a little Sunday inspiration...

Last week I made my way over to Bryant Park, paying a visit my favorite magazine stores, Kinokuniya and Around the world. There were so many amazing spreads for summer! One of my favorite shoots was in Living Etc.
Supermodel Tatjana Patitz shared her inspirational home full of light, orchids and global finds. I found her whole mood so beautiful I had to share!
*note the outdoor bamboo shower with a sunken-in stone tub & her Dr. Hauschka products on the shelf ;).

Also, today is the final day for Flawless readers to receive 20% off an entire purchase at Beautorium.com. Enter flawless at checkout.

a little Sunday inspiration...

Bathing spaces to dream about...fresh flowers and plants give a earthy and fragrant experience. The top photo is of Donna Karen's NYC home, we saw her amazing East Hamptons home a few months back.

a little Sunday inspiration...

After moving into my new apt, I've discovered issues with storage. I don't have a lot of stuff, but I do have a lot of product! My challenge for my new bathroom is to keep it minimal and clean but still have a place to put my things! Here are a few objects that worked great for my space...Product storage containers from MUJI. Towel rack that can be placed right next to shower to avoid wet floors. Space saver over the door shelf that is perfect for storing spare towels or a basket with items, both from Ikea.

Below are images that I found use appealing storage tactics.

Above photo via elements of style.

product reviews...

Here's a great write up on Domino Magazines website concerning beauty products. Click here to read. Very informational, they discuss every product on the shelf...and look at that adorable baby succulent. I almost forgot about how much I love plants in the bathroom!

Speaking of plants in the bathroom, there is an amazing show by the very talented Tim Walker on exhibit at The Design Museum in London. I wish I could go! Click here to see what Domino blogger Rita Konig had to say about the exhibition.

a little Sunday inspiration...

The theme for today is all white. I pulled the above images from Apartment Therapy. They had a great post on color themed bathrooms. I added in the silver tub because it's awesome and how amazing would that look in an all white bathroom! I also added in the picture with the wallpaper because I love the idea of an all white bathroom surrounded in print and pattern. There are also some great detail shots in most of these images, there seems to be a theme involving fresh flowers...

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.

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!

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.

almost summer...

I thought I'd change things up today and do an inspirational post. Here are some fabulous beauty shoot images from Vogue Beauty Italia. I love the mood in these shots, it reminds me that my favorite season summer, is just around the corner! Not to mention, how cute are all the dresses!? Also, I just had a great weekend upstate New York which reminded me of the scenery and the leisurely attitude in these photos as well...via foto decadent.

a little Sunday inspriation...

Photo by Annika Vannerus/Getty

I have been very busy lately so there were a lack of posts this week, I was debating whether or not to do another inspiration post so soon but decided to go ahead because I receive such great feedback from everyone when I do them! So, I take that as you want to see more...
I came across the above photo online, I'm not sure whose bathroom this is, but it's amazing, wrap around open air windows! And is that fruit on the trees outside, lol. I also like the basket on the floor placement for towels.

a little Sunday inspriation...

There's something about this bathroom that feels so cozy. Maybe the hue of neutrals or the towel warmer. This image is from one of my favorite interior books, Home Is Where the Heart Is, by Ilse Crawford. Ilse is an amazing interior designer, her website showcases projects that are truly inspirational.

In her book, she talks about bathhouse basics, here are a few questions shes suggests you ask yourself when setting up your bathing space...all great things to consider...

• If you don't have a bathroom window, is it possible to add one?
• Can you have a water softener installed?
• Can you incorporate tactile surfaces such as wood, stone, handmade ceramics?
• Is there space for a towel-warming rail?
• How much storage do you need to keep the room uncluttered?

a little Sunday inspiration...

The perfect example of why no one should be afraid of checkerboard floors and chandeliers in the bathroom! The natural lighting looks great in here as well and how cute is the window shape?

a little Sunday inspiration...

