Because who doesn’t love a beach hopping rabbit?

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If you are super skeptical about what you put on your skin before you head out under the summer sun, there’s reason to be just as skeptical about what you put on your skin afterwards.

The following cooling after-sun spray recipe is made with pure ingredients and is free of synthetic chemicals, fragrances, and alcohol. It’s as soothing to sun-kissed (or burnt) skin as it is to your other senses.

I am not a huge fan of sunscreen, simply because for so long it was hard to find a reliable brand that protected my skin not only from the sun but also from unnecessary cancerous chemicals in the sunscreen itself. These days, there are plenty of all-around safer sunscreens out there, and that notion should extend to after sun sprays. Unlike an effective sunscreen, an effective and safe cooling after sun spray is easy to make in the comfort of your own kitchen.

This recipe has long been my go-to concoction. Based in aloe vera and witch hazel, this recipe packs in superhero anti-inflammatory, protective, and healing powers. Anti-microbial eucalyptus oil cools and lightly numbs the skin while lavender oil calms irritation.

To prepare for this recipe, assemble the ingredients. While the essential oils may be slightly costly, you will stretch your dollar by finding other ways to use them beyond the after sun spray.

Make sure to have a spray bottle ready to fill up with the mixture. For best results, store the after-sun spray in the refrigerator for even more cooling effects and a longer shelf life. The spray will stay fresh for about two months if stored in the refrigerator.

Cooling After-Sun Spray Recipe

Makes about one cup

Ingredients

• ½ cup aloe vera gel
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 ounce vitamin E oil
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• ¼ cup witch hazel
• ¼ cup water

Directions

Add all of the ingredients into a glass jar. Shake the jar until all of the ingredients are evenly mixed. Fill the mixture into the spray bottle and store in the refrigerator when not in use. Before use, shake the spray bottle. Enjoy the cooling sensation after a day out in the sun.

Note: Do not use the spray before going into the sun, as the UV rays and heat may react negatively with the essential oils.

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Here’s why Santa Barbara is about to become your go-to California weekend getaway. 

Affectionately known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is a traveler’s delight. It’s easy to navigate and perfectly situated between the beach and mountains with ocean views galore. Don’t forget about wine country, horse country, sailing, surfing, Spanish colonial architecture, historic hotels, and those charming red tile roofs perfectly contrasted against white stucco walls. An oceanfront city, Santa Barbara is quite a beauty. Toss in an au courent farm-to-table dining scene – there is much to love about this historic small-ish town that is anything but sleepy.

Voted “30 Best Small Cities in America” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards, here are five reasons why Santa Barbara might just grab hold of your heart and not let go. (Sorry, San Francisco!)

1. Dog & Horse-Friendly Beautiful Beaches

With miles of golden sand and endless ocean views, no wonder Santa Barbara was voted “Best Beach Town” by Sunset magazine in 2015. It definitely doesn’t disappoint. There are plenty of outfitters who will help you up on a horse to ride off into the sandy beach for sunset. A local’s favorite is dog-friendly Butterfly Beach in Montecito. Or head over to Arroyo Burro Beach and keep your eyes on the water for breaching whales and jumping dolphins.

And if horses aren’t your thing, stay beachfront at Bacara Resort & Spa. Nestled between the Gaviota Coast and Santa Ynez Mountains, stroll along its Cliff Walk to the waterline and along the nature loop to its picnic area. Join in Bacara’s oceanfront yoga and a fit tour for a land or ocean adventure with onsite lessons and rentals.

2. An Urban Wine Trail in a Historic Downtown

Santa Barbara’s relaxed beach vibe makes its way into its wine scene in its historic urban wine trail. There’s nothing stuffy going on here. You’ll sip, swirl, and taste some local favorite varietals while rubbing elbows with friendly locals who know the winemaker by her first name. Tasting rooms are charming with stucco walls, winding narrow pathways, red brick tiles, and bursts of color from magenta bougainvillea. Head to Margerum and try one of their organic wines from its La Encantada Vineyards. Margerum’s elegant French-style whites and reds are so drinkable all day long. But pace yourself. And leave a few tasting rooms to try when you come back. There are more than thirty after all.

3. Stunning Historic Hotels

If you love Spanish colonial-style architecture, you’ll never want to leave Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. Just opposite Montecito’s Butterfly Beach, it’s an iconic hotel that gives you the feeling you’re walking through a 22-acre botanical garden with colorful tile fountains and majestic palm trees. At night, Ty Lounge transforms into a magical throwback to the 1920s with Moroccan carpets and massive glass chandeliers where you can dine on Spanish tapas by candlelight or next to the fire on its ocean view patio.

