Earth Day 2011 Beauty

Earth Day has come to mean a lot of things. In addition to being more aware of our impact on the environment and planet, it’s a time to think about others. Sustainability is important, as it helps ensure we will leave behind a liveable planet for future generations. And it’s also a time to think of ourselves, how we use things, and what we put on our body. Going natural is always best; it’s the way Mother Nature intended. These picks will help you get a little closer to natural while still looking beautiful.

Aveda Light the Way candle ($12): Aveda’s selling its lovely lavender-scented soy-wax Light the Way candle again this year. The glass votives were once wine bottles. All proceeds from sales of this candle go to organizations that help protect and provide clean water to those in need around the world. Plus, it will make your home smell so springy and fresh!

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask ($23, LE): In honor of Earth Day, Kiehl’s unveils a new facial mask, housed in jars designed by 2 celebs: Chloe Sevigny and Michael C. Hall. The mask itself is made from sustainably sourced Amazonian clay. All proceeds benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance, a grassroots organization that encourages communities to preserve and protect local waterways from pollution.

Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow ($11): Who says eco-friendly beauty has to be “crunchy”? Alima Pure proves that you can glam it up with smoky eyes while still being kind to the environment. Their all-natural shimmer eyeshadows are super blendable, packed with pigment, and come in 21 shades from natural to supersmoky. They can also be used wet as eyeliner. (Shown above is Aubergine, a smoky eggplant hue.)

Josie Maran Argan Luminizer ($28) and GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara ($22): For a naturally sexy look, try these 2 products together. Made with natural argan oil, these products are great for your skin and eco-friendly. The luminizer gives you a dewy glow, and the mascara plumps and curls lashes. GOGO means “get one, give one,” and for each mascara purchased, 1 is donated to a cancer patient/survivor through City of Hope, and $1 is donated to City of Hope’s research initiatives. Available at Sephora stores.

Skincare, bath & body, & hair selections after the jump.

A Terrain Wedding

I’m so excited to share this blog post! Terrain at Styer‘s is one of my favorite places; the Glen Mills, PA nursery-cum-shop-you-want-to-move-into has all the fixings for a homebody’s dream. From potted pansies to spherical tin lights poked with thousands of tiny dots, this place has everything you could ever want in your perfect home. And the setting itself it beautiful: step onto the grounds and you’re transported worlds away from the bustling thoroughfare it’s situated on. I would never think to get married there — but Elizabeth and Kevin Schultes did. And looked absolutely beautiful; the perfect spot for a wedding with a vintage vibe.

All photos courtesy Our Labor of Love, the talented photographers, via Philadelphia Bride magazine.

The bride incorporated found vintage brooches into her bouquet.

The West Philadelphia Orchestra played Beirtut’s “Postcards from Italy” during the processional. Stunning!

Guests danced the night away under twinkling lights strung by Terrain’s. Congrats to the happy couple, and may you find inspiration in their celebration.

New Year, New You

Now that you’re inundated with weight-loss commercials, diet articles, and gym membership flyers, it seems like there’s nowhere to turn without wanting to reinvent yourself…or at least make some changes for the better. Whether your resolution is to adopt a healthier lifestyle, shed some unwanted pounds, or simply just take better care of yourself, it’s going to take some time to reach your goals. And that’s part of the challenge. But while you’re working toward the new you, you should take time to comfort yourself. Here are some ways to recharge after the post-holiday crush that will let you relax right now.

1. Give yourself a facial. Look no further than your kitchen to find the ingredients that will help turn your skin around. Combine 1 tbsp. plain yogurt with 1 tsp. honey and pat on your face. Kick back and relax before rinsing off.

2. Indulge in at-home spa treatments. Some luxe picks to make you feel like you’re at a day spa: Beekman 1802 Scent of Winter Goat Milk Soap Bar ($10), Baxter of California Italian Lime-Pomegranate Body Wash ($12.50), LaLicious Coconut Cream Body Butter ($24), and Archipelago Boticario De Havana Bath Salts ($24). Shut the world out with a cute sleep mask.

3. Recharge with an outdoor walk. If you’re in a cold climate, a brisk walk outside will rev you up, and moving will naturally warm your bones. If you’re in a warm climate, even better! Getting moving naturally releases endorphins, which boosts your mood — something we could all use this time of year. Plus, you’ll avoid cabin fever with a little fresh air.

Holidays at Terrain

Terrain at Styer’s is a particularly beautiful place this time of year. The nursery and greenhouses start to fill up with fir trees and berry-studded twigs. Inside, little vignettes look like they were ripped from the pages of Martha Stewart Living. Everywhere you turn, there’s inspiration for entertaining, decorating, cooking, and readying your home for the holidays. Here are a few snapshots I took at their holiday open house last weekend. I hope you find some inspiration to bring the holidays into your home.

I love the pendant lamp used as a floor lamp in this mantel set-up.Notice the tiny twinkling lights at the tips of these fake branches.

Sip for the Cure: Republic of Tea Pomegranate Vanilla Red Tea

You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been highlighting ways to give to October’s biggest cause, breast cancer awareness month. It just so happens that one of my favorite teas, Republic of Tea Sip for the Cure Pomegranate Vanilla ($10) benefits breast cancer research.

I discovered this tasty tea when I was getting a pedicure at a fancy spa. The red rooibos tea tastes similar to black tea, with fruity pomegranate undertones and the slightest hint of creamy vanilla. (And it’s packed with antioxidants for your health.)

For each tin purchased, Republic of Tea will donate $1 (and $100,000 minimum anually) to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Each recyclable tin contains 36 unbleached, tagless tea bags. It’s a tasty way to toast women everywhere.

