How To Deal

Blogs to Follow

2010-06-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

After many hours of online shopping aka "blog research", we have come across several interesting and inspirational fashion blogs. All of these blogs are in the vein of Cupcakes and Cashmere or Sea of Shoes where the blogger posts pictures of themselves and lists what their ensemble consists of. These blogs are for anyone who has ever needed help getting dressed in the morning! Check them outttt...

Karla's Closet

She sure is cute with great put-together style. Karla is inspiration for the everyday girl.

Popculture Afternoon

You know we have to give it up to a girl from San Francisco with style! She mixes and matches thrifted finds with cheap buys and designer goods. Affordable style has never looked better.

Frou Frou

Last but certainly not least, this Britt has some serious fashion sense. Her blog is a bit more melancholy (attributed to the weather in her part of the world, we are sure) but the girl can dress!. We just want to know where on eBay she is finding all of these amazing clothes!

Our Favorites

2010-06-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

This week's favorites are a bit obscure but interesting none the less...

Original Artwork on Esty.com

Ashgar Studios is one of hundreds of outlets to buy original handmade art on Esty.com. Artwork purchased on Esty.com is a great DEAL because it is usually inexpensive and one of a kind. Adding artwork to your home is a wonderful way to add warmth and personal character. Our favorite this week comes from Life by Lauralynn White.

This particular print is called Nude Life Study of a Woman Turning No. 7 and is an original oil painting. It would look fabulous in a simple frame in any house.

A Fabulous Business Card Holder

Our second fav is this cool leopard wallet. Every gal needs a fab wallet especially for her business cards. While some might prefer something a bit more traditional, we cannot help but love this leopard print switz card holder by Acne. Yes it is a bit pricey at $79 but think about how cool you will look pulling it out of your purse :) Buy it now on our new favorite site Garglye.com. And btw... they have amazing sunglasses too!

Ours v. Theirs

2010-06-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

This summer season is all about neutral pieces in classic silhouettes. An off white skirt is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe, especially when it is Grecian inspired! Jason Wu's Silk-chiffon pleat-knot skirt will run you $1,105 on Net-a-porter...

Or you can hop on over to Club Monaco and grab their Catherine skirt for only $139! Ensembles are endless with this beautiful layered skirt. Wear it with a t-shirt to dress it down or a silk blouse for a night on the town! What a DEAL!

Ours v. Theirs

2010-06-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

We are back! And today we want to share a few great shopping DEALs we have come across lately!

One of our summer must-haves is a piece of costume jewelry. We fell in love with this Dannijo Norma Cuff made of oxidized silver with Swarovski crystals.

While we love the rush of shopping, purchasing this cuff at $485 would leave us with buyer's remorse strong enough to squash any fashionista pride. That is why we were ecstatic to find an amazing DEAL with this Fenton/Fallon for J.Crew fringe cuff. The cuff is made of dark gold ox-plated brass and hand set with Czech glass crystals. Steal this style for only $115.

Live Well

2010-01-20T09:55:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Adler - Design Your Own

Jonathan Adler the uber hip designer has come up with a great DEAL for those who like to decorate: Design Your Own! You can pick out your own colors, patterns and engraving for pillows, throws, and rugs! Check it out at http://designyourown.jonathanadler.com/

Life is Beautiful

2010-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Photos by Jessica Claire, Wedding Photographer

http://www.jessicaclaire.net/

Look Good

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

Great DEAL on a Super Hip Skirt!

Sophomore Double Zip Skirt, originally $161.00. Now on sale for $49.00 at showacrimony.com.

Feel Good

2010-01-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Bring in the New Year with a Fresh Face

Taking care of your skin is high on the list of maintaining a healthy self. After all it is the largest organ of the human body. The start of a new year is the perfect time to vamp up and reorganize your skin care regeime and Dermalogica is the perfect place to do so.

...If you have never been:

Make and appointment or walk in for a free "skin mapping." During this 10 minute meeting a skin care professional with asses your skin, assist you in testing products, reccommend a routine that fits your skin, and send you home with a bonus packet of samples to test out at home.

...If you are already addicted like we are but short on time:

Make an appointment for a "Micro zone treatment." For just $25 an expert skin therapists will provide a quicky facial with treatments like flash exfoliation , extractions and even eye revitalization. It's quick and easy and they always amaze us by how much they can do for your skin in just 20 minutes.

...If you have the time:

Make an appointment for their 60 minute skin treatment. For $85 you will receive a relaxing facial. Full circle to all you skin needs and peacefull environment. We also love that Dermalogica's skin care experts NEVER leave us with any red marks on our face from extractions, they have the perfect touch.

...Insider tip:

If you love Dermalogica as much as we do then you should go ahead and book a package of 5 treatments and receive the 6th for free!
They recently added an online store for those that want to shop from home or don't live near a Dermalogica location. Check it out at http://buy.dermalogica.com

Every little bit counts

2010-01-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite paperies, Soolip is currently running this promotion to aid Haiti during this difficult time.

Shop http://www.soolip.com/ for beautiful paper gifts.

The people of Haiti need all the help they can get. Please encourage others to do what they can to lend a helping hand.

If you are interested in making a direct donation you may chose to do so through one of these links.

1) You can make a donation through the American Red Cross’ International Response Fund, and it will be allocated specifically for Haiti relief efforts.

2) Mercy Corps has a way for you to donate your money straight to their efforts in Haiti, and Unicef also has a donation site set up.

3) The Salvation Army is also sending personnel and supplies to assist in the relief effort, and needs of donations.

4) Yele, an organization set up by musician Wyclef Jean – a native Haitian, is an additional option.

Our hopes and prayers are with those effected by the Quake.

Peace and love,
J & j

New Blog to Follow!

2010-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Selby

Todd Selby, creator of The Selby website is a photographer, blogger, and fashion celebrity. Check out his website for beautiful pictures of people, places and interiors.

Click here to view The Selby.

2010-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year

Here's to an incredible 2010!

Wishing you all a year filled with health and prosperity.

with love,

J&j

New Year - New You

2009-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

9. Spend More Time with Family and Friends

All you need is love.

New Year - New You

2009-12-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Number 8. Peruse Seed Catalogs and Plan Spring Plantings

Well friends, this task seems to be the most daunting. We love to garden and last spring successfully grew multiple herbs and even tomatoes. This spring we are going to try our green thumbs out once again! Tomatoes will or course be on the list but we are also going to shoot for wildflowers. As you know, we are in the business of finding DEALs! And there not a better DEAL than spending 99 cents on a packet of wildflower seeds that will produce dozens and dozens of wildflowers through the warmer months. Fresh flowers add great color and energy to indoor spaces and growing your own will leave you with a sense of accomplishment! We will be sure to post updates about how are garden is growing!

New Year - New You

2009-12-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

7. Switch to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Green has never been easier than buying eco-friendly cleaning and laundering products. Think about it! Every time you clean with a synthetic based cleaner (like Windex or Shout) all those chemicals you spray on your kitchen counter eventually get into the food you eat. You are ingesting the chemicals that kill bacteria! It is for this same reason that it is best to use green products when doing the laundry. Do not wash your clothes in harsh chemicals because your clothes sit against your skin all day and your skin will inevitably absorb them! And do not forget that those chemicals pollute the water run-off from laundry!
Most mainstream retailers are hoping on the band wagon and selling eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products. Look for the brand Seventh Generation. They make great eco-friendly products and are widely available. This small switch will make a huge difference! Click here to visit Seventh Generation's website.

