❤ A Few of My Favorite Things ❤

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens......... No offense to Julie Andrews but kettles and mittens? Really? When there is a world of shoes and lipstick and puppies out there? All Sound of Music references aside (although when I was little I did want to be just like Maria- 16 going on 17) here is a list of a few of my favorites....... some beauty related & some not!

❤ Cookbooks- There is nothing more relaxing for me than flipping through a beautiful cookbook looking at the pictures, planning meals and reading through the descriptions.  A personal favorite is Peas and Thank You, a new vegan cookbook by Sarah Matheny.  This one is so funny, it honestly reads like a novel.  I am ashamed to admit that I have cuddled up in bed with it on more than one occasion. My husband was watching Anderson Cooper and CNBC and there I am reading about how to bake eggless scones.  Now who doesn't have their priorities straight?  Other favorites include: Babycakes (vegan desserts), The complete Italian Vegetarian Cookbook by Jack Bishop, Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and anything by Martha Stewart.  No one can style food or flowers or anything like her people: Gorgeous!!

❤ Blogs- I am an information sponge and particularly love anything useful, funny or well-written.  These blogs are all of those things:

www.getposhtopush.blogspot.com. My gorgeous super-mom pal MrsKatherineA makes caring for four kids six and under look easy and glamorous, all while chasing them in 4 1/2" Louboutins- seriously Donna Reed has nothing on this girl.  She has a based of knowledge and a skill with writing that makes even non-mommies want to read.

www.peasandthankyou.com- What can I say, I can't get enough of Sarah, her fantastic recipes and her wry witty writing. Take that freshman year lit instructor, how you like that assonance? Veggie or not- you'll love this one too.

www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com- Um, healthy (vegan) desserts that even the most discriminating sugar queens will love. Need I say more? All yummy, all of the time delivered by a seriously sweet chef! No I am not completely vegan, but when I can avoid animal products deliciously I will!  Try the chocolate chip cookie pie- it is seriously surprising and delicious.

others include: www.ecostilleto.com, theglamorganicgoddess.blogspot.com, www.thekindlife.com, aspiringkennedy.com, beautyaunatural.com and www.theppk.com

❤ Crest Toothpaste- Surprised? Yes, I tried all of the hippie toothpastes and honestly? They just don't work for me.  My teeth felt like they were wearing little sweaters all of the time even when used with my beloved Sonicare toothbrush.  After a particularly uncomfortable dental cleaning after a three month bout with "natural" toothpaste, my dental hygienist (who I learned is a chemical-phobe like me) pointed out that it is pretty pointless to use inferior performing toothpastes at the risk of getting cavities and needing fillings which use far nastier ingredients than even Proctor & Gamble could come up with. Hmmmm........ she's got a great point- so I reunited myself with my former flame, Mr. Crest and we've been together ever since.  My sweater-free teeth are grateful to you smart tooth lady.

❤Zumba- My favorite class at the gym, it makes me hop out of bed in the morning to go work out- how great is that? Ours is more hip-hop style- yeah white girls can ('t) dance, but we have a whole lot of fun looking that stupid. Shake it girls!

❤ Bubble and Bee- Anything and everything from their line, you just can't go wrong.  A favorite is their deliciously-scented body butters. Plus you can make your own "signature" body spray for like $15. www.bubbleandbee.com

❤ Natural Joy Beauty- This online store is a joy, at as is the owner and store's namesake.  All items are prescreened and Joy is a pleasure to talk to- she's one knowledgeable lady.  They have a great selection and frequent coupons, so get on their mailing list! www.naturaljoybeauty.com

❤ Asics Gel Kayano Running Shoes- I'm on my 8th pair of these lovelies, and I hope they never change them.  They are actually leather-free, but even if they weren't I don't think I could give them up.  A new pair always makes me run faster and they go on sale for $109 at Nordstrom every summer and at Dick's Sporting Goods at Christmas time.  I'm all dialed in.  Expensive, but totally worth it, plus I gotta do something to work off those marshmallows and cookie pie.  This is just my favorite way to do it.

❤ Primitive Lipstick- Hands down the best "natural" option I've tried.  It has a small but beautiful palette, great staying power and I think every shade is wearable and smells deliciously of vanilla.

Left: Scarlett, Right: Chloe

❤ My Two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels- Chloe and Scarlett, two of the cutest little beings to ever inhabit this crazy world of ours. All heart and soul and sweet faces, I cannot resist a Cavalier. Could you?

