Juice Beauty ColorCare makeup line

I just started wearing the Perfecting Foundation (when I'm not wearing their SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer) daily and it is fabulous. Here's the full line that has launched so far (blush and lips just came out and eye makeup to come in September).

Correcting Concealer, Perfecting Foundation, Refining Finishing Powder, and a Blemish Clearing Powder.

Blemish Clearing Powder-($29) treatment powder meant to calm inflammation, clear blemishes, and reduce future breakouts. Contains minerals, aloe, and bamboo powder which all having soothing elements to them.

Correcting Concealer- ($18) Aloe and fruit extracts correct skin imperfections, while minerals create a beautiful finish. Available in 2 colors: Ivory and Sand.

Refining Finishing Powder- ($22) Gives a light-feeling matte finish to complete any makeup look. Can be worn on its own or over foundation. Available in 3 colors: Ivory, Sand, and Tan.

Perfecting Foundation- ($35) Uses fruit extracts and minerals to balance skin and correct imperfections. Has a cream-to-powder finish to give an airbrushed-type feelings to the skin. Available in 3 colors: Ivory, Sand, and Tan.

All product is available on the Juice Beauty website.

Books I am Reading Now

"The Impressionist Paris" by Ellen Williams A must read for anyone who loves art and is traveling to Paris.

"The Blessings of a Skinned Knee" by Wendy Mogel, PH.D Great book for any parent.

"Life's Too Short to Fold Wrinkled Sheets" by Lisa Quinn. For mothers trying find "balance" (ha ha) in their lives. Stay at home moms, working full time, part-time working moms and especially for women who own and run their own companies will welcome this funny book with tips and tricks to get your house and life in order without being so stressed out.

Organics to Clear Skin: Juice Beauty launches Clear Skin Kit

I've been using the Juice Beauty's Green Apple Peel for 5 years and it is a must have staple for any women fighting aging, acne or both. Juice Beauty is launching a special Clear Skin kit to help their customers fight acne with non-harsh, organic ingredients. Click on the link below to watch the infomercial featuring Jennifer Siebal Newsom.

Organics to Clear Skin

Slow: Life in a Tuscan Town

The long awaited “SLOW: Life in a Tuscan Town” will be released on September 22, 2009. This book has been long in the making, over 5 years. With photos and text by Douglas Gayeton, Preface by Carlo Petrini and Introduction by Alice Waters, you are immediately transformed into the sensual world of food as seen through the lives of the people of Tuscany. SLOW is an unprecedented photographic personal journey into the heart of hidden Tuscany that celebrates the principles that define the Slow Food movement and pays tribute to the region’s kaleidoscope of vibrant characters, whose shared culture revolves around the everyday pleasure of growing, preparing, and eating food. Click here for a peak inside the book. You can pre-order it through Amazon.com

Back to School - PVC Free Style

It's that time again....getting ready for Back to School. Here's a great article I found from the people over at care2.com:
Parents across the country are stocking up on the latest binders and lunchboxes over the next few weeks. But while it’s easy to know the healthiest foods to pack in those lunchboxes, many parents are not aware of the toxic plastic used to make them. In fact, the average child’s character-themed backpack is filled with supplies and materials made from one of the most toxic plastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl). That’s why we at the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) have released our 2nd annual Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies to help you make healthy shopping choices that are safer for your kids, your community and the environment. More>>

EcoMom Alliance Green Goods Back to School Shopping

EcoMom Green Goods Back to School Shopping
One Day Sale and Fundraiser Hosted By Stretch the Imagination

Saturday, August 15^th
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Stretch the Imagination
47 A Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera, CA 94925

All products and companies are environmentally friendly and promote sustainable manufacturing practices and goods. From backpacks to clothes, school supplies and even products for around the home, and some that are just for mom, shoppers will enjoy selections from upcoming collections and discounts on past season items. To learn more and preview stores, please visit the shop section at www.ecomomalliance.org or call 415 271-9603.

Meet Badger - Now at Saffron Rouge

Based in New Hampshire, Badger’s recipes are based on traditional New England remedies. Made with fresh, whole ingredients such as exotic butters, herbal extracts and pure essential oils, every balm and body care product is powerfully concentrated to heal and nourish.

