Eco-Style Life Beau Monde

Fav Quote Friday | Body and Spirit: Do Difficulties Really Make Us Stonger?

2012-03-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

"Adversity

is like a strong wind.
It tears away from us all

but the things that cannot be torn,

so that we see ourselves

as we really are."

~Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha

image: 'sadness' byMetin Demiralay via deviantart

"We must embrace pain

and burn it as fuel for our journey."

~Kenji Miyazawa

“What does not kill me

makes me stronger.”

(“Was mich nicht umbringt macht mich stärker.”)

~Friedrich Nietzsche

Do you believe in this concept? I am not sure
if it is true for every situation, as many challenges

can bring you down completely

or damage you permanently.

But I think it is the spirit within us,
the one that tells us to rise up afterwards,
that most often overtakes us, and gets us through the storms of life.

Once this has happened, we often are left feeling

more empowered, more compassionate,

with a greater sense of who we are
and what we are truly capable of.

Eco-Fashion: "Regeneration and Re-creation" Inspires Issey Miyake's New Eco Origami Line

2012-03-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

Famed Designer Issye Miyake has collaborated with
an in-house team of scientists from Reality Lab to create
an eco line of clothing using origami-style folds in
his groundbreaking "132 5. ISSEY MIYAKE" line.

He is nominated for the 2012 Design of the Year Award
(the "Oscars" of the Fashion World!)

Read more, and see videos with 3-D models
on these breakthrough designs here and

read additional details of the eco-efficiency of the line here.

I think Issey has accomplished his goal of making
"clothes that bring joy and happiness to wearers".

Fav Quote Friday | Lifestyle: Kindness Makes A Joyous Heart

2012-02-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

"The only way to tell the truth is to speak with kindness.

Only the words of a loving man can be heard."
~Henry David Thoreau

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." ~Aesop, from the fable The Lion and the Mouse

Enjoy a beautiful day, full of kindness, tolerance & compassion...

Eco Fashion: Seeing Blue Skies When It Rains

2012-02-21T09:51:00.000-08:00

Seeing Blue Skies When It Rains by stephaniegalela
featuring Beau Monde Organics Alhambra Scarf in Azure

Fav Quote Friday | Simple Pleasures: Take A Moment For Happiness

2012-02-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

"Now & then it's good

to pause in the pursuit of happiness...

and just be happy."

~Guillame Appollinaire

I may have posted this quote before, but I like it much.
Besides, I thought I needed a reminder

to stop and smell the flowers along the way.

Did you need a reminder too?

...breathe deeply
and enjoy!

Simple Pleasures: With Love and Gratitude, Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T00:52:00.000-08:00

"love is all you need."

~John Lennon

"Love does not consist in gazing at each other

but in looking together in the same direction."

~Antoine de St. Exupery

"We come to love not by finding the perfect person,

but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

~Sam Keen

"At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet."

~Plato

Fav Quote Friday | Lifestyle: Working With What You've Got

2012-02-10T00:40:00.000-08:00

"Whatever

the present moment contains,

accept

it as if you had chosen it."

~Eckhart Tolle

Eco Fashion: Amsterdam Amps Up The Eco Factor! via EcoFashionTalk

2012-02-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

Today's post is written by Designer, Author Educator and
current Director of FIT Study Abroad program in Florence, Italy;
the amazing Sass Brown, via her visually striking
and ever-so-informative blog Eco Fashion Talk.

I loved this post because of the inspiring duo

at Dutch design house Studio Jux,
their great scarves of organic cotton & hemp fibers,

and the house's innovative eco design practices!

via EFT...

"Minimalistic Dutch design house, Studio JUX,
winner of the first category at the January 2012
Amsterdam Green Fashion Competition,

is renowned for their use of organic materials as well as their

simple, clean and intriguing styling. The competition-judging panel

was impressed by their thoughtful business plan, as well as their

history of working with sustainable practices...

Playing with bright colors and unexpected shapes, Studio JUX
works with organic cotton and hemp, and is always searching
for innovative, sustainable materials. With a workshop in Nepal, JUX
insures that the collection is produced under fair labor conditions...

Partners Jitske Lundgren and Carlien Helmink
have a varied background, between them,
studying in the UK, Paris and Amsterdam, and

traveling to India and South East Asia.
Now living in Kathmandu, Lundgren
manages a small factory where Studio JUX produces
their collection in partnership with Nepali women...

Working with sustainable materials for items such as
fish leather bags, draped and silky dresses made from wood pulp,
and shrunken, fitted cardigans from seaweed and soy,
Studio JUX searches out unconventional eco friendly materials.

Their minimalist aesthetic is based on the classics with a twist...

...to read this informative article in it's entirety,

please go to EcoFashionTalk

Thanks, Sass!

And to all, keep living well,

always in great eco-style!
Till next time,
stephanie-

Fav Quote Friday | Simple Pleasures: Cocteau Captures The Moment

2012-02-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

The moment

is the only thing that counts.

~Jean Cocteau

Fav Quote Friday | Body and Spirit: Longfellow On Life's Ups and Downs

2012-01-27T14:40:00.000-08:00

"Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;

Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;

Thy fate is the common fate of all,

Into each life some rain must fall..."

~Henry Wadworth Longfellow

from The Rainy Day

In memory of my dear friend Randy Paulos

What things have happened in your life
that made it necessary

for you to remind yourself

that the sun is still shining?

Lifestyle: Looking To Relax? Improve Your Mood? Be More Productive? Crank Up The Tunes!

