peaceloveluxe.com

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.

I know, I know.

I have you singin’

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

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

It is time for a fabulous – eco fabulous that is – fall wardrobe.

This lovely Kelly B bamboo & organic cotton dress will be in mine.  She calls it the Lizzie Dress.

This can be your little plum dress, too…a flattery scoop neck up top and three rows of grommets line the bottom. Wear it well girl.

xo Heather

p.s. pick one up at CocosShoppe.com

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

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.

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…

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.

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.

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 we are all aware of what this fine piece of ‘timeless’ fashion is – the Fabulous Fanny Pack.  Oh yea.

The Frieda by LeSportsac is hot on the streets.  My personal fav, the one I rock walking, biking on my cruiser or paired with skinny jeans & stilletos, is the Posey Shimmer.

With its zippers, pockets, pouches and thick waist band with a big shiny buckle it is fully fabulous and fully functional.  A place for your lip gloss, cell, some dolla bills, oh and another lip gloss – everything has a happy place.
Here are some more options.  A Frieda for every girl.  I hope to see you with yours.  As always, LeSportsac has all the colors & styles you could hope to pick from.

xo – heather

Jee Vice is the reflection of a Woman’s soul. Deep. But we LOVE these glasses.

The collection is a fabulous throwback to the glam designs of the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s. All are designed in France and made in Italy.

Seriously ladies, at this point, who doesn’t need a fresh pair of shades for the rest of summer.

Here are a few or our favs:

Pipeline Romper {above}

You will certainly want to go romping around in Spreegirl’s one piece romper. With the colorblocking, adjustable straps and side pockets, the romper is fashionable & functional. 93% Bamboo, 7% Spandex.  Side pockets.  Adjustable straps.  Gathered elastic waistband.

Spice It Up Chemise {below}

Inspired by Spreegirl’s worldly travels, the “spicy” prints grace this empire waist babydoll chemise. Adjustable straps and gathered waist makes this piece easy to wear for all body types. The mesh lined top panel adds to the little details & style you crave.  93% Bamboo, 7% Spandex.  Gathered material from bust to waist.

One of our all time favorite ecoFashion designers is Jenny Hwa of Loyale.  Check out her spread in Vogue and a few of her lovely pieces.  xo – heather

socially responsible & gorgeous.

wear them with pride.  wear them with love.

Save The Date – quick – it is this weekend.

annie O.’s will be at the Green Festival this weekend in Denver!

“For people, business and the environment. Join us at the nation’s premier sustainability event in Denver for 2 days filled with the best in green.”

When? May 2nd, 3rd
Where? Colorado Convention Center 700 14th St. Denver, Co 80202
www.greenfestivals.org

what a story…

After a summer spent visiting cooperatives throughout South America, Annie O. Waterman found a way to merge her love for color, textiles, and design by working alongside a weaving cooperative in Peru. This is where her vision to create a socially responsible business began.

After months of traveling, it was in the high Andes of Peru where Annie felt connected to three kind-hearted sisters who founded a weaving cooperative that supports women who are victims of domestic violence. annie O. believes that paying her artisans a fair trade wage is the first step in maintaining a sustainable relationship. Collaboration with this workshop allows Annie to remain committed to using her creativity to make a positive difference in people lives. annie O. also enhances the women’s innate ability to weave, creates financial independence, and develops a social and meaningful working environment.

We are working towards breaking the cycle of poverty, while encouraging creativity and the use of imagination in the creation of each product. annie O. demonstrates that it is possible to create beautiful products while also creating a sustainable and positive change in developing countries.

a girl simply could not go wrong with any of these shoes from Stella McCartney’s summer collection.

and to celebrate earth week – april 22 – april 29th – 5% of sales will go to Oceana. love that.

Doucette Duvall practices environmental and social responsibility by manufacturing the entire collection in New York City’s historic garment district, using pre-existing fabric and trim, shunning extraneous garment bags and hang tags, and shipping in recycled boxes only. Look for the “little green dress” in each collection as a reminder of their commitment to Madame Earth. A portion of the proceeds from the lgd are donated to the non-profit group, Build it Green, who share a similar reuse ideal.  For more information, please visit: www.bignyc.org.

The Blanche is one of our favs.  Such a fun dress, to belt up and put on. The large, crystal clear buttons give it an added feminine touch. This one is a true classic. Find it at CocosShoppe.com

GET A FREE JBRAND TOTE WITH EVERY PURCHASE.

1. Go old school. Use cloth napkins and kitchen towels.

Impact: Save a tree or two.

On average, Americans use 2,000 paper napkins per person every year.

Not only will you significantly reduce your consumption of resources by using reusable house-wares instead of disposables, but you will also save a great deal of money.

