Adopt-a-Beach Program

Join the Doves Studio for the last beach clean-up for the summer!
Where: Meeting location at the Doves Studio
2000 Main Street, Santa Monica
When: Sunday, July 19th
Time: 5-6pm
Just bring yourself and dress appropriately. For additional information and directions call the Doves Studio at 310.399.7654 or find us online at thedovesstudio.com

Junk in the Trunk

I live in Brentwood and you would think that my apartment building would have a recycling bin. Well, it doesn't. So, every week I carry my recyclable items to work with me and recycle them in the bins there. I know I probably look like a bag lady, but taking a little social responsibility is that important to me. I reuse the paper bags, but an even better alternative is to keep all recyclable items in a plastic container. So, then you are always reusing the container.

My monthly "Green" read

I just finished reading In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto by Michael Pollan and I think you can get some quick insight by just reading the Introduction. My top five favorite qoutes from the book were:

#1. "Dont' get your fuel from the same place your car does." (p.192)

#2. " They point out that in 1980 less than 10 percent of Americans owned a microwave; by 1999 that figure had reached 83 percent of households. As technology reduces the time cost of food, we tend to eat more of it." (p.187)

#3. "Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food." (p.148)

#4. "We are becoming a nation of orthorexics: people with an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating." (p.9)

#5. "As long as the new fake foods were engineered to be nutrionally equivalent to the real article, they could no longer be considered fake." (p.36)

This book overall allows for a consumers voice and provides you with some food for thought.

ECO- Fashionista: JBrand Jeans

Thanks to Ms. Laura Crogan, I'm in love with my JBrand Jeans. The best part about JBrand is their "Green Label". According to JBrand, "Green Label is made with 100% organic cotton with washes that use vegetable dye to reduce the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT." Go to JBrandjeans.com and check out the Green Label. It's never too late to be fashionable and eco-friendly.

Drinking VeeV and being eco-friendy...

If you haven't tried VeeV you're missing out. My gal pal Kasey Blaustein has introduced me to probaly one of the best spirits out there in my opinion. VeeV is one of the first acai spirits. The company is carbon neutral and eco-friendly. The best part is that $1 per bottle goes to Rainforest Preservation. GO ONLINE TO VEEVLIFE.COMDrink responsibility and don't drink and drive!

B.Y.O.B is that easy!

So for those of you who haven't jumped on the bandwagon of bringing your own bag when you shop, it really can be easy. I just received this reusable bag from Heal the Bay and what I love about it is that it folds up into a medium size wallet and is small enough to throw in my purse. I now have no excuses for forgetting my reusable bag when I shop.

My lil' Green Giant

Way to go to Mr.Smith for taking some social responsibitliy without even knowing it. He picked up a wine rack at his local Goodwill, which is great because he is reducing the amount of waste in the environment by reusing. He also has created his own green garden at home and he is reusing his glass jars to place herbs in and store spices. Watch out people, this man is on a mission!

Keeping the TRASH off the streets.

Here's what Miss Marcey Logue wanted to share:"This is the lady I was telling you about. Her name is Joan, she is a crossing guard at Moorpark between Fulton and Woodman. She is out there Monday – Friday rain or shine with her little jacket and her broom and dustpan. She cleans both sides of the streets keeping the litter off the streets and out of the storm drains".

How many CFL's do you have in your home?

"Green" on the go...

Thanks to Marcey, I have an eco-friendly commuter mug that I sip my delicious Yogi green tea from. I haven't had coffee in three months and I don't miss it. Gotta love it!

From Brentwood to Manhattan Beach

I was on my way to Manhattan Beach from Brentwood when I noticed these newly placed trash bins on Barrington Avenue towards Sunset Blvd. I was pleasantly surprised to see a recycling bin. You have no idea. Then, as Jolene and I were leaving the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach after having lunch I saw the same style type of recycling bins in Manhattan Beach. Amazing!

"Green" Patrol

I woke up this morning and was too lazy to rinse my plastic container out and recycle it! Shame on me! So, my wonderful roommate, Amber, pulled it out of the trash and recycled it. She gave me a "Green" ticket. The fine was to buy her a bottle of wine. I will never do that again.

National Geographic Contest

I submitted my "Green" idea to the Green Effect Contest for National Geographic. Rate it NOW at http://greeneffect.nationalgeographic.com

Here is what I submitted:
As a hairstylist working in Santa Monica at Doves Studio, I have observed the need to create a local composite site for hair clippings to be collected as a way to “green” my community. Hair clippings are used to create hair mesh mats, and since hair naturally absorbs oil, this the most organic way tool for soaking up oil spills. Current methods, such as chemical dispersants, can actually be more harmful than the spill itself. A local composite site is necessary as the only company that facilitates such work is Matter of Trust, which is located in San Francisco.

Funds would be used to open a facility that would support a natural surplus program. I would partner with Sustainable Works, a non-profit organization promoting sustainable practices in urban environments, to develop and implement a site similar to Matter of Trust in Santa Monica. Over 100 salons exist in Santa Monica and this site will make it convenient for them to become ”greener.” Local salons would have a place to donate hair and we could extend the awareness to local cities such as Malibu, Venice and Marina Del Rey.

Santa Monica is already focused on reducing the city’s carbon footprint, making this a great addition to city standards. This effort could also promote other business sectors to be environmentally responsible in their operations. As the only salon in the Business Greening Program, Doves Studio is a leader committed to greening our community and will use these funds to expand these efforts.

ECO- Fashionista of the Month

During one of my photo shoots I had the opportunity to see LINDA LOUDERMILK'S clothing line up close and personal. The picture above was one of my favorite dresses. Her clothes incorporate eco materials like bamboo, soy and self-sustaining plants. She also supports organizations with clean water intiatives. One of her clothing lines gives back to the YEW Foundation. Check her out at http://www.lindaloudermilk.com/

Santa Monica Beach Cleanup

It's about that time again. The Doves Studio is having their second beach cleanup on June, 14th at 5pm and would love for you to join us! Visit nleal.blogspot for more information or call the Doves Studio at 310.399.7654.

B.Y.O.C to the Farmer's Market

B.Y.O.C. translation: Bring Your Own Container

Ok, so this might be a little over-the-top. Or maybe not? I'm really trying to REDUCE the amount of stuff I throw away, so I bring my own containers from home to the farmers market. Makes complete sense to me. I no longer take a plastic bag for my greens. I bring my own container for my berries and tomatoes. The best part part is walking down to my local farmers market and supporting the local farmers. It's also the best place to pick up fresh, beautiful and affordable flowers!