2012-01-26T00:50:00.000-08:00

New study by Neuropsychiatrist Galina Mindlin supports
what most musicians and music lovers already know-
listening to particular songs on your mp3 player

can make you a more productive,
more calm, more affectionate person.

Galina Mindlin, director of the Brain Music Treatment Center,
and co-authors Don DuRousseau and Joseph Cardillo advise
that repeated listening to carefully selected songs on
an iPod or other device can help train your mind

Who should be doing this?

I think playlists will benefit everybody,
especially people who want to relieve their anxiety,
sharpen memory, increase concentration, improve their mood
or even relieve pain. Also, shift workers can use the playlist after
a sleepless night to increase their alertness when they have to
drive home, or to calm themselves down. We can actually enhance
relationships to switch people from confrontational mode
to understanding. For example, after a disagreement with
his wife, one gentleman played their wedding song.
It instantly brought him into a more sympathetic mood.
How do you tap into that without formal therapy
and figure out what works for you in different scenarios?

It’s very important to choose something you already
like and feel excited about. And then you have to play
and replay the piece and learn that the piece makes you feel
either calmer or more energized. Once you do that and tune into it,
you see the effect on your mood and thinking in a matter of days or weeks.
Read the entire article from Smithsonian Magazine

"The various health benefits of listening to music are as follows:

Reduces stress
Acts as a pain killer
Cardiovascular benefit
Stimulates brain cells
Boosts exercise performance
Boosts immunity
Promotes sound sleep
Helps in spiritual health
Helps in meditation"

Read the article on
The amazing power of music

Do you use music to help you to relax or to concentrate?
Tell me your favorites!

Fav Quote Friday | Body and Spirit: This Ephemeral Life

2012-01-20T10:16:00.000-08:00

"What is life?
It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which
runs across the grass
and loses itself in the sunset."

~Crowfoot, Blackfoot Warrior & Orator, 1830-1890

Images:
Buddhist Monk Sand Mandalas being swept away.
Sand mandalas take many hours of constant, detailed work,
often taking a week or more to complete.
After all that, the piece is destroyed, sweeping away the
sand completely, as if it had never existed.
This is done to symbolize the impermanence of life,
a reminder to avoid material attachments,
to shatter our illusions of permanence
and that the state of life is ever-changing,
and how we need to change along with it
to be harmonious.

In what ways do you adapt to or
remind yourself of
the ephemeral nature of life?

Eco Fashion: A Growing Presence In Hollywood From Top Designers

2012-01-17T23:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the efforts of Livia Firth and

her 'Green Carpet Challenge', more top

designers are creating stunning Red Carpet Fashions

using sustainable fabrics and practices.
Which means more eco fashion will start showing up on more starlets.

Livia Firth in her knockout eco Armani gown

Photo: Jason Olive

Via EcoStiletto.com: "This year Livia’s out in full force, inspiring Giorgio Armani

to create a dress for her—and tux for hubby Colin—

from a unique fabric made entirely with recycled bottles.

She paired the ensemble with vintage diamond earrings,

a conflict-free diamond ring and shoes that

she—gasp—wore to last year’s Oscars."

Livia and Colin Firth both in sustainable Giorgio Armani

on the Golden Globes Red Carpet.

Photo: Telegraph.co.uk

Via Ecorazzi.com: "Next up for the 2012 Green Carpet Challenge,

more sustainable designs from the likes of

designers Tom Ford, Gucci, Chanel,

Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Paul Smith,

Valentino, Roger Vivier, Alberta Ferretti,

and Ermenegildo Zegna."

The Firths At The Golden Globes

Photo: Telegraph.co.uk

"Armani agreed to design the gown saying 'Her
enthusiasm and dedication to this cause have been very inspiring for me.'

Awareness for the environment is a topic that’s
very important for us all: we cannot avoid it.”

Fav Quote Friday | Body and Spirit: Savor Every Moment

2012-01-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

"Each moment of the year

has its own beauty."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I note that Emerson did not say

each 'season' or each 'day'...

but

'Each moment..."

A reminder to savor everything, always.

That's some beautiful thought, isn't it?

Eco Fashion: Spring Dreams...

2012-01-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

I've been busy all winter,

cultivating my creative garden,

so that you can have a colorful Spring!

All scarves shown and more
are from the 2012 Collection of
Beau Monde Organics!

Do you have a favorite?
Let me know!

Fav Quote Friday | Lifestyle: 5 Ways To Drop The Goals and Take Action via zenhabits.net

2012-01-06T12:12:00.000-08:00

"The world doesn’t need your dreams; it needs your action."

~Jeff Goines

Today's post is via zenhabits.net,
where Jeff Goins guest writes to lets us know

"How to Have the Best Year of Your Life (without Setting a Single Goal)"

"There is an alternative to setting goals that will bring you closer to the life you want. Focus on a few practices you can enjoy doing on a regular basis. The trick here is consistency.

These four helped me:

Get up early. When the world wakes up, distractions abound. If you are going to focus on creating a new life for yourself, you’ll need to find the time. The best way to do this is to work while others are sleeping. At first, I didn’t like waking up before the sun, but eventually my body adjusted and I began looking forward to the solitude.

Over-commit. The adage “under-promise and over-deliver” is a farce. It only propagates the status quo. Real difference-makers push boundaries. They test, prod, and poke until something gives. You can do this, too, by saying “yes” to more things than you’re comfortable with. Learn to stretch yourself. You might be surprised by what you’re actually capable of. Your confidence will grow, too.

