Hair New Era

To all the moms out there (you know, my two friends who have babies), here's one for you: Have you heard of the website called another lunch? It's written by a mother of four who strives to make nutritious and visually appealing lunches for her kids, specifically focusing on using bento boxes to cut down on packaging and waste. The result is a slew of cheery eye candy that made me want to whip up some fun lunches - until I realized that B might not appreciate the colorful boxes and fruit cut-outs as much as a toddler might. Ah well...

If you actually have children (and not just large children in mens' bodies) in your life, here are a few of her delish preschool to elementary school appropriate lunches:



In case you're wondering, the contents of the above lunch include (from top left, clockwise): applesauce with some sprinkles on top and mini Saltines with a slice of cheddar cheese, grapes and cucumber, a PB&J sandwich (the beak is made from cheese), sliced hard-boiled egg, raspberries, organic yogurt-covered raisins. Sounds pretty good to me!


However, I'm pretty sure you're thinking "what effing mom has time for this?" (except since you're a mom you probably didn't insert the "eff" in there like I do. Oops!). Anyway, I don't even have kids and I'm already doubting whether I could muster up the energy/time to cut a duck out of cheese.

But, not all of the bentos shown on another lunch are complicated. In fact, most of them look pretty simple. This one is basically whatever was in the fridge, tossed into a container in a cute way:


Plus, these could work for grown-ups pretty easily too. Here are two workday lunches that made my stomach growl:



Looks pretty healthy to boot...

I'm not running out to buy these BPA-free bento boxes and mini-containers any time soon, but if I have kiddos in the near future, I'll certainly consider it. In the meantime, Cov, I'm looking at you - this is right up your (green, organic) alley and I'm pretty sure little Finn would be super psyched to find a mini shark made out of organic cheese or an Ezekiel bread sandwich cut into a fish shape in his lunchbox. ;) Perhaps I'll give making one of these for Finn a go when I come down to visit in November... Yay for loaner kids! (ha ha)

Photo by Leslie and Auda from a room somewhere

This reusable canvas shopping bag by Riley Noehren on Etsy is totally cute and pretty green.

I would totally work it at the farmers market - imagine it filled to the brim with fresh, seasonal local veggies, hanging from my beloved scooter as I zip home - so cute, no? Of course this vision would mean I'd actually have to get out of bed before 11am on a Sunday morning, and I wouldn't hold your breath for that... but the bag is cute nonetheless. ;)

The print above is not only adorable, but also charitable. Children Inspire Design has created this super-cute signed, limited addition print, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the National Wildlife Federation's Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund. Bonus: along with your purchase of the print, you not only get to feel good about helping the sad situation in the Gulf, but you also get a $10 gift certificate to ChildrenInspireDesign.com. Score!

I love the friendly whale - I think he'd make the perfect gift for anyone with kids (too bad your birthday's not 'til Dec, Cov and Finn's not 'til March!).

I also happen to know that Children Inspire Design is a great company since I bought this little print as a kids gift for the holidays:

Though I'm not sure if the recipient liked it or hung it up... but I thought it was cute, so that's what matters, right? ;)

If you're in the mood for some fanciful art, or just to help out with the Gulf restoration while getting something fun, definitely go check out this adorbs whale print for 30 bucks well-spent.

Originally spotted here.

This post is dedicated to my sweet, kind, tree-hugger (but not dirty-hippie) boyfriend, B. ;)

B, I know you're going to want some of these to post around town:

What is it?

Let's zoom in a bit:

Yup, it's a magnet - wait for a quiet moment and slap that baby on your neighborhood's biggest gas-guzzler - et voila! Guerrilla eco-campaign!

Magnet by Topos Graphics and Sarah Riegelmann; available to buy here.

Originally spotted here.

With spring in full swing, I keep noticing all the beautiful greenery that seems to be popping out all over the place. (Thank goodness I don't have allergies!) Today I came across another gorgeous "plant table" on sfgirlbybay and was about to share it. It's not outdoor greenery, but it is indoor greenery at its best.