New Year - New You

2009-12-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

6. Make a Pot of Soup

It really is not a scary as it seems! Most recipes need to cook for a substantial amount of time which gives you time to complete your New Year “to-do” list while the potatoes and carrots are softening. Soups can also be frozen and are great as leftovers. They are a one stop shop for all the nutrients and vitamins you need in a meal!

The Food Network has the most incredible soup page where all soups are organized by soup genre!
Click here to find your new favorite recipe!

New Year - New You

2009-12-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Number 5: Visit a Historic Home or Site in Your City

We get excited about traveling because it means going to a new place, seeing new things, eating new cuisine. But what happened to the excitement of your own home town? We make the effort when we are traveling because we want to make sure we get the most out of our trip but we want you to get the most out of the place you live!

For example, here in Los Angeles there are dozens of interesting historic spots to visit. Our pick for our first outing is Griffith Park (see above picture). The land was gifted to the city in 1896 by Griffith J. Griffith a man who made his fortune off the California Gold Rush. Griffith later gifted a fund to help build the Greek Amphitheater (1930) and Observatory and Hall of Science (1935). Griffith Park has an amazing view of the city and a planetarium show.

Visiting a historic site or home in your city really is a great DEAL because you will learn a little history about the place you live and experience something new which may make you feel more connected to your community. Get out there and explore!

New Year - New You

2009-12-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

4. Try a New Winter Veggie

We often post about seasonal fruits and veggies for several reasons: Because fresh fruits and vegetables taste better when they are bought in-season, because if you are shopping seasonally, you are most likely shopping at your local Farmer's Market and supporting the local economy, and because when you appreciate growing seasons you appreciate your food more.

In the fall we ate pomegranates and apples every chance we got! Now with the colder weather, comforting winter vegetables are on our menus. Veggies like butternut squash, potatoes and carrots taste best at this time of year. Take advantage of the season!

Click here to see Ina Garten’s Roasted Winter Vegetable recipe.

2009-12-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

Warm wishes to you and your families this Christmas!

xoxo,

J and j

New Year - New You

2009-12-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Number Three: Clean Out Your Closet

We know that you have been putting this off for months! To get the best DEAL out of your wardrobe, organize your clothes by season and have the current season's threads hanging in the most prominent section of your closet. This will make you feel like you have a whole new wardrobe when spring comes around because you have been looking at fall and winter clothes for so long!

New Year - New You

2009-12-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Idea number 2: Make Your Bed Your Own Oasis

Getting sufficient sleep can change your life! Make sleep one of your top priorities for 2010. We are going to try to get eight hours a night! Whole Foods says, "According to the Mayo Clinic, most adults need between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. During deep sleep, our bodies restore themselves. Scientists believe during that time, our bodies regenerate and help the healing process such as repairing tissues and releasing hormones."

You will sleep better if you love your bed. New sheets and blankets are nice but costly, so we have thought of a better DEAL! If you have the cash to spend on new threads for your bed, by all means go for it! But if you are watching your spending after all that holiday shopping, try buying a scented sheet spray for your bed! It is inexpensive and will make a huge difference! A few sprays of lavender, chamomile, or mint essential oil (all of which can be purchased at Whole Foods) on your pillows will let you drift off into sweet sweet slumber. Lavender is our favorite and it is said to calm and relax the body! Sweet Dreams...

Click Here to read the whole story on sleep from WholeFoods.com.

New Year - New You

2009-12-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

New Year - New You

Good old Martha always has the best ideas. Starting today, we will post one New Year - New You idea a day to help you gear up and get the best DEAL out of 2010! Only 9 days left until the first day of 2010! Get ready for 9 great Martha ideas with a little j and Big J twist! Thanks Martha Stewart Living!

Idea numero uno: Recycle Electronics the Right Way

We have posted about this before but it is increasingly important that humans start taking responsibility for their actions which includes disposing of waste properly. Electronics that are thrown away the old fashion way - in the regular garbage - can be incredibly harmful to the environment. Please check out the website Earth911 for local electronic recycling centers. If this sounds like too much, start small with recycling your batteries! Most hardware stores have a drop off for locals!

Eat Well

2009-12-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

"The Clean 15"

According to Martha Stewart Living Magazine, "If you choose to buy conventional produce, stick to the fruits and veggies with the lowest amounts of pesticide residue. This group is, dubbed 'the clean 15' by the Environmental Working Group" and includes:

onions

avocados

corn

pineapples

mangoes

asparagus

sweet peas

kiwifruits

cabbages

eggplants

papayas

watermelon

broccoli

tomatoes

sweet peas

Life is Beautiful

2009-12-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy brass or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body to be burned, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.

It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.

It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will fail; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophecy in part,

But when that which is perfect has come, that which is in part will vanish away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I understood as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known.

And now abide, these three remain: faith, hope, and love. These three but the greatest of these is love.

Eat Well

2009-12-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Easiest Salad Ever!

The easiest and the best salad ever! Just like Little Red Riding Hood brought goodies to her grandmother, I brought this salad to my friend Mary's for dinner the other night. I was nervous because little j usually rations the dressing when we make salad - she is better at it! It is one of my favorite recipes shown to me by my friend and expert chef June Pagan. The agave sweetens the dressing while the shallot adds a great bite. Enjoy!

Chef June's Pink Lady Apple and Goat Cheese Salad
Salad
1 head romaine or red lettuce
1 pink lady apple
1/4 cup walnuts (toasted)
1/4 cup goat cheese (or as much a you like!)

Dressing
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons sherry or white baslamic vinegar
1 teaspoon agave (or sugar)
1 teaspoon minced shallots (or garlic)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions
1. Toss lettuce, chopped apple, and toasted walnuts in a bowl with dressing.
2. Ration onto 4 plates and sprinkle with goat cheese.

Shop well

2009-12-16T12:16:00.000-08:00

Great Source For Gift Ideas For The Men In Our Lives

We recently discovered http://www.uncrate.com/ the perfect buyers guide for men online. Check it out anytime you are looking for the latest gear or gadgets. Enjoy, Happy Holidays.
-j & J

Live Well

2009-12-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Clove Oranges

Clove Oranges are a great holiday craft project that you can enjoy for weeks! After completing the simple project, hang the clove orange in you kitchen and enjoy the aroma from the cloves soaking up the juice inside the orange. For just a few dollars, this is a great gift idea! This clove orange was made a cookie party a girlfriend had. What a great idea!

Directions:

1. With a glue gun, glue desired ribbon around the orange by placing glue dots on top and bottom of orange. Tie a knot at the top.

2. Push cloves (can be purchased on the spice isle of your local supermarket) into the orange in desired pattern.

3. Hang in the kitchen and enjoy! When it is dried out, you can boil it to further enjoy the aroma!

Up close and personal: The cloves were placed randomly here but feel free to create designs with the cloves on your orange.

Hang the clove orange off a kitchen cabinet to fill the kitchen with a spicy sweet aroma!

Look Good

2009-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

LouLou de la Falaise - Style Icon
Lou Lou de la Falaise was a friend, business partner and muse of the late Yves Saint Laurent in the 1960s. She has impeccable personal style and currently runs Maison de Lou Lou a boutique in Paris located on the Left Bank. This post is not to critique or gush over her effortless bohemian style, but rather just to examine and appreciate it. Enjoy the photos. They inspire us and we hope they inspire you.

