Eco – fashion is in the spotlight once again. This time at NY Fashion Week. Check it out at: The Green Shows

Order today from getskn.com and not only will your gift arrive before Christmas but you will get 10% off and free shipping too! (just type “happy holidays” into the coupon code box during checkout.)

For those of you who don’t know us yet, our reusable totes were featured in NY Fashion Week as well as in national publications such as Real Simple, Health, and Town & Country. The best part is we plant a tree for every order we receive and our cotton is organic as well as grown, woven, and sewn right here in the US. So you are doing something good every time you order and supporting your own economy to boot!

The Blueberry Bag

The Multi- Pack, Set of 5

In case you haven’t heard SKN as well as myself have moved to Philly. I am awestruck everyday by the great vibe here as well as the non homogenized lifestyle. These pic’s are from the Italian Market area today. Real life, real commerce, Philly style. This is not some quaint rendition of years past, this is how it really is, everyday. 

veggies, philadelphia

making a deal, philadelphia

the italian market, philadelphia

the italian market, philadelphia

cheese, mmmm....

the italian market, philadelphia

the italian market, philadelphia

I just moved into a loft with old concrete floors that I had painted white.  In my research to find an eco-friendly way to clean these pitted, uneven, and yes- white floors, I came across the Shark steam mop and was intrigued.

I decided to give it a try and am very happy with the results. My floors are gleaming. The paint seems to be holding up fine with the steam and I love the fact that I don’t have to use any chemical cleaning agents. Once the thick microfiber pad gets dirty on both sides I simply throw it into the washing machine, let it air dry, and then its ready to reuse.

No more disposable pads, smelly chemicals, or heavy mops. Just very clean floors. The steam naturally disinfects too! As an added bonus the shark comes with a carpet glider to freshen and deodorize rugs.

For clean chemical free floors I highly recommend The Shark!

The Shark Steam Mop

I found this great online blog showcasing everything green for the next generation. Inhabitots is giving a seminar at The Baby Show in NYC today, and if you are around and either  a new parent or expecting your first I recommend you check it out. By the way, If you are not at that stage in life where baby stuff is your main obsession check out inhabitat.com,  their sister site full of fabulous eco-friendly stuff for all ages.

sweater bears highlighted on inhabitots.com

Check out this fabulous blogger Tavi. The thing is she is only 13, but she has enough style and self confidence to possibly turn the fashion world on its ear. Kudos to her parents for supporting her and allowing her to nurture her passion and talent at such a tender age. Support her and check out her blog “The Style Rookie”. She was recently on the cover of POP magazine and is currently blogging about NY Fashion Week SS2010 from the shows.

Tavi, as pictures on the stylefile.com

Tavi's cover photos for POP Magazine

I just went to my first Warmup at P.S.1 in Long Island City. I don’t know what took me so long. It’s the perfect thing to do on a Saturday  afternoon. Luckily they are extending it this season for one more Saturday. So if you haven’t been yet I suggest you run, not walk, over to this old public school turned museum of art for one last summer party.

I recently stumbled across a television program regarding factory farming methods in America and was completely stunned and disgusted. I did some research for myself and I could go on and on about it but after much debate I decided I didn’t want to turn this blog article into a depressing, dark , lengthy commentary on contemporary culture. Instead, and in keeping faith with the human race, I have decided to leave your education up to you. I highly recommend you do some googling, or bing-ing (is that a word yet?) into factory farming methods and the impact on our health, environment etc. There are alternatives, some of which include supporting local farmers in your area but you’ll have to search that out for yourself and then make the dietary choices that are right for you.

On a good note: I have made strides in my own efforts to eat healthier and more sustainably and have decided to post some organic, delicious and seasonably appropriate recipes in this section from time to time. No factory farmed animals or pesticides necessary. They may be an original, or something I came across that I think you’ll enjoy, but they will always be organic, good for you and in season.

A meal for LATE SUMMER:

Drink: Blackberry Mojito (courtesy of thedailygreen.com and mixologist Chris Horton)

*use Papagayo Organic Silver Rum and organic ingredients when possible.

Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients:

• 4 blackberries
• 4 mint sprigs
• 3 lime wedges
• 1 1/2 ounces silver rum
• 1 Lime wedge
• 1 Mint sprig
• Lemon lime soda

Preparation: 1. Muddle blackberries, mint sprigs and lime wedges in a highball glass.
2. Add silver rum.
3. Fill with ice.
4. Top with lemon lime soda.
5. Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprig.

Entree: Tomato and Corn Tabbouleh Salad (courtesy of Martha Stewart)

I’d serve this salad with some grilled vegetables (brushed lightly with olive oil) and crusty bread. Use organic produce whenever possible.

Serves 8

• Ingredients:

• 1 cup bulghur wheat
• 3 cups boiling water
• 6 ears corn
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, or to taste, minced
• Juice of 4 limes
• 4 large ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh chives, cut in small pieces

Preparation:

1. In a bowl, cover bulghur with the boiling water. Let stand 45 minutes. Drain well; return to a bowl. Set aside.2. Place corn on cutting board, and, using a sharp knife, carefully cut kernels from cob, taking care that the corn does not roll as you work. 3.Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. 4. Add one-third of the corn, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until corn is caramelized and golden, about 7 minutes. 5. One minute before the corn is done, add one-third of the minced garlic, and mix with the corn. 6. Transfer corn to a baking pan to cool. 7. When corn is finished, deglaze pan with a little lime juice; stir, using a wooden spoon, to loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. 8. Add to corn. 9. Repeat with remaining corn 2 more times.10.  Set aside for corn to cool.

11. Combine bulghur with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, tomatoes, remaining lime juice, mint, parsley, and chives.12. Add corn; mix well. 13. Chill 30 minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

A little bit about Bulghur wheat:

Bulghur wheat is a common ingredient in Turkish, middle eastern and mediteranean dishes. It has a light nutty flavor and high nutritional content. It is high in protein, fiber and carbohydrate and Low in fat and calories. It is also rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, phosphorus and manganese.

ENJOY!

Have you noticed the ‘Dark Side” of the Fall 2009 Collections? I know it’s the season where summer ends, leaves fall off the trees and we prepare for a long cold winter, but really, this season seems to be a bit angry. I call it Recession Serious. Elle notes studs, leather and asymmetry as trends. And have you seen the Versace Fall 2009 models? Lots of black smokey eyes and helmet hair. Tre Chic yes, but it also makes me feel tough like I’m in for a fight. So what is the Fashion World telling us? To all sadists delight apparently now is the time to get together and whip the frustration right out of each other. It is darkest before the dawn.