Jacques Grange - Part Deux

In case you haven't already seen it, Todd Selby has a beautiful look inside the Paris home of Jacques Grange at The Selby. I love the photo of him with the book in front of the Lalanne piece. And those who have already purchased the book are raving about it so start brushing up on your French! Bon Weekend!

Jacques Grange

Normally I wouldn't post two books in a row but since Jean-Philippe Delhomme created the advertising for The Mark Hotel that Jacques Grange just redesigned, they seemed to work together. I was at Rizzoli yesterday and happened to see the new Jacques Grange book by Editions du Regard and was blown away! I was also blown away by the high price of over $130 so I didn't buy it but that didn't stop two others from snatching it up while I was there! Did I mention that it's completely in French?!

These photos that I found online don't even do it justice. The interior shots are stunning and I can't wait until an English version, Jacques Grange: Interiors is published by Flammarion in September 2009. Of course, my willpower isn't that good so there is a distinct possibility that I will pick the French version but that means I will finally have to sign up for a refresher French class if I expect to actually be able to read it. But then again, a picture is worth a thousand words, especially those I can't understand!

3 Great Natural Tinted Moisturisers Reviewed

Why You Need Tinted Moisturiser In Your Make Up Bag
Tinted moisturisers do not have the heaviness or cake-iness of some foundations and they don’t require a make up brush like mineral powder foundations do. Perfect for girls on the go that want a healthy, light and natural look but also want just enough coverage for those little imperfections. Our pick of tinted moisturisers contain only the best organic and natural ingredients too but for your own peace of mind you can also check the full ingredient lists included below.

SukiColor Tinted Active Moisturiser
Suki will give you the natural, golden hue of a California beach babe. I love how you can customise the liquid to your ideal shade by either applying 1-2 drops neat or simply combine with your favourite organic moisturiser (if you have fair skin). This looks and feels really pure, with a fruity scent that gave my skin a much needed boost of natural colour.
Ingredients: White willow bark extract, moisturising organic jojoba oil and organic rose extract for an antioxidant hit.
Certification: Suki Organic Innovation Lab
Country: USA
A la Hue?: Natural (medium skin) or Bronze (olive and darker skin).

Price: Listed stores have discounts on Suki at the moment, approx. £24.99
Available at Content, Naturisimo and Your Natural Beauty Store

Madara Moon Flower Tinted Fluid
For a soft and ‘All right, Mr De Mille, I’m ready for my close up’ kind of look. I love the fresh cucumber like scent and the matte finish that is light and flattering.
Ingredients: St John’s Wort, Baltic algae, chamomile, rose water, plantain.
Certification: Ecocert
Country: Latvia
A la Hue?: Moon (cool shade, fair skin), Sun (warm shade, medium skin)
Price: approx. £21.50

Available at Naturisimo or So Organic

Living Nature Clear Lights Tinted Moisturiser
For a light and natural look that says ‘I’ve just returned from my gap year in New Zealand and always look this healthy and youthful’. Light yet effective coverage from a brand generating much buzz in the natural and organic skin care world.
Ingredients: Moisturising manuka honey, macadamia oil, avocado oil and shea butter
Certification: BDIH
Country: New Zealand
A la Hue?: Dawn Light (pale, fair), Day Light (medium skin), Evening Light (Darker skin tones)
Price:approx. £16.63

Purchase at Living Nature, Naturisimo or Your Natural Beauty Store

Do you know of any other stellar Tinted Moisturisers? If so, let me know by emailing Green Lashes and Fashion at tarar23@hotmail.com.

Full Ingredient Listings

Suki
Purified water, organic sunflower seed oil, beeswax, organic grape seed oil, organic jojoba seed oil, hazelnut oil, borage oil, cetearyl alcohol, shea butter, standardized willow bark extract, organic food-grade non-gmo lecithin, vitamin and retinol liposomes, sodium borate, organic rose extract in food-grade ethyl alcohol, organic food-grade acacia catechu gum, organic food-grade xanthan gum, fragrance (made only from pure, steam-distilled essential oils) [may contain: titanium dioxide, iron oxides]

Madara
Aqua, Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil*, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Distillate*, Glycerin*, Theobroma Cacao Seed (Cocoa) Butter*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort) Extract*, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Camomile) Extract*, Algae Extract, Plantago Major (Plantain Leaf) Extract*, Cetearyl Glucoside, Capryloyl Glycine, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide***, Xantan Gum, Aroma**, Citral**, Eugenol**, Limonene**, Linalool** [+/- (may contain), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)]*** * ingredients issued from Organic Agriculture; ** natural essential oils; *** inorganic substances and/or pure mineral pigments; 99,875% of the total ingredients are of a natural origin; 13,86% of the total ingredients are issued from Organic Agriculture; Natural and Organic cosmetic certified by ECOCERT SAS B.P. 47 F-32600 according to ECOCERT Standards.