Look Good

2009-12-09T16:38:00.000-08:00

OOH I LOVE

STEP 1: REGISTER FOR FREE and get a free bid.

STEP 2: BUY A BID PACKAGE: It costs $0.99 to place a bid. Bid packages come in 30, 50, 100, 200,400, and 800 bids.

STEP 3: PICK AN AUCTION: Ooh I Love auctions only brand new and authentic designer label handbags and accessories.

STEP 4: BID ON AN ITEM: Auctions start at $0 with no reserve. Each time you bid on an item by pressing the "bid" button: a bid is deducted from you account, the item auction price increases by 2 cents, and the auction timer increases by 15 seconds, allowing other interested bidders the chance to bid, just like in a traditional auction.

STEP 5: BE THE LAST BIDDER: If you are the last bidder when the auction timer reaches zero (ie. 00:00:00), congratulations, you have won the auction at oohilove.com! Pay the final auction price and shipping fee and the must-have handbag or accessory will be sent to your delivery address. Depending on how many people bid, you can save up to 90% off retail price!

Taken from their website http://www.oohilove.com//

Look Good

2009-12-08T18:14:00.000-08:00

Holiday Sales: Great DEALS on everything at their Manhattan Beach location!

Liquidation Sale: 40% OFF Everything

Starts Tomorrow at Monica's on Manhattan

Join them at Monica's on Manhattan starting tomorrow, Wednesday December 9 at 11am and receive 40% OFF everything in the store!!!

Everything must go by the end of the month.

Sale is at Monica's on Manhattan only and does not apply to Monica's on Broxton.

All items are final sale.

Monica's on Manhattan

912-B Manhattan Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.374.8000

Life is Beautiful

2009-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

If I know what love is, it is because of you.

-Herman Hesse

Look Good

2009-12-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

Jo Malone Holiday Sample Sets

For those of you who know us it is no secret that we LOVE Jo Malone fragrances! We want to remind all of you that around the holidays is the only time when they distribute their gift sets. The cologne sampler is perfect for someone new to the line because they get to try 6 scents for just $95! Individually their colognes range from $55-$100 so 6 for the price of one is a great DEAL! Other sets available are bath oils ($85), candles ($85), soaps ($85), or a pamper kit ($245). Pick them up now before they sell out, they are sure to make any girl smile. Look for them at participating Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, or Nordstrom stores. Also available online at http://www.jomalone.com.

Live Well

2009-12-07T15:44:00.001-08:00

Need Help With Your Holiday Shopping?

J and j are here to save the day! Are you stumped about what to get for a certain someone? Are you looking for the best DEAL on something you have already picked out? Browse How To Deal for inspiration on gifts or email us at howtodealjj@gmail.com with your questions and we will help you find the perfect gift.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Happy Holidays,
J & j

Feel Good

2009-12-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

Keep Your Skin Happy Through the Winter

Many of you already know about Kiehls and all it's glory. The company has been around since 1851 building a collection of product designed from natural ingredients to pamper your face and body. Two products we are currently loving are the "Rare Earth Pore Minimizing Lotion" and the "Gently Exfoliating Body Scrubs."

We're big fans of these two products and they are key to maintaining healthy skin during the winter as the weather gets colder and winds start to nip at our delicate faces. One of the things we love about this facial moisturizer is that it feels so lightweight. Your face feels fresh and natural as if you aren't wearing anything but it stands up to the job of keeping in moisture during the winter time when you need an additional moisture boost. It is also great for anyone who is prone to oily skin or breakouts because it contains Amazonian White Clay which helps to draw out impurities and reduce sebum build up.

The "Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub" is gentle enough that it wont dry or irritate your skin and is essential to buffing away dead skin cells. It comes in four scents: Pear Tree, Coriander, Lavender, and Grapefruit. Kiehls really hit the nail on the head with this one. The texture is perfect, like a fine sand rather than the large beads found in most body scrubs. And the scents are fabulous, lavender is our favorite ; )

Pick these items up at your local Kiehls or order online at http://www.kiehls.com. Also available at most Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales stores.

Live Well

2009-12-07T12:07:00.000-08:00

Nate Berkus for HSN

Great home furnishing and holiday DEALS found at HSN.com.

18" Brass Greek Key Tray on sale for $49.95.

Set of 3 silk Ikat frames only $14.95! Perfect to break up and give as gifts to 3 friends!

Kilim Stripe Rug $23.90 to $159.90. This item has a great payment option where you are able to break it up into 1, 2, or 3 payments! What a DEAL!

Look Good

2009-12-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays from J, j, and Steve ; ).
Enjoy 25% off with code: HOLIDAY25 at checkout on any Steve Madden purchase from http://www.stevemadden.com

UPDATE: TODAY ONLY USE CODE "CYBER30" FOR 30% OFF PLUS FREE SHIPPING!!!

Our pick of the week is the Giiaa bootie:

Live Well

2009-12-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Kai Products are EVERYWHERE

We have seen Kai products in almost every boutique we have been in over the last few months. Finally we just had to smell some of the perfume and now we know why everyone wants to sell Kai! It really smells that good - like sitting on the beach in Malibu while a vine of jasmine grows around you good. And they make packs of 4 miniature candles which is a great DEAL for Christmas gifts for friends! One of our absolute favorites from their product line is the "Kai body glow" it's a dry oil spray that moisturizes your skin and adds a beautiful glow.

Look Good

2009-12-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

Robindira Unsworth

First things first, she has a very cool blog http://www.robindira.com/blog/. Please check it out as well as her jewelry collection which is priced surprisingly well. This cocktail ring below totally stood out and is a bit pricey but you can walk away with a Robindira original for $80. Her current collection was inspired by her last trip to Istanbul, Turkey and the Byzantine art and architecture she found there. (www.robindira.com)

From her website...

Sultan's Ring (Glacier) The beauty of the Byzantine architecture in Istanbul and rich and exotic colors of the ancient bazaars inspired this very special ring. Featured in 22k gold vermeil and our very own glacier drusy, this stunner of a cocktail ring will quickly become one of your favorites.

Live Well

2009-12-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Interior Design at its Finest

Interior design, like any other art is a matter of taste. We receive Architectural Digest every month and MAYBE find one room that inspires us but we keep the magazines as bookshelf ornaments because it is an interior design aesthetic we have seen in so many houses. Unlike the traditional digest, we find ourselves appreciating Kelly Wearstler's work more and more each time we see it. She has designed such commercial interiors as the Viceroy Hotels in Palm Springs, Miami and Santa Monica as well as the Avalon in Beverly Hills and the Tides in Miami. Her newest book HUE organizes her room designs by their hue and promises to be a work of art in and of itself. Looking forward to picking this one up at the bookstore this weekend!

Eat Well

2009-12-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

Longer Lasting Cheese Please

Cheese is one culinary delicacy that we happily splurge on. (Note: Whole Foods is offering a great DEAL on cheese! They are starting to slice smaller pieces and now triple cream truffle goats cheese can be enjoyed for only $4! We are so excited!) What does not make us happy is when an expensive piece of cheese goes bad in our fridge. Try this tip to preserve your Parmigiano-Reggiano, Gouda, or in our case Cow Girl Creamery cheese!

1. Wrap the cheese loosely in wax paper or parchment.

2. Cover with plastic and refrigerate.

New Blog To Follow!

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

Design*Sponge

Click Here to check out Design*Sponge, a super creative design blog that will teach you how to design on a dime! What a DEAL!

