Have You Seen What Else is Green Lately?

Target has created a green section online and in their stores. The section is strictly for natural beauty products. Next time you visit Target be sure to take notice of the new aisle and shelves made just for the natural products.

Nordstrom also has an online 'Organic Style' and 'Organic & Natural' to shop from. The Organic Style isn't just for women; they have categories and items for juniors, men, and kids - and even a home category. Organic & Natural carries various beauty and skin care products.

And have you seen Sephora lately? They're advertising that you can be as natural as you want to be. American Apparel, as we've mentioned before carries organic clothing for men, women, children, and babies. With their vintage eye wear they are, in a sense, recycling, so feel free to pick up a pair or two and not feel guilty about it at all! You're helping recycle some old fashions...

Baggu Bags for the Eco-Chic

Baggu is attempting to replace all paper and plastic bags! They are working on making our world just a little bit better with one Baggu bag at a time. 

Baggu bags are reusable, light, and compactible. The Baggu bags are not only handy when it comes to grocery shopping, but can also be used as a quick gym bag or a stylish tote. The bags are about $10 each and at a price like that they are a real deal on an investment.

Visit their site and make your purchase fast!

Organic Clothing - What's Missing?

Is it just me or is organic fashion industry missing a certain key element to their designs? Like maybe...fashion?!

It seems so easy to find fair-trade clothing if you're looking for your basic white tee or a not-so-form-fitting pullover hoodie. Yet, if you follow the trends and are looking for something that looks like you didn't just spend the day running around the track, the goal becomes much more difficult.

When will somebody fulfill this seemingly small niche market of consumers who are not only green, but also hip and trendy? Society is shifting and the word green no longer represents granola-eating, tree-hugging hippies.

Luckily, some people, like the Teens for Safe Cosmetics, are allowing creative spirits to develop new designs that are all fashionable and eco-friendly at their fashion show in New York City Friday, April 4.

But for now, I'm waiting for the time when all clothing can become sustainable and fair trade - even on the Red Carpet.

Meet the Kenig Twins

Max & Dylan Kenig are two fourteen-year-old twins living in Brooklyn with their father Ricky Kegin. The names Max & Dylan may not ring a bell, but Ricky should. He is the co-owner of one of the most famous beauty boutiques in the U.S., the famed beauty emporium, Ricky's NYC. It is a beauty product store that caters to women in seek of the latest and most fashionable trends in beauty!

There are 22 Ricky's located in Manhattan, Miami, and East Hampton. You should stop in and visit while you're in town. You should also pick up the latest beauty obsessions. Mr. Kenig is very dedicated in providing what the customer wants and is looking for. He said that stores are where he does research. “To know what a shopper wants, you have to be a shopper,” he said. “It doesn’t come from sitting in the office.”

Max & Dylan may be living a life of luxury in a renovated gloriously light and airy town house on a leafy block in Park Slope. Despite the glamorous life style and amazing perks of having a father who owns a beauty store, the two girls are simply modest and humble. The girls don’t even expect couture. “They’re happy when they buy four things at Forever 21 for $70,” Mr. Kenig said. “I’m the one who pushes them to buy more clothes."

The girls' bathroom is known as the must-see destination spot in their home. Their powder room is stocked with the latest must-have potions and gadgets, from shampoos to straighteners. The sisters say, "Dad always bring home new products for us to test. We're kind of like his guinea pigs!" (Get a peek into the girls bathroom by picking up Teen Vogue's March issue).

Renee Loux: Nothing But The Freshest In All Things Organic & Green!

Renee Loux is the "Queen of Green" and a "green guru"! Renee is a very inspirational woman with her many talents. She is a chef, a teacher, and an author.

She opened her own restraunt after she moved to Maui. Her restraunt is The Raw Experience and is one of America's first raw foods restraunts. She has taught celebrities how to cook using her culinary expertise.

She has written five books and has been all over television. She is even an eco-advisor consultant for Exhale Spas.

Check out what her celebrity friends have said about her:

Mike Meyers says, "Renée is the type of spiritual seeker who not only speaks of their ideals, but lives them out as well. She believes that spirituality requires a soldier's discipline and not just a bumper sticker's bromide."

Woody Harrelson calls her "a striking green-eyed wonder and taste master ... with revolutionary thinking about food."

Alicia Silverstone calls her the "Green Martha Stewart."

Dr. Dean Ornish says, "Renée brings such an extraordinarily satisfying approach to food and to her life. Her passion and balanced approach is at once sensually gratifying and thoroughly wholesome."

