the power of plants.

While indoor plants serve as a nice way to freshen up the look of a room, did you know they have a lot of health benefits, too? Here are just a few convincing reasons for why you should consider making a trip to your local Gerten’s and pick up some plants!

• Plants can help fight colds and fatigue
• Plants can remove airborne contaminants and a variety of toxic air emissions including ammonia, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene, xylene and trichloroethytene
• Plants absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, ultimately improving air quality
• Plants are natural humidifiers
• Plants can improve productivity
• Plants have been shown to increased positive feelings and reduce feelings of anxiety, anger and sadness

Considering how low-cost most indoor plants are in addition to the benefits listed above, I can’t really find any good reason not to invest in some indoor plants!

Happy Friday!

shop farmer’s market fresh

Spring is well under way and summer is just around the corner… do you know what that means? It’s time for the farmer’s market! The farmer’s market isn’t just for getting awesomely fresh produce, but it’s also a great way to be sustainable by supporting your local farmers!

So when it comes to shopping fresh summer produce, here is your quick guide for the best in-season fruits, veggies and herbs! -

Fruits: Apricots, Avocados, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Figs, Grapes, Kiwi, Mangos, Melon (Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon), Nectarines, Papaya, Peaches, Pineapple, Plums, Raspberries, Strawberries

Vegetables: Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Green beans, Eggplant, Jicama, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Potatoes, Radishes, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Peppers, Tomatoes, Zucchini

Herbs: Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Oregano, Sage, Rosemary

What are some of your favorite items to buy at the farmers market, or recipes you like to make with fresh summer produce?

welcome, weekend!

A few words to ponder this weekend…

 image via

Happy Friday! :-)

greener birchbox alternatives

Does anyone else feel as though Birchbox is all the rage right now? I love the idea of paying only $10 a month to receive a wide variety of brand name beauty samples, however, I cringe at the thought of many of those items being more than likely laced with a copious amount of not-so-natural ingredients. While I recognize that a Tarte or Korres product might randomly end up in a monthly box, it’s not enough to entice me to join. Luckily there are some similar eco-friendly alternatives to Birchbox for all of those green peeps out there such as myself! (Bonus – all of the following are always wrapped in earth-friendly packaging!)

Green Grab Bag –
Cost: $15/month or $145/year (a 20% discount) + free shipping
What you get: A minimum of six natural, organic and vegan beauty samples including skincare products, makeup or fragrances.
Check it out: http://greengrabbag.com/

Goodebox –
Cost: $16/month + free shipping
What you get: Six or more trial-size healthy, eco-sensitive beauty and personal care products, along with occasional samples of natural & organic health and wellness products from brands that are committed to creating products that respect people, animals and planet. Bonus – you can gear the products toward your specific concerns and skin type.
Check it out: http://goodebox.com/

Eco-Emi Box –
Cost: $15/month + free shipping
What you get: Five to ten samples of natural, organic, eco-friendly, cruelty free, vegan, vegetarian or Fair Trade products. The items can be everything from animal-friendly makeup, to organic herbal tea, to all natural perfume, to sustainable laundry detergent, to vegan chocolates, etc!  
Check it out: http://ecoemi.comConscious Box –
Cost: $12/month; $33/3 months; or $64/6 months (+ shipping for all)
What you get: A wide variety of products and samples focusing on “sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility” - anything from organic food to green household items to vegan beauty products.
Check it out: http://www.consciousbox.com

What are your thoughts on a more eco-friendly alternative to Birchbox? Which one sounds the most appealing to you?

green beauty buys #3

My gradual switch to as many “green” beauty and body products that I can should come as no secret by this point. As I make this slow transition, I am sharing with you some of my favorites. (You can see past posts here & here). Without further ado, here is segment numero tres showcasing a few eco-friendly products I’ve picked up this past month that I am adoring! Check it out:

1/2/3/4/5

The low-down:

• Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion - Don’t let the title fool you – this is actually a face moisturizer, not a body lotion. Since the seasons are changing, I decided to switch over to a light-weight moisturizer. This one is just the right consistency and gives a pleasant, spa-like scent that is not overpowering or feminine, so I would recommend this for men as well. Just like all Aveda products, this one if made from naturally-derived ingredients. The only down side? No SPF. Wah, wah, wah.

• Essie Nail Polish in “Go Overboard” - I picked this bottle of beautiful brightness a few weeks back as an impulse buy – hey, the increased temperatures and emerging spring colors got the best of me! So you might be wondering why this falls into the category of a ‘green’ beauty product. Unlike many other nail polish brands, Essie is formulated without DBP, toluene, and is formaldehyde-free!

• Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation - I can’t say keen on the price of this foundation (a whopping $38), however, I can say that I’m ecstatic over the wear of it. After reading several positive reviews and testing out a sample from my local Sephora, I was ultimately sold and shelled out the 38 bucks without a mere second thought. Despite its light, mousse-like texture, it’s a ‘12-hour full-coverage’ foundation that gives skin a flawless finish – just what a foundation should do. Added bonuses – it’s SPF 15, cruelty-free and is formulated without mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate.

