I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Finally getting around to posting the photos from Anna Getty's book launch. Her first book

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas was celebrated with festive cheer at Environment Furniture Los Angeles. Sponsored by EcoStiletto, I was hired to do all decor + crafts from Anna's book. {I even used her heirloom + vintage ornaments for the tree.} O.N.E. drinks + VeeV acai spirit sponsored the bar, Aveda did massages + beauty treatments, Border Grill brought their taco truck, + Brown Sugar made Anna's homemade cookies.

Not only am I a fan of Anna's green initiative, but I could not speak more highly of her Christmas ideas. The book is quite a gem. I can't tell you how many times in the last two months I have taken inspiration from it for my holiday planning. I just made the salt dough ornaments with my kids which is now a tradition birthed forever more. The Chai Hot Chocolate is to die for, and the Truffled Goat Cheese Macaroni is my husband's new obsession. I'm currently trying my hand at the mini-herb wreaths and using her gift guide to wrap my presents. The wreaths will make perfect gifts as well! The book is also full of useful information about eco-friendly holiday decisions. Like, did you know UPS is the greenest shipping company? Me either! Thank you Anna for such an inspirational and sound guide to the holidays.

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, Amazon has a great deal going right now so click on over there and order now.

hello perfection.

a pair of bridal shoes perhaps?

image by him

Cocktail Hour

One of my favorite (and most requested) cocktails I serve at events is an organic basil gimlet. It's super easy to make + super delicious going down. Here is the recipe for your own enjoyment.

Basil simple syrup:
In a large pot, boil 4 cups of water + two cups of organic cane sugar.
Once sugar is dissolved turn the heat off + throw in 2 cups of packed organic basil + cover to infuse for a couple of hours. Strain basil leaves, pour syrup into a pitcher + refrigerate. This will keep for a few weeks of enjoyment if you don't use it all at your event. I jar mine + give as gifts. It makes a refreshing basil lemonade as well.

Cocktail:
On the rocks, one heavy pour of the basil syrup, one shot of Prairie organic vodka, + fresh lime juice to taste. (I recommend fresh squeezed lime juice, nothing artificial)

Voila. Happy sipping.

Abundance + Thanks

Abundance with family + friends. I'm off to San Antonio for the week to celebrate with my dear ones. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you + and yours.

Norman Rockwell's Freedom From Want

Mike + Sarah, Whistler Canada

Gorgeous Whistler. Private Helicopter. Picnic basket with wine. One killer ring. Two sweethearts. One romantic proposal.

This is Mike + Sarah. Awesome people.

I am so incredibly grateful to be planning their wedding for summer 2010. Enjoy their sweet photos from that magical day.

J.Crew vs Vogue

you tell me...

merci beaucoup to moodboard for the images.

A New Book by the Compai Gals!

Dude! My girl Justina has done it again. She and her sister Faith have come out with a new book Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags. These talented sisters own and run COMPAI which is a crafty, green design studio and an eco-friendly clothing line. They have been featured in Vogue, Glamour, Marie Claire, Venus Zine, and on The New Morning Show with Mike and Juliet as well as The Today Show. Compai’s previous publications include the popular “99 Ways” series which began with the trendy “99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim and Tie your T-Shirt into Something Special” which has been printed in both French and Portuguese.

For the legions of DIY aficionadas and handbag addicts out there, the Blakeney sisters are back with a new book of 24 clever, do-it-yourself projects. Refashioned Bags is full of great designs for every occasion, and they’re all made from everyday items most people already have! An old blazer finds new life as a shoulder bag, zippers become a disco-ready handbag, and plastic bags fuse together for a ready-for-anything-but-the-landfill clutch. The book shows you how to be stylish without spending more than a dollar or two on materials. Projects are rated according to level of difficulty, and there are even no- or low-sew options for the inexperienced seamstress. (Like me!) Full-color photography and detailed how-to illustrations accompany each project. The authors also profile seven innovative designers, who share their stories, tips on sourcing, and of course, crafty inspiration for aspiring designers of all levels.

Go get your copy here and check out Justina's designs here and her blog here. A regular on the blog roll for me...

