Preserve
Love Heals Jewelry
December 26, 2011
Santa left a little trinket in my stocking that has a great story behind it. All of pieces made by Love Heals are handmade in California and benefit one of three charities. From the Greener Ethiopia collection, each piece sold translates to 10 trees planted. Sales from the Vitamin Angels collection provide nutrients to children in need. And the Generation Rescue collection benefits children with Autism. This makes me love my necklace even more. Thank you, Mr. Claus!
Earth Dog Collars, Etc.
September 27, 2011
Do something nice for your dog today.
I love these star collars. Made from hemp, so good for the earth as well as your dog!
Check out Earth Dog for more pet and planet-friendly products.
TaTa Harper 100% Natural and Non Toxic Skin Care Products
August 8, 2011
I’m a little late to the press on this one. You may have already read about TaTa Harper in Vanity Fair, Vogue, Allure, The New York Times, or on one of my favorite Texas-based blogs, Style and Substance. Right before I left for cooler weather, a lovely package of skin products was left on my doorstep. A month later I finally took a look at the contents of the package and accompanying press release. It pretty much had me at “1,200-acre organic farm in Vermont.” TaTa Harper products are all natural and toxin-free. The product line is made exclusively from ingredients found on Harper’s aforementioned organic farm, which is certified 100% natural and organic by Eco-Cert. Most of us are eating organic as much as possible, but we’re still fine with polluting our bodies with chemicals through our daily skin care regimens. I know I’m guilty of that. So this point, I’m thinking, please let these products work. Fast forward two weeks, and I am happy to report that they seem to be working as well as my previous chemical-infused products. I like them so much I booked a TaTa Harper facial at Equinox in Dallas, and it was one of the best facials I’ve ever had. Seriously, I am hooked. Another plus: the scents of the products are incredibly refreshing. Here are my favorites:
Keep this line in mind as a safe option for skin care, especially during pregnancies, but hopefully all the time. Available at Equinox and online.
Smiling Planet, Smiling Kiddos, and Smiling Trees
April 12, 2011
When it comes to kids’ birthday gifts, Little Bean has everything you need. I picked up so many great things today, including these cool plate and bowl gift sets by Smiling Planet. They come in super creative boxes ready to give–that means you ditch the wrapping paper and save trees! The actual plates come in various peace-themed designs, are made from 100% recycled plastic, contain no toxins or BPA, and are made in the USA. $28 per set.
Location: Dallas
Elevation Burger
February 18, 2011
Four days later and I am still dreaming about the fries. But I am going to let these pictures explain the other reasons you need to eat at Elevation Burger:
There are even two types of veggie burgers, one of them vegan
Kid-approved french fries, cooked in olive oil
Check the website for more locations.
Vanishing of the Bees
January 31, 2011
Last I heard, scientists were blaming cell phone use for the mysterious disappearance of honeybees worldwide. That turned out to be false. But the story, as told in the documentary film Vanishing of the Bees, is both fascinating and alarming. Some modern farming techniques and pesticides are having catastrophic affects on mother nature, including the honey bees, who reportedly pollinate crops that make up one of out of every three bites of food on our tables. The film is an important wake-up call and a call to action to protect our honeybees, and therefore our food supply, and ultimately ourselves. This one is definitely worth your time. www.vanishingbees.com
Magda Berliner
December 21, 2010
The other fashion fun for me last week was meeting Magda Berliner! I have an obsession for her handmade, one-of-a-kind, vintage lace dresses, and thankfully V.O.D. gets a few of her pieces each year. Last week, Magda flew in from LA for her first trunk show at VOD, so I finally got to spend some time with her. And the collection of dresses? They were so gorgeous I wanted them all. www.magdaberliner.com
Magda
and her creations….
W3LL People natural and organic make-up
December 13, 2010
Leave it to Dear, Clark hair studio to offer the coolest make-up line around. W3ll People is made from 100% natural and organic ingredients so you don’t have to worry about what enters your body by way of your skin! The founders of this Austin- based company consist of: 1) a genius make-up artist and former bigwig at NARS cosmetics, 2) a brand planner and tree hugger who keeps the brand entirely eco-friendly and 3) a cosmetic dermatologist who makes sure the products are packed with all the right ingredients. The colors are great for natural-looking beauty. I love the Nudist Supernatural Lip Shine, which gives a very subtle peachy-pink glow. You can find W3LL People at their Austin namesake store, a few select boutiques (it’s at Fred Segal…it has to be good!), and online.
Panera Cares Café
November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving! Hopefully you spent the day with loved ones and reflected on everything you are thankful for. I know I did. While we had an abundance of amazing food at our table, it’s hard to believe that so many people don’t have enough to get by. I love creative and innovative ways to give back, and Panera Bread has come up with one of the neatest concepts I’ve heard about since TOMS shoes came along. Panera just opened its second Panera Cares Café–one is in St. Louis and the other in Dearborn, Michigan–where customers are asked to simply pay what they can. There are no cash registers, just donation bins, and the menu boards do not have prices but rather “suggested donations,” so those who are down on their luck can eat free or pay what they can. Meanwhile, those who can afford to donate the price of their meal or more are encouraged to do so. All profits made from these donations are given to local charities. Most importantly, people in need in these communities know that they have a place where they won’t go hungry. A third Panera Cares will open in Portland, OR in early 2011.
Urban Acres Market – Dallas
November 8, 2010
It’s about time! Dallas finally has a market dedicated to providing local and organic farm products while supporting Texas farm families and artisans. The Oak Cliff store offers organic produce, local pastured meats including grass-fed beef and bison, local organic pastured eggs, farmstead artisanal cheeses, wild-caught fish, fair wage coffee, local raw honey (they have bee colonies on their roof!) and much more. Right now you can order pastured organic turkeys from Richardson farms so you can have fresh, never frozen turkey for Thanksgiving. 1301 B West Davis Street, Dallas 75208 www.urbanacresmarket.com
rooftop bees
photos from Urban Acres’ flickr page.
Location: Dallas