Funnily enough, sfg's plant table was inspired by one from Lonny mag, which I featured here back in October of last year. Since I was already sharing another indoor plant set-up, I thought I'd do one final round-up of all the gorgeous indoor garden scenarios I've come across and love. So, without further ado, enjoy this collection of verdant indoor pics (and then get outside and enjoy it in real life!):

I love that this (photo above) was inspired by this (photo below):

Via.


Via.


Via.

Aren't they all so pretty? They make me want to run out and buy a plant table or supplies for a greenhouse window post-haste. Oh wait, we've already got a ton of plants in our guest room window. Well then, I guess I can just breathe deep and enjoy the purified-by-plants air I'm breathing. Happy Spring, y'all!

I featured a lovely round plant table here and a garden window (a greenhouse window/shelving set-up type thing) here. So - for posterity's sake, and perhaps for some inspiration if you're looking to bring the green in when you don't have your own garden (like us!) - here's another bringing-the-garden-in way to go:

This look is a bit more organic and unstructured than the plant table or garden window (see links above for photos), but I like the layered look it creates. It's much more wild garden and a little less English garden, but it's cool nonetheless. Would you do this in your home?

Photo of Nina Shen (of Dwell Studio)'s apartment, as spotted on Design*Sponge.

I've been a huge fan of the succulent arrangements that Kelly from Yes, Please creates for, like, ever now, but she's blown me away all over again today.

Kelly came up with three amazing guest posts for 100 Layer Cake where she focused on using "everyday objects...to create some unique centerpieces." She even created DIY step-by-step instructions for each one (links at the bottom of this post).

Peonies in pegboard - who knew the thing that once held your grandpa's tools could look so soft when paired with frilly peonies? These two are so perfect I almost thought they were fake.


These yellow "billy bobs" are so cute when coupled with succulents, and even more unique and rustic when housed in a railroad tie. I also love the modern metal table number leaning casually on the wood.


A cement block as an arrangement holder? Sure, why not? Looks lovely with these anemones, fragrant rosemary and field flowers. Nice (and cheap!) use of a cinder block, Kelly!

You can see additional pics on Kelly's site here, or get the DIY instructions here, here, and here - let me know if you attempt any of these - so pretty!

Photo 1- via Fairy Tale Diaries; photos 2&3- by Paul Costello

I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge today, Earth Day 2010 - which also happens to be the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Appropriately, it's beautiful here in Annapolis today: sunny, warm and pretty. But if the insane volcano in Iceland has one thing to teach us (other than the fact that international air travel is less reliable than we think), it's that Mother Nature really is boss.

I don't like to use this blog as a platform to preach, but I do want to say quickly that I hope you're all doing your part to keep our planet healthy. Please, please, please, if you don't already recycle, start now - there's absolutely no reason other than laziness or ignorance why anyone shouldn't be recycling at this point. Switch out lightbulbs, unplug appliances, buy locally and organic, stop buying bottled water (I love these, these and these options), plant trees and so on.

B and I are doing our best to do better little by little (we're certainly not perfect but we're trying) and I hope everyone else will join us in doing what we can for our beautiful planet.

And if you have a spare moment, check out The Official Earth Day 2010 Campaign to see what you can do to help.

Okay, stepping off the soap box....now. Thanks for listening (er, reading). Happy Earth Day, all! :)

Isn't this type clever? I didn't see it at first, but it's "2010" and "love" no matter how you read it - either top row, then bottom row, or the black block on the left, then the red block on the right. So smart!

These 2010love tees only cost...you guessed it: $20.10. They're also part of the greater 2010love movement "created to inspire people to make a positive change in their own lives and the lives of others, starting now.”

A positive life change is always good, but for the lazyman, the tee is pretty cute in the meantime. ;) There's also an infant onesie:

Psst: For the month of April, 10% of proceeds from 2010love tees will be donated to The Earth Day Network, in honor of Earth Day on April 22. Awesome!

Spotted on Design Mom.

...is that not how the saying goes?

