy Vanille Home Fragrance Mist

Venture into uncharted territory, at once familiar yet deeply exotic. Capture the feeling with our Malagasy Vanille Home Fragrance Mist. Release the room-filling scent of silken Madagascar vanilla layered with creamy sandalwood, cinnamon bark and golden amber, with a lush undercurrent of bergamot, ylang and velvet musk.

White Persimmon Reed Diffuser

A luscious assortment of ambrosial fruits gilded with notes of rich vanilla…a juicy offering of white nectarine, crisp pears and plump Royal peaches, enshrined with guava and ripe, tangy sweet persimmons.

With artistically inspired design to enhance any décor, Indigenous Home Reed Diffusers offer a fragrant escape to a whole new world.

So, next steps.  Find your faves.  Join my world.  xo H

So Sweet.

BlueDogz Design makes the sweetest recycled wood gifts, home accessories & smile making pieces.  Yes Smile!

The beautiful mama, Nadine (with sweet babe girl), who started this company is a fashion & design maven to be reckoned with.  BlueDogz Design will surly become one of you favorite go to sources for gifting & making your own world a little sweeter.

Here are some highlights of their fabulous line, all gorgeous colors and patterns.

Clipboards. For when a girl is on the job.

Clipboards are great for your office, home, car, cubicle, kitchen or right in your bag – and of course,  they are the essential ingredient to a fantastically great gift!

Be Boxes for your lil’ treasures or just a gorgous way to store every day essentials.
Think, bridesmaid gifts, graduation or fabulous party favours!
As always, BlueDogz Design Be Boxes are made of recycled wood.

Tie a Teeny Tag onto a bouquet of tulips,
a bottle of wine, a clipboard, your luggage,
around napkins for dinner parties or events…

The Big Button Box, a recycled wood box, painted to perfection,
with a pretty satin ribbon that ties around a bone coloured button for closure.

For your Love Letters, what else?

Get your social media on this Wed!

Chicks who Click presents -a Three Part Seminar Series-
Get Your Social Media On!

Social Media 101
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Presented by Heather Smith
Social media is all over the news, more and more you are hearing about Twitter, people are sending you emails to be their friend on Facebook, you’re seeing Youtube videos and Digging things-but if you are asking yourself, what does it all mean?  Why do I care and what do I do with it?  Then this seminar is for you!  Come find out how to utilize social media personally and professionally.

Utilizing your Social Toolbox
Thursday, October 22, 2009
5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Presented by Aimee Giese and Tara Anderson

If you are starting a business, or just branding yourself, you will want to know the most effective way of creating a brand called YOU!  You will want to know what tools do you use?  How to discover new tools, what you do to test them, how you decide on one over the other and tips for how to create a toolbox based on unique needs. The best tools behind evangelizing and outreach.

Or is this you?

Your manager comes to you and says, you are our new social media strategist-get out there and brand us, market us in a positive light and grow our social media presence!
Corporate Management Tools: If you are managing a community for a corporation you’ll find out about the top three tools for encouraging community growth online, which tools give you the best access to the community you’ve been able to grow and what happens when a new tool or application causes disruption?

Managing your Online Presence
Thursday, November 5, 2009
5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Presented by Doyle Albee

You have established yourself on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin…you started a personal or company blog…now what?  Come find out how to engage in social media, how to maximize your presence and manage your brand in a positive and effective way. There is a right way and a wrong way, come learn the right way-to engage in the conversation of social media.

Registration Information
$49 per session/$139 for all three sessions
Seats limited to 40 registrants!

Location:
Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant
1 Flatiron Cir # 428
Broomfield, CO 80021-8214
(720) 887-2991

Hey artie smarties. Boulder Open Studios 2009 is among us!

This is truly the way you want to spend our next two gorgeous fall weekends in Boulder, Colorado.  Don’t live here? Don’t fret, you can come…we love visitors.  Book a lil’ fall holiday with the cute guy in your life your your BFF.

Here is the scoop, as promised:

What started as a tour of 50 artists studios with the help of a handful of volunteers and sponsors in 1995 has grown to over 125 juried artists, an active board of directors and a dedicated group of volunteers and sponsors.

First two weekends in October every year Saturdays & Sundays, October 3 & 4 and October 10 & 11, 2009 Noon-6pm each day Get the Guidebook This color guidebook includes a list of all of the participating artists, a photo of their work, a large tour map, bike routes, artist interviews, a children’s page and more. Although the Guidebook is not required, purchase helps make this non-profit event possible.
Go See Preview Exhibit You can see one piece of each artist’s work in the Canyon Gallery at the Boulder Public Library. This delightful show will help you choose your favorites. View one piece from each Open Studios artist. Mid September through mid October at the Boulder Public Library, 1100 Canyon Boulevard.
Map Your Tour Look through the Open Studios Guidebook and select your favorite artists. Circle their numbers on your map and you’re ready to start your adventure! No appointment is needed. Noon – 6pm, Saturday and Sunday, during the first two weeks of October.
Find the Studios The bright yellow Open Studios sign helps make studios easy to find and identify.
Visit the Artists Interact with Open Studios artists as they explain their processes and what inspires them to create their art. Buy art directly from the artist. All proceeds from the sale of art goes directly to the artist. Learn more about buying art.

