February 10, 11:00am / Free

The Museum at FIT / Seventh Ave at 27th St / 10001

Click Here for More Info!

Andrea Kane is not your typical “Earth Mother,” though she does possess a great reverence for Mother Earth. In addition to being a military veteran, a doula, and a massage therapist, Andrea has experience as a PR expert and teacher. While she currently resides on the West Coast, her stint in the Big Apple has taught her all about the good, the bad, and the tricky of navigating the organic product world. Now she’s here to share all the natural knowledge she’s amassed along the way.

Tell us about your blog: what is the premise, what are your main coverage
areas, how did you get started? This blog was started September of 2006 after I closed my online natural body care store. During the move from Hawaii to San Diego, I considered many career options. While trying to figure it all out, The Organic Beauty Expert was born.

I never intended for this blog to continue, but am so glad it has. I named it The Organic Beauty Expert because I thought it was a catchy name that people could remember. The blog has grown as I have grown, and have learned more about the beauty industry. I have taught classes on making natural products and aromatherapy at The Learning Annex and The University of Hawaii, and for many corporate groups. I worked as a beauty consultant for start up beauty companies and still create signature scents.

This blog doesn’t push rhetoric and you won’t find the same ol’ “we must protect the earth” mantra. I try to use as many natural based products as possible, but when it comes down to it, efficiency is the word of the day. And if you can’t respect or understand that honesty, this ain’t the blog for ya!

You are from New York, and now live in San Diego. Do you think that New Yorkers are embracing the organic beauty wave as heartily as West Coasters have been?

Most definitely! In fact, New York is where I received my green education. In the early 90s living in Park Slope, I knew nothing about recycling or co-ops or eating well. New York has always been the spot for making the trends, whatever they may be, and in this case, they’ve added being green with style.

What do you miss most about living in New York?

I miss the ability to eat any type of ethnic food whenever the mood hits. I miss the energy most of all. My poetry and free style writing was so raw when I lived in the city. Lastly, I miss the museums and the art of living in NYC.

Where do you find daily inspiration?

Daily inspiration now comes from within. There’s not a lot of outside stimulus living next to the beach, but one makes do.

If you were stranded on an island (like Manhattan), which natural beauty products would you absolutely have to have?

Only one… most definitely the Blueberry Fusion face scrub from The Body Deli. It’s simply divine and a girl can’t be rescued and have splotchy skin!

When navigating the sea of “organic”, “natural”, or “Earth-friendly” products available today, how do you determine what is a legit product and what is simply clever marketing?

At the end of the day, it takes reading the ingredient lists. Many companies who sell online have taken to promoting the “active ingredients”, which many times focus on the two or three only natural ingredients within a sea of crap.

Best natural home remedies?

Tea tree essential oils and rosemary. Perhaps some lavender. That covers germs, cleaning, room sprays, diaper rash, bites, minor burns and even fresh breath.

Living a “green” life can be pricey. What are the most worthwhile splurges?

For me, organic beauty products and fruits. Skin care products have been shown to soak into the skin so I’d rather that stuff be as pure as possible. Fruits with edible skin also have to be organic in this house. Again, I’m not really fond of eating pesticides.

Favorite NYC organic/natural restaurants or shops?

I love Angelica Kitchen for veggie food on the cheaper side. Pure Food and Wine is wonderful too, though a bit pricier. Also, for organic groceries, Westerly Natural Foods and Elm Health Foods are great.

Strangest “natural” product you’ve come across while writing for OBE?

The strangest was a face cream made with amniotic fluid. I don’t think I need to explain further.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Went to a reading of The Vagina Monologues. With a business, husband and two kids, culture takes a back seat!

Tips for balancing being Earth friendly while not becoming completely anti-society?

Just doing what fits into your lifestyle and budget. I’m not pro-environment so much as I am objective sensible choices. Many green folks work from guilt to sell their products. I take a knowledge stance. Do the green thing when it fits your budget and because you want to.

Best green vacation spot?

Hawaii, of course!

Anything you’d like to add?

Organic doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes I see people pushing organic as a way to boost the price times five. Clothing, jewelry… I’m into it if it doesn’t mean I have to take out a loan.

www.theorganicbeautyexpert.typepad.com

Where Do You Go To Get Your Natural New York Fix?