Talk to strangers. Relationships are what make the world go round. This is true for your career, personal well-being, and inner life. When you meet new people, you make connections that can lead to all kinds of future breakthroughs. Even when it’s uncomfortable, reach out and introduce yourself to new people. The worst they can say is “no.” Fortunately, many won’t.

Practice generosity. Give away your time, money, services, and ideas. When you do this, you will get a lot more than you give. People will learn to trust you, and if you really help them, they will tell others about you. This will build your reputation, and you will have more friends
than you know what to do with. And as the saying goes, what goes around really does come around"

Be sure to read the entire post to fully understand the concept.
Read his original post on this, too.

Jeff's list of 4 Habit-changers, or 'action intentions'

as I'd like to name them, are a great way to get going

towards creating the life you'd like to have.
And lest you think that I've counted incorrectly...the 5th Step?

...it's the point of this entire post:

Drop the PLANS and take ACTION.

Create new habits. Do it now. Don't wait till later.

Ready, Set, ...START!

Lifestyle: Leonard Cohen Lets The Light In

2012-01-02T23:13:00.000-08:00

"The birds they sing

At the break of day

‘Start again,’

I heard them say.

‘Don’t dwell on what

has passed away

And what is yet to be ..."

~Leonard Cohen, from 'Anthem'

I came across this song again recently,

thinking the lyrics would be an appropriate thought

to share for the New Year.

In reading them again,

I realized

that they are for all time,

relevant,

timeless.

Take from them what you can,

and I hope they resonate with you

as they have with me.

Read the entire lyrics :'Anthem'

images from puffinart via flickr

Fav Quote Friday | Body and Spirit: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do...

2011-12-30T01:20:00.000-08:00

"We must be willing to let go

of the life we have planned

so as to have

the life that is waiting for us."

~E. M. Forster

image: http://latoday.deviantart.com/

Simple Pleasures: What If?

2011-12-23T14:26:00.000-08:00

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,

stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?

It came without ribbons. It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags.

And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.

What if Christmas,

he thought,

doesn't come from a store.

What if Christmas,

perhaps,

means a little bit more.

~Dr Seuss

Wishing you all a

Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Holiday

that means just a little bit more.

Sending much gratitude and love to all!

stephanie-

Indie Fashion: Gift Giving For Accessory Lovers! via Smashing Darling Blog

2011-12-18T12:03:00.000-08:00

A Post on Holiday Gift Suggestions of

Hand-made, Made in USA Accessories?

Seriously...why didn't I write this?

I'll blame it on being a bit too busy of late.

So today's post is via SmashingDarling.com Blog ,

compiled by the always effervescent Trish,

one of the 2 co-Darlings that run the fabulous

indie designer showcase & online marketplace

called SmashingDarling.com

It's a tasty compilation of warm and wonderful,

beautiful and bohemian fashion accessory selections,

and all readily available on Smashing Darling.com

(along with Beau Monde Organics scarves!)

just click this link to see more items and get the info on all these creative accessory artists:

http://www.smashingdarling.com/blog/2011/12/08/gift-giving-for-the-girl-who-loves-accessories/

Happy Accessory Shopping!

Fav Quote Friday: The Very Best Gifts To Give

2011-12-16T00:24:00.000-08:00

"Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect."

~Oren Arnold

Art and Design | Eco Fashion: My Gift To You For Your Gift To Someone You Love!

2011-12-15T19:56:00.000-08:00

Working hard all year long. I work 6-7 days a week

on my designs, my business, and also

on my blog, Facebook page and website.

My intention is to bring helpful, good,

green, stylish, beautiful, useful information and

insightful, healing, conscious living concepts into your life.

I so very much appreciate your support and comments!

Jubilance in Sunset Stripe - Sleek size

As you know, I make some very special scarves.

Those who own them tell me they treasure them.

This holiday, I'd like to offer my scarves to all my

friends, fans and followers at a great price,

as a gift to show my appreciation of you!

Hoping this would make it easier

to give a very special gift

to someone you love this year!

Shop our online store, use Code JOLLYHOLLY45 for 45% Off
Free Shipping, Free Wrap & Gift Bag Is Included!

Alhambra in Scarlet, Signature Wide size

Wrap youself or someone you love

in a lusciously soft artisan organic scarf!

Slice scarf in Wasabi colorway

Entirely Made In USA,

each scarf is hand-cut & sewn

right here in Los Angeles.

beau monde organics

scarves by stephanie gale

Hoping you have

Very Jolly

Holiday Moments!

Sale runs now through Dec. 20, 2011 (Midnight PDT)

Free Shipping only to continental USA.

Quantities limited for Holiday Shipment!

Gift Cerficates are available and can be used at any time!

Romance scarf in Tryst colorway, Signature Wide

Thanks for being here!

Under The Mistletoe: Global Good Tidings via ecco*eco blog

2011-12-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

'Alhambra Organic Cotton Voile Scarf' by Beau Monde Organics

Happy Holidays to all and hoping you are well on your way

to getting into the spirit! Today's post is via one of

my favorite blogs, "Ecco*Eco" , which is written and curated

by the lovely fiber artist and writer/blogger Abigail Doan.

She has compiled a Eco Holiday Gift Guide, done in a series,
and named it "Under The Mistletoe", and

indeed, any of these artisan gifts will glean you lots of kisses!

For me - it was a decided delight to learn that my

Beau Monde Organics Scarves had been chosen to be featured,

joining the ranks of other innovative and independent

and eco designers!

