Our 10 Best People, Things and Discoveries of 2011

This year has been pretty incredible for us at La Bella Figura.  Who knew that our love for organic products and everything European would make our little company such a success?  2011 was the year we launched our line and garnered the trust and loyalty of many customers, editors, bloggers, and retailers.  It's been such a rich learning and motivating experience for us.  We are so grateful and so excited for this new year to begin.  Speaking of "New Year" we will be launching our latest baby, Barbary Fig Renewal Serum in January of 2012, as well as our collection of organic perfumes in the new year and some other surprises we have in the works in 2012!


Our Barbary Fig Renewal Serum is especially exciting for us because it works like a dream to renew damaged skin and get it back in shape! The ingredients in the serum are all natural and potent fighters in anti aging, anti cancer and are sure to restore vitality and health back into skin that really seeks repair. We can't wait for lovers of Decouverte and Tesoro to try this little marvel.



As much as this has been the year for us at La Bella Figura, it has also been the year of appreciation and admiration for others we have been lucky to know or work with or simply discover.  We want to share our 10 favorite discoveries of the year 2011.  Happy New Year to you all, may peace be in your life, love, happiness and may you always be flooded in beauty.

xo Victoria and Karen
La Bella Figura

1.  ECOSALON

If you haven't read or heard about this online magazine with a heart, get to it now! We love everything about Ecosalon and you will too.  This is intelligent, fun, and informative writing that makes us happy every day and don't get us started on how we just adore the writers and editors...we'll make them blush, for sure.

2.  THE "Real" BEAUTY WRITERS

There are some that have a flair for writing that just makes you want more.  We were lucky to have had such great reviews from these three lovelies who all adore beauty like no one else. If they didn't do it so well, we'd be up the creek trying to figure out the latest stories and beauty news. Nav Kaur, Jolene Hart, and Susan Linney. Ladies, you are the rockstars of beauty writing.!

3.  REFINERY 29

When you want to know what's up, check out R29 for the latest happenings, beauty and fashion news in your area.  We just wish R29 covered every city, alas we are lucky our town Chicago has it covered.

4.  VITAL JUICE

Just like R29, Vital Juice gives you the low down all that is healthy and good for you.  We are especially thankful that the Chicago editor of Vital Juice, Maya Henderson who decided to try La Bella Figura and became an instant fan.  Her support of LBF in Chicago means a lot to us as we grow in our beloved city.  Drink your juice or in this case, read your juice!

5.  JUICE

Speaking of juice, everyone is suddenly juicing it up for health and wellness.  We have known for a while that drinking, fresh pressed juice is good for you, but did you know it boosts your skin complexion too. The vitamins and minerals in fresh juices are active and you will benefit greatly from fresh juice as opposed to juice that's been in a carton for a while.  Great news is that you can just as easily make it at home! Get to juicing folks and wait for the glow to appear in your skin.  Natural magic!

6.  FEMALE COMMUNITY

I can write an entire post about this and plan to soon, but this year Karen and I were reminded of the power female community can bring to inspire and motivate one another.  We had a major snafu at the end of the year when our sponsor for a holiday eco market we had organized, suddenly pulled out because of scheduling conflicts.  It had nothing to do with us, but it really threw us for a loop. After all the planning, organizing, and collaborating with local brands we were majorly bummed. We felt we had let folks down, yet the other women involved rallied around us in support and compassion.  Even to the point, of inspiring to organize a local Women In Business support group to meet monthly!  If that isn't community, then what is?   (Also, a reminder there is truth in the old saying; a closed door brings new opportunity.)

7.  OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS

We didn't discover them in 2011, but we did discover the power they had in keeping us sane and being our favorite cheerleaders.  Thanks to my sister and best friend, Lissette and Denise for listening to my crazy stories and complaints...as though it is fun, and to Karen's husband, Jason whom we drove practically insane with working for us for free (one day Jay, we'll get you that hand cut Armani suit), to Cori who gave us her smart advice, to John and Christine who show up to our events with smiles and friends, to Carly who wrote about us on her awesome blog, unpatterned, to James our handsome friend and photographer, to my Mom, Gloria who posts and shares our Facebook news, to my niece and nephew who said I was an innovator and mad scientist, to Anne and Josh who believe in us, to Chad for his help and research, to Jenna for being my personal tester, and to the many of you that have encouraged us.  Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, we love you so.

