More Green Home Tips

Environmentalism is something that is very close to me personally and professionally, so if you will indulge me, I'll add a few more green home tips:

1. Switch to non-toxic cleaning products, like Mrs. Meyers. 
2. Recycling is a given, but have you started composting yet? 
3. When you do start composting, get this swanky pail
4. Use reusable bags, like these, for all your shopping (get a few and stash them in your favorite purses and car)
5. Speaking of cars, drive less. I know it's easy to do in a city with lots of transit options like San Francisco, but car pool when you can, bike when you can, and walk when you can (your butt will be cuter too)
6. If it's feasible for you, switch to a hybrid or electric car (the hubs and I actually don't have a car at the moment, it's more trouble than it's worth in the City, but when we bite the bullet and buy a car eventually we'll be looking at low emissions and fule efficiency for sho)
7. Eat less meat, especially red meat - it will lower your risk for certain deseases (like cancer) and reduce your carbon foot print. Learn more here
8. While we're at it, try to buy primarily organic and local produce - this will also reduce your carbon foot print, reduce pollution of our water ways from chemical run off, and you'll expose yourself and your family to far fewer chemicals 
9. Use a reusable mug for to-go coffee, and when ever possible - learn why here then get a mug like this one
10. Switch your paper products (paper towels, tp, etc) to recycled paper, or better yet switch out your paper towels to reusable kitchen cloths

All of these tips are actually really easy to incorporate into your life, and though it's totally cliche to say, it's amazing the impact small changes like these can have. Super seriously.

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

I just came across an article on Apartment Therapy about 5 easy ways to make make your home environment greener and healthier for you, your family, and the planet. In a nutshell they recommend:

1. Safely disposing of chemical waste
2. Resisting the "throw away" impulse
3. Recycling your e-waste
4. Switching to CFL's
5. Turning down your thermostat 

Read the whole article here.

Monday's Mantra

Make it happen!

Happy Weekend!

What are you up to this weekend dear readers? I'm going to Ikea today with my good friend Di. I have some sprucing up to do around here, before I share my digs with y'all - it'll happen it time. Meanwhile, have fun with these links. See you Monday! 

A sweet v-day card for your bestie.

Lovely wedding inspiration. 

A pity party how-to guide. 

Looking for even more skin care ideas? Check this out.

And this too. 

The most important meal of the day. 

A Favorite

Figs, prosciutto, and goat cheese - one of my favorite combos.

Friday Finds

How cool are these Marais Studded T-Bar Flats? Yum.

Oh Liz

Just because she is amazing and that kitty is so cute.

Thursday's Tidbit

I love a mostly white kitchen (with a splash of metallic), and a bar counter of course, throw in a hardwood floor and some white marble - I die. 

Roma mio cuore

Speaking of Rome and espresso, here are a few shots of my favorite cafe de Roma - Tazzo D' Oro - or the Cup of Gold in English. Tazzo D' Oro is just steps away from one of my favorite ancient buildings, the Pantheon. 

Wed Day

One of the things I love about married life (or living with a lover) is lazy weekend mornings. I love lying in bed together and slowly entering into the day. I'm almost always up first, and always the one to feed the kitties and make coffee* (even on weekday mornings).  If I have time I'll even fit in a bit of yoga before the hubs gets up and turns on sports of some kind. He makes up for it though, most weekends the hubs makes breakfast after we've had our coffee, he's actually a wiz with eggs - I know, I'm a lucky lady. What are your special morning rituals? (Mugs available here.)  

* Anyone who knows me knows that I am a coffee snob with a bit of a caffeine addiction. I can't start my day without coffee (I'll get a migraine), but as vices go, I don't think that coffee is so bad. :-) I'm snobby about my coffee because I lived in Rome for a period durring my early 20's and had literally the best espresso in the world. Since moving back to the States a few years ago I began making my own, I only use espresso beans (Stumptown's are especially good), and have a DeLonghi cappuccino machine and a french press at home. I use the cappuccino machine when I'm just making a single cup (usually for me) and the press when I'm making multiple cups - so it sees more use. Although, despite my snobby-ness, I'm not above grabbing a non-fat latte at Starbuck's in a pinch. 

Skin Deep

Do you ever wonder about the safety of your cosmetics? It amazes me the kinds of toxic chemicals that are commonly found in American cosmetics (standards in Europe and other parts of the world are actually much more stringent). The Skin Deep Cosmetics Database is a great resource for checking out the safety of your products - check yo self before you wreck yo self.

