Lips and Cheeks - Suki Color's Pure Cream Stain

For a natural and healthy glow use Suki Color’s Pure Cream Stain on cheeks and lips. This fabulous 2 in 1 product contains organic ingredients such as jojoba oil, chamomile extract and organic and fair trade shea butter. Every girl will easily find her ideal colour as there are 7 flattering shades for every skin tone. I tried the Opal colour which gives lips a pearly sheen and makes cheeks shimmer with a flushed look. Definitely a must buy!

Special Offer at Naturisimo - £21.49 (reduced from £31.95)

Young Designers and Collectors

Thursday was an interesting day. It started with a Design Big: From Conception to Reality a panel discussion about how to start and manage a successful design business that was sponsored by American Express Open and Domino. (Talk about timing.) Tori Mellott was moderator to the panel with included Stephanie Odegard of Odegard, Inc. and interior designers Christopher Coleman and Ashley Whittaker. It was a very informative discussion and the bullet points that I can give you if you are thinking of starting your own design business is to be extremely organized, learn how to sell yourself and your work, don't turn down your nose at any small job because a simple bedroom job could turn into an entire summer house in a year or two. Also, don't be afraid to get financial advice. We all know that creative types sometimes aren't the most business savvy. And if you're a design assistant looking for work, be open to freelancing which some designers are turning to instead of full time employees.

The day ended with the Young Collector's Night at the Winter Antiques Show where I ran into everyone's favorite Top Design Contestant and Blogger, Eddie Ross with his partner Jaithan Kochar (I can't stop humming the Green Acres theme song whenever I think of them moving to the country!); Emily Eerdmans, the fabulous author of Regency Redux (along with Kelly Wearstler who wrote the forward) who also works for Hyde Park Antiques and was manning their booth; and Natalie Obradovich, a former design assistant to Kelly Wearstler who is currently looking for a design job in NYC.

One of the other topics of the panel discussion earlier in the day was where to find inspiration in this tough economy if you can't afford to travel the world and Stephanie Odegard suggested museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art where you can visit the art of the world. I also think that The Winter Antiques Show is another great place to be inspired and to also learn something new. I studied art history so I have a little knowledge of decorative arts and antiques but when I look at all the wonderful booths, I realize that there is so much more to learn. Even if your decorating style isn't traditional, you can still be inspired by the paintings or a pattern on a vase. The Winter Antiques Show benefits the East Side Settlement House so your patronage would be greatly appreciated in these tough times. I'm going to stop by again on Saturday to see what I missed the other night so maybe I will see you there! Bon Weekend!

Thanks House Beautiful!

I owe House Beautiful another big thank you for including Habitually Chic as one of the sites they love. And another thank you goes out to Amy Claire Preiser for writing it up! Check out Sites We Love on House Beautiful here. (Oh, let's all make sure we support House Beautiful so they're not next on the list of shelter magazines we loved but are no longer with us!)

Technical Difficulties

I apologize for not posting yesterday or earlier today. My internet service was out for over 24 hours. And as soon as it came back, the television cable went out. Thanks Time Warner. I will now be researching new service providers in addition to working on a new blog post. Please stand by.

Vegan Snacks by Pulsin'

Breaking news! I think I have found a way to enjoy chocolate without the guilt and even without dairy, gluten or soya these wonder products taste amazing! I have been trying to give up my milk chocolate dependency for awhile and Pulsin’s delectable discs are the perfect way for me to satisfy my craving for cacao.

Pulsin’ create their delicious morsels on UK premises using 100% renewable energy and their discs taste like healthy and natural treats churned out from the Amazon with exotic ingredients such as raw cacao, goji berries, guarana, ginseng and ashwagandha.
I’m officially hooked and love how there is a disc for every occasion. Try the Energy Bombs before a workout session, Goji Bursts for an antioxidant hit, Bliss Bombs for unwinding at the end of a hard day and to feel protein packed and just a wee bit Canadian there is Maple and Peanut Protein. I also hear there are Coffee Brownie and Protein S’port varieties that will only make it that much harder to choose a favourite.

Purchase at UK health food stores or visit Pulsin’ for further information.

"I feel like I'm going to cry!"

This has got to be the worst day in New York. It's snowy and raining. There is at least six inches of muck and slush on every street corner. I think I may have ruined my boots. And it's the day that word came that Domino is to cease publication after the March 2009 issue. I was sitting in the chair at the hair salon trying to enjoy a little pampering when the first death knell email of many arrived. The sentiments were all the same. Everyone is very sad and upset. Domino was a favorite among my friends and although we had heard the rumors it might fold, I hoped they would make it for a few more months or even a year. But alas it is not meant to be.

