I’ve only had a dishwasher a handful of times in my life and confess that I actually really don’t like them for a myriad of reasons. But for a long time it was because I couldn’t find a decent eco-friendly washing liquid/powder to get the dishes clean without chemicals. I didn’t want things I couldn’t pronounce leaving a film on my dishes that I’d have to eat off. And I didn’t want that run off to go into streams. But eco-friendly detergents just didn’t cut it.

That is until I found Biokleen’s Automatic Dish Powder. I had had really good success with biokleens Bac Out which I have recommended to everyone and their mama so I decided to try this powder since, by purchasing it at Whole Foods, if it didn’t work out I could return it. However, it worked on the first go even with caked on eggs, chocolate batter stuck on bowls and a few delicate peices of china.

Because it’s concentrated, a little goes a long way making it a great value. And it’s completely natural so it’s good for the environment or for people with cemical sensitivities and allergies. And for me the best part is that there is no fragrance! I’ve always found fragrances with dishwshers to be slightly overwhelming, not so with this!

So if you do use a dishwsher but want a great, eco-friendly option, I heavily recommend biokleen.

BUY AT: Whole Foods & Drugstore.com

April 5th, 2008 | For the Home | Add Comment »

I’m always on the search for an everyday conditioner that is lightweight yet moisturising for my fine, knotty, curly hair. It’s been hard. Conditioners are either too heavy, leave a film, don’t get the knots, smell funky, are a million dollars or simply don’t moisturise enough. I kept searching in hope that since I was a goldilocks, that something would eventually be just right.

And I think that something is John Masters ORganics Citrus & Neorli Detangler.

I’d heard the raves on message boards about this organic, parabean-free conditioner but I had resisted it for a long time. Why? It wasn’t the $14-16 price tag for 8oz (although that didn’t help) but I think it was because I had previously had bad experience with “Green” conditioners. The smells, the film, the strange hair that came out after. But I caved and glad I did.

The first thing you’ll notice is the scent - it really is citrus and neroli. It’s fresh when you put it on but it doesn’t linger in your hair after. The next thing you’ll notice is that a little bit will go a long way. I have very long hair and I just use a small amount and this product leaves my hair virtually tangle free without being weighed down. My hair is almost downright bouncy.

And the last thing you’ll notice is that you’ll want to buy it again and again because it works. And it’s organic. And parabean free. And makes you pretty. So don’t hesitate like I did - just get it and do some good for your hair and the environment. Everyone gets pretty that way. Win win!

BUY AT: & Whole Foods.

April 4th, 2008 | Green/Charitable, Personal & Beauty | Add Comment »

My BFF is a famous stylist at a famous salon in Beverly Hills so needless to say, she has the most amazing hair ever. And by amazing I mean it’s soft, bouncy, shiny and just… petable. My hair? Not so much. Because it’s naturally curly and light, it tends to frizz and be on the drier side. So I turned to my BFF for hair advice and she told me to run to the nearest beauty store and pick up a tub of L’Oreal Nature’s Therapy Mega Moisture Treatment Conditioner. She said that before Fekkai came out with his own product, this cheap conditioner was making all the starlets hair camera ready - only they paid about $100 per treatment. Needless to say, I ran to the beauty store.

The concern I often have with deep treatments is that I have fine hair but a lot of it so heavy conditioners can way it down or actually make my hair worse. But after just 5 minutes of this on my hair (and I confess to really slathering it on), I felt a major difference. Once rinsed, my hair was soft and virtually tangle free (I have never known my hair to be tangle free after washing!). Once dry, my hair was soft, manageable, shiny for a blond and dare I say, petable?

Using this once a week has made such a difference that I’ve bought the little packets to take with me when I travel.

BUY AT: Amazon & Beauty Supply Stores.

April 4th, 2008 | Personal & Beauty | Add Comment »

Growing up on a farm I wore wellingtons a lot and from what I remember they were always too big, too uncomfortable and left my feet too cold. I vowed to never wear them once I became a city girl. But you know the saying, never say never.

When recent downpours became a regular part of my life and having a dog meant I couldn’t hide from it, plus the fact I was spending every day walking the beach, I became in need of some water proof boots. But not just any boots - they had to be stylish. Because I wasn’t working on a farm - I’m wearing expensive dresses and still want to look pretty.

With hundreds of recommendations in tow for Hunter Wellington Boots, I ordered a pair (a half size down) and when they came I was instantly smitten and wondered why I’d waited so long! They’re stylish, easy to get on/off, so comfortable, and they fit like a (waterproof) glove. They look great walking in tidal pools or on the streets in a downpour. In fact, I’m hoping in rains tomorrow just so I have reason to wear them out.

BUY AT: Zappos

January 23rd, 2008 | Clothes/Accessories | 3 Comments »

I have a very smart, high energy dog that I take on hour long walks every day. This leads to me being exhausted - not him. Physically tiring him out is not enough and I needed help.

My trainer suggested the TreatStik as a way for the dog to earn his food and work his mind. Her dog never eats out of a bowl - only this. She said it’s great for nervous dogs, too, as a way for them to work out all that extra energy.

When I gave it to my dog, he was instantly taken with it because he could smell his kibble inside. And then away he went - rolling, pushing, and picking it up - anything to get at the food inside which was dispensed bit by bit when he’d solve the puzzle of getting it out.

