a litte Sunday inspiration...

Top photo via Desire to Inspire

There have been a lack of flawless beauty posts lately that I promise to catch up on. One excuse is that I'm in the middle of a move, but am soon to be settled...this means I have a TON of new inspirational images to share! Every time I move into a new space, I get very immersed in creating a living space that I really want to spend time in. This involves regularly reading numerous design blogs, which are now newly and neatly organized in my Google reader. Thumbing through fabulous interior books and mags at Barnes and Noble. And obsessing over organizational techniques that work for small spaces, lol. So, here are some of my favorite images I found this week during my inspirational search for wonderful spaces.

so stoked...

My cousin Bethany Hamilton, also known as the young surfer girl who lost her left arm in a shark attack, has launched a new lip gloss called Stoked. Made for easy one-handed application, no lids to fumble with! Available here on Amazon.com. Below I pulled some of my favorite photos from Bethany's website of her surfing, enjoy...

silky smooth with a hint of mango...

I've been searching for a good aerosol-free (to help protect the environment) gel for shaving. Recently while wondering the aisles of Bed Bath and Beyond I stumbled upon the newly stocked "natural and organic" aisle. I definitely find a convenience in being able to pick up household supplies and organic products in popular super-stores. Anyhow, I noticed Alba had a "foam" version of their shave gel that I usually buy. I have to say, I was really pleased. The foam was not as thick as your average shave gel but this is a great start! My favorite scent is the mango-vanilla. Click here for more info. Also, don't forget about the recycled disposable razors from preserve.

Alba also has a really great line, Alba Hawaiian, the scents are amazing! Perfect for summer. Over the years, I have tried almost everything offered in this product line and have not been disappointed yet. Whole Foods Market sells the line if you want to test for yourself.

restore moisture and add shine...

Bella Sugar posted a great hot oil treatment for your hair. This is great for hair that feels dry and looks dull. I love the idea of adding fresh avocado. Just remember, your hair will feel a bit heavier until you wash it a couple times. This recipe is best to to when your going to wear your hair up for a couple days. Click here to view the full recipe.

the scent of rose...

I love the scent of rose oil and its amazing skin benefits. I discovered an unbelievably pure rose lotion from the product selection of Martina Gebhardt. Martina Gebhardt is a line from Germany, well known and sought after by many organic product enthusiasts. This body lotion smells like fresh crushed rose petals and leaves skin with a velvety smooth touch. Available online at Beautorium.
Also, from now until May 31, receive free shipping on this product. Just type ROSE into the discount coupon on the check-out page. Oh and I almost forgot to mention, the container is made out of glass! To me, that's always a sign of quality.

Aguacate & Co...

I have been really into the skincare line Aguacate & Co. I've tried a wide variety of their products and am consistently pleased. Everything about this brand is straightforward and clean, from their packaging (perfect for men too!), to their philosophy, which is as follows...

"As a company, we strive to be good citizens within our industry, community, and the environment. To that end, we have developed our range of facial skin care products made with organic and natural ingredients cruelty free, and make every effort in our daily operation to reduce, reuse and recycle materials. And that is also why when you shop with us we give back a portion of all sales towards causes in support of the arts, community, and environment."

The soothing facial lotion, rejuvenating eye treatment, and facial cleansers are my favorites. Available online at Aguacate & Co.com.

Happy Mothers Day!

Natural surfaces with clean white lines, a towel warmer, fresh air with amazing light, all basics for an amazing bathing space. Unfortunately I don't remember which blog I pulled this image from but it brings up the point that there is a wealth of interior inspiration on interior and design blogs. Be sure to check out some of the other blogs I link on the right hand side!

I hope everyone had a relaxing Sunday and great Mothers Day. I definitely have my mom to thank for my knowledge and interest in natural beauty and organic lifestyle!

leave skin glowing...

Ren makes a lot of amazing products that leave one with healthy and radiant skin. Surprisingly, I first discovered Ren products while staying in a hotel that was fully stocked with this wonderful brand. I was instantly hooked and have been ever since! My latest favorite from Ren is the Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask. A gentle fruit acid complex leaves you with exfoliated glowing skin in optimal health. Not suitable for very sensitive skin. Available at Renskincare.com.

