I love this French Lilac eco-wrapping paper!

Wrap your gifts in eco-chic style this holiday season. I am totally inspired by Paporganics hemp/flax/post consumer blend wrapping paper. I’ve seen and touched them. It just feels so much better to wrap gifts in this. That plus they are totally affordable.

Hemp Wrap gift wrap designs are printed with vegetable-based inks on generous sheets of hemp blend paper. The long fibers of hemp and flax add strength to the shorter recycled fibers, creating a wrapping paper that offers strength, style, and sustainability.

Here are the detailed eco-ingredients:

0% hemp/flax blend, 90% recycled post-consumer fiber
processed chlorine-free
vegetable-based ink
2 sheets per package (24″ x 36″)

Guess how much: $4.99.

More Designs:

Beautiful Doves

Darling Snowflakes

Check out all the hemp gift wrap, stationery and natural ribbon and at Paporganics.

Lisa Mae Osborn, Co-founder of Portland Yoga Studio The Bhaktishop

Ok when the muse hits, it must be expressed and in this case, it’s about this Goddess, Lisa Mae Osborn who elevates human consciousness and planet awareness through her yoga and Kirtan practices. That is very eco-chic!

Lisa Mae, co-owner and yoga teacher of the Bhaktishop in Portland, Oregon is a maverick and inspiration. It’s kind of obvious—-her classes are packed and her retreats get sold out quickly.

Not only does she embrace all of her students and friends whom she lovingly refers to as “family”, she also sings while playing the harmonium before and after yoga class. That is a gift….Hello.

During class she frequently will read insightful verses either from the Bhagavad Gita, Rumi or other Divine Muse of the moment. She holds the space with her presence as she connects us to our humanity.

She also is a lover of Kirtan, (Devotional Music), sings and plays the harmonium (as I mentioned)…Actually, I’m about to purchase one through her recommendation and learn to play. I’ve had the experience a few times and I can honestly say that it elevates me to higher places. I can’t wait to learn more!

I know I said this in a previous post on Thanksgiving but just in case you forgot, Lisa Mae and Family offer Kirtan once a month at the Bhaktishop. The next one is on Sunday, December 9th at 6:00pm. God Bless it. For more info on Lisa Mae and others at the Bhaktishop, visit their website. Do it now.

Photo of me today filming behind the scenes of vlog series PinknGreen

Today around 10:00am my videographer came over and filmed a vlog of the history and inspiration behind my design series, “PinknGreen: Uncovering the World of Eco-Chic!” My dear friend and dynamic writer JB Rabin also stopped in to interview me, helped me dress, fixed my hair and even brushed Carlito’s cat hair off my boobs…well it was over the outside of my shirt….you get the idea…What more could one ask for in a friend?

Anyway, I had so much fun! Look for this episode to be posted in December, right around the corner now. It will be created by the great and talented editor Abby Spyker of Spyker Imaging. You will hear me talk about how PinknGreen came to be, the evolution of my work and how it fits into the grand world of eco-chic—and what that means. You will also see funny outtakes and footage from other episodes. Not to be missed…..all in good entertainment and inspiration. Can’t wait to share it with you.

My home office: Just too much metal in the wealth area.

So when I moved into my home…you’ve already seen many photos posted here, I fell in love with this studio space which is a converted garage separate from the house in my back yard. Here’s a better view:

Totally adorable, right? One of the reasons I bought this house!

So anyway, as I was saying, the above photo is my office space and since I’ve lived here (about 8 months now), I realized that I’m just not using it. In Feng Shui language, that space lies in my wealth area and since I’m not in there, it equals to a dead zone. Ok, this realization has been coming along for quite some time and in that process I was also aware that it just wasn’t time, being easy on myself.

Well, guess what, that time has arrived! I’m here to change it.

