Glamour Goes Green

Grace Home Furnishings Shop

2011-08-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

So excited that Grace Home Furnishings has a new online shop!

I bought a set of their Ribbed Glass Jars for my guest bathroom in orange (photo below) and love them. They are perfect for cotton balls, q-tips and other necessities.

Barn Wood Table

2011-08-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

I like this, but it isn't the right size for my dining room, so someone else should go get it. :)

Here's the ad on Craigslist - Barn Wood Table

Slightly more rustic than what they are selling at Restoration Hardware, but it is only $200!

Cute Vintage Owl Necklace

2010-08-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

How cute is this angry owl necklace?

I stumbled upon it on Etsy. Buy it here!

Grace Home Furnishings

2010-08-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

Check out the wonderful article by Anne Harnagel on the LA Times website featuring a beautiful Grace Home Furnishings design project in Pacific Palisades!

Pro Portfolio: A family-friendly update on traditional

Working Class Studio

2010-07-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

I found this company / design collective through One Kings Lane and just had to share because I love their designs and found their business model quite innovative.

From their website:

"Working Class Studio is a product development venture of the Savannah College of Art and Design that cultivates and promotes the work of talented SCAD student, alumni, and faculty artists. An innovative concept for an educational institution, Working Class Studio marries function with fine art to deliver a well-curated, ever-expanding mix of original stationary and home decor lines sold in retail stores across the United States and internationally."

The bag at above is part of their "re-gift" line of reusable gift bags. They also have groovy tableware, pillows, stationary other fun items. Check out their products page and then see what stores and online merchants carry their merchandise.

Craigslist Find!

2010-07-26T19:23:00.003-07:00

Check out this awesome mirror on Craigslist! So beautiful for only $100. I wish I had a good place for it. Click here to see the full listing.

Straus Family Creamery

2010-07-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of summer, here's my favorite ice cream - Straus Family Creamery's Mint Chocolate Chip. I could eat VATS of this stuff. Luckily it is only available in pints at Whole Foods. :)

New Items on Etsy

2010-06-10T19:58:00.001-07:00

I've added a few new items to my Etsy store! Click here to check them out!

Gorgeous Hollywood Regency Mirror

2010-06-07T15:52:00.000-07:00

I found this on Craigslist and it is really COOL and BIG! (5' wide) It isn't the right look for my house (too glam) and I don't want to have to deal with storing it and reselling it, but it is a STEAL at only $50. It would look fab over a buffet in a dining room or over a console in a large foyer.

Link to Craigslist ad here.

Retro-style wedding dresses for the 'Mad Men'-loving bride

2010-06-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

I ended up with a retro-style wedding dress for my wedding, albeit somewhat unwittingly. I stumbled upon my 1960s style dress in an Orange County bridal salon of all places. Since I'm not getting married again, I can only admire from a distance the cute styles featured in this article from the LA Times:
Retro-style wedding dresses for the 'Mad Men'-loving bride

(I also like the non-wedding attire at ModCloth, mentioned in the article above and on my blog previously.)

Grace Home Furnishings Clearance Sale...

2010-06-02T16:59:00.001-07:00

...starts tomorrow AND they're open until 9pm Thursday and Friday, perfect for after work shopping. I've seen a lot of the sale pieces and there is some really cute stuff this year. Even if you don't need a whole room of furniture, they have things you might need just to finish your design - end of bed benches, cocktail ottomans, slipper chairs, coffee tables, etc.

There are some photos of the sale merchandise on the Grace Home Furnishings Facebook Page.

Sunday Craigslist Shopping

2010-05-09T18:46:00.001-07:00

I wish I could buy EVERYTHING cool I see on Craiglist, but I can't, so I'm willing to share my finds. I have no financial interest in these items, I just like them! :)

First up, a beautiful Danish dining table and four chairs, all for $600. You can't find new stuff that is this level of quality at this price!

Super cute pair of dark wood nightstands! $300 for the pair.

Another groovy mid century dining table! Only $170.

Simrin

2010-05-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

Browsing through the collection of home accessories at Saarloos this past weekend, I noticed they carried the Simrin brand. I was given some napkins and place mats from this company last year, resembling those at right. Using AZO free dyes and 100% cotton and jute textiles, Simrin makes several fun tabletop items with an "earthy mod" aesthetic.

I am enamored with their farmyard linen collection, featuring different farm animals painted in four different colors on jute place mats. I really wanted to get a set of these, shown below top, as they had them in stock at Saarloos, but they are spot clean only and we are WAY too messy to have something under our dinner plates that isn't machine washable or wipeable. However, I'm still eying the laminated fabric trays, shown below bottom. Cute, no?

You can browse and buy the entire Simrin Collection online at Velocity Art & Design. In addition to the more mod Surya and the Farmyard collection, they also have more traditional looking items, so take a look!

Happy Garp

2010-05-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

This is neither glamorous nor green, but it makes me smile!

I present to you....my labrador retriever, Garp!

Saarloos & Sons Winery

2010-05-03T23:24:00.001-07:00

Has someone at Saarloos been spying on me? Looking at the bookmarks on my computer? Following my blog?

Why do I have these suspicions, you ask? Because their wine tasting space and company sure does appeal to me! Let's review what they have that I like:

Fun, crisp modern elements, including flocked cameo wallpaper? - check

Groovy vintage touches? - check

Awesome tasting wine? - check

Cupcakes? - check

Fun home accessories incorporating farm animals into their design - check! Check!

Located in Los Olivos, where I would love to live on a ranchette if I hit the lotto? - CHECK!

I can't believe I missed this place the last time I was up here. It's located at the far end of the Los Olivos, near highway 154, so I guess I just didn't walk down far enough to see it. The design is Kelly Wearstler with a little dirt under her fingers. Heather Saarloos is identified as the designer, and she deserves major kudos for the picture perfect interiors! She does a fab job of mixing natural wood finishes with glossy paint and hip wallpaper. I especially love the tasting bar in the entry space, which is painted a glossy grey and adorned with polished nickel drawer pulls.

In addition to their physical space, Saarloos is well repped in cyber space. Check out the following for more info:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Fun Stuff In High Point

2010-04-22T16:33:00.000-07:00

Returning from the furniture market in High Point, North Carolina (where I was working PR for Grace Home Furnishings) I am synthesizing a LOT of visual data and dealing with a head cold. I loved seeing all the showrooms and meeting so many new people!

Two trends I noticed which seem to be able to coexist together quite nicely - bold, bright color and lots of natural, washed finishes. Councill showcased a new finish that was a bold fuschia, but they weren't the only ones favoring this bold shade in their work. Julian Chichester had pops of this color in his showroom, and even Barbara Barry used it as an accent on her person.

I have to admit that I wasn't a fan of the washed / vintage look when I first saw Restoration Hardware use it. (Example here.) Who wants a whole room of drab? However, using one or two of these pieces in a room complemented by strong color I find very pleasing.

Food Inc.

2010-04-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Food Inc., which I reviewed here, is airing on PBS tonight!

House Beautiful - Green Living!

2010-04-21T18:39:00.001-07:00

This is a fun article on green living from House Beautiful magazine!

Check it out: Green Living: Talk Me Down!

Forage LA Restaurant Review

2010-03-29T14:23:00.001-07:00

Forage LA is deceptively simple in concept, favoring local produce, fresh ingredients and simple preparations. The resulting food, however, is perfection. How I wish I could consistently produce the quality of their dishes in my own home!