2. Get Dry. Switch from liquid to powder detergents.

Impact: Save water with powder detergents.

Laundry liquids are mostly water (up to 80 percent), with upcoming double and triple compact concentrates at best cutting that amount in half. It costs for energy and packaging to bring this water to the consumer. So save three ways by using powder detergents to wash clothes. The same holds for dishwashing detergents. When there’s a choice, choose dry powders.

3. Be Cool. Turn the thermostat down 2° in winter. In the summer, do the opposite and turn up the thermostat 2°.

Impact: Reduce energy consumption and improve indoor air quality.

Almost half the energy we use in our homes is for to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment.

4. Be mug-onimous. Bring a mug or thermos instead of Styrofoam, plastic or paper.

Impact: Cut down on waste, as well as toxic chemicals in the environment.

Styrofoam is not biodegradable and it takes hundreds of years to break down.

Plastic is made from petroleum, a resource that is in short supply. Plastic resins pose serious health risks.

Paper is easier on the environment but it’s made from trees.

5. Good head on your shoulders. Install a water-saving showerhead.

Impact: Saves water and money.

One of the top water users in the home is the shower. Americans stand under more than 1.2 trillion gallons of water every year, reports the EPA.

For maximum water efficiency, select a showerhead with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm (flow rate is noted on the packaging). Low-flow showerheads slash water consumption 50 to 70% and you save energy heating the water.
Take a step further:
Replace your faucet. The aerator–the screw-on tip of the faucet–ultimately determines the maximum flow rate of a faucet. Aerators are inexpensive to replace and they can be one of the most cost-effective water conservation measures. For maximum water efficiency, purchase aerators with flow rates of no more than 1.0 gpm.

6. Skip the dirty work. Don’t pre-rinse dishes before loading the dishwasher.

Impact: Save as much as 20 gallons per load, or 6,500 gallons per year.

Let your dishwasher do its job. Simply scrape the food off your dishes (don’t rinse or soak) and it’ll get them clean. Make sure you load the dishes correctly in the dishwasher.

Only run the dishwasher with a full load.

7. Less junk in the trunk. Take yourself off junk mail lists.

Impact: Save energy and trees.

To take yourself off junk mailing list, subscribe to 41pounds.org, the junk mail reduction gurus. According to 41pounds.org, since last summer several hundred Green Guide readers each paid $41 for each junk mail reduction kit and a promise to help reduce volume of their junk mail by as much as 95% in four months. The savings from those few hundred participating Green Guide readers came to 205 trees and 72,000 gallons of water.
And if uninvited phone solicitors are the bane of your dinner hour, you can register online at www.donotcall.gov to be removed from their call list.

8. All things must rest. Plug appliances into surge protectors and turn them off at night.

Impact: Save energy and money.

Do not leave appliances on standby; use the “on/off” function on the machine itself. A TV set switched on for three hours a day, and in standby mode during the remaining 21 hours, uses about 40% of its energy in standby mode.

9. Be enlightened. Switch to energy-efficient lights.

Impact: Reduce air and water pollution; extremely energy efficient.

Compact Flourescent Light (CFL) bulbs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. CFL bulbs are energy smart; they’re more expensive, but they last longer.

10. Less is more. Water is essential for all life. Conserve.

Impact: Save money on your utility bill. Water conservation also helps prevent pollution in nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds.

Conserving water can extend the life of your septic system by reducing soil saturation and reducing any pollution due to leaks.

11. Educate children. They are our future.

Impact: Educating our children will help ensure that every child has access to clean water, clean environment and sanitation.

The first step in raising your children to be eco-friendly is to be eco-friendly yourself. Make being eco-friendly your lifestyle from the start and it will never be a chore. Teach your children to appreciate the environment and the importance of honoring their eco-friendly responsibilities. Help them recognize the critical impact water, environment and sanitation have on the overall quality of life of their generation and those in the future.

12. Paper or plastic. Carry a cloth tote when you shop.

Impact: Be eco-friendly.

When asked paper or plastic, choose neither. Plastic takes years to decompose and paper bags use million of trees per year. Choose cloth.

The U.S. uses 100 billion plastic bags annually, which consumes about 12 million barrels of oil. Fewer than 1% of plastic bags are ever recycled, and a sturdy reusable bag can eliminate hundreds of thousands of plastic bags over its lifetime. That spells huge savings for your state, city or town. Take California, for example: it costs taxpayers $20.5 million to collect and landfill plastic bag waste each year. And that’s not counting external costs like pollution, and the threat to marine life, etc.

Make it a habit! Keep a cloth bag in the trunk of your car or store one in a convenient place next to your front door.

Receive our J Brand cloth tote when you purchase our Green Label Jean.

IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GREEN GUIDE

a stella mccartney fav.

peaceloveluxe is born.