'Olga Wrap Bracelet' from Mercado Global

'Chocolate Mandala' serving dish handcrafted
traditional Bulgarian ceramics by BulgarUSA

Wool Felt Teardrop Vessel by CraftedSystems in
collaboration with the YWCA's Women's Shelter
of Portland, available at Branch

See the rest of this blog post and the entire

Under The Mistletoe Holiday Guide Installments

and drop a comment at Ecco*Eco!

...tell her Stephanie sent you!

Wishing you enjoy a wonderfully eco,

stylish, organic, handmade, artisan

and ever so happy Holiday Season!

Accessory Lust: Recycled Resin Jewelry

2011-12-11T00:19:00.000-08:00

Admittedly, I'm only

showing the particular design

that made me gasp, swoon, lust,

then run to check out their website -

but there's a multitude of brilliant minimalist

eco jewelry pieces available at dconstruct jewelry .

dconstruct jewelry

is created by Lisa and Sean Reico, two artists

from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Inspired by their love

for and interest in minimalist design and modern architecture,

dconstruct uses recycled resin and concrete to create

very unique jewelry pieces.

Fav Quote Friday:

2011-12-09T23:01:00.000-08:00

I swear to you

there are divine things more beautiful

than words can tell.

~Walt Whitman

Winn Rea, "Fountain" Sculpture, 2011 Artist Installation

Divine gifts and beauty are all around us.

We just need to notice and treasure them.

From NYC art exhibit & dicussion series on the

Global Water Crisis: 'The Value of Water'

Fav Quote Friday: Body-Spirit: Releasing Worry From Your Life

2011-12-02T09:11:00.000-08:00

"If your eyes
are blinded with your worries,

you cannot see
the beauty of the sunset."

~Krishnamurti

You can become habituated to
worry and anxiety,

to the point of missing out on joyful moments

that may available to you.

Most worries are unrealized projections into the future

and are actually harmful to the mind and body.

Try to make the change to projecting
positive outcomes into your future.

Work to release the grip of fear and worry and
bring in more soothing, joyful moments into your life.
~Namaste!

Fav Quote Friday: Lifestyle- William Morris On Practical Beauty

2011-11-25T12:40:00.000-08:00

"Have nothing in your house

that you do not know to be useful,

or believe to be beautiful."

~William Morris

I allowed this philosophy

to be my guide within

my home about 8 years ago.

I belive it has the same effect

as that of feng shui;

my environment feels more serene,

and I feel happier within it,

when adhering to this rule.

I also design within this paradigm.

William Morris design

What do you have in your house
that is useful or beautiful to you?
What do you have in your house
that you perhaps should consider to remove?

Simple Pleasures: Harvesting & Giving Thanks

2011-11-22T21:59:00.000-08:00

I'm sharing from a wonderful newsletter/blog that I subscribe
to called The Local Rose., beautifully written by Shiva Rose.

(Thanks to Mariel Hemingway for putting me to her wonderful site)

Today's post is from the 'Nourish' section of The Local Rose,

which, to me, seemed somehow fitting for this time of year.

In it is an interview with Chef Pamela Salzman,

who shares her recipe for her visually stunning

as well as tasty Butternut Squash Salad with
Pomegranate and Pumpkin Seeds.
Also, be sure to check out her 'Six Pantry Swaps' and use it as a guide

towards creating a happier, healthier kitchen.

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.

For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.

~Edwin Way Teale

Here's to harvesting all the very best out of life,
and to sowing seeds for more beauty, happiness and abundance,
so that all may experience a bounty of goodness in the year ahead.

Fav Quote Friday: The Strength Of Believing In Your Self-Worth

2011-11-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

"Once we believe in ourselves,

we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight,

or any experience that reveals the human spirit."

~E. E. Cummings

Belief in yourself and your self-worth expands every moment, and allows you to soar.

Happy Flying!

stephanie-

Fav Quote Friday: Passion, Fashion, Heart and Artful Creativity

2011-11-11T13:12:00.000-08:00

"The ability to relate and to connect,

sometimes in odd and yet striking fashion,

lies at the very heart of any creative use of the mind..."

~George J. Seidel

While I can't really show you my production process,

I can share with you my design process;

the way I work is to look for things that spark my passion,

incite creativity and can be inspiring merely by the interaction with them.

That inspires me in that moment.

Here are some examples from the

New 2012 Design Collections -

"Ancient Gardens" and "Graphic Nature".

I leave it to you to figure our which comes from which... ;-)

“I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch.”

~Gilda Radner

Slice-Mulberry

Special events, fun contests and more looks at the new collection to come soon.

Lifestyle: Raising Smart Kids Is Simple Fun!

2011-11-08T22:55:00.000-08:00

For today's post, we have a special Guest Writer!

He's one of my blog's longtime followers, so you may

recognize the name of MikeB, and he is our guest writer today!

He wants to let you know about a very special teacher

and her website, one that helps parents and teachers work

together to help young children to get a great start on a

lifetime love of learning! I'm very happy to have him share with us!

Meet Educator Kelli Pearson.

Her website is SmartFirstGraders.com .

It is designed primarily to assist parents of first graders

to help their first graders learn and become good students.