It is a super casual space, where you order at the counter and take a number. They have a similar set up to Koo Koo Roo or Boston Market (not a fan - don't worry!) where you can order a "main" and then select from an assortment of sides. You can also order three sides, one of their special dishes or any combination in between.

My husband and I wanted everything, but settled for starting with a plate of three sides - macaroni and cheese, farro salad with peas and mint dressing and a sweet potato, chick pea and chorizo dish. (Pictured above left. Photo courtesy of foragela.com) We then moved on to the pork sandwich and a special of gnocchi with lamb ragu. Everything was perfection! Seriously!

I was rather full after the side dish medley, so you could definitely make an entire meal out of it or any one of the main dishes. We were just a) starving, b)excited about all the beautiful food spread before us and c)worried we wouldn't be able to come back anytime soon so wanted to sample as much as possible. They had some gorgeous looking desserts, including a brown butter cake, but we couldn't possibly stuff anything else into our faces so had to pass.

I found the price point quite reasonable for the quality and freshness of the food. The plate of three side dishes was $9.75 and the mains were slightly higher. If this place was closer to where I lived, I would be all about ordering takeout on a regular basis. Here's more info on Forage:

WestWeek

2010-03-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, but I am attending a few events at WestWeek at the Pacific Design Center this week in my role as PR Director of Grace Home Furnishings. In addition, I've been very busy getting some of their new design projects ready to be submitted to publishers. Very exciting stuff, but it's kept my vintage furniture finding and writing at a standstill!

Vintage Mid Century Magazine Rack - SOLD!

2010-02-17T15:41:00.000-08:00

So fun! So hip! You know you want it: GGG Magazine Rack on Etsy

Fabulous Mid Century Modern / Hollywood Regency Wall Art - SOLD!

2010-02-16T17:50:00.000-08:00

I just listed this fantastic piece of wall art on etsy. It looks so fabulous in my dining room I hate to give it up, but that's the way it goes. :) Check out the details and additional photos here:

Mid Century Modern / Hollywood Regency Wall Art

1stdibs Introspective - The Talent - Kishani Perera

2010-01-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

I was browsing through 1st Dibs and saw this great profile on Kishani Perera! We share a common background at UCLA and I also helped her a few times while working as a designer at Grace Home Furnishings. She is a lovely person as well as a FABULOUS designer. Check out the article and photos here:

1stdibs Introspective - The Talent - Kishani Perera

Great Gardens!

2010-01-16T16:22:00.000-08:00

Looking outside my family room window, I saw several ripe peppers ready for the picking. Venturing into the garden I soon discovered several lovely ripe tomatoes! Quelle surprise! Looks like I'm going to have to make some sauce this week. Luckily Jamie Oliver has a really easy recipe that doesn't require any peeling. Check it out: The Quickest Tomato Sauce

Paris Post

2010-01-04T08:16:00.001-08:00

I just got back from Paris and thought I'd share my musings on "glamour" and "green" things I witnessed over there.

First, regarding green. There are very few places that offer "take-away" anything. If you want to eat, you sit down and eat off a plate. A REAL plate. Same goes for coffee. You sit and drink it at a table or at a "bar." Result - very little trash created and I think people are healthier for it!

Next, re: glamour. Lots of cool stuff. One of my favorites - this bed. I can't remember the name of the store, but it had a very similar design sensibility to Julian Chichester.

Final cool thing - photos of Hong Kong in the rain by Christophe Jacrot:

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-23T21:43:00.001-08:00

Three ways to keep your iPod or iPhone charged when there's no outlet in sight

2009-12-21T12:54:00.001-08:00

Three ways to keep your iPod or iPhone charged when there's no outlet in sight

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Fun Holiday Gifts!

2009-12-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

Grace Home Furnishings has a lot of fun holiday gifts, including some great ornaments. Check out their Holiday Newsletter for more info!

Etsy Store "In Cold Storage"

2009-11-16T18:19:00.000-08:00

I bought a really cool vintage beaded clutch purse (above left) from this Etsy store over the summer, and was not only thrilled with my inexpensive (only $20!) yet glamorous purchase, but with the customer service from the seller.

In Cold Storage has an eclectic assortment of vintage finds, with my current favorite being this Mad Men-style 1960s handbag, (above right.) They also feature snappy product descriptions and excellent photos!

Greenraising

2009-11-06T14:30:00.000-08:00

This is such a great idea! Need to do a fundraiser for your non-profit? Want it to feature exclusively green products? Check out Greenraising, an easy to use, e-fundraising website that offers many super-cool green items. According to their website, using it is simple, you just register your non-profit and then you receive a percentage of the sales from the people who name your group as the beneficiary when they make a purchase!

I love the "Chrazy" recycled gift wrap pictured at left! Check it out: Recycled Gift Wrap.

One of my Assistants...

2009-11-03T22:23:00.001-08:00

Mr. Winkles.

Antonio Aguilar Home

2009-11-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: I used to work with Antonio. However, even if I didn't already know what a cool, creative guy he was, I would still be wild about his gorgeous, custom pillows! I'm partial to his Jardin and Sublime collections, which are both inspired by nature. The pillow at the left is called "Pussy Paws" and is part of the Jardin collection.

Check out his website: Antonio Aguilar Home

The Vanity Room

2009-11-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

I just received the cutest necklace from this store as a gift! Can't wait to check the store out.

Here's their website: http://www.shopvanityroom.com/

EcoGen bath accessories

2009-09-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

Saw these in my new CB2 catalog and they are really cool! They're biodegradable!

Mid Century Modern Sculptures - SOLD!

2009-09-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

I've been half-heartedly trying to sell these for awhile, but with the addition of a gold elephant and ram into my collection (don't ask!) I am simply overrun with golden faux animal sculptures! They are really cute and kitschy and the perfect gift for the mid century modern lover in your life. They remind me of Jonathan Adler figurines, only these are better because they are original and not mass produced!

New Online Articles

2009-09-23T22:05:00.001-07:00

In case you've been wondering why I've been strangely silent lately, I've been busy writing for other sources! Here are a couple articles that have just been published:

What to Look for When Buying Flatware | eHow.com

Reasons to Adopt a Dog

What Is a Bedding Sham?

LA Magazine

2009-09-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Magazine is featuring an article this month on edible gardens! Can't wait to read it.

Daisy Janie Fabric

2009-08-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

I mentioned this company in my latest blog entry for Furnicology, but they really do deserve an entry of their own. Their fun and mod fabrics are really something special, especially considering they are available on 100% organic cotton sateen and organic cotton/hemp blend canvas. You can also customize the designs, perfect for designers who want to get really creative or offer their clients a truly one of a kind design.

Check out the Daisy Janie:

website , blog , etsy store

Environmental movies have a green problem: money -- latimes.com

2009-08-15T10:36:00.001-07:00

Environmental movies have a green problem: money -- latimes.com

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Interesting article about the challenges of environmental movies. I'm going to see The Cove tonight!

Zip Not - Eco-Friendly Baggies by threeRcreations

2009-08-12T11:02:00.001-07:00

The threeRcreations motto is simple, "Reducing plastic one bag at a time." Their creation, reusable baggies in fun, hip and mod fabrics is ingenious. A set of three baggies costs a mere $15 and you can have them gift wrapped for free. They have a wonderful shop on Etsy where you can survey their entire selection.

Happy Birthday Guffly!

2009-08-11T14:39:00.001-07:00

A fantastic new shopping site was born today called Guffly! This sassy site offers one hip, fun and fashionable eco-friendly product per day. Today's feature is a wonderful recycled business card holder made out of old circuit boards. I'm so excited about this new resource for eco-friendly items!