And, it's Alice Cooper who has aptly named her the "Queen of Green."

Hail to the Mighty O!

It looks like Seattle is trying to jump ahead on the list of Green Cities because I just stumbled upon the website for Mighty O! Donuts - All Organic Donuts.

Thats combining two wonderful things in my opinion: sustainability, environmental care AND scrumptious donuts. They're even vegan as well.

What's more? Mighty O opens the business up for educational field trips and donate their extra donuts to shelters and schools. They also support local artists by offering public space for them to display their work.

I wonder if they taste as delicious as the regular ones...there's only one way to find out. ROAD TRIP!

Whole Foods To the Rescue

Whole Foods has just released its new certification: Premium Body Care. They are now certifying all of their products under this label to give customers a better idea of what they are purchasing.

From the website: "There are many non-natural components and processes in most U.S. body care products. Even those labeled "natural" may contain harsh preservatives or ingredients with environmental concerns." (We agree.)

Products containing all of those nasty chemicals that we hate will not receive that Whole Foods seal of approval. They have outlawed those harmful ingredients like parabens, polypropylene and polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates.

Among the Whole Foods new set of standards:

Preservatives are necessary in body care products, especially water-based products. Our Premium Body Care standard allows only milder preservatives. They must be shown to function properly, yet have a lower likelihood of causing cosmetic-related allergies and sensitivities.

Surfactants are used for cleaning, degreasing, emulsifying, conditioning and creating foam. They also remove essential fatty acids and may be irritating to the skin. Our Premium standard allows only the safest, most gentle types available.

Fragrance is a component that most people expect in premium products and, if naturally derived, may have aromatherapy benefits, as well. For philosophical and safety reasons, only natural essential oils and components of natural essential oils are allowed as fragrances in our Premium standard.

We're happy that Whole Foods is trying to educate its consumers about the type of products that they are putting on the skin of themselves and their loved ones. And, they're partnering with our friends, the Teens for Safe Cosmetics. Check them both out!

America's Top 50 Greenest Cities

Woohoo...Popular Science magazine has rated America's Top 50 Greenest Cities and the Bay Area dominated!

They used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Geographic Society’s Green Guide, which reviews all American cities of over 100,000 people in more than 30 categories, including air quality, electricity use and transportation habits. They then compiled these statistics into four broad categories:

Electricity: Judging the use of renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric power and incentive offerings for residents to invest in their own power sources.

Transportation: These scores are based on how many commuters take public transportation or carpool and on air quality.

Green Living: This is based on the number of buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and for areas devoted to green space, such as public parks and nature preserves.

Recycling and Green Perspective: These measure how comprehensive a city’s recycling program is (if the city collects old electronics, for example) and how important its citizens consider environmental issues.

And the winners are...dun dun dun...

1. Portland, OR
2. SAN FRANCISCO, CA
3. Boston, MA
4. OAKLAND, CA
5. Eugene, OR
6. Cambridge, MA
7. BERKELEY, CA
8. Seattle, WA
9. Chicago, IL
10. Austin, TX

That puts the Bay Area in THREE of the Top 10 places! Good job, folks, and keep it coming. Maybe next year we can make San Francisco number ONE!

Make it an Organic Easter

Looking for ways to make this Easter a little bit greener? Wellbaskets.com is now offering Certified Organic Easter baskets for you to hide for your little ones.

The basket offers tasty and healthy snacks that have all been third party certified organic AND have been given the kid taste-test approval. It contains organic cookies, organic dark chocolate bites, corn snacks, fruit leather, soy chips, and of course, (what would an easter basket be without one?) a stuffed animal easter bunny.

So if you're looking to give your kids a new healthy kind of easter treat this year, this may be your answer.

My only question is...where are all the jelly beans?

InStyle: Style 101

If you haven't already, you should pick up InStyle's Style 101! Each page is filled with tips and tricks for women, whether its about clothes, shoes, cosmetics, food, drinks, home decor etc. etc. etc.

In other words: It is the how-to guide that NO woman should go without!

Style 101 offers In Style's best and most essential advice, plus a few pointers from the pros. Style 101 includes has how-to guides on various styles of fashion, beauty, home and entertainment topics. There are more than 200 full-color photos and illustrations demonstrating everything from walking in high heels to tying a sarong. There are even checklists to help you find a bra that fits, grow out a bad haircut, and how to recognize quality in clothing.

EcoLogiQue 's First Birthday Party!

