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Above is a photo from our recent vacation in Sedona, Arizona. There is a place called Buddha Beach where you can witness in awe thousands of stacked rock sculptures near a Vortex site at the Red Rock Crossing in Sedona. It was amazing! I love Sedona!
Thai Spiced Tea. Ginger Lemongrass. Kaffir Lime Rosemary. Lavendar Lotus Blossom. Cilantro Mint. Papaya Ginger. Mangosteen White Tea Bergamot. So many glorious scents, how does one choose? I recently had the honor of trying several of these luxurious Asian inspired organic soaps by Unearth Malee. Made with all Organic Olive Oil, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter, let's just say that I didn't want to get out of the bath tub - the scents and suds were divine!
Marie Pechkam is the founder of Unearth Malee and her Thai American background sets the tone for an amazing variety of organic soaps, lotion bars, soy candles, bath teas, and essential oil diffusers. The packaging is also eco-friendly, made with flower seeded paper that you can plant later. "Malee” in Thai refers to a jasmine flower. It is also a name passed down three generations in Marie’s family. We are very fortunate that Marie has created Unearth Malee! Now we can also experience the savory essence of Thai herbs and spices that she grew up with on a daily basis!
Also, if you are having an Asian inspired wedding or event and being organic and eco-friendly is important to you, why not honor your guests with these wonderful soaps that can be customized as favors! Love it!
I love this photo that was featured in today's enewsletter from Future Natural, an organic and natural beauty product shop! Makes me miss my long hair =)
A must for the global bride and her bridesmaids! These Tatcha Japanese Blotting papers are made with abaca leaf fiber and contain no powder or fragrance. So beautifully packaged, these would make great bridal party gifts too!
I'm enchanted by the idea of "Lotus Bambou" organic perfume! I wish you could smell through the internet! Check out this perfume and other wonderful scents by Acorelle at the Nimli Eco Boutique.
"A daily bathing ceremony is one of life's simplest luxuries. It is a chance to prepare yourself for the day ahead or reflect on the day just gone."
Experience the beauty and calm of Abahna, a most splendid bath, body and fragrance line from the UK. Abahna borrows its name from "nahana," Urdu for "to take a bath," as well as the Russion "banya," and Portuguese, "banho." If only we could smell through the internet! The packaging and gift sets are simply gorgeous!
I was cruising the global gift scene today at World Market and came across these beautifully packaged "After Dinner" soaps made in Portugal by Castebel. They smelled lovely and would be great stocking stuffers! I really adore the poached pear, cranberry and gingerbread color & scent combos. *Tip for Event Designers - I just discovered that there is a "Decorator Discount" at World Market! Present your business license or "decorator" business card and receive 10% off!
"fatal attraction to cuteness"
I've always loved Gwen Stefani, her L.A.M.B. danders and her Harajuku Lovers line. I own a couple of hoodies and funky bags but just now I was flipping channels and landed on the Home Shopping Network... I was reminded of the new HL perfume and the cute as heck collectible doll dispenser... You pull off the doll to reveal the sprayer and when your fragrance is all gone, you have a darling little doll to hang on to. Each fragrance is named after Gwen and her girls... Love, Music, Angel, Baby and of course G for Gwen. Buy them at Sephora.
I'm drooling over of these gorgeous handcrafted charm necklaces by Ornamental Things. Courtesy of Earth Friendly Weddings (30% off with code FOURYEARS)
These beautiful hairpins are called Tsumami-kanzashi (tsumami means the act of pinching) and they are handmade from tiny squares of thin silk called 'habutae.' These hairpin designs usually resemble filigree flowers or butterflies and the history of this craftwork dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867). Today they are only worn in Japan on special occasions however, artist Yonuko is reviving the craft with her modern style tsumami-kanzashi made from old kimono fabrics. Read more about this artist and her beautiful creations here! Watch some demos on YouTube here! Buy some similar hairpins here!