Fight Breast Cancer with Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer has partnered with the American Cancer Society to help fight breast cancer during October. The Limited-Edition Breast Cancer Awareness Murfee Scarf ($118) will support breast cancer research. The cashmere-silk scarf in signature Lilly colors features a soft green background set against pink lotus flowers – symbols of strength, success, and beauty. Intertwined in the background are the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides” pink ribbons. Approximately $5 from each scarf purchased will be donated to the American Cancer Society to help women identify signs of cancer, educate them on risks, and finally put an end to this horrible disease for good so that women everywhere can lead longer, healthier, happier lives.

Beautiful Ways to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and Research

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As important as this month this, there are some scary, sobering facts attached to why it’s such a big deal:

• In 2010, an estimated 270,090 cases of invasive breast cancer and 54,010 cases of non-invasive breast cancer will be detected.
• This year alone, about 39,840 women will die of breast cancer.
• 1 in 8 women will experience breast cancer in her lifetime.
  (Statistics courtesy of breastcancer.org.)

Given those daunting stats, the good news is supporting awareness and research efforts has never been easier. So many companies are allocating funds from products purchased. All you have to do is buy something that you’d probably purchase anyway. Here are some ways you can support the cause.

Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Shimmer Brick ($38). Free standard shipping on this item when purchased in October.

Tweezerman is known for being the most precise tweezer on the market. Get your brows in shape and support awareness and research with the Precision in Pink Slant Tweezer ($20).

Essie We Can Do It! nailpolish ($8) benefits Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a non-profit organization that empowers women living with the disease to lead full lives.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer ($35), the gold standard in skin hydration, donates $10 from each purchase (that’s a lot!) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Estee Lauder Elizabeth Hurley Lip Design Collection ($25) features 2 dual-ended Pure Color Glosses in Extravagant Pink, Rock Candy, Nude Rose, and Brazen Berry are tucked inside a sleek pink croc clutch. Proceeds from this and all of Lauder’s pink ribbon products benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Philosophy Shower for the Cure ($20), benefitting the Women’s Cancer Research Fund. 100% of proceeds from this and all Philosophy pink ribbon products are donated to the fund.

Sephora Perfect 10 Pink Brush Set ($60) packs up 10 pro-quality brushes in a pretty pink brush roll. For each set purchased, $1 will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Fund.

The KitchenAid Stand Mixer is an iconic kitchen staple. Add to your cookware collection with the pink version, which supports Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Purchase any Jo Malone Red Roses product in October to support her $20,000 pledge to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Like yogurt? Look for the pink lids to support Yoplait’s Save Lids to Save Lives campaign. Save your (clean) lids and mail them back to Yoplait, who’ll donate 10 cents per lid to Susan G. Komen for the Cure – up to $1.6million.

Japonesque Pink Ribbon Pocket Eyelash Curler ($11, limited edition). 20% of proceeds benefit breast cancer research.

Purchasing any of these products (and a ton more – just look online for your limited editions of your fave products) fund important life-saving research initiatives, provide screenings that can promote early detection, and help all women get mammograms regardless of their insurance status. Even if you haven’t been affected by breast cancer, there’s a good chance that you one day will be. Purchasing any of these items and supporting these wonderful foundations is one small thing you can do for women everywhere.

October Favorites

I know I’m a little early, but October is one of my favorite times of year, and Halloween is certainly one of my favorite holidays. There’s something so fun about assuming a disguise for one evening, and the entire month takes on an air of mystery. To celebrate October’s impending arrival (and hopefully the onset of cooler, autumn-like weather in Philly), I’ve rounded up some of my October faves in beauty and beyond.

Clockwise from top left:

• Hanging Mason jars bearing a votive and piled with acorns are a perfect way to light up an entrance.
• Fast Ride lipstick, NARS ($24)
• Envy eyeshadow, Smashbox ($16)
• A Pottery Barn cloche ($69) piled high with old library books lends an Edgar Allan Poe-like feel to a room. Creepy, but understated.
• “Jane” false eyelashes, Make Up For Ever ($15)
• “Nymph” oak leaf earrings, Paste by Tracy Kahn ($48)
• Spiced Pumpkin scented candle, Yankee Candle ($14.99-$24.99)
• “Wicked” nailpolish, Essie ($8)

Hot Off the Press, Anthology Magazine Celebrates The Joys of Home

Fans of now-defunct Blueprint (by Martha Stewart) and Domino will rejoice at the new arrival of Anthology magazine. Anh-Minh Le (editor-in-chief) and Meg Mateo Ilasco (creative director) hatched a plan to revive the flailing print home design niche, and now they’re ready launch with the fall 2010 issue. The quarterly publication focuses on home decor, design, and culture, and each issue has a theme (first up: the slow life, celebrating savoring life’s simple treasures). The magazine is print-only (no online version), and a U.S. subscription is $38 for 1 year (4 issues), or $12 per single issue.

Feeling Very Palm Springs…

If I had a 1-way ticket to a destination of my choice right now, I’d want it to be to Palm Springs, California. The desert town is a hub of mid-century mod design, like stepping back into a little time machine. Sign me up for a house with a pool, please.

Above photos, from top: Viceroy Palm Springs; Palm Springs Style by Aline Coquelle; J.Crew 2008 catalog; Don Draper raises a glass in Palm Springs; Mrs. Lillien Styling House captures a glimpse of the Palm Springs lifestyle.

Above, from top: Parker Palm Springs; vintage Ted Lapidus sunglasses; J.Crew ’08 catalog.