Patagonia Reflip Chip Flip Flops

I'm the pickiest person in the world when it comes to flip flops and only started wearing them when I discovered Reefs.  They're the only ones that were comfortable to me--until now.  Patagonia's Reflip Chips are at least as comfortable and even better, they are made from soft recycled materials and are totally recyclable through Patagonia's Common Threads recycle program.  The fabric that fits between your toes (what can make flip flops so uncomfortable) is sewn perfectly and is soft and thin and barely noticeable. Perfect for travel, they are super light weight and comfy enough to support some extended walking. 

They're vegan too.  And did I mention they're cute?  They come in three colors, all bright and cheery and perfect for summer.  Find them HERE.

Tweet

New for Summer: Sierra Trail Mix CLIF BAR

Need some easy access energy for your summer hikes and travels?  Clif Bar has come out with a new flavor, Sierra Trail Mix.  It's 70% organic, gmo free and contains sustainably sourced cocoa from farms certified by the Rainforest Alliance.  I'd like to see that USDA Certified Organic seal on Clif Bars as well, it looks like they might be moving in that direction.  Seirra Trail Mix, as the name implies, contains trail mix ingredients like raisins, peanuts and chocolate.  It has a little bit of salty-sweet going on and is super kid friendly.  My son goes bananas for Clif Bars of any kind, and boy do they come in handy when you are caught out too long without a snack.  Pulling one of these out of my bag when things start to go cranky can turn the whole day around.  Find them HERE.

Tweet

Grand Trunk Parasheet: Beach Bag Must Have

Headed to the beach this summer?  If you're traveling and don't want to bring along bulky towels, Grand Trunk's Parasheet is a great solution.  They are super light weight at 20oz (less for the single), come in a handy attached stuff sack, and easily fit right in your beach bag.  They come in a rainbow of colors and single and double sizes.  I'd opt for double as I think bigger is better in this case, though the single is more compact and would be perfect for kids or those who want to minimize bulk even more. 

The blue is gorgeous and soothing, like your own portable oasis.  Sand shakes off with ease, so you don't have an accumulation at the bottom of your bag the way you do with towels that have been on the beach.  It also dries very quickly.  Pockets are sewn in the corners and sides to fill with sand and weigh it down so it will stay flat and won't blow away, and there are stake loops too.  It's perfect for picnics and no worries if you spill food on it, you can just throw it in the wash when you get home.

Grand Trunk has a lot of innovative gear, and they're an eco minded company.  Find the Parasheet and other travel necessities HERE. 

Tweet

Just in Time for Summer: LUST FOR LEAF

Hot off the presses--I just got this in my hands just now or I would have insisted you pick up a copy for the Fourth.  Maybe there's still time to grab one locally?   LUST FOR LEAF is a fresh, sassy and slightly risque vegetarian cookbook packed with recipes for some inspired eating this summer and beyond.

Meals perfect for camping, picnicking, and potlucks but with some serious originality.  I haven't seen a cookbook come my way in a while that made me stop what I was doing and read.  Yes, read.  The prose is entertaining and it's full of glossy photos.  I haven't had a chance to try recipes yet but I will for sure, and most often you know by looking at a recipe whether or not you're going to like it.  First on my list (and on the menu for tomorrow) is the Watermelon-Strawberry Aquas Fresca (with cilantro) and I can't wait to try the recipe for squash blossoms.  V's let you know instantly whether a recipe is vegan while fabulous recipe titles and cool info-icons with drink and music suggestions add to the fun.  Amusing it is, but there's real substance here.  It's full of creativity and made me laugh while making me hungry.

The Kindle version is available now, but unless you have a color display, I'd get the hard copy for the abundance of photos on every page.  It's not for everyone perhaps, I've never been told to stir the shit out of something in a cookbook before, but it's raunchiness definitely gives it a unique voice.  And I think that edge just might appeal to some who otherwise might not be interested in a vegetarian cookbook.  It would be an awesome host/hostess gift if you're headed out for a Fourth of July party tomorrow (or any summer party for that matter).  Find it HERE. 