When I was small, my mom always had Vick's vapor rub (and the inhaler) for me and my bro when we had stuffy noses or a chest cold. But now, I swear by these Aromatherapy Inhalers by Earth Solutions! I picked up the Stress Less and Appetite Control inhalers at the Herbalist in Seattle before one of my big presentations in New York awhile back. I needed something to calm my nerves and control my bad habit of eating when I'm stressed. It really made me feel comforted. Plus, who could resist the uplifting illustrations reminiscent of the worldly Putumayo Compilations? Now I have them by my computer when I'm working and I regularly indulge a sniff every hour or so. Also, there is a helpful affirmation that you can reflect upon when you inhale. Stress Less: “As I breathe in lavender, sandalwood, patchouli and bergamot, I feel calm, cool and collected.” Appetite Control “As I breathe in lemon, orange, bergamot, sandalwood and ylang ylang I feel greater control over my appetite.” Next on my wish list is the Crown Chakra Aromatherapy Pendant Set!
I have long been inspired by Aviva Stanoff and her amazing body of work since I discovered her Brooklyn design studio many years ago. (Check out my eco-luxe color & trend board). Aviva embodies the union of her Japanese heritage and the modern metropolis lifestyle.
"From her North Hollywood roots in 1970’s bohemian California to tending to the flowers surrounding her grandfather’s Buddhist temple in Okayama, Japan, Aviva Stanoff represents a cultural tapestry...She finds inspiration in the subtle palette of nature, the deliberate minimalism of tradition, and the city sunset seen every night from her design studio window. She translates these inspirations into pattern, color, and beautiful environments."
With roots in the fashion textiles industry, the Aviva Stanoff collection is known for its high end, heirloom quality pillows and soft goods that are hand-dyed, etched, and painted one at a time in her Brooklyn studio by skilled artisans. Real foliage is used to create the prints you see and with a special technique these elements are embossed into plush velvet leaving the texture and essence of nature for you to enjoy. For more inspiration, check out this video and watch Aviva explain how she creates her work. I guarantee it will awe and inspire!
I recently discovered a new wedding and design inspired blog called You Love Me and It's Heavenly, by Carlene, a fellow Filipina graphics gal and bride to be. Above are two of her heavenly illustrations! If you're wedding bound, this blog is a must read!
I hope you all enjoy spending time with the women that have shaped your lives! Many peace and blessings to the women of the world. May you continue to shine your light and your love!
Featured Event Theme: Coral Fixation via ThirteenMinutes Magazine
This post is inspired by an amazing fashion spread I saw in ThirteenMinutes, an avant garde Asian American magazine. I just love this sleek and modern take on the traditional "Seaside" theme. Coral is fascinating with it's varying textures and dynamic forms. Hair styling by Philippe Paschkes, photography by Richard Warren, and makeup by Viktorija Bowers. Seashell takeout favor idea by Pink Pearls, rare black coral ring by Art Deco Rings, modern seashore tablescape by Rebecca Thuss, and coral sea shell arrangement by Zofia Design.
Carol's Daughter is an amazing hair and beauty product line with roots in Brooklyn and an awesome story of dedication and entrepreneurship (read her memoir! Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found my Passion). In the mid 90s, the Tui Hair Oil was given to me by a friend in Brooklyn (Guava, mango and passionfruit ~ smells so good!). At that time all of the products were handmade and packaged in the kitchen of Carol's Daughter, Lisa Price, and you could only get it at a small shop in Brooklyn. Now, Carol's Daughter has an amazing Body Shop-like store in Harlem on 125th St., many locations nationwide and celebrity support from the likes of Mary J. Blige and Jada Pinkett Smith. I highly recommend all of the gift sets available and promise that your mom and you with both enjoy the tantalizing scents and luxurious butters!
Here Comes The Bride! This gold dipped lotus flower necklace by Dogeared is the sweetest and most sentimental bridal shower gift I have ever come across! The simple act of making a wish and marking it with a heartfelt jewel is such an endearing act of intention. Your wishes are bound to come true! Thoughts and words are powerful when spoken aloud and focused upon in the material world. Check out the great selection of sentimental thoughts and jewel gifts available at Dogeared.
