True Love in the City by the Bay

Here at Green with Envy Events, we love sharing anything and everything that inspires us. But what we love even more, is being able to celebrate the love of our closest friends & family. So today I'm overjoyed to share with you the beautiful engagement photos of my lovely friend Shannon...and her beau Chris. Not only are they two of my favorite people, their engagement photos are in my favorite city...San Francisco!

Shannon and Chris met on the chair lift at Sierra at Tahoe, and it was love at first ride. Chris finally popped the question late last year, while they were on a walk in their neighborhood. This next gorgeous picture is the exact spot where he got down on one knee and proposed.

Their wedding will take place near Boston on 10.10.2010 this year, and I can't wait to celebrate with this amazing couple. How romantic are these next shots? LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

Shannon and Chris are so fortunate to have found the amazingly talented wedding photographer Lisa Welge. As you can see in these shots, she really knows how to capture those perfect moments. They traveled all around San Francisco's parks and beaches to find the most ideal settings, and it definitely paid off!

To see the rest of this beautiful engagement session, check out Lisa's blog and visit her website to see more of her insane skills behind the camera!

Shannon and Chris, I can not begin to tell you how happy I am for you...and how excited I am to stand next to you as you become husband and wife! Love you guys!!

xxoo

Carlee

My Big Fat Green Wedding: Date(s) and Location!

After a long hiatus, we are finally back with tidbits and updates from our Eco-Wedding Series. As mentioned in our previous post, the couple wanted their festivities to take place during EarthDance Week, and with this in mind they have decided on exchanging their vows and celebrating with a small, intimate group of family and friends on Sunday, September 26th in Big Sur, California. They will also be having a much larger Eco-bash on Thursday, September 30th in Los Angeles, California (venue and info on that to follow, so stay tuned).

When looking at their options, they not only wanted to minimize travel for their guests, but a natural, secluded setting was very important, as they both enjoy the serenity of the outdoors. Big Sur seemed like the perfect choice, as it was equa-distance to both the Northern and Southern parts of California. Nestled among majestic mountains and the piercing blues of the Pacific Ocean, Big Sur is a haven for those looking to get away from a fast-paced lifestyle, offering a tranquil enviroment, and therefore the ideal location to say their 'I Do's'.

Looking for that perfect spot, the couple instantly fell in love and got inspired by Ventana Ranch Inn, which is situated on 234 acres of wooded hillside, 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

Ventana Ranch Inn not only provides a peaceful and soothing atmosphere, but they also incorporate sustainable practices into their business model. They strive to work with florists who source local wildflowers, and their catering team incorporates local and sustainable produce and goods into their menus.

It only added to their delight when they found out that Ventana Ranch Inn is owned by Joie De Vivre Hotels, a boutique chain of hotels that strives to have a positive impact on their community. JDV is dedicated to donating a minimum of $200 per guest room per year to organizations in their communities and also participates in the You Can Make a Difference Program. Funds collected through Ventana Ranch Inn for these programs support the local Big Sur Health Center, whose mission is to provide comprehensive health care to all in Big Sur regardless of their ability to pay.

So, there you have it! Sustainability, charitable donations, and views to die for. The couple (and their guests) are surely in for a magical experience at this one-of-a-kind resort. Next up, LA Venue and Flowers, so stay tuned!

Your Green with Envy Girls,

Laura & Carlee

Green Girls 2nd Year Bash ~ Eco-Fashion Show Sneak Peak

Green with Envy Events has teamed up with TheGreenGirls.com to co-produce their 2nd Anniversary Bash...and you won't want to miss it!!! Happening Saturday, June 26th at an exclusive private home in the West Hills of Los Angeles, this event will surely make you Green with Envy! Come mingle with the Green Girl Gurus, Green business professionals, celebrities, media, politicians, and lots of greenies...all while enjoying live entertainment, sipping organic drinks, marveling at the gorgeous designs of the Eco-Fashion Show, and all while benefiting a great cause - Earth Spark, a non-profit organization which empowers communities by eradicating energy poverty. Come celebrate this dynamic group of people, who inspire us to make the world a better place!

