Luxury is elusive. We seek it, but it is never quite realized. It is a practice.

What better way to practice luxury than to drape yourself in ultra luxe fabrics like the trademark cashmere and long-fiber hemp blend of Viridis Luxe. The entire line is a tapestry of supple, revolutionary blends. Bamboo, hemp and silk weave through the collection like a slice of moonlight through the window, subtly luminescent in a gentle, sleepy way.

Luxury is confident yet understated, in contrast to glamour, which is hungry and loud. Viridis Luxe treads lightly in the world of eco-fashion, but carries a big (bamboo) stick.

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Summer is here at long last, which means lighter clothes, fewer layers, and a long checklist of personal maintenance. Already, several times this season I’ve almost run out with a skirt, realizing in the nick of time that my legs were not “public appropriate.”

The key to smooth summer skin is more than just a good, timely shave (or wax). Exfoliating consistently will give your skin a desirable silky texture and will also prep you for a close shave that will minimize ingrown hairs.

I Love Organic body scrub by Nature Girl is a great, eco-sensitive option. Made of organic Brazilian brown sugar and organic jojoba, calendula, and sunflower oils, this miracle worker will exfoliate, condition, tone, and moisturize your whole body. All ingredients are carefully cultivated on small family-run farms from all over the world and products are then crafted right here in the US. It’s true – you may have to spend a little more time on yourself this season, but at least you’ll be pampered with great, natural products in the process.

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When I think of felt - I think of 5th grade. That’s the year my best friend, Eden, and I created a 2-foot-high UCLA basketball player out of papier-mache. We captured him mid-stride with an orange Styrofoam basketball hanging from his hand. The light blue and yellow uniform, socks and shoes were made with felt.

Back then, I had no idea I was working with an organic textile. (We won’t discuss the Styrofoam ball or the loads of toxic glue). I also didn’t think of felt as aesthetically pleasing in any way.

But times have changed. And Selina Rose has changed the way I see felt. The British designer runs her own design studio, working with industrial and 100% wool felt colored with environmentally-friendly dyes. Her intricately-designed textiles - rugs, window panels, table runners, room dividers and more - are created using an innovative watercut technology, non-PVC decals and water based non-toxic inks.

Check out her newest collections - Bloom and Botanica. Simply spectacular, stylish and chic. I adore the panels (available by commission) - I’d hang one or two to break up my open space plan apartment in a subtle way.


The bloom rug with floral cutouts measures 4’ x 4’ ($900). There’s also a 4’ round botanica rug ($900). See her cushions ($150), table runners ($195) and lampshades ($168) at the online shop.

Selina Rose textiles can also be purchased in person at Eco Age, the new London eco-shop owned by British actor Colin Firth, his wife and brother-in-law. Their online store is coming soon. Or order by telephone +44 (0) 7803 147898 or via email.

I've never felt so green.

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Images: Hau Nauz and Beklina

This charming Betula chaise by Wildflower Organics is the perfect piece to brighten that empty corner in your bedroom or living room. In addition to its timeless color, this gorgeous chaise is literally green as well, made with sustainably harvested timbers, natural wool and non-toxic finishes.

Choose from a selection of eco-friendly upholstery choices, including hemp and organic cotton. With a variety of hues to choose from, such as sage, cactus and terracotta, you'll have no problem matching this elegant piece to any existing color schemes in your home. If you’re looking for a set, make sure to check out the matching chair and sofa as well. (Available at Wildflower Organics for $2375.)

A truly modern city is one that's overgrown.

I love cities. In Rome last month, I was fascinated by how Italians utilized every corner of their balconies and gardens (more so in the Republic of Georgia) - admittedly as much for rusting motorbike/moped parts as for greenery. That's men for you. But it struck me how this most ancient of European cities has evolved - in some places at least - into the very synergy of nature and culture that modern designers are falling over themselves to create from scratch.

That means growing things. That's the personal call to arms of the city dweller, the would-be guerrilla gardener, the committed gastronaut. It's a cinch to line windowsills and balconies with pots and baskets. There are even kits to do half the work for you, like the Miniature Edible Garden Kit, or the "herb eggs" we reported on recently. Your own fresh oregano and mint makes dishes like this toe-wigglingly delicious - grow nettle and dandelion, and you're on the way to a free, healing green tea every morning. The list heads over the horizon. Feeling more adventurous? Have a read of this blog from a balcony-growing enthusiast.

But it's not just about saving money, it's about ownership. The best way to live in a city is to care about it; to want it to have a positive effect on yourself and those around you. A city neglected by its occupants feels ugly and unappreciated. So let your plants run riot over the wood and concrete - beautiful and useful. Bring your city to life!

Image: bluelemur

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A summery weekend ahead - and there's no real excuse to be indoors during the day (no arguments, please). But if you find yourself online just now, here are a few links worth a read:

Whip Up are keen for us to reap the benefits of the homemade and the handcrafted: be sure to make some time for them.
Shown above: sea kelp is everywhere! Mostly in the sea, of course, but here on land we keep bumping into great sea kelp products (for example, in our first linky feature) - and now there's this Natural Hair Wash with Sea Kelp and Organic Kelp Shampoo Bar over at Pretty By Nature. It looks like chocolate. Can you eat the stuff as well? (Aha!).
Tracey "Tao" Oliveto has been looking at alternatives to plastic shower curtains (and finding that even antibacterial hemp needs a through-breeze to stay pristine.
Over at Grist, Katharine Wroth is getting in a lather over green dish soaps. Me, I like being up to my elbows in Ecover.
Shown above: Solar-powered gadgets over at Re-Nest: love the oven, not so convinced by the lighter (what's wrong with these?).
Recyclable plates that survive the microwave and the freezer....and they're made from fallen leaves and water? Yes, really. (Thanks, Triplepundit).
It's true - you can make notebooks out of anything - and as this article shows (found via Hippyshopper), that even includes tea tins.
Shown above: how much do we love recycled shipping containers? Answer: lots. Therefore we're floored (and walled and ceilinged) by the sheer genius of the illy Quick House, reported on by The Style Files.