I know I've talked about greenery here on sea*life*style before - about how my boyfriend can grow peppers in a third-story apt., how much I love this crafty plant table, and I talked about my lust for an indoor citrus tree, even posting this gorgeous inspiration photo:


But with the chills of winter, I had all but forgotten about the possibility of lush greenery. Today I saw this photo on Pretty Pieces and was right back into my verdant obsession:

This giant Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, or Ficus Lyrata, is so pretty! After seeing this, I'm dying to add some true trees to our little house - not only for their beauty, but also for the air-purifying qualities. We're already doing a decent job of it with B's plants scattered about the guest room, but I think a big ol' tree would really seal the deal of green air in our home.

I've narrowed down my wont to either a fig tree or a citrus tree, and I've dug up a bunch of photos to illustrate my point of how amazing a tree in the house can be. Check it out:







So what do you think? Do you like the idea of a tree (or trees) in the house? Have you ever seen a Fiddle Leaf Fig indoors (I hadn't, either indoors or out!)? Do you like citrus plants inside?

Here's to spring's greenery - inside and out!

Photo credits: pic 1- here; 2- Grant K. Gibson's home; 3- House Beautiful, via Little Green Notebook; 4- Domino, via Dress, Design & Decor; 5- Grant K. Gibson's home; 6- House Beautiful, via Little Green Notebook; 7- SHELTER; 8- Abbey Goes Design Scouting; 9- Domino, via Dress, Design & Decor.

The lovely Nicole of Making It Lovely featured this Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack (shown here in her own kitchen) the other day, and I think it's totally adorable. I don't think it's quite my style yet - it's maybe more appropriate to hold baby bottles than wine bottles - but it's awesome nonetheless.

It's available on Amazon here and for only 25 bucks. Pretty good deal for a fun and functional counter-topper, eh?

Terrariums are so hot right now, and this craft project from the April 2010 issue of Country Living fits right in. Their mini-greenhouse/terrarium is DIY and so stinking cute. Best part: the only materials you need are pre-fab wood picture frames.

Admittedly, it'll take a bit of work on your part (some how-to photos below), but the finished product (above - so pretty) more than makes up for the time and elbow grease.

Isn't that an awesome craft? I'm thinking this is right up B's alley... Full instructions and step-by-step instructions here.

Spotted on Love Obsess Inspire.

Spotted on Twig & Thistle

These coasters from Dimmalimm Home are genius: No more wine charms needed to identify your glass at a party, plus they act as a coaster to protect your furniture (so you don't have to feel like Type-A-Annie asking your guests to use coasters). I love the colors offered, and the two different patterns, Citrus or Hibiscus, are really pretty without being too frilly. Best of all, they're handmade with recycled fabrics and eco-friendly, so you can be not only clean, but green. I only wish I'd known about these before our first Wino Club party!

Looking for hors d'oeuvre plates to accompany your wine glasses? Check out these fun options.

Tell your enemies you love them--atta boy!

Now that we've covered pinching people, decorating treats and drinks for St. Patty's Day, here's another facet of the holiday: the greenery.

The Postcarden Botanical postcards come with a pop-out frame and a packet of seeds. Unfold the card into one of the various architectural styles, add the seeds, water and you've got a min garden in a card. In case that's too confusing for you or you want to see it for your own eyes, there's a quick video demo here.

I think any budding gardener (ha, bad pun) would love to receive one of these in the mail, especially any kid green-thumbs you know. Everyone loves a surprise in the mail - especially one that holds another surprise inside!

Found on The Neo-Traditionalist.

These ABC paper cups from IaM Design are so cute and would certainly make any party just a bit cheerier. They're instant, easy decor:

I don't usually use paper cups since they're not the greenest, but sometimes for a party or occasion, you gotta do what you gotta do...

Besides, I love the idea of turning something utilitarian into an opportunity for good design:



Plus, they're the perfect inexpensive item to stuff in your "gift closet" or emergency box - whip these puppies out, spell the name of the person whose birthday you forgot, or spell out the holiday your kids are supposed to bring goodies to school for and stick some store-bought cookies in the cups, and you're all set!

Via Love Obsess Inspire.