And after a few days I noticed that between walking and using the TreatStik, his access energy was fading and we both were finally getting some rest.

BUY AT: TreatStik

January 13th, 2008 | For Your Pet | 1 Comment »

I could blame genetics or insomnia but that won’t get rid of my dark, dark circles. Either will countless creams or concealers that I’ve tried - and I’ve tried them all. But just when I was about to give up on covering up those nasty circles, a makeup artist friend turned me onto Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener.

If you have the blue-ish circles like I do, this is the best concealer out there. The peachy colour looked scary in the bottle but covered up the circles beautiful. Its creamy formula means no caking and its lack of pigment means a perfect match for your skin (even for skin as fair as mine).

So I still have the same genetic code and I’m not sleeping any more but my eyes don’t show it. Looks just like I’m rested instead!

BUY AT: Bobbi Brown

January 2nd, 2008 | Personal & Beauty | Add Comment »

Do you like Veronica Lake curls, red lipstick, dresses and dancing close to someone in a way that doesn’t resemble drunken bedroom antics? Then this might be the CD for you.

My best girlfriend introduced me to it when after a dance class (filled with IN YOUR FACE, MOVE THAT ASS music) I got into her car and it was playing. It was soothing - soothing for after class or driving home in LA traffic.

Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, and Duke Ellington are just a few of the bands performing on this CD that’ll transport you back into time (and into a better mood- who doesn’t swoon to “I’ll be seeing you?”). I confess that I’m a bit of an old-fashioned girl when it comes to music so this is right up my alley but it’s classic enough to stand the test of time and not be boring to someone who wants to shake their money maker. You just might want to shake it in a different way after listening to this.

BUY AT: Amazon

November 2nd, 2007 | Books, Movies & Music | Add Comment »

Juicing always conjured up images of a 109 year old man on tv screaming about all the delights of juicing celery and avocado. That didn’t appeal to me despite all the claims and the remarkable bendy-ness of this 109 year old man.

I don’t really drink juice - not even from bottles - so why on earth would I juice? Especially since the machines are notorious for being expensive, hard to clean and lots of work (you have to cut up every bit of veggie for them to get “juiced”). But when so many of my cheap, lazy friends began to rave about the Breville Juicer (and how much better their skin was looking) I knew I had to investigate.

Mixing spinach, celery, green apple (cut in half), one lemon and a little bit of ginger into the juicer sounded frightening but turned out to be amazing! After one sip I wanted the juicer but asked my friend how long it’d take to clean up. Literally a minute thanks to large parts that remove easy and are dishwasher safe. But then I was concerned about the price. This unit normally retails for over $150 so I bought a reconditioned model for less than $40! And let me tell you, it’s a power horse.

I do not want to be cutting up bits in the morningtimes when I am far to sleepy and need the juice to wake me up. And this machine literally just juices the bejesus out of every piece of fruit or veggie. I have to say, getting my fill of vegetables has never been so delicious - or easy.

I’m still making the same drink as above; haven’t gone all crazy with fruit and books so I can’t comment on how it is with other recipes. But I can tell you that for someone who loves fresh juice, wants to get a little healthier without spending a lot of money or building a juice machine every morning, than this is the juicer for you.

BUY AT: Amazon

November 1st, 2007 | For the Home | Add Comment »

A couple of years ago I had to pleasure of sitting and talking with Gluten-Free Girl” over coffee. There were a few things that struck me as we chatted; her sincerity, her joy, her love of being gluten-free and writing about it. And her book Gluten Free Girl: How I Found the Food That Loves Me Back is no different.

For those of us who can’t eat gluten, food can become a daunting experience but Shauna’s upbeat attitude (she has the word YES tattooed on her arm!), brilliant writing, and photography can help you fall in-love with (gluten free) food all over again. She’s on a mission to change the way people eat and to change the way people who are diagnosed with Celiac feel. Her book is part of that mission.

Food blogs are currently dishing about her book with glowing reviews. Both those who can and can’t eat gluten are eating it up, too. Shanua has a gift of not only writing beautiful about food and recipes but in telling a constant love story; a love of food, of life, of herself and her partner. And who doesn’t love that?

BUY AT: Amazon

October 20th, 2007 | Books, Movies & Music, Food & Gluten-Free | Add Comment »

After re-discovering music thanks to my new speakers, I wanted to have sound with me everywhere. You know, a personal theme song that follows me - like Amelie.

With a 3 day road trip from Austin Texas to LA coming up, I had to get my theme songs ready as radio on the drive is futile (unless you love Polka). When I realised the amount of CD’s I’d have to burn I looked for another option. That’s when I found the Kensington Digital FM Transmitter.

FM Transmitters for ipods were rather shoddy in the past. I had read enough horrible reviews to vow never to buy one. Never say never. The reviews for this product were amazing and I just have to chime in and agree.

Not only can you play your ipod in your car using the transmitter, it also charges it at the same time. All I had to do was create playlists which is far easier and less time consuming than burning CD’s - plus I have all my music at my finger tips!

Whether you’re driving around town or across country, this keeps you grooving to your music without having to stop and change the CD.

BUY AT: Amazon

September 17th, 2007 | Computer/Gadgets | 1 Comment »