4. Surfing, Sailing, and SUP

You are going to get wet in Santa Barbara. There’s no other way around it and soon you’ll have sun-kissed skin and hair. The Santa Barbara Adventure Company is your gateway to ocean adventures and The Channel Islands. SUP, kayak through ocean caves or take a surf lesson. And there’s no better way to see the coastline than from a mile out to sea on a sailboat. The Santa Barbara Sailing Center has boats for rent and experienced captains for hire.

5. Car-Free Collaborations

Santa Barbara’s “Car Free-dom” initiative makes leaving your keys behind easier than ever. Just pick up the Car Free map that lays out bike paths, electric shuttle services bus lines, and the famous Red Tile Walking tour that winds you through the most beautiful points of interest downtown. Amtrack Pacific Surfliner provides service from San Diego and San Luis Obispo, where you’ll arrive in a beautifully restored historic train station. Bring your bike onboard and you’re good to go. Also, it pays to go car-less. Between train discounts and hotels offering car-free packages with complimentary pick-up from the train station, free use of electric bikes, and other incentives, Santa Barbara makes it worth your while.

And if you absolutely, can’t leave the car at home and you drive an electric vehicle, the eco-award-winning Santa Barbara Ramada has a (guilt-free) electric charging station.

Find Donna on Twitter and Instagram

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Santa Monica is a mecca of beach chic, creativity, eccentricity, and quite possibly the detox capital of the world. 

Ah, Santa Monica. The home of public beach clubs, ocean view community parks, the LEED Gold Certified Santa Monica Place, miles of bike paths, golden sunsets, transformational candlelit spin classes, and a renowned farmers market that recycles and composts everything. One of the ten greenest cities in the U.S., you’d have to try really hard not to become one of those smiling happy healthy people drinking a green juice with a skip in their step.

istockphoto/Melpomenem

Here are five not-to-miss Santa Monica landmarks that make this chic, green, and eccentric beach city internationally loved.

1. The Annenberg Community Beach House 

image via Annenberg Beach House

Well, hello five acres of oceanfront property all for you. And when I say you, I mean everyone. It’s public. Just north of the Santa Monica Pier, you’ll find the LEED Gold certified Annenberg Community Beach House that uses, get this – recycled jeans for insulation. Which just brought denim to yet another level of cool.

For a nominal fee, take a dip in the original marble pool where the Hollywood crowd once rubbed elbowed and hobnobbed in ’60s-style bikinis. Who cares about the free Wi-Fi when you can surf, swim, stand up paddle, play beach volleyball or get a dose of beach literary culture with its Red Hen Press poetry readings?

When the hunger pangs strike, relax on the sandy oceanfront patio at the Back to the Beach Cafe. Nosh on seasonal offerings as you drink in ocean views and marine layer permitting, even Catalina Island.

2. LEED Gold Certified Shore Hotel

image via Shore Hotel 

Perched on Ocean Avenue, the LEED Gold certified Shore Hotel has just the right vibe to get the party started, beginning with an upbeat lobby soundtrack and your complimentary glass of champagne upon check-in. Upgrade to an ocean view room with a stellar balcony. Talk about unobstructed views, you can see ocean waves break through the floor-to-ceiling glass shower. Its 164 guest rooms are all eco-conscious and come stocked with environmentally friendly hotel amenities.

If you don’t take a dip in the ocean, enjoy the Shore’s outdoor pool and indulge in a cocktail or two. Hungry? Dry off and walk twenty feet to Blue Plate Taco for some tasty organic Mexican cuisine. While you’re here, why don’t you join the Santa Monica fit crowd? Sign up for The Shore’s “Metox” Wellness Package that includes: two nights, the Beginner Clover Cleanse, a 60-minute Custom Remedy Massage or Superfood Facial from Alchemie Spa, and yoga at YAS. Before you know it, you’ve become one of those happy healthy people, too.

3. FIG Restaurant at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel

image via Fairmount Miramar Hotel

A beloved favorite of both locals and visitors alike, FIG, at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, has just the right beach vibe that hooks you in for lunch and makes you want to stay for dinner. Born in Lebanon, Executive Chef Yousef Ghalaini is a regular at the renowned Santa Monica farmers market sourcing the best organic local ingredients for his menu including a beloved cheese bar. Working his magic with a wood-fired oven, Ghalaini creates exotic bread balloons with Mediterranean spices and authentic pizzas. A vegan’s delight is his slow roasted savoy cabbage with tomato fondue and pine nuts. While the wood smoked manilla clams are so good that you won’t want to share.