8.  THE ECO-MAMA

We know you are the Goddesses that rock the earth.  So many of you embraced us and we felt confident in that embrace.  Yes, we are trying to bring awareness to health and beauty and create products that aren't just pretty in their packaging, but are effective in use and friendly to the planet.  We are especially indebted to our favorite "eco-Mama" Shiva Rose for her enlightening blog, The Local Rose.  Her raw, passionate and emotional writing makes us feel protected and teaches us something new each week.  Shiva isn't afraid to tackle the tough issues, (the harassment of Rawesome in Venice, California, a store I frequent when in town, or the support of Occupy Wall Street) this lovely can one day be on the red carpet in her vintage gown and the next voicing her opinions in The Huffington Post.  We just adore our little rose.


9.  BARBARY FIG SEED OIL

Okay, so we didn't exactly discover it, but we sure did our share of research, which wasn't so easy considering not many besides the Moroccans and Tunisians are cold pressing this wonderful oil.  Sometimes, it's called, prickly pear oil and although the fruit from which it emanates is common and grows all over the world, not many are cold pressing the teeny tiny seeds for its Vitamin E and polyphenol loaded wonder oil.  (The fruit itself has tremendous health and medicial benefits and is in use for these purposes from Sicily to Argentina.) This year we were able to experiement with the oil after finding a producer whose family does the time consuming job of gathering tons (literally tons to produce one liter of oil) of seeds to cold press on their organic co-op.  The price of the oil is no joke, but the results are so spectacular and because we are after all, La Bella Figura we wanted to use the best to make the best product for you.  Don't worry if you haven't heard about this oil before us, we are certain you'll be reading about it and discovering it everywhere soon enough. Remember who used it first though!

* Remember, fair trade and organic is the way to go. Anything else is cut or mixed, poor quality and exploitative of the people who work to press the oil.

10.  OUR RETAILERS

Thank you for having faith in us, sharing our vision, and selling our products to your valuable customers.  We couldn't do this without you!  We hope to continue successful collaboratons and look forward to new retail partnerships with people that care, just like us.


Have a wonderful, healthy and organic New Year from us at La Bella Figura.

Make your own organic refreshing facial wipes

Soothing marshmallow root

Things you will need:

2 cups distilled water

3 tablespoons marshmallow root

1 teaspoon witch hazel

4 drops chamomile essential oil

1 sheet of organic paper towel, cut into 1/4 pieces

Medium saucepan

Tea sieve or a piece of cheesecloth for straining.

Bring 2 cups of water to a gentle boil in a medium saucepan, add 3 tablespoons of the marshmallow root and allow to steep (about 15 minutes) turning heat off.  When the marshmallow tea is completely cooled, strain through a sieve or piece of cheesecloth and pour into a spritzer bottle.  Add the witch hazel and essential oils and gently shake to combine.  Spritz organic cotton paper towels and dose until nicely saturated with cleansing liquid.  Wipe your face and cleanse and tone, naturally!  Cleanser solution will keep about one week and you can store in the refrigerator for a soothing effect for summertime use.



Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

This past summer, I excitedly planted my first container garden. It was pretty much a flop. I stupidly crowded too many tomato plants into each container and added too much perlite to my soil mix, resulting in about 10 yellow cherry tomatoes and one small plum tomato and exactly two purple heirlooms, which the squirrels got to before I did. Oh yeah, and the world's smallest green pepper. I did manage to grow three huge healthy basil plants. We recently brought those in for the winter. They are not doing so well. I had to put them in my office, where my cats can't eat them and where sadly there's not much sun.

So in honor of my basil plants that are on their last legs, I thought why not give them the best send off I can and make something that showcases basil like nothing else can. Pesto! Originating in Genoa, it is traditionally made in a marble mortar and pounded or crushed by a wooden pestle. The word pesto actually comes from the Genoese word pesta, which means to pound; our word pestle comes from this by the way of Latin.

Basil is a pretty cool little herb. Besides being rather tasty, it contains flavonoids, which help protect cell structure from both radiation and oxidation damage. Basil also has antibacterial properties: studies have shown that it is able to suppress bacteria that have become resistant some antibiotic drugs. Basil is high in beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A and which helps protect cells from free radical damage. Basil is one powerful little herb!

Pesto Genovese with Pasta

I call it Genovese pesto because it's a more traditional style pesto, but I have a feeling that the residents of Liguria would scoff at that. The Ligurians are very particular about their pesto like the French with their grapes and don't really consider anything that's not made with Ligurian basil grown in Liguria to be real pesto (at least that's what I heard). It's almost the same principal as terroir in wine making; the soil in Linguria gives certain characteristics to the basil, as well as the sea air and the amount of sun. Although I'm actually using Lingurian basil (mixed with some sweet basil) in my recipe, it was not grown in Liguria. Also I am using my food processor, which is probably pretty cringe worthy, but I've tried the pounding method and it's not for me. I hope they will forgive me though!