We like the recycling suggestion by Tracey Stokes at eco street - turning washing machines into furniture! (Using up discarded items other people don't look twice at - that's classy).

Vanessa at GreenAsAThistle has just finished her 365-day lifestyle makeover. Wander back through her archives (here's day 1) and see how she found the experience.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Need a little cooling off? If a cold shower doesn’t do the trick, I’m certain a quick dip in the cool crisp waters of the Pacific would suffice.

Los Angeles is known for its perfectly pleasant weather, but the temperature of our ocean rarely rises above 68 degrees. I grew up swimming in it, so it suits me just fine - while the warmish waters off North Carolina seem too “bath-like” for my tastes. If warm weather, cool water and a big chunk of green are your idea of a perfect weekend get-away, the Venice Beach Eco Cottages should be your next destination of choice.

Cynthia Foster and Karel Samsom are the brains and brawn behind this quaint 1922 three-bungalow “hotel”. In 2007, they renovated all three spaces using only sustainable materials and resources. The duo also decorated the interiors - each in a different theme - with vintage, antique and reclaimed materials and added organic and non-toxic linens, mattresses and cleaning products.

The result is three totally earth-friendly, completely carbon neutral cottages - the Papa Hemingway Cottage, Aunt Zoe’s Place and Le Bébé Cottage.

All of them have one bedroom, one bath and a convertible bed, sleeping two to three people comfortably. Bring your four-legged friend along for a $100 fee. At $200/night (with a two night minimum) and $1250/week, a weekend jaunt won’t break your bank. (Peak season rates apply June through September at $1500/week).

Visit their website for reservations and more information.

A lonely brownie is a terrible thing.

Ever since organic ingredients became affordable and common, I've been trying to fly the flag for Frozen Organic Brownie Stratifié. It's a dessert that I like to pretend I've invented (and I'm particularly proud of the fancy French word on the end). When I saw this photo over at Oh Joy!, I knew the time had come to spread the word. Because it's all about ice cream. Brownies are layers of a cake, meant to sandwich further decadence. In between, you plaster creamy ice-cream - ideally vanilla. A match made in heaven.

Wellness post, Mike? Bit of a stretch, don't you think? Not at all. Every one of us needs a treat now and then. Simply concentrate on choosing the finest organic ingredients. Here are a few suggestions:

Dark, dark, dark chocolate, like that made by Green & Black's or Terra Nostra. You'll only need a nibble.

Your favourite brownie recipe. Mom usually has the best one, but I can also vouch for Brit chef Nigel Slater's superb brownies (firm but sticky in the middle).

Strong-tasting organic vanilla ice-cream: based on experience I'm a Green & Black's man, but Stonyfield Farm's pots seems to have picked up the best reviews. Get the good stuff.

Now - alternate layers of brownie and ice-cream of equal thickness, with ice-cream uppermost, dusted lightly with cocoa powder. And serve.

It's simple, organic, looks classy and tastes divine...and it makes your brownies feel loved!

Image: rizkapb

So many of my lazy teen summers were spent on a terry towel at the beach, slathering my skin with baby oil and bleaching my long hair with Sun In and lemon juice. But a recent weekend with old high school friends at the swank Sand and Surf Hotel in Laguna found us shading rather than sunning, more fearful of skin cancer than of the sharks that might be lurking under our kids' boogie boards. There's still the urge to get that healthy looking tan, but we have heeded the warnings of our dermatologists: Fry now, pay later.

What's an aging surfer chick to do? I have resorted to the myriad of healthy bronzers out there, creams and gels that provide the glow without risk of a scary dark mole. I went searching for organic brands worthy of a bronze medal and this is what I found:

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Origin Liquid Bronzer: Sold at your neighborhood drug store, this brand does the trick in providing a chemical-free, all-over sheer glow, while hydrating the skin. It's formulated with 84% certified organic ingredients, including jojoba seed oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil and shea butter, and comes in three shades. I like to dilute the liquid bronzers with my own moisturizer for more even blending from face to neck.

ME Naturally:  Bronzers and illuminators are great for dusting on your cheeks and shoulders for a shimmery, summer look. $12.95.

Tarte Mineral Bronzer: One of several natural bronzers from Sephora, this one is fragrance-free with earthly minerals and vitamins A and E. When using powders rather than creams be sure to buy a good bronzer brush for a smooth application.

Nature's Gate Happy Glow Lucky Floral Bronzing Cream: Made with fruit and flower extracts, this cream goes on like a moisturizer that you rub into your face. $13.49. Be careful to wash your hands after applying because like other bronzers, it can stain fabrics.

I think that should do it for your faux tan this summer. As far as going after those beachy blonde streaks, I say follow the Hollywood trend and go dark instead. Brown is the new yellow, sister. Happy bronzing.

Image: Criss!