OMG, I’m on TV!! Actually, I’ve been playing around with video the last couple of days and have become much more comfortable speaking and showing my face on the screen (it’s harder than it looks!), and now that I have a macbook pro, it’s super-easy to use the built in camera to record videos…so you’ll be seeing more of me! And I couldn’t quite figure out a good way to review the Argan Oil that I use on my face, other than by showing my face!

Enjoy!!

Some things that I didn’t mention in the video – the oil is obviously initially “oily” but it soaks in quickly, especially if you don’t use too much. You should experiment with the right amount for your face, but I always use a lot…and I’ve only been through half the bottle in 4 months. And you can use this on your hair, cuticles, etc., but I never have. I mentioned that I do use it on the tops of my hands after I put it on my face, but I’ve never tried it on my hair, I’m not sure where or how I would do that. I can also see how it would be fabulous for elbows, mine always get really dry in the Summer…

Oh, and I’m 37, for reference

Have you guys tried it? what did you think?

From the makers of Deux Lux, comes their little sister bag line, Tulu! From the moment I saw these at Moxsie, I was smitten. I love the interesting styling, and practical designs, AND the price point (they top out at $84).

When the lovely people over at Moxsie offered to send me one to review, I said “Yes, Please!” and chose the Havana Knot shoulder bag in Grey:

I received the bag yesterday, and took it out for an afternoon of Ikea shopping & dinner at my favorite vegan pizza place, Pizza Fusion. My favorite thing about this bag is how light it is – I can hardly tell I’m wearing it, which is wonderful once I get all my crap in there…it’s still pretty light, and easy to carry. You would never know it’s not leather unless you knew it wasn’t leather, it’s really soft and well-made. I was not sure it would be easy to get into as I’m not used to hobo-style bags anymore (I mostly carry satchels now), but it is, and the inside pockets hold all my essentials (phone, lipgloss, keys) within easy reach. I also THINK you can adjust the strap to a longer length, like messenger style, by removing it (one of the the circle fasteners has an opening) and undoing the knot. I didn’t try it yet, but I think that could work…here’s a picture of my outfit with it today (sorry I look so agitated, I was very hungry!):

For my first vegan handbag, this one is a winner If you’d like one too, or know someone who would love one as a gift, use code GRECHENLOVE through 1/1 for 15% off at Moxsie + free shipping in time for 12/24 if you order by 12/21!!

This is a Green Grechen “classic” LOL but I thought it was worth re-posting for eco-beauty week, and I’m still obsessing over the new blues and greens by Sula I saw at Anthropologie recently…

If you’re not familiar, the Sula polishes just peel off so you don’t need to use harsh chemical remover. I was definitely skeptical at first, but as you’ll see in the video, it totally works!! And since I’m going out of town in a couple of days I’m going to go and pick up a fun color and won’t have to worry about finding nail polish remover, I’ll just peel the paint off when it starts to chip (although strangely enough, the Sula polish lasted quite some time without chipping).

(sorry that the video is a little blurry when I’m trying to get the close-ups, I was trying to do this by myself!) The only thing I would say about this is that I didn’t use a base coat (supposedly it’s not necessary with a water-based polish) and after peeling the polish off, my nails were extremely dry. I read on another website that if you don’t use a base coat, you should brush your nails with cuticle oil a few minutes before applying the polish. I actually do this every time, but only on my cuticles, using Solar Oil, but I didn’t use the oil on my nails. I would definitely suggest that you do that though…

*updated* I also did some research and came up with this list of non-toxic or water-based (or both) nail polish available online – if you know of any I missed, PLEASE let me know in the comments and I’ll add it to the list!

Water-Based Nail Polish

WaterColors nail enamel
Suncoat
Acquarella
Honeybee Gardens
Sula
Toxic Free Boutique

Formaldehyde, Toluene & DBP-free Nail Polish

Strangebeautiful
Priti Polish
Orly
Butter London
Lippmann Collection
Rescue Beauty Lounge
NARS
Adoree
nubar
Peacekeeper
Zoya
Chanel, Revlon, OPI, Sally Hanson, Rimmel, Calvin Klein, M.A.C., Avon, and many other of the “big” brand nail polishes are also “three free.” But this is only for relatively recent formulations – some of the older versions probably still have the chemicals in them (my Chanel polishes are probably in the older formulation category…they’re pretty old!)