Open Studios is now more than an ARTIST STUDIO TOUR held each autumn. In addition to our popular event in the fall, we now host THE OPEN STUDIOS JURIED ART FAIR in May, offer children’s ART CLASSES at Clementine Studio in Boulder throughout the year, and have a permanent ART GALLERY AT REMBRANDT YARD in downtown Boulder.

We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that relies on generous donations from sponsors, foundations and individuals. We also rely on and encourage active volunteer support to help us with our numerous events and with projects throughout the year. Without support, Open Studios would not exist. If you would like to donate time and/or money, visit our SUPPORT page.

The BOULDER CORK restaurant and WRIGHT KINGDOM REALTY, two of Open Studios sponsors,  are currently showing work by Open Studios artists. The Cork is featuring work from: Tom Cannon, Jane Hunt, Pete Wysong, Leah Bradley, Karen Divine, Barbara Frey and Karen Conduff. All artwork is for sale and benefits the artists and Open Studios.

Lady Luxe Inc. to dish the {natural + organic} scoop on: Tweet Smarts, Strategizing Social Media at Natural Products Expo East in The Beantown. Yea.

Lady Luxe is devoted to ‘social media for the socially responsible’ so I am thrilled to be speaking among  companies that share a commitment to ethical business practices such as sustainability, and eco-consciousness.

Here are the details, so you don’t miss out…

Tweet Smarts: Strategize Social Media

Thursday, 09/24/2009

1:00PM - 2:30PM,

Room Level 2, 252A

Description: Social Networking has turned into one the easiest way to market your business but how does this new media apply to the Natural Products Industry? Come and learn the steps to taking your business’ social media program to the next level.

…and I have the pleasure of teaming up on this talk with the lovely Cynthia Barstow of Seed to Shelf + my Alma Mater University of Massachusetts, Amherst baby!

We’re gonna call it as we see it, social media in natural products industry.  Don’t miss it, because we won’t miss a beat.

So, come on out to the show and get your tweet on!  Learn to create a buzz in the digital world.

And for sure, Travel Green + Save Green.

New Hope Natural Media will hook you up:

Qualified buyers, brokers, and distributors can ride a regional bus or train to the show and Natural Products Expo East will reimburse you up to $75—just visit the Transportation Desk with your receipt and badge to get your reimbursement!

So… I am in Boston already, and enjoying quite a bit of nostalgia from my grad school days at Tufts University (yes, I have gone from Nutritional Biochemisty to Social Media…and I can make the two mingle!), the many Head of the Charles races I rowed in (gooooo lightweights!)…

and hangin’ out at Bukowski’s downtown and The Thirsty Scholar in Cambridge…oh, and The Can Tab in Central Square with the legendary Little Joe Cook…

Tweet me…I am out on the town.

xo, Heather

…because phone books are soooooo out…and high chairs are just plain baby-ish.

Big kids unite!

Get your momma to get ya a Kaboost. These are fabulous contraptions that fit under your chair so that your dinette set remains intact and your kid can eat their food…that is without their mouths being table height…they get the Kaboost they need.

They’ll even be read for a game of poker perhaps.

Super stylish, the chartreuse green, fits in fabulous with our kitchen colors of bright orange, plum and white.

xo Heather

No housekeeper here (but with there was!), so I do all the dirty work.

In style nonetheless.

This is my dust pan and brush from my favorite clean up Co – Alice Supply Co.

They have the hippest and most functions house hold must haves.  So I say to you, find one that fits your style and own it!  A girl’s gotta look good, and so does your crib sista.

xo Heather

I have to say, Korres is haute on the scene when it comes to makeup.

Their new line did not disappoint, at all!  In fact, I was so impressed with the collection that I have been blabbing about it to all my girl friends …who have been ordering up their own.  I certainly am not parting my Korres lip glosses ladies.

Here are a few of my favs…and 30% OFF code details below!

The lip & cheek tint.

The ultimate lip treatment with an intensely hydrating formula.  Also packed with a juicy pop of color.  Shea Butter’s anti-inflammatory and potent moisturizing benefits cushion the skin and help to restructure it.  Rice Wax helps to seal in hydration, leaving the lips smooth all day.  A product that packs a fabulous punch.

The provitamin B5 and rice bran lash-strengthening mascara.  I never leave the house without my mascara.  Now, I never leave the house without THIS masacara.

Naturally volumizes my thin and brittle lashes, while adding length & drama {I love drama}.  The provitamin B5, is a proven natural hair strengthener, while the rice bran natural extract expands {just like rice does in water} to provide maximum lash length, volume, and fullness.

Get lovely lashes, ladies.

The Monoi oil bronzing powder. Love the bronze, but not a huge fan of the bronze sparkle look.  Then, this is your compact girl.