Post A Comment Below And Tell Us About The Green Scene.

Take advantage of Celia San Miguel’s experience as a writer and editor for in the know magazines like In Style, VIBE and, currently, GIANT. All those connections keep her “up on the hotness,” as every stylish lady should be. On her blog, San Miguel will explain how a funky belt from Waist Candy Buckles can make your outfit much sharper than jewelry or a handbag, why the future of mineral foundations can be found in Beauty Cosmedic’s Brush2Go, and that the right throw pillow can transform your drab bedroom into a sexy boudoir. This artist, fashion lover, and mom has got the hottest books, movies, decorating tips and beauty products to keep you “Sicka Than Average”. Since Celia has her finger on the pulse of what’s hot, we asked her what’s hot in NYC.

Tell us about your blog: what is the premise, what are your main coverage areas, how did you get started? I launched SickaThanAverage.com in February, mostly because I felt that there weren’t too many sites that catered to women like me, girls who love haute couture but who are also into vintage duds and hip-hop influenced streetwear (from the latest limited-edition dunks to the hottest graphic tees). The site is geared towards multicultural, stylish women who were reared in hip-hop culture and who therefore have an aesthetic sense that’s heavily influenced (but not limited) by it. It’s a product-driven site, so audiences can look forward to going to SickaThanAverage.com every day and finding something cool for their homes or a great beauty find or a hot dress or handbag. I try to mix it up so that there’s high-end and low-end items in there, instead of keeping everything within one price range (after all, some things make you feel like splurging and, other times, you just want a great bargain). Another distinguishing factor is the lack of celebrity-centered content (pictures of celebs wearing something, etc.). I feel that if a garment, beauty product or gadget is cool enough, it should automatically appeal to people. I want to encourage people to lead, not to follow, by highlighting different fun finds and letting them formulate their own opinions and by always encouraging my readers to nurture their own individual styles. If they think something featured is positively hideous, they’re open to say so in the comments section. I actually encourage them to share their opinions, whether good or bad. It’s the dialogue and the sense of community that I want to provide. If anything, I’m just saving them the effort of hunting down unique items in every store, website and blog imaginable! Getting started was easy enough. I’d been doing a lot of market work through the years (whether at In Style, Complex, The New York Post, VIBE or GIANT), and I just applied that, plus my shopaholic skills, to the web. The trickiest part was probably coming up with the name –once I had that, I was good to go!!

What brought you to New York?

I’m originally from Puerto Rico, but while attending prep school in New Hampshire (Phillips Exeter) and, later, college in Cambridge, MA (Harvard University), I kept traveling back to NYC for holidays and school breaks (the airfare to PR was a lot of money and most of my friends lived in New York, so it was way easier and more affordable to come and stay with them in the Bronx). Over time, it became a second home to me so that, once I graduated from college, I already felt like I was acclimated to the city and its culture.

What do you love about living in New York?

So much to love about New York. I love the beautiful graffiti murals in the Bronx, the music festivals in Central Park (Summerstage rules), shopping for vintage duds in the LES, rummaging through cool flea markets, the lights on the George Washington bridge at night time, walking past Rockefeller Center around Christmas time, eating at outdoor cafes in the summertime, watching a foreign flick at the Angelicka and stopping by obscure bookstores for a good read.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

New York is all about having heart and being fearless when it comes to self-expression. Whether it’s through your language, your walk, your choice of music or your personal style, New Yorkers tend to be unafraid of veering from the norm. I think there’s also a do-or-die attitude that’s prevalent here; a true New Yorker knows how to bounce back after being knocked down.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

I’m always surprised at how much an area or neighborhood can change in just a couple of blocks. Take 34th street for example — if you walk in one direction, you’re in a central shopping area with Macy’s, H&M, Old Navy, etc, and then you have Madison Square Garden right there. Walk east and south for just a few blocks and you’re in Korea Town. Or, walk west and a few blocks up and you’re in the garment district. Walk south enough and you’re in Chelsea! And each placehas such a distinct flavor and vibe.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The fast pace is definitely addictive. We may complain about how non-stop our schedules are, but when we go outside of New York, it seems like everyone is moving too slow! It’s the funniest thing. And, as crazy as this sounds, I actually miss the noise. I went to stay at my dad’s house in Aguas Buenas, PR, one time and I was completely freaked out because I couldn’t hear cars and trains going by. You’d think the silence would’ve granted me some good rest but, instead, it kept me up at night. Go figure.

