SFBayStyle

Juice Beauty with Jennifer Siebel Newsom

There's no denying that San Francisco's First Lady, Jennifer Siebel Newsom has beautiful and seemingly flawless skin. Would you like to know her secret? Ms. Siebel Newsom is happy to share and did so on July 14th at Hotel Vitale where guests gathered to view her premiere commercial spot for Juice Beauty, an organic skincare line.

Ms. Siebel Newsom has long been an advocate for green causes and after becoming a mother last year, she was alerted to the importance of using pure products on her daughter and herself. "I'm so excited to have found Juice Beauty," says Ms. Siebel Newsom, "and it is up to all of us to choose products that are great for us, our families and the environment."

(Photo: Jennifer Siebel Newsom & Karen Behnke. Drew Altizer.)

Kiehl's Helps Old Dogs Find New Homes

Last Saturday, Kiehl's on Fillmore Street hosted a unique pet adoption and fund raising event for Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, an organization that helps find homes for older dogs and provides hospice services for them. Throughout the week, every shopper who donated over $10 to Muttville took home complimentary Kiehl's samples.

As Kiehl's has a mission to improve the quality of the community in addition to providing fabulous skin and hair care products, the event helped raise over $1200 for Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, funds that will be much needed for food, shelter and veterinary care.

Full Circle: Patemm Pads and a Mother of Invention

Great ideas often are born from chaos, or in Grace Welch's case - from a single chaotic diaper change.  In the space of time it took her to locate her supplies and wrangle a squirrelly baby, her professional background, the influence of her entrepreneurial parents and her desire to go back to work on her own terms came together and the world was gifted with the first circular changing pad.  And what a gift it is.

Piggy Paint - A Treat For Your Little Diva

Since the beginning of sandals season, my "girly" daughter has been asking for her first pedicure.  But because of the harsh solvents and chemicals found in nail polish, I've felt reluctant to indulge her.  As her birthday rolled around, I was delighted to come across Piggy Paint, a line of nail polishes for kids made of non-toxic ingredients that are "as pure as mud."

Piggy Paint is an odorless, water-based formulation that dries into a natural resin film.  It comes in 14 colors from light pink to sparkly fuschia, classic red, as well as more unusual (and boy-friendly) shades of green, orange, yellow, blue, silver and black.  The birthday girl's favorite was Forever Fancy, a sparkly bright pink.  Girls Rule! was more purple-y and a hit with some of her pals.

Back to School with PlanetBox

Is it too early to be thinking about school? My little munchkin will be off to kindergarten this fall, and she asks about it every other day. In her excitement to eat lunch at school, she's already tested out her PlanetBox - a surprisingly fun and "stylish" stainless-steel lunch tray.

PlanetBox couldn't have landed at a better time, as I've been trying to purge plastic from our kitchen due to concerns about BPA and other potentially harmful chemical effects. In addition to being a safe and eco-friendly part of a no-waste lunch, the 'Box has some other nice things going for it.

First, the inside reminds me of a TV dinner tray. (I wonder, do TV dinners even exist anymore?) Since my kids tend to get all bent out of shape when one kind of food touches another food, they like having five separate compartments - and only one latch to open. Extra sidecar containers are great for snacks and can also handle messier foods, such as yogurt, melon chunks, and applesauce.

SF Chefs. Food. Wine. This Week In San Francisco

SF Chefs. Food. Wine. is happening in this week in San Francisco at Union Square from August 6th through the 9th.  It's going to be an amazing four day Food & Wine event of bacchanalian proportions, celebrating the unique and diverse bounty that San Francisco has to offer.

Proceeds from this event will go to four SF charities - Feeding America, a leading supporter of the SF Food Bank, Meals On Wheels, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association Scholarship Fund and Project Open Hand.

Take the Joey Tote Step Toward the Green Initiative

For those moving forward in the going green initiative, check out Joey Totes. It seems that every company these days is trying to make hip, trendy eco bags - this is true. Joey Totes keep the environment in mind because of its' reusable nature, but the difference is these bags are highly durable. The totes are made out of rip-stop nylon, they hold up to 40 pounds, and they are machine washable.

The Unhealthy Truth - Book Review

 

 

It started with an egg.

One egg resulted in a complete life change for Colorado mother of four, Robyn O'Brien.

One morning Robyn fed her baby daughter, Tory her first ever egg and then put her down for a nap. A short while later Robyn checked in on Tory and found the little girl's face bright red and swollen up like a balloon. An ER visit, a dose of antihistamine and Tory recovered. Later the family found out that their daughter had an allergic reaction to the egg she ate and that's where the story beings. 

