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!

I’m lounging in my new chair and ottoman right here, right now.

I am so grateful today, this beautiful and magical Thanksgiving morning here in Portland, Oregon. As you can see the light of the sun is shining brightly through my window blessing me as I sit here in my living room. Pure joy.

I recently gave my former chaise lounge chairs that were sitting here in front of my fireplace to my dear friend Robyn. It was time to move them on. Lots of old energy that no longer was serving me.

About six weeks ago I ordered these gorgeous chairs from Gingko Home Furnishings (Yes, we did film an episode of PinknGreen at Gingko’s…so stay tuned for that, coming next month…)

These chairs do not have any fire retardant sprayed on them….By the way for those of you who do not know, fire retardants are known to cause cancer and are really not good for the planet. In June, California Assembly passed a bill to ban cancer-causing fire retardants in furniture, pillows and comforters. That’s pretty cool. So now anything made in California in home furnishings is guaranteed to be fire retardant free. For more details on that, click here. In the past year, I’ve seen a growing trend of many factories voluntarily discontinuing the use of it.

I found the ottoman in the above photo at Ross. Now I definitely consider Ross to be eco-friendly in that it receives the overflow of stock not sold at other department stores. In that sense, it fits into the “let’s keep it out of the landfill” arena. And sometimes treasures can be found there.

Another thing I’m grateful for: My queen, Josefina

Oh Josefina, you are such royalty. I love you dearly. Thank-you for being in my life…And yes, she is my Angel. And look at those baby blues. Don’t you just fall in love? Ok, so the magic in this photo was created by Michael Sulis of Portland Pet Photography. Michael came into my home and snapped this shot. He is creative and totally organic in his approach to photography. In this photo, Josefina is pawing and looking at a toy (of course!)…..Seriously check out Michael’s portfolio. Is is so fun to look through and he’s got talent.

Carlito and I shown at right.

Ok, so if you haven’t noticed….animals are really good Feng Shui. They bring life force to our personal spaces and provide so much love. Studies have shown that our pets lower our blood pressure. That’s enough reason for me. That and my kitties are the best cuddlers ever. Yummy sweet. Another thing I’m grateful for!

Oh Foxx kittie adorable you!

And on the topic of cats, you have to read this blog entry that Dr. Kristin Sulis wrote on her website Mt. Tabor Vet Care. She talks about this sick kitten she is caring for named Foxx, pictured above. Oh honey love!

Kristin and her husband Michael (yes, he’s the photographer I just mentioned above) are opening a new vet care facility in Portland, Oregon called Mt. Tabor Veterinary Care. Not only is Dr. Sulis the most wonderful veterinarian but her care center will be beautiful and earth friendly.

I get to help them design and decorate the space. I’m especially excited about the lounge-esque reception area where you can sip tea while you wait for your pet. It’s full service care, not only for your pet but for you too! You have never seen anything like this. It’s opening early next year. Read more at Mt. Tabor Vet Care.

And one last thank you to the Bhaktishop Yoga Studio, (check out the photographs below). I’m grateful for your presence right here, right now in this fabulous city of ours. A truly unique, celebratory approach to yoga practice. Read on!

Lisa Mae Osborn and Diana Hulet of the Bhaktishop, looking lovely.

Lisa Mae Osborn, one of the founders and yoga teachers at the Bhaktishop, plays the harmonium and sings before and after her classes. She also connects her students to our higher selves through her communication and presence. I just love it….and always leave with a melted, open heart!

I have lived in Portland for almost 4 years now and have practiced yoga for about 10 years. When I first moved here, I tried all the different yoga studios the city had to offer. This is my favorite. Thank-you for being here. Stay tuned for more on the Bhaktishop coming soon. Early next year, they are opening a new and eco-chic! yoga studio in SE Portland. Can’t wait to vlog about these guys….Here’s more for now…

Yoga in love at the Bhaktishop! Check out these eco-friendly mats.

Lisa Mae and Family also offer Kirtan (devotional singing) on the first Sunday of each month. Check out their website for more info on that and class schedules. Here’s a snapshot photo below. When there is love, there is light and so much shines through these beautiful souls. When I’m sitting in the audience, I’m a receptor of Divine Presence. Doesn’t get much better than this….

Lisa Mae and Family at their once a month Kirtan gathering.

Diana Hulet, teacher and co-founder of the Bhaktishop. Look at her beautiful eyes!

One last thing on the Bhaktishop that I must mention. I was lucky enough to get the last spot for their upcoming yoga/kirtan retreat at Breitenbush Hotsprings January 11-13, 2008. What a scrumptious New Year’s celebration. For those of you who haven’t been to Breitenbush Hotsprings, I so recommend it. A wonderful place for rest, renewal and love. I can’t wait to just soak in those hotsprings. More gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving! May it be filled with inspiration and love and of course….lots of laughter….I’m going over to Linda’s house now and get me some…

Gorgeous or what? Pina (Spanish for pineapple) fabric displayed at Victoria Mees’s office (shown below.)

Yes it’s true. These fabulous draperies offered by Pleats Home are made in the Phillipines out of a combination of the sap, core and husk of a pineapple. Yes, you heard right. I couldn’t believe it either. I recently found out that pineapple fabric is an old tradition in the Philippines where ceremonial skirts and gowns have been made out of the plant for many years.

A few weeks ago, I was visiting with Victoria Mees, owner of Pleats Home at her office when I was first introduced to her line of Pina Draperies, eco-friendly drapes made from Pineapples. My friend Arlene Lord of Mosaik Design had previously told me about the product. I couldn’t wait to see it! I felt and touched it and let me tell you–it is soft and delicious. In the above photo, you can see how the fabric gathers and drapes easily.