Monoi oil, is a tropical Tahitian oil, gives skin light, non pore clogging hydration, and enhances skin’s natural radiance.  It is a bronzer to be reckoned with!

So there’s the scoop on Korres…for now…

xo,

Heather

p.s. that fabulous code I promised:  use code: PEACELOVELUXE
for 30% OFF your online order
at korresusa.com
valid till September 30th, 2009

I love my kids art, period.

The scribble scrabble.  Their expression with color.  The ‘went-of-the-paper-mommy’ art work we are left with to enjoy on our new white kitchen table when each project is over.

And what is a fridge without the cluttered collage, of quite conceivably, every piece they have done, and I am proud of.

So, when we got word Clementine Art was launching the first entire line of non-toxic & eco friendly art supplies we  got our hands on some!

Tyler’s favorites are the ‘rocket ship’ soy crayons…and now I don’t fret when lil’ Buddy eats the markers when I’m not looking.

Best thing is, we can easily stock up at Whole Foods when our first round of supplies get low, or lost for that matter.

Check out the full line here…and the scoop on what makes Clementine Art so fab!

because they were so damn good…and I haven’t had ‘cheese balls’ since I was a kid…and if memory serves me correctly they were, like, day-glo orange, probably genetically modified my tongue or were radio active, or something…

So when I got my hands on Snikiddy cheese puffs…I did start to pack them for my lil’ boys lunch…but ate the whole bag.  Yikes again.

These Grilled Cheese puffs were the ones I scarfed down.  The lowdown on how good they are – and good for you – and your kids too, if you share…

• All Natural
• Made with real cheese
• Low in saturated fat and cholesterol
• 30% less fat than other leading brands
• 20% fewer calories than other leading brands
• Gluten Free and Wheat Free
• No Trans Fats, No Hydrogenated Oils, No Preservatives

So, my promise to my boys, I will go get more!  They have coupons right here….

We can go get all the flavors.  xo Mom.

Do you have fabulous curls?  Of course you do.  Are they sometimes, just a little hard to handle?  For those of us who have had a few bad hair days, and we’ve blamed the curl…Deva Curl to the rescue.

Seriously, this line is amazing.  My curls that had gone, let’s just say a lil’ flat this summer with the heat, are back in full force.  It is so easy too, because the product does all the work.  I love that.

I have been using the Low-Poo (he he) cleanser.  It smells of  Starfruit and Mango and is a coconut-derived, mild lathering cleanser.

Then to keep my locks shiny, DevaCurl’s ultra creamy, daily conditioner – OneCondition – which smells of Lemon Grass (this is actually one of my all time fav scents!).

Finally, I style it up with Deva’s curl defining gel – AnGEL – and let’s just say the F-word (we’re talking frizz here) has not reared its devilish head since since.

Plus, Deva Curl is botanically infused and sulfate-free.  Way to go green.

Now go get your curl back.

xo, H

p.s. go check out the full line and become a Deva too.

Okay…yea…they really are just rhine stones.  But,  I am ready to ‘get in shape girl’ and dance my pants off  at Elite Dance Academy’s ultra-fab Grand Opening tomorrow here in Boulder!

GRAND OPENING PAR-TAE

When: Saturday August 29, 2009
Where: Elite Dance Academy Boulder- 3005 Sterling Circle
Free classes from 9am-2pm.
Performances by Elite Competitive Teams and Fairview Poms
Complimentary snacks and beverages
Drawing for prizes and more!

I am totally ready to shake my groove thing – yea yea.

I’ll see ya these free classes dolls…

xo, H

What a freak’in riot.  Seriously, a coco-loco riot.
Sweatriot is all natural, anti-oxidant-rich, dairy-free, kosher, gluten-free cacao with a mission.

Chocolate treats on a mission that is…

“To create a more just and celebrated multicultural world for our next generation.”

Here is how the Sweetriot team makes a difference…

and how you can by eating chocolate – a win/win if you ask me.

Our Product. Our People. Our Partnerships.

First of all, we consider what products we are creating. Are they good for the world….are they healthy…are they natural and fairly traded? Is the sourcing ethical? We worked very hard to find a partner in South America with a strong track record of social responsibility and a commitment to fair trade. Plus, we searched for a product – cacao – which comes from the most healthy & magical fruit in the world. It is a slow not fast food and we’re proud of that.

Our Product. Our People. Our Partnerships.

As a founder of a company, I am committed to building a workplace, which is empowered, team-oriented, positive, and service oriented. On the inside of our company, we need to be responsible in order to serve our partners and rioters effectively. I work hard to create fair HR practices such as a health care stipend even though we are a tiny company. I also work with my team on work-life balance issues and making sweetriot a wonderful place to work. Once again, we are not perfect, but we try our best.

Our Product. Our People. Our Partnerships.

Lastly, of course, we love to support non-profits who have similar values and ideals to sweetriot. We especially focus on organizations that celebrate culture and diversity and young people. Our partnerships take many forms but usually involve giving the organization cacao for their special events and also sending speakers and/or people to help them at events. At this point, we are not doing cash partnerships but that’s mainly because we are a brand new company and have NO profit! We will do this in the future, but it will not be JUST a check. That’s not true partnership.