Seeking Sassy Women Biz Owners for CRAVE Guide 2009!

Girl Power indeed. Seems small businesses and mostly female entrepreneurs are going to be the ones to get us out of the economic crisis, by everything I've been reading. And what better way to not only promote small business but celebrate the sassiest, boldest and most innovative women biz owners in the Bay Area than with The CRAVE Guide 2009: An Urban Girl's Manifesto. This 2nd edition has been completely redesigned and it looks gorgeous. This book highlights the women you need to know across the Bay Area and their businesses: shops, boutiques, salons, online marketplaces, interior designers, stylists, photographers, graphic designers, B2B businesses, etc.  It's an amazing (and cost effective) way to invest in press and marketing so that you are ripe to take advantage when the economy recovers. And the book will be seen in all the most fashionable shops and businesses around town, as well as Barnes and Noble and Borders!

Here's a peek at the Seattle one that just came out - how lovely is that?!: http://craveparty.com/book/seattlepeek.htm

Frog Hollow CSA Program - Local and Delicious

My kids and I look forward to Wednesdays, because it's our Fruit Day - and today I'm reminded to spread the word about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).  As members of the Frog Hollow Farm CSA program, we look forward to picking up a box of locally grown organic fruit from a neighbor's porch each week.  Each box brings a nice surprise, and the program has helped my family eat healthier while supporting a wonderful organic farm in the East Bay.

Community Supported Agriculture is an idea that is said to have originated in Switzerland and Japan during the 1960s.  'While it's easy to think of today's CSA as a fruit delivery service, CSA's have played an important role in helping organic growers to maintain their farmland by providing a reliable base of working capital.  In exchange, families reap the farm's bounty throughout the year, while ensuring that produce they consume is locally produced using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods.

Global Green USA - Gorgeous & Green

 

Pictured left to right: Darren Moore, Elliott Yamin, Nadine Weil, Zem Joaquin, Kate Bosworth, Daphne Zuniga, Sebastian Siegel, Matt Petersen

On December 2nd Global Green USA hosted its 4th annual San Francisco benefit party, called Gorgeous & Green. Held in the LEED certified Bently Reserve building, the event featured appearances by Kate Bosworth, Jennifer Sibel Newsom, and American Idol finalist Elliot Yamin. 

Kate Bosworth wore a zippy LBD. Designed by 3.1 Philip Lim, the dress was made from an all natural fabric blend of hemp and silk, which was hand-dyed with eco-friendly coloring. The zippers were recycled from surplus remnants.

Two Writers Review Sarah Pinto Planners

Sometimes at SF Bay Style, an idea or product will intrigue a few of us. Such was the case when the opportunity was presented to review these stylish planners by San Francisco based Sarah Pinto. Two writers looking at functionality from two very different points of view.

Samantha: I am sensory. I need to see and touch my way though the day, which is why although I begrudgingly share a Google Calendar with my husband, I need to have a datebook with me at all times. Easy as it may seem, it is actually quite difficult to find one that fits my life in an efficient and user friendly way, not to mention is aesthetically pleasing. I have no doubt that my routine, while the details may vary, is not much different than many other parents I know.

California Academy of Sciences Re-Opens in Golden Gate Park

Like many others, I have been waiting with anticipation for the California Academy of Sciences to re-open. I would occasionally drive by and catch a glimpse of the construction progress. I would check the website ever so often, and promptly joined as a charter member as soon as I could. Finally, my wait was over! I attended the preview week for members only with my two boys, excited to see what the CAS had to offer the public in science education and exposure. Unfortunately, it was mixed reviews. So I waited until the museum had opened to the public and most of the exhibits had been completed for the possibility I might feel differently. And while there was some progress made, I stand by my initial opinion: they have a bit more work to do.

Here is my caveat: having worked in museums, particularly with public programs and education. No museum is safe from my scrutiny as to whether or not it is serving its most important audience, the public, in an accessible and meaningful way. I am not looking for perfection, but I do need to sense a deep and abiding belief in the mission of giving the public information and experiences that enhance their own knowledge and world view as well as actions that support that belief. I don't feel this is too much to ask of any museum I visit. But because of this, I will also be brief in my description of CAS as to maintain the validity of everyone's experience, which may differ from mine.