Mad About Mad Men

2009-08-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

If you love the fabulous period set design of Mad Men, check out this feature from House Beautiful:

Mad Men Style: The best of the 1960s from House Beautiful

They've posted some great interiors from their 1960s issues that Betty and Don would feel right at home in.

T-Lofts Grand Opening

2009-08-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

In case you're interested, T-Lofts is having their grand opening this Saturday from 11am-4pm.

More info here: T-Lofts Grand Opening

Green Gardens

2009-07-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

That's the title of my newest post on Furnicology!

(Yes, I know I'm punny.)

Check it out here:

Green Gardens for Furnicology

Farm City

2009-07-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

I just had to post a quick thumbs-up review for this great book I just finished! (I stayed up WAY past my bedtime just to finish the last part of the book, titled simply "Pig.") Check out the book here and the author's blog, Ghost Town Farm, for some really entertaining, informative and insightful views on urban farming.

Furnicology

2009-07-03T17:58:00.001-07:00

As my Twitter update indicated, I've recently been asked to blog for furnicology.com, a great new website founded by Meghan Field Lopez. Meghan created Furnicology "to provide a marketplace and community for consumers and designers to discover beautiful, environmentally responsible products in addition to providing an outlet for sustainable education." You should definitely check it out and, while you're there, check out my first blog entry for them, Something Old.

Fabulous New Items for Sale!

2009-06-26T19:38:00.001-07:00

I've got three fabulous new items for sale in the GGG Shop!

Food Inc.

2009-06-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

I saw this last night at the Landmark (LOVE that theatre!) and felt compelled to report. If you've heard of Polyface Farms or Michael Pollan, you probably have heard a lot of the information before, but it's still worth seeing. If you haven't heard of them, this is a MUST SEE film. Ignorance is bliss, and you will not walk out of this moving feeling blissful about the state of American food production.

I think what the film does best is show the far reaching effects of our food system. We basically have government subsidized fast food and corn-based products that are making our population increasingly unhealthy. This leads to a greater reliance on healthcare and medication. Gee, hmm, wonder who this benefits? The system is in dire need of drastic overhaul, and only a few seem to want to implement change. It is absolutely maddening, but the more people who really know the literal crap they are being fed, the more hope there is to change these practices for the better.

There are some great posts and articles relating to the film and it's message on their blog, Hungry for Change. The easiest way to protest our food system is to refuse to buy their product. Shop at your local farmers' market and make sure to buy local and organic at the grocery store.

Like Anthropologie?

2009-06-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

If you like Anthropologie, you'll LOVE the new vintage glass items I just put up for sale in the GGG Shop! They are all listed as auctions on eBay - check them out here: GGG eBay Auctions and bid, bid, bid!

Alma Rosa Winery

2009-06-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

On a recent visit to Santa Ynez and it's environs, we made a visit to Alma Rosa Winery. We had sampled one of their fantastic wines at Upstairs 2 at the Wine House and were excited to see they offered tastings. In addition to offering am amazing wine, Alma Rosa has the following wonderful philosophy:

Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards practices and promotes organic farming, sustainable agriculture, ecologically-responsible packaging and business practices, and green building. In addition it supports related earth-friendly causes such as the reintroduction of peregrine falcons to the Santa Ynez Valley and the international slow food movement.

We did the "pinot-only" tasting and were not disappointed. It was difficult to decide, but we finally narrowed it down to a few choices that we are eager to share with friends in the upcoming months!

Grace Home Furnishings - Annual Sale!

2009-06-02T14:56:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again! Every June Grace Home Furnishings has a kick-ass sale. They have hundreds of pieces of high end furniture marked WAY DOWN, so go check it out. I'm posting their special "preveiw days" pass, so get in before the crowds do this Thursday and Friday. These two days aren't advertised, so you get the best selection before the masses descend Saturday morning.

Adaptive Reuse

2009-05-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

I'm a fan of adaptive reuse. This can apply to fabric, buildings, land, whatever. I just don't like to see something good go to waste. That's only one reason that I am a fan of the movies at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary. I mean, who would have though to use a cemetery as an entertainment venue?

If you haven't been to one of the movie showings here, you're definitely missing out. It is a truly unique Hollywood experience. It's like the Hollywood Bowl, but with a little bit of an edge. You get to pack your own dinner, wine, candles and then watch a movie projected onto Rudolph Valentino's mausoleum. Tomorrow they're showing "Cool Hand Luke," with many more great titles to follow. Check out the schedule and sign up for updates at Cinespia.

New Tables Listed! - UPDATE - SOLD

2009-05-07T21:15:00.001-07:00

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

Green Shoes

2009-05-06T15:34:00.000-07:00

(Adorable green/white polka dot shoe from Simple. Purchase here.)

Sometimes I tend to work in a very stream-of-conscience manner. This is how I arrived at the topic of green shoes.

I was going through my emails and happened to see an advertisement for Payless' eco-friendly shoe line, Zoe & Zac, embedded in one of my emails from Ideal Bite. I was like, "oh cool," and proceeded to investigate what it was all about. It turns out Zoe & Zac is rather controversial, as all the shoes are made in China and shipped to the US. I didn't really expect otherwise, as everything in their line costs less than $30, but this obviously doesn't merit them receiving a perfect 10 on the nebulous "green scale" that those trying to be eco-friendly are judged by. I tend to be a little more liberal in my judgements, and feel that just the fact that they are using eco-friendly and recycled materials is a step up from the other cheap shoes Payless sells.. However, before you shop you should know they are made in China and many have been critical of this.

After this bit of reading, I remembered that I needed to find some flip-flops for Mr. GGG, as his have become unfit for public consumption. This does not stop him from wearing them out in public, so I needed to find a replacement for this sorry pair of sandals quickly. I went to my shoe site of choice, Zappos, and was pleased to find that I could search for shoes under the category of "eco-friendly." You can read and judge for yourself just HOW eco-friendly these brands are. For example, Birkenstock clearly states their shoes are made in Germany, but Simple refers to their "business partners" and doesn't explicitly state where the shoes are made.

Green Shoe Brands: (click on name to be linked to web site)

(Just for fun, here is a silly video about one lady's shoe fetish. I present...Shoes!)

Twitter

2009-05-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

I just joined "Twitter." Who knows why - I can barely find enough interesting things to say on my blog, let alone on a daily or hourly basis! However, I'm told it's necessary for marketing. So, come join me. I'm registered under "glamourgoesgrn" and you can join up at www.twitter.com if you're interested.

Outstanding in the Field

2009-04-24T18:58:00.001-07:00

Marilyn Snee, the incomparable sommelier from Upstairs 2, mentioned I might be interested in writing about Outstanding in the Field, a coordination between local farmers, artisans, chefs and wine makers. Their mission is to "to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it." They do this through hosting dinners all across the country, in beautiful, natural settings, using local talent and resources. Many of their 2009 dates are sold out, including the two nights in Los Angeles, but if you click here you can see the dates and locations still available and make a reservation online. I will of course be writing about my dining experience, but you'll have to wait until October as that's when the dinner is happening!

Doucette Duvall

2009-04-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

In my continual search for cool vintage fabric for home projects, I stumbled across a really great company that makes new clothing out of vintage materials.