Each delish tin of chocolate is sure to bring out the inner rioter… whether it’s the scrumptious taste and low calories of sweetriot cacao, the cool art on the edge, or the cacao country fun fact inside, you’ll be glad you gave peace(s) a chance.

Featured Artist #10: Callie Hirsh

That is gorgeous art…right.  Sweetriot supports the emerging artists community by featuring works that embrace sweetriot’s culture on its tins. Every few months they ask rioters to Rock the Art Vote and help pick the featured artist for upcoming tins.

Oh, and lastly, SJP and I covet the same Sweetriot coco love…Now if only by eating all this chocolate I could look like her in skinny jeans.

This is how I rolled on the RV vaca up to Jackson Whole, Yellow Stone & Teton National Parks.  Get out and see our beautiful, beautiful country!  Enjoy the majesty of it all. Don’t mean to sound like a commercial but it is true!

So, I’ve gotta give some props to my outdoor vaca essentials…

Rockin’ the LeSportsac Frieda pack.  I basically never leave home without this baby, and it is a true head turner because it is so glam and cool…and I know everyone else wants one.  So go get your own.  BTW – clicking on the different designs you can pick from is half the fun.

Also have to say my Patagonia windbreaker never let me down either.  When the temperature fluctuates in the mountains or around town this is all ya need.  In purple to, of course.  Least not forget the dedication Patagonia has to our world, our environment.

xo H

Hey dolls.  Did ya miss me?  I totally missed you – mwah – kisses.

I’m back from vaca – WY – Lady Luxe trip – NYC – brought the kiddos back to G-parents – NJ.  Party’s over.  Lots to fill you in on…

These Ben & Jerry’s Flipped Out Sundae’s are flippin’ delish.

Check out their facebook app and flip your text too – it is so cool!

Ben & Jerry’s new Flipped Out ice creams. They are simply the most fun lil’ package you ‘ll have in your freezer!  Just peel the top, flip it over, and pop in your bowl.

Our fav was brownie but peanut butter cup, and cookie dough were pretty darn good to. We would never expect less deliciousness from B & J!

They are at WholeFoods … so don’t flip out about not being able to get your spoon in one soon.

OOTS! by far has the coolest, hippest, eco lunch boxes this side of Brooklyn.  There is plenty of room to pack your cupcakes & bacon for lunch.

Check it out: The lid of the box is shaped to keep a bottle in place, under an elastic strap.

All materials used are food safe and kid-friendly: made from BPA-free and phthalate-free polypropylene and safety tested for lead. The lunch box and containers are dishwasher safe (top rack) and the containers can be used in a microwave.

The ‘stacked’ design and materials used give these lunch boxes a surprising look and make them playful and tactile objects for little fingers. The upright design also prevents food from being tossed around.

The Lunchbox comes in three different color combos: Blue, Green and Orange. They are sold either without containers, or as a Deluxe version, with 4 small and 1 large container inside.

The Lunchbox is another example of the Dutch design savvy that OOTS! brings to all its products: an optimal combination of style and added functionality.

And yes, adults may use them as well.

We are simply – OBSESSED – with the cool factor and story behind Moscot.

If you wanna keep up with the brand, stick around, as the launch new designs, we will post!

Here’s the scoop…the story…read on…it’s all here!

MOSCOT Eyewear and Eyecare Since 1915 has been a New York City institution for nearly 100 years.

The MOSCOT optical roots were first planted by great grandfather, patriarch, Hyman Moscot, who arrived from Eastern Europe via Ellis Island in 1899 and began selling ready-made eyeglasses from a pushcart on Orchard Street on Manhattan’s famed Lower East Side. In 1915, having establishing himself in the neighborhood as the “go-to” guy for glasses, Hyman opened what would become MOSCOT’s first retail space at 94 Rivington Street.

Hyman’s son, Sol, began helping his father in the store as a young boy. This would mark the beginning of Sol’s passion for people and opticianry. Sol’s expertise developed quickly and he soon took over the family business and Sol Moscot Opticians, as it was known then, was officially established.

From its original location on Rivington Street, the business changed locations until 1951 when it settled at 118 Orchard Street on the corner of Delancey Street, where the retail store and the MOSCOT Museum remain today.

In 1951, Sol’s son, Joel, began presiding over the “House of MOSCOT” with the same sense of honor and devotion, values and business principles as his father. By the mid 1980s, it was time again for the next generation of Moscot to enter the business and so, Joel’s son, Dr. Harvey Moscot, armed with his Doctor of Optometry with honors, his life lessons in the optical business, and the values of his father and grandfather, embarked upon his career.

In 1992, Joel’s younger son, Kenny Moscot, eagerly entered the family business as well, with a degree in finance, Opticianry and most importantly, a passion for business.

