Preserve
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
Modern Dollhouses by Plan Toys
November 2, 2010
A certain little girl who happens to love dollhouses (at stores and other people’s houses) is about to turn 2. So a certain mom has been researching, trying to find a dollhouse that works with our contemporary sensibility and style. In other words, we’re not doing some girly Victorian thing. Not only did I find a cool modern dollhouse by Plan Toys that somehow reminds me a little of our home (except the dollhouse is cooler), there’s also a “Green” modern dollhouse, complete with windmills and solar panels. Mini modern furniture is available to decorate both houses. Everything made by Plan Toys is environmentally friendly. While there is not a chicken coop accessory, there is a barn available. I think my research is done! www.plantoysusa.com
The Chalet dollhouse
the Green dollhouse
Harvest To Heat – Fall’s Hottest Cookbook
October 18, 2010
It’s all about eating local, and here’s another gorgeous cookbook celebrating the relationship between farmers, chefs, and artisans. If the cover picture does not sell you on this book, the reviews certainly will–all the who’s who types of the culinary world seem to be endorsing it. Harvest to Heat, Cooking with America’s Best Chefs, Farmers, and Artisans is filled with stories of the journey from the land to the table, and how local farmers have inspired some of the best chefs in the country. The over 100 recipes are supposedly easy to cook, and even novices like myself are raving about this book. I’m heading over to Amazon now.
The Solio Hybrid Solar Charger (For Your Outdoorsy Friends)
October 14, 2010
I was on the hunt for cool gifts for guys, and when I asked the sales guy at Whole Earth Provision if this was a good choice, his eyes totally lit up. Then the yellow clip (for attaching to a backpack or tree branch) sealed the deal. I love it as a gift idea for hikers, climbers, campers, etc. The sun’s energy charges this gadget which then can charge a phone, iPod, camera, and pretty much any electronic device. The official name is Solio Rocsta H1000 Hybrid Solar Charger. Available at Whole Earth Provision or REI. $79.95
Dwell With Dignity
October 6, 2010
I am truly amazed by all of you incredible readers who choose to visit Life Content. I love the recommendations you send me, as well as the small world stories that seem to come up everyday. Today I received an email from the chic and charitable folks at Dwell With Dignity letting me know about their Ready Aim Design Contest. So while I will tell you about the contest, I really want you to know about this non-profit organization. Dwell With Dignity furnishes apartments and creates well designed spaces for those in need. A team of volunteers helps families struggling with homelessness and poverty by providing and installing home interiors that include furniture, art, bedding, kitchen supplies, and food in the pantry. The idea is to bring design to those less fortunate and inspire them to maintain a standard of living they can be proud of and thrive in.
The contest involves turning an old piece of furniture in to a creative work of art by recovering or repainting, etc. Here is an example.
The $25 entry fee goes to the charity, and Jonathan Adler is one of the judges!
For more information visit www.dwellwithdignity.org and www.readyaimredesign.com.
New favorite designer alert! – Risto
September 15, 2010
There are so many things I want to tell you about, but I am working hard to make my deadline for D Magazine’s November issue. So here’s a teaser. Sebastian’s has an exclusive for Dallas on one of my new favorite labels, Risto, by Macedonian born designer Risto Bimbiloski. Think feather light cashmere sweaters and nature-inspired prints…all made in Macedonia by local women, helping them to support themselves and their community. Check out the line next time you are in Snider Plaza and be sure to read my story in November!
p.s. love this nail polish!
Urban Chicken Coops
September 6, 2010
More and more city dwellers are getting inspired to bring a little of the farming life to their fast-paced urban existences, hence the new trend: backyard farming. You don’t need a few acres to house your own chicken coop. Not only do chickens make cool pets, the fresh organic eggs taste better than the ones you’re bringing home from the grocery store. Chicken coops (and even the chicks themselves) are available for purchase online. Here are a couple of prefab options:
I think a coop is in our future. And possibly a whole petting zoo. Do you think our neighbors would mind?
Cotton Monkey Organic Bedding for Babies and Kids
September 1, 2010
Here’s a company that every mom should know, and will undoubtedly love. Cotton Monkey has incredibly soft and luxurious organic bedding that is also durable AND chic. Choose from cheery, modern designs or serene all-white. Founder, Michelle Meyer, is a mom with a background in design and architecture and an interest in sustainable products. While expecting her son, she went on the hunt for products that were both earth-friendly and well-designed and found a lack of options that met her modern sensibilities. So she decided to create her own, and Cotton Monkey was born. Visit www.cottonmonkey.com for online and retail stores. They also make awesome, long-lasting hooded towels.
Environment Studio Sectional
August 10, 2010
Things are looking up already. John and Jon of Haven delivered my Studio Sectional sofa by Environment today, and even though I feel like I ordered it in a past life, it was well worth the wait. Not only does it look modern and chic while also being luxuriously cozy and nap-friendly, it’s made out of recycled army tent canvas! John even found a place on one of the arms where you can just barely make out the “US” from the original tent. I wonder where it was in its past life. www.environmentfurniture.com
Mundaka – Carmel
July 27, 2010
I love summertime, when my friends are all sending me tips from enviable locales across the globe. This restaurant is a favorite of my friend Lisa, who heads to Carmel every summer to enjoy the beach AND wear sweatshirts at the same time. Mundaka is a Spanish tapas restaurant built and decorated with reclaimed and sustainable materials. After dinner on Thursday and Saturday nights the spot turns in to a DJ club, and Lisa, who is a music connoisseur, says the DJ is particularly good. Saturday night the tunes are all reggae, making it a local favorite hang out for Saturday night festivities.
Mundaka, San Carlos street between Ocean and 7th Avenues, Carmel, CA. (831) 624-7400. www.mundakacarmel.com
Location: Carmel