Living Nature
Aqua (water), Jojoba esters, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil (macadamia oil), Simmondsia chinensis oil (jojoba oil), Persea gratissima oil (avocado oil), Cetearyl wheatstraw glycosides (&) cetearyl alcohol (wheatstraw extract), Butyrospermum parkii butter (shea butter), Stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Glycerin, Citrus grandis seed extract (grapefruit seed extract), Mel (manuka honey), Pelargonium graveolens oil (geranium oil), Sclerotium gum, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Leptospermum scoparium oil (manuka oil), Melaleuca alternifolia oil (tea tree oil). May contain: +/- Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide

What's In Your Eco Handbag?

Before we delve into the depths of eco goodness within your bag, we need to make sure you’re toting a truly eco handbag. English Retreads is my go to company for stylish bags that have the eco trifecta (recycled and vegan materials / made lovingly in Boulder, Colorado). To read more about my love of English Retreads, click here.

Model T Tote Classic available in small and large at English Retreads

(US and International – US$109 and $129). For more funky English Retread’s designs within the UK, visit Feel Good Handbags or Neon Collective.

Lavera Lipstick
Every girl needs a lovely lipstick in her bag and Lavera offer a range of 14 flattering cool and warm shades to suit everyone. With moisturising shea butter, sweet almond oil and organic jojoba oil and a price tag under £10, you may need to pick up more than one! BDIH certified.
Available at Lovelula or So Organic

Badger Healing Balm
If you have discarded your winter gloves and now have some dry hands that look like they need to be re-gloved, you will need an organic hand cream a.s.a.p. Badger Balm’s Healing Balm is USDA certified organic and contains nourishing organic virgin olive oil, aloe vera extract and has a gorgeous sweet birch scent.
Available at Lovelula and So Organic for under £7

Water Bottle
Say no to plastic water bottles and still stay hydrated when you’re out and about by taking your own water bottle in your bag. I’ve started using a glass bottle (not practical for everyone but I’ve had no spillages) because all reusable water bottles on the market appear to either have aluminium in them or are made in China (without fair trade certification and quality control). I’m reusing a pretty iced tea glass bottle at the moment but see what you can find.

Biona Natural Lollipops
Reach for some natural Organic Fruit Lollies (Biona) next time that 4pm sugar slump hits. Made with natural fruit and plant extracts that taste super duper natural and like your favourite fruit juice on a stick!
Available at the Ethical Superstore £1.89

Key 2UR Heart Ring
These cute hand made, heart shaped key rings are made from vegetable ivory (nut derived) and are available in Jade, Scarlet and Olive but in limited availability, so be quick!
Use UK £7.99

The Cultivated Life

For months I had schemed to get a shelter magazine to profile my apartment, but the morning they finally came was, unfortunately, the day after a rather successful dinner party.

I have loved the work of the French artist Jean-Philippe Delhomme since I first saw his advertisements for Barneys and now I am in love with his new book The Cultivated Life! It is witty compilation of "satiric musings" on artistic, literary and decorating dramas and the first published in English! C'est magnifique!

We love entertaining in our dressing room. It's a real conversation piece...even our art world friends are delighted!

Just think of this as the Eames chair of the eighteenth century!

In my apartment a definite aesthetic discipline reigns; the unwritten rules of which don't prevent, unfortunately, a certain common type from loitering here.

Of course it's gorgeous! But I know there's a compulsive minimalist inside of me that could burst out any minute.

The more I progress in the field of design, the more I realize how little I actually know - it's a continual lesson in humility!