In the succeeding years, Dr. Moscot has evolved MOSCOT Eyecare into a comprehensive eye health care facility using state-of-the-art technology for the diagnosis and treatment of a full range of medical eye conditions, while his sibling, Kenny Moscot, has evolved MOSCOT into one of the hippest and most sought-after eyewear brands in the world.

Today, MOSCOT sells its wildly popular eyewear collections, the MOSCOT Originals and MOSCOT Spirits, to fans and celebrities worldwide via its New York City retail store locations, the company website (www.moscot.com) and specialty stores across the US, Europe, Asia and Canada.

MOSCOT retail locations offer a selection of more than 1,000 frames from a wide variety of well-known eyewear and sunglass designers, as well as a comprehensive inventory of contact and eyeglass lenses and MOSCOT branded furnishings such as t-shirts, tote bags and more.

Together the fourth generation Moscot brothers have expanded the business while maintaining the values their great grandfather set forth 90 years ago, reflected in the company’s mission statement: “To offer the best possible optical experience to our customers and patients by dispensing warmth, courtesy and expertise.”

These are two more of our fav looks now!

Cambodian Silk Studded Totes by Green Gecko.  Simply ask yourself, isn’t it time for a new bag.  The answer usually is, why yes it is.  These are tres chic and will go with anything.  So don’ t fight it  doll.

The story and the bags are amazing…here is the scoop:

Green Gecko’s products are handmade of 100% loom-woven silk. Rather than in factories, they are made in women’s cooperatives. This worthy enterprise provides jobs to Cambodian women, many of whom are landmine victims or widows.

Enjoy your exquisite work of handmade beauty from a socially responsible and eco-conscious small business.

Get your very own, at elegantroots.com

The Beginning

In 1979, Harriet Brener-Sam was the Program Director of Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Law Center. She first worked for the benefit of Cambodians upon the fall of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime by assisting hundreds of refugees to resettle in the USA.

Harriet’s work for Cambodians continued with the United Nations Border Relief on the Thai-Cambodian border. With her Cambodian husband, Harriet worked tirelessly with Cambodian families. Continuing despite her husband’s death in 1997, Harriet founded Brener-Sam Associates to help facilitate the adoption of Cambodian orphans. In 1999, Harriet founded the not-for-profit Khmer Children’s Foundation dedicated to providing a home and education for those orphans in Cambodia who were not adopted.

Harriet seems never to rest. In 2001, Harriet adopted a Cambodian orphan, pictured with her above. She next founded Green Gecko (named because of her daughter’s fascination with geckos) to provide well-paid work for needy artisans by bringing fresh designs of Cambodia’s extraordinarily beautiful “wearable art” to wider markets.

Harriet first established Green Gecko relationships with co-operatives of women’s sewing groups and the National Cambodian Disability Program, including partnering with talented designer Thanan. The following year, she added partnerships with weavers in Takeo and Phnom Penh and Green Gecko has continued to grow ever since.

The Heart

Green Gecko specializes in designing and creating high quality, handcrafted, 100% Cambodian silk accessories. Each of Green Gecko’s lovely designs is created from start to finish by Cambodian women’s cooperatives that hand-spin, hand-sew and hand-weave the silk using techniques passed down from generation to generation.

Harriet established Green Gecko to provide work to the neediest artisans, including land-mine victims and widowed mothers, which was a natural extension of her humanitarian work. She insists on working conditions that support family and local tradition—no factories allowed! Most artisans work from home so they can tend to their children and families. They create their wearable art using traditional looms and old-fashioned treadle machines, since they live too remotely to have electricity.

The Highlights

Great hearts like Harriet’s beat tirelessly and they accomplish amazing things! Harriet recognized that she could help support the most economically marginalized women in Cambodia by establishing a commercially viable enterprise to provide sustaining income. Instead of just thinking about it, she took action, adding Green Gecko to her other laudable endeavors.

Harriet, we are in awe of your selfless work! We congratulate you on Green Gecko’s social and environmentally sustainable success. We’re honored to offer your exquisite and soulful accessories.

Polish, moisturize, repeat.

The Japanese bathing ritual or “ofuro” has been an important and sacred custom for many centuries. Baths provide both relaxation for the mind and improved health for the body by stimulating blood circulation.

Scrub away stress is what I say.

Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish is chock full of fine grains of rice bran combine with bamboo and gentle cleansing agents to create a luxuriously foaming scrub that washes away dry skin. Extracts of ginger root and ginseng tone and balance the skin, while green tea, geranium oil and camphor are soothing & refreshing.

After bath, use  Yu-Be Moisturizing Body Lotion to lock it all in. The glycerin formula with a unique blend of vitamin E, B2 and camphor provides ideal daily hydration and protection for many troublesome dry skin conditions. The perfect year-round, all-over body moisturizer.

Sayonara Dryskin!

Gretchen and Grace Greenwear is the ecoBoutique on the scene any they are stocked with our favorite brands like…Del Forte, Eberjey, Kris Nations and Night Owl.

An ecoFabulous place to shop.

