Etsy Love: Georgia Varidakis Jewelry

I know I created my Saturday Etsy Love post to highlight the abundance of awesome eco-friendly housewares found on Etsy, and I've accomplished that mission so far with many a featured shop to come. But I stumbled across a line of jewelry so beautiful, so unique, and so 'me' yesterday that I just had to share. Shelves and lamps are great but sometimes a girl's just gotta blog about jewelry!! And for argument's sake, 'handmade' and 'locally produced' are key green qualities, and Georgia Varidakis' line of jewelry gets checkmarks for both. Here's my drool-enducing shopping list:




Attention future husband: I'd prefer this Double Bird Ring over a diamond engagement ring any day (available in sterling silver on Etsy and in yellow and rose gold through Georgia's website)!


A precious pair of Little Sterling Heart Earrings.


For the man who can pull off a 3 piece suit, but not without a little humor and style: Cow Head Cuff Links.


Every seafarer like myself needs a little nautical accent in their jewelry box, such as this tiny Anchor Necklace.





A few of my other favorites found only on Georgia's website: Fan Coral Brooch, Crystal Necklace, and Sword in the Stone Necklace.

Purge, Save and Do Good....at the Gap until 5/29

The purger and bargain-lover in me is psyched about this promotion that the Gap is running right now: take your gently used, unwanted garments to any Gap store between now and May 29th, 2011 and they will donate them to Goodwill AND give you 30% off your purchase! Grab a trash bag, open that closet and start tossing!!!

Monday Color: Orange

Was it the bright citrus hued robes that I encountered in my search for a Dalai Lama image to use in yesterday's random post? Or perhaps it was the torn magazine page featuring vibrant orange dahlias that is pinned to my bulletin board? Or possibly the orange-tinged sky at sunset tonight? Whatever it was....I tried to turn to other hues for today's post, but no. Orange seemed to be calling me everywhere I turned. So here's a tribute to one of the happiest decorating colors in existence; as an accent or spanning a whole wall, it has the power to energize a space and lift drooping spirits, monkhood not required.














Images above:

1. This orange kitchen found on Mod Res Des is beyond bold.

2. Orange walls don't overwhelm above classic white beadboard (found on elledecor.com).

3. Orange and gray pair harmoniously in this unique bathroom from apartmenttherapy.com.

4. My favorite color wheel opposites - orange and blue - come alive in shades of citrus and turquoise in this show-stopping living room, found on Coastal Living (photo by Annie Schlechter).

5. & 6. Orange paint makes the perfect accent on the walls of this striped nursery and tucked inside this little girls closet, both of which I designed for New York City area clients.

7. A pop of color perfect for sepia toned or color portraits. Jonathan Adler Enamel Curve Frame

8. Bungalow 5's vibrant Jacqui Side Table.

9. The awesomely punchy, yet sophisticated Quatrefoil Table Lamp in orange from Shades of Light.

10. Outdoor Dining Chair in an unexpected transparent orange finish.

11. Duc Duc's Austin Bunk Bed in white and orange, available through Clever Tomato.

A little sunday evening wisdom...

I don't have any interior design inspiration to post or ecological advice to wax on about today, just this beautiful profound quotation from the Dalai Lama that I pulled from - where else? - a facebook profile.



"The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered, 'Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. He is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.'"

Etsy Love: YAVA Glass

Happy Saturday to all!! I've been neglecting my regular Baby Green blog posts this week because it was my little guy's 6th birthday. After all, he's the motivation, inspiration and reason for everything I do here on this blog and in life in general, so he's clearly a worthy distraction.

Anyway, back to blogging......staring with my weekly Etsy Shop favorite: YAVA Glass. Recycling and upcycling glass beverage containers is not a unique concept but YAVA selects bottles with a rare, almost vintage-y flair, resulting in a collection that is ecologically responsible and pure fun. Plus, I love everything about Sedona, AZ, the place where these Etsy purveyors and creative glass recyclers call home.


The Leninade glass is my favorite.


A set of 4 recycled IBC Root Beer bottle glasses. Mmmmm.....I'm suddenly craving a plain slice and a root beer.


Dry Soda bottle glass in Cucumber (other colors available).


Recycled Coca Cola bottle glasses - set of 4.

Monday Color: White

I didn't know what color I wanted to feature today until I opened my daily City Sage email and saw Keri Russell's Brooklyn Brownstone (check out the gorgeous living room below or the whole post in the link). Her clean spaces awash in mostly pure white flicked on that little light bulb in my head. White linen, white plaster, white woodwork, white, white, white....what a beautiful non-color that evokes total serenity in such a simple, effortless way.




