❤ Agape & Zoe Sugared Crush Perfume Spray-  the answer to my perfume withdrawals. I love this syrupy scent.  Sorry that my olfactory scent leans to the sugary side, but I just can't get into grown up smells- though I like to layer this with some of my more "mature" natural scents. Give 'em a little youth boost.  Like Pink Sugar or Philosophy's Falling in Love? You'll probably like this one too, and it's inexpensive at $29.  Agape's Repose- a vanilla & lavender scent is also a favorite.  Both have surprisingly decent staying power for a natural scent. www.agapeandzoe.com

❤ A Good Mani/pedi- Acquarella and Scotch Naturals is good for pedis, not so good for manis acrylates copolymer" is not a single ingredient, but comprised of a bunch of things.  Still, they are better than most.  There are several three-free brands like Priti, No Miss, Zoya and Butter of London.  All have a fantastic color-filled line, and are still a little better than old-fashioned formulations.  Even OPI is three free now.  Sometimes we just have to do the best we can with the options we have, so just apply outside or near an open window.  We have to pick and choose things that we can give up- I can give up meat and a suntan but I need my waterproof mascara and manicures- life's about balance people.

❤ Lululemon Workout Gear- Pants, Hoodies, Tanks, Yoga Mats- Heck, I love everything from that darn store.  Maybe you think they are overrated, over-worn or overpriced? I may or may not be able to argue those points, as I am surrounded by a sea of fellow addicts each time I step foot into the gym.  A phenomena that culminates in making me feel a little like part of a suburban Stepford posse of highlighted haired (them, not me) femme-bots.  I can however assure you of one thing....Though $98, it is well known that their workout pants give a boost to your rear view (for fun just google lulu butt).  And being told you have said damn fine ass?  That my dear, is priceless :o).  In all seriousness......Their stuff lasts like 5 years and it has cute femme detailing.  Any lascivious comments aside, the best workout gear out there, since feeling a little cuter automatically makes you feel a little better at getting your own fine hind to the gym.

❤ Sweet and Sara's Vegan Coconut Marshmallows- Vegetarian marshmallows you say? Even yummier than the originals I promise you! One of the hardest things for me when going veggie was giving up the beloved summer time snack: s'mores.  Now I don't have to, since these are completely gelatin free. www.sweetandsara.com

❤ A great novel- In particular any book by Sara Addison Allen- I love her mix of whimsy, magic and innocence that she weaves into each story.  The Girl Who Chased the Moon and Gardenspells are personal favorites.  Curl up with one on a rainy afternoon, with the aforementioned marshmallows and freshly painted toes.........and you have yourself a fine little mental mini vacation.

Happy Wednesday!
❤ Eco Belle Elle

❤ Get in the Glow! ❤

I have never been really into body moisturizers.  Although for some unknown reason I loved to buy them then proceed store them under my bathroom sink indefinitely.  I have gone through short phases where I used them regularly, as I distinctly remember a Bath and Body Works Juniper Breeze stage in my teens and then later a little obsession with Nivea self tanning daily lotion.  If I remember correctly, "Juniper Breeze" smelled nothing like juniper (which is a stinky eucalyptus-like bush) nor of breezes, but more like a bizarre chemicalized sweetness untraceable to any natural compound, but I loved it back then.

Anyhow, with the exception of these little lotion excursions I have never consistently moisturized anything other than my face.  I always felt sticky and somehow "humid" after using body lotion so I tended to avoid it.  I especially hated the post-shower-lotion-dressing sequence that would have me stripping back down to towel off the offending muck before redressing in an alternative outfit that was less sticky.  I'm sorry, but I'm very tactile, I have no other way to describe it. A fold, or uneven seam in my sock would set off a gargantuan fit when my mom would put my shoes on, even at age two.  (Sorry mom, and thank you for always fixing my offending socks even though I made you late for work- love that about you)  Anyway! Back to my point- I hated lotion, but I love the sleek, shiny shins and shoulders look that a great moisturizing routine imparts.  Also, my skin can get really dry in the winter time.  And dry skin is not pretty or girly, and I aim to be both, so these days you will find me happily lubing up my epidermis with something a little more natural than Lubriderm. What's nice about options that are based on natural ingredients is that they lack things like silicone an dimethicone.  So you end up way less sticky and of course, healthier in the process.

Now let's talk about my faves.........