I just don't get what is wrong with American magazine publishing. Why does it seem like European magazines are doing fine while American magazines continue to fold. I would paid more per issue to keep Domino alive. It spoke to my demographic. I could relate to the designers and people profiled. I could afford the items they featured. As much as I love Elle Decor, which I picked up on my way home, it's very aspirational. That's not the way any of my friends or I live right now. Maybe someday but not today.

The worst part is that many people had just had their homes photographed for the designers to watch series for the April issue. I've already told them that I would be happy to post them on my blog. I already mentioned that I want to feature more original interiors and young designers on my blog this year so this news just makes me more determined to support, encourage and champion them and anyone else who is talented, creative and inspiring.

So if there is anyone out there who dreamed of having their home or designs published in Domino, feel free to email me. Since there aren't many shelter magazines left, I'd be more than happy to start posting them on my blog. But right now, I think I'm going to go take a look through all my old issues of Domino and mourn the loss of my favorite magazine. I might also have a good cry while I'm at it. It's a very sad day.

'So Organic' Beauty Shop - Greenwich, London

There are many good reasons to visit Greenwich. You can see where time begins, naval ‘things’ or have some serious shopping time at So Organic.

This cute shop near the Greenwich Indoor Market offers organic and natural skincare and cosmetics from all the leading brands. Nvey Eco, Spiezia Organics, John Masters Organics, Sante and Trilogy are just some of the vast lines on offer that meet So Organic’s ingredient criteria of being free from: SLS, parabens, mineral oil / petroleum derivatives, propylene glycol and synthetic colours and fragrances.

This Greenwich gem offers a one stop shop either in-store or online, with homeware, baby and men’s products also available. So Organic earn more eco points too for operating a carbon neutral delivery service.

I particularly love how the shop has been designed according to Feng Shui principles. The chi definitely feels right as you wander around perusing the shelves of organic goodies.

So Organic – 7 Turnpin Lane, Greenwich, London, SE10 9JA.

Joanna Newsom

I think she looks in this video like a character from a mute film.

so magical.

I find her Ys album to be unbelievably wonderful.

(but it did take a while to get used to her voice.)

in fact I feel like putting this other video of hers here too. I want to create a little collection of videos that I think children can enjoy without having all those youtube temptations on the side bar that are often not at all suitable for them. so this one I showed my children and my daughter loved it. of course she doesn't speak any English, so I could forget about one type of content related worry..

Clandeboye

I've been a little behind on my magazines and have been trying to catch up before the mammoth March issues arrive and I'm so glad I finally got through February's W magazine. I'm still marveling at the extraordinary life of Lindy, the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava who lives in Clandeboye, a 2,00 acre estate in Northern Ireland. I guess she could be described as eccentric but in a good way. She grew up in and also married into the Guinness family, spent the winter of her 14th year with her father, step-mother and Truman Capote in Palm Beach, sailed with Jacques Cousteau, and with her husband became "central figures in the contemporary art scene in London" where she became a collector of David Hockney, Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud who also became a brother-in-law by marriage. Today, she continues preserving the family home that she and her late husband restored which is filled with British empire furnishings. The entire story by James Reginato had me enthralled and can be read online at W magazine.

The entry hall above is decorated with souvenirs and treasures from East Asia that were collected by the First Marquess of Dufferin and Ava who was an ambassador.

Lady Dufferin doesn't mind getting dirty in her garden!

Al the bedrooms are named after places that the First Marquess was sent as an ambassador and the beautiful room above is "Paris."

The gallery has beautiful furnishings and amazing floor to ceiling windows.

A lovely portrait hands above the bed in the "France" bedroom.

The bookcases in the library are inscribed with the names of Greek gods in gilt and is home to beautiful leather bound editions.

This whole story reminded me of the type of home that would have been chronicled in watercolors similar to those I saw at the show at the Cooper Hewitt this past weekend and I wasn't wrong but in this case, they were painted by the lady of the house in oil. Lady Dufferin or Lindy Guinness as she is known in the art world painted The Library at Clandeboye, Morning Light above in 2003. An exhibition of her paintings will open in April at the Browse & Darby Gallery in London. I may have to plan a trip across the pond for it because I can already imagine that it will be quite an event!

One of the most interesting rooms is the inner hall which houses heraldry, weaponry and hunting prizes. And the outside of the estate below is just as majestic as the interior and the story of Clandeboye!

Photos by Simon Watson

Tibetan Recycled Paper Notebook

Are you an ethical girl who used to love buying pretty stationary? Me too! The good news is we don’t have to completely give up notebooks or settle for school style recycled stationary anymore because there are some lovely alternatives becoming available.

