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Green-eyed Girl: “Greening”
House
By Tess Kurzeja
Sometimes, as green girls, we need to separate ourselves
from popular trends and celebrity styling and beat to
the tune of a more natural drum. This time of year,
that drum encourages change. The vibrant colors of spring
mute to the cool hues of fall and the humid heat that
plagued our bodies and hair during the hot summer months
offers a chilly reprieve. So, bringing on good hair
days and starlit nights, this fall season is looking
pretty good for the green gal.
And, when it comes to change, your wardrobe and beauty
routine aren’t the only things that can see some
serious improvement this season. It’s out with
spring and summer cleaning and in with fall “greening.”
So, from ceiling to floor, I’ve compiled some
of my favorite trinkets and accoutrements to transform
your home from a summer playground to a calming (and
green) personal oasis. Plus, who would I be if I didn’t
include some of my favorite at-home beauty and personal
care products to make your home undeniably green?
Decorate Green
 Before
it’s time to deck the halls with holiday decorations,
transform a room to suit your personal, green style
with a little help from Sandpiper Studios. Sandpiper’s
exclusive Eco Chic wallpaper line is manufactured
using paper derived from sustainable forests and poses
no threat to its ecosystem. Plus, this is not your mother’s
wallpaper. The line features eco-inspired, avant-garde
patterns printed with water-based, non-toxic inks to
ensure a healthy indoor living environment. Choose from
22 different designs in close to one hundred color combinations
to make a room transformation both simple and tailored
to your taste. I adore the multi-dimensional, nature
inspired patterns. Not too keen on covering a whole
wall? Create a cool lampshade or triptych utilizing
one or more of the Eco Chic patterns. (You
can purchase the Eco Chic line from wallpapermore.com
at varying prices.)
 Adding
furniture made from recycled materials to your home
is one great way to enhance its green appeal. Something
like this Reclaimed Patchwork Bench
is a fashionable way to enhance the décor of
your home while resisting purchasing furniture made
from non-sustainable materials ($475 at uncommongoods.com).
A certified work of functional art, from artist Margaret
Taylor, this bench (which doubles as a coffee table)
is pieced together from reclaimed wood from houses and
barns across the country.
 Whether
you display them or drink from them, you’ve got
to love the Protect our Earth glasses.
Displaying the phrase “Protect Our Earth”
in four languages (English, French, Afrikaans and Spanish),
these glasses are made of recycled glass from reclaimed
wine bottles and are adorned with delicate etching ($45
at uncommongoods.com).
This set of four could be used as charming containers
for votive candles, tiny planters for kitchen herbs
or as good, old-fashioned drinking glasses.
 Since
we’re “greening” from inside to out,
your outdoor living space has just as much green potential
as what you keep within your walls. An easy way to enhance
your outdoor living area is with a charming set of chimes.
I love the precision-tuned chimes from Woodstock,
especially their Aloha Chime. What’s
even better than the soft soothing tones that emanate
from these chimes is their eco-friendly and fashion
forward bamboo casing. Since bamboo grows quickly and
has been proven a sustainable resource, the Aloha Chime
will fit right in with your “home ecosystem”
and will only enhance, not hurt, the environment.
Get these chimes online at windchime.com.
 Another
item that’ll have others green with envy is the
Flip Flop Mat from Green-Living.com
($25). Made from recycled flip-flops from the Philippines,
this mat boasts vibrant colors sure to match any décor
and an enviable uniqueness.
And if that isn’t enough indoor and outdoor greening,
take a look at the homemade and recycled, one-of-a-kind
goods available from various independent crafters and
artists at Etsy.com. This online space is a virtual
marketplace for the most unique items on the net, sure
to enhance your green space with oh-so-unique flair.
Green Home Products
It’s surprising what transforming even one aspect
of your living space can do to make your home feel brand
new, and even more surprising is how easy it has become
to turn your house into your own private, green spa
getaway (or close to it).
 As
the weather cools, it’s crucial to keep skin hydrated
to avoid drying and cracking. And, as we spa girls know,
one of the best ways to lock in moisture is with a luxurious
paraffin wax treatment. But, rather than running to
the spa, or waiting hours for that at-home paraffin
machine to heat up, treat your mitts to the ThermaSoft
System. Providing the same soothing, rejuvenating
and moisturizing effects of a traditional paraffin treatment,
this system produces less mess, a more sanitary experience
and, green girls rejoice, uses soyaffin, a paraffin
alternative made of shea butter, beeswax and soy serum
that is 100% natural and petroleum-free. Just
fill the mitts with warm water, let them sit for about
three minutes and insert your paws for some pampering
perfection. Since they are self-heating and the soyaffin
is time released, each mitt stays warm and soothing
for up to a half hour. And, when you’re done,
there’s no mess to clean up but disposing of the
mitts. Get them at any JC Penney Spa or locate a retailer
at thermasoft.com.
 Add
another botanical touch to your everyday, with products
from the all-natural line Malie Kauai,
which uses natural ingredients from the shores of Kauai
to create products for your home, body and spirit. I
love the Soy Candles, which lend a little island
ambiance and sweet tropical scents to the home ($30
at malie.com). Not
to mention the soothing and moisturizing Organic
Mango Nectar Hand Soap to make everyday tasks a
little more luscious ($18 at malie.com).
Some say, “you are what you eat,” and that
may be true, but I’m more inclined to say “you
are where you live.” So, create a space that is
uniquely you, and uniquely green.
 “Green-eyed
Girl” is PrettyCity®’s monthly guide
to the latest beauty products and treatment trends reflecting
a consciousness for the environment and personal health.
If it’s organic, we know about it; if it’s
helping our environment while keeping us looking and
feeling our best, we love it. And, you can rest assured
we’ll tell you all about it. Please contact
us with story ideas or product suggestions.
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