viva mexico!

I apologize ahead of time for the lack of posts but I'll be living this fabulous dream for a few days:

photo

Besos!

diana

Green Weddings

Saturday is my friend's big day in Mexico and I'm all wrapped up in wedding fever again.  I love all of the details that go into the decor for the day but of course am always thinking of ways to keep it green.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas!

I love, love, love these cork candles shown over at Snippet & Ink.  You could easily make them yourself with a sheet of cork, some scissor, glue and pillar candles of varying heights.  Sounds like a fun project to do with your gal pals!  Add some colored ribbon to snazz them up or leave them plain like in the photo below and you'll have a gorgeous start to your wedding centerpieces.

A burlap runner adds to the rustic simplicity of this table.  You can finish the edge of your runner with thread in the color of your choice if you're good with a sewing machine or have someone do it for you if not.  I think its one of those tiny details that can help pull everything together on your big day!

photo

I have to say that one of the greatest ideas I've been a part of was for the wedding that we're heading to this week.  The ceremony takes place in Mexico but the reception will be here in Seattle after the couple returns from their (1st) honeymoon :-)  At one of the showers thrown for the bride, everyone invited was asked to forgo traditional shower gifts and head to their local thrift store to go vase shopping.  A list of desired colors was included and she received enough vases to complete the tabletop decor and centerpiece arrangements for the party!  Below is a sampling of what was accomplished: 

photos

Isn't she going to make the most gorgeous bride?!?!?!

besos,

diana

Dear Seattle Sounders FC

Today we would like to remind you to:

warm up well,

hydrate and listen to Coach,

play hard,

and celebrate!

In return, we promise to:

Give you our Full 90!

Oh, and of course...GO PANTS!

See you on the pitch!

besos,

diana

*all pohotos courtesy of flickr

I'm In Love...

with sunny friday mornings and the fabulous collection from Spool No. 72  Their vintage and Native American inspired pieces are simply beautiful and I have had the hardest time picking a few of my favs to show you.

fleetwood dress, hawkins earrings, heirloom dress, tyee mountain tote, ranger romper & twisp necklace

ps.  They're located in Ellensburg, WA!  Road trip ladies???

besos,

diana

Inspired by Nature

Imagine a room inspired by this guy's brilliant colors...

flickr photo

From the super-saturated,

To the slightly more subtle.

Where do you find your design inspiration?

besos,

diana

photos:  flickr, coco+kelley, sunset, elle decor

Eco Chic Expo

Mark your calendars for May 1st for Seattle's first Eco Chic Expo. 

Find more info at http://www.ecochicexpo.blogspot.com/ You'll find information on vendors and activities for the event which will be at the Ravenna Eckstien Community Center: 6535 Ravenna Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115.

Check out the links to some of the exhibitors below:

A Greener Kitchen

Dante's Inferno Dogs - come by for the exclusive Eco-Dog

Eat Your Yard

mamaswap.com

Natural Balance

Nest

Satsuma Designs

Sugar Sugar

Sweet Beauty

Theo Chocolate

Thinknow 

Tread Light Gifts 
 
I'm excited to check out this awesome event.  Hope to see you there!
 
besos,
 
diana

The Dirty Dozen

photo

Somebody asked me the other day what produce was on the "dirty dozen" list.  That is, the top foods to buy organic because of the high levels of pesticides they have been found to contain.  It can be hard to know what to spend the money on so keep this list handy at the grocery store and you'll be good to go.

RANK, FRUIT OR VEGGIE, SCORE (100=highest pesticide load)


1.  (worst) Peach 100

2.  Apple 93

3.  Sweet Bell Pepper 83

4.  Celery 82

5.  Nectarine 81

6.  Strawberries 80

7.  Cherries 73

8.  Kale 69

9.  Lettuce 67

10.  Grapes - Imported 66

11.  Carrot 63

12.  Pear 63


To see where other fruits and veggies rank, go to http://www.foodnews.org/, the web site of the Environmental Working Group.  You can actually download their guide straight to your iPhone or a pdf version if you don't have one and sign up for alerts and a newsletter on the site as well.    Take some time to browse around the site as there is a ton of great information!

photo

besos!

diana

Running Toward the Weekend

Have you ever wondered what the heck to do with all those pairs of old running shoes stacking up in the closet?  They don't have enough cushion left in them to train in but they're not so worn out that they should be trashed (recycled).  So what do you do with them?  Having worked for Road Runner Sports for the past 5 years, I've seen lots of great things done with old but not trash-worthy shoes.  Many stores actually have a donation bin located right in the store where you can drop off you shoes and guess what!?!  They actually go to a good cause.  I know.  I've sorted through them, made the phone calls and personally seen them out the door and into the hands of people in need.  At my local store in Seattle, we have several charities that we reach out to when we have an abundance of shoes. The Union Gospel Mission is one such charity that we give shoes to on a regular basis.  Once they get the shoes, they clean them up and get them out to the homeless.  Wouldn't you FEEL GREAT knowing that you could make a difference in someone's world just by dropping off your shoes at your local running store? 