When I was young, I used to love reading a feature in Reader’s Digest magazine called The Most Unforgettable Character I’ve Ever Met. Some of these “characters” were famous, others were not, but I always enjoyed learning about them.
Over the years, I’ve met a few unforgettable characters of my own—ordinary people who impressed me with their meaningful contributions. One of these people is Kelli Pearson—or Miss Kelli, as I knew her when I began volunteering over nine years ago as a homework tutor in an exciting after school program at a community learning center in my hometown.
At the time, Kelli was the director of the K-5 program at the center. I watched as she taught and engaged kids, introducing them to the fun of learning. She also had a knack for handling difficult situations, making the environment a welcoming and safe place for children. I was impressed not just by her ability to teach kids, but to reach kids. Now that reach extends farther than ever before. Earlier this year, Kelli launched www.SmartFirstGraders.com, a web site devoted to making learning fun for kids. While plenty of teachers find exciting ideas here, Kelli’s main goal is to give parents ideas for helping their kids learn.
Since kids have a way of resisting being taught by mom or dad, the web site’s learning activities feel more like play than work. Who would have thought that playing card games, making bubbles, going on scavenger hunts and baking cookies could be used to teach math and science? But it works, and kids love it. I know because I have used some of Ms. Kelli’s ideas with my young grandson.
Success in first grade sets the stage for young kids to develop into good students, and what better way to do this than by making learning fun. With the help Kelli offers on www.smartfirstgraders.com, parents can help their first graders reach this goal.
From articles on fine motor skills to tips on how to deal with bullies and mean kids at school, from cool science experiments to lists of classic books for first graders, www.smartfirstgraders.com is a valuable resource for parents and teachers on math, science, reading, child development, and more.
I am happy to call Kelli both colleague and friend. She taught me how to reach kids on their level, and this has made me a better tutor. If you have a first grader and want to give your child a learning boost while you and your child have a great time together, check out this site. (You can say you heard about it from Mike B!)

Thank you, MikeB for writing an informative post and introducing us to the wonderful Miss Kelli!!

Fav Quote Friday: Lessons From The Lakota

2011-11-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

Art of Melanie Myhre, via http://www.johntwohawks.com/

Lakota Instructions for Living

Friend do it this way - that is,

whatever you do in life,

do the very best you can with both your heart and mind.

And if you do it that way,

the Power Of The Universe will come to your assistance,

if your heart and mind are in Unity.

When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,

one must be responsible because

All of Creation is related.

And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.

And the honor of one is the honor of all.

And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.

If you do it that way - that is,

if you truly join your heart and mind as One -

whatever you ask for,

that's the Way It's Going To Be.

passed down from

White Buffalo Calf Woman

Lifestyle | Body and Spirit: Find Calm In The Crazy (via GalaDarling)

2011-11-02T22:26:00.000-07:00

I've occasionally re-posted from Gala Darling's fabulous blog...

but today's post just struck a chord of superb!

I agree with every single one of these suggestions (you may recognize several

of them from previous posts of mine) but they are done in the

inimitable style of the ever charming, magically delightful and

positively delicious Gala Darling...who recently became

Mrs. Gala Darling (Congrats, Gala & Mike!)

and now, without further ado...I present to you

How To Get Calm In A World Full Of Crazy

There’s no sense in dancing around the issue:

sometimes life is 100% batshit crazy! Maybe you’ve

taken on too many projects, maybe your nutty family

has come to stay, or maybe your life just feels like it is in an uproar

every hour of every day. When you get to that point

where all you want to do is stay in bed for a week,

escape to the desert or perhaps become a nun, it’s time to act!

It’s time to improve your situation. We are always in control of our own lives,

& even when it feels like someone else is calling the shots, we are able to

CHOOSE how we respond to every situation. You can CHOOSE to get mad,

or you can choose to let it go, & keep it flowin’! Trust!

Here are some other ways to keep balanced when the road feels rocky.

Read all the great suggestions here...

this post is via galadarling(dot)com and all image attributions are there as well

Fav Quote Friday: Gift From My Garden

2011-10-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

"Each garden has its own surprise."

~Susan Allen Toth

This sweet surprise greeting me in my garden container today.

I think it must be so....

that to plant a seed in the garden -

is a show of belief in miracles.

Wishing all a beautiful weekend full of sweet surprises!

Love Patagonia Gear? Say Hello To Common Threads Initiative

2011-10-27T18:06:00.000-07:00

"The Greenest Product Is the One That's Already Made"

If you are a fan of recycling and of Patagonia apparel,you should know about the latest recycling initiative

of Patagonia. Yvon Chouinard has always had

recycling programs set up in his stores,

so it seems a logical evolution of that practice to

team up with the largest "recycling" retailer,

and their 'green' division, eBayGreen.

Find out more!

and Take the Pledge to

Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle

and

Reimagine

what the world could be like if we all live sustainably.

Fav Quote Friday: Wonderfully Wise Words From Waldo...

2011-10-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

'Don't be pushed by your problems.

Be led by your dreams.'

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Painting: 'Joy and Sorrow'

by Chinese-born Canadian painter Zhong Yang Huang

Eco Fashion: Not Sure What To Wear? Accessorize!

2011-10-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Accessories

are the best way to take what you have

and change it up to create dramatic style!
From bags to shoes, bracelets to necklaces,
to innovative ties, scarves, hats, headresses and more,
nothing can add a more personal twist to your
fashion statement than accessories.

Most featured here are eco-friendly, some are vegan

and are available directly from independent designers!
Happy accessorizing!

Accessorize!