Look Good

2009-11-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

For the Hippie in Us All

Recently some very dear friends of ours took a vacation to Ibiza where they visited the "hippie market." There they discovered great DEALS at a shopper's heaven. They found beautiful leather boots, tapestries, beads, jewelry, and our highlight this week, the bags!

Bag from Ibiza Hippie Market

We have been admiring their finds since their return and recently came across a very similar line called JADEtribe. JADEtribe products are naturally dyed, recycled, handmade, sustainable, eco-friendly and fairly traded (what a beautiful green mouthful!). Not to mention they are beautiful and very unique to most handbags because they are so vibrant and decorative. You are sure to stand out and receive many compliments with one of these on your arm.

JADEtribe products are available at local Los Angeles boutiques such as Planet Blue, American Rag Cie, Ron Herman, and many more. Also available online at shopbop.com. For a complete list of stores across the US and internationally please see their website at http://www.jadetribe.com/JADEtribe/Home.html. Below are some samples from the JADEtribe collection.

Two more beautiful JADEtribe bags!

Life is Beautiful

2009-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Yes, little j and I carved this! It took 3 hours but look at it!

Eat Well

2009-10-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Women's Health Helping Halloween Cravings!

Do you know what 100 calories of candy looks like?

Pick the treat with only 100 calories

13 1/3 pieces of Brach's Candy Corn

20 1/3 pieces of Brach's Candy Corn

5 Starburst Original Fruit Chews

10 Starburst Original Fruit Chews

2 1/2 snack size Twizzlers

3 1/3 snack size Twizzlers

Go to http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/100-calorie-candy to take the quiz to see if you guessed right!

Vida Verde

2009-10-29T20:54:00.001-07:00

Inspiration to be GREEN by writer Barry Lopez

As individuals we can, each of us, assess our own faiths and beliefs, measure our stores of energy, take account of our own pressing personal responsibilities, and then respond, inventing together another way of life, one less harmful, less cruel than the one we have now...

Simply put, the impact of human enterprise on nonhuman systems has created an unusual and strange urgency. In a relatively short time, we're going to learn whether we are indeed a match for the various threats science enumerates. We are going to find out whether we can actually be as empathetic toward one another, as tolerant, as imaginative as we believe we can...

I look at my own tasks as a writer and humanitarian and know this one thing: With-out other men and women, hard at work devising a safer future for every life on Earth, my task is like the song of a man living alone in a box: beautiful, perhaps, but of no great help to humanity. I need these men and women. Before long, each of us will be looking to our right and to our left for eyes that we can believe in. It is with these women and men that we will initiate the work that will impel those still to come, including our children, to praise us - and to understand the fierceness of our determination that they not be born in vain because, facing great threats, we fell down.

-Source Barry Lopez's article for Oprah Magazine (April 2009). Barry has traveled to more than 60 countries and worked on international humanitarian project with Mercy Corps and Quest for Global Healing

Live Well

2009-10-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

P.S I Made This...

Check out this inventive website www.psimadethis.com, where the author makes collages of inspiration and then creates her own clothes, jewelry, home decor. Thanks for the tip Sam :)

Exhibit A: The Inspiration

Exhibit B: Her creation

Our Favorites

2009-10-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

365 Brand Blood Orange Italian Soda

Think...

So refreshing! So good! And not so sweet! Anyone who knows us knows that we always have a bottle or two of Pellegrino in my fridge. We like carbonated water because it satisfies our cravings for something bubbly without all the artificial ingredients you find in Pepsi and Coke. The reason we are fans of 365's Blood Orange Italian Soda is because it is all natural, tastes great, and it is a beautiful color.

Pauper Scarf - The Dance

Sold at Francis May in Portland, Oregon, these scarves are real pieces of art. From Francis Mays website: "Artist Jason Kinney handprints, paints, sews, and designs each scarf. Inspired by William Blake and Leonard Cohen, these scarves feel almost too special to be worn and should instead be hung on the wall for all to see. Made with love and care in Portland, OR." (www.francismay.net)

Live Well

2009-10-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Design Inspiration from the Mondrian, Scottsdale

Big J stayed at the Mondrian while she was visiting Scottsdale last month. Mondiran hotels tend to be over the top. Although the design aesthetic is not my own, we definitely appreciate it for its creative nature. Enjoy!

Magazine Recipes Made at Home!

2009-10-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Tomato Flatbread with Goat Cheese

We have to try any recipe that combines heirloom tomatoes and goat cheese. Goat cheese is soft to the palate and for those who normal cheese consumption consists primarily of craft singles, we advise you to try it on salads or on a flatbread! Heirloom tomatoes are also really special because each lineage of tomato has a history and they come in the most vibrant and beautiful colors. This flatbread is a light take on pizza that you can serve as an appetizer or along with a main course.

We had never made homemade bread before attempting to make this flatbread. Making the bread was actually fairly easy and totally rewarding! The dough has to rise for a total of two hours so make sure you block off time for that. While it was rising Big J cleaned her house and went to the gym which we think was a great use of time! This a great dish to serve at a party because it is simple to make and yields a hearty snack!

Our amature attempt at rolling the dough.

The final product. Advice: make sure you roll the dough super thin, definitely add extra cheese, and drizzle olive oil over the bread right before you serve it!

Click here to view another blogger's post on the same recipe which was published in the June 2009 Cooking Light magazine.

Life is Beautiful

2009-10-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.

Immanuel Kant

Feel Good

2009-10-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Korres Bath and Beauty Products

Korres is a Greek natural skincare company that was started by a homeopathic pharmacist and a chemical engineer. Korres makes some of the most amazing bath products we have ever used. Our number one favorite is the fig body scrub. It smells earthy and clean and leaves my body silky smooth. We stock up every time we are in Europe!

Right now, Lucky Magazine is offering a great DEAL, where for a limited time all Korres products are 30% off with the code "luckybreaks1" at checkout. Log onto www.korresusa.com to cash in on this DEAL!

Life is Beautiful

2009-10-12T13:28:00.001-07:00

This was found on the tea bag string while drinking our favorite Good Earth Tea...All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire.

-Aristotle, 384 BC - 322 BC

Life is Beautiful

2009-10-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Its not about how to achieve your dreams, its about how to read your life. If you read your life the right way, karma will take care of the rest and your dreams will come to you.

-Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

Eat Well

2009-10-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

All About Wines!

Merlot

Personality: Depends on the price- inexpensive merlots are simple, basic red wines of little character. But if you spend $25 or more, you’ll get a wine as rich and majestic as a cabernet.

Origin: The Bordeaux region of France; California and Washington State.

Aroma, flavor and texture: Cocoa, red plums, cassis, espresso, cedar, tobacco; medium to full bodied. Top merlots have a lot of structure.

Cost: From $10 for inexpensive Chilean merlot, $20- $40 for a very good merlot from California, to more than $2,000 a bottle from the top Bordeaux-made merlot.

Try it with: Meat dishes such as roasted chicken, braised short ribs or steak.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Personality: The preeminent classic red variety, thanks to its complexity, majestic structure, richness, and capacity to age for decades- the Sean Connery of red wines.

Origin: Bordeaux, France, but terrific examples are now produced in virtually every great red wine region of the world.

Aroma, flavor and texture: Similar to merlot, only bigger, deeper, more intense and powerful. Watch out though for poorly made, cheap cabernet sauvignon, which can be dank and weedy.

Cost: Moderate ($15) to expensive ($75); plan to spend at least $25 for a very good bottle.