'tis the season to craft good cheer

Come gather + get crafty at the Urban Craft Center with me + Kelly of Yes, Please. We have partnered up with some amazing sponsors to bring you a night of crafting, cocktails, cupcakes and cheer: Holiday inspired crafting courtesy of Urban Craft Center (and benefiting the OPCC of Santa Monica), delicious comfort food from La Grande Orange and cuppielove, sustainable arrangements from succulentLOVE, serious imbibing thanks to Luscious Libations, 360 Vodka and Dry Soda, night grooves from DJ Nahchey, event photography captured by Raya Photography and giggle fests in our custom photo booth from Photobooth Love! It's sure to be a fabulous evening and we hope to see all of our Los Angeles and SoCal friends there!

please rsvp to: rsvp@bashecoevents.com as space is limited.

happy sunday

my seat of choice from the incomparable iT house. happy {joshua tree} sunday.

B.E.E.s KNEEs - Dolci Odille

One city I've been longing to visit lately is Atlanta. Why you ask? 'Cause there are some stupidly talented people down South. I would jet over for the day simply to share a meal + clink glasses with some of these talented designy cyber-pals. Today's voyueristic trip is an ode to Dolci Odille. I could hang out + get crafty-inspired with Ashley over some bbq and beer anytime. Dolci Odille means "sweet fortunate girl" which I'm pretty damn sure Ashley is just that. Her designs are thoughtfully crafted yet still whimsically DIY. Her smilebooth creations do just that: make me smile, (sometimes I even do a cartwheel in my living room) even though I have never actually seen one live. Keep up with the sweet, fortunate girl + her charming ideas here and over here at the best ATL wedding blog on the www, Once Wed. And check out these awesome ATL photographers and this awesome paper-goods gal and this super duper designy gal. All definitely make the BK list. Holla!

gimme

via here, here, here, and here

'tis the season to call bash

B.E.E.s KNEEs - Jewelweeds

I currently feel like a personal shopping/gift guide blog because that is what I did for 4 days while sick in bed. I can't seem to get back to doing inspiration boards and I haven't edited the photos from the Halloween birthday bash yet, so here is more of my lovely etsy finds for gift giving. Jewelweeds grabbed me with their block printed organic linen bib. Then I perused further and just got lost in the goodness. {big sucker for printed linen} Go over and get suckered yourself.

Oh yeah. You must check out Anna Getty's "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas". Her launch party is tonight and I'm off to finish up the last minute touches for it. The book is filled with great ideas on homemade ornament making, yummy recipes, decorating tips, and so many more inspiring ways to green up your holidays. Pics from the launch party soon.

Happy Friday

A good reminder when you're holed up cranky with thick mucus + barking like a seal.

I'm still alive, able, + loved. Thank you for the happy life my dear ones.

image via Charley Star

B.E.E.s KNEEs - Christmas Wish List {kid-style}

What I *wish* my kids would get from Santa... installment #1.

1. Whitten Grey's "Mod" organic bamboo dress with shell buttons. {my size please!}

2. Clementine's all natural eco-friendly paint + art supplies. Hours of safe fun.

3. Wooden Toy Breakfast Set from Sasaki Kogei. Bacon please!

4. Where the Wild Things Are felt crown by TheRiceBabies.

5. Alexander Girard Memory Game by House Industries. Arty-folky learning at its priciest.

6. KIDDO Cabana modern prefab for the small set. Playing house never looked so eco-stylish.

7. The Curious Garden by Peter Brown. Google it, hold on to your heartstrings, and click buy.

8. Ecotots Surfboard Growth Chart. Hang Ten...inches that is.

9. Jess Brown's handmade, organic, tea-dyed dolls. Dress 'em, snuggle 'em, cherish 'em.

10. Tree blocks. Wooden blocks that look like wooden cuttings. Duh.

Winter Wedding Inspiration

A lovely winter wedding via Hatch Creative Studio photographed by Karen Mordechai.

Images via Style Me Pretty.

Bring on the snow... {hey, an L.A. girl can dream.}

halloweeeeeeeeeen!

wedding peeps know how to party. thanks mint for the fun photo booth.

me and kels dressed up as 'bloggers'.