<> Andean Collection necklaces, eco, ethical

prouenza schouler leather bag, emilio de la morena silk dress,
oliver peoples shades, beau monde organics by stephanie gale organic cotton scarf

Danny hood, Anna Hovet

Josephine UrthBag

Cri de Coeur Scout Booties

Papusza Couture Tights

Rachel Brooke Studio vintage tin necklace

woven rattan bangles, Six Degrees Of Style

Fav Quote Friday | Simple Pleasures: The Tao Of Travel

2011-10-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

“Travel

fatal

prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

~Mark Twain

By the time you see this, I'll be on my own travels,

with some of my best lifelong friends,

relaxing on the sunny stretches of beach on the Sea of Cortez,

where the Sonoran desert meets the sea!

aahhhh!

bliss...

is this!

Eco-Fashion: Ancient Gardens Inspire Latest Collection

2011-10-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember a previous post, in which I

looked to the past for for my inspiration to create in the present.

a rough-hewn texture

I find it amazing how the sight of some simple thing can trigger an idea.

a soft color. an aged patina.

In mine, it was how the remembrance of a trip to ancient gardens

in Italy, and how it became the source of ideas for

patterns, textures and designs for one of my latest collections.

an evocative atmosphere

repeating motifs, texture, romance, colors softened with age,

repetition of pattern

all these come together, recreated in a modern interpretation.

hints of things to come...

a bit more

I have enjoyed finding myself connecting with a distant past,

and can't wait to show you the end result!

for now...ciao!

Lifestyle: Easy Way To Green You Life: Avoid The Bad Stuff!

2011-10-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

10 Things You Should Never Buy Again!

1. Styrofoam cups

Styrofoam is forever. It's not biodegradable.

Alternative: Buy recyclable and compostable paper cups.

Best option: Invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.

2. Paper towels

Paper towels waste forest resources, landfill space, and your money.

Alternative: When you do buy paper towels, look for recycled, non-bleached products. Search the National Green Pages™ for recycled paper products.

Best option: Buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.

3. Bleached coffee filters

Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer in humans and animals.

Alternative: Look for unbleached paper filters.

Best Option: Use reusable filters such as washable cloth filters.

4. Overpackaged foods and other products

Excess packaging wastes resources and costs you much more. Around thirty three percent of trash in the average American household comes from packaging.

Alternative: Buy products with minimal or reusable packaging.

Best Option: Buy in bulk and use your own containers when shopping.

5. Teak and mahogany

Every year, 27 million acres of tropical rainforest (an area the size of Ohio) are destroyed. Rainforests cover 6% of Earth’s surface and are home to over half of the world’s wild plant, animal, and insect species. The Amazon rainforest produces 40 percent of the world’s oxygen.

Alternative: Look for Forest Stewardship Council certified wood.

Best Option: Reuse wood, and buy furniture and other products made from used or salvaged wood.

6. Chemical pesticides and herbicides

American households use 80 million pounds of pesticides each year. The EPA found at least one pesticide in almost every water and fish sample from streams and in more than one-half of shallow wells sampled in agricultural and urban areas. These chemicals pose threats to animals and people, especially children.

Alternatives: Buy organic pest controllers such as diatomaceous earth.

Best Option: Plant native plants and practice integrated pest management. Plant flowers and herbs that act as natural pesticides.

7. Conventional household cleaners

It’s important to look at the labels of household cleaners. Cleaners can contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum-based chemicals that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your indoor environment, positing a particular danger for children. The average American household has three to ten hazardous products in the home.

Alternative: Look for nontoxic, vegetable-based, biodegradeable cleaners. Where to find them: You can find nontoxic cleaners in the National Green Pages. In addition, you can increasingly find nontoxic cleaners from Green America Business members and from a growing number of mainstream companies at your local supermarket or drugstore.

Best Option: Try making your own green cleaner using vinegar, water, and castile soap.

8. Higher octane gas than you need

Only one car in ten manufactured since 1982 requires high-octane gasoline. High-octane gas releases more hazardous pollutants into the air, and may be bad for your car.

Alternative: Buy the lowest-octane gas your car requires as listed in your owner's manual

Best option: Make your next car purchase a hybrid. Or ditch the car and take public transportation, ride a bike, or walk.

9. Toys made with PVC plastic

70% of PVC is used in construction, but it is also found in everyday plastics, including some children’s toys. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen. Also, additives, such as lead and cadmium, are sometimes added to PVC to keep it from breaking down; these additives can be particularly dangerous in children’s toys. PVC is also the least recycled plastic.

Alternative: Avoid plastics that are labeled as “PVC” or “#3.” Look for #1 and #2 plastics, which are easier to recycle and don’t produce as many toxins. Use sustainable construction materials.

Best option: Take action to tell manufacturers to stop using PVC plastics, especially in children’s toys.

10. Plastic forks and spoons

Disposable plastic utensils are not biodegradeable and not recyclable in most areas.

Alternative: Use compostable food service items. Companies such as Biocorp make cutlery from plant materials such as corn starch and cellulose.

Best option: Carry your own utensils and food containers.

To learn even more ways to live well in eco-friendly style, visit the source of this post here.

Information updated from 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth,
The EarthWorks Group, The Green Consumer. John Elkington, Julia Hailes, & Joel Makower.

Fav Quote Friday: Enjoy!

2011-10-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

"Life is short, Break the Rules. Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly.

Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably.

And never regret anything that makes you smile."

~Mark Twain

Fav Quote Friday: Worthwhile Living, In Nietzsche's Eyes

2011-09-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

"Art makes life worth living."

~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Art continues to honor, narrate, explore, instigate, stun,

shock, teach, change, rile, advise and soothe us, and continually

affects us as human beings, both intellectually and emotionally.