1 pound pasta (I used farfalle because that's what I had on hand)

2 cups basil loosely packed

1/2 -1 clove garlic (I vary it on my mood whether I want it more or less garlicy)

3 tblsp pine nuts

1/2 - 1 cup olive oil depending on how thin or thick you want it

3/4 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Coarse sea salt - start with a pinch or two and keep adding until satisfied (be careful not to over salt as the Parmigiano is already salty)

Boil water and cook pasta as directed.

Meanwhile, combine the basil with a pinch or two of salt, the garlic, the pine nuts, and about half of the oil in a food processor. Process, stopping to scrape down the sides as you are processing, gradually adding the rest of the oil. Stir in the Parmegiano right before serving. Pour pest into a bowl and add pasta gentle stirring to mix.

I had a package of heirloom mini tomatoes laying around so I tore them up and added them to the pesto. Sometimes I like the sweet acidity with my pesto. You can really add anything to it. I think grilled veggies make a lovely addition.

                                                                          Buona Sallute,
                                                                                Karen

La Bella of the week is, Mademoiselle, B!

This week we interview a nine year old organic beauty lover and huge LBF fan, Mademoiselle, B.  We aren't revealing her "real" identity, but it was definitely a real treat to interview this young sassy pants.  She claimed not to know what an astrological sign was and admitted that the questions were boring, which we found refreshing and very amusing.  Gotta get the young ones educated on going clean and green!

Mademoiselle B and friends

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

B:  I'm B and I'm nine.

LBF:  Where do you live?

B:  In the windiest city in America.

LBF:  What is your occupation?

B:  I'm a student and I like to sing and dance.

LBF:  What is your astrological sign?

B: I don't even know what that means. 

LBF:  What do you do for fun and recreation?

B:  I really like to sing and dance to hip hop.

LBF:  If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

B:  I would travel to Hollywood to meet other famous people.  I would like to meet Beyonce and Selena Gomez and Justin Beiber.

LBF:  What do you enjoy most about your life?

B:  I enjoy going on adventures.  This summer I went to Indiana Dunes with my Mom, Aunt and brother and we found a trail by the huge sand dunes and followed the trail til the end.  You could see the whole lake from the end of the trail and very far off you could see downtown Chicago. 

LBF:  What made you try organic products? 

B:  What made me try organic products was I had eczema on my knee and my Mom and Aunt said it would work.


LBF:  If we shadowed you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

B:  I'm just a kid, so a whole bunch of things probably and I don't even know what that means.

LBF:  What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

B:  I love my Aunt's beauty products like the argan oil and I like it when my Mom uses the hair stuff on me because it smells good and I have curly hair so it makes it nice.

LBF:  What will you be doing this weekend?

B:  I would like to go to a movie and the American Girl doll store.

LBF:  Sum up a motto that best describes you:


 ( Note: my nephew who was "advising" on this interview suggested, Tyra Banks.  Pretty sure he heard incorrectly...I hope!) 

B:  Live, have fun and laugh a lot. 


Besides the fact that she's a LBF niece and we adore her to death, we think B is going to make some pretty good beauty choices in her future.  We hope she gets to meet Justin, Selena, and Beyonce and maybe she'll teach them a thing or two with her excellent dance moves! 

To quote one spicy little girl, "Live, have fun and laugh a lot!" You, go, girl!

Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

I've been pretty sick this last week, and I've got a cough that I am having a hard time shaking. I made an everything-but-the kitchen-sink soup last week to help my irritated throat and lungs, but in my sick haste to get it down my throat, I forgot to take pictures, oh well.

Instead, I bring you one of my favorite salad recipes that always puts a bit of a smile on my face even it it's between coughs.

Fattoush

Who doesn't love a bread salad? Fattoush would be the more exotic cousin of the Italian panzanella, but instead of bits of stale crusty bread to soak up the dressing, fattoush uses the pita. People argue what's the most important ingredient in the fattoush: the pita, the tomaotes, the herbs, or the dressing. To me, it's all about balance. It's the way the flavors come together and just explode in your mouth. Here, I've made it as a side dish, but to make it a main dish, I may add some chickpeas and feta, which is not exactly what I'd call traditional, but a veggie has got to squeeze in protein where she can.

3-4 pita pocket breads, cut into 3/4 inch strips

2-4 cloves of garlic (for an added immune boost I go for the full four)
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon jouice (about 2 lemons)
1/2 cup olive oil plus more for brushing the pita strips
1 tsp powdered Sumac, plus a bit more for sprinkling just before serving
2 heads of Romaine lettuce, washed and dried
3 green onions thinly sliced
2-3 ripe tomatoes diced
1/2- 1 full seedless Persian cucumber diced (if you can't find a regular english cucumber will do just fine)
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped (this is not traditional but I like the crunch it adds)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. While the oven heats mash the garlic and salt together in a mortar and pestle until it forms a paste. Put garlic pasteinto a bowl and add lemon juice and olive oil. Whisk together and set aside.