If you’re looking for even more nighttime fun, mosey over to the ocean view Bungalow. Just walk past the stunning fig tree and down the lighted path to what that feels more like your new best friend’s epic beach house than a popular bar. Fire pits, a custom ping pong table, a great group of friends, and seriously crafted cocktails is the right recipe for an amazing night out.

4. Hotel Casa del Mar

image via Hotel Casa Del Mar

Not your typical hotel, Hotel Casa del Mar is an oasis of ocean views, Mediterranean dining, and live music with a fun meet-and-greet lobby bar vibe. Recently renovated by the legendary Michael S. Smith, the lobby lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows and striped indoor cabanas create a sexy relaxed atmosphere. While elements of wicker, glass, rattan, ceiling fans, and aqua tile perfectly tie together a sophisticated beach look.

At the Terrazza Lounge, you’re in in the talented hands of executive chef Gemma Gray. Hailing from Salamanca, Spain, she creates dishes that are what seafood dreams are. Order the yellowtail crudo. And a must-try is the seafood pasta in a spicy tomato sugo. You could travel the entire Mediterranean trying to find a dish this good. But, why? When it’s right here in Santa Monica. Tapas Night at the hotel is rumored to be quite a party. Every Wednesday, Gray displays her mastery in Spanish cuisine and no one goes home hungry.

If you’re in need of “me” time, Casa del Mar’s spa calls you. Designed by eco-elegance guru Rachel Winokur, you’ll be transported to a stunning, sustainable and fair-trade world of relaxed golden glamour before and after your massage.

5. Shopping on Montana Avenue

image via The Detox Market 

There’s not much more charming than shopping in one-story converted boutique bungalows with secret gardens in the back. Its European vibe sets the tone for tree-lined Montana Avenue. Attracting the creative healthy crowd, make sure to head to The Detox Market for the best in organic beauty and Larrisa Love Cosmetics. Her scented candles are quite a local’s favorite.

You’ll find plenty of outdoor cafés to choose from like Kreation, where they make their own almond milk. And if you’re feeling naughty, visit Sweet Lady Jane Bakery even just to drool in front of their glass counter filled with delicious pies, cakes, and tarts.

Oh, if you see anyone with large dark glasses and a floppy hat, underneath all that anti-glamour is a bonified movie star. And a fun game to play is to ask anyone working on a laptop how their script is going. Chances are you’ll receive a very detailed answer.

Find Donna on Twitter and Instagram

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Ever want to get away where you can enjoy an endless coastline by day and immerse yourself in a chic city vibe by night? Say hello to San Diego. 

Spectacular beaches, mouthwatering cuisine, marine preserves, art, culture, and an eclectic nightlife, San Diego has it all. Here are five reasons why San Diego just may be California’s best beach town.

1. The Best Mexican Food, North of the Border

Less than an hour drive from the Mexico border, San Diego has some seriously delicious Mexican restaurants. Bracero Cocina de Raiz, a sexy downtown hotspot with sweeping city views, celebrates its culinary heritage with a fresh modern twist. Think fresh masa, a (sustainably caught) raw fish bar for tiraditos and ceviche, albacore served two ways with a lime salsa verde and acorn squash in mole negro. Most plates are meant to share. But with flavors so bright and fresh, you might have to negotiate who gets the last bite. A word to the wise, when the waiter says the salsa is hot, believe it. One drop can make you cry. To cool down the heat the ever-popular Javier Wallbanger is the perfect libation.

Then there’s Puesto in La Jolla where Chef Luisteen, a self-proclaimed “tacoteur” has reimagined the traditional Mexico City-style taco to make your taste buds sing. At this taco lover’s dream, all salsas and tortillas are made from scratch, proteins are sustainable including slow-cooked guisados, and Taco Tuesdays are elevated to an entirely new level. Puesto has a curated tequila program that will take conventional tequila permanently off your palate. Add in housemade aguas frescas and wines from Valle de Guadalupe region of Baja and you won’t go thirsty.

For more casual beach dining, Pacific Beach Fish Shop serves their award-winning TKO taco with grilled mahi-mahi topped with house made tropical mango salsa. Mix and match (sustainably caught) fish with different marinades to create your own taco masterpiece.

2. The Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa

Ever wanted to be completely surrounded by views of water? Well, you can at the Catamaran Hotel and Spa, especially when you request a bay view room. A beloved San Diego favorite, it’s a staycation hotspot for locals. A California Green Lodging Program member, the hotel keeps its operations green so that the ocean and sky stay blue. A tropical Polynesian-themed hideaway in Pacific Beach, the Catamaran is pure bliss that puts an all-day smile on your face. Think palm trees, tiki torches, koi ponds, waterfalls, waterfront fine dining, sunset concerts, luaus, a bay view jacuzzi, and fire pits.