Tweet

Dyson's Hot & Cool AM05

Need a new fan to keep you cool this summer?  Why not get one that doubles as a heater--two appliances in one?  Dyson's new Hot & Cool AM05 is perfect for small spaces and those that appreciate a modern combination of looks and function.  First off--it's gorgeous.  It comes in different colors, but the black and nickel is really sleek.  It has a grippy smooth texture and the silver is a gunmetal that is so super shiny it almost appears liquid.  It's a fan that you won't mind seeing around at all, it's pretty much functional art and it's low profile with a small footprint.  It's ideal for allergy sufferers, people with kids and pets, and minimalists.

As a fan, it works great with the ability to tilt and oscillate.  When it's in cooling mode, you see a blue light, red when it's heating.  It's not like your typical fan with the screen that accumulates dust and is hard or impossible to clean.  There's no blade to get dusty or to harm children or animals and it's a breeze to clean.  The top of the unit has a magnetic surface so the remote will stick to it and always be easy to find.

The heating function has all the qualities of the fan and packs a surprising amount of heat.  It's a big improvement on the last model and gets hotter and has more force.  If it gets knocked over, it will automatically shut off for safety and it will take the chill out of a room quickly.  I would not recommend this for heating or cooling super large open spaces (nor would I recommend any space heater for this purpose), but it's awesome for an average to large sized room.  Because of the fan and its ability to oscillate, you get an even distribution of heat.  You also have the option of focusing heat to a specific spot.  The remote makes it so easy to customize the output, which is great if you are using this to heat a bedroom and want to turn it off without having to get out of bed, or wake up in the middle of the night cold.

There is nothing negative to say about this unit.  It is spendy and that might turn some folks off, but sometimes it's better to buy one quality thing and be done rather than having to replace an item over and over which ends up costing as much in in the end anyway.  The potential money saving benefit on your heating and cooling bill should be factored in (Dyson speculates up to 20-30%), as well as safety.  Also, this is two products in one, and the space saving benefit has huge value to those living in small homes.   Brilliant design as usual coming from Dyson, I can't wait to see what they come up with next.   Find it HERE.

Tweet

Acorn C2G Lite Slide Sandals

My favorite slipper company, Acorn, has just come out with some new sandals perfect for this summer.  How fabulous, it's a little like being able to wear comfy slippers everywhere.  Check out these C2G Lite Slide Sandals.   This neutral Fawn color will go great with summery white clothing since they are almost like a nude against your skin--really pretty and low profile. 

There's lots of venting to keep your feet cool and the top strap has velcro for adjusting.  I find they run a bit wide and short, but still fit fine.  I'm a true 8.5 and need a 9 in these.  They're super comfortable, light weight, and would be great for summer travel, being easy to slip off going through security lines at the airport.  They're a nice alternative to flip flops and just as easy to kick off in a hurry to jump in the pool or walk barefoot on the beach.  Find them HERE.

Tweet

Horny Toad Spring-Summer

Green clothing company, Horny Toad, has some new Spring-Summer arrivals to get you ready for the weather.  I got hooked on HT a couple of years ago when I discovered their butter soft eco friendly fabrics.  Their stuff is travel friendly, low on wrinkles and heavy on comfort. 

Check out the new Long Island Dress.  It's a maxi length, very sleek, and has a panel around the waist area with some ruching that is very figure flattering and forgiving.  It's made from a bamboo blend and runs true to size.  I'm 5'5 and typically an 8/10 and the medium fits perfectly. 

This dress looks great with a pair of flip flops.  You can dress it up, or dress it down and wear it at the beach or to a more formal dinner.  It's elegant and beautiful and comes in different colors and even a print.  It has adjustable straps, a shelf bra for support and a secret stash pocket on the hip, perfect for your id and credit card or cash. 

I'm also totally in love with the Swifty Racer Tank.  Super soft tencel fabric wicks away moisture and dries fast, making it perfect for summer adventures.

The Lapis is a soothing blue-gray that I can't get enough of.  Please Horny Toad--more of this amazing color!  It reminds me of twilight, when the sky is a dreamy calming purpley blue.  A built in shelf bra makes it even better.  It's got a lot of give to it, it's not your typical tight fitting yoga or fitness top, you could wear it under a blazer to work and it wouldn't look out of place.  This would be a great base layer for your on-the-plane outfit, it would be great for yoga, camping, and every day.  

Tweet