Brush the cut pita strips with olive oil and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake until pita strips are crispy and just beginning to brown (8-11 mins). Watch carefully because they can go from golden to burnt rather quickly. When they have become crisp and just golden, remove from oven and let cool. Once cool, cruble into chunks.

Remove outer leaves and cut ends from Romaine lettuce. Cut Romaine into fourths lengthwise and chop into pieces. Put the Romaine into a large bowl.

Add tomatoes, green onions, green pepper, cucumbers, parsley and mint to the lettuce. Add the dressing. If serving immediately add the toasted pitas and let sit for a few minutes to soak up some of the dressing. Since it's just my husband and I, I like to dole out the salad servings first and add the pitas to the individual serving. I store the leftover salad and pitas separately, so when I eat it later, the pitas haven't become all soggy.

I purchased the felafel and the hummus at my local grocery store. We are fortunate they make both in house fresh daily. It makes for the perfect eastern Mediterranean feast!

Victoria's last minute cookie contest.

Okay folks, I need your help!  I've been so busy that I haven't had the time to do what I usually enjoy doing, like bake.  I love baking with my niece around this time of the year and spreading our joy with cookies to her school crossing guard, my doorman Orlando, (who I'm sure is wondering where his cookies are by now) and of course my nephew who doesn't enjoy baking, but loves the goods that come out of it.  I have a huge Holiday party to attend on Saturday and no clue what to bring this year.  I like bringing something different every year, however this year I've had no time to browse recipes, magazines or cookbooks.  So, I reach out to you, my beloved friends, customers and LBF readers.  Do you have a great cookie recipe you'd like to share with me?  My only requirement is that it contains natural ingredients.  I don't want to make cookies with processed peanut butter cups or peppermint candies, etc.  Oh, and I need the recipe by this Thursday, December 8th, 2011.  I will select my favorite recipe myself and contact the winner by email.  The winner will win a 1 oz. bottle of Tesoro AND a sample of our new Barbary Fig Renewal Serum.  You are welcome to share the contest with friends on Facebook, but they must join our Facebook page in order to join.

Please send recipes to Victoria, info@labellafigurabeauty.com

Contest ends on December 8th, 2011 at midnight.









La Bella has our first "Bello", Il Bello of the week, Brian Guadagno!

This week we have our first "Bello!"  Brian Guadagno, a real life hero and lifeguard who spends his time on the beach and creating organic sunscreen to not only protect our skin, but the ocean as well.  Raw Elements USA is the name of his company and if you read the ingredient list you'll be rushing to get yourself some of this organic goodness, made with organic sunflower oil, green tea, cocoa and mango butter to name a few!

Brian in action!

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

       
Brian Guadagno: Brian Guadagno, 17 year professional ocean lifeguard and I try to be the best person I can.
LBF: Where do you live?

       
BG: I split time between Southern California, Rhode Island in the summer.

LBF: What is your occupation?

       
BG: President and Founder of Raw Elements USA, Chemical Free Sunscreen, #1 rated by The Environmental Working Group for safety and efficacy.

LBF: What is your astrological sign?

       
BG: Cancer

LBF: What do you do for fun and recreation?

BG: I love to fish, music, shoot photography, anything and everything at the beach and on the ocean, spend time with my family and friends.

LBF: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

BG: Either the plains of Africa to capture it with my lens or somewhere with the perfect wave alone..

LBF: What do you enjoy most about your life?

BG: I enjoy being blessed with the most amazing family and so many great friends. I also enjoy having had the opportunity to have saved lives in the ocean along side some of the most dedicated and trustworthy friends in the world.  Knowing that they will always be there by your side, no matter how bad it gets, is a pretty amazing feeling.

LBF: What made you try organic products?

BG: I think initially it was my discovery of all the chemicals that make up traditional sunscreens. I felt pretty foolish that as a lifeguard, I had been using these products for so long and never thought to look into what was in them, how it would effect me or the environment. That was an eye opener for me and it changed my approach to everything that I use from food, to cosmetics and so on. .

LBF: If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we
find out about you?

BG: I think it would probably be that I have a terrible habit of biting my nails. I've tried to shake it before, guess the hand modeling thing is out!

LBF: What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

BG: I would have to say organic cocoa butter and organic coconut oil, can't beat that! Oh, and considering we are speaking about the desert, Raw Elements ECO STICK SPF 30+ for sure!


LBF: What will you be doing this weekend?

BG: This weekend I am definitely taking my dog, Doc, for a hike, long over due!