Doucette Duvall is a New York based company that uses all vintage materials and trims in their designs, as well as recycled packaging. While their line is limited to dresses and coats, they offer several different designs that run the gamut from a super short mini-dress to more conservative cuts. My favorite dress from their Fall 2009 collection is the "Dottie." (pictured to the left)

Noon Solar - Coolest. Bags. Ever.

2009-04-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

I think the title says it all, but you many want more details, so here it goes.

While I was watching Current TV (Coolest. Station. Ever.) today, I saw a short clip called "Sun Powered Purses." Now, some of my more fashionable friends may be laughing at the idea of me blogging about purses, since I am certainly not an expert on this topic. In fact, I don't think I've purchased a purse since I was in Hong Kong last summer. (Actually, come to think of it, I bought two purses in Hong Kong. One was an every-so-sexy waterproof nylon purse that looked like a camera bag and really completed my super-tourist look, and one was a Chanel knock-off that I didn't even realize was supposed to look like a Chanel, I just liked the design.)

That disclosed, these bags actually DO something and look pretty darn good too. Noon Solar, the company that makes these amazing bags, installs solar panels on the outside of each bag that power a battery back that can charge your cell phone or iPod! They are also made of biodegradable materials. They even have a "man-pack" and a "murse" (my descriptions, not theirs) so don't think for a second these are only for the ladies! The "Augusta," pictured above, is my favorite, but check out all of their great designs. I'm sure you'll find something you love.

Spring Backwards with Vintage Fabric!

2009-04-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air! With warmer weather and blooming flowers also comes the need to Spring clean and perhaps freshen up your home decor. But, how to do this without sacrificing your New Year's resolution to live less wastefully? The answer is simple - use existing resources! Vintage fabric is a great existing resource that can spice things up without sacrificing your green values or wallet!

How can you use vintage fabric to update your decor? There are many, many, ways, but I'll give you a few easy, inexpensive examples:

Pillows - You probably have a few pillows hanging around that could use a little makeover, or at least a new look for Spring. Did you know you can have new pillow covers made through most fabric stores or even sew them yourself if you're handy with a sewing machine? You only need about a half yard of fabric for a typical 20" square throw pillow, and you can keep the existing insert, so you're really only expending labor for what will look like a brand new pillow. The pillows to the left were made using a vintage paisley fabric with a contrasting back and welt fabric.

Napkins / Tablecloth - A simple way to revamp your table is to add some fun napkins or a tablecloth to your linen line up. I mean, how great of a conversation starter would this vintage mid-century fabric be as a tablecloth or napkins?

Lampshades - Just because your lamp came with a plain white shade doesn't mean it has to stay that way! You can purchase some fun vintage fabric or trim and have that boring old shade recovered to complement your decor. Check out how great the striped shade looks on the Hampton Table Lamp from Grace Home Furnishings to the right! This lamp wouldn't be the same with a plain white shade. Take some inspiration from the fabulous and bold pairings of designer Jamie Young, whose collection of lamps can be admired and purchased by the public through Layla Grace.

One of my favorite sources of vintage fabric is from an Australian company called Retro Age Vintage. They have a really nice selection at reasonable prices. For the most variety, try browsing through eBay, as they have literally thousands of vintage fabric and trim listings. Feel free to email me with any questions or pictures of your own vintage fabric creations!

Urban Chickens

2009-04-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

The first thing I said when my husband broached the idea of getting chickens was, "I'm sure it's illegal." I mean, we live on a 6,500 square foot lot right in the middle of the city! However, he had been to someone's house in Silverlake that had chickens, so we were pretty sure we fell under the same zoning laws. I wasn't convinced. I thought these people were just law breakers, something I just do not do. I don't even like to bend the rules. It's just not worth the potential headache, especially when dealing with angry neighbors.

So, I did a little research. I was shocked to find that in Los Angeles you can keep an unlimited number of hens as long as they are 20 feet from your dwelling and 35 feet from your neighbors' dwellings. I pulled out my trusty measuring tape, and sure enough, we had plenty of room. (This page, from The City Chicken website, has a good summary of existing laws in different cities.)

Now that I knew we COULD keep chickens, we had to decide if we WANTED to keep chickens. We did a ton of research, and spent hours perusing such great websites as My Pet Chicken and Backyard Chickens. What we saw had us convinced. We picked out of one of the cool coops from Omlet. This seemed to be the best choice for us as they are specifically designed for both the first time chicken owner and city chicken owner. Besides, they looked cool and seemed really easy to clean. We waited while it made it's trek across the Atlantic and in the meantime researched what breeds of chickens we were going to get. We got the coop, ordered the chicks, and they are now living in our house until they can go outside into the Eglu. (To read more about this ongoing adventure, check out Now and Hen.)

There are many reasons people to choose to keep hens. Some, like me, probably just really love animals, and look forward to interacting with them. Some like to eat them for dinner. They are great for bug control in the garden, and provide excellent fertilizer. You will also get delicious and fresh organic eggs.

On a more philosophical and possibly political note, it is really ironic that "keeping chickens" has become a "new trend" that seems to be most popular with those who can afford organic eggs at Whole Foods. So much of the green/organic movement is really just going back to some of the same self-sufficient practices that our great-grandparents would have done as second nature. (Unless, of course, your great grandparents were the Vanderbilts or the Morgans, but they probably had a gentleman farm with chickens on it that someone else attended to at least.)

Ok, rant over. This was supposed to be about chickens, so let me finish by saying that if I can do this, so can you! Trust me, once you start seeing cute pictures of baby chicks and the hilarious antics of hens, you're going to want a flock of your own! Check out these great links for more info:

April Showers...

2009-04-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

bring May flowers, and possibly fruits and vegetables, too!

About four weeks ago I decided to help my husband with his backyard gardening. Up until this point, I have been what could best be described as a "supportive assistant." He has been the one attending workshops and doing heavy labor. I have made a few trips to Anawalt and OSH to pick up things he needed. I've also picked up containers of manure for him from the barn. (Africa, my horse, has been an "unknowing assistant" in this garden project.) I have been mildly interested in the project, but hadn't quite caught the bug.

That all changed when I planted some seedlings. I volunteered for this task to spend some time outside in the sunshine. It also seemed to be safe from what I really fear in the garden - snails, bugs and worms. I mixed together the soil as directed and carefully planted some seeds - carrots, arugula, purslane, lettuce, garlic and tomatoes**. I put them aside and didn't think much of them. A few days later, though, they started to grow! This was very exciting to me. They are now thriving and I think they need to be transferred to their permanent home soon.

Here are some pictures:

If you want to get your gardening groove on, check out these links:

Silverlake Farms - This link takes you to their outstanding gardening workshops, but they can also design and plant your garden for you!
LA Community Garden Council - If you live in an apartment or want to take a more communal approach to gardening, check out this link.
LADWP - Our own water and power company offers workshops as well as great info on their website in areas such as composting and water-wise gardening.
LA Bureau of Sanitation - Offers composting workshops and bin sales in Griffith park.
Garden Nerd - A really great website! The title says it all

**Sadly, the tomatoes never sprouted. I'm blaming this on bad seeds.

New York Minute

2009-03-26T15:36:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working on a project in New York, but will be back in full swing the week of April 6. I bought a couple of new items prior to leaving and should have them photographed and posted in the GGG shop by April 8.

I'm really looking forward to getting back to springtime in LA as it is cold and raining in Brooklyn!

Vintage Saybolt Cleland Cocktail Table for Sale!