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

We've spoken about beauty routines (morning  & evening), so now let's chat hair care. I have fine hair that used to be quite wavy but as I've gotten older has become relatively straight, so my routine is pretty bare bones since I don't want to weigh it down.

 I wash it about every other day with Fresh Soy Shampoo, it's moisturizing, clarifying and gentle. The sent is really nice plus gender neutral so the Hubs uses it too.

I always use a conditioner and I recently discovered Moroccan Oil -- I know, everyone is buzzing about Moroccan Oil right now, but it has totally lived up to the hype (at least for me). I use the volumizing conditioner, towel dry and then use the the Moroccan Treatment Oil on damp hair. I let it air dry for a bit, then blow dry and touch up with a flat iron. Sometimes I'll finish with a serum depending on the fuzz factor of the day - I especially love this one from Aveda.

So that's it, pretty low key compared to my skin care routines, huh?

Ladies who Lunch

This past weekend, my girlfriends and I got together for a little birthday lunch for our dear friend Di.  We snacked, chatted and sipped on our friend Val's secret recipe sangria. I also made heart-shaped mini birthday cakes and took a stab at making frosting for the first time - messy but worth it.

Monday's Mantra

No, thou shan't.

Happy Weekend!

Hi dolls, I hope you all have a fierce weekend. I'll be celebrating a girlfriend's birthday on Saturday, and then helping to hubs cheer on the 49ers on Sunday - what will you all be doing? Enjoy these links until we meet back up on Monday. Cheers!

Etta James. RIP.

A sexy make-up look a la Tom Ford, via Refinery29.

Vanishing Cultures Project

David Bowie doing normal stuff

Words of wisdom from T&F

Comfort food for cozy nights

Gorgeous pillows.

Nude Nails

I am really loving nude nails at the moment - maybe it's backlash from all the dark winter-y shades I've been wearing recently. This shade is actually called "Tickle my France-y," it's a sign.

Friday Finds

So to beat the winter blues, this has been my look as of late (i.e. this week): a softly defined eye with a red lip. I have been wearing the amazing NARS Heat Wave - it's a perfect warm red with a hint of orange, great on most skin tones, including olives like me. If you are going to invest in a red lipstick - this is a great option - be warned though, a red lip such as this will draw some attention. ;-)

Masks & Peels

In addition to carefully edited morning and evening skin care routines, masks and peels are a great way to add a boost or targeted treatment to your skin. I've already highlighted my go-to purifing  treatment and moisture mask; so here are a few of my other faves:

Masks:
The Fresh Rose Mask

This mask is full of antioxidants, hydrates, tighten pores, and in general "wakes up" your skin. It's potent, but gentle enough to use several times a week. Great for when you need a boost. Korres also makes a great option.

The Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask

Have you ever gotten an oxygen facial? If not, go get you some! I have tried several oxygen facials and I have loved every one. This mask helps you create a similar experience at home. It's a quick fix, with immediate (even if not long lasting) results. The mask is a clear pink gel that you spread on your damp face, it foams up on contact and the bubbles pop as they are absorbed. In five minutes, the foam is gone and your face is plumped, supple and smooth. It's amazing for tired, sunken skin after a long trip or if you need a quick pick-me-up before a night out. Plus you only need a small amount, so it lasts forever. Bliss also makes a similar and no less amazing eye mask.

Peels:
Peels are a great way to exfoliate without the scrubbing that can cause irritation. They also really help with cell turnover, anti-aging, congestion, and overall appearance. Don't overdo it though, they feel great and you'll want to use one all the time, but that can cause sensitivity and other issues - once a week is usually the bast way to go. I am currently using the REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal peel.

Juice Beauty also has a few great peels. Their Green Apple Peel  is awesome, plus they carry a sensitive skin version, which is a great starter peel. The sensitive version is still very effective and a great starting place if you've never used a peel before and are not sure how your skin will react. 

Most importantly, masks are a great way to relax and treat yourself, so experiment and have fun until you find your favorites.

Thursday's Tidbit

I love so many things about this photo - the striped shirt (it's actually embarrassing how many I own), the neutral and fresh manicure, and above all her awesome stack of rings. I love that there are mini stacks above and below the knuckle - it's interesting, tough and delicate all at once. Brava!

"Our" Money

Hi Lovies - here is quicky. I stumbled across this great video by DailyCandy on the subject of happily joining your money after marriage. See it here.