LBF: Sum up a motto that best describes you:

BG: Hmmm... I've always tried to follow, 'Intent, Delivery, Follow-Through'.   

organic awesomeness!

The guy in the video is not Brian, but his company spokesperson, Garrett McNamara who rode a 90 foot wave a few weeks ago to my jaw dropping awe!  Pretty cool, huh?!  We have great admiration for Brian for creating such a wonderful, natural product that EVERYONE needs, to protect their skin.  The fact that it is biodegradable and doesn't hurt the ocean or its wildlife makes it an added bonus. This guy knows how to live his life and we hope he gets to take his dream trip so we can see through his eyes!



Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

 
I took a little hiatus last week from posting. It was just such a busy week with finishing up business, having friends from out of town vising, and getting ready for Thanksgiving. I hope this light and tasty recipe will make up for it. In my opinion, it is the perfect light meal after days of eating heavy leftovers.

My husband, who is an avid newspaper reader, found this recipe in the Chicago Tribune a few years back. Let me just say while my husband is definitely a Renaissance man (cleans, does laundry, volunteers, and helps grocery shop), he's not what you'd call comfortable in the kitchen. Once he tried to make me spaghetti, and he put whole coriander seeds in it the sauce along with a variety of other spices he just kind of plucked from the kitchen cabinet. It made for an interesting, if albeit crunchy, spaghetti experience. He's since been on a quest to find recipes he can cook and that will appease my picky tastebuds. This recipe was a big hit the first time he made it, and it has been in rotation ever since.

The featured star in this recipe along with a healthy dose of lemon juice and lemon zest is arugula. The wonderful peppery arugula is a great source of antioxidant vitamins A and C, folic acid, calcium, and magnesium. Ancient Romans used it as an aphrodisiac in spice blends. Lemon are rich in vitamin C, which not only helps to clear acne and leaves your skin glowing, but also helps stop bad breath and aids in digestion. Is there anything that little wonder fruit can't do?

So when my husband volunteered to cook, I happily mentioned that there was arugula in the fridge just begging to be put in his rice salad. About 40 minutes later he's proud of his dish and I'm eating a delicious vegan dinner that I didn't even have to cook.

Rice, Corn, and Cilantro Salad

1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp Olive Oil

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp salt

freshly ground black pepper

2 1/4cups water

1 1/2 basmati rice rinsed and drained

1/2 cups chopped green onions (the original recipe only called 1/4c.)

2 cups fresh or 1 bag frozen sweet corn kernels
3 handfuls of arugula, stems removed

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Whisk together the 1/2 cup olive oil, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp of salt and black pepper to taste in a bowl and set aside.

Heat the water to boil in a saucepan. Add rice and 1/2 tsp of salt to boiling water; reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until water is absorbed and rice is tender (do not stir), about 20 minutes. remove from heat. Let stand 5 minues and fluff with fork. (see note)

Heat remaining 1 tbsp of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and cook stirring about 30 seconds. Add corn and chickpeas and cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add remaing salt and pepper to taste, adjust seasoning to your liking. 

Mix rice and corn mixture together in a large bowl and stir in the live oil and lemon vinaigrette. Add the arugula, cilantro, and lemon zest : gently toss. Taste for seasoning, adjust and serve warm.

Note: We don't always follow the rice to water ratio as described above. We use a little less water and our cooking time is 17 to 18 minutes. This seems to be the magic formula at our house for perfectly cooked rice.

 Happy Eating,

Karen

La Bella of the week, Nav Kaur

Our Bella this week is a tongue in cheek beauty gal with a penchant for words and a lover of oils. You name the oil and she's tried it, well, almost we got her with barbary fig seed oil!  Nav Kaur dips in so many arenas she's hard to keep up with, but her profound love of oils in her beauty regimen drew us in and I think the feeling was mutual.  Her expert blog, Beauty Huile is beloved by all the major brands as we all covet a review by Nav.  We are delighted to have been favorably mentioned once or twice.  This mysterious beauty knows of what she speaks.

  Nav Kaur

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

Nav Kaur: A kind of strong, unabashedly provocative woman using her appreciably modern ethos to seek out the perfectly prismatic oil to inspire a peculiarly monumental sense of peace from within.

LBF: Where do you live?

NK: Like, the Valley! As if…

LBF: What is your occupation?

NK: Professor…yes, really.

LBF: What is your astrological sign?

NK: A ferocious Lioness.

LBF: What do you do for fun and recreation?

Yoga and cooking are two things that help me interpenetrate the nooks & crannies of my mind and soul to capture that some forlorn moment of pure & unadulterated joy…eloquently in high relief.

LBF: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

NK: India to uncover my inherent sense of rootlessness through a reflective, solo journey. And, to crash a Bollywood set as a back up dancer.

