Taking an active interest in protecting the environment and appreciating the aesthetic value of its sweeping beauty go hand in hand. So, it’s easy to see why so many of us green gals like to adorn our homes with spectacular scenes from nature. Here’s the catch: many of these patterns are way too busy (or dare I say tacky) for our elegant taste.

Amenity Home designers Nicole Chiala and Kristina de Corpo hit the mark with their …

Tags: Amenity , decor , dining , Kristina de Corpo , Nicole Chiala , organic , tabletop , textiles

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Every morning before settling in with the laptop, I sip a cup of coffee, eat a bowl of cereal and read the paper at my breakfast bar. And lately I’ve had to ask myself: why am I still sitting on these cheap, tacky stools I got from IKEA in college?

It’s time for an eco-friendly (and lumbar friendly) upgrade, and here are some versatile choices I’m liking.

The rustic weave and strong design of the Earthly Rattan stool from VivaTerra (shown at top) make the perfect fit for those of you …

Tags: bar , barstool , decor , dining , entertaining , furniture , stools , sustainable

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You’re not fooling him, sister.

It’s a pairing more common than takeout Caesar salad and two buck Chuck. There’s even a song about it: you’re a vegetarian and your boyfriend isn’t about to part with bacon in this lifetime. It’s not that he hates the planet; it’s just that tofu deeply worries him. The mere mention of a vegetarian dinner brings your old nickname (Chick’n) back to life for at least a week, or on more exciting nights, a spirited debate about whether mock meat nuggets taste more …

Tags: dining , entertaining , food , recipes , vegetarian

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One look out the window during meal time, and you’re reminded that Punxsutawney Phil won’t see his shadow for some time to come. So, put those seasonally unsuitable plates and bowls away and embrace the subtle beauty of peaceful pastels. The Serene Sol dinnerware will help you see the more soothing side of winter while adorning your tabletop in versatile sophistication. Plus, these chic pieces are made entirely from recycled glass. Looking for a bargain? Spring for the whole set and save $28. (Available at VivaTerra for …

Tags: dining , entertaining , recycled glass , shopping , sol dinnerware , VivaTerra

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One of my favorite places to eat in London is a cheap and cheerful little sushi restaurant in the heart of the West End, just around the corner from Leicester Square.

If you are a tourist in London, you’ll almost certainly visit this area. It’s the centre for London’s theatre scene, and a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, Covent Garden with its funky boutiques, and the nightclubs of Soho.

If you find yourself in need of sustenance then Tokyo Diner, between Leicester Square …

Tags: dining , food , London , restaurants , sushi , sustainable , Tokyo Diner , travel , tuna

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Sarah’s piece on Meyer lemons last week got me thinking about some of my favorite ways to use these fragrant lovelies. Abundant as they are this time of year in my area, they can almost be had for the picking (or foraging). Meyer lemons are commonly found in backyards all over the Bay Area, where they thrive in our Mediterranean climate. In fact, it’s practically customary to bring a bag of Meyer lemons as a hostess gift throughout the winter months.

This lemon curd is …

Tags: dessert , dining , entertaining , food , meyer lemon , organic , Recipe

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I only invest in glassware if it serves both a functional and decorative purpose. (And, of course, it has to be recycled.) To accomplish this, nothing beats the beauty of hand-blown glass. If you’re flush with cash from Santa and feeling spendy, you might like the eco-friendly Bubble pitchers and cups.

Made by artisans who know that green goes beyond the materials used to craft something, this set is processed in a furnace that harnesses the wind for energy. For some more options, check out my …

Tags: art , decor , dining , drink , entertaining , recycled glass

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Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, come light the LED Menorah! Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora.

Gather round the responsibly harvested table, we’ll give you a treat, dreidels to play with and organic latkes to eat.

That’s the chant I hope members of my tribe will be singing during the upcoming festival of lights.  We can’t compete with Christmas and the surfeit of colorful decorations that line roofs and front lawns…and maybe that’s a good thing. Instead of connecting new, energy-sucking lights, we can turn ours off, light the menorahs …

Tags: chanukah , dining , entertaining , gifts , guide , holiday

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Can’t find that sleek, modern piece on Ebay or Craigslist? Are the sales at DWR still too steep? There are plenty of other great deals to be had for those searching for the right piece of modern furniture that fits into their spaces and budgets.

Here are a few stylish finds that keep budget sustainability in mind:

This Reclaimed Oriental Rug (shown at top) rolled out by VivaTerra has the beauty of a hand knotted masterpiece for just $119 for the 6″x9″, a great size for under a coffee table …

Tags: bedroom , decor , dining , furniture , reclaimed , sustainable , wood

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