Eco & Organic

I am not necessarily the biggest makeup junkie. That being said, I am hopelessly addicted to chapstick. If I had to pick one beauty item to use for the rest of my life, chapstick would win no contest necessary. I am compulsively applying some form of lip-geared product hourly, up to the point of insanity really. Of course, for a chapstick-aholic like myself, I do play favorites. Each month or two I am in love with a certain product before I move onto my next addiction. This month Green Tea Goods Ultra Caring Lip Balm is my obsession.

This unbelievably effective all-natural lip balm soothes your lips and smells delicious. Made from a blend of coconut oil,  sweet almond oil, beeswax, vitamin E and of course, the star ingredient, green tea extract, you can be sure your lips will feel instantly kissable. The lovely scent of this balm is completely natural, as no fragrance is added. Green tea extract, an ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine, contains vital antioxidants and antiseptic properties that will leave your lips moisturized and refreshed long after application. The lip balm has instantly become a constant in my daily beauty routine. For just $5, you can afford to give into the green tea craze, and believe me, you (and your lips) won’t be sorry!

Picture this: It is a balmy Saturday night in the city. You have been invited to a chic rooftop party sure to be frequented by some high profile guests, so you need to look your absolute best. You pick out the perfect little black dress, pair it with some bold jewelry and gorgeous heels. You then spend the next few hours styling your locks and applying an elegant palette of makeup. You grab your clutch and head out the door, turning heads as you strut down the sidewalk. You head down the subway steps only to be greeted by a hot cloud of sticky air. You shake it off. You look too good tonight to let anything get in your way. As you await your train, you begin to sweat. Your perfect smoky eyes begin to drip down your cheeks. Your beautiful curls turn into a frizzy mess atop your perspiring scalp. The perfect look has somehow gone all wrong!

Sadly enough, this a scenario we gals can all empathize with. There is nothing worse than spending hours getting ready to have your look ruined in an instant by the muggy subway platform. This terrible phenomenon that is sure to plague us as temperatures rise seems unbeatable. Luckily, TDO is here to help. We have sampled a wide range of products as well as caught up with Rachel Gangemi, a talented make-up artist at Valery Joseph Salon in New York City, to bring you a list of subway must haves and tips to help you fight the dreaded summer subway. (more…)

Last year, we wrote about flip & tumble, a line of cute and convenient reusable bags. We loved how you could simply roll the “24-7″ bag into a small ball, tuck them in your bag, and not have to forget them at home when you actually need them! You can do a small part to help reduce waste while toting a cute bag, so it’s win-win.

Well, flip & tumble just got even better, because they’ve actually lowered the price of a 24/7 bag from $12 to just $9! And the more you buy, the more you save. They’ve also expanded the color choices so that the bag is now available in 10 vibrant colors. I picked one up in Superpink, a bright pink shade, and I’m obsessed! The new color combinations also include sky blue straps, and for slightly more, you can also buy ones with pretty prints.

The 24-7 bags are available online at flipandtumble.com — let us know your fave color!

If you’re still searching for a Father’s Day gift, or a guy gift for any occasion, I’ve got a great suggestion. Try Nautica Oceans — Nautica’s first environmentally friendly men’s fragrance that it launched this year. Oceans is actually from a water-based formulation (as opposed to alcohol-based), is biodegradable, and is packaged in recycled material from a carbon neutral facility.

If that’s not cool enough, the fragrance even includes a note that extracts the actual essence taken from a piece of sail from the world’s #1 racing yacht! Nautica calls it “Regatta Accord.” Here’s the note breakdown:

• Top notes: Ocean Air, Lemon Tonic
• Middle notes: Sea Salt Rose, Lavender Reef, Geranium
• Dry down: Amber Crystals, Sun-Drenched Teak, Regatta Accord

Nautica Oceans would definitely be a thoughtful and unique gift for any man in your life, since it’s eco-friendly and smells good. Head over to your nearest Macy*s and smell for yourself.

I just tested these multitasking beauty products out as part of a low-maintenance/room-saving routine on a recent surf trip and I’m in love. Not only is Hamadi Shea Spray ($18) organic and biodegradable, it keeps hair naturally protected from the sun AND moisturized (be sure to reapply often if you’re going in and out of water). I also highly recommend it as a conditioning and styling aid that adds shine pre- or post-blow-dry. 