LBF: What do you enjoy most about your life?

The stewardship of some smashingly lovely friends near & far.

LBF: What made you try organic products?

NK: After working behind the beauty counter for several years, I decided to apply my Bruin Biology degree to good use. I quickly realized that unpronounceable filler chemicals did nothing for my skin and sapped the wallet.

LBF: If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

NK: I use those unpretentious kitchen scour pads with fully fragrant shower gels to exfoliate legs & arms. Loofahs? A lampooned waste of time.

LBF: What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

NK: A slick of lip balm, a vat of Argan Oil, and a bottle of my custom created perfume oil – Datura.

LBF: What will you be doing this weekend?

NK: Reading The Alchemist. Yes, finally.

LBF: Sum up a motto that best describes you:

NK: Individuality is freedom lived without regret.

Thanks to my Leo twin for such a fun interview!  Catch Beauty Huile and Nav's way with words. Hope you have a fabulous Turkey Day and pass on that paneer recipe when you get a chance, please.

Victoria's Awesome Holiday Gift Picks.

The holidays are here and whether or not you love it and go all out (decorating your cat with Christmas bells!, C'mon!) or sulk and wait impatiently until the music stops and the elves retreat, EVERYONE loves a well thought out gift!  I have always been told that I give excellent gifts and it's true!  I'm a good listener and I observe quite intently so gift giving is a piece of panettone for me.  (That's Italian humor if you didn't catch it.)

I created a list of gifts for specific people and when you sum it down that way it makes it easier to shop.  Check out my gift guide and perhaps it'll spark an idea or two for you.




The College Aged Niece and Inspired Chef

The Boutique Baker's Kit by Rancho Gordo is $48 and starts a new baker off right!  Your niece will get her groove on in the kitchen and if you're lucky she will start sending YOU baked goods the way you used to send her when she was a wee little nugget.

The "Love and Light" Friend

Kiva is perfect for the friend that signs are her emails with, "love and light" and spends her Saturday mornings at shelters feeding people and reading to Seniors.  We love that friend and cherish her huge heart immensely so imagine how thrilled she will be to receive a Kiva card allowing her to make a donation of her choice! Kiva is a micro-lending organization that helps individuals and communities all over the world start or sustain a business with small loans.



The Traveling Fool

Okay, this is a major hint to anyone in my life...I WANT THIS gorgeous custom map pendant!  Have a piece of your beloved Spain (ahem, my beloved) dangling delicately above your heart to remind you of wonderful travels and adventures.  From uncommongoods at $125.


The Health Nut or Your Mom and Dad

Let's face it: it ain't no picnic living in the Midwest in winter!  That's when I'm usually visiting my best friend in California or heading South to soak up some sun and natural Vitamin D.  It's also when we are envious of Californians with their great year round produce.  Irv and Shelly's Fresh Picks in Chicago help solve your veggie blues and deliver the freshest organic produce, meat and dairy right to your door from the nearest local growers.  This makes an excellent gift for parents who are intimidated by an enormous Whole Foods or loathe stepping out into a blizzard.  Irv and Shelly do it for you and with such eco-consciousness it almost wants to make me volunteer with delivery service, almost.



The Notoriously Single Guy

Do you know a single guy that's a catch, but is notoriously single?  Do him a favor and snatch that ugly, tired old Cubs hat off of his head and head him to a HatMaker!  Yes, it's his stinky, ugly old baseball cap that is driving the ladies (or dudes) away.  Spruce him up a la Johnny Depp style and help him pick out a refined fedora or a fun gatsby at Goorin Bros.  He will be a hit in no time when he shows up to the bookstore looking like a man and not a twelve year old.


The Beauty Goddess or Luxury Maven

You knew it was coming, didn't you?!  How could I not include our ownRepair  Decouverte-Under Eye Serum, $115 into my holiday gift guide?  Besides the fact that we make and sell this, it really does do what it claims to do.  It depuffs, eliminates those dark circles, smoothes wrinkles and fine lines and brightens up your eye area to make the best part of your face look vibrant, sexy and ready for action!  If you don't believe my biased opinion, believe trusted Natural Beauty and Health Expert, Sophie Uliano who has reviewed it on her site, Gorgeously Green and is also selling it on OpenSky. 


The New Dad

Give the new Dad in your life BEER!  Just give it to him and give it quick!  Poor guy has been yelled at by his wife enough during the last nine months and has made every effort to do things right that he needs a little love with the best beer you can buy him.  Sign him up for a beer of the month club or head over to the best wine and beer shop in town load up and deliver it right to his door.  He will be thrilled you thought of him and he'll need it to get through his first month of changing diapers.