Started by founder Apple Levy two years ago, TheGreenGirls.com is a collection of blogs, articles, videos & photos that help inspire an Eco conscious lifestyle backed by a team of talented women (including your Green with Envy gals, Carlee & Laura) who are professionals in their own fields. The inspiration to help people live brighter, healthier, greener lives is what drives TheGreenGirls.com.

And if you're not already sold on coming to this one-of-a-kind event...here is a little more motivation. A sneak peak into the amazing collection of Eco-brands featured in our Eco-Fashion Show. Feast your eyes on the latest and greatest trends in Eco Fashion!!!

Welcome to the sexier side of Green ~ Niksters ~ Eco Bikinis.

Niksters Eco-bikinis are made from sustainable soy, organic cotton, bamboo, and other natural fibers which all promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Their entire line of bikinis is stunning...but here are a couple of my faves.

Reco Jeans - Sustainable Denim Technology

Reco is an Eco-friendly, fashion forward, true recycled denim brand. Who knew that Eco-friendly jeans could be so sexy? All the excess denim, threads, rough edges and cut and sew pieces get recycled and intertwined with a combination of recycled and fresh cotton to create an innovative new form of fabric...true recycled denim. I LOVE IT!!!!

Broccoli City ♦ Organic Lifestyle

Broccoli City is leading the way in bringing the urban community to a “green” lifestyle. With that as their goal, they use sublimation ink products in printing their shirts, which qualify as "green ink". They are water-based, and, are measurably less harmful to the environment than any solvent based ink currently being touted in the industry…eco-, bio- or traditional. The result is an ink that when paired with their 100% organic cotton t-shirts, creates a finished product that is certifiably Green and USA made. They make being green, look so fresh!

Cri De Coeur ♥ Never before has being so Eco-friendly been so stylish!

Thanks to Cri de Coeur, a line of top-quality vegan shoes, ladies around the globe can create eco-luxe looks in no time flat. Pairing deftly with everything from cocktail dresses to skinny jeans, Cri de Coeur shoes embody effortless chic. Every pair is handmade with a meticulous attention to detail and an eye for design. Rich color combinations, supple vegan materials and seductive yet comfortable heel shapes are marks of the brand. Cri de Coeur provides stylish, contemporary women’s footwear that is ethically produced from start to finish.

Raintees • Saving Trees with Tees

Rain Tees are a 100% organic line of apparel for women and children that feature designs by youth living in endangered rain forests. They donate school supplies to the children and ask them to illustrate what they see happening in their world every day. Each Rain Tee features their thoughts, illustrations and names...and for every item sold, a child involved in the non-profit Kids Saving the Rain Forest receives a tree they can plant to replace one that has been destroyed. These adorable tees are giving back in more ways then one!

So there you have it...just a few of the many AMAZING Eco-brands you'll find at theGreenGirls.com 2nd Anniversary Bash. With only 100 tickets available, at $25.00 (donation) per ticket...you can't afford not to attend the Eco-Bash of the year! Buy your tickets here.

Hope to see you there!

Ciao, Carlee

Jeweliany...Oh how I love thee

Any given day, you can most likely find me wearing at least one piece of Jewelry from the talented Julie Simpson, founder and designer at Jeweliany. This local San Diego jewelry designer is taking the jewelry market to new heights with her unique and inspired, hand-crafted jewelry. I am very excited to share with you just a few of my favorite Jeweliany designs!

I met Julie about a year ago, and not only is her jewelry AMAZING in every way, she happens to be one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. Her line offers anything from chunky bracelets to delicate necklaces...chain-link earrings to wire-wrapped rings. Every piece has a little bit of her personality infused into, like her adorable cut-out necklaces (above) that are hand drawn and cut by Julie.

