planet-friendly threads

As the weather heats up, and you reach for your tank tops and light weight tee's, why not throw on something sustainable? Choosing eco-alternatives is more than just a fashion statement: It takes 1/3 pound of pesticides to grow the cotton for just one conventional T-shirt. Reduce your environmental impact with these fabrics.

Bamboo
Naturally absorbent and antimicrobial, bamboo fabric feels like cotton. This easy-on-the-planet grass can grow up to 4 feet a day without pesticides and produce 35 percent more oxygen than an equivalent stand trees. Try pretty, feminine blouses by Of The Earth, www.oftheearth.com.

Cotton
Cotton production accounts for only 3 percent of the world's agriculture but generates more than 25 percent of all insecticide use. Purchasing products made of organic cotton promotes pesticide-free cotton-farming techniques such as crop rotation. Check out organic cotton beach cover-ups and tanks by Athleta, www.athleta.com.

Recycled
To produce two extra-large polyester T-shirts from recycled soda bottles requires 1/2 gallon less gasoline than shirts made of virgin polyester. Plus, many recycled fabrics are also fully recyclable. GoLite makes fantastic outdoor and athletic wear, www.golite.com.

Tencel
Made out of wood pulp harvested from sustainably farmed trees, Tencel's smooth, biodegradable fibers are stronger, softer, and more wrinkle resistant than cotton. In addition, chemicals used to break down the pulp are recycled. Be Present sell's the soft, cozy tee's on their website, www.bepresent.net.

more on casa casuarina

Casa Casuarina, the Miami Beach mansion turned hotel and former home of fashion designer Gianni Versace, is an expense place to rent a room. If you can't shell out $2,000 for a night, check out the slideshow to learn about its history, architecture, grounds, and of course, a see peak in side this amazing hotel.

http://casasugar.com/slideshow/1629070

chanel brings la summer lacquer brights

The Ivy, Newsroom Cafe, Kiston, Lisa Kline, all line the hipster cool and hottest shopping spot in LA, Robertson Boulevard. May 2008 brings a brand new reason to shop the block: the opening of the new Robertson Boulevard Chanel boutique. To celebrate the occasion, Peter Philips, the new global creative director of Chanel Makeup, has designed four limited-edition must-have nail colors, which will be exclusively available in-store.

This mini-collection of graphic pop-art shades was inspired by the spirit of Robertson and its young Hollywood crowd. These nail colors are fresh, electric and fun brights, perfect for your nails this summer. Colors include:

Melrose: A fun, hot pink to compliment your cocktail
Rodeo Drive: A summer purple splash
LA Sunrise: A primary yellow, perfect for those tan toes
LA Sunset: A warm tangerine, my favorite!

These four nail colors are available exclusively in-store at the Robertson Boulevard Chanel Boutique May 2008, and on www.chanel.com June 2008.

gossip girls break for summer

Tonight was the final episode of Gossip Girl, leaving the cast of characters to break for summer. Where will our favorite Manhattan prep schoolers be spending the next three scorching months? If you didn't catch GG, here's the scoop:

Dan, Vanessa, and lil J: Spending the summer in Brooklyn
Serena and Nate: Hamptons
Blair: Italy
Chuck: Maybe Manhattan, maybe Italy

Surprised about the pairings? You'll have to wait till September for more details.

XOXO
Gossip Girl

http://www.cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl

seen & heard

Samaire Armstrong, ex-OC star who is currently on Dirty Sexy Money, spotted at macrobiotic hot spot, M Cafe De Chaya in LA. The star enjoyed green tea and salmon as a post workout snack.

http://www.samairearmstrong.net
http://www.mcafedechaya.com/

mr. and mrs. beach accessories

Yes, wedding season is here. Time to gear up for showers, rehearsal dinners, and crazy bachelorette poolside parties. If you want to get the bride and groom something special for their honeymoon, or their last weekend hoorah, this would definitely work! Weddingish.com has created Mr. and Mrs. beach towels. They are sold as a set, and come in a large variety of colors, including weddingish white, caribbean blue, formal black, key lime and kiss fuscia.

This creative gift site also sells "Just Married" flip flops, which leave the expression imprinted in the sand as you walk.

These gifts are a must see! Visit Weddingish.com.

http://store.weddingish.com/mrmrsbeto.html

back in la

This beach bunny has finally returned to a sunny and scorching hot Los Angeles. After traveling to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico and Miami, it's time to get back to reality. I can't wait till I get to plan another beach vacation. Have any suggestions on where I should go next? Please post a comment or share your recent vacation adventures.