Next week, Miguel and Martin are coming over to remove the metal walls and ceiling….By the way, I like the look of the metal (very Dwell)….but can’t live with it. It’s too jarring and emotionally cold. I’m warm and fuzzy so that doesn’t work. They are then going to insulate (yes I will use something very earth-friendly), frame and drywall and then I get to paint. I’m also thinking of adding a gas stove for heating purposes…..sounds like the perfect place for me!

When Miguel and Martin are done, my dearest Sister Goddess friend, Elsa Jewett, Organizing Consultant extraordinaire with All In Good Order, LLC is coming in from Denver to get my ass is organizing gear. I really need that help and I’m so grateful for her availability and presence. I’ll keep you updated. I am soooo excited about this transformation!

So this process didn’t just happen overnight as I’m sure you can well relate to. It’s all that thinking before we take action. Sometimes, we just gotta step into it. The idea is to consciously step into what frightens us so we can move through it and on the other side we become empowered! I’ve felt this in many areas of my life and I highly recommend it.

My friend Jeff Mihalyo (my Goddess….this guy is a phenomenal artist) from Seattle came to Portland last weekend for a visit. He offered the idea to switch my meditation room to my office space. I really thought about it Jeff and it wouldn’t do since I am one who needs a separate space for my work and creativity. I can get very distracted with a myriad of things around me….This is my meditation space:

Can’t give it up. I love Her too much. Deep breath.

I’m about to learn how to play the harmonium and this will be a magical place for that endeavor….Sita Ram…..

One thing you were right about Jeff, and it really stuck in my head was the idea of having a place for the specific purpose of writing (which is what we were talking about) and a set schedule to do that….It’s comin’……..and I am embracing it.

Yes that’s me standing in front of Schoolhouse Electric

Ok, so if you remember, I filmed my first episode of Pink-n-Green, Exploring Eco-Chic in Portland a few months back and Schoolhouse Electric was the first in line. Well, I’ve now directed and produced 7 episodes and after a lot of tweaking and getting to the point where I love it, we are just about ready to go. Yeah, baby!

Season 1 will go live on January 8th which happens to be a new moon–a perfect time for new beginnings. You will love it. I’ve shown some samples to a select group of friends and they all are totally blown away! I’ve only had positive feedback.

Yesterday my videographer Abby Spyker and I re-filmed parts of the SchoolHouse Electric episode. It just needed a sweet face lift and it was so much fun! Abby has a serious gift for filming and editing.

I love these wall sconces. Sheer eco-elegance

From a design perspective, Schoolhouse Electric lighting has that perfect balance between male and female sensibilities. Clean lines with a polished look denote the male side and the shape lends to more female communication. Yesterday, I asked Michelle Steinback, (General Manager at Schoolhouse) what her thoughts were on this subject. She absolutely agreed and described the shades as different female body parts. Hmmm….just beautiful.

SchoolHouse Showroom

From a Feng Shui perspective and taking into consideration the male/female balance, this space is in perfect harmony and as you walk in, you can feel it. I noticed that clients who come in just want to stay, browse around and touch what they can, especially the shades. You can feel the quality and love that goes into creating timeless pieces of art. They are made to last 100 years. Stay tuned for more….

Emie Otis of Beauty Mark Designs is the designer behind this fabulous outfit

Ok, so yes you can be eco-chic and urban guerrilla at the same time. This three piece fashion statement, (skirt, top and collar) was designed by Emie Otis of Beauty Mark Designs. It is made of re-purposed fabric and then silk screened. Yes, it is a one of a kind piece and guess what? It’s mine. Her designs are totally affordable and I highly recommend checking out her online store.

Sexy and adorable back view

More designs from Beauty Mark Designs:

I seriously want this one and I am thinking about it. I tried it on and I didn’t even need to wear a bra!

I love this one!

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about Emie Otis and her re-cycled dress for the Junk to Funk show in Portland, Oregon. Stay tuned for the Video Blog about Emie and Beauty Mark Designs. You’re gonna love it!