Luella For Tonic

  I am helping to provide 2, 500 school children in Haiti with shoes to wear to school. You can too, or perhaps providing children with dental care in Columbia, or protecting 625 acres of endangered coral reef is your thing. If you are a sports fan, you may want to send 2, 500 soccer balls to Kenya. Thanks to Palo Alto based, Tonic Generation you can be a consumer and be a catalyst for change. As a shopper, I always welcome the chance to feel good about spending money!  At this time, the only products available on the site are T-shirts designed by Luella Bartley. These one of a kind designs are t's that you can wear out, not just to the gym. The designs are modern, and the material is a bamboo and cotton mix, and very soft to the touch. I applaud Tonic for their efforts in giving consumers a better way to consume.

Slow Food Nation

Have you already made your plans for Labor Day weekend ? If those plans do not include participating in San Francisco'sSlow Food Nation '08, you may want to cancel them. The largest celebration of one of my favorite things, food will be taking place August 29 through Sept 1st in Fort Mason and the Civic Center. As you may have guessed, "Slow Food" is pretty much the opposite of fast food for a variety of reasons. Founded by the Bay Area's very own Alice Waters, Slow Food works to connect what is on your plate to the planet.

Slow Food reminds us that there is indeed a connection between how the food is grown, those growing it, and those consuming the end product. There is also the belief that people need to" slow down and appreciate the convivial traditions of the table." I am sure you are familiar with all of the terms that come to my mind when I think of Slow Food, local, organic, sustainable, cruelty free, and fair. If you do not care about any of that, but enjoy good food, this event is for you too.

Greenloop Eco Sale Online Now

Thanks to a tip from ecofabulous, we were alerted to an incredible annual online summer eco sale at Greenloop that just began. Designers represented include Edun, Habitude, Linda Loudermilk, Del Forte, Loomstate, Pi Organic and more. Sale items are 20-70% off through Sunday.

100% Pure Cosmetics

I have a confession – I sometimes watch QVC. Wait! Don’t dismiss me just yet. Really, QVC is not all bad. There are some hip brands selling on this 20-year-old shopping channel, such as Maxx of New York handbags, Bare Escentuals cosmetics, and even designer Chloe Dao of Project Runway fame sells her gear on QVC.

Besides, a girl can learn a lot from just watching. Case in point: One Sunday afternoon I switched on the TV while I was puttering around. I did my usual QVC check and found an attractive and vibrant woman presenting her own cosmetics line called 100% Pure. I’m a sucker for lip gloss, so I kept it on. Turns out Susie Wang and her five-year old company make cosmetics and body care items from pure ingredients such as seaweed, teas, kelp, fruit oils, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Sunset Celebration Weekend

See "the pages of Sunset magazine come to life" this weekend at the Sunset Celebration Weekend. View the latest in garden and home design at the Sunset headquarters in Menlo Park. In addition to the many design and cooking exhibits, there is a new feature this year: the Eco Lounge. Hear Local and national experts, join in for a yoga stretch. The Eco Lounge will also feature a fashion show by Eco Citizen on both Saturday and Sunday at 12:30.

Sunset Headquarters are located at 80 Willow Road in Menlo Park. Tickets are twelve dollars, and free for children twelve and under. (Kids love it too!) The celebration runs June 7-8, from 10am to 5pm.

Best Of The City

I have tried to be eco conscious and cut down on my magazine subscriptions. However, I could not resist buying this month's edition of 7x7 featuring the best of the city. I always want to hear what people in the know think are the "best bets". Growing up in the Bay Area, I have my own personal list, and am always over joyed to actually discover some new gems. The June 7x7 was filled with great places to eat, drink, shop, see and enjoy. Now even a suburbanite like me can feel like an "it" girl.

Having severe food allergies restricts my ability to sample many great desserts. Thanks to Julie Supplesa,associate producer of 7X7, I am planning a visit to Holy Gelato on 1392 Ninth Ave.The vegan chocolate chip cookie dough gelato shake sounds like a taste of pure heaven. I will have to see how that compares with Bi-rite creamery sorbet.

Chic for a Cause: Stop the Spray Event Friday

Tomorrow from 6-9pm at Muse Studios (224 6th St.) is a fashion fundraiser for StopTheSpray.org in efforts to keep pesticides away from homes in the Bay Area. Models from City Model Management will be in an eco fashion show with gorgeous looks from Eco Citizen and Tela D boutiques including Kelly B Couture, Verrieres, Sako, Love, Melody Originals and Theron Nelson Deisgns.

The gallery features pastel paintings and photography and a video will be shown about how pesticides travel, get into our skin and clothing. The event also includes live music, a silent auction, organic food and beverages from Good Earth Natural Foods, Hogan's Raw Chocolates, Frey Vineyards and Butte Creek Brewery.