BTC Elements Blog

Reading through Harper’s Bazaar this month, I found a couple hair concoctions that I will definitely be trying out.
Robert Hallowell’s Honey Highball

- 2 Tablespoons vodka

- 2 Tablespoons honey

- 1/2 Ripe avocado

- 1 Egg yolk

Mash together with a fork until creamy. According to the Hollywood stylist, “Vodka removes buildup of scalp oils and products, honey and avocado moisturize, and egg yolk smooths and conditions.”

Sounds disgusting, but I’m going to give my weathered hair a little love this week - au natural style.

Tomorrow night, my buddies Siel, and Traci and I are giving a talk on green apartment living. Siel will be talking about green transportation, Traci will touch on greenovations for your pad, and yours truly will share expertise (or guesspertise) on organic balcony gardening. Then, we’ll ride ten blocks west to get a glass of wine and some yummy bruschetta (which I now know is pronounced brew-skeh-tah) at the Bodega Wine Bar. Come one, come all! See below….

Summer is officially here! Cool off with a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail!) made with 100% organic ingredients. Add your favorite organic spirit to create exotic mixed drinks or leave it out for a new twist on old favorites. With yummy combos like Lavender Lemon Drop, Mojito, French Martini & Citrus Margarita, there is a favorite flavor for everyone!

Fran from California raved “Yes, we did receive the mix, and absolutely love it! I think the lemon-lavender mix is possibly my favorite. I’ll be ordering more!!”

My fave is the Pomegranate Cosmo. Delicious, fruity, and pretty to boot. Keep plenty on hand for impromptu gatherings and spontaneous celebrations.

Stock up with 15% savings. Use coupon code “hotpick”. Expires 7/18/08.

Episode 7: Foody, foody, foody.

Check out Vegan Lunch Boxes newest manly meal.  Super cute.

Tips from Lime on controlling food waste.  The veggie stock idea is genius!

Pescatarians! No Impact Man has a great article on choosing the fish you eat wisely.

All of this thinking about working out has gotten me dehydrated! Luckily, I found a little Do-it-yourself sports drink in the July/August issue of Women’s Health Magazine. I’m excited to give it a spin using organic, fair trade ingredients. And I can put it in my reusable water bottle. Woo hoo!

1/4 c of sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 c hot water

1/4 c orange juice

2 Tbsp lemon juice

3 1/2 c cold water

Dissolve sugar and salt with hot water, add juices and remaining water, chill, drink.

Next step: hit the pavement.

I brought this salad to a summer solstice party that I threw with my buds Traci and Siel.  It was super easy to make and is refreshingly yummy.

Two cut up organic cantaloupes (don’t forget to wash the outside before cutting).

3-4 sprigs of porch-garden-fresh-mint, finely chopped.  If you aren’t growing your own mint yet, it’s time to start.  It’s super hardy and grows like a weed.

One cup of margarita mix.  Luckily the hub just came back from a bachelor party he threw for his bro.  So we have a few handles of mix that need to be used up.

Combine and serve.

Thanks Rachael Ray for the easy recipe…. but enough with the Dunkin Donuts shenanigans, kay!?

Fave Green Reads is actually one fave read, and two fave watches. I’m lovin’ me some online videos today!

Episode 6: Trendy vintage shops, migrating plants, and new gardening how-to vids. Oh my!

Vintage shopping guide by Elle magazine.

California’s native plants may have tough times ahead because of global warming. Check out what my biologist buddy Scott Loarie has to say about it.

Oh, geez. Talk about a prcrastination tool. How to garden videos by this guy Ed Bruske who is president of DC Urban Gardeners.

This upcycled tote is a classic fave at BTC Elements. Its sturdy design and unique look is certain to get you tons of compliments, especially when they find out that it is eco-fabulous!

Heather, in Indiana told us what she thought. She wrote, “I am IN LOVE with my new purse, the Seatbelt Scrap Tote!! I am getting tons of compliments on it, and it helped me prove a point that an eco-friendly purse can still look good! I love your store and look forward to ordering more in the future!

Upcycle into great style with cute urbanite handbag!

Get 15% off this item this week only with coupon code “hotpick”. Ends Friday 6/27/08.

This sweet but styling frock is a hot summer hit at BTC Elements. The puff sleeves and cute drawstring hoody in soft organic cotton jersey are perfect for a fashionable trip to the Farmer’s Market.

Georgina, in New Jersey sent us a rave review. She wrote, “I just got my Ecoganik market dress that I ordered online today. I love it! Just wanted to let you know that this is my first time ordering from you and it was so nice to see all the measures you’ve taken to operate sustainably. I will definitely be ordering from you again soon.”

Frumpy sweatpants just won’t cut the mustard when you’ve got the choice of versatile eco-chic style.

Get 15% off this item this week only with coupon code “hotpick”. Ends Friday 6/20/08.

Last weekend Hannah and I headed downtown to LA Market for the Designers and Agents Show.  It’s a place where store owners go and check out row after row of booths with pre-edited fashion forward lines. Starting last year, the show began to promote several green designers. Green designers have a “green” sticker on their sign, and there’s also a sectioned of Green Room.

The degrees of “green” sway violently from ’slight hint of light green,’ to ‘deep dark green.’  As the owner of BTC Elements, it is really great to have these options all in the same building at the same time, but the tough questions about certifications, sustainability, and manufacturing still need to be asked.

Some booths labeled “green” simply planted trees for every purchase, yet the items weren’t made out of sustainable materials.  Another booth claimed “natural” materials.  While these are certainly steps in the right direction, they just aren’t eco-fashion.

The designers in The Green Room, a cordoned off section at D&A are more hard core and are pushing thre envelope with certified organic, recycled, and reclaimed materials.  I was able to meet a few designers that we will be carrying soon, and say hey to the designer buds that I already know like Jenny Hwa from Loyale, and Emily Katz.

I didn’t get too many pics from the show… cept this one of Hannah and I drinking out of our reusable water bottles…. I’d like to pat myself on the back for that, but I shoulda brought a reusable coffee cup instead for all of the joe I was downing.

All in all fall trends are looking good, and it’ll be a lot of fun when the deliveries come in!