Mission Bay is the Catamaran’s backyard and the Pacific Ocean is across the street. Surf in the ocean or sail and paddleboard in the bay. Or rent a bike and cruise the boardwalk. It’s all at your fingertips. Then at sunset, soak in a bay view hot tub. Or rub elbows with locals at Moray’s Bar and enjoy a refreshing libation as the sun drops amongst tiki torches and fire pits. For dinner, mosey on over to Oceana Coastal Kitchen for delicious California cuisine. If the waterfront dining doesn’t already hook you, its seasonal menu with fresh seafood from the Baja and the Pacific will. Don’t forget the spa with holistic rituals and energy treatments such as Shiatsu and The Ancient Ocean Ritual. That after-spa feeling and bay views are what vacation dreams are made of.

3. La Jolla, Sea Bluffs and Sea Lions

There’s so much to do in La Jolla, you might never want to leave. La Valencia Hotel’s ocean-front terrace restaurant, THE MED, is the perfect place to start. It’s an authentic taste of San Diego’s old world Spanish charm. The restaurant boasts a sumptuous sustainable seafood menu and an extraordinary wine list. Don’t miss the roasted cauliflower, daily crudo, or the giant locally sourced Mediterranean mussels. Count La Valencia in for nightlife, too. Live music and bespoke (plant-based) dinners are just a few events that keep the hotel on the pulse of La Jolla’s nightlife scene.

Next, you’ll want to walk over to La Jolla’s children’s pool on the bluffs overlooking the azure ocean. Where you’ll see naturally comical sea lions frolicking in the water and napping on the rocks. If you’re feeling adventurous, get in the water with Everyday Calfornia’s kayak and snorkel tours that will take you through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve where you’ll see the stunning coastline from the water, dolphins cruising by, and bright orange garibaldi swimming through the sea grass. Then, catch a wave back to shore.

When booking a room, stay in the pet-friendly boutique Empress Hotel. Centrally located, it’s just a block from La Jolla’s sandy bluffs and a few minutes walk from quaint coffee shops, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and a plethora of excellent restaurants. Recently renovated, the Empress has a sophisticated ocean theme and offers an app for an effortless stay. Ask for the jacuzzi suite and enjoy soaking in the tub with an ocean view.

Although not on the water, lunch at The Farmer and the Seahorse is not to be missed. Under the helm of award-winning chef Brian Malarkey, it’s an eccentric whimsical space that offers not only a culinary adventure but also a lifestyle experience. You’ll be invited to a pickup game of bean bag toss in an adjacent colorful garden. Inside is just as eccentric with a silver Airstream trailer casually parked amongst the tables. Try the local’s favorite butternut squash lasagna with ricotta, kale, and mushrooms. It’s worth coming back for.

4. L’ Auberge Del Mar, Casual Coastal Chic

If you’re not already staying at the historic L’ Auberge del Mar, treat yourself to eco-luxury at one of the “Best Luxury Resorts” on the Condé Nast Gold List. Committed to being clean and green, its spa exclusively uses Osea organic products. And its restaurants Coastline and KITCHEN 1540 share a vertical, hydroponic garden showcasing herbs and flowers used in the menu and cocktails. While Coastline is ocean-front casual al fresco dining, KITCHEN 1540 exudes an elegant artsy vide. Relax in the open-air lobby lounge or walk up to the upper deck where a charming row of white wooden rocking chairs await to relax into while you watch the sunset.

A day spent in Del Mar is a day well spent indeed. With Del Mar Village just across the street from the hotel, you’ll always get a bird’s eye view of Del Mar’s gorgeous coastline. Take a walk along the Scripps Bluff Preserve with an infinity view of the Pacific and inland lagoons and see the sky speckled with hot air balloons. It doesn’t get much better than this.

5. Get Wet with Surf Diva

Who is the best surfer in the water? According to Surf Diva, it’s whoever is having the most fun! Owned and operated by twin sisters Izzy and Coco Tihanyi, Surf Diva has been sharing the stoke of learning to surf for over 20-years. Based in La Jolla Shores, you can book a private lesson with an encouraging and enthusiastic surf instructor who will do everything in their power to ensure you stand up the first time. The occasional beginner’s face plant is well worth the high of gliding with the wave. While Surf Diva began as an all-women surf school, they quickly became a La Jolla institution and now offer all levels of surf lessons to everyone. And actively support charities focused on education and female action sports services.