2009-03-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

I have put a new item up for sale on Lushpad! This is a gorgeous Saybolt Cleland Vintage Cocktail Table that has a Barbara Barry vibe going on. Priced at $125, it is a fraction of the price of one of her designs. Crafted of solid mahogany with a zebra wood trim, this table is a true classic. Saybolt Cleland was a highly esteemed American maker of fine furnishings, on par with Kindel and Baker.

Modern Mar Vista

2009-03-05T20:36:00.000-08:00

My post about the T Lofts alerted my hazy memory to the paper I wrote many moons ago on the Mar Vista Tract housing development designed by Gregory Ain. I used to drive by these houses everyday on my way to work. I'd zip down Beethoven and wonder, "What's the story on these cool modern houses?" My question was soon answered in an art history class taught by Anthony Denzer, who has since released a book, Gregory Ain: The Modern Home as Social Commentary.

These houses were part of a 52 house tract built in the late 1940's that adapted the principles of modern design into housing for the masses. They were considered to be a commercial failure at the time, but have now become highly valued and are a part of a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone.

When I look at a project like the T Lofts, I can't help but feel disappointed. While a VAST improvement over the usual "Contractor Mediterranean" style, they just can't compare to the vision, ingenuity and design quality shown in the Mar Vista Tract. Time has moved forward 60 years, but our inventiveness has not.

Check out these links for more info about the marvelous Mar Vista Tract:

Mar Vista Tract

Eichler Network

Homes for Hipsters

LA Times Home & Garden Article

More Mod!

2009-03-02T17:15:00.000-08:00

I just posted some new items in the GGG Shop! They are all fabulous and very, very mod!

Bounty of Boxes

2009-02-25T17:10:00.000-08:00

STOP!

Don't throw out those boxes!

There's someone out there who will purchase and/or take them from you. Who? Well, lot's of people. Have you seen what boxes cost these days? You can easily spend hundreds of dollars on boxes and other packing materials for even a small move. Here's a list of places to advertise your used boxes and packing supplies:

Craigslist

Free Cardboard Boxes

Box Cycle

Need boxes and can't find everything you need from the classified sites listed above? You can buy great recycled boxes from Used Cardboard Boxes. They offer the same sizes and package deals as moving supply companies like U-Haul, but they are less expensive and more eco-friendly.

(Thanks to Ideal Bite for this great tip!)

Stop Bounce(ing) - The Dangers of Dryer Sheets

2009-02-18T16:57:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, I was pretty much in the dark about the dangers of dryer sheets. My husband came home yesterday and said, "Dryer sheets are really bad for you. You should look into that for your blog." I thought, "That's a good idea. Luckily I've been buying the environmentally friendly kind."

Well, that is what I thought, anyway. I obviously wasn't paying very close attention. I took out my almost empty box of "Bounce Free" and casually glanced at it. I saw such green announcements as "Box made from 100% recycled paper" and "No dyes and perfumes." When I looked at the ingredients list, however, all it said was, "Bounce contains biodegradable cationic softeners." That doesn't sound so bad, right?

Wrong. They just aren't required to list all the awful chemicals that make up these biodegradable elements. What's worse, these chemicals infiltrate your clothing and are slowly released into your system every time you wear this clothing. There is detailed information about this from SixWise, so I won't go into details here. Suffice to say you would NOT want this stuff entering your bloodstream if you could help it. I know some of you are thinking you are safe because you use liquid fabric softener, but, trust me, it's is just as bad.

So, what are the alternatives? How can you soften, scent and de-static cling your clothing without chemicals? The good news is that the options are all much less expensive than buying dryer sheets and fabric softener.

Air Dry: I know the best thing you can do for your clothes, yourself and the environment is to not use a dryer at all. It saves energy and makes your clothes last longer, which you can read about in more detail courtesy of this article from The Golden Spiral. It also eliminates static cling.
Vinegar: Add 1/2 cup of plain old white vinegar where you would normally put liquid fabric softener in your washing machine. It will soften your clothes, cut soap residue than can dull colored items and naturally remove static. Do NOT use it in conjunction with bleach.
Fabric Type: Synthetic fabrics are the major culprits for static cling, so try to wash them separately from cottons and take them out when they are still slightly damp.

I also tried using aluminum foil in the place of dryer sheets, as I'd read that eliminated static cling, but it didn't work for me. Some manufactured products, such as dryerballs and the static eliminator, claim to be better than dryer sheets, but both are made of synthetic ingredients and the dryerballs are plastic. The best actual dryer sheets I've found are the Method Dryer Cloths, but they still waste precious resources and energy, all to solve the horrid first world problem of static cling and fabric softness!

Best Green Blogs

2009-02-17T17:37:00.000-08:00

Check out the entry for Glamour Goes Green on Best Green Blogs:

http://www.bestgreenblogs.com/glamour-goes-green/

T Lofts

2009-02-16T16:39:00.000-08:00

You can drive past the T Lofts project location hundreds of times and never really notice it. The back side runs along Exposition Boulevard, right at the junction of Pico, Gateway and Exposition, and extends back to Tennessee Avenue. It is still under construction and fenced off, but the basic structure is visible, and there is a now a large banner advertising the lofts that is visible from Pico.

Billed as "eco-lofts," the complex consists of approximately 84 units that vary in size from 933 to 2,050 square feet. I would label the units as "partial lofts." They lack the usual components of the urban loft, such as soaring ceilings and generous square footage, and are new construction, not adaptive reuse of an existing building. However, they offer other unique features, such as "green" design and flexible floor plans to allow for a combination of live/work activities.

As for the green features, they are listed here and are certainly to be commended. I also wanted to highlight what I liked best about T Lofts:

No open spaces were killed in the construction of T Lofts. Urban sprawl is ugly, wasteful and unnecessary.
The units are reasonably sized and well designed, showing that a normal sized family doesn't need a McMansion to live comfortably.
The units feature energy efficient appliances, low VOC paint and clean, modern design.
The location is walking distance to shopping, restaurants and entertainment, something that most new housing developments lack.

There are six different floor plans available, offering a range of configurations and sizes. Plan 1 is a straightforward one bedroom/one bath. Plans 2, 4 and 6 are also straightforward and I think they work quite well, offering up to 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. I find plan 3 a bit odd. It is the only plan that is specifically designed to be a clear work/live unit. It offers a first floor that consists of an office space, a half bath with a toilet and sink, and a washer/dryer. The upstairs is devoted to the living quarters, consisting of one bedroom, one full bathroom and a kitchen, dining and living room. I find it odd that the washer/dryer is relegated to the office space downstairs, and I also think not having the option of a living area on the first floor really limits the unit's resale value. If they had just put a full bath downstairs you could at least have the option of building out a bedroom in the future.

That said, I want to be positive about the T Lofts. They are an interesting and ambitious project that embodies many eco-friendly elements. The builders are to be commended for their adaptive reuse of a site most would consider risky for a high-end residential project. They do face some challenges besides the obvious sad state of the economy. Although within walking distance of the trendy Sawtelle area and the Westside Pavilion, they are also a stone's throw from the Fantasy Island gentleman's club on Pico and flanked by self storage structures on Tennessee. You can still find a single family detached home in the same area for $600,000- $1,000,000, which is what the lofts will be offered at. However, I don't want to be too pessimistic, and if I were in the market for a home I would certainly be tempted by T Loft's design features, floor plans, "green" practices and location.

You can get more information at the T Loft Sales Center, located on Olympic Boulevard three blocks West of Sawtelle.

New Vintage Cocktail Table

2009-02-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

Glamour Goes Green just listed a really nice mid-century modern cocktail table on eBay!