Here is the perfect notebook to use as your diary, travel journal or for jotting down all of your eco friendly ideas! This recycled notebook not only looks beautiful but it also helps the Tibetan community in Dharamsala, India. The Tibetan Welfare Office (TWO) is working to help the local community and environment in Dharamsala through initiatives such as recycling waste paper which will improve the environment, create employment opportunities and increase environmental awareness in the area.

For such a good cause and at affordable prices, you may want to pick up more than one notebook as there are other striking colours and designs on offer also.

Purchase Yellow Tibetan Recycled Paper Notebook online at Ethical Wares for £5.95
Learn more about the Tibetan Welfare Office (TWO)

At Home at Sarlo

I love stores that look like homes. I think it makes it so much easier to picture how something would look in a room which is especially helpful for non-designers. They also look like places you would want to hang out in all day and Gabriella Sarlo's shop/showroom Sarlo is no different. The space was co-designed by Stephen Shubel who I featured last week and Sarlo represents his French antiques, as well as new furniture from Pieter Porters and Astier de Villatte among others. Gabriella is also friends with interior designer Grant K. Gibson so it seems that all the talented designers in San Francisco know each other. I definitely can't wait to plan a trip to visit them all. And if the weather in New York doesn't warm up soon, I might just be joining them for good!

super!

look what I found.

check out her flickr for more.

Best Black Ethical Party Dresses - On Sale

Green Lashes has tracked down 5 beautiful LBDs to suit any girl, style and budget.

Ciel Keira Dress
The perfect LBD with attitude that can be dressed up or down. Love the luxe looking hemp and silk fabric. Size 10 only, hurry while stocks last!
Purchase online at Ciel - was £155, now £75

Annie Greenabelle Prom Dress
For a cute and flirty look, try this strapless organic black cotton dress with full pleated skirt. Pair with bubblegum coloured heels to complete the ultimate prom look.
On sale at Equa – was £92, now £70

Ciel Tallulah Dress
This dress is perfect for girls like me who feel the cold and need a LBD with sleeves. The Tallulah dress is casual yet stylish, made with organic hemp and organic silk. Personalise the look with your favourite long necklace, bracelets and stockings. Ciel is a member of Labour Behind the Label.
On sale at Adili – was £166, now £41.50

People Tree Silk Pod Dress
Calling all size 8s and 10s, rush over to People Tree’s website to buy this Audrey-esque dress made with raw silk. Technically not on sale, but a wise investment purchase that had to be included on this best of black dresses list. Made in Bangladesh to fair trade principles (IFAT – International Fair Trade Association).
Purchase online at People Tree - £146.81

Linda Loudermilk Floret Dress
How could you not have fun in this beautiful black dress, complete with playful black bow on the hemline. Fair trade, made in the USA with sustainable silk and azo free dyes, you better be quick to grab this sale bargain for US$177.50, reduced from US$355.

On sale at Eco Citizen

House Proud

I finally had a chance to see House Proud: Nineteenth-century Watercolor Interiors from the Thaw Collection at the Cooper Hewitt this past weekend and was so glad that I made it before it closed Sunday. The watercolors were amazing and so were the stories of surrounding each of them and the rooms they depicted. It was such a wonderful insight not only into interior design of the times but the history and purpose of the different rooms in a home. I was also struck by the intricate detail of the watercolors and beautiful furnishings and patterns in so many of them. I purchased the accompanying book House Proud and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about these stunning interiors.

Rudolf Von Alt, The Japanese Salon, Villa Hugel, Heitzing, Vienna, 1855

James Roberts, Salon Particulier de la Reine au Palais de Buckingham (The Queen's Sitting Room at Buckingham Palace), August 1848

Henry Robert Robertson, The Interior of Hall Place at Leigh, near Tonbridge, Kent, 1879

Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Klose, The Red Room, Schloss Fischbach, c. 1846

Matthaus Kern, A Study at St. Polten, 1837

Edouard Gaertner, The Chinese Room at the Royal Palace, Berlin, 1850

Julie Bayer, An Artist's Studio, c. 1850

Bouilhet, A French Restoration Bedroom, 1823

5 Ways to Use Organic Coconut Oil

1) Moisturiser
Do you want an ultra hydrating, organic, affordable moisturiser that smells like Tahiti in a jar? Organic coconut oil is perfect for moisturising the body (particularly dry skin) during winter. Use it also for a wonderful hand and foot moisturiser. I have tried many hand creams and coconut oil appears to literally reverse the signs of dry and ageing skin, almost having a Benjamin Button effect. Store at room temperature so you can easily scoop out the solidified oil which will quickly melt into skin when applied. A little goes a long way!