If you've ever been to an Aveda Concept Salon or an Aveda Retail Store you'll know why I love Aveda. The Aveda approach to beauty, wellness, aromatherapy & ecology is so inspiring. When you go into a retail store you are offered hot tea and a complimentary hand massage. When you have a styling appointment at the salon you receive a scalp and neck massage with essential oils before your service, and a hand/arm massage while your hair is being shampooed/ conditioned. Aveda's environmental mission is displayed everywhere and even the stylists and sales staff are excited to talk about the environment while showing you the latest things in hair and makeup.
I personally love Aveda's fragrance and makeup lines (especially the Uruku Lip Color Line.) The makeup products are stylish, simple, sustainable, great smelling, great tasting, and beautifully packaged.
This goes for all of Aveda's products and services! Aveda also has a really cool Pure Privilege program where you can rack up points to score really cool green products and service. I'm saving my points up for the Destination Spa Stay in Jamaica. I had the chance to work with Aveda in a third party kind of way when I designed last year's Earth Month collateral for the Columbia Riverkeeper, Aveda's 2007 west coast environmental partner. Recently, after Christmas while redeeming some gift cards, I found out that Aveda is now 100% Wind Powered! Another reason to love Aveda! The company has funded wind turbines that generate enough wind energy to offset 100% of the electricity used by Aveda's primary manufacturing facility in Minnesota. The best part about this wind power push is Aveda's super couture looking ad campaign! I just love the juxtaposition of beauty, style and environmental concern! Beauty is as Beauty does. I love it!
I made some sustainable Holiday gifts this year that I would love to share with you! These gifts went out to the dear ladies in my life. Here's the scoop: {1} Sustainable Kiri wood boxes wrapped with colorful scrap paper, ribbon and a mini ornament bauble. (The boxes were an awesome score at Daiso, a Japanese "dollar" store) {2} My signature Lotus TeaBowl™ EcoSoya Candle with the scent of Citrus Basil and a beautiful carved wooden stand {3} Mini Silk sachets made with reclaimed fabric (last year's table runner) or kimono scraps and filled with scented buckwheat hulls. {4} Silk Eye Pillow made with reclaimed silk (last year's Thanksgiving fabric decor) and filled with buckwheat hulls, flax seeds and organic Lavender essential oil. The buckwheat hulls were leftover from my Thanksgiving floral decor this year. For the packaging I wrapped coordinating scrap paper and tied it with raffia. These gifts were all very easy to make and I had a meditative and aromatic time creating them! Click here for more info on how to make your own buckwheat sachets and eye pillows. Enjoy!
Beautifully packaged in a fabric box, Saffron James is an aromatic new line of perfumes based on the gorgeous smelling flowers of Hawaii! Treat yourself to this perfume along with this one!
Tsi-La Organics is my new favorite perfumery! If only you could smell through the internet! "Bewitching blossoms, exotic spices and precious woods are steeped in beauty and seduction, leaving an alluring and addictive trail..." The Eau Du Parfum Collection features 4 perfumes in a base of coconut oil infused with the botanical extracts of pink orchids. Packaged in beautifully decorated cubic glass bottles and their signature black lotus box, I'm definitely putting these on my wishlist!
Kelly Hoppen: Kelly Hoppen Style: The Golden Rules of Design
Kelly Hoppen: East Meets West: Global Design for Contemporary Interiors
Colin Cowie: Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: 1,001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration
Cindy Ng: Girligami: A Fresh, Fun, Fashionable Spin on Origami
Robyn Griggs Lawrence: The Wabi-Sabi House: The Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty
Thich Nhat Hanh: Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
Maureen Whitehouse: Soul-Full Eating: A (Delicious!) Path to Higher Consciousness
David Kundtz: Quiet Mind: One-Minute Retreats from a Busy World
Michelle Cornell: Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging for Today's Interior
Sakul Intakul: Tropical Colors: Art of Living With Tropical Flowers