Do you know any tricks or insider info, in terms of spotting a trend?

I don’t know if there’s necessarily any tricks to spotting a trend. Sure, it helps if you’re going to 7th on Sixth and observing any commonalities between different designers’ collections but, in terms of more streetwear-based trends, those tend to grow organically among niche groups or neighborhoods. My main thing is this: pay attention to what the kids are doing — especially when it comes to hip-hop fashions — because they really do set the trends as much as they follow them.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Hmmm…Corny tourist attraction? I’d probably have to say the Empire State building, when they switch up the light scheme, I’m always a little mesmerized.

Best neighborhood bar?

I like this spot called the Den in Harlem. One of my homeboys spins there, and it’s got a nice vibe, plus the drinks are good and not too pricey.

Best late night joint?

I don’t go out too often but, when I do, it tends to be to the same few spots: Apt, La Linea, Lotus, Nikki Midtown and 40/40.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?

I saw this really great movie, Elite Squad. It was actually an advance screening of the flick, which is a wonderful, albeit violent and graphic, film about Brazil’s police force directed by JosePadilha.

Best fancy schmancy restaurant?

For brunch, it’s got to be Serendipity 3, which is right by Bloomingdale’s. It’s small and the line is usually going out the front door, but it’s well worth the wait. If it has chocolate in it, order it.For lunch or dinner, I absolutely adore Blue Fin and Asia de Cuba.

Best place to meet members of the opposite sex?

I think you can meet anyone pretty much anywhere. Whether it’s at a nightclub or at a poetry reading or an outdoor concert, NYC is just that kind of place.

Best live entertainment venue?

S.O.B.’s and Joe’s Pub tend to have a lot of great R&B acts coming through to perform. I don’t particularly love the venues themselves, but as far as hearing great music, they’ve definitely got good lineups.

Best place to find fun clothes or styles, on the cheap?I love the consignment store Tokio 7. You can get great designer shoes and clothing for a fraction of the original price. Also, there’s a flea market every weekend on 25th street where you can often score great jewelry and accessories.

Get well soon at sickathanaverage.com.

See what else is stylish in Dress Code.

How do you keep up on the trends?

Post a comment below and let us know what’s hot.

Hope Schmid and Anne Fritz are the ultimate girly girls. They love clothes, make-up, shopping, and, above all, travel! These two childhood friends are experts on planning and executing girl get-a-ways. On their blog, The Jet Set Girls, Hope and Anne share their discoveries of the swankiest hotels, trendiest clubs, and most fabulous restaurants. Whether you are planning a full on beach getaway to Atlantis or a quiet weekend break in upstate New York, these girls will tell you where to sleep, what to buy, and how to dress to get the most out of any vacation. Many of their finds can be enjoyed even while stuck at home. They know which moisturizers to try when the weather heats up, can tell you where to find the latest Marc Jacobs dress, even scout new, inexpensive wines. After all, girls just want to have fun, wherever they are.

Anne is the New York City half of The Jet Set Girls. She slowed down long enough to tell us how she spends her time, when not traveling.
What brought you to New York?
I wanted to live here because I was crazy about magazines and all I ever wanted to do was work at one! I moved here without a job two months after graduating from Syracuse University. I started working at a now defunct real estate trade magazine within a month of moving here. NYC is still—and will always be– the capital of the publishing world.

What do you love about living in New York?
I love all the diversity and the people! NYC really does attract the best of the best in so many different fields (fashion, finance, food, publishing).
I also love that we’re the first to get everything (movies open here months before anything else) and we get exclusive fashion lines—think H&M’s Cavalli collection or the Gap Mulberry bag. Not to mention all the sample sales!

