Project Skincare

You had me at "Survival Molecules." I'm trying to take better care of my skin, so while we were in Atlanta two weekends ago, I headed over to Kiehl's to stock-up. I chose Kiehl's because of their use of naturally-derived ingredients. Arthur helped me find some things to up my "beauty regimen" because before, my "beauty regimen" consisted of face soap and Cetaphil moisturizer [which I still love, and slather all over my kids, too. So gentle and keeps their skin baby soft]. I could see the horror concern in his eyes when I mentioned said regimen, and he kept waiting for me to say "Oh, and I also use..." Nope, that's it. Just those two things.

So back to the "Survival Molecules." To be honest, I don't exactly know what that means, but if it'll help my skin survive in some way, then I'm in. And who wouldn't want to slather "Rare Earth" on their face? My skin felt purified at the first mention of those words. I also walked out of there with some Midnight Recovery Eye cream that promises "younger-looking eyes by morning." By morning? Boy howdy! For a mom of three, those are happy words. Oh, and I also got some Ultimate Hand Salve. With cold season upon us, I've been washing my hands like mad.

I'm usually pretty skeptical about products actually doing what they say they are going to do, but after a full week of using this stuff diligently, my skin really does feel better. So thank you, Kiehl's. For your Survival Molecules and Rare Earth and Butcher's Broom Extract and glove-like protective barriers. I am officially hooked.

It's Bike Month!

Did you know that May is National Bike Month? It is, for real. I heart bikes a lot. And I try to ride one as often as I can. There's something so freeing about riding a bike -- the quiet, the fresh air, no rules, no traffic.

When I can, I'll pick up the kids like this:





Yes, people stare at me because I have so many attachments and kids on my bike. But stare away, I say.

However, as I've mentioned before, I wouldn't mind consolidating all the trappings into this sweet thing:



Not so sure about this big daddy, but it makes me laugh:



Holy Moly -- you could fit an entire preschool in that one!

If only our postman would abandon his post-van for one of these:



It would make mail even better.

And since we are on the topic of transportation, how cute were Will and Kate in their little Aston Martin?



Oh so cute.

So, bike away this month! And tell me about it if you want. Or send pictures. I heart pictures, too.

[Top picture from Giant Bicycles; Will and Kate picture by Daniel Ochoa De Olza]

Clever

Fantasticly clever idea for eco-friendly business cards:



Not only are they easy on the environment, but they also reinforce what the advertised business is for [environmental consulting]. Plus, who doesn't love a stamp?

[from createYU]

Disposable No More

I like it when everyday, traditionally disposable objects are turned into something else.

Sometimes elegant:



[Astier de Villatte silver vases via Elle Decor]

Sometimes just for fun:



[Copco coffee cup // This is my favorite coffee cup. I use it every morning and it always makes me happy. I gave one to my sister, and the housekeeper at her office almost threw it away because it looks so much like a paper one! Just FYI, I bought ours at Bed, Bath and Beyond.]

And sometimes both:



[Lorena Barrezueta ceramics]

But always charming and always eco-fantastic!

Recycled Tarps for Original Thoughts

That's the tagline for the new notebook by Freitag. It's made out of recycled truck tarpaulin, and features include:

-- a Pentel 205 pencil
-- three bookmarks
-- biodegradable ATOMA binding system

-- Insert features 68 assorted pages with different colors, lineations and functions.





I wonder if our kids will ever use pen and paper planners. Or if they will be so used to using the computer for everything that it will just come naturally for them to use electronic planners. It doesn't come naturally for me. Something about physically writing things down helps me organize my life and remember things. And paper. Oh, paper. Which do you prefer?

[Find out more here; via Moco Loco]

Nice Bike

In honor of Earth Day today, I'm going to talk about one of my favorite modes of transportation -- the bike. Being pregnant and having an infant has seriously decreased my use of said mode, and I miss it. But Miss Mags is almost old enough to use the bike seat, so I'm gearing back up. Parking on campus is a nightmare, so I'm looking forward to biking over to meet Ben for lunch. We do, however, need to get the front tire of my bike fixed. Reginald rode it to a bar in Chapel Hill one night and someone backed into it and bent the front tire. His ride back was a little wonky!

I've mentioned before my obsession with the tricycle cargo bikes that seem to proliferate only in Sweden and Denmark. I'm already looking into trying to rent one of those while we are in Copenhagen. Do you think I could check one on the flight back? I'm sure the airline wouldn't mind hauling all that gigantic splendor.

This mega bike [pictured below] by Workcycles made me laugh...honestly, can you imagine navigating that big daddy?! The description says it can hold TWELVE KIDS and it's uses are "(Big) family transport, schoolbus replacement, circus acts." Love it. If I saw someone riding one of those, I'd have to get their autograph.



If you are in the market for a bike that matches your outfit, Abici has Pantone colored bikes. And it doesn't hurt that the bike itself looks like it just rode in from a picnic in the hills of Tuscany. Was Gregory Peck there, too? Probably.



So, in conclusion, biking is cool. I just might go around putting one of these on all the bikes I see out today...especially the old ones...and the pretty colored ones...and the gigantic ones...



[top image by skippy designs]