What I love most about her designs in the perfect balance she creates of sweet & delicate mixed with industrial-tough. Her jewelry can be worn with just about any outfit. In fact, many of her designs are almost an outfit by themselves!

Jeweliany's signature design is her constellation necklaces. Being the creative artist that she is, Julie fashioned a line of necklaces that correspond with the 12 astrological signs...but they are the actual constellations of the horoscope signs. These beautiful treasures are not only a great conversation starter...they look stunning on your neckline. I love wearing mine...and I always get compliments!

I strongly urge you to check out the one-of-a-kind jewelry from Jeweliany. Her designs continue to evolve, and I am certain that before long...you'll be seeing them in Nordstrom or Neimans. Her prices are low and every piece is made with LOVE. To see the rest of her designs, visit their website and become a fan on Facebook.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xo Carlee

Attention Wine Lovers ~ SAVE THE CORKS!!!

My husband and I drink a lot of wine, and about 6 years ago we started saving all of our corks. We have them in glass jars all over our house, and they are now overflowing onto the counter tops. For our wedding 3 1/2 years ago, I made a wine cork bulletin board for our name card display, and I've since gotten a ton of use out of. I love the look of wine corks, especially the ones with fancy names and red wine stains...but I'm realizing now that I'm at my limit. What can I do with all these corks? They seem to special to throw out?

Well now you don't have to throw out these tiny treasures. I want to share with you a very cool, cork recycling program that I recently discovered (thanks to my sister Jenn). Whole Foods Market announced on April 6 that it is implementing a company-wide wine cork recycling program that will be available throughout its 292 store locations in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

In partnership with Cork ReHarvest, Whole Foods will set up designated drop boxes for recycling wine corks in its stores. Wine corks can be made into flooring tiles, building insulation, footwear, automotive gaskets, bulletin boards, packaging materials, soil conditioner and sports equipment.

Cork ReHarvest has led the cork recycling movement in the US and Canada, helping to collect and recycle some of the 13 billion natural corks that are produced each year. Equally important is their work to educate the public about the Mediterranean cork forests. These forests contain one of the world's highest levels of forest biodiversity including endemic plants and endangered species such as the Iberian Lynx, the Iberian Imperial Eagle, and the Barbary Deer. It is also a vital source of income for thousands of family farmers, who for generations have worked these forests.

This important organization is doing big things in the cork industry!

• They speak for the cork forests, and for the people, communities, wild animals and plants that depend on those forests for their survival.
• They offer educational presentations that focus on the ecological importance of the Mediterranean cork forests and the negative environmental impact of screwcaps and synthetic closures.
• In creating a viable collection and recycling program, they work with their corporate partners to collect the corks before they reach the landfills. However, collecting the cork is not enough, doing so without increasing its carbon footprint is their major goal.
• They work with new businesses that recycle cork, to develop carbon neutral processes for manufacturing and shipping of the up-cycled cork.

So next time you polish of a bottle of vino, don't throw away your cork! Start collecting them, and then bring them to your local Whole Foods! To learn more about Cork ReHarvest, visit their website at http://www.corkreharvest.org/.

Cheers!

Carlee

Welcome to the world Baby Siena

Wow...so we haven't blogged in over 2 weeks! We are finally back...and trust me, it was worth the wait. Or should I say "She" was worth the wait.

Introducing...

The newest addition to the Green with Envy Events family

Siena Marie Lenerz

My partner, Co-founder of Green with Envy Events, and long time friend Laura Rankin, along with her husband Daniel Lenerz, were just blessed with this perfect little bundle of joy! Siena was born on 4.19.2010 at 4:19am, at 7 lbs, 14 oz and 20 inches long. Isn't she the most darling thing you've ever seen!

Congratulations Laura & Dan! I wish you a lifetime of joy and beautiful moments with your daughter. Welcome to the world baby Siena! I can't wait to meet you!

Love Aunt Carlee