I love interior design and do a lot research on the topic so I am glad a lot of you enjoy and are requesting the inspirational posts. It's nice to know Flawless Beauty has a visual crowd.
What caught my eye in the above image was the use of glass bottles as decor. The colors are very soothing as well with the mixture of the mirrored table and wall. I noticed they also use a wood bath mat. I used a bamboo one for some time and it worked as a great alternative to cloth mats that tend to pick up dirt easily.
Also, I am heading south to Miami this weekend in search of the warm sun. I would love any recommendations for beauty shops or great spas that you have been to or have read about. I hope to come back with some new south beach finds!

a little Sunday inspiration...

I just realized I haven't posted an inspirational bathing space for awhile! I saw this on the very inspirational blog Absolutely Beautiful Things. What do I think is great about this bathing space? The creative use of mirrors, the hidden chandelier, white wood floors and that fabulous egg shaped tub! Check out the rest of the pictures from the home on the above link.

a small world type of thing...

I was blog browsing this morning when I saw a post on the book Subtraction by Clinton Friedman. The images are amazing, a great way to view the beauty of nature and the source of where products come from! Then, to my surprise I browsed through more of this great blog housemartin and realized that is blogger is one of my past coworkers, Pam. I love when small world stuff like that happens! Thanks Pam for the wonderful post and I am so glad you are doing inspiring things!

a little Sunday inspiration...

I've been having a hard time lately finding inspirational bathing spaces but this week I did manage to pull together some great sink/storage solutions for your bathing space. I realize also that this is important because the more organized and clean your bathing space is, the more likely you are to want to spend time there and the more likely you are to take advantage of the bath!

This first image is a classically luxurious bathroom with a white marble sink. What I really like about this though are the clean lines lended by the lack of clutter. I love the glass jars for holding things, a good way to keep things organized but not take away all the character. And fresh flowers always do amazing things for any room!
This next space from Livingect. magazine, is a wonderful example of what a little pattern can to do a space. I also love the textured mirror above the sink in place of your ordinary bathroom mirror. And the silver bowl below the sink is a great way to add character and store items. I've done the same with various baskets.

Lastly, from Livingect. magazine as well, is a bathroom from the home of artist Kate Dineen. So fun to look at! Kate describes it as having a french feel. The towel warmers are a great touch. Also a good idea is to do a small tiled section in your bathroom, very cost effective! My favorite part though is that adorable baby portrait!

late night Sunday inspiration...

So I came across these images in this months issue of Cookie Magazine and had to share. The couple who designed this eco-friendly home are jewelry designers who decided to raise their kids in Bali while working on their Indonesian inspired jewelry collection, John Hardy.


I love the fabrics in the shower area, so airy and colorful. I had to post the living space as well as the bathing space simply because its so exotic and amazing. To me this home is kind of like a fantasy home and amazing spa all in one! How wonderful to actually live in an open space like this and in Bali!

a little Sunday inspiration...

While in San Francisco, I was able to visit with my lovely and talented friend and sometimes travel buddy Nicole. She had me over to her amazing house in Bernal Heights. Her place is fabulous, filled but NOT cluttered (very important!) with great flea market finds, photographs and fun objects. Then I discovered the bathroom and was even more impressed because she did not forget about this bathing space at all! See below...


She even painted an accent wall...and I love the eclectic mix of furnishings. Not your typical bathroom at all...


There was pretty mix of shell/beach inspiration...



Great coral printed window treatments...


The right amount of modern chrome hardware, oh and I think that might be a candle from a flawless beauty favorite le labo, Nicole and I also both love Ambrette 9!


and of course because this is Nicole's house, a touch of humor!

a little Sunday inspiration...

I found these images from Designer Donna Karen's East Hamptons home in New York. She mentions in the article that she bought the house next door to hers to turn into her solo getaway! Nice. This bathing space is so stunning and is surrounded with tranquility. Theres even a koi pond on the other side of the window! I think she did an amazing job of bringing the outdoors inside, as I mentioned in an earlier post. The structure of the bathroom is made with Jerusalem limestone and mirrors were placed to reflect the sky and water.

a little Sunday inspiration...

How is this for curling up under a tree for some tranquility! Sunday is a day to rest, relax and allow your body to rejuvenate, the metalwork of Shawn Lovell provides fine grounds to do so. The Oakland, California artist's website shares her whimsical home furnishing pieces. Flawless Beauty encourages you to make time for ample rest; you deserve this- be worthy and you will flourish!