Badger’s prices are so affordable, you can use them every day without draining your bank account. But what makes Badger truly great is that despite the low prices, the brand never resorts to low quality or impure ingredients. In fact, all of Badger’s lip and body balms are USDA Certified Organic, and every product contains a high level of certified organic ingredients.

Square One Vodka Cucumber

As Summer approaches, I look to replace a glass of wine for something extra refreshing. This summer, I found just the right cocktail using the recently launched Square One Vodka Cucumber. Smooth and always 100% organic, this spirit is the perfect treat for a hot summer day. Here's a great recipe from the Square One site:

Cucumber Spajito

2 oz. Square One Cucumber

1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

1/2 oz. organic agave nectar

6 sprigs of fresh mint

Club soda or sparkling water

Ice

2-3 long, thin strips of cucumber slices

Layer cucumber slices and a couple of mint leaves with ice in a Collins glass. Muddle remaining mint lightly in a mixing glass or cocktail tin. Do not over bruise. Pour other ingredients in and shake briefly with a little ice just to blend. Strain into Collins glass and fill to desired level with soda water and stir briefly. Garnish with the remaining sprig of mint.

Larkspur, CA based Green Beans Coffee - Great coffee for a great cause!

I heard about this company years ago and finally had the time to investigate it. What a great idea! Green Beans Coffee serves military personnel in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Qatar, Djibouti, Africa and domestically at military bases across North America. The company has not only grown in locations, but also in its mission to support our men and women in uniform. You can order coffee, tea and other merchandise online or just donate as little as $2 for a "Cup of Joe" for one soldier. Either way, one or more soldiers will benefit from your generosity!

No More Dull Razor Blades

If you are tired of spending the money to buy blades for your razor or to buy disposable razors, look no more. Razor Mate offers a simple, efficient way to keep your razor blades sharp. Using a magnetic draw to remove the small contours in your blade, it keeps it sharp week after week. By simply placing your razor on the Razor Mate and letting the electro-magnetic pull go to work, your average blade life will increase by up to twenty times, keeping it straight and irritation free! You can save up to $120 per year in razor blades. For more information or to purchase, click here.

Marin Kids Consignment Moves To A New Location!

Now you don't have to wait for those bi-weekly sales events. You can now shop 5 days a week, Wed-Sunday from 10am - 6pm at their new location at 814 W. Francisco Blvd., in San Rafael (near Rafael Floors). With children's clothes and shoes from newborn to size 6, maternity clothes, strollers, slings and designer diaper bags there is something for every child and expecting mother! There's a nice play area to occupy your children while you shop. For more information on consigning and the store, click here.

Clorox Cleaners Takes a Bite Out of the Green Market

www.sfgate.com 10/12/08: Last winter, the Clorox Co. gambled that its famous name would translate well from the world of bleach into the world of environmentally friendly cleaning products. So far, that bet is looking like a winner. Just eight months after its introduction, Clorox's Green Works line is on track to generate first-year sales of well over $40 million. It's already outselling all other brands in the green cleaning products niche.And perhaps most significantly, Green Works seems to be luring customers away from traditional cleaning products rather than from green rivals - expanding the overall market for green cleaners. For the full article, click here.

Flour Chylde - Novato's Organic Bakery

Whenever I need my Parisienne croissant fix, I stop into Flour Chylde for a divine ham and cheese croissant, which, more often than not, is still hot from the oven. If you have ever eaten croissants in Paris, you will appreciate this post. I used to get my fix at Absinthe restaurant in San Francisco. Up until recently, they were the only ones in the Bay Area who could duplicate the intricate butter filled layers you get with a Parisienne croissant. But now I get my fix at Flour Chylde in Novato. Having sold their fabulous cakes, cookies and breads at the Farmer's Markets for years, the owners opened their doors to a permanent location in downtown Novato in 2006. All their products are made with organic ingredients and there are even some gluten-free and dairy-free choices. So even if you do not live in the North Bay, but travel up and down Hwy 101 on a regular basis, I highly recommend stopping by for lunch or a sweet treat.