Congratulations EcoLogiQue! They are celebrating their first birthday this month! And celebrating how else? but with a party! This San Francisco eco-friendly boutique is located in Hayes Valley and features fashion-forward clothing for men, women, and babies made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, and bambo.

In the words of EcoLogiQue founder, "One of the most powerful tools we have is where we put our money. It is with this belief that the boutique was created. EcoLogiQue is a representation of apparel made with as little impact upon the earth as possible. As the world is opening its eyes and ears to the ways in which we can be the change, we are opening the door of possibility and are making the change accessible."

So support the cause!

Saturday, March 15th from 12-8 PM, they will be holding a reception of Earth friendly fashion, music and art...and they haven't forgotten the organic wine and cheese. It's an open invitation so everybody is welcome! Grab the family and spend the day eating, dancing and celebrating the green way!

March 15, 12-8 PM
141 Gough St. (@ Oak)
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.621.2431

Other Beauty Editors Turned Authors

Blogger Tia Williams has written a novel based on her experiences of being a Beauty Editor. The novel is titled The Accidental Diva.

She has worked at YM, Elle, Glamour and Lucky - and all in only four years! She was the Beauty Director at Teen People magazine. Since April '05 she has left the world of magazine publishing and has become a full-time author.

Aside from her novel, The Accidental Diva, she also co-wrote Iman's makeup book, THE BEAUTY OF COLOR.

Also check out the former editor of Cosmo Sam Baker's book, Fashion Victim, in which she uncovers the life of a Fashion Editor. She is currently the editor of Red, a sister magazine of Elle.

Her life philosophy is, "If someone says you can't, prove them wrong. Fight your own battles and admit your mistakes."

Paul McCartney for PETA

PETA has recently been using the hottest hollywood stars to promote their views of better living. They tend to strip the stars down to their own skin and have them posing for the camera. However, the most recent ad has a fully clothed Paul McCartney!

Paul McCartney believes that becoming a strict vegetarian will have a strong impact on others. The ad has a brief statement from Paul about when he realized he was killing the lives of fish for his own leisure and pleasure. The shirt he is wearing in the ad is the "Eat No Animal" shirt. The shirt describes the first time it hit him that animals value their lives just as much as humans do.

Confessions of a Beauty Editor

Allure magazine, the only magazine strictly dedicated to beauty and all of its glory! You Allure addicts will be pleased to know that Linda Wells along with the editors of Allure magazine have published all of their deepest beauty confessions in Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor.

Linda Wells is the Editor in Chief at Allure and has been in the beauty industry for over 15- years. She says, "The way you look is very personal, and many women hold up very high, impossible standards for their beauty products. "

She adds, "I'm willing to try new things and see what works. And if it doesn't, I don't go back and buy it. That's pretty encouraging to companies — women are willing to pay, but they want to see results."

New Organic Certifications Continue to Blossom

New certification procedures for organic cosmetics are slowly popping up in North America, following the strict guidelines brought by the European marketplace.

Today, many products that claim to be "organic" are actually not at all. There has been a desire to create a standard to which all cosmetic products can be applied.

However, it looks like Canada is getting its own certification, from Certech Registration Inc. They currently seem to have one client, a Canadian brand called "eaurganic" that creates products in skincare, body lotion and spa treatments.

The standard set by Certech demands that "in order to be certified as natural under the IOS Cosmetics Standard, a minimum of 95% of the product must be of natural origin. In addition to this, products that obtain certification as organic must also use certified organic ingredients which have been grown, cultivated, and stored without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fumigants or other toxins." Furthermore, they must not be tested on animals and use recyclable packaging.

Having a standard to which all organic cosmetic products can be applied is a positive idea for consumers. I just hope that suddenly there won't be so many "official" organic certifications, that it becomes too difficult to tell one from another...

LaLoo! LaLoo you too!

As you all know being eco-friendly is indeed trendy, but in the case of really being environmentally safe, well that never goes out of style! Clothes have definitely been turning more and more green. The latest would be LaLoo, a fashion line by "The Office" star Rashida Jones and her friend Amanda Wilcox.

LaLoo! It is the cutest little saying... According to Rashida's goddaughter LaLoo translates to "I love you!" The collection is three-styled organic cotton casual wear.

You'll soon be able to purchase your own comfy flattering tank tops, short-sleeved and long sleeved tees at various boutiques and also online. We here at Edelbio will be sure to keep you posted!

"I Believe" in Credo Mobile

Credo Mobile - It isn't exactly the most elegant sounding mobile company, but it has a mission unlike all the rest. They believe in justice, equality, a cleaner greener environment, a woman's right to choose, and elections where every vote counts.