Check out the auction here: Vintage Modern Cocktail Table

Valentine's Day: Nude, Organic and Almost Life Size

2009-02-10T17:43:00.000-08:00

In doing some research for an article on ways to green your Valentine’s Day, I came across some great alternatives that are less toxic to the environment than the usual suspects. If you consider yourself a traditionalist, or just want to play by the rules this Valentine's Day, try these green resources:

Flowers: California Organic Flowers or Organic Bouquet

Chocolate: Dagoba Organic Chocolate

Lingerie: Urban Fox

These companies are great, and they have some really nice products. However, I was kind of disappointed. I wanted to find really unique things! So, I went to one of my favorite places on the web, Craigslist. I popped the search term “Valentine” into the Craigslist search engine to see what kinds of options were out there. I've summarized my findings below, including the actual titles for these advertisements as they were written. I call this list "nude, organic and almost life size" as an homage to the titles of these ads:

"Sexy NUDE Fairy 4 UR Valentine Prof Mat & Frame 21x27 - $599"

hmmm...it isn't all that "NUDE" and I don't think its "sexy," but if you disagree you can see the whole ad here.

"Organic Handmade Catnip Cat Toys"

"Safe alternative to chocolate for cats on valentines day"

I'm glad someone thought of a "safe alternative" to that box of chocolates that gave kitty diarrhea last year!

buy here

"Fantastic Papier Mache Burro By Jeanne Valentine Almost Life Size"

This one snuck in there because the sculptress' last name is Valentine, but I don't think I've seen anything quite as unique as this. It is also vintage, which equals green in my book! You can fill the burro's baskets with the aforementioned flowers, chocolates and lingerie, and you've got a Valentine's Day present your sweetie will NEVER forget! - buy here

Auntie Em's

2009-02-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

A friend told me about Auntie Em's over dinner on Sunday. It sounded too good to be true. Fresh, organic, local produce delivered to your door? Recipes provided with each delivery so you know how to turn that produce into something delicious? All for around $40 a week? I was amazed. How had I not heard about this before?

I checked out the website, and everything my friend told me was true. (Not that I thought she was lying, I just wanted to verify things for myself.) They will also deliver prepared meals, such as Organic Chicken Gumbo, Free Range Lamb Tagine and many others, including plenty of vegetarian choices. How great is that?

So many people, when I tell them we get most of our food from the Farmer's market, say things like, "Oh, I'd love to get things from the Farmer's Market, I just don't have the time to go." Or, "I buy fruits and vegetables and then I don't know what to do with them." I have to admit, my husband does all the schlepping of produce from his biweekly trips to the Farmer's Market. My inner curmudgeon can't stand navigating through dozens of shrieking children and aimlessly wandering adults, all set to the tune of bad folk music, just to fetch a few items for dinner. (This description only refers to my experience with the Sunday Farmer's Market in Santa Monica. I don't want to scare anyone away from the more "professional" Farmer's Markets that occur during the week.)

So, if you don't have the time, or the inclination, to deal with going to a Farmer's Market, you can still support local, organic, sustainable farmers through the great service that is Auntie Em's!

Click here for all the info: http://www.auntieemsdelivery.com/

New Items on eBay

2009-02-09T17:17:00.001-08:00

There are new items for sale from the Glamour Goes Green shop on eBay! They are all vintage and quite unique.

Sustainable Consumer? - thedailygreen.com

2009-02-09T17:11:00.001-08:00

I think this is an interesting question, and one with many different answers. I posted my thoughts with the username "ASwanton" underneath this article discussing my thoughts on the subject.

Check it out here: What Does it Mean to Be a Sustainable Consumer?

The Arrival of the Eglu is Imminent!

2009-02-03T15:41:00.001-08:00

Good news! Our Eglu is almost here. This means we can get our chicks and begin the exciting process of raising them to be good urban-dwelling hens. How exciting!

We Must Change Our Ways!

2009-01-22T14:01:00.000-08:00

I was recently contacted by the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center and asked if I would post an article about the dangers of our dependence on fossil fuels. My answer - of course - and it is posted below. We must move away from our dependence on so many toxic materials. It is literally killing our environment and ourselves. An interesting, personal perspective on this issue was featured on the TV show 30 days, where host Morgan Spurlock explores what it is like to be a coal miner. (Working in a Coal Mine was the title of the episode and you can view at the link provided.) I am hopeful, based on the White House Agenda on Energy and the Environment, that we are on the right path, but we must be diligent about supporting this change - our lives depend upon it!

Fossil Fuels, CFCs Have Long Trail of Consequences
By James O’Shea; Content Manager, Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center
January 22, 2009

Often when considering the environmental hazards presented by destructive human behavior, we fail to see further than the direct effects on our planet. However, if we look further, we can see that our behaviors are affecting not only the earth we live on but also the general human health. There are essentially two tiers to the damage posed by destructive environmental actions. Let’s examine each of them for a better understanding of this hazard.
The first effect is the direct human health costs associated with the burning of fossil fuels and the release of chlorofluorocarbons (associated with atmospheric ozone depletion) in the atmosphere. Asthma rates in areas with high smog indices (associated with fossil fuel pollution) are near double that in smog neutral areas. In South Africa and Australia, where the ozone is among the most depleted on the planet, skin cancer rates are astronomically high, as UV rays breaking our atmosphere are much more intense. These are the very real and direct impact of destructive environmental behavior.

The second tier that I wish to bring attention to is the working conditions in the processing of fossil fuels, which pose some of the greatest occupational hazards of any jobsite. Oil refineries and coal plants are laden with older asbestos fixtures, which has been directly linked to the deadly asbestos cancer, mesothelioma. Even as asbestos was banned in the late 1970s, older asbestos fixtures (which are much more hazardous) still permeate this industry. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they lodge in the pleural lining of the lungs, which lays the groundwork for mesothelioma and other respiratory complications later down the road. Harmful asbestos exposures are only hazard in these industries however. Countless other industrial hazards such as benzene, which has been classified as a carcinogen, also have been clearly linked to the processing of fossil fuels.

We can see now that the effects of destructive environmental hazards go well beyond the direct impact on the planet. We are beginning to see now that these behaviors may ultimately cost lives if we don’t change our ways. Through change, we will preserve the planet for our children and the lives of its inhabitants today.

For more information: Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center

Vintage Teak Tea Set

2009-01-21T19:15:00.000-08:00

I just listed a super tea set for sale. It is very reminiscent of Jonathan Adler and makes a really great-looking accessory. I love it and it would look great living in my home, but, sadly, I can't keep everything or I would have a house full of groovy clutter! Check it out: Vintage Teak Tea Set

A New President / A Greener Agenda

2009-01-20T17:03:00.000-08:00

"The energy challenges our country faces are severe and have gone unaddressed for far too long." --White House Agenda on Energy and the Environment

This topic was touched on in President Obama's inauguration speech, but the entire Agenda is worth a read. I am so excited about the goals set forth in this Agenda, and look forward to their implementation. We need to get greener! Our lives depend upon it!

New Restaurant Review

2009-01-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

I have a new review posted on The Golden Spiral for M Cafe de Chaya!

Danish Modern Tables

2009-01-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

I have a pair of wonderful Danish Modern tables for sale! You can see them on my website or you can bid on them directly on eBay. They are cute, functional and well-priced, too.