An Interview with Lulu Organics creative, Linda Aldredge...

Today's post is a great interview that I think many of you will find very inspiring. Linda Aldredge, founder of Lulu Organics shares with us her creative side, tips for living a healthy life and her motivation behind Lulu Organics. Lulu Organics are the makers of the beautifully packaged Talc-free hair powder.

FB: Can you tell me a little bit about your creative side and that amazing treehouse I saw featured in Domino Magazine?
Linda A.: A little about me... I grew up all over. I've worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for close to 15 years. Most of my inspiration comes from my family and friends. And music. Music is everything to me and I'm a big nerd about it.
I spend a lot of time in upstate New York where I have a treehouse that I built with two friends. It's a tiny, sustainable house that sits 15ft up in a tree. My ideal evening would be a handful of friends, a warm still night upstate, a dinner we cooked over the fire made with only things we grew or bought in town, a bottle of wine and a great tune playing on my makeshift sound system. Simple is best.

FB: What influenced and or inspired you to start Lulu Organics?
Linda A.:It's funny how I came into this venture. Clearly, I was a graphics person by day so the packaging aspect was a no brainer, I've always loved an antiquated boudoir aesthetic. But by night I was starting to get really into herbs and herbal healing. I was raised in a home where holistic and nutritional healing is important. I woke up one day with the notion that I would teach myself how to make every single thing I used in my home [product-wise]. Some things were a disaster [laundry detergent] but most things came out amazing and I was completely hooked. I started to make things for friends as gifts and eventually I decided to sell something. Hence our first product, the hair powder. I love powders—body and hair—and I had never seen a really nice smelling one that didn't have talc—an ingredient I like to avoid—so I thought, why not?

FB: Can you talk a little bit about your philosophy behind your company?
Linda A.: Thus far just simplicity. I don't like things when they get too tricky. I like single notes, I like products that have simple yet healing properties. Ingredients that harken back to a time where things were simpler and we were more connected to all the things we used, grew, ate, etc.

FB: What are a few of your favorite beauty products of choice?
Linda A.: My beauty regiment is really simple as I have one of those complexions that can't tolerate anything. I probably couldn't live with out rose-hip oil, which I apply to fine lines on my skin before bed. And lip balm. And funnily enough—black eyeliner. Try finding that organic! I use the Korres brand currently though I'd like the come up with one of my own.

FB: Do you have any beauty tips or secrets that you are willing to share with flawless beauty readers?
Linda A.: Just one. And it might sound strange. I hate using 'regular' deodorant because of aluminum, anti-perspirants, etc. Buuuut I'm sicilian and I don't, after a long sweaty day, smell like an angelic pile of rose petals. And natural deodorants, while they mean well, don't always work. My friend Marc once shared with me a little tip that to this day totally saves me! If you cut a small sliver of fresh lemon and rub it under the arms, voila! I know it sounds crazy, but seriously... it REALLY works.

FB: Starting your own company and dealing with the day to day duties takes a lot of energy I'm sure. What do you do to insure your body and mind receives the attention needed to maintain a healthy and creative lifestyle?
Linda A.: I typically heal through food and herbs. If I'm feeling run down I take herbs for vitality and I'll eat really well. If I feel bloated I'll try and incorporate at high percentage of raw into my diet for the day, it also helps the mid-day sluggishness. And if I'm at the top of my game, I'll wake to a morning shake of berries, banana, kale or spinach with udo oil, hemp seed and spirilina. Hormonally, I try to keep the caffeine to a minimum and regulate with vitex [chaste berry]. I find that if my hormones are balanced the rest tends to fall in line.

Where to buy? Online: US www.luluorganicsnyc.com, UK www.puresha.com
Visit luluorganicsnyc.com for a full list of retailers.

Treehouse in upstate New York, via Domino Magazine.

tame your locks...

Another wonderful product from Nature Girl, Groovy Locks Plant Shampoo. Previously I posted about not being able to find fabulous organic shampoos, problem solved thanks to Nature Girl and Cattier! Nature Girl shampoos are available for normal, dry, or oily hair in all natural and organic fragrances from wildcrafted essential oils. I suggest making sure you get the correct one for your hair type otherwise your hair can feel kind of heavy.