2) Hair
Apply to hair for a deep conditioning treatment (rinse with water first before shampooing out) or massage into scalp to treat dandruff.

3) Shaving
Why spend money on shaving gels and creams which are probably loaded with toxic ingredients? Organic coconut oil is the only ingredient in the jar and will intensely moisturise legs during and after shaving.

4) Eyes and Lips
Apply a small dollop to an organic cotton pad or muslin cloth and see eye makeup wipe off completely. It is gentle and makes the lashes look glossy. Also use as lipgloss!

5) Cooking
I initially bought coconut oil to make a raw vegan chocolate cake (courtesy of Raw Fairies) which was divine. You can also use the oil in Asian stir fries and baking.

For £3.95, I’ll be keeping one jar in the kitchen and another in the bathroom. The intoxicating reminder of Tahiti and Hawaii isn’t too bad either!

Buy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil online from Akamuti (fair trade, cold pressed and not bleached).

Buy Biona Organic Virgin Coconut Oil at Goodness Direct - £3.69 for 200ml or £6.89 for 400ml (unfiltered and unheated).

Borlind Natural Eye Liner Pencil

I get so excited when I find a green alternative to an ‘old’ make up favourite. This time I have found Borlind’s Natural Eye Liner Pencil to replace my Stila Convertible Eye Colour and the results are impressive. The liner applies remarkably well, making it super easy to apply a steady and neat line along the lashes. This is the only toxic free eye liner I have found that comes with the handy sponge applicator on one end which allows you to blend the liner for a softer more eye shadowy effect. Borlind, a revered German brand use lovely ingredients such as jojoba and mango seed oils and minerals provide the colour. I’m all about the brown liner at the moment for a more natural winter look, but it is also available in black and graphite grey.

Available online at Naturisimo for £7.34

The Bachelorette Pad: It's Coming Together

I spent most of yesterday and today at The Bachelorette Pad and we're definitely making progress. The bedroom is almost finished and is turning out to be my favorite room! The draperies have been hung and steamed and the headboard was attached so it's coming together. We just need to purchase the lamps for the bedside tables and finalize the art and then it will be done.

You can see better in this photo how the stripes of the draperies from Restoration Hardware pickup the colors of the rug from Pottery Barn. The Bachelorette said her friend thought the rug was custom and is excited that everyone does look custom even though so far, everything was purchased at retail stores or online. Some of the things that we have done would have been outrageously expensive if they had been custom so it is possible to get the look for less.

The Bachelorette has a very large family and I thought one of her nieces made the picture of the bunnies so I decided to hang it above the television. Not everything has to be serious when you decorate and The Bachelorette said that it makes her smile every time she looks at it, especially since she painted it when she was a child! So cute!

You can see in this before photo that the draperies really do make a difference and finish the design.

I just placed the embroidery that was made by her grandmother to see if it will work in the room. I will leave it up to The Bachelorette to decide if she would like it hung above the bed or in the living room. It would add some new colors to the room and I might think about adding a patterned boudoir pillow for a little more color. The lamps will also finish off the room.

I hung a few more pieces of artwork in the living room and sat her old mirror on top of the bookcase. Obviously, the wall is still unfinished. A reader suggested sconces which might be a good option or maybe there are some other artwork that could work on this wall. I also found some great fabric from Carelton V called Wykeham in Citrus (2800-14) that would make perfect throw pillows for the sofa.

I always joke that you need a degree in mathematics to hang artwork. Do you know why gallery walls of art are so popular? It's because you can hammer in a nail, hang up a painting and call it a day. No measuring is required for a gallery wall but you need to get out a pad of paper and pencil if you plan to hang art so it's evenly spaced and properly hung. (They look a little crooked here but it's because the photo is crooked. I need to invest in a tripod!) I think the middle two works might have to be moved up after depending on what lamp is chosen for the desk but for now they are staying put where they are. The desk also needs a few accessories so this area still needs a little work, as does the entry which is why there aren't any photos of it yet.

We are still discussing painting the kitchen in the darker color. The quote from the painter was a little high for such a small room so I offered to paint it myself but I'm not sure if that's such a great idea, especially if we decide to paint the ceiling. The kitchen is right off the entry and only has half walls to separate it so it might disappear more if it is dark. It's a tough call. It also needs a new light fixture which is on the list so don't worry. I wouldn't leave her with exposed light bulbs!

It's a nice feeling to see the place really coming together after so much planning and preparation. The Bachelorette is away until tomorrow on business and I know she is very excited to come home and see it. I would be excited to come home too if I had a bedroom that beautiful!