Breakfast with Carleton

I'm not much of a morning person so I am glad I got up early this morning to attend a Designer Seminar Series event at the D&D building featuring Carleton Varney and sponsored by Traditional Home. Mr. Varney tells wonderful stories of his unplanned life as a decorator that includes clients such as President and Mrs. Jimmy Cartner, Joan Crawford, Ethel Merman and even Joe Nameth. Of course, he also spoke about his mentor and boss for 7 years, the legendary Dororthy Draper. Mr. Varney believes that the younger generation is entranced by Dorothy Draper and her style since she represents an era of American glamour that they never experienced. Even what we think of as glamorous today has nothing on the 1940's and 50's. He also sugested that in this uncertain time, color will become even more popular in decorating. Aren't we all in a little need of a little uplifting color?!

After the lecture, Mr. Varney signed copies of his two fabulous books In the Pink and the latest, Houses in My Heart, in the Carleton V showroom which is run by his son, Sebastian Varney (above). My friend Kelly Reynolds was a designer at Dorothy Draper and worked on the Oscar Greenroom last year but now she helps run Carleton V with Sebastian who owns a country house near Christopher Spitzmiller who I was excited to finally meet today. Christopher has a great farm (with chickens!) that he has been restoring for a few years and I can already imagine that it will be just as gorgeous as his New York abode! Their new country neighbor is Eddie Ross who's home I can't wait to see! Talk about small chic world!

During the week, Sebastian Varney lives in a beautiful apartment on the Upper East Side that just needs a few finishing touches before I can photograph it for the blog. While his father's work is full of bold bright color, Sebastian's is a little more subdued but by no means boring. I am going to keep pestering him to complete the last projects because I know you will love it (if he doesn't strangle me first!). I'm sure Sebastian has heard his father's stories a million times but I haven't so I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him this morning. I will also try to remember his advice as I establish my own design firm, "successful rooms have soul." Amen!

Eight Ways to Detox Your Mind, Body and Home

Are you stressed, sluggish and sallow of skin? Did you miss your January detox?

1. Create a Tranquil Environment
Unplug the TV, phone and turn off the Blackberry. If this is too unrealistic, at least consider reducing the harmful radiation emitted from electrical equipment in your home or office with plants. Placing plants such as Boston ferns or Peace Lillies near televisions, computers and microwaves are all ways to help absorb radiation in the home.

2. What to Eat & Drink
Start the day with fresh seasonal and organic fruit for breakfast. To drink, sip some hot water and lemon juice or detox tea (Pukka). For lunch, try a light green salad with protein and fibre rich pulses and seeds or opt for a warming homemade soup. At dinner, keep the nutrients locked in your food by lightly steaming vegetables with quinoa (similar to rice or couscous but packed with protein). Remember to also drink lots of water throughout the day to flush toxins from your system.

3. Breathing
Aim to do 10 deep breaths at the start of each day to calm the mind and improve blood circulation and brain function. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale completely through the mouth.

4. Exercise
Raise a sweat by either walking briskly outdoors or taking a yoga class. Try Bikram yoga, a form of yoga that usually takes place in a studio with extra heating to encourage profuse sweating. Great for eliminating toxins and improving flexibility!

5. Meditate
Repeating mantras and affirmations or practicing visualisations are effective ways to start meditating daily. You can try visualisations where you see a coloured light filling your body or transport yourself to your own utopia: a sun drenched beach, peaceful mountain top or any other place that symbolises relaxation to you.

6. Improve Circulation
Make skin glow with daily body brushing. Use a loofah or body brush and make long sweeping strokes all over the body, always brushing towards the heart.

7. Salt Bath
In ‘Feng Shui Your Life’, author Jayme Barrett explains how salt has the ability to ‘disintegrate negativity, cleanse your energy field, and increase the energy circulation in all of your chakras.’ Run a bath and add 2-4 cups of sea salt (and your favourite essential oil such as lavender) and the water will absorb ‘dirty energy, and the salt immediately breaks down negative physical, emotional, and mental residue’ continues Jayme. If you don’t have a bath, make a salt exfoliating scrub for the shower with salt, sweet almond oil and lavender or lemon essential oil.

8. Detox the Ego
Read Echkart Tolle’s the ‘Power of Now’ and ‘A New Earth’ to learn how to achieve inner peace by disengaging from your mind and ego. Other inspiring books to help your holistic health include, ‘Quantum Wellness’ by Kathy Freston and ‘You Can Heal Your Life’ by Louise Hay.