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The Natural Resources Defense Council has ranked the best beaches in America for avoiding beach pollution, along with the worst.

In the U.S., we take water quality for granted. We don’t think twice about jumping in the ocean no matter where we are, just assuming that it’s safe. But the NRDC has something to say about that–in fact, beach pollution is a big problem.

In a new report released last week, NRDC found that 10 percent of our nation’s beaches aren’t up to snuff. Water quality samples from 3,500 beaches collected last year found that far too many of our nation’s beaches are too contaminated to safely take a dip. In all, 10 percent failed to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s benchmark for swimmer safety. The 24th annual beach report from the Natural Resources Defense Council confirms that beach pollution that could endanger human health. Massive storm water runoff and sewage overflow are the two main culprits.

“Sewage and contaminated runoff in the water should never ruin a family beach trip,” said NRDC senior attorney Jon Devine. “But no matter where you live, urban slobber and other pollution can seriously compromise the water quality at your favorite beach and make your family sick. To help keep us healthy at the beach and stem the tide of water pollution, our government leaders can finalize a critical proposal – the Clean Water Protection Rule – to restore vital protections for the streams and wetlands that help sustain clean beaches.”

The report rated the best and worst beaches in terms of  water quality. The report comes as EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers in considering taking up action to clean up tributary streams and wetlands hit hard by pollution. The new Clean Water Protection Rule would strengthen the rules for two million streams, lakes, and wetlands that run into large bodies of water, which in turn filter nasty contaminants to our nation’s beaches.

The Best Beaches in America for Avoiding Beach Pollution

1. Alabama: Gulf Shores Public Beach in Baldwin County

2. Alabama: Gulf State Park Pavilion in Baldwin County

3. Alabama: Dauphin Island Public Beach

4. California: Newport Beach in Orange County (1 of 3 monitored sections)

5. Delaware: Dewey Beach-Swedes in Sussex County

6. Florida: Bowman’s Beach in Lee County

7. Florida: Coquina Beach South in Manatee County

8. Florida: Fort Desoto North Beach in Pinellas County

9. Georgia: Tybee Island North in Chatham County

10. Hawaii: Hapuna Beach St. Rec. Area in Big Island

11. Hawaii: Po’ipu Beach Park in Kauai

12. Hawaii: Wailea Beach Park in Maui

13. Massachusetts: Singing Beach in Essex County

14. Maryland: Point Lookout State Park in St Mary’s County

15. Maryland: Assateague State Park in Worcester County

16. North Carolina: Ocean Pier at Main St. and Sunset Blvd. in Brunswick County

17. North Carolina: Beach at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Dare County

18. North Carolina: Ocean Pier at Salisbury Street in Wrightsville Beach in New Hanover

19. North Carolina: Ocean Pier at Ocean Blvd. and Crews Ave. in Topsail Beach in Pender County

20. New Hampshire: Hampton Beach State Park in Rockingham County

21. New Hampshire: Wallis Sands Beach at Wallis Rd. in Rockingham County

22. New Hampshire: Wallis Sands State Park in Rockingham County

23. New Jersey: Washington (Margate) in Atlantic County

24. New Jersey: 40th St. (Avalon) in Cape May County

25. New Jersey: 40th St. (Sea Isle City) in Cape May County

26. New Jersey: Stone Harbor at 96th St. in Cape May County

27. New Jersey: Upper Township at Webster Rd. in Cape May County

28. New Jersey: Wildwood Crest at Orchid in Cape May County

29. New Jersey: Broadway (Pt. Pleasant Beach) in Ocean County

30. New York: Long Beach City in Nassau County

31. Virginia: Virginia Beach at 28th St. in Virginia Beach County

32. Virginia: Virginia Beach at 45th St in Virginia Beach County

33. Virginia: Back Bay Beach in Virginia Beach County

34. Virginia: Virginia Beach – Little Island Beach North in Virginia Beach County

35. Washington: Westhaven State Park, South Jetty in Grays Harbor

The Nation’s Repeat Offenders

1. California: Malibu Pier, 50 yards east of the pier, in Los Angeles County

2. Indiana: Jeorse Park Beach in Lake County

3. Massachusetts: Cockle Cove Creek in Barnstable County

4. Maine: Goodies Beach in Knox County

5. New Jersey: Beachwood Beach in Ocean County

6. New York: Main Street Beach in Chautauqua County

7. New York: Wright Park – East in Chautauqua County

8. New York: Ontario Beach in Monroe County

9. Ohio: Lakeshore Park in Ashtabula County

10. Ohio: Arcadia Beach in Cuyahoga County

11. Ohio: Euclid State Park in Cuyahoga County

12. Ohio: Noble Beach in Cuyahoga County

13. Ohio: Sims Beach in Cuyahoga County

14. Ohio: Villa Angela State Park in Cuyahoga County

15. Ohio: Edson Creek in Erie County

16. Wisconsin: South Shore Beach in Milwaukee County

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Image: epSos .de

The post The 35 Best Beaches in America for Avoiding Beach Pollution (Plus the 16 Worst Beaches) appeared first on EcoSalon.