Victoria Mees’s living room (photo on right) nestled in Portland’s trees

I loved Victoria’s home and was lucky enough to get a tour. Is this the most scrumptious living room? I love the balance of cool and warm tones. It also feels whimsical and lived in with her own personal touches. Very good Feng Shui.

Pleats Home offers stunningly beautiful fabrics, some are eco-friendly. You definitely have to check them out. Victoria owns a factory in the Philippines where she practices fair trade with all her employees.

Oregon Home’s Nov./Dec. 2007 Issue

So I just got back in town yesterday from Denver (more on Denver in my next post) and before I went home I stopped by New Seasons Market to shop for dinner. Side note: New Seasons is my favorite Portland supermarket, not only because it is a fabulous place to shop but because these guys are committed to sustainable agriculture and maintain a progressive workplace. Check ‘em out, seriously.

Anyway….I’m browsing the isles and I happen to see the new issue of Oregon Home Magazine and suddenly remembered, “Hey I’m in this issue!” It’s the second time I’ve been in Oregon Home. For my first time experience go to my Press page and click on the image of me sitting in a yoga lotus pose.

You can find me in the latest issue mentioned on pages 54-55 in the section entitled, “Map Wrap and Other Gift Tricks of the Trade”.

It happened that one day last month, Sheila de la Rosa, the editor of Oregon Home asked me to submit some of my favorite local holiday shopping places around town. There was so much to talk about since Portland offers so many creative ideas for gifts.

One of my favorites (that was mentioned) for sustainable gift wrap is Paporganics who offers beautiful and totally eco-chic holiday wrapping paper! Their Hemp Wrap is printed with 100% vegetable ink on hemp blend paper with 10% hemp/flax blend and 90% recycled post-consumer fiber ?processed chlorine-free?vegetable-based ink. Here are some fabulous and eco-chic examples:

Paporganics Snowflake Hemp Wrap

Paporganics Dove Hemp Wrap

Paporanics Poinsettias Hemp Wrap

How adorable is it to use 100% earth friendly and very eco-chic gift wrapping paper which is also very affordable at about $4.99 for two sheets per package at 24″ x 36″. I am so inspired that I can gift give this season in sustainable style!

To purchase Paporganics products in Portland, go to Mirador Community Store. Another totally cute and sustainable boutique, community, store unique to the city. Seriously I could go on for hours but I’ll stop here…Until the next blog…Would love to hear your comments.

Can one be in love with a chandelier? She’s a Goddess, she’s mine and yes I am.

Right now I am sitting here at home just staring at my newest purchase: a triple tiered crystal chandelier which I ordered from Portland’s EWF Modern. Watch for more on EWF Modern in one of my PinknGreen Vlog episodes later….

I just can’t seem to peel my eyes away from this beautiful Creature. Love, lust, passion? All of the above maybe. Is it possible to covet a “thing?” It feels very much alive to me….So yes, I really think so…Read on.

The crystals feel like long hair or a water feature. Divine.

I am in the process of redesigning my dining room area. Last month it suddenly hit me–I needed a new dining room table. Why? Well, the one I had was beautiful, no doubt–a teak table that had been with me for about 6 years and through a relationship that I had moved on from. But I happened to notice that I wasn’t using the table at all–hence that area entered into the “dead zone” territory–places that aren’t used and don’t have much life force. That’s really not good… And something else very interesting—I also noticed I needed to improve my eating habits and take better care of myself. Hmmm….a bright light went on in my head.

First thing I did was to take a series of deep breaths, begin to set my new intention, visualize the feeling I wanted to create and how I wanted to use the space. Easy enough. I wanted a rectangular table (my previous one was oval) since we humans tend to sit longer at square and rectangular tables. I wanted more meal gatherings in my home to include loved ones, friends and family. Of course it also had to be beautiful, sexy.

In Feng Shui my dining room falls into the Center of the Bagua Map which is all about mental, emotional, physical and Spiritual health and well being. Perfect! I was about to embark on a new journey with many wonderful changes to come.

When I filmed 10,000 Villages about 3 weeks ago for Planet Pink n’ Green, I saw the perfect table! The wood slab of the table (shown above) was entombed, underground in a cave for I don’t know how many years in India. When I ran my hands across this beautiful piece, I felt the minerals and the energy to be just delicious. I knew it had to be mine. By the way, the store Ten Thousand Villages has some of the most wonderful items for the home and they are all fairly traded, changing lives all across the globe in the most wonderful ways.

Now as I gaze at the table and the chandelier, it feels like the union of male and female in the most balanced and delightful way. Here’s what I mean. The female is the crystal chandelier with hair like water hanging down over the solid, earth body of the table which is her masculine counterpart. Food is also of the earth element and eating food on this table will reinforce that energy. It’s also a solid, grounding and secure feeling. That combined with the love of people and community makes for a wonderful and sacred space.

Notice the red bowl in the middle of the table with a candle lit inside of it. This represents the fire element and ignites the two energies, bringing them together in perfect union. Is that the sexiest thing you’ve ever heard or what?

Ok it gets even better. The next stage is a custom designed couch and upholstered chairs with lush, gorgeous fabric from Pleats Home….Stay tuned for my next blog entry on the fabulous Victoria Mees of Pleats Home. I am also very lucky to have the incredibly talented Arlene Lord of Mosaik Design in on this project. She is helping me to design the space and choose the fabric. She is Creative genius and a design Goddess. More photos later as that vision becomes a physical reality.

Just from what I have done so far, I can tell you, my life has shifted. The way I take care of myself around food is significantly improving. My dear friend Jennifer Rabin came into my life and is teaching me about Ayurvedic cooking which I love! I now enjoy cooking for myself. It’s lovely. I am sitting at my new table everyday not only eating but reading and writing as well. This all in the past month.

Excuse me now while I just sit here and stare at the Goddess…