The Boss

 I had hoped to prep more posts for today, but ... look at that little face. Rico decided that it was time to snuggle, not blog. I guess we know who's the boss.

Wed Day

So true Julia, so true - when you can be friends and lovers I think you have something to build on. Plus how rad is this rocking chair for two? Anyone know where I can pick up one of these bad boys?

The PM Routine

The pm routine is just as important as the am routine but can be harder to stick to. Long days (and nights) can make you less motivated to wash your face etc before you go to bed; however it is SO important that you do. Your skin does much of its repair work while you're sleeping and if you still have make up and grime on your face from the day before this process is inhibited. Not washing your face etc before bed also contributes to break outs, dullness, and premature aging. If that's not motivating, I don't know what is.

1. Cleanse

 Just like most mornings, I wash my face with Fresh Soy Cleanser before bed. In the evenings I usually wash once, rinse and repeat - the first time takes off any make-up, while the second time takes off any remaining dirt. The soy cleanser is very gentle and you only need a small amount, so I don't go through it as quickly as you'd imagine. I am currently saving my pennies for a Clarisonic Opal, but in the meantime I'm using the Olay version a few nights a week.

2. Tone

I also use a few spritz of the Caudalie Beauty Elixer  in the evenings as well as in the mornings. It adds moisture back to the skin and helps tighten pores.

3. Treat

Serums are just as important in the evening as they are in the morning and can be more targeted since you don't have to worry about sun and pollution protection.  I use Lancome Gentrifique youth activating serum, followed by a retinol. Philosophy makes a great option as does RoC. I'm currently using this RoC serum so I still need to follow with a moisturizer. Some moisturizers contain retinol, so you may not need to add more moisture. Another thing to remember about retinol is that it's a strong exfoliant and increases sun sensitivity - so it is best to use just at night and make sure to use a sunscreen in the mornings.

Also, in the instance of a blemish, I spot treat with this Murad treatment.

Tip: When applying serums go thinest to thickest so that they can be absorbed on top of one another. Your order may differ from mine. 

4. Eye Cream

Yep, you need an eye cream for night just like during the day. The skin around your eyes is much more fragile than on the rest of your face and needs special attention day or night. I use the same one for both, my favorites are: Kiehls Cryste Marine Firming Eye Treatment and Philosophy's Hope In A Tube. 


5. Mositurize

If you're not using a retinol moisturizer then you may need this final step. Don't go to bed with dry skin - dry skin is way more prone to fine lines. I'm currently using the Claudalie Vinoperfect Cell Renewal Night Cream that helps to improve cell turnover while you sleep.

Tip: When you apply your face creams remember to use an upward motion, just don't pull your skin down - gravity does that enough as it is. :-) Also, don't forget about your neck and décolletage, treat them as you do your face - you can also rub excess serum / cream on to your hands (day or night), there's a reason why they say hands reveal a person's age. 


So there you go, that's my routine. Please keep in mind that what works for me might not be the perfect system for you, but once you find what works - stick to it! It's boring, but consistency is effective.

PS: if you are having trouble finding what you need, I get 99.9% of my products from Sephora.

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

 As promised, the beauty routine discussion continues. Last week we discussed the am routine , so this week I'd like to go though my pm routine. Stay tuned, it's up next.

Monday's Mantra, MLK

"The time is always right to do what is right."

Happy Weekend!

Hey y'all. What are you all up to this weekend? We are going to BBQ with some friends and enjoy some sunny park time before the fog rolls back in. Hope you all take time to enjoy the looong weekend. See you Monday, until then, enjoy these links from around the internets.

Speaking of beauty routines, here are a few beauty round-ups from the Refinery29 editors.

I love these coasters!

Gorgeous wall paper, is there anything the French can't do?

How sweet are these Valentines?

A great article about traveling with a baby.

Freedom Riders!

Just because ...

How dreamy was Paul Newman? A bit like the hubs me thinks.

Friday Finds

Terrariums! I'm a bit obsessed; we have three large ones at home (the hubs made them from apothecary jars left over from the wedding), and three small ones at work. Overkill? Nah! You can get started yourself at Terrain.

Puppy!

Supposedly this is a golden retriever daschund mix - myth or realty? I don't care, this puppy is SO adorbs!

Thursday's Tidbit

I am in love with this dining room. I love the modern chairs with the clean traditional lines of the rest of the space. Plus the neutral color pallet is so soothing, no?

Ring!

Also how amazing is this ring? Featured on East Side Bride.