From sea to shining sea.

The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can’t. –Christopher Paolini

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. -Jacques Cousteau

Because there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away. –Sarah Kay

Hark, now hear the sailors cry / smell the sea, and feel the sky / let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic. –Van Morrison

Total physical and mental inertia are highly agreeable, much more so than we allow ourselves to imagine. A beach not only permits such inertia but enforces it, thus neatly eliminating all problems of guilt. It is now the only place in our overly active world that does. -John Kenneth Galbraith

It’s hard for me to put into words why I like the beach so much. Everything about it is renewing for me, almost like therapy… Beach Therapy. -Amy Dykens

A pool just isn’t the same as the ocean. It has no energy. No life. –Linda Gerber

I spent uncounted hours sitting at the bow looking at the water and the sky, studying each wave, different from the last, seeing how it caught the light, the air, the wind; watching patterns, the sweep of it all, and letting it take me. The sea. –Gary Paulsen

The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach. -Henry Beston

I could never stay long enough on the shore; the tang of the untainted, fresh, and free sea air was like a cool, quieting thought. -Helen Keller

“Doesn’t it seem to you,” asked Madame Bovary, “that the mind moves more freely in the presence of that boundless expanse, that the sight of it elevates the soul and gives rise to thoughts of the infinite and the ideal?” –Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary

The ocean is a place of skin, rich outer membranes hiding thick juicy insides, laden with the soup of being. –Vera Nazarian

What would an ocean be without a monster lurking in the dark? It would be like sleep without dreams. -Werner Herzog

When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused. -Rainer Maria Rilke

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me) it’s always ourselves we find in the sea. -e.e. cummings

And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it, we are going back from whence we came.  –John F. Kennedy

The ocean makes me feel really small and it makes me put my whole life into perspective… it humbles you and makes you feel almost like you’ve been baptized. I feel born again when I get out of the ocean. -Beyoncé Knowles

But more wonderful than the lore of old men and the lore of books is the secret lore of ocean. -H. P. Lovecraft

There was a magic about the sea. People were drawn to it. People wanted to love by it, swim in it, play in it, look at it. It was a living thing that was as unpredictable as a great stage actor: it could be calm and welcoming, opening its arms to embrace it’s audience one moment, but then could explode with its stormy tempers, flinging people around, wanting them out, attacking coastlines, breaking down islands. –Cecelia Ahern

The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea. -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think. -Robert Henri

At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun. -Anonymous

My soul is full of longing / For the secret of the sea, / And the heart of the great ocean / Sends a thrilling pulse through me. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The use of sea and air is common to all; neither can a title to the ocean belong to any people or private persons, forasmuch as neither nature nor public use and custom permit any possession therof. -Elizabeth I, Queen of England

The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace. -Kate Chopin

I felt the full breadth and depth of the ocean around the sphere of the Earth, back billions of years to the beginning of life, across all the passing lives and deaths, the endless waves of swimming joy and quiet losses of exquisite creatures with fins and fronds, tentacles and wings, colourful and transparent, tiny and huge, coming and going. There is nothing the ocean has not seen. –Sally Andrew

The waves of the sea help me get back to me. -Jill Davis

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you’ve been missing the whole point of the ocean. Staying on the surface all the time is like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent. -Dave Barry

I couldn’t imagine living in a state that didn’t reach the ocean. It was a giant reset button. You could go to the edge of the land and see infinity and feel renewed. –Avery Sawyer

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Images: Rick Seidel, Paulo Brandao, joiseyshowaa

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Spend your days by the sea in the treetops, and playing with nature at Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge in Nicaragua.

Imagine if you could reset your day to the sunrises and the sunsets without the hassle of agendas, cell phones and meetings. For many of us, this would mean a complete readjustment of our clocks but for the owners of Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge outside of San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua, this is the norm and they invite all of their guests to “play with time” as well.

Located 15 miles north of the Costa Rican border, Morgan’s Rock is located within a 4,400-acre nature preserve and sustainable tree farm, which 1.5 million trees have been planted in over the past 10 years. The resort is said to be one of the country’s oldest high-end eco-resorts, and the land is rich with history as well.