Try it with: Grilled steak and roast beef.

Syrah/Shiraz

Personality: Rich, dramatic, even a bit wild.

Origin: Northern Rhone Valley of France; also made in Australia (where its called shiraz) and the United States.

Aroma, flavor and texture: Wild berries, chocolate, black licorice, black pepper with hints of meatiness; medium to full bodied flavor, with a soft thick mouthfeel. Australian shirazes, in particular, are big, plush examples of the wine world.

Cost: Modest (good shirazes can be had for $15) to $40- plus for the top French examples.

Try it with: Lamb or slow-cooked hearty meaty stews and casseroles.

Pinot Noir

Personality: Sensual and understated. Pinot noir is one of the most food-friendly red wines, thanks to lots of inherent acidity.

Origin: The Burgundy region of France, though great examples also come from California and Oregon.

Aroma, flavor and texture: Rich loamy earth, mushrooms, warm baked cherries; usually medium-bodied flavor with a smooth, supple texture that’s often described as silky.

Cost: From $20 for a decent American version to more than $100 for a top-quality French pinot.

Try it with: Grilled salmon, most anything with mushrooms, roasted chicken, and duck breast.

**Source: Cooking Light**

Life is Beautiful

2009-10-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

There are always the simple events

of your life

that you might try to convert

into legend.

-Stephen Dunn from "Some things i wanted to Say to You"

Feel Good

2009-10-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Dermalogica on Montana

We get monthly facials at Dermalogica - just had a very relaxing facial last night! Normally, a facial costs $85 for an hour session. (Not bad considering you get a massage along with your facial!). The DEAL here is their new $25 / 20 minute facial. You choose what you want to work on: acne, scars, moisture, etc. and they will give you a 20 minute facial dedicated to that deed. Since it is so important to take care of your skin, cash in on this DEAL!

Live Well

2009-10-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Manor in Portland

Since I just left Portland yesterday, here are some more snap shots of a cool store I walked through called Manor. It is reminiscent of Wildflower Organics with more of a mature vibe. I love that they set up mock living spaces in their store with unique objects adding a bit of flair to an otherwise traditional arrangement. Little j and I always take pictures or rip out magazine articles of living spaces we like so when it comes time, we will be able to create my ultimate oasis.

Look Good

2009-10-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Update!

For all of you shoe lovers out there, I started to write for a new blog called The Shoe Goddess! Please help little j and I support the website by clicking on the link below to check out the first post!

http://theshoegoddess.com/2009/09/street-style-austin-texas.html#comments

Eat Well

2009-10-01T08:00:00.001-07:00

When in Rome...

Or should we say, when in Portland, eat like the Oregonians do? Try Two Tarts in Portland. Thats all we have to say.

Something smelled so good when I walked by that I had to peak my head in to see what they were cooking. This is the display case I found. Petite bites perfect for the hungry girl with a craving for sweets but who doesn't want to ruin her 30 minute elliptical work-out. Little j and I think that thats a DEAL!

Look Good

2009-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

More Jewelry...

Jaime Joseph Jewelry

Hand Faceted Oval Chrysoprase Ring

Set in 14K gold with a sterling silver band. Chrysoprase is found in Australia, Brazil, India, South Africa, and the US. It encourages acceptance, promotes clarity and increases flexibility.

$528.00

Wisteria Ring

A sparkling circle of flowers wrapped in a 14K yellow gold branch is set with seven diamonds. A lovely ring to symbolize promise, engagement or marriage.

$1,342.00

Feel Good

2009-09-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Yahoo Horoscopes

I have friends that claim Yahoo's horoscope page is always right. Curious? Click here to see if your day matches what they predict!

Look Good

2009-09-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Roseark Jewelry

Lately we have been coming across some amazing jewelry stores and jewelry brands. Know that this will not be the last post about a girl's best friend! Roseark is on Crescent Heights in Los Angeles and sadly we have not been to the store - only obsessed over their website (www.roseark.com). Look at these beautiful pieces found on their website.

Kathryn Bentley - Eternity Snake Ring

10K Eternity Snake Ring with Tourmaline Marquee and Diamond Eyes.

$650.00

Jennifer Meyer - Heart Necklace

Available in Rose, White, or Yellow Gold (Pictured).

$350 - $1400

Kathy Rose - Snake Cuff

These beautiful hand-made gold snake cuffs wrap your arm and are gorgeous stacked. Pick your style of snake with white of black diamond eyes.

Around $2300

Feel Good

2009-09-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

mantra for divine illumination

Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi

Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

Om. Earth. Athmosphere. Heaven. May

we focus our awareness on the alluring

radiance of the rising sun, the Vivifier; may

it inspire our thoughts and meditations.

This is the Savitri Gayatri mantra, the most ancient of all mantras still in use (its at least 3,500 years old). There are many kinds of Gayatri mantras directed at different aspects of the Divine; this one invokes the rising and setting sun, called the "Vivifier" because it is the source of all natural energy on Earth. ("Savitur" is the illuminator of life, which is symbolized by, but is not literally, the sun.) The sun also symbolizes the divine light that animates our understanding and spiritual practice. This mantra is repeated every sunrise and sunset by millions of people in India.

Take from YogaJournal, Interpreted by Christopher D. Wallis, A Sanskrit Scholar at UC Berkeley

Our Favorites

2009-09-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

This Week's Favorites

Wildflower Organics - take 2!

More about Wildflower Organics in Austin! These chairs are on-sale for just over $600 each. Pricey? Yes. But they are also absolutely beautiful. To have them in our possession would be a dream come true. The vintage pattern is so unique and the colors would be a great bright compliment to a plain white couch.

LACMA Art Classes

Yes, I, Big J actually drew this! I could not believe it either. And this was after just 2 hours at the first class. Log onto LACMA's website (www.lacma.org) to sign up for a variety of adult drawing and painting classes. Its a great DEAL because all materials are provided and you get to work in the gallaries at the museum!

Eat Well

2009-09-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

AZ88 in Scottsdale

The food here is nothing exceptional, but the story about this wall is. All the names you see in this picture are names of New York City taxi cab drivers that drove the owner over a three year period while he was building his first restaurant Bar 89. The picture is only a fraction of the actual wall which spans about 50 feet across the east wall of the restaurant. If you are in Scottsdale and want to dine with the locals, try AZ88. It is a definate fixture of the town's culinary spots. And if you recognize a name, let that taxi driver know!

Feel Good

2009-09-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Look Good

2009-09-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sugar Bean Jewelry

Jewelry is all about quality. With great quality comes the DEAL - something you will wear forever and possibly pass on to your daughter or granddaughter. If you choose to purchase anything from Sugar Bean's collection of necklaces and earrings, your unborn daughter will thank you! Sugar Bean is a local Phoenix/Scottsdale jewelry designer with a great vision. Their pieces are sophisticated, simple, and you will be the only one wearing their merchandise - thats more than you can say about Tiffany! Sugar Bean can be found at Healy Bea in Scottsdale, Arizona (check out their Facebook page!).

Eat Well

2009-09-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Froma on Melrose

The LA Times recommends picking up " a pound of squid ink trofie pasta, some Arbequina olives, chocolate-covered fleur de sel caramels in an edible chocolate box by Charles Chocolates, an espresso made from Danesi beans or a bresaola, goat cheese and arugula panini from the impressive panini menu -- or even a box of fresh figs from the Santa Monica farmers market. " We cannot decide if it is the organic sodas, the Hollywood bowl picnic baskets or the half bottles of amazing wine that line the shelves of Forma that we like best. Bottom line, there is something for everyone.