• Coconut Oil - Although this is a cooking oil and baking ingredient, it also serves as a great makeup remover and moisturizer! You can read my recent “kitchen cabinet beauty” blog post to learn more about this multi-purpose oil and why you should consider adding it to your daily skincare regimen.

• Gud Shampoo in “Vanilla Flame” - I recently bought this on a whim when I saw it was on sale at the Whole Foods Market, plus it just so happened that I needed a new shampoo at the time. ‘Gud’ is Burt’s Bees latest product line featuring hair and body products in three scents: Vanilla Flame, Orange Petalooza and Floral Cherrynova. All of these scents smell fantastic but the vanilla one stands out from the rest, in my opinion. One thing is for sure – I’m definitely tempted to buy the rest of the products after using the shampoo! Not to mention this line doesn’t contain any parabens, phthalates or petrochemicals. (You can ‘like’ their FB page for a free lotion sample!)

an outfit under $20.

Outfit details: Vintage bow-tie blouse – $1 garage sale find; Vintage sweater vest – $2.99 @ Goodwill in Woodbury; Vintage Purse – $4.99 @ St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in St. Paul; Limited jeans – $2.50 @ Salvation Army in Colombia Heights; Etienne Aigner boots – $6.99 @ Goodwill in West St. Paul.

The grand total of this ensemble? A mere $18.47!

And that is why I love thrifting. :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

kitchen cabinet beauty.

I know what you’re thinking – “What the heck is ‘kitchen cabinet beauty’?” Today I am featuring some of my favorite ways to green your beauty routine by using things you can often find in your kitchen! You might be surprised…

Baking Soda = Face wash! Yes, I said it – face wash! Simply mix a quarter-size amount of baking soda with water in your hands to form a paste. Cleanse your face with this simple concoction for just the right amount of exfoliation. The best part? It’s probably the cheapest face wash you’ll ever buy!

Coconut Oil = Makeup remover, moisturizer, hair conditioner! This oil isn’t just for baking but also a multi-purpose item for your beauty regimen. Apply all over face and remove with a soft wash cloth to take off makeup; rub on rough areas of skin such as cuticles or feet for intense hydration; or use it on ends of hair for a deep-conditioning treatment (make sure to rinse)!

Cucumbers = Eye de-puffers - one of the oldest tricks in the book! Chilled, sliced cucumbers work wonders to decrease puffiness on the eyes as well as help in temporarily diminishing under-eye bags. Plus you can’t beat the refreshing smell! (Other great kitchen options: cooled tea bags or cold spoons).

Honey = Soothing face mask! Honey is known as natural humectant, meaning it has the ability to attract moisture and hold it. Simply apply a thin layer of honey onto your face, letting sit for 10-15 minutes. Remove honey with a warm, damp washcloth to reveal soft and smooth skin.

Oatmeal = Cleanser/gentle exfoliant! Oatmeal is known to relieve itchiness, redness, dryness and minor irritations. That being said, it is the perfect ingredient to add to your everyday face cleanser for added gentle exfoliation, or it can be used as a cleanser alone. Just mix it with water for a 100% natural face wash that is just as easy on sensitive skin as it is on the wallet!

Olive Oil = Hair and cuticle treatment! Coat hair in olive oil and cover with a shower cap. After 30 minutes, shampoo and condition your hair as normal. Once dry, you’ll notice added shine and softness to hair. To soothe dry or cracked cuticles, simply rub olive oil on them for a quick smoothing solution!

Yogurt = Cooling face mask! Yogurt contains lactic acid, which can help to exfoliate and smooth out the skin. To use, liberally apply plain yogurt all over the face. (This might be a good time to use the cucumber slices on eyes as well)! Rinse off with warm water after about 20 minutes. Immediately your face will feel clean and refreshed. Yogurt is also a go-to item for reducing redness and pain associated with sunburn.

What are your thoughts on incorporating everyday cooking and baking items into your beauty routine?

bring on the florals.

Outfit details: Merona hat – $1.99 (new) @ Goodwill in West St. Paul; Button-up (no tag – brand unknown) – $2.99 @ Hidden Treasures Thrift Store in St. Anthony; Gap vest – $2.50 @ MRCI Thrift Store in Mankato; Vintage clutch – $2.49 @ Valu Thrift Store in St. Paul; Belt – $1.99 @ Goodwill in West St. Paul; Simply Vera by Vera Wang jeans – $6.99 @ Goodwill in Woodbury; Old Navy wedges – $20 (on sale) @ Old Navy.

March is here! Although there’s still snow on the ground, I’m saying so long to winter and hello to spring! I figure what better way to greet the new season than with floral prints – (my excuse reasoning behind finding the need to buy more tops from the thrift store, such as the one above). :-)

Have a great week!