The 15 well-appointed bungalows are set into the hillside of the jungle and outdoor queen-sized hanging beds allow for breathtaking views of the water (13 of which are accessible only by a 100-meter pedestrian suspension bridge). Inside, each of them are open and have fully screened walls so you can hear the sound of the ocean and nature at all times.

If you go: Morgan’s Rock has its own private beach (equipped with hammocks and loungers) and a hatchery for giant sea turtles. Rates start at $322 per night and are all-inclusive.

Places & Spaces is a travel guide that will inspire you to carve out a vacation on your calendar. All of the gorgeous locations and accommodations in our guide share our concern for the environment. From tent glamping to lavish built environments, fair warning, you’ll feel compelled to pack your suitcase.

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ColumnWant to have an iconic summer look beachside? Follow these tips.

Sun-bleached blondes with beach tousled hair, smoldering black eyes and pouty nude lips captured a time in the ’60s when curvy women in bikinis lit up movie screens. Over the decades, Brigitte Bardot and Claudia Schiffer have been inspirational icons for this playfully seductive summer look – one that will never go out of style.
GUESS’s Spring 2011 campaign reignited the part of me that would love to go wild with a box of peroxide, a teasing comb and a kohl pencil. Like most things that inspire me, this is a pretty unrealistic look for anyone who wants to do more than sing songs with choreographed dance moves on the beach. The reality is that much black eyeliner would protect from sun glare, but would be a nightmare as soon as one drop of salty water hit.  If you plan to stay dry and want to have some fun with your makeup recreating yourself as a ’60s beach bombshell, here’s the how-to.

Black out

To start you’ll need a black eye pencil, black liquid eyeliner, black eyeshadow, a tube of black mascara, and an eye contour brush.

Green product suggestions:

Living Nature Eye Pencil in Midnight

Lavera Liquid Eyeliner (vegan)

Alima Pure Satin Matte Eyeliner (to be used as eyeshadow) in Black (vegan)

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Brush #004 (vegan)

Pro tip: Put foundation on after eyeshadow so you can easily clean off any powder that may have dropped onto your face.

1. Line the upper and lower lashes of your eye with the black eye pencil. This doesn’t need to be precise but it does need to be thick and dense.  You may have to go over it a couple of times to get the right intensity.

2. Take your eye contour brush and begin buffing the edges of the lines to diffuse them up into the crease for the upper lid.  For the lower lid, pull the liner with the brush down to about the place where the ends of your lower lashes touch. On most people that’s about ¼ of an inch.

Pro tip: Do not connect the inner corners of the eyes with black and leave the water line free of liner to give a more wide-eyed effect.

3. Use the brush and go more heavily into the crease of the upper lid with black eyeshadow using a windshield wiper motion using very rounded strokes. Leave a fair amount of space between the shadow and the brow bone. Everyone’s eyes are different, so for some it maybe 1/8 of an inch and for others almost 1/2. Concentrate the color on the outer edges of the eyes. Make sure that the edges aren’t pointy, rather soft and arching. Follow with just a touch of shadow underneath the eye following the rounded curve. Keep the application a bit lighter here.

4. Curl your lashes.  A lot.

5. Whip out that black liquid liner and make a thick line across the top lashes. Then paint on a thick, but slightly thinner line underneath.  If you are feeling very deft, make the lines a little bit thicker towards the outer corners of the eye as you go.  Remember not to connect the inner corners with liner because it will shut down the eye and make it look more punk rather than 60’s.

Pro tip: If you mess up your liner use a pointy cotton squab dampened with a touch of water to quickly “erase” your mistake.

6. Layer on the mascara. This look has nothing to do with restraint. If you need to use half a tube on both upper and lower lashes then do it! Clumpy and pointy work here.

A bold brow

Is anyone getting tired of hearing me say that bold brows are the way to go for pretty much every look? This look really needs it and it’s what is most modern. Naturally groomed and less manicured brows add a great frame to the eye and structure to the face. Need a quick tutorial on that, check out this video.

Don’t touch those freckles!

If you are blessed to have a freckly face or even a freckle-less face, don’t cover it with a pile of foundation.  Let your skin show through and only conceal the tiniest bits where necessary.  The key to this look is really keeping things raw, rough and textured.  Use a tinted moisturizer with SPF to help even skin tone, protect and allow the skin texture to still be seen.  Try Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30.

