rent the runway

But what am I going to wear??

This question has been repeated so many times this year by myself or one of my girlfriends. With all of our friends getting married this year and holiday events coming up before you know it, wouldn't it be nice to look forward to something with out the stress of buying another dress? 

Rent the Runway is a new concept that was introduced to me by Sara Riff. They give users access to high fashion for any of occasion at just 10% of retail cost. All you have to do is browse the designer dresses, pick what you want, put the dress in your shopping cart and specify when you need it to arrive on your doorstep in two different sizes. Some of the designers on the site include: Proenza Schouler, Tracey Reese, Helmut Lang, Giambattista Valli, and so many more.

food for furniture

Thinking of redecorating before the holidays?

From now until November 25th CB2 stores in California, Illinois and NY are partnering with food banks to combat hunger. Bring in 5 non perishable items and you will recieve a 15% discount on in store purchases. 

healthy child healthy world

I have just discovered this website and it is fantastic! Our modern lives are filled with so many toxins in the food we eat, the air we breathe, the ground our children and animals play on. Healthy Child Healthy World is designed to educate parents all over the world and answer questions that they have regarding the safety of their families and homes. The information on this site is all reliable unlike so much of the pollution we encounter when researching online. Healthy Child Healthy World was founded by Nancy and Jim Chuda after they lost there daughter Collette to a form of cancer that was proven to be linked to hazards in the environment. The website is amazing and I encourage you all to add it to your bookmarks. Whether or not you have children this site is a wealth of information and such an amazing resource for all of us.

carry on

Dreaming of a weekend getaway... 

leopard carry-on. Get the weekend started off right! Believe it or not I actually own this.. Its light and durable.. Find it online at  flight 001 

For the more rustic weekend I would advise the Filson field bag on wheels. Love this bag.

If this trip means business this bag is a great choice. I love the lines of it and its very practical..

ahh.. J crew has done it again.. It doesn't hold much, but what are you taking anyway. This bag is more of an overnight bag but isn't it great?

Bon Voyage!

hot off the press!

Attention! New magazine alert!

Lonny Magazine has now launched.  Former Domino editor Michelle Adams launched the online only Magazine and I am loving it so far. The Magazine is published on a bimonthly basis in a traditional magazine print format on its web site. 

the CLEANest shower

I read the book Clean by Alejandro Junger a couple of months ago after seeing it on GOOP. One of the things I took away from the book was the amount  of chlorine and other chemicals found in our water and how humans and other animals absorb them not just by drinking the contaminated water but more importantly absorbing them through the skin and inhaling the steam while in the shower or bath.  Consumers are trained to spend all this money and time trying to drink the cleanest water  and we are forgetting about the chemicals in the water we bathe in. After I read the book I did my research on full home water filters.. Maybe someday but they are just too expensive for now. After I realized that is not happening I started researching shower head filters and they are all SO ugly I just couldn't do it. Well a couple of weeks ago I decided to  do some more research to see if anything new had come out and sure enough  the people at Culligan.. Yes remember Culligan water sort of the equivalent of Sparkletts. Anyway Culligan came out with the shower head that you see above. It looks great and its super easy to install (according to Jesse:).Its $30 at Bed Bath and Beyond and you have to replace the filter every 6 months which I am hoping will be a satisfying (but sort of depressing filter change). I am loving this shower head and YES I completely notice a difference I can even tell there is more sheen in both Jesse and Bean's hair.  I am assuming its great for color treated hair as well. So until you can afford to go put a water filtration system on your house this is the next best thing. I can't wait to hear what you think. 

the new carver

Hey everyone! I am so sorry I have not posted in ages but I have lots of exciting stuff to catch up on. First and most important  I am involved in this amazing organization called The Skid Row Housing Trust which provides affordable housing and a second chance to the homeless people of Los Angeles. I strongly believe that the support of healthy surroundings adds so much to these peoples life and really lends them the opportunity for a fresh beginning. The Trust is launching there newest housing development called New Carver Apartments as well as celebrating the 20th anniversary of the organization tomorrow night. I am in EXTREMELY good company as one of the four designers who was asked to design a room for one of the future tenants and the Carver Apartments. The other designers include: The amazing Estee Stanley (just launched her website and its incredible you will be blown away), Ruthie Sommers who we all know and love, and Molly Luetkemeyer of mdesign who has been on House Beautiful's list of Top Designers in America four years running. I am so thankful for this opportunity and encourage all of you to check out the site and perhaps come to the event tomorrow night and support this great cause!

happy weekend!

I hope these photographs by Yiorgos Kordakis inspire you to have a great weekend and enjoy the hot weather beachside.

or at the wet and wild pool...

ashlees birthday build

I am posting about Ashlee Margolis's Habitat for Humanity birthday build because I think its such a great idea for a birthday celebration. We had a blast! Ashlee even had the great DJ Tendaji on the ones and twos. If any of you are looking for a creative way to give back and get your friends involved I would highly recommend doing a habitat build.