Further saving room is Aveda’s new Sun Care Hair & Body Wash ($20), an absolute summer travel must. It keeps sunburned skin and hair soft and healthy, whether you’ve spent the day in the ocean or the pool. Follow with my latest take-it-everywhere obsession, Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Skin Salve ($25), a compact hair and body balm that can be warmed up with your fingers and applied to soften any part of your body. It’s the perfect, non-irritating moisturizer, callus softener and hand cream. (It even got rid of my friend’s post-shave rash!) Absolute genius!

Products are available at Aveda.com, HamadiBeauty.com and Kiehls.com.

WHO: Partners Caleb Wines, John McGonigle, Garry Muir, Chris Schiffman, Craig Hoffman; Executive Chef Albert Aviles

WHAT: Corkbar

WHERE: 403 W. 12th St. in downtown Los Angeles

WHEN: Daily 11:30AM-2 AMish

WHY: Fancy yourself a wine connoisseur? I don’t. But Corkbar, a casual yet hip wine bar in downtown L.A.’s South Park neighborhood, sure has me excited about becoming one.  (more…)

Where can you get a Xylitol-sweetened Sno-Cone, raw food pasta, a customizable six-pack of beer and a box of biodegradable trash bags in one place? Frankly, nowhere … until now. Meet Locali, a cozy neighborhood one-stop shop for all your environmentally conscious needs. From a menu of freshly made, vegan-friendly sandwiches to a wall of energy bars, organic wines and raw, gluten-free snacks, it’s a green fiend’s quick-stop paradise. Owners Melissa Rosen (who loves to dole out ginger-agave slushie samples!) and Greg Horos created the environmentally conscious space, from its Sola-Tube lighting and reclaimed wood cabinets to its modern compost/recycle trash bins, to bring sustainable awareness and a sense of “community” to the hipster-packed neighborhood. And starting Memorial Day, I’m happy to report they are bringing a refreshing taste of Locali to you! Look for Locali’s THE ICYCLE – an ice cream tricycle that will tour areas from West Hollywood to Los Feliz – in your neighborhood. Enjoy 30 flavors’ worth of Sno-Cones (made with ultra pure Reverse Osmosis Water and Organic Brown Rice Syrup or diabetic-friendly Xylitol) or my personal favorite: lemon/honey-lavender Ruby Jewel handmade ice cream sandwiches. (Yum!)

Check THE ICYCLE’s whereabouts on Twitter (http://twitter.com/locali). Locali is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 5825 Franklin Ave. in Hollywood’s Franklin Village.

A few months ago, I reviewed the Radiance Kit from Burt’s Bees, which was a convenient, travel-sized assortment from the Radiance Collection. I love Burt’s Bees for its affordable price points and commitment to natural ingredients, and the Radiance Collection had a glowing, smoothing effect on my skin. Here’s one of the full size products that you should definitely check out!

It’s the Radiance Exfoliating Body Bar, my favorite addition to my shower as of late. It’s 100% natural and actually gentle as it exfoliates, so it doesn’t feel like gritty sandpaper on your skin. Simply rub on your wet skin as you’re showering, and the body bar does all the work as it smooths your skin. Plus, it’s only $4 – so indulge away!

I’ve been obsessing over this Slouchy Dress with Stitches by FIN since this past fall. I got a sneak peek at the spring collection months and months ago, and bookmarked it to write about when the weather was warmer. Well, I think it’s finally time.

First, this dress is totally eco.  FIN has carbon-neutal production and uses organic cotton, which is not only sustainable but also soft.  I love the light and breezy nature of this dress; the skirt is begging to be twirled.  The ties at the neckline give it some sweetness, too.  I love that you could throw on heels and wear this to work, yet also wear it with flat thong sandals and go to the park for a picnic. I want it!

This dress is available at various online retailers including sundaybrunchdress.com, junoandjove.com and equita.com.

For someone with dry skin, the transition between the seasons can be tough. My skin is dry and becomes super sensitive, especially in Chicago, when it can be 60 degrees one spring day and 30 the next. Fortunately, I’ve discovered a great product made of natural ingredients–California Baby’s Calendula Cream.

I’ve been using the Calendula Cream on problem areas, like my exceedingly rough elbows and the random dry spots on my skin that have popped up through the winter. I’m impressed with California Baby, because they are devoted to natural product gentle enough for babies and your whole family. Yet, these products are still absolutely effective. After a few days of applying, my elbows have noticeably softened and my dry spots are gone! The cream has a nice consistency and the smell is really aromatic. Now my skin is ready for the spring and summer. See the entire line of California Baby products at californiababy.com.