Images above:

1. Two images from Keri Russel's inspiring Brooklyn brownstone, from The City Sage.

2. I'm crazy about wide-plank wood floors, but covered in white they bring an instant feeling of calm to this space, posted on Swank Lighting's Blog.

3. Your memories and collections come to life on an all-white back-drop, while not looking overwhelmingly cluttered or messy.

4. Ok, I could sit on a wooden crate and enjoy this seaside home and its panoramic views, but the all-white scheme enhances the "aaaahh" factor.

5. An eclectic all-white baby's room.

6. Pure White Ceramic Vase Collection from West Elm let's you create an all-white grouping even if you don't have time for numerous flea market hunts.

7. For white furniture, slipcovered seating is the most practical way to go. I love the Aris Grand Sofa from Crate & Barrel for its generous, relaxed proportions and eco-friendly materials.

8. Machine-washable Shaggy Raggy White Cotton Jersey Area Rug, available from Posh Tots.

9. Black and white nature-themed photographs, like this horse print from Tailed Blue Photos, harmonize with all-white interiors but add additional energy and life.

Etsy Love: Habitat Textiles

G'day mates!!! This morning over brekkie, I discovered quite a bottler! Ok, that's enough Aussie speak to embarrass myself with for one morning, but is a great segue into today's featured Etsy Shop: Habitat Textiles, one of the most drool-worthy offerings of eco-friendly and ethically-produced textiles I've ever seen. Habitat Textiles features mostly independent Australian designers (hence my poor attempt at some Aussie slang) and their brilliant ranges of hand-printed fabrics, as well as a small selection of WOOLganic knitting yarn in luscious colors and a line of organic cotton prints by Monaluna, their only northern hemisphere offering. While I'd rather grab my passport and shop Australia's textiles myself, Habitat Textiles sure is the next best thing. Oi!


Hand-printed Rooftops in Sky Blue, by Australian designer Lara Cameron.


Hand-printed Elephants in Red, by Australian designer Carly Schwerdt.


Hand-printed Flowering Gum in Olive, by Australian designer Lara Cameron.


Hand-printed Superb Wren in Winter, by Australian designer Jennifer Berney.



Hand-printed Gypsy Caravan fabric by Australian designer Kristen Doran (and an example of a tote bag made in the fabric).



WOOLganic Organic Wool Knitter's Yarn DK 8ply - Raindrops.


Fat Quarter set of 5 Organic Monaco fabrics in blue by Monaluna.

Sprout has sprouted!!

If you have ever set up a nursery or child's room, this list is going to look familiar:
1. crib/bed
2. mattress
3. mattress pad
4. bedding
5. changer/dresser
6. changing pad cover
7. seating
8. throw pillows
9. toy storage
10. book storage
11. play or art table/desk
12. rug
13. window treatments
14. lighting
15. wall color
16. mobile
17. artwork

I could probably go on but I think you get my point here, right? There's a lot to think about as an expecting parent or even just when transitioning an infant into their toddler years. On top of all these purchases and decisions, you may be eager to make your baby's space as safe as possible and/or eco-friendly as possible, knowing that small, developing bodies should spend as little time as possible around off-gassing chemicals. Yeah, I felt that way too.

Ever since my own son's conception in 2004, I have been specializing in helping expecting and existing parents through the often-daunting task (and everything that I initially went through!) of setting up beautifully-designed, well-organized, healthy, and safe spaces for their children. Through the years, I am lucky to have become an expert in nursery design which means I get to help an ever increasing number of people down this path, a service that I truly love and am fulfilled by. But many people who contacted me for assistance were not in the New York area and/or didn't have thousands to spend on a local interior designer. So that got me thinking. How can I help everyone with this process, in an affordable and remote way? How can I be a guide toward awesome-looking, eco-friendly nurseries FOR ALL?? Like any great idea that is merely a solution to a need or problem, Sprout was born.

What is Sprout? Sprout is peace of mind, a reduction in overwhelmingness or expensive mistakes, guidance, support, and a recipe for FUN. Sprout is a custom-designed nursery package that includes a selection of yummy, all-natural Shaklee Baby products a comprehensive, but simple game plan for an enjoyable nesting process, and phone/email consultation time. And all for a minimal one-time investment of $599. Read more about the Sprout package and the simple, easy steps you will need to get started here . Even better, mention this Baby Green blog post and get $100 OFF a Sprout package from now until the end of May!!!

Here's a sneak peak at part of a custom Sprout room:



Any design style....any budget.....any timeline.....we can make it work. Dream-Nursery-in-a-Box was too long of a name, but that's exactly what this package will deliver. And besides, Sprout had a much cuter ring to it!!