 A few more great gifts are Kishr, a 1,000 year old wellness drink full of antioxidants, natural and organic Mom and baby care from zoe organics, soothing bath salts from Solay Wellness, and who doesn't need exotic chocolates from Vosges!

Happy Holidays to all (even the haters) and if you're reading this I made it pretty easy for you this year with my not so subtle hint for a gift.  Map pendant. Spain, Traveling fool.

La Bella of the week, Writer and Editor, Susan Linney

This week we are especially excited to feature a real beauty addict and expert as our "La Bella" of the week!  Susan Linney knows a good thing when she sees it.  We are inspired by her recent job switch from a great and steady job to persue her dreams.  You can read Susan's (often sassy, but always spot on) work on Meets Obsession, a publication for fashion, beauty, and culture insiders.  You're missing out if you haven't checked it out.

Looking natural and gorgeous.

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

Susan Linney: daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, friend, niece, cousin, godmother, writer and beauty lover.

LBF: Where do you live?

SL: Brooklyn Heights, NYC

LBF: What is your occupation?

SL: Currently, I’m a freelance beauty editor and writer. Prior to that I was a research chief for seven years, first at Redbook and then at Lucky magazine. I loved heading those departments but realized that my real passion was for writing. So I took the leap back in February to freelance full-time. It’s a little scary not to have that steady paycheck anymore, especially given the current economic climate, but I’m still glad I did it. My work is incredibly rewarding. I’m really doing what I love.

LBF: What is your astrological sign?

SL: Aries

LBF: What do you do for fun and recreation?


SL: Play with beauty products, practice Pilates (and when I get really motivated, yoga). I love to play Wii with my husband (yes, were are both still kids at heart), write in my journal, people watch

LBF: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

SL: Does traveling back in time count? If so, I’d LOVE to spend a week in the 70s. From a fashion standpoint, I adore everything about that decade.

In real life? I actually got to go to Iceland back in October, which had long been on my travel list. It’s an amazing country and I think everyone should visit. Especially if you are a beauty junkie like me: they have the most amazing hot springs, spas, and organic beauty products.

LBF: What do you enjoy most about your life?

SL: My friends and family, being a newlywed (sort of—this Sunday, Nov 13^th is our first anniversary), the fact that I was born and raised in NYC, my writing.

LBF: What made you try organic products?

SL: Being a beauty editor is a pretty sweet gig because you get sent A LOT of free product. I was lucky enough to receive some samples from LBF and I was instantly in love. The La Curacio Lip Balm is now the only thing I use for my chapped lips—I’m addicted to it.

LBF made me realize that organic products really do work. I had tried some in the past to lackluster results. But now that I know there are all-natural brands out that that work, I’m really getting into seeking them out and using them more often.

LBF: If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

SL: Sometimes I go to bed without taking off my makeup. It’s terrible and I’m such a hypocrite because I always scold other people who do it. I don’t do it often, but there have been nights when I’m so wiped out, the thought of doing anything other than crawl into bed seems impossible.

LBF: What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island without?

SL: St. Ives Apricot Face Scub, Laura Mercier’s Flawless Skin Mega Moisturizer, LBF’s La Curacio Lip Balm. Bliss’ Bergamot and Vanilla Body Buff and Body Butter, Klorane’s Mousse with Chamomile (smells like pure honey—so yum!), and Diptyque’s L'Ombre dans l'Eau Solid Perfume.

Also, Bobbi Brown’s Beach Oil, however if I were on a deserted tropical island, I suppose I wouldn’t need it.

Wow—that’s a lot! Yeah, I’m an addict.

LBF: What will you be doing this weekend?

SL: Packing for a trip to Turks and Caicos!

LBF: Sum up a motto that best describes you:

SL: Don't lose your confidence if you slip,

Be grateful for a pleasant trip,

Then pick yourself up,

Dust yourself off,

And start all over.

         

A "beauty" writer.

Happy Anniversary Susan! Have a fun vacation! (Don't you just see her on vacation trying to get through security with an array of products in her arsenal?)  We want to thank her for giving organic products another chance and we are beyond delighted that she is a LBF fan! This is one expert you want to follow and read steadily.  Follow Susan on Twitter @Susan_Linney and on Meets Obsession.

Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

When the weather gets cold, most people get a craving for their favorite comfort food : macaroni and cheese, stews, pot pies, fried chicken, and all other sorts of other dishes mom used to make. Unlike most people, when I want something comforting it's all about Indian food. To me there's nothing more satisfying or comforting than chickpeas and potatoes simmered in rich tomato broths or vegetables bathed in a light cream sauce with deep rich flavors.