Their caprese panini was fantastic with an organic ginger soda and baked potato chips. We cannot wait to order the Hollywood basket before our next trip to the Hollywood Bowl for a concert or the Hollywood forever cemetery for an old movie!

Click here to visit their website (which is almost as impressive as the menu).

Look Good

2009-09-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

More Scarves!

Viginia Johnson (www.virginiajohnson.com) makes absolutely beautiful and baby soft scarves. The following two images are new additions to the Virginia Johnson collection and retail for $197.00! Yikes!

If you can wait a few months so that the styles are considered to be "out of season", you will find some great DEALs! The scarf below was originally $197.00 but is now on sale for only $97.00!

Life is Beautiful

2009-09-22T08:00:00.002-07:00

If you were coming in the fall,

I'd brush the summer by

With half a smile and half a spurn,

As housewives do a fly.

If I could see you in a year,

I'd wind the months in balls,

And put them each in separate drawers,

Until their time befalls.

If only centuries delayed,

I'd count them on my hand,

Subtracting till my fingers dropped

Into Van Diemen's land.

If certain, when this life was out,

That yours and mine should be,

I'd toss it yonder like a rind,

And taste eternity.

But now, all ignorant of the length

Of time's uncertain wing,

It goads me, like the goblin bee,

That will not state its sting.

Emily Dickinson

Enjoy the first day of FALL.

Eat Well

2009-09-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Cobras and Matadors

BYOB, great food, and pocketbook friendly prices... Cobras is your best DEAL! It is a favorite afterwork dinner spot for us and our friends! Check out this cheese plate with toasted bread and fig paste!

Click here to check out reviews on Citysearch.com

Life is Beautiful

2009-09-21T21:29:00.001-07:00

The life which is not examined is not worth living.

PLATO

Our Favorites

2009-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

This Week's Favorites

Matteo at Wildflower Organics in Austin, TX

Matteo makes the most beautiful and delicate bedding! To give you an idea, one sham goes for $175! The Wildflower website will attest, people actually sigh when they see these for the first time! As if to say, "I've found Heaven!" Wildflower is a great store in Austin that sells earth friendly linens and organic mattresses. Organic cotton is very important when buying bedding! You do not want to spend all those nights laying between synthetic or chemical treaded materials! Matteo does organic cotton so beautifully that we are asking for a moment of silence.

Click Here to buy these beautiful shams (or even a duvet cover) from the Wildflower Organics website.

Chan Luu Scarves

Speaking of beautiful - and soft fabrics! If you are looking for a new scarf to keep you warm this winter, look no further than Chan Luu. Chan Luu scarves come in just about every color. We cannot decide on black or this beautiful aquamarine.

To buy a Chan Luu scarf, click here to enter their website.

Look Good

2009-09-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Obsess Much?

These purses are to die for! New from Collina Strada and retailing at $177. Statement purses and shoes are a great DEAL for your wardrobe. Although you may spend more money on them, buying quality pieces that last will more than make up for those extra dollars. These purses are made from a light-weight linen/cotton blend and unfold in the most interesting way. Don't be surprised if we buy more than one!

Eat Well

2009-09-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Intelligentsia Coffee in Venice!

Ok, it opened in June, but we live on the east side and enjoy the Silverlake location. Please do yourself a favor and stop by this beautiful spot. It is located on Abbot Kinney, Venice's uber trendy downtown. The actual coffee shop is situated at the end of a wide hallway accessible from the street. Although the building is made of aged brick, the interior of Intelligentisa is modern and sleek. We recommend EVERYTHING!

Live Well

2009-09-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Eco-Friendly Kitchen

Check out these companies that are pioneering eco-friendly kitchenware!

Natural Scrubbers

These two companies are using alternative resources to create great kitchen cleaning tools! Google Kitchen Kapers (kitchenkapers.com) to find brushes made of nat

ural tampico bristles! Tampico is a fiber derived from cacti. Very cool! Down to Earth Basics uses coir fibers from coconuts (healthclassics.com).

Bamboo Bowls and Boards

All these bamboo products are made from certified organic bamboo which is a "high-yield" renewable resource. Buy bamboo product

s at bambu.com or surlatable.com.

Recycled Products

The Cutting Board is making mixing bowls out of 100% recycled plastic (you can recycle them too!) that is covered with petroleum-free coating so cleaning is easy. Cutting Board products can be found at Whole Foods.

Life is Beautiful

2009-09-16T08:00:00.001-07:00

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred let me sow love.

- Saint Francis of Assisi

Eat Well

2009-09-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Healthy Way to Bake

We bake Pumpkin bread on Halloween or Thanksgiving or both! It tastes so good but the sugar and oils that contribute to its flavors are less than ideal for your health. We are going to put these substitutions to the test this fall and see if anyone notices!

Oil

Oils are used to bind the dry ingredients together so using apple sauce as a substitute will eliminate the fat from oil and add vitamins and fiber to your baked good. In fact, most fruit purees will work.

Eggs

Replace each egg with one banana or 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds plus 2 table-spoons water.

White Sugar

Barley malt (1 cup sugar equals 1 1/3 cups barley malt) or Agave (1 cup sugar equals 1/3 cup agave) can be used instead of white sugar. Barley malt will add a richness to cookies and breads while agave will let you cut back on any liquid used in a batter.

White Flour

Whole-wheat flour is excellent in banana bread, pumpkin bread or bran muffins. Whole-wheat adds protein and still keeps treats light. If you are feeling adventurous, try almond meal. We have not tested it, but the sweetness from the almonds allows you to cut back on any other sweeteners in the recipe.

Make it Yours

2009-09-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Bright Bouquets

The above image, a professionally assembled bouquet was the inspiration for our creation.

Don't laugh, but these flowers were purchased at Costco for $12.99. Using a square vase we already had, it was easy to create a bouquet similar to the $55 bouquet that inspired us! What a DEAL!

Life is Beautiful

2009-09-14T08:00:00.001-07:00

Happiness is in the HEART, not the circumstance.

Happy Monday

Live Well

2009-09-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Coffee Table Books

Honestly, this list could go on forever. Obsession is an understatement when it comes to our feelings about coffee table books. You can use them as paperweights, coffee table decor, a bed side table or even better! Flip through one on a rainy day. They make great gifts and great conversation. Here are a few that you cannot miss.

Domino

The magazine may no longer be in print, but this home decorator's Bible is still selling out in bookstores. Use it as your quick fix guide to decorate your apartment or home.

African Interiors

Pattern freaks unite! If you cannot wait for this book to arrive by mail, you can purchase it at your local Anthropologie store. This masterpiece of a book is filled with African art and design both modern and traditional. A vibrant way to add a splash of color to your home, this book sells for the great price of $59.99!

The Art of Caring: A Look at Life Through Photography

The Human Touch Like love, catastrophe can unite hearts. The New Orleans Museum of Art published this amazing book that shows the healing, motivating power of connection at every stage of life, through intensely moving images.

Vida Verde

2009-09-13T08:00:00.001-07:00

Add this to your routine...

We know that you already use canvas bags for your groceries and a Nalgene bottle to hold your water, but we want to propose one more small step you can take to decreasing the amount of waste you throw into the garbage each week. Any hanger you receive from your dry cleaner can be returned and reused by them. So next time you come home with your dry cleaning, save the hangers to return on your next trip. If you want the best DEAL while visiting the dry cleaners, ask them about eco-friendly packaging which eliminates the plastic dry cleaning is traditionally coated with and replaces it with a reusable sheath. Green is getting so easy!