Bettering our world doesn’t have to be difficult. It can be relatively easy to make small lifestyle changes that can have a large and positive impact upon our planet. Recycling, fuel and energy conservation—these are ideas that everyone can implement in their lives to lower their carbon footprint and improve our environment.

At Gretchen and Grace, you can find a wealth of resources for green fashion items that you can enjoy all the more for knowing that by purchasing them, you are becoming part of the solution and not the problem. Whether it’s a pair of gorgeous earrings made from recycled materials, the most comfortable organic cotton clothes you’ve ever worn, or personalized stationery that uses 100% recycled paper and vegetable-based inks, expressing yourself has never been so good for our world.

Time to shop ladies.

Okay – I am starting to feel like it is fabulous Etsy week so let’s just call it that.  K.

And, yes, MCA that was for you man.

Here’s the story of a lovely lady – Alisun Franson - Cruisin’ the Streets in Style – How Beatrice Holiday  all came to be…

The birth of Beatrice Holiday – Cruiser Couture came to be after countless mishaps on my cruiser bike. Fallen lipstick into a gutter, lost credit card that slipped out of my pocket while in transit, keys that slipped thru the crack of my basket into another gutter. Lots of cruiser roadkill left in my path! I can’t be the only one right? So, I created a line of Cruiser Handlebar Bags, Cruiser Basket Liners and matching Cruiser Seat Covers crafted out of vintage upholstery fabrics that really make your cruiser stand out from the pack!!

Cruising around the neighborhood is something that is second nature to me living in sunny Denver, Colorado. I love to cruise to the farmer’s market, the park with my dog, meet up with friends that are also on their cruisers. It’s just part of my everyday routine… so naturally I wanted to pimp out my ride a bit – and doing so with vintage fabrics and naming the line after my NANA makes it all that much better.

Beatrice Holiday products are designed and constructed out of vintage upholstery fabrics and made in Denver, COLORADO.

Thank you in advance for supporting locally made products and earth friendly crafts.

do you have a special lil’ lady in your life?

well, for the girl who has everything, she could surely use some (or all ) of this hair candy.

ali dejohn (simply one of the chicest & craftiest mom’s this side of the pond) has an etsy shop to be reckond’ with.

here is her scoop:

hello! i am a mom to two wonderful little people who inspire me to be creative everyday. i love bringing creativity into our family, making things by hand, everything cozy and the tiny details found in everyday life!

thank you so much for stopping by to check out the things i truly love to make!  ali.

RECYCLE CAPS WITH AVEDA

Aveda found that a majority of plastic bottle caps do not get recycled today.

Often these caps end up as litter or trash, ending up in landfills and beaches or migrating into our rivers and oceans. Birds and other marine creatures mistake them for food with tragic results. The magnitude of this pollution problem is devastating to our oceans and wildlife.

You can be part of the solution by joining Recycle Caps with Aveda.

Aveda is announcing a new recycling initiative that helps extend the current boundaries of recycling and elicit participation from all corners of our community. With the help of our network of salons and stores, in partnership with community schools, we are building a new recycling program for plastic bottle caps in which caps are collected at stores and schools and then sent by Aveda to our recycler where the material is recycled into new caps and containers. Aveda has been able to work closely with our suppliers to develop ways to make new caps and containers from the recycled caps. We hope to ship new products using this reworked, environmentally-friendly material later this year.

What type of caps do we collect?
The program accepts caps that are rigid polypropylene plastic, sometimes noted with a 5 in the chasing arrows recycling symbol. This includes caps that twist on with a threaded neck such as caps on shampoo, water, soda, milk and other beverage bottles, flip top caps on tubes and food product bottles (such as ketchup and mayonnaise), laundry detergents and some jar lids such as peanut butter.

Excluded from collection are pharmaceutical lids and non rigid lids such as yogurt lids, tub lids (margarine, cottage cheese), and screw on lids that are not rigid. If you can bend or break the lid with your bare hands, then it does not meet the rigid plastic definition. Please do not include any metal lids or plastic pumps or sprayers. Unfortunately, too much of the wrong types of materials can contaminate the recycling process. We appreciate your efforts in keeping it clean!

We kicked the cap out of plastic at
New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009 marked the official kick-off of Aveda’s Caps Recycling Program—our powerful grassroots effort to help save marine life by reducing the amount of caps littering our beaches and oceans. Models, stylists and designers backstage participated in the program—bringing in their plastic caps to Rodarte, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Preen and Alexander Wang—Aveda’s designer partners in “green-ing” the runways.

Join the Recycle Caps with Aveda campaign. Bring your plastic caps into an Aveda Store and feel great knowing that they will be repurposed into new Aveda packaging and kept from entering our waterways and harming wildlife.

Want to know how your school can get involved?
Click to learn more: Parents | Teachers. Remember to contact capcollection@aveda.com when you are ready to enroll your school.

Like to color or know a child who does?
Click here for a Fun and Educational Recycle Caps with Aveda Coloring Page. Enjoy!

Boulder’s finally getting a flea market!