A good resource for everything nail polish related, including WHY it’s important to buy three-free or water-based nail polish: All Lacquered Up

Hemp as an eco-friendly fiber is overlooked in most eco-fashion circles (including mine), but lately I’m searching for, and finding more and more interesting and wearable pieces made entirely or partly from hemp. (see today’s Must-Have for a bit of info on hemp, and also 5 Ways to add Hemp to your Life for more) I posted this Synergy Organics skirt as a Must-Have a few weeks ago, and was pleased to be contacted by one of the designers who sent me one to review!

I got this skirt last Friday and wore it all weekend – out to lunch on Saturday, then over to my mom’s for dinner, and again for a leisurely walk with the dog on Sunday. I think it worked equally well in all situations; it fits very well (even with my hips), moves easily, and hits right at the knee on me (I’m about 5′4″). You’re never going to be able to really dress this skirt up, but with heels and a button-up blouse it would make a cute Sunday morning brunch outfit, then with a tee-shirt and sandals it’s perfect for dog-walking.

This is my first item of clothing made with hemp (55% hemp and 45% organic cotton) and you can definitely “feel” the hemp. It’s not scratchy at all, but there is a texture and weight there that the hemp adds which makes it feel different – not as heavy as bamboo and not as light as a cotton jersey (or as soft). The combination allows it to hang well; it doesn’t hug my body at all and makes a perfect a-line. And it’s fairly opaque so you don’t NEED to wear a slip with it, but I always do (call me old-fashioned) when I’m “out” – a body shaping slip – because I don’t feel right without one!

Overall, I really love this skirt, not only that it’s made in Nepal under fair trade guidelines, and uses low-impact dyes, but the price is really great ($49) and the fit, perfect. Available at Planet Threads.

I haven’t had a professional manicure in forever – I used to get one every two weeks many years ago and loved it, but it became too expensive AND my manicure didn’t last any longer than it did when I did it at home. So I started trying out different polishes to see what I liked the best and did my nails at home. By FAR my favorite nail polish is Chanel – I have 4-5 shades, my favorites are Vamp for Winter color and Ballerina for Summer (I constantly have this on my toes).

But alas, I’m tiring of the strong odor of both the polish and the heavy-duty remover I need to get the Vamp off my nails, and am starting to try and replace my old polish with new, eco-friendlier, non-toxic polish – starting with a water-based polish by Sula. I was especially intrigued by this one because you’re supposed to be able to peel it off, and I was also a sucker for the cute packaging LOL:

(sorry that the video is a little blurry when I’m trying to get the close-ups, I was trying to do this by myself!) The only thing I would say about this is that I didn’t use a base coat (supposedly it’s not necessary with a water-based polish) and after peeling the polish off, my nails were extremely dry. I read on another website that if you don’t use a base coat, you should brush your nails with cuticle oil a few minutes before applying the polish. I actually do this every time, but only on my cuticles, using Solar Oil, but I didn’t use the oil on my nails. I would definitely suggest that you do that though…

I also did some research and came up with this list of non-toxic or water-based (or both) nail polish available online – if you know of any I missed, PLEASE let me know in the comments and I’ll add it to the list!

Water-Based Nail Polish

WaterColors nail enamel
Suncoat
Acquarella
Honeybee Gardens
Sula
Toxic Free Boutique

Formaldehyde, Toluene & DBP-free Nail Polish

Orly
Butter London
Lippmann Collection
Rescue Beauty Lounge
NARS
Adoree
nubar
Peacekeeper
Zoya
Chanel, Revlon, OPI, Sally Hanson, Rimmel, Calvin Klein, M.A.C., Avon, and many other of the “big” brand nail polishes are also “three free.” But this is only for relatively recent formulations – some of the older versions probably still have the chemicals in them (my Chanel polishes are probably in the older formulation category…they’re pretty old!)

A good resource for everything nail polish related, including WHY it’s important to buy three-free or water-based nail polish: All Lacquered Up