Look Good

2009-09-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

A Great New DEAL for Your Face!

Makeup removers have always been a luxury we felt guilty about using. Just another thing to throw in the trash (like a water bottle or a plastic grocery bag). So we have resorted to scrubbing our eyes until the are red trying to get our eyeliner and mascara off at the end of the day. When we read about Physicians Formula Organic Wear Facial Makeup Remover Towelettes, we were very excited because here is a great brand offering an eco-friendly product at an amazing price. For 10 bucks you get 25 biodegradable towelettes that are free of parabens and synthetic materials, housed in a recyclable aluminum dispener. Now thats a DEAL for your face.

Live Well

2009-09-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Trouble Packing?

Of course I forgot the 1 thing I desperately needed while traveling in Greece last month: my green pashmina which doubles as a blanket and a life saver. How could I forget it? It was agony! The one thing I needed and it was thousands of miles away. Never will little j and I let that happen again!

With summer coming to an end this post may be a bit passe, but you know what they say? Better late than never! Perhaps Pack Whiz will help you with your holiday travel plans and maybe you will like it enough to use it next summer on that vacation to Rome.

Check out packwhiz.com for help with all of your packing needs. This brilliant website will generate a list of travel necessities by category to ensure that you have everything you need when you travel.

Eat Well

2009-09-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ubuntu, Napa

Being from Northern California means that we carry a certain bias about our home. This pride may stem from the fact that California is one of the most culturally rich places in the world. And Napa county is just one of the many cultural niches worth exploring within California's boundaries. Napa is home to the beautiful and earth-friendly restaurant Ubuntu. Ubuntu's food has yet to touch our palates but we wanted to share our find with you. Ubuntu literally means "humanity towards others" and this restaurant/yoga studio is a DEAL for your soul.

Their approach to cooking is something called BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE which recognizes the basic principles at work in nature and applies this knowledge of life forces to bring about balance and healing in the soil. At a time when new synthetic chemicals are being injected into the environment, Biodynamics works to counteract the unbalanced state of modern agricultural practices by utilizing a "whole systems" approach.

Biodynamics is the oldest organized organic approach to farming: farms and gardens have been in operation in many countries and climates since the 1920's. Biodynamics is built on the premise that the more self-sufficient a farm is, the healthier it will be. The aim is to have a great diversity of plant and animal life. At the heart of Biodynamics is the use of special preparations in homeopathic doses that enhance the life of soil, plants, and animals. (source: Ubuntu website, www.ubuntunapa.com)

If their methods of farming are not enough to perk your culunary interests, know that Ubuntu is a restaurant and a yoga studio built to embody responsible design and inspired living by using reclaimed materials and vintage furniture. We cannot wait to visit!

Live Well

2009-09-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Read This Book THEN See the Movie

The movie Julie and Julia staring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams was recently released into theaters. Based on the life of Julia Child (for those of you who do not know, she brought real French cooking to the United States), this book's inspiration far surpasses great cooking recipes. Did you know that she was just a California girl trying to find her way in the world? Or that she took cooking lessons because she needed something to do while living in Paris? My Life in France is a truly inspiring book that will make you want to race into the kitchen and start really living life. To get the best DEAL out of her story, please read the book before watching the movie. To read words directly from her mouth brings a smile to your face and a hunger pain to your stomach.

Life is Beautiful

2009-09-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Every one of us is called upon,

probably many times,

to start a new life.

A frightening diagnosis, a marriage, a move, loss of a job...

And onward full tilt we go,

pitched and wrecked and absurdly resolute,

driven in spite of everything to make good on a new shore.

To be hopeful, to embrace one possibility after another -

that is surely the basic instinct...

Crying out: High tide!

Time to move out into the glorious debris.

Time to take this life for what it is.

-Barbara Kingsoliver, FROM HIGH TIDE IN TUCSON

Look Good

2009-09-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

Rising Tide Fair Trade

From their website: www.rtfairtrade.com

Rising Tide Fair Trade offers a business model with people and planet in mind. Our bags are created from repurposed scraps of cotton and vintage quilts and finished in cruelty free leather (from naturally deceased animals). Rather than using a system of mass production, our bags are produced in a women’s cooperative, which has a lower impact on the environment. Our bags are made one at a time by individuals paid a fair wage and treated with dignity and respect.

This is the best DEAL on bags that we have found. These bags are not only created from recycled materials but are made with a traditional Bengali method of stitching called Kantha. The ladies at Rising Tide Fair Trade have got something very special going on and that not only includes being eco-friendly, but supporting women around the globe. With the holidays just around the corner, this could provide a great gift for an eco-conscious friend!

Live Well

2009-09-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

Everyblock.com

Want to know whats happening in your neighborhood? Check out this fabulous new website, everyblock.com for up to the minute info in your area! All you have to do is type in your zip code and Everyblock will connect you to police blotters, real estate listings, restaurant reviews and much more. And who would have thought someone could have perfected City Search?

Life is Beautiful

2009-08-06T22:12:00.000-07:00

With courage you will dare to take risks,

have the strength to be compassionate and the wisdom to be humble.

Courage is the foundation of integrity.

-Keshavan Nair

Life is Beautiful

2009-08-01T08:00:00.001-07:00

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.

-Emma Goldman

Life is Beautiful

2009-08-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

This, I submit, is the freedom of a real education, of learning how to be well-adjusted: You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn't. You get to decide what to worship... Because here's something else that's true. In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And an outstanding reason for choosing some sort of god or spiritual-type thing to worship - be it J.C. or Allah, be it Yahweh or the Wiccan mother-goddess or the Four Noble Truths or some infrangible set of ethical principles - is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things - then you will never have enough. Never feel you have enough. It's the truth.

-David Foster Wallace from a Kenyon College commencement address, 2005

Feel Good

2009-07-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Chakras

Last week we posted about the health benefits of meditation and the function of your third eye. Today, we wanted to go a bit further and introduce you to all 7 Chakras and their function in the human body.

"Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices which, according to traditional Indian medicine, are believed to exist in the surface of the etheric double of man. The Chakras are said to be "force centers" or whorls of energy permeating, from a point on the physical body, the layers of the subtle bodies in an ever-increasing fan-shaped formation (the fans make the shape of a love heart). Rotating vortices of subtle matter, they are considered the focal points for the reception and transmission of energies. Seven major chakras or energy centers (also understood as wheels of light) are generally believed to exist, located within the subtle body. Practitioners of Hinduism and New Age Spirituality believe the chakras interact with the body's ductless endocrine glands and lymphatic system by feeding in good bio-energies and disposing of unwanted bio-energies."

"Chakras, as described above, are energy centers along the spine located at major branchings of the human nervous system, beginning at the base of the spinal column and moving upward to the top of the skull. Chakras are considered to be a point or nexus of biophysical energy or prana of the human body. Shumsky states that 'prana is the basic component of your subtle body, your energy field, and the entire chakra system...the key to life and source of energy in the universe.'"