❤ Spectrum Organic Coconut Oil- Surprised? Seriously, this stuff is the best and I cannot get enough. You can do everything from baking cookies with it to using it to remove waterproof mascara (hey- I know waterproof mascara is not healthy but for goodness sakes I live in Seattle! I cannot run around looking like a goth suburbanite, so give me a li'l break).  I also use it to moisturize my face, lips and as an overnight treatment for my hair.  I even use it to add a little shine and polish to my lips, cheekbones, collarbones and shins.  All in all this stuff is fantastic, AND I get to smell like a giant coconut macaroon. Which, by the way is probably my most favorite cookie on the planet, especially when it's dunked in dark chocolate, yum! It's also under $10 for a giant container, you can buy it anywhere and has absolutely nothing in it besides coconut oil.  I even had a little nibble of it 'cause it smelled so good, and you know what, it tastes yummy too! (For some delish (vegan) recipes featuring coconut oil check out the Babycakes cookbook from the super famous NYC bakery- it's a favorite of mine)

❤ Mother's Special Blend Toning Oil- A beautifully moisturizing body oil that my very lovely longtime friend MrsKatherineA over at the www.getposhtopush.blogspot.com turned me on to.  Not just for mommies my friends, it's great for babies and grannys and everyone in between.  It soaks in and plumps your skin all while smelling nutty and naturally delicious.  Great to use damp right out of the shower too! Find it at your natural grocery store for about $15, no need to order it online. My brother tried to steal my bottle when we were visiting family in Texas and I had to lay the smack down.  He has always been one for secretly pilfering my beauty items.  Boys: just man up and buy your own! Who cares if it has a pregnant lady on the label? ;o) www.mothersspecialblend.com

❤ Bubble and Bee Body Butta- Yum! This stuff is like deliciously fluffy and sweet frosting.  It is all organic and scented with organic flavor oils.  You could seriously eat it, it's so pure-although I think you would have to log some serious miles on the treadmill to work off those calories.  Laugh if you must, but edibility is something I look for in lotions these days, think about it: you are pretty much coating yourself from head to toe, so really you want it to be something you would put in as well as on your body.  This stuff fits the bill and it comes in super yummy scents like raspberry vanilla and coconut lime.  They also just came out with a sugar and spice one for fall that I NEED to get my hands on. You all know I love Bubble and Bee and I think the proprietor Stephanie is great. She honestly cares about each product she creates, and so I love to support her efforts. Find it at www.bubbleandbee.com for $16/4 oz or $24/ 8 oz- but don't kid yourself- you need the 8 oz since this stuff is a little addictive.

❤ Wild Carrot Herbals Lord My Hands Are So Dry!- This is the cleanest "real" lotion I could find.  Why do I worry about cleanliness in real lotions? Because lotions have water, and items with water need have to have preservatives in them to avoid nasty bacterial growth. Ew- something to avoid right? I don't want it in my food and I don't want it on my body.  But potassium sorbate is the preservative used by Wild Carrot, and it is the only preservative allowed to be used in organic products.  So I figure it is the best of what's out there. This company is local for me, being made right next door in Oregon.  It has a naturally sweet, slightly spicy vanilla scent, and feels very moisturizing and not sticky.  I love that it is in a amber glass pump bottle that's pretty enough to keep on my bedside table.  That way I can lotion my dry little hands before bed all the while saying "Lord, my hands are so dry," as if He has nothing bigger to deal with, Ha!  It's about $16 for an 8 ounce bottle and for a lotion has some very nice ingredients including some organic oils and nut butters.  Find it at your local health food store or: www.wildcarrotherbals.com/. They also have a luminous lotion with a little shimmer in it, in case you're into that sort of thing for summer.  I know I am!

❤ Another DIY favorite that I should mention is to take a hunk of coconut butter and a little jojoba oil and even beeswax if you have it, and microwave or melt in a double boiler all of it until liquid and mixed together.  Then, let them set back up in the fridge or on the countertop overnight to make a naturally chocolate scented lotion cake. They sell these in Lush for like $15 filled with a bunch of extra toxic junk that you don't need or want.  Coconut butter is not inexpensive, but you can buy it in bulk over at Amazon or sometimes at health food stores. You can even use soap or candy molds to make pretty lotion bars to give as gifts or just for yourself. I love how quick and easy this is to use, and the fact that it's calorie-free chocolate.  Girls, you gotta love that- don't say I never gave you anything!


So there you are- a little tour of my supply.  Remember when looking for some of the best beauty solutions, sometimes we don't need to look any further than our pantries or refrigerators to find cheap and simple solutions just like our Granny's Granny used to use.  Avoiding chemical nasties = good for you and good for our environment. Also, never ignore the fact that what you are putting into your body is showing up on the outside.  You can't expect to have great results with any beauty regimen without getting enough veggies, water, sunscreen, sleep and vitamins. Also, don't ignore those omegas for gorgeous skin and hair, even vegetarians can get the good stuff now: NutraVege is a superior vegan source of Omegas www.ascentahealth.com/products/human/nutravege-200-ml.

Your skin as well as your entire body will thank you, believe me!

❤ Eco Belle Elle