With the winter approaching, I thought I'd share one of my go-to Indian recipes for those chilly nights ahead when you need something soothing. This dish is also really easy to put together. Chickpeas are a great source of manganese, an antioxidant that is fundamental in the energy-producing mitochondria found inside most cells. Lots of recipes call for you to core and seed your tomatoes, but I suggest leaving the seeds in; tomato seeds are really high in lycopene (it's found in the rest of your tomato as well but heat breaks down the tomato flesh and destroys much of the lycopene). Lycopene not only promotes brain and immune functions, but it also improves the texture of your skin and supplies free-radical scavengers that help stop the signs of aging. For this reason, we use tomato seed oil in our under eye serum Decouverte. Serve this vegan dish over basmati rice and naan on the side, and you've got yourself one satisfying meals!

Gobi Chole/ Spiced Cauliflower with Chickpeas

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and julienned

2 small vine ripened or plum tomatoes, chopped

1 cup frozen peas

1tbsp tomato paste

3/4 tsp chili powder

1tsp coriander seeds, toasted and crushed to a powder in your mortar and pestle * (see note)

1/2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and crushed to a powder in your mortar and pestle*  (see note)

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp turmeric

1 1/2 tsp garam masala

1/4 tsp chopped cilantro leaves

1 green onion finely sliced

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 tsp (or more) salt to taste

1 cup water

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ginger and the onions and saute, stirring, until onions soften. Add the dry spice powders and saute for a minute; add the tomatoes.Cook until tomatoes soften and start to break apart, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and water. Gently fold in the cauliflower and chickpeas. Add the salt, cover and reduce heat to medium low, cook for 10 minutes. Add the peas and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until cauliflower is cooked through. If you'd like to sauce to be a bit thicker, remove lid and cook until sauce is preferred consistency.

* if your pressed for time or don't have a mortar and pestle, you can just use coriander and cumin powder.

Adapted from a recipe I found at the wonderful food blog Malabar Spices.

Hope you enjoy!

                           En Bonne Sante,
                                 Karen

La Bella of the week, Danielle Conway.

Our "Bella" this week is a veterinary student in the Midwest that loves animals, beauty and adventure.  Danielle Conway is a busy gal that quotes one of our favorite writers of all time, Mark Twain, which makes her pretty awesome in our book. 

La Bella Figura: Who are you?

Danielle Conway: Danielle Conway. An east coast girl in the midwest, trying to chase down a dream.
LBF: Where do you live?

DC: Madison, Wisconsin.

LBF: What is your occupation?

DC: Veterinary Student.
Im especially passionate about integrative medicine and species appropriate nutrition.

LBF: What is your astrological sign?

DC: Pisces... but does it fit me?

LBF: What do you do for fun and recreation?

DC: I'm a huge nerd! What little free time I have that I'm not studying is spent with my husband and or my eclectic menagerie of animals. Some of my favorite activities include rock climbing, hiking, skiing, yoga, canoeing, visiting our awesome local tea shop or going on local artist gallery tours. I also spend a lot of time researching and learning about integrative veterinary care and nutrition because its not part of our curriculum.

LBF: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

DC: I've really had a hankering to visit Australia, because it is a gorgeous place and there is a famous veterinary herbalist that I want to learn from based in Australia. Or I would globe trot with my best friend who has taken a year to travel the world.

LBF: What do you enjoy most about your life?

DC: Everything! I have a wonderful husband, loving family and friends and I'm chasing down a dream. I am incredibly blessed!

LBF: What made you try organic products?

DC: I believe in sustainability and trying to leave this world a slightly better place by whatever small means possible.

LBF: If we "shadowed" you for an entire day, what beauty horror would we find out about you?

DC: Well I'm chronically sleep deprived during the semester. And if you shadowed me during a
crazy exam week or during finals, hygiene is definitely the first to go, showering becomes a
luxury. Yup vet students are a dirty bunch :)

LBF: What are your favorite beauty products, something you could not be on a desert island
without?

DC: At a minimum dental floss, deodorant and coconut oil! When I'm stressed out a little concealer, mascara and RMS beauty highlighting balm does wonders! When I have time Im a huge beauty product junkie, some brands I'm currently loving are RMS, Vapor, 100% pure, Alima pure and Terra Firma.


LBF: What will you be doing this weekend?

DC: Studying

LBF: Sum up a motto that best describes you:

DC: This quote suits me best: "She was not quite what you would call refined.
She was not quite what you would call unrefined.
She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot."
- Mark Twain: Following the Equator

Danielle and Hans

We like a woman who can save a puppy, climb a mountain and whose goal  is to meet a famous veterinary Australian herbal nutritionist.  You. Go. Girl!  Good luck with your studies, get sleep when you can and make the world a better place. We know you can do it.