Image: Pukka tea (Pukka Herbs)

Tranquil Townhouse

I was looking for a a living room concept recently and came across the townhouse that Nate Berkus designed for Katie Lee Joel and it reminded me how much I loved this home when I first saw it. While I enjoyed looking at the spread in Domino, I always liked looking at the photos online without them obscured by text or folded in the middle. I'm also sure that everyone has seen it before but sometimes it's nice to revisit an old favorite especially when it has a beautifully serene color palette and simply perfect furnishings. Also, makes me wish I lived in a pretty townhouse in the West Village. Sigh.

Photos by Paul Costello

4 Ethical Statement Rings

A statement ring is a great way to express your individuality. You can be wearing head to toe black but one bold and over sized ring can make the whole outfit pop. Check out our pick of the 4 best statement rings that are gorgeous and ethical.

CROO2 Rays - Cast Silver Collection
Every girl needs a beautiful silver statement ring and you can choose from 9 intricate and unique designs at Kirsten Muenster. The Ray ring jumped out at me not only for its sublime design and the fact it is made from recycled sterling silver but I also feel if I wear it long enough the Ray ring may actually bring the sun to London!
Kirsten Muenster Jewelery - US$250

Hovey Lee - Structural Eco Gem Ring
Such a quirky and unusual ring that is sure to start a conversation wherever you go. You can tell your friends that your Hovey Lee Jewelery is fair trade too (member of Co-op America and No Dirty Gold).
Fashion-Conscience - £45

ROO3 Recycled Series - One of a Kind Collection
This ring is an investment piece that will stand out decade after decade. Made from recycled copper fire brick and recycled sterling silver from a San Francisco jeweller who has the utmost respect for the environment.
Kirsten Muenster Jewelery - US$500

Hovey Lee - Structural Eco Gem Ring
Blue, green, orange and a pearl. Sounds so wrong but looks so right. Hovey Lee uses fair trade gemstone suppliers and where possible, recycled materials. This combination of ethics and creativity produces jewellery that will never fail to get noticed. Fashion-Conscience - £45

weekend

I made a rabbit Friday, out of a man's shirt and some fabric leftovers. it helped overcome a deep weekend blues that jumped at me earlier that day and forced me into a strange driving away mood. coming back from my little private trip I stopped at the vegetable shop in Fureidis for some hot peppers, and they were selling freshly cooked, still warm vine leaves stuffed with rice. I bought a box of those as well, and felt so much better. an example of the vain, empty consumption culture that I'm part of :-)

Then I went home and made this fellow. I think I'll make a dress for him, but I can't stop thinking that he's a He.

Saturday we went to the children's Museum in Holon near Tel Aviv, but couldn't go in since we didn't call in advance. Isn't that weird? Anyway we spent the morning in a playground, then went for lunch at a Georgian food restaurant, Nanuchka. They have these pretty amazing lampshades:

And just a nice shot of O and A and some Staropramen.

Berkus at the Beach

I was checking out interior designer Nate Berkus's website and noticed a few new photos of a beach house. I posted them yesterday without knowing where they were from and in a funny coincidence, they were published in the November 2008 issue of C Magazine (more on C Magazine later) and now I can bring you the entire story.

The 3,400 SF home is tucked away on a beach in Malibu and of course, has amazing views of the ocean. Nate was called by the lucky homeowner who was given a complete house makeover for her birthday and couldn't resist the offer to help her. As I mentioned before, the home is a beautiful mix of black, white and browns mixed with natural fibers since the owner is not a color person which creates a clean and calm interior. It's also nice the decor does not compete with the amazing views. In the living room above, the Corian topped table was designed by Berkus and sits near a 1940's carved giltwood chair and what appears to be a Mies van der Rohe daybed.

A glass desk and wood chair overlook the living room in the study that closes off to become a guestroom.

Petrified wood looks like modern art on the wall of the stairwell.

The downstairs guestroom has a leather topped desk and a photograph taken by a Navy admiral who was a family ancestor.

In the master bedroom, a zebra skin rug adds pattern to the neutral color scheme, as does the Ross Bleckner painting and agate lamps.

Can you just imagine taking a bath with that view? Looks very dreamy!

The dining chairs look blue but are really gray. Another variation on the colors through out the home and take their cue from the colors of seashells and the colors of the beach.

The kitchen has a more industrial feel but Berkus says, "I like things with a touch of the industrial." The floors are softened with seagrass rugs. I think this home is going to have to go into my file of inspiration for my future beach house. It's perfect!

Photos from Nate Berkus and Lisa Romerein for C Magazine