But who are they? And what are they all about?

They are all about supporting the causes that are important to people, claiming that every time someone makes a call with them and their plans, 1% of the charges are automatically given to various groups. These groups include Planned Parenthood, Rainforest Action Network, Human Rights Watch, and many more.

They are a phone company, but are definitely in the business of giving back. They have already donated $60 million to several progressive nonprofits and all without a single extra cost to their customers!

Jean Godfrey-June, A Woman to Admire

Few really know what exactly it means or takes to be a beauty editor. There is this underlying assumption that it must be absolutely glamorous and all the while so effortless! Jean Godfrey-June, Beauty Editor at Lucky Magazine, says that it is glamorous, and for her, having more than a million people read what shes writes every month is definitely the most glamorous part of her job.

It really doesn’t appear at all effortless with the overwhelming amounts of press releases she goes through and the endless number of publicists lined up to pitch the latest in beauty each day. She definitely has some perks though, such as the numerous amounts of free samples she receives and the ability to borrow clothing from the trendiest beauty closets at Lucky.

She is a woman, a mother of two, a well established beauty editor, and an author! That is quite an accomplishment. Her book, Free Gift With Purchase, is a memoir about her path from a columnist at Elle and Lucky, to a brief stint at BeautyScene.com, and finally to the Beauty Editor at Lucky. In the book she also talks about just what exactly goes on in the absolutely fabulous world of fashion, beauty, and magazine publishing.

She says she wrote the book because, “People are always incredibly intrigued to hear about my job & what it’s really like -- and I’ve always loved writing my column, and my book is sort of an unexpurgated (there’s only so much space on a magazine page) version of the column.”

In her book she addresses that they use real people to model and not professional models in Lucky Magazine. She said, “We’re always on the hunt for cute real people. And we meet them—like everybody else does—out and about.” So for all you die hard hopefuls for your five minutes of fame, start strutting your stuff up and down the streets of New York.

For all of you who want more tips and tricks with beauty, check out Luckymag.com's beauty blog!

Wearing Green - that is Green

St. Patrick's Day is a few weeks away... Traditionally people wear green to avoid getting pinched. This year everyone should make an effort to wear green clothes that are GREEN! Try such brands as American Apparel or Good Humans. Avoid getting pinched this year and know that you're helping the green movement.

To get in on more of the St. Patrick's Day festivities come out to the Civic Center Plaza here in San Francisco; there will be a parade on the 15th of March. And, if you aren't in San Francisco, you can do a quick search for local activities that will be going on that weekend.

Sweet Beauty

Sweetbeautyspa.com offers products that are truly sweet. Their body, face and lips collections are made completely to resemble the essence of chocolate.

They're made completely with Organic Fair Trade Certified Chocolate (that's an idea we like!), but I don't know how I feel about spreading chocolatey goodness all over my body. I love chocolate just as much as the next girl, but do I really want it going places other than into my stomach? I might be tempted to eat my body scrub.

And would spreading chocolate on my body really satisfy those chocolate cravings the same way a luscious Godiva truffle can? I just don't know.

BYOA - Bring Your Own Art

Looking for something to do this Thursday night? Are you an artist, starving to showcase your artwork? Are you interested in looking at what other artists have created? Well then make your way to the Fillmore Center!

Bring Your Own Art is the Indie Arts Bizarre. This event could be called a "live-art mashup" which is, in fact, calling for entries. All types of musicians, visual artists, performers and wordsmiths will be in attendance. This event showcases several independent artists and gives them a chance to mingle, network and use the open mic opportunity to speak about up coming projects and who they are looking to collaborate with on their projects. Even if you are not an artist you will not, I repeat, will not be turned away! They're only asking for a small donation of two to five bucks for entrance.

For more information on this event, check out the official website.

Whats the Deal with the Grass?

Wheatgrass energy shots and drinks seem to be popping up everywhere. But what does it actually do and do the health benefits outweigh the taste of literally drinking grass?

Wikipedia - the official source of all things wonderful - tells us that regular wheatgrass ingestion can potentially improve the digestive system, prevent cancer, diabetes and heart disease, detoxify heavy metals from the bloodstream, cleanse the liver, prevent hair loss and help make menopause more manageable. That's quite an extensive list.

High in Vitamin K and Iron, wheatgrass might seem like a good thing to boost the system. But as a long-time employee and drinker of Jamba Juice, people wonder if it tastes as gross as it looks. My advice: it tastes like grass. So, if you're willing to truly become one with the earth, perhaps wheatgrass is a good option for you.