It is one of the most base instincts of man,

to express himself through art.
(music and language being the others)

What are some or your art favorites?

Hoping you will take the time to notice and appreciate art,

in it's infinite variety of forms...

and may it make every day feel more worthwhile!

Fav Quote Friday|Simple Pleasures: Autumnal Celebrations Of Man and Nature

2011-09-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

For man,

Autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.

For nature,

it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.

~Edwin Way Teale

Acknowledge and take the time to notice,
enjoy and immerse yourself into the beauty of Autumn;

the warm scents, the crisp sounds, the swirling dancing movements...

it is the Earth's way of saying "farewell" before it goes into winter's sleep.

...I love to take walks outside., under the trees,

and find the spots with the deepest pile of fallen leaves,

so that I can swish, kick and crunch my way through the colors!

What about you? What does Fall mean to you?
What are the ways in which you like to celebrate and enjoy it?

Eco-Fashion: Fiber Artists Rejoice! Stitchers Clap Hands! Organic Floss To Shout About!

2011-09-22T00:22:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to sewers, stitchers and all fiber artists...

now available:

Organic Cotton Embroidery Floss!
Top features:

Made In USA!
Hand-Plyed!

Hand-Dyed!

Low-water-immersion dyeing!

Great pricing!

Available from our friends at NearSea Naturals

Fav Quote Friday: Integrity And Responsibility;Pathways To Living Well

2011-09-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

"Character

is the willingness

accept responsibility

for one's

own life."

~Joan Dideon

The moment you
take Responsibility

for EVERYTHING
in your life,

Is the moment you can change
ANYTHING

in your life.

~ Hal Elrod

This post was in response to things I have been seeing lately
that I found to be evidence of a current trend of extemes and
an attitide of entitlement instead of personal repsonsibilty.
From the man that wants to sue White Castle Burgers
for not making benches big enough,
instead of accepting responsibility for his own health and obesity.
{expecting others to do things for you that are actually your personal responsibility}
(story here)

To the draconian attitude and despicable display of schadenfreude at
the Tea Party debate, when asked whether a man should be allowed to die
if he could no longer afford life insurance.
{being greedy, selfish and self-righteous to the point of losing compassion for others}
(story here)

Do you agree or disagree with me that this is a disturbing trend?
What things can we do to to accept more personal responsibilty in our lives?

Would love to have you share your thoughts on this...

Body & Spirit: Improving Every Moment

2011-09-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

‘Drink your tea slowly and reverently,
as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves –
slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.
Live the actual moment.’
~Thich Nhat Hanh

"I’m a big proponent of slowing down, simplifying, doing less,
and being less busy.
… but what if you can’t?
What if your life can’t be made less busy?
— are you doomed to a life of anxiety and unhappiness?
No.
I’m going to share with you a very simple tool that might just transform your life. It’s something I’ve been trying in the last few months, and I can attest that it works brilliantly.
This one little method will help you to:
- Be more present, so life doesn’t rush past you without you noticing.
- Enjoy every activity you do more, so life is better all the time.
- Feel more relaxed, so every day is as good as a vacation.
- Be ready to handle anything that comes your way.
Not bad for a very tiny method, no? Let’s dive in.
Busy vs. relaxed
Normally we have two different modes in life. There’s the busy of our everyday lives, and then there’s the relaxed mode, which happens when we have some unstructured time: vacation, a day at the beach, a spa getaway, some time in the park with the kids.
Relaxed mode is one where we perhaps think less and feel more. We just soak in the sun, the sounds, the sensations. This is a child-like time, because it’s the mode that young children are in the most. We do our best to train kids not to be like this, so they can be good workers when they grow up and serve our corporate masters.
And so we grow up to be in busy mode most of the week, and if we’re lucky we get a day or two, maybe only an hour or two of relaxed mode. When the Internet sucks us in, we have less relaxed mode because the Internet keeps us in our minds, and we forget about the physical world around us.
How can we change this? How can we bring the child-like relaxed, sensory mode back into our everyday lives, not just during breaks and meditation/yoga time and vacations? It’s not that difficult, if you practice.
The Zen State
When we are in relaxed mode, we notice the sensations of the wind and sun, the sounds of water and laughter, the brilliant colors of nature, the smiles around us, the grass or sand between our toes. We are feeling instead of thinking. The sensations of our bodies flow into our minds, and it makes us relaxed, happy.
We can re-learn this mode of being with practice. Do it now. You’re reading a computer or mobile device screen, so your mind is in the world of the Internet … but your body is in the physical world. If you’re sitting, your butt can feel the chair. Your back might be a bit hunched. Your fingers are on a keyboard or mouse. Is the air around you cold or warm? Are there sounds you can notice? Is your jaw clenched? Notice your breathing.
When you put your focus into physcial sensations, you are entering relaxed mode instead of thinking mode. It’s not that you’re completely relaxed, but you’re in the same state of mind as the times you are relaxed, like yoga or the beach or lazing away a Sunday in bed.
Once you learn to do this, you can do it any time. In fact, all the time.
If you’re taking a shower, feel the water running down you, soak in the temperature and the sound of running water. If you’re eating, taste every little nuance of the food, smell the food, feel the texture in your mouth, feel the movement of your hand going to your mouth.
Do this as you work, as you talk on the phone or respond to emails or walk to a meeting or drive to an appointment, noticing the sensations on your skin, the colors around you, the sounds of humanity, your breath coming in and leaving you. Do this at home, as you do chores or prepare food or clean up or get ready for work. Do this throughout your day, and you will be in a constant state of relaxation and enjoyment.
It will transform everything you do, if you do it. It will turn busy-ness into being present, harriedness into enjoyment.