The following seven primary chakras are commonly described:

Muladhara (Sanskrit: मूलाधार, Mūlādhāra) Base or Root Chakra (last bone in spinal cord *coccyx*)
Swadhisthana (Sanskrit: स्वाधिष्ठान, Svādhiṣṭhāna) Sacral Chakra (ovaries/prostate)
Manipura (Sanskrit: मणिपूर, Maṇipūra) Solar Plexus Chakra (navel area)
Anahata (Sanskrit: अनाहत, Anāhata) Heart Chakra (heart area)
Vishuddha (Sanskrit: विशुद्ध, Viśuddha) Throat Chakra (throat and neck area)
Ajna (Sanskrit: आज्ञा, Ājñā) Brow or Third Eye Chakra (pineal gland or third eye)
Sahasrara (Sanskrit: सहस्रार, Sahasrāra) Crown Chakra (Top of the head; 'Soft spot' of a newborn)

Source Wikipedia

Eat Well

2009-07-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Truth About Trans Fats

So here's the DEAL with Trans Fats - just don't eat 'em! Well the artificial ones at least!

There are two types of trans fats: artificial and natural. Natural is a term given to trans fats that occur naturally in foods such as beef and dairy products. Research about the health effects of natural trans fats is being done but it is the artificial trans fats that you need to look out for! Artificial trans fats are manufactured from hydrogenated oils. They are a known cause of health problems like heart disease. For the healthiest you, read packages and make sure that there are NO hydrogenated oils in any food you put into your body.

Vida Verde

2009-07-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Get Your Green Straight!

certified organic / demeter-certified biodynamic / fair-trade / green seal / local / natural / post-consumer recycled / sustainable forestry

Since GREEN is the new black, we thought it would be helpful to post a cheat sheet to help you sort through all the different label you may encounter when you are out shopping. Read below to distinguish the difference between all the Eco-banter that is out there today!

Certified Organic

Regulated by the USDA, this label insures the absence of most conventional fertilizers and chemicals. Any processed product (meaning it is made with 2 or more ingredients) must be made of 95% organic materials.

Demeter-Certified Biodynamic

Run by a non-profit since 1982, this label bans harmful chemicals and synthetic fertilizers as well as emphasizes a more holistic approach in terms of farming.

Fair-Trade

The Fair-Trade Federations is an international group whose mission is to eradicate poverty around the world. They are doing this by making sure producers receive fair wages and that growing techniques include long-term environmental sustainability and community development. The Fair-Trade products we are most familiar with are coffee and chocolate.

Green Seal

Green Seal is an independent non-profit whose seal accredits everything from soap to hotels. They sponsor the manufacture, purchase and use of environmentally responsible products.

Local

Buy Local because it supports your community and uses less fossil fuels because food does not have to be shipped from far distances. Local food is considered anything grown with in a 100-150 mile radius. Farmer's markets are a great way to buy local.

Natural

Be careful with natural products because although they claim to contain no artificial colors or flavors, they are not regulated. Often products like this claim to be pesticide free but actually pump things into the soil their products are grown in.

Post-Consumer Recycled

As the gold-standard for recycled products, this is a great way to up your green score! All Post-Consumer Recycled products are made from materials that have been sold, used and then recycled.

Sustainable Forestry

The Forest Stewardship Council certifies that paper products come from forests that are managed in a way to promote long-term productivity and bio-diversity.

Life is Beautiful

2009-07-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards:

they try to have more things, or more money,

in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier.

The way it actually works is the reverse.

You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do,

in order to have what you want.

- Margaret Young

Live Well

2009-07-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Roberta Roller Rabbit

Back in June we showcased Kerry Cassill Fabrics. Roberta Roller Rabbit is another great source for enchanting cotton textiles and it's right in our backyard here in LA! The closest store to us is located at:

Roberta Roller Rabbit

225 26th Street, Suite 4, Brentwood Country Mart

Santa Monica, CA 90402

T 310.899.4440

The collection by Roberta Freymann consists of beautiful hand block printed fabrics. She updates her fabrics seasonally so there is always something new and exciting to look forward to.

Click here to visit her website

Look Good

2009-07-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

A Must Have - The Perfect Black Bag

Every girl should have the perfect black bag because it is an everyday essential that will act as a loyal companion to any outfit. Fashionistas understand how much joy a good handbag can bring a girl. We had a recent visitor to LA who was here for a hot job interview for only one day. She was set and ready with her outfit all picked out and her resume perfected but when I asked her what she was going to carry her things in she said "she didn't have a black handbag!" Colorful carryalls are fun for the spring and summer but it's black that you can depend on to match anything and to always look proffessional. In a two hour flash shopping spree we scoured LA for the perfect DEAL. We ended up purchasing her a great starting out classic, a Marc by Marc Jacobs "Quinn Turnlock" bag. Below is a picture of our success story and two more of our favorites are pictured above.

Feel Good

2009-07-25T08:00:00.001-07:00

Biafine

An update to one of our favorite French beauty products:

Biafine has extended their line to include sunscreens and body lotions!

Life is Beautiful

2009-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

In fact, the ability to start out upon your own impulse is

fundamental to the gift of keeping going upon your own terms,

not to mention the further and more fulfilling gift of

getting started all over again - never resting upon the oars of

success or in the doldrums of disappointment... Getting started,

keeping going, getting started again - in art and in life,

it seems to me this is the essential rhythm...

- Seamus Heaney

Live Well

2009-07-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Frizette

On a recent trip to Eygalieres Provence, France we learned a new trade, how to make a frizette with lavender. These sweetly scented jewels are easy to make and make great gifts. here are the quick and easy directions.

Supplies needed: Scissors, 40-100 stems of lavender (depending on how large you would like your frizette to be) and ribbon.

Directions:

1. Cut and count your lavender and then arrange the stems so that all the flowers end in the same place.

2. Tie you ribbon (approximately an arm's length) in a tight not at the bottom of the flower buds so that the lavender is in a bushel. Leave a tail long enough to tie a bow at the end.

3. Bend all the stems backward over the buds

4. Dividing the stems by 3, 4, or 5 stems per weave, begin working one end of your ribbon: over 4, under 4, over 4, under 4, etc.

5. Continue this pattern weaving tightly all the way around until you have reached the bottom of the bunch.

6. Wrap remaining ribbon and tie a bow with the end.

7. C'est Fini!

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Sultan's Ring (Glacier) The beauty of the Byzantine architecture in Istanbul and rich and exotic colors of the ancient bazaars inspired this very special ring. Featured in 22k gold vermeil and our very own glacier drusy, this stunner of a cocktail ring will quickly become one of your favorites.

Sultan's Ring (Glacier) The beauty of the Byzantine architecture in Istanbul and rich and exotic colors of the ancient bazaars inspired this very special ring. Featured in 22k gold vermeil and our very own glacier drusy, this stunner of a cocktail ring will quickly become one of your favorites.

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Do you know what 100 calories of candy looks like?

Pick the treat with only 100 calories 13 1/3 pieces of Brach's Candy Corn 20 1/3 pieces of Brach's Candy Corn 5 Starburst Original Fruit Chews 10 Starburst Original Fruit Chews

Pick the treat with only 100 calories

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Hand Faceted Oval Chrysoprase Ring

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Roseark Jewelry

Kathryn Bentley - Eternity Snake Ring

10K Eternity Snake Ring with Tourmaline Marquee and Diamond Eyes.

Jennifer Meyer - Heart Necklace

$350 - $1400

Kathy Rose - Snake Cuff

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Pick the treat with only 100 calories

13 1/3 pieces of Brach's Candy Corn

20 1/3 pieces of Brach's Candy Corn

5 Starburst Original Fruit Chews

10 Starburst Original Fruit Chews