Happy Birthday Ashlee!

bastide de marie

Jesse and I are busy planning our trip to France.. Does that sound pretentious?
Anyway check out this gorgeous hotel Bastide de Marie I found it today some while doing some extensive web research. This converted old farm is about an hour south of Avignon right in the heart of Provence, and the wine and the food is all grown on premises. While the website may be a little slow and and might test your patience you should for sure check it out. Jesse and I are going to stay a night here or at least grab lunch on our way to the South from Paris. If anyone has any recommendations for me please comment! I will send pics from the trip. Bon nuit!

creatures are calling

Check out Andrew Zuckerman: Creature. Andrew shoots each picture on a white background which serves as his canvas creating a "frozen" in time perspective on each animal. The book took him 5 years to shoot I discovered it other day while shopping for a gift at the James Perse store. I love it and think it is such a perfect host/hostess gift for all of you freeloading vacationers. (myself included) You can buy this at select James Perse stores and its also on sale on Amazon for $37.80!

the art of basil

Rashida is a close friend of mine and the first of many guest bloggers to contribute on Beans and Mango. She has introduced me to the wonders of Mrs. Meyers which has become a staple in my household. I have been begging her to share this discovery with you all. Read on..

I lived in London in 2003 and became obsessed with Fairy Washing Powder; it smells like you air-dried your laundry in your quaint English garden. In the UK, the washing machine cycle is almost three times longer than here and they use little tablets which drop easily into a side drawer. The result is a uniformly clean scent that isn't overpowering or nauseatingly flowery.

After schlepping the cumbersome Fairy packages back in my luggage several times from London, I finally gave up. Ever since, I've been looking for an equivalent stateside. Behold, an even better version! And it's natural, biodegradable and cruelty free! What else could an environmentally responsible, fragrance-obsessed girl want?

Mrs. Meyer's Basil Scented Laundry Detergent and Dryer Sheets was the sheer delight I have been waiting for. With a little note of green and a tangy sweetness that makes you feel like your life is a little cleaner than it may actually be; it is the exact way you want your clothes and towels to smell.

The other Mrs. Meyer's scents are all worthy

of your loyal procurement: the hand soap is great in lavender, the all-purpose cleaner in lemon verbena and the surface wipes in baby blossom.

Rashida Jones

Thank you Rashida for your amazing tips! You can buy Mrs. Meyers at Whole Foods, Target and online from the link above. Koontz Hardware I have found to have the best local selection of products and scents.

...canadian house and home

I just picked up a copy of Canadian House and Home. (which I have never read before) I had an email from one of the editors that one of the photos on my website was going to be featured in the July issue of "Rooms the Work".. This is always very exciting for me but, what I am the most excited about is what a great magazine Canadian House and Home is!  I couldn't find the magazine at my usual newsstands but Barnes and  Noble does carry it and I am now a new subscriber. I encourage you to check out the website  which previews upcoming issues and you are also able to subscribe there. 

put this in your pipe and smoke it

I just ordered two of these hemp poufs for my office. They are neutral enough that I can spread out fabrics on them.. or sit on them. I will let you know how they hold up.

thats the story of the hurricane

I want these hurricane candles for my next dinner party. I think these would also be gorgeous as vases for flowers although I suppose they might rust. 

happy birthday barack!

I feel so much cooler now that I have found out we share the same birthday!

model as muse

I am in NY right now and just came from the exhibit at the Met. "Model as Muse." if you are in the area it is definitely worth your while. I have posted a video of a walk through to give you an idea. The "Model as Muse" book is beautiful and makes a great gift for any of your fashion obsessed friends or yourself :). (make sure you get the hardcover)

fly balenciaga!

The new uniforms designed by Balenciaga for Air tahiti Nui. What do you think?

I like them they are appropriate and seem to be flattering. 

Check out these wrap dress uniforms designed by Richard Tyler (pictured) for Delta flight attendants. I am all for it!
                                                        

have a great weekend!

Some drawings from the Hugo Guinness most recent show at John Derian.

tart glassware

Table Art is one of my favorite spots for china and other table accessories. They carry a lot of the classics but also have a more modern edge. I love the way these glasses look on an exposed shelf or in a glass cabinet.  Table art manufactures these mouth blown glasses.  Wouldn't it be pretty to do the 3 shades of blue.. Starting with the lightest? All of the colors are so great. Which colors would you choose?

more room for play

My sister is always trying to come up with ideas to create a new space for her three children to have a room of their own for: art projects, playing, dress up and just be kids without messing up the main house. Unfortunately there is just not enough space without doing a major addition that is expensive and inconvenient. I have been looking in to other options so we don't have to convert the garage into this space.  I love the clean lines of the Modern Play Shed.   You start with  a basic model play shed  for that comes ready to paint or stain on the outside. The goal of these sheds is to be able to assemble them quickly using the tools included.  then you can add additional options on the inside such as: chalkboard or whiteboard wall panels, play shed deck. I called this morning and spoke to the people at Modern Shed. They said that you can add additional green options such as green roofs, and cork floors that are normally reserved  for larger sheds on the play shed. 

Do you like the idea of  a detached playroom? 

roller babies

My brother sent me this link today.. So cute!

wow!

Check out this amazing barn designed by Erin Martin I found today on Remodelista.This place is available to be rented for events and parties through Mint Locations. Mint locations is an agency in Northern California that rents estates and properties for events and shoots. Very helpful if you are looking to Napa for a wedding..

P.S. Please invite me if anyone decides to have a party here :).

Check out this amazing barn designed by Erin Martin I found today on Remodelista. This place is available to be rented for events and parties through Mint Locations. 

Mint locations is an agency in Northern California that rents estates and properties for events and shoots. Very helpful if you are looking to Napa for a wedding..

P.S. Please invite me if anyone decides to have a party here :).