obsessed

Obsessed with social media? So are your favorite designers and celebrities - I just fell in love with Rachel Zoe's new website while I constantly check up on my Twitter account - not to post, but to attempt a peak into the glamorous lifestyles of those rich and famous.

A few of my favorite:

Rachel Zoe

Josh Groban

Brooke Burke

Taylor Swift

And a legit article about it...

not just daddy's plastic

This plastic bag debate has got me thinking - while I love my Trader Joe's reusable tote, if it's not in my Prius when driving to the store or my bike basket when trucking over to the local produce shop, I am glad for the use of the store's provided plastic bags. Sure reusable bags have become much more hip and fashionable these days, as evident in the plethora of cheap and chic options every grocer offers up, among other shops, for a decent bag, but for those who like to reuse their plastic for a little trash can coater or lunch bag, why not let them? Surely the drippy meat from your deli will be much happier as will your guests when they enter into a bathroom sans defunct smells leaking from beside that toilet bowl. Likely there will always be fueling passions for every side, but it's hard to decide, isn't it?

Check out the sites that go pro and con:

Save the Plastic Bag

ChicoBag

The debate continues, though as liberal Seattle-its have learned, not everyone is game for such a huge change.

what a world

Sweet Summer Style

It's summer time and the living's easy - as a San Diegan and all around summer guru, I know a thing or two about beach bags. Living mostly out of them June through September, it's hard not to find myself with a ecclectic bunch of colors, shapes and sizes when it comes to a summer bundle. It is a rare feat to then find something as practical as a summer/ beach tote that also comes with the green splendor of style, aka the 44 knots tote that is made of 100% recycled vintage sailcloth (even better for a beach bag!) and donates a portion of all proceeds to The Surfrider Foundation - a company near and dear to many San Diegans hearts. As colors vary due to nature of materials, your bag can be the easy go to and still manage to be unique!

oh look at me

my best friend bought me this cute little booklet for all my writer's thoughts and it just so happens to be green - no, not the color, but the matieral. plastered with an 'environmental choice' tag on it, the black and gray polka-dotted pad just five inches long is made from 100% recycled grayboard and woodfree paper of recycled content. now i know it's rude to ask a friend where any present was purchased, but for my writing growth i think she might understand.

in the hills

just as designer-obsessed shoppers are becoming green, so are the trend setting stars who get the name out there. much like Carmeron Diaz is a green giver, so is Gwyneth Paltrow - who recently posted on her GOOP blog that there are more ways than you think to become green. it isn't just about the clothes you wear (though the product line from Stella McCartney is juicy) or the books you read (Worldchanging: A Users Guide to the 21st Century), but the way you live your life

As Ms Paltrow says (and what I've been saying this whole time) is this: "'Going green is no longer just the ideology of left-wing hippies. Nor is it a trend. We are living in exciting times. We are confronted with the challenge of sustaining our food, our water and our environment. We are changing things. It's big....the more commercial it goes, the better off we all are, and not only from an ecological and environmental standpoint. Design-wise, inspiring options are becoming available. It's a win-win"

I've taken what i think is the first step and invested in a Toyota Prius - though the exterior might not have been my first choice, sitting in my compact while cruising California's speedways makes me feel just a bit healthier

Among the many options she gives, there are several options that I have already tried or listed on here - including Micheal Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" - I'll admit it's a bit dry at points, but everyone I've spoken to that has read this raves, shopping locally and organically - aka farmer's markets (my favorite remains the one in OB, though i enjoy strolling through the Solana Beach one and as a University of California, San Diego alum, the market on campus is equally as fun - find yours at www.localharvest.org), and reusable grocery/shopping bags and coffee mugs

Some new choices i found and enjoy, and if Gwyneth (and Cameron) is suggesting it, they must be uber-chic:

Camilla Boutique, an eco-friendly fashion line of clothing, shoes and home goods in Brooklyn

GOOD Magazine, a 100% recycled paper mag that is green on the inside, and out

Alternative Apparel, an online shop that offers up simple tees with a green feel

fashion wonderland

can it be true?

welcome to the world of Hollywood as it combines with green - known as the hill-top's 'it' green girl, Cameron Diaz recently posed for Vogue's June issue donning a plethora of green, fashion forward frocks that were equally stylish as they were planet- friendly. This is a dream come true folks, as everyone from Stella McCartney (organic cotton bikini) to John Patrick (dress - other images) and Salvatore Ferragomo (hobo bag) were in for the shoot. I checked out Urban Outfitters for some of their eco-chic belts made from recycled tires as well as this new company, Eco Emporia, which showcases their recycled tire belts as worn by the starlet on the feature's cover image. Even affordable and just as fashionable - it must be heaven!

a fabulous new treat

view my examiner page!

and a sprinkle of magic

as a Harry Potter aficionado, i am equally as thrilled to enjoy the loveliness of new and unique fashion as i am to learn that our own little Hermoine (Emma Watson) is all grown up and looking super chic for fashionistas out there. i for one can't get over how much she's grown up since HP began and hope that the school daze doesn't hinder her from 'acting' out once again...i plan on snagging the Teen Vogue when it comes out, because well, let's face it, i'm still a bit of a teen-drama-queen.