Another great program created by NIKE is called "Reuse A Shoe."  They take old shoes and recycle them into products used to make basketball and tennis courts, running tracks, soccer fields, fitness flooring and playground safety surfacing.  You can find bins at your local Road Runner Sports store in which to drop shoes for this program as well.

If you still need more incentive to make a special trip to the running store (if your shoes are worn out, you should really be replacing them anyway right?!?!) then here's a little hint for you.  Several times a year, Road Runner Sports does a promotion where you get $10 off your new shoes when you bring in a pair to donate.  How cool is that!  Just sign up for their mailing list and you'll be the 1st to know when they are running the promo...no pun intended :)

I'd certainly have no excuse for not running daily if I could run here...don't you think?

Here's to happy feet this weekend!

besos,

diana

Home Office

I spent all day today reorganizing my home office which happens to be in the living room/kitchen (we live in less than 500 sq. ft) so I thought I'd feature some great storage solutions and offices in small spaces. 

I love the idea of creating storage from something re-used in a completely different way like these shipping crates.  They not only make a great place to organize your books and other items but they make a beautiful statement piece as well.  Aren't they pretty?!?!  I could see them being fun in a kids rooms too if you painted them in a bright color.

If the only space you have to spare is literally the size of the closet well then here you go!

And if you are in need of an office space and a place for your shoes, (I have lots) then you'll love this creative storage solution I found over at Sunset Magazine.   Simply wrap your boxes in brown paper, add a graphic and viola!

                                    

Of course, the perfect office must have the perfect rug like the one I found here.  It's made of reclaimed upholstery leather and I can only imagine how soft and sumptuous it would feel under my footsies!

                                            

Now, back to work at my clean, organized desk.  Woohoo!

besos,

diana

*photos from House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Sunset Magazine

I Scream, You Scream

Its safe to say that my world revolves around ice cream.  I'm not embarassed, although I can't say the same for my husband ;)  I live by the rule that there is always room for ice cream.  Like anything else we consume these days its important to know what kind of affect the ice cream industry is having on the environment.  Does that sound silly?  Maybe.  But if you're like me your ice cream consumption could actually have an impact.  So, here is a company that happens to be one of my favorites and happens to be making a difference This makes me proud to call myself an ice cream addict.  Aaaaaaand, the next time I get the eyebrow raise on my way out the door to pick up a pint of my favorite flavor I'll be able to combat it with a plethora of reasons why eating ice cream is synonymous with doing the right thing.  Or something like that...

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.  Just the name alone makes my mouth start to water.  With names like Boston Cream Pie, Dulce Delish and Chunky Monkey, its hard not to want to grab a spoon and dig in!  But did you know that good ol B&J:  Gives back to many non profit organizations.  Packages their ice cream in an eco friendly container.  Were the 1st company in the United States to use the HC Freezer which does not contribute harmful refrigerant gases into the atmosphere.  Promotes sustainable farming practices through the Dairy Stewardship Alliance.  Purchases vanilla, cocoa and coffee beans from fair-trade organizations.  I could continue to list all of the wonderful reasons to eat and love Ben & Jerry's because there really are a whole bunch more, but instead I'll just show you some scrumptious pictures to get your tastebuds primed and wanting more!

This is how I feel when I eat ice cream.  Yes, EVERY time.

With that, I bid you:

besos!

diana

Lovely Wood

Lately I've been seeing a lot of reclaimed wood incorporated into design in really creative and inspiring ways.  The latest issue of House Beautiful has an entire spread on woods you've never heard of as well as some incredible rooms.  Just last night, I was watching Extreme Home Makeover and they created these awesome stools out of a reclaimed tree that went down in a hurricane.  It got me thinking that some of these things would be affordable and fun to incorporate into your home.

I love the use of natural wood I saw on this post on Design Sponge today.  The tables add great texture and contrast to an otherwise very sleek and modern space. 

The Tamarind cubes shown in House Beautiful would be a great option in place of the tables above.  They also provide extra seating and best of all, they are made of salvaged wood from road construction sites in the Philippines.

I would love to tie back my curtains with these banana bark beads also featured in House Beautiful.

And then of course there's my absolute fave:  Urban Hardwoods.  I could stare at their art furniture all day everyday and never get tired of it.  I just love that they create beautiful pieces that feel so organic and rich and luxurious from something that would otherwise be discarded. 

Can you believe they can take this:

and turn it into pieces like this

and this

and this

and and and...and I could post pics all day but I'll leave you with this last one.

Here's to getting wild with wood!

besos,

diana