Golden Spiral

2009-01-13T16:08:00.000-08:00

Good News! I've been selected as a contributor to the Golden Spiral, a great website for environmental news and discussion. I will be writing reviews of green restaurants and retail. My first review on Hearth in the Cottonwoods can be read here.

LIttle Heathens

2009-01-07T18:37:00.000-08:00

If you want to get motivated to re-use, recycle and reduce this 2009, I highly recommend reading Little Heathens. This book was a great inspiration to me when I read it earlier this year. Set on a farm in the 1930s, it highlights a lost way of life where simplicity reigned supreme. Absolutely nothing was wasted, and so much of the excesses we accept as a way of life would have been unimaginable to those scrimping to get by during this time.

On that note, I offer some simple tips for reducing your waste in 2009 that I am trying to follow, too:

Buy a reusable water bottle, such as the eco canteen. Fill it with the filtered water from your fridge and stop buying those cases of plastic water bottles. If you don't have a source of filtered water, you can purchase a Countertop Water Filtration System.
Bring your own bags to the grocery store.
Plant a garden or shop for local fruits and veggies at the Farmer's market! Local Harvest is a great source for finding local organic food. Mr. GGG is hard at work on his own garden, and has enlisted the help of Silverlake Farms to make sure it gets done correctly. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

There are so many little things we can do that not only help the environment, but help our finances as well. I think this is the silver lining in this economy - it forces us to reassess what is essential and what isn't. Perhaps we can rediscover some of the self sufficiency and reliance as illustrated in Little Heathens.

Green Finds at C&B

2009-01-06T17:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I was hoping to have an incredibly reflective and thought provoking post to ring in 2009, but while I was procrastinating from writing this I browsed the new Crate & Barrel catalogue and came across some exciting finds that I had to share.

I love using placements, especially ones that don't need to be laundered after every use! So, when I saw the "Circles Wooden Placement" I paid attention. Not only do these placements offer ease of use, but they are also stylish and made of surplus wood scraps from furniture workshops. They look great as a backdrop for a stylish napkin or a boldly colored dish.

I also love the ease of a non-stick pan. (Can you sense a theme here? I like low maintenance, high style. I don't even own an iron - I'm not kidding. I've perfected the art of taking cloth napkins out of the dryer slightly damp and warm, folding them immediately and voila - no ironing needed!) However, non-stick pans are not very eco-friendly. Crate & Barrel has introduced a great new product, the GreenPan. This cookware is touted as having the first environmentally safe, non-stick coating on the market. They are currently offering a saute pan, casserole dish, wok and several sized frying pans.

So, if you've vowed to cook more and eat out less in 2009, motivate yourself with some new placements and cookware. They're easy on the environment, useful and stylish, too!

Grace Home Furnishings is having a SALE!

2008-12-17T16:16:00.000-08:00

Have we lost our imagination?

2008-12-11T17:56:00.000-08:00

I read an interesting article about Disney's "House of the Future" on treehugger.com today. The original house, which was installed in Disneyland's Tomorrowland in 1957, was actually called the "Monsanto House of the Future." It was a futuristic imagining of domestic life, and featured such things as a an ultra-sonic pop-up dishwasher, touch-tone hands-free telephone, and a microwave oven. The design of the building itself was also inventive, as it was shaped like a cross and brought light into each room. You can view a great video of this house on You Tube, here is Part 1 and Part 2. It was very Jetson-like and seems to have given great inspiration to Ikea. It was also imaginative and forward-thinking.

The newest incarnation of the Disney "House of the Future" looks like a bad tract home in a housing development in Porter Ranch. It is merely a model home with some gadgets thrown in for pizazz. There is a great article in The Atlantic by P.J. O'Rourke that goes into more descriptive detail, entitled Future Schlock. In his conclusion to this article he states, "We seemed to have entered a deeply unimaginative era."

Is this true? I think what has happened is that we used to imagine the future as always being better than what we had in the present. I know that's what they foresaw in the 1950's when the original Disney house was built. Now, the future doesn't seem so certain or so bright. However, this isn't an excuse to keep repeating the past, in elements of design or life. I know we can do better than that. This is the worst time to become complacent or reactionary. My favorite definition of insanity is "repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different outcome." Yet we all do this. Are we all insane? No, I don't think so. But I do think we've lost our imagination, and that certainly has to change!

Dreaming of a Green Christmas

2008-12-09T21:07:00.001-08:00

I have to admit, I haven't been a big fan of the Holiday season since reaching adulthood. Up until I graduated from college, I was just expected to enjoy the holidays. I automatically got two weeks vacation, someone else did the cooking, and all I had to do was show up with a few simple gifts. That all changed upon college graduation. The automatic vacation came to an abrupt halt. Then, after getting married, came the act of scheduling Christmas celebrations with the different factions of each family or somehow integrating everyone together. We all know how fun that is. Finally, it all seemed so wasteful and contrived. I mean, I don't really NEED anything and neither does any one of my close friends or family. The frivolous gifts, the mounds of wrapping thrown in the trash, and the kitschy decor really make me bah-humbug.

However, I'm trying to be a good sport about it. There are certain things I do enjoy. My horse-shaped sugar cookies are fun and delicious. I like looking at the ornaments on the tree - many are gifts or mementos from places my husband and I have traveled to. I like sharing a great meal with friends. In this spirit, I've compiled a few ways to have a green and glamorous Holiday while minimizing the waste factor. Let's just call it my "Dreaming of a Green Christmas" list:

Wrapping - Buy eco-friendly wrapping paper & ribbon, and save used ribbon and wrapping paper that's in good condition to re-use next year.

Décor - There are a lot of fantastic vintage ornaments and decorations available at both antique stores and online. I also found this great wall hanging , pictured below, made of an assortment of recycled tin products.

Tree - Turn your Christmas tree into compost or mulch when you’re done with it.

Food - Niman Ranch has an amazing selection of delicious meat that is humanely and sustainably raised. You can order online and they will ship it fresh to your door.

Lighting - For your table and overall ambience, Pottery Barn has a very nice votive candle that is made with sustainable wax and housed in a recycled glass container. On the electric front, if you need new lights for your tree or house (or treehouse!) go with LED. I've seen them at the hardware store, or you can see an amazing selection and order online here.

Gifts - There are plenty of eco-friendly options in the gift department, but I'm going to be biased here and give a shameless plug to the Glamour Goes Green collection of recycled glass products. I've included photos of these products below. These highly useful items are all made of 99% recycled glass. Visit the GGG shop for more information and to buy!

Tree Time!

2008-12-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

I've gone back and forth on the issue of the Christmas tree. One the one hand, it seems really wasteful and somewhat bizarre to adorn a dead tree with lights and ornaments and prop it up in the middle of the living room. On the other hand, I have a great collection of ornaments that I like to display, and the site and smell of the tree in my house always puts me in a festive mood. (Except for the year when my lab pulled the twinkle lights off the tree and ate them. That killed my festive mood immediately.) So, before I moved forward on the purchase of tree, I had to do a little research. Just how much would I be messing with the environment by choosing to have this traditional display of festiveness?

It turns out, the answer isn't is bad as you would think. Swaths of forest are not being destroyed just so that I can have a little holiday spirit. Most Christmas trees are a renewable crop that are grown on farms. In some areas, the Forest Service issues permits for people to harvest wild trees. However, this is done to create fire breaks, so you are basically paying them to assist in their forest maintenance.