Life will be lived, instead of ignored."

Post written by Leo Babauta
~Thank you to Leo, for generously and freely
sharing his content on Zen Habits

Eco-Fashion: Quickly Growing, Use Of Organically Grown Cotton Hits New Highs

2011-09-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

The news is out that H&M, well known for style on a budget, is now the leader in organic cotton purchasing. The use of organic cotton in the Swedish retailers manufacturing jumped 77% since last year, (via Ecotextile News) and now beats WalMart, who was leading last year in purchase of organic cotton. Their goal is admirable: "H&M continues to invest in organic cotton. We are one of the world's largest users of organic cotton and the goal is to increase the volumes by at least 50% each year until 2013." (from their website)
I was hard-pressed, however, to find any section on the site that was for "organic cotton', but they will be surfacing in stores and the percentages should increase over time.

John Mowbray, editor of Ecotextile, told AFP at the Texworld trade fair in Paris this month: "There's a paradigm shift in the textile sector; three years ago sustainability was not on the agenda. Now a lot of retailers and brands want to move regardless of what their suppliers think. They think consumers want transparency. Brands are driving change." (via grist.org)

Lest you get your hopes up too high, let me remind you that even with this, use of organic cotton in the industry is still under 4% of the total used in apparel worldwide. But these are great strides, and the changes seem to be catching on and picking up speed.

This is good news in many ways, but beware of the possibility of more greenwashing, as others may try to put on a virtual 'Organic' label, just to try to cash in on our good intentions.

For now, three cheers for more organic cotton in clothing!

Fav Quote Friday: Emerson On Giving Without The Getting

2011-09-09T00:27:00.000-07:00

"Unselfish acts are the real miracles

out of which

all the reported miracles grow."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

When we can give freely,

with truly no expectation of

getting anything in return,

it is then we give from the soul.

Try it sometime...it will open you heart and bring you joy.

Fav Quote Friday: Could Scottish Author Have Been The First 'New-Age' Guru?

2011-08-19T15:14:00.000-07:00

"...the moment one definitely commits oneself,

then providence moves too.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision,

raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen

incidents, meetings and material assistance,

which no man could have dreamt would have come his way."

~ William Hutchinson Murray (Scottish Author, Mountaineer, 1913-1996)*

Murray believed in the unseen forces that help us,
but he also knew that it was our committment to

our intentions are what make it happen;

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy,

the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),

there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which

kills countless ideas and splendid plans..."

*Note: this quote is often misattributed to Goethe: see here)

Art | Simple Pleasures: To Sleep, Perchance To Dream...

2011-08-17T01:25:00.000-07:00

"Dreams are symbolic

in order that they cannot be understood;

in order that the wish,

which is the source of the dream,

may remain unknown."

~Carl Jung

Dreams are an alternate reality, which we all experience,

yet consistently deny the existence of...

I find dreams quite telling,

a place where I get to learn my own secrets

and subconscious thoughts,

which is often very helpful

in making decisions in my waking life.

What is your feeling about dreams? Where have they taken you?

Please do take a trip to visit paperdoll's exquisitely creative photostream!

Fav Quote Friday: Baby Steps...Or Giant Leaps Of Faith?

2011-08-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

"Don't be afraid to take a big jump if one is indicated; you can't cross a chasm in 2 small jumps."

~David Lloyd George

Fav Quote Friday: It's All About The Attitude

2011-08-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

It is attitude,

not circumstance,

that makes success possible

in even the most unlikely conditions.

Photo by Craig Brown

Art & Design: ARTchitecture For Your Wrist

2011-08-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

Frank Gehry Designs For Tiffany & Co.

These limited-edition cuff bangles are

executed in bone china and are hand-painted by architect and designer Gehry.

(Although bone china is an eco-friendly ceramic,

vegans will want to keep their distance;

the 'bone' in Bone China is quite literal. The inclusion of bone ash gives

this type of porcelain high strength and the beautiful white color.)

via StyleCaster

Eco-Fashion: Eco-Fibers And Synthetics Explained

2011-08-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

Not too sure what a semi-synthetic is?
Don't know your regenerated fiber from a synthetic?
Or have no idea who in the world is Tencel?

Read on for the answers...

Demystifying The Latest Eco-Fibers
Click on the above link to go to a PDF document to enlighten yourself:
All you ever wanted to know about eco-fibers.

Bamboo stalk for making bamboo rayon (viscose)

Wood cellulose is what most rayon is made from.

Oil-based polyester thread is the most commonly used;
these are spools of eco-fiber threads.

Once you're informed, please bear the info in mind
when choosing clothing or fiber-based products.

Me? I'm sticking with my luscious natural, organic
and peace silk (Ahimsa/Tussah) fibers!

Fav Quote Friday: Will Selfishness Destroy Our World?

2011-07-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

"Every man must decide whether he will walk

in the light of creative altruism or

in the darkness of destructive selfishness."

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lifestyle: Enjoy The Ride (While You're On It)

2011-07-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

'Every step of the journey...

Is the journey.'

~Zen Saying

Delight in every step of your journey, whether it be arduous or peaceful.
Too often we fill our thoughts with future moments, or past events,
while missing out on what's in front of us,

not engaging in the current moment, for all it's importance.

Try...to be here, now.

Notice, appreciate,

Enjoy!