The Hill Flea: A Local Cabinet of Creative Curiosities is launching this August in Boulder’s historic University Hill district and already has a killer line-up planned for launch day. The best of Boulder’s Fringe fest will perform throughout the day, and local samba march band Bateria Alegria will bring the Brazilian beats.

An interactive marketplace and community edu-tainment playspace, the Hill Flea is designed to be a dynamic destination for city and county residents of all ages, fusing creativity with education and experience. One part vintage flea market, one part interactive workshop, the Flea will bring traditional vendors, artisans, and entrepreneurs together to offer their talents and treasures for sale while also imparting their skills or knowledge to the visiting public. Celebrating the principles of sustainability, vendors and visitors alike will be invited to reuse, renew, recycle and rediscover their goods, services, and skills.

Be there, or be square.  Seriously.

So, here is the scoop.  Your water is instantly filtered as you drink through the ech2o sport top.  The EcoUsable exclusive top removes up to 99.99% of pollutants for up to 100 gallons of great tasting filtered water.  I honestly just filled mine up from the sink at my favorite lil’ coffee shop.  No worries.

Each 25 oz. 304 food grade stainless steel water bottle is non-leaching, BPA-free, reusable, lightweight, and taste-neutral.

The Ionic-Adsorption Micro-Filtration System is an entire water filtration plant within a portable bottle. The patented Ionic-Absorption Micro-Filtration reduces up to 99.99% of the following zones of contamination:

• Aesthetics: unpleasant taste, odor, clarity, chlorine, sand, sediment and Radon 222.
• Biological: Pathogens such as cryptosporidium, giardia & other cysts and spores.
• Chemicals: toxic chemicals, detergents, pesticides and other harmful industrial and agricultural wastes.
• Dissolved Solids: heavy metals such as aluminum, asbestos, copper, lead, mercury and others.

Wow-za.

ecoChic at it’s best.  this short, kimono style robe, bra & hip huggers are the best way to lounge any day.  all with color blocking detail, and the robe thick tie belt at the waist.

the set is 93% Bamboo, 7% Spandex.  soft and luxe.  spreegirl is one of our favs, and sure to  be yours.  time to shop!

Spreegirl has luxe living down.  Here’s what they have to say: being fashionable isn’t limited to what you see on the outside, but rather, defined by one’s ability to incorporate even the most “intimate” of details. Inspired by the philosophy of “It’s not just sleepwear, its fashion”, the Spreegirl line combines an array of vibrant colors, patterns and innovative designs to create a “retro modern” look for all ages.

Trend driven and contemporary, Spreegirl embraces the spirit of individuality through targeting women of all shapes and sizes who share the same zest for life. In addition, we pride ourselves in offering a line for plus size gals – Spreegirl Curves. This division shares the same philosophies as its sister Spreegirl, but includes pieces that are flattering for those with more bounce in their step. And despite our unique physiques, all women are created equal.

With an emphasis on wearable sets, Spreegirl designs playful collections where most pieces can work both in and outside the home blurring the line between sleepwear and fashion. Someone who is a Spreegirl embodies the spirit of the California girl, who loves California’s nature as well as its carefree outdoor/indoor lifestyle, while being a global nomad who loves to travel, experience other cultures and the arts.

The latest designs stay true to Spreegirl’s retro-modern twist by taking a nod from the past with vintage silhouettes, while utilizing modern hues, new wave color blocking and boho prints to make for a sophisticated yet fun look. The inspiration behind many of the prints and pallets were derived from nature, modern art and travel. By applying these facets to their latest pieces, we have produced a bold mix of robes, rompers, shorts, camis and, of course, our signature panties and bralettes.

In keeping with Spreegirl’s environmental initiative and in light of the ever growing “Green” awareness movement, we are continuing to do our part by incorporating sustainable fabrics such as bamboo and coconut into the line.

Right on…

xo,

heather

Spreegirl strives to be as socially responsible as we know how and we are seeking to be do-gooders in our own community as well as on this beautiful earth. We believe that businesses have the power to do the right kind of good in this world. With this in mind, Spreegirl is moving ahead with our designs to be eco-friendly, all the while being extraordinarily fashionable.

We look outside our own design room to figure out what part we can play to make this work a better place. Our resources are depleting and we want to make sure that we are taking responsibility for our actions. One step we are taking is by utilizing eco-friendly fabrics such as bamboo. Bamboo is an ideal fabric because it is luxuriously soft and smooth, has natural wicking ability, is antibacterial and hypoallergenic, and is insulating, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Bamboo requires no fertilizers, pesticides, or chemicals to grow, making it a great eco-friendly choice.

From time to time, we will be sponsoring certain charities and you will be able to read more about it and donate to a worthy cause here. For now, we are open to working wtih any charities and community groups that share our same outlook on life. We are more than happy to sponsor events, join in a partnership, and getting involved with our own staff participating too.
One of Spreegirl’s design team’s biggest inspirations comes from nature and we’d like to leave this world a better place than we found it …

FLOR modular carpet squares are an ingenious blend of form and function.  We have them and we love them.  Perfect for the girl who just can’t make up her mind…have one rug one day another rug another day.