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
You have to live in NYC at least a decade. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED New York for several years after moving here. Whenever I traveled I would practically be giddy coming home, even after a vacation. I felt that it was a privilege to live here. Then I went through a phase when I hated NYC—I recall a particularly disheartening trip to Home Depot in the rain when the subways weren’t running properly. I think I had to be aware of and accept its bad side (kind of like with a boyfriend), before I could be a true New Yorker. Now, the city is home.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?
You never know who or what you’re going to turn around the corner and see. It might be a giant chair with a life-size horse (an art instillation at the corner of 59th and CPS a few years back); someone riding a bicycle while dressed as a flower child and playing Beatle’s music on a boom box; a dress you would sell your soul for in the window at Bergdrof’s or George Clooney standing outside the Peninsula!

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?
Being able to eat late! My mom is in Alabama and all the restaurants start closing around 10. And the variety of food can’t be beat!

Do you know any tricks or insider info?
My best tip, which my boss at my summer internship many years ago told me and which I have passed on to all New York newbies, is to learn the order of Avenues and which way they run. Once you know this, you’ll never walk in the wrong direction again (at least above 14th St!).

Tell us about your blog… what is the premise, what are your main coverage areas, how did you get started?
The Jet Set Girls focuses on every aspect of girls’ getaways. We know lots of women take trips with their girlfriends to escape from home. So that means they want to look their best, stay at an awesome hotel, go to scene-y restaurants and bars and basically have a lot of fun!

Hope and I had the idea for The Jet Set Girls last April when we were planning our friend’s bachelorette party to Vegas. We had so much fun researching the hotels, pool scenes, shopping, restaurants and clubs that we decided to start the blog.

We cover every aspect of a girls’ trip from hot destinations, new hotels, must-have fashions for night’s out, hair and makeup tips for various scenarios (fighting frizz in Miami, a trick for making your eyes look brighter after a long night), restaurant and food and drink news. Even though our focus is girls’ getaways, a lot of the tips work in your everyday. New York does get pretty steamy in July and hangovers aren’t reserved for vacations!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
The Brooklyn Bridge. It’s so gorgeous and iconic and not scary at all for a bridge. I work in DUMBO a few days a week and when the weather is good, I walk home over it. I always see loads of tourists taking pictures of themselves. On this past Valentine’s Day, I even saw a guy proposing. He had sprinkled rose petals around the bench. Very sweet and romantic!

Best neighborhood bar?
I like Lansdowne Road. I live in Hell’s Kitchen. The 8th Avenue bars are way too touristy to venture into and even the 9th Avenue ones get a little too crowded sometimes. Lansdowne Road is on 10th, which makes it just far enough off the beaten path. It’s great for watching games. They do all these fun contests like the whole bar gets a free round when the Alex Rodriguez hits a home run. The food is good enough for bar food and there’s a cool ice strip on top of the bar to keep your drinks cold.

Best fancy schmancy restaurant?
I’m a sucker for 21! It’s such a classic and has so much history. If you ever go, ask your waiter if you can see the wine cellar in the basement and the door to the original speakeasie. All the jockies outside make the place fun to walk into. Inside, the toys on the ceiling are such fun. The hosts and waiters have worked there for years and are there to meet your every demand. The menu never changes and has all the classics—lobster salad, a burger, steak tartar and the best crème brule ever!

Best place to meet members of the opposite sex?
The Brass Monkey in the Meat Packing District. It’s a block away from the West Side Highway so much more low key than the typical MPD bar. I’ve always met nice, cute friendly guys there.

Best new fashion trends / brands that you are loving?
I can’t wait for warmer weather so I can break out my spring/summer clothes! I like all the tribal prints (think Jennifer Garner’s Oscar de la Renta dress at last year’s Glamour awards), you’re now starting to see them at a lower-price point; I love all the brightly colored bags and shoes that are coming out—a risk free way to have fun and add a splash of color to your wardrobe. My personal fashion goal is to experiment with mixing prints. I wore a black and white striped sweater over a pink camo tank the other day that worked out pretty well. Next I want to try polka dots and florals

As for designers—love Tracy Reese, Cynthia Steffe, Catherine Malandrino, Rebecca Taylor—anything really girlie!

www.thejetsetgirls.com