Math Doesn't Suck

So this post has nothing to do with being "green", but everything to do with life. I always loved the challenge of math and algebra, but it was a "challenge" for me in school (funny how I work in finance full-time!). Anyway, I recently heard Danica McKellar interviewed on KFOG and was really drawn in by her approach for this book as well as the way the material is presented. Parents may not like the title. But guess what, it's not written for them, it was written for the students. So if your child wants to improve their math skills, then get the book and jump right in. However, if your child is indifferent to doing better, then get the book and put it on the family room coffee table next to your magazines. When you're not looking they will pick it up and start reading it.

Winnie from the Wonder Years has certainly grown up. As a summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in Mathematics, Danica has been honored in Britain's esteemed Journal of Physics and by the New York Times for her work in mathematics. In MATH DOESN'T SUCK, she is your child's personal tutor and coach. Even the most frustrated student will finally "get" fractions, decimals, rates, ratios, proportions, "solving for x," and more — the very concepts that, if not fully understood in middle school, have been proven to cause continued problems throughout high school and beyond. Each chapter also features:

• Easy to follow, step-by-step instruction
• Time-saving tips and tricks for homework and tests
• Illuminating practice problems with detailed solutions
• Real-world examples—from how understanding percents can make you a savvier shopper to how understanding proportions can make you a better chef!

For more info on the book and where to buy it, click here. If your child did ok with math, but is now struggling with Algebra, click here for info on "Kiss My Math", also by Danica.

29 Cosmetics Unveils 29 Preserves at Neiman Marcus

Get a chance to preview 29 Preserves, the grape seed extract age protecting skin care collection which is all natural, organic and paraben free. This is the second line created by 29 Cosmetics founder Lydia Mondavi. Launch dates are as follows:

~ September 5th - September 7th* New Store Launch, Topanga, California Neiman Marcus (*29's National Esthetician available for facial appointments)
~ September 9th – Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale, Arizona
~ September 10th - Neiman Marcus, San Francisco, California
~ September 12th - Neiman Marcus, Atlanta, Georgia
~ September 27th - Neiman Marcus, Newport Beach, California

Spaces are already filling up, call or email today and book your appointment. Please call 888-415-2929, or email to info@29cosmetics.com

Still Looking For That Perfect Eco-Friendly Back-to-School Bag?

Mike Chino of Inhabitat.com has put together some incredible choices. Click here for details of what they are and where to buy.

National Geographic's Green Guide Goes Online!

Now you can get all the great tips, updates and news from this quarterly magazine online! This Fall's edition features articles on saving energy, changing schools, water filers, carpet, cars and so much more! Click here for full access.

YOGA MADE SIMPLE

I love yoga. However, I never seen to find time to get to a yoga class. I bought some dvds, but they get old after the 50th time. The solution? A membership with Monthly Yoga DVD.

When you subscribe to MonthlyYogaDVD.com's video classes you can log on and watch the classes right here on MonthlyYogaDVD.com. Or you can download a podcast to your desktop and watch it when you’re ready. It’s simple: $16 a month or $160 a year. While the number of classes you may view online is unlimited, podcasts are limited to one download per month.

Think of the money you will save by not having to drive anywhere to catch a class. Plus, you can do this in the privacy of your own home instead of a smelly yoga room!

Peet's Coffee & Tea Awarded LEED(R) Gold Certification for Coffee Roasting Facility in Alameda

ALAMEDA, Calif., July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Peet's Coffee & Tea, Inc., (Nasdaq: PEET), the premier specialty coffee and tea company in the U.S., today announced that its innovative new artisan roastery has been awarded LEED Gold level status by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Developed by USGBC, LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Peet's Alameda coffee roastery is the first LEED certified coffee roasting facility in the United States and the first LEED Gold certified building in the City of Alameda. Read the Full Story

Suki Sensitive Cleansing Bar

Made with lemongrass and shea butter. Plus, get a velvet moisturizing cream at a special price of $25. 4oz. bar is $10.95. Enter code lemongrass at check out. Offer good through August 15th.