Finally....eco-friendly skin care that really works!

Happy Friday everyone! I've recently discovered the Arcona skin line and thought I would share my thoughts. For the longest time, a simple bar of tea tree oil soap was doing the trick (thank you Essential Addictions), but in the last few months my skin has needed a little something more to combat aging, acne, etc. I stumbled upon Arcona and decided to give it a try and have been very happy so far with the quality of their line and the condition of my skin. They have a range of cleansers, peels, wrinkle creams and lotions to fit your skin type. So far, I really like their white tea purifying cleanser, am acne lotion repair and magic white ice hydrating gel.

Margarita Heaven

I recently returned from a fantastic trip to Playa del Carmen and, in an effort to re-create my vacation, have been on a mission to find the perfect margarita recipe. I came across a great one at Mesa restaurant in Costa Mesa, CA and have decided to post my slightly modified version of it for your drinking pleasure. Enjoy!

The Ultimate Organic Margarita:
1 shot 4copas organic tequila
1 shot fresh squeezed lime juice
1 shot orange juice
3 shots water
1 shot agave nectar (available in most grocery stores)
1 shot St. Germaine liqueur (available in specialty liquor stores)

Mix together and serve on the rocks.

Thanks to Zoe B Organic Weekly for their post last week:

The Terra Collection is an Orange County, CA based organic T-shirt company with a global mission. With the purchase of each Terra Collection Tee, a donation will be made to one of several charities dedicated to improving our quality of life on this planet - from cleaning up the air and water to protecting the animals and the earth. Jennifer Capaci, the designer behind the Terra Collection let you choose which charity to donate to or you can let the Terra Collection decide. I love the concept and the tees.

Posted by Valerie at 1:50 PM 0 comments Links to this post

Spring Planting

It is finally time to plant my vegetable garden and I couldn't be more excited about the prospect of delicious, home-grown fruits and veggies all summer long. I've been busy prepping the soil in the backyard and taking lots of inspiration from this month's sunset magazine, but I also plan on making a few trips to Roger's Gardens. If you haven't been before you definitely need to check it out. They have amazing garden displays and a great gift shop. I've always been a fan of succulents and they have some really lovely displays there as well as some great ideas for using California native species and other drought tolerant plants.

Longer days are just ahead...

Daylight Savings begins on Sunday, March 8th which means that we are getting closer to warm weather and longer evenings. I look forward to that time of year when I can spend more time in the backyard enjoying a meal with family and friends late into the evening. As I flipped through the latest Viva Terra catalog, I came across a great set of Sol Recycled Glass dinnerware and began daydreaming of just that. The cheerful colors inspire a party atmosphere and could easily transform any simple meal into a celebration. It has now moved to the top of my wish list...

Open House at Halsea & Cotton Idea Studio

Two of my favorite shops, Halsea & Cotton Idea Studio, have joined forces and are having an open house to celebrate their newly remodeled store. Please stop in to check out all the great stuff they have to offer (including Terra Collection!) and grab a refreshment or two...

Halsea & Cotton Idea Studio
March 3, 4 & 5th
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
409 31st Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.673.7743

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and, while I usually avoid the dinner crowds that night, I do LOVE to make a meal out of chocolate. As such, below is a recipe for chocolate truffles that make a great gift for your loved ones or for yourself if you are feeling indulgent. And, of course, chocolate is best served with wine so I am giving a quick nod to one of my favorite wineries in the Edna Valley region. Not only is Domaine Alfred's pinot noir delicious, but biodynamic (beyond organic) too! You can find their wines at Bevmo or www.domainealfred.com. Enjoy....


Homemade chocolate truffles (courtesy of epicurious):

Ingredients:

2/3 c. whipping cream

1 (12 ounce) package (about 2 cups) semisweet chocolate chips

2 tsp vanilla extract

¼ c. unsweetened cocoa powder

¾ c. (about 2 1/2/ ounces) sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

½ c. (about 2 ounces) finely chopped unsalted pistachios

Preparation:

Bring cream to a boil in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate ; whisk until melted and smooth. Whisk in vanilla. Pour into medium bowl. Cover; chill until firm, about 3 hours.

Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by rounded spoonfuls (or use a melon baller) onto baking sheet. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.

Place cocoa, coconut and nuts in separate bowls. Roll truffles between hands into rounds. Roll 1/3 in cocoa, 1/3 in coconut and 1/3 in nuts. Cover with plastic; chill until ready to serve. Can be made 2 weeks ahead, but keep chilled.