Gorgeously Green working mother of one amazing teen boy

Into electric cars, solar energy, eco friendly architecture (think Michelle Kaufman), and growing herbs. Six months ago I started to read up and dabble into making my own organic laundry soap (at less than a penny a load), boy did that open the floodgates of the green path. Now I make all my cleaning, skin care, cosmetics, hair care and body organic products. I don't think any product on the market organic or otherwise works as well or leaves behind the freshest, most beautiful scents I have ever known. Lemons (my fav), lavenders, tangerine, rosemary, basil, mint, cloves (the list goes on for a mile)...nothing beats what you can make at home. Plus you can adjust the smells and flavorings to your liking. No store will do that!
I've become an organic snob, lol... I'm not one to walk into those shops and buy a base and just add a few drops of esst. oils. I start from scratch and am sooo pleased with the end product. (after making a few things, it becomes easier) I store them in pretty, reusable glass bottles, oil/vine bottles, glass sugar bowls with lids, powders in cheese glass containers. I make my own labels...it makes me very happy to be on the green side. I find myself humming while tending my herbs, blending an orange body butter, hanging laundry, crushing dried lav and roses for a baby powder, shoving herbs and fruit peels into a narrow container to make a fruity, spice aftershave that smells amazing.

Even though my husband and I are professionals I still refuse to use my dryer in the summer and demand cold water washes at all times. I take his business clothes to an eco friendly dry cleaners near my fav yogurt shop. Besides all the other "green" home things like the recycling and reusing, wrapping the water heater, changing the lights, shopping organic foods. I would like to grow some veggies but I am in the process of buying another home, actually it is a condo. I am looking for something with a large outdoor living space/area so that maybe I can have at least 3 large pots for dwarf lemon, orange and avocado trees.

I am a pilates follower and workout at home on my reformer, box, pole and magic circle. I also have a treadmill. However, in the summers I prefer to take long walks with my two dogs esp while waiting for my son while he is at sports practice or games. My husband, sister and her kids LOVE my products but my teen son is having NONE of it! I made an herbal facial wash and herbal antiseptic for him recently. Sure the tonic did not smell great but it was a sub for ProActive, now I will never know if it helps heal pimples and blemishes)...he wouldn't even try it. BUT he is all for an electric car and solar panels...and is getting used to the sun dried towels in his bathroom. A little rough but he now doesn't mind it so much.

I am a marketing director and travel a lot for business & pleasure. I love traveling and have spent 1/4 of my life on the go. I have lived in four countries and have visited most others around the world except Eygpt which I would love to see one day. I hate to overspend or waste anything. I have beautiful things so when I feel I have too many there are many friends and family members ready to take them home.

Well, that is me for now. Take care everyone and stay Gorgeously Green!

Member Since

Jul 6, 2008

What is the next…

Purchase you’ll make?

An electric car in a yr or two and solar panels when the newer ones are on the market. The ones avail now only catch/use one ray type. The newer ones will be able to catch/used more than one type.

Trend in design?

Michelle Kaufman homes...its the bomb! I want one and will work towards it once the housing market turns around. I am hoping to be able to have one of her homes in 2014. Right now I am looking for energy saving loft type condos in the DT San Diego area. I love high exposed ceilings, lots of glass and loads of sunlight. I love it there by the water, nightlife, airport...life doesn't get any better!

Car you’d like to own?

Any of the new electric cars coming out in 2009-10...or a Tesla but fat chance at that!! They have been sold out since last year w/a base price tag of 100k.

Big step you’d like to make?

Using my diva cup during my periods. I bought it a couple of months ago along with reusable pantyliners. But had trouble with inserting the darn cup and after a few tried became irritated and dissapointed. I heard others had similar problems and kept trying after a month they LOVE it. I want to get to that "love it" stage w/my diva cup.

Fad that will fade?

Nothing, if it "fades" recycle it!

Vacation you’ll take?

Maybe back home to Hawaii to help out my mother with my brother who is sick. Not a vacation but you can't always have it all.

Thing you’re going to fight for?

My new condo, new simpler lifestyle, new relationships and a better outlook. A fresher, happier me.

Secret that’s going to leak?

The Bush family is broke, lol!!!

Hollywood blockbuster going to be about?

Don't watch commercial movies at all. I like period pcs, drama, documentaries, foriegn films, miniseries from the BBC or anything on Master Piece theater.

Life you’ll lead?

A simpler, debt free life.

Fountain of youth?

My own organic skin care products combined with organic diet, pilates and cardio exercise.

Book you’ll read?

Not sure what I will read next but now reading Gorgeously Green.

Thing that will change the world?

Well the internet changed the world in a single "thing" catagory. But now I don't believe there is any ONE certain thing that will have that drastic an impac on the world. It will take many, many smaller things on an individual level. Save more, spend less, recycle, reuse, less materialism, more education, use of solar and wind power,

Guilty-pleasure food in which you’ll indulge?

Coconut sorbet from Trader Joes. Or the BEST Chinese chicken salad from Rascal's.

Person to whom you’ll say, “I love you”?

LjChef (nickname)