Light lips

To balance such a heavy eye, a very nude lip is the way to go.  There’s nothing overly skilled about this part.  Just slap on some lip color and you are set! Ecco Bella makes a great natural, vegan lip color called Almond that should do the trick.

Alright beach babes, get out their and show ‘em how glamorous your summer style can be!

Editor’s note: Got a celebrity look you’d like to copy or a trend you’d like to see incorporating healthy, non-toxic makeup? Send your questions to High Definition columnist Kristen Arnett at beauty@ecosalon.com

New York City based Kristen Arnett is an internationally renowned makeup artist and founder of the Green Beauty Team, styling high profile celebrities and runway models as well as a sought after beauty expert, educator and teacher for other makeup artists.

Image: Ellen Von Unwerth for GUESS Inc.

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Beach-going with kids is a ton of fun, but it also takes a great deal of preparation and a lot of schlepping to get all of the necessary gear packed and toted to hit the waves with little ones. Summer is around the corner, and it’s time to get all of the green essentials lined-up so you and your kids can leave small footprints in the sand. Here’s a list of ten items that will help streamline your seaside excursion!

Badger Sunscreen

I personally use Badger SPF 30 sunscreen on my two-year-old, and in my opinion it’s the best sunscreen on the market. It contains certified organic, all natural ingredients, is safe for kids of all ages, and blocks both UVA and UVB rays. It goes on smooth, (requires some rubbing in), and my outdoor loving toddler has never had a sunburn as we use Badger all summer long. It’s $16 for a 2.9 oz tube.

Kate Quinn Organics Sun Hat

Even with sunscreen slathered on, the more you can get your child to wear a sun hat to shield against the sun, the better. This adorable Kate Quinn Organics sun hat is made with 100 percent organic French terry, provides great coverage and comes in a variety of colors and sizes for boys and girls of all ages. Priced at $18.

Bummies Swimmi Diapers

Ditch the disposable swim diapers and opt for eco-friendly Bummies Swimmi Diapers, which come in a plethora of cute patterns. These swim diapers are reusable, comfortable, and fit babies from 9-30 pounds. Bummies swim diapers cost around $15 per pair.

Green Toys Sand Play Set

Kids love playing in the sand and building castles, so equip your little architects with this Sand Play Set from Green Toys. Made from 100 percent recycled materials, the set includes a bucket, shovel, rake and sand castle mold. Directions on how to dig your way to China, not included. Priced at $19.99.

Organic Polka Dot Beach Dress

This sweet little 100 percent organic cotton polka dot beach dress ($38) will make your little girl the belle of the beach. It is lightweight, and soft and fluffy on the inside, so kids won’t overheat, and they’ll easily dry off after slipping it on. It also has a hood lined with interlock cotton to keep little noggins protected from the sun.

Recycled Board Short

It will be easy to spot your small surfer in these bright and colorful board shorts ($42). Made from 43 percent recycled polyester and featuring a mesh interior liner, little dudes will be doing their part to be green while riding the waves.

Kate Quinn Organics Terry Bikini

It is itsy-bitsy, and teenie-weenie, but it’s not a yellow polka dot bikini. Kate Quinn organics terry bikini ($36) is a grape and rose hued two-piece little number sized for babies 3-6 months to girls size 3T. It is made from 100 percent organic French terry cotton and has a halter tie at the top and bottom of the bikini top.

Kid Kanteen Sippy Cup

Keep kids well hydrated at the beach and anytime you’re on the go this summer with a Kid Kanteen sippy cup from Klean Kanteen. These cheery, perfectly sized for small hands reusable bottles are BPA-free, and totally non-toxic. Made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, they have no questionable plastic, epoxy or aluminum liner to worry about. The Avent sippy cup spout is also BPA-free and enables kids to drink without worry of spills or messes. They are $17.95 for a 12 oz size.

Wide Insulated Klean Kanteen (for parents!)

Klean Kanteen’s new wide insulated stainless steel bottle will be every green parent’s new best friend. It’s double-walled construction and vacuum insulation keeps iced drinks cold for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks cold for up to 6 hours. No more having to toss a full mug of the freezing cold coffee or tea you got sidetracked from into the sink! Filler up with Klean Kanteen insulated and drink at your leisure. This bottle is perfect for beach jaunts because it will keep your drink refreshing and ice cold all day long. $22.95-$27.95

Organic cotton/bamboo beach towels

Let your kids wrap up a long day at the beach in a nice and soft organic cotton/bamboo super-sized beach towel. These vibrant towels feature festive Hawaii style floral patterns and are the perfect topper to a day at the shore. Priced at $39.

Image: Stevie Lee, Green Toys, Klean Kanteen

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