But what happens when you are done with your tree? Doesn't it turn in to landfill? The answer is no. Many communities offer curb-side pick up of trees after the holidays, which are then recycled. In the city of Los Angeles, you can simply cut up your tree (or have your gardener do it) and put it in the green trash bin. You can also take it a step further and compost it! For more options, go to the Earth 911 website, which is also a great resource to find out where and how to recycle just about anything.

Green Pizza?

2008-12-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Last night my husband and I ate at "Hearth in the Cottonwoods," which is located in Los Alamos, California (about 15 minutes north of Buellton/Solvang on the 101) and is home to both a restaurant and a production facility for Full of Life Flatbread. I had eaten at the restaurant about a year and a half ago without him while I was at a horse event in Santa Ynez. Ever since then I've been determined for him to come up and try it, as he is a great supporter of organic and locally produced foods, and I knew he would love it. This hasn't been an easy task, especially because the restaurant was only open Friday and Saturday nights. They have recently added a Sunday Supper, which makes a day trip much more doable from LA, and that is what we enjoyed yesterday.

Their mission is simple: "At Flatbread we believe in the quality and freshness of local, organic and sustainably grown, ingredients. Most of our ingredients originate from within 300 miles of our restaurant, just a few hours drive. Where possible, we purchase our ingredients directly from family farms, growers, and producers to ensure integrity. Full of Life Flatbread also strives toward affording a livable wage for our employees and suppliers. They deserve it. You deserve it. We believe that food remembers the acts of the hands and of the heart. "

The food is delicious and incomparable to anything I've had in Los Angeles. In fact, we had eaten at Pizzeria Mozza just the night before , and my husband and I agreed that their was no comparison - the meal at Hearth in the Cottonwoods out-shined Mozza easily. They go into more detail about the restaurant, menu and their practices at Full of Life Foods. If you can't make the trip, you can purchase their flatbreads at Whole Foods. However, this is not a substitute for a meal up there, merely something to tide you over until you can visit them.

Hearth in the Cottonwoods

225 West Bell Street

Los Alamos, California

(805) 344-4400

Open 5pm - 10pm Friday and Saturday

Open 4pm - 8pm Sunday

(no reservations)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T16:17:00.001-08:00

Someone's been shopping...

2008-11-24T13:03:00.000-08:00

I have two new fabulous vintage finds that I've posted for sale! One is a petite sunburst mirror, and the other is an etched mirror frame. I found both of these for really great prices! I bought my mom a similar mirrored frame for Christmas two years ago, and think I paid about five times the price I'm offering this one for. If it doesn't sell, I may have just found one of her Christmas gifts. (Sorry for the lack of surprise, Mom, but hopefully it will sell!) Here are some photos of each of these items:

The GGG Shop is Open!

2008-11-17T13:46:00.000-08:00

Exciting news, the Glamour Goes Green Shop is open for business! I have some really great vintage finds as well as a line of eco-friendly glass products. All the glass items are made of 99% recycled glass. They make great gifts and are priced between $12-$30.

Below are photos of some of the fantastic items available:

I am constantly seeking out really great things, so check back often as I will be adding new items frequently.

Eco-Wrapping

2008-11-12T18:24:00.001-08:00

I've been doing some research on eco-friendly holiday decor and gifts, and found two really great resources for eco-friendly wrapping paper. One source I've ordered from before, The Stationary Studio, and the other was a new find for me called The Green Field Paper Company.

The Green Field Paper Company offers a selections of wraps, but these are two of my favorites for the holidays:

The one on the left is called "Chilly Dog" and the one on the right is called "Poinsettia." They are printed on 100% Post-Consumer recycled paper with soy-based inks and are also completely recycle-able once they have been used!

The Stationary Studio has a personalized offering, which offers endless possibilities:

Their paper is composed of 50% recycled paper, but is 100% recycle-able!

Organic Bedding from Pottery Barn

2008-10-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

I just received a new Pottery Barn "Bed and Bath" catalog and was thrilled to find a fabulous selection of organic bedding. My favorite is the Avery Organic Bedding, shown below, which just happens to be on sale, too!

I love the simplicity of chocolate brown and white, which looks great with a punch of solid color. Although they've used aqua blue, you could certainly use lilac, yellow, pink, green or any bright color to complement the richness of the dark brown and the busy pattern on the duvet and shams. I would actually love to see this bed and bedding against a colorful wall, or perhaps with a pair of brightly painted vintage asian night stands, such as shown below:

You could also use the night stands I wrote about in my other post and not even have to change the throw pillow shown on the bed! If you aren't into being quite this bold, they also have some great solid basics. I'm so excited to see stylish organic products hitting the mainstream market!

Craigslist: Recycling Gone Wacky

2008-10-28T15:53:00.001-07:00

I love Craigslist for many reasons. Reason #1: the environment. I applaud people who are willing to take the time to sell or give away things that otherwise would end up in a landfill. Reason #2: the entertainment value. To this end, nothing beats browsing through the "Free" section. I've noticed that the most voluminous offerings in the "Free" section are dirt, jacuzzis, and mattresses. This makes sense - these items are unwieldy to move and take up a lot of space. In addition to these obvious giveaways, there are always several more humorous offerings that make you realize that there really is something for everybody!

On that note, I present below an actual ad posted in the Craigslist "Free" section. This truly is recycling gone wacky. I hope this fills you with Halloween Cheer! (If you are interested in picking these up, go to the original ad here.)

High-Tech Trash

2008-10-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

America has been described by many to have a "culture of waste." We always need to have the newest, the best, the biggest. With technology rapidly developing and new products being released all the time, you have to upgrade to keep up. iPods, laptops, televisions - all become dinosaurs after just a few years time. How do you recycle these? Should the company who manufactures the product also be responsible for recycling it? This was the subject of a recent article and photo essay in National Geographic magazine. I was shocked by the amount of "High Tech Trash" that is generated and the difficulties presented by recycling it. I think this photo essay speaks volumes about the destruction we are causing: High Tech Trash. You can read the complete article here.

Once you've been inspired to responsibly recycle, check out this great A-Z guide from Real Simple Magazine called "How to Recycle Anything."

Green Glass Company

2008-10-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

I saw some recycled wine bottle glasses from The Green Glass Company featured in House Beautiful and had to check it out. They use recycled bottles to create beautiful vases and barware. The following are photos of some of their product :

Great looking, well priced and recycled too!

Flea Market Fun!

2008-10-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I decided to visit the Rose Bowl Flea Market. If you live in the Los Angeles area and haven't been, it is quite the scene. They run the second Sunday of each month, and the next one is November 9. There really is something for everyone. Here are some highlights of what I saw available for purchase:

beef jerky
4' x 6' oil painting of a Catholic bishop? deacon? high priest?
taxidermied elk
super-swinging acrylic bar
more hipster-esque clothing than you can shake a stick at

If you ever need anything that falls into the category of "kitsch," this is your one-stop shop. But, I digress.

After ogling the vast assortment of creepy wares, I did find a really cool vintage furniture vendor, Caught My Fancy. One of the best ways you can be "green" is by reusing existing resources, and these guys have done a great job at buying and freshening up vintage pieces. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of "shabby chic" for an entire room or house. However, I think some of their pieces, integrated into the right setting, could be really great. For example, the nightstands shown below would integrate beautifully with mirrored furniture to give you a truly feminine, glamourous, regency look:

Another great thing about these guys? Their prices are super-reasonable. The night chests shown above are just $415 for the pair! Check out the link here: Drexel Night Stands.

Glamour Goes Green

2008-09-08T14:43:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the GGG blog. Here is where I get to post about fun new products, design ideas and other really cool stuff!