They are made with renewable and recyclable materials and available in a range of colors, textures and patterns.  FLOR lets you create unique area rug, runner or wall-to-wall designs that reflect your own personal style.

The perfect combination of style, practicality and responsibility.

Great design isn’t just beautiful, it’s a beautiful solution.

FLOR also has a commitment to be environmentally responsible: to make truly great design is to make sustainable living solutions that are also beautiful for the Earth. FLOR’s dedication to caring for the planet carries over into everything we do from the design and manufacturing of FLOR to reclaiming and recycling old product into new.

Return & Recycle Program

FLOR has always been an innovator and a pioneer. They care about our planet and its future and seriously consider our eco-footprint in everything they do. That includes what happens when FLOR has lived its useful life. FLOR has developed what is revolutionary in the residential carpet industry – a Return & Recycle Program.
FLOR is committed to making sure that no FLOR ends up in a landfill. Through FLOR’s Return & Recycle program we take your old FLOR carpet squares and turn them into new product. So, when you need to replace or make room for some new FLOR, don’t toss your old tiles into the garbage. Instead, call their Customer Care department at 1.866.281.3567 to learn how you can participate and make a difference. The planet thanks you!

Renewable & Recycled Content

FLOR carpet squares are designed with the end in mind. Their ultimate goal is to exclusively use renewable and recycled raw materials in creating FLOR.

Low VOCs

Most FLOR styles meet or exceed the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus standards for low VOCs. Low VOCs are important because of their harmful impact on indoor air quality.

* FLOR products contain Post-Industrial (P.I.) or Post-Consumer (P.C.) recycled content.

• Post-Industrial (P.I.): Products made from recycled materials taken from industry scraps.
• Post-Consumer (P.C.): Products made from materials recycled by consumers and businesses.

ebella designs the most fabulous & sustainable rugs and pillows.  i could go on, and on…but nicole’s site says it all so beautifully…here it is.   xoxo – heather

theo chocolate. most other chocolates can make for a love – hate relationship.  but, oh no, not theo.  it is love, sweet love.  get these bars and savor every bite.  they make it very easy.

theo choclate is proud of this fact…and so were we…they are the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar choclate factor in the USA!  watch out charlie.

the story goes…Joseph Whinney, pioneered the supply of organic cocoa beans into the United States in 1994. Joe always dreamt of building the first organic chocolate factory in the US, as prior to Theo’s inaugural chocolate run in March of 2006, all organic chocolate was manufactured in Europe and imported into the US market. As the first and only organic and Fair Trade chocolate factory in the country, all of our ingredients are carefully screened to ensure they meet our standards for social and environmental responsibility. Theo’s standards and practices include:
Using only pure ingredients that are grown sustainably. They source their ingredients locally whenever possible.

Partnering with their growers by ensuring they earn a living wage and have access to education for their families.

Honoring and respecting employees and suppliers. This is possible due to the unique fact that they control every step of their manufacturing process.

Using green energy sources to power their factory.

Using sustainable packaging and printing methods.

Educating about social and environmental accountability 7 days a week through public tours of our artisan factory.

PLACE: The meaning of Origin
The heart of Theo resides in the cocoa growing regions of the world, which we lovingly refer to as “origin.” We buy our cacao direct from farmers and grower cooperatives. Building long –term business partnerships benefits farmers financially and technologically as we work together to perfect the art of growing quality cocoa beans. Economic stability keeps children in school, improves nutrition, and allows farmers to invest in equipment and land.

PEOPLE: The meaning of Fair Trade
Our founding principle is that the finest artisan chocolate in the world can (and should) be produced in an entirely ethical, sustainable fashion. We believe that every gold medal we win is a testament to both our commitment to excellence and to the people and families who grow and harvest our cacao. The social benefits of Fair Trade are far reaching. The child who gets adequate nutrition and access to healthcare and education today also gains access to a world of opportunities. Fair Trade enables farmers to take their livelihoods to the next level in sophistication, blending the benefits of modern techniques with artisanal practices, while participating in greater social change through the democratic Fair Trade cooperative organization.

PLANET: The meaning of Organic
Focus on sustainable growing practices benefits both our fragile environmental ecosystem and all of the people inhabiting our planet. Integrated pest management protects farmers and the environment from damaging pesticides. Shade grown cacao allows for biodiversity and much needed forest habitat for many species such as migratory birds. Reforestation helps offset worldwide air pollution and has a positive impact on global warming.

THEO: The meaning of Bean-to-Bar
Theo’s small batch chocolate production is truly an art form. We take great time and care to steward our cocoa beans through the entire manufacturing process, add only the finest, sustainably produced ingredients, and are proud to offer chocolate we can guarantee is equal parts ethical and delicious!

Theo Chocolate – Because Chocolate Grows on Trees!

Oh, and we love their Blog too!  xoxo.

strawberry.  our absolute hands down local fave.

tee & cakes. they always take the cake.