Palma Collection Sustainable Jewelry from the Tagua Nut

The Palma Collection brings a jewelry line inspired by the desire to make a positive change.  The Tagua nut (pronounced Ta- qwa or Tah-gwa) or otherwise known as vegetable ivory comes from a genus of palm trees that are indigenous to the tropical regions of South America.

The exotic and original line is made from nature.  The fallen nuts are harvested from rain forest floor and polished and carved and French-dyed in an array of vivid colors. The nuts and the dyes are both non toxic.  I love the vivid colors but may like the natural look as seen in the earrings below even more.

As the nut is referred to as "vegetable ivory" it is therefore the sustainable alternative to ivory that is derived from animals.  Moreover, the responsible cultivation and harvesting of Tagua may actually contribute to rain forest conservation in South America.

Interesting Facts:

    •    The Amazonian Indians believes that Vegetable Ivory, or Tagua Nut, nut brings prosperity, happiness, love and abundance.

    •    Mayans, Incas, Aztecs, and natives of South and Central America used Tagua for emotional and spiritual health and well-being. To them, Tagua is sacred.

    •    Last century, until the breakthrough of the plastics, Tagua was widely used for making buttons (even for U.S. Army uniforms).

    •    Over the last twenty years Tagua use has once again has become popular for those who want something more exclusive and eco-friendly than plastic.

    •    Tagua comes under different names like palm ivory, vegetable ivory, corozo/corozzo, coquilla (Brazil), palmivoor, steennoot (Dutch), steinnuss (German) and binroji (Japanese).

See many more designs at their website here. Palma Collection

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle-Saturday Shopping with Globally Gorgeous and 1st Dibs

Pair of Rare Curved Sofas by Harvey Probber

USA, 1950.

Converso

Large Arredoluce wall Lamp

Italy, 1950's

Skalar

Madrona Root Bench

USA, 1960's

Kirk Albert

Massive Chipped Glass Chandelier

Italy, 1960's

Wyeth

The Flagline Chair by Hans Wegner

Denmark, 1950's

Wyeth

George Nelson Easy Chairs

USA, 1946

Converso

Totem Pole

USA, 20th Century

Evergreen Antiques

Pair of Ghost Chairs by Cini Boeri

Italy, 1987

Converso

Art Deco Style Sofa

1960

Penny Long

 

Adrian Pearsall Rocking Chair

USA, c. 1960

Full House

Early 19th Century Jamaican Bedstand

circa 1820

David Skinner Antiques

Post Author Tamara Wallop

for Globally Gorgeous

Chic and Sustainable Eco Luxury Simplicity in Brazil

"Chic Simplicity-Luxury is Simplicity" is the motto of the Picinguaba Resort and it will definitely be going on the "Bucket List" for me.  Overlooking the peaceful bay at the heart of the Natural Park of Serra do Mar, the tropical coastal forest running between Rio and São Paulo, about half an hour's drive south of Paraty. It faces the sea and a 3 km-long protected sandy beach. The hotel offers 10 comfortable rooms all opening onto the natural surroundings and the sea, including a dream honeymoon suite with en-suite jacuzzi and a breathtaking view of the ocean. The local road stops at the beach and one has to walk the last 250m to the hotel, nestled in the forest.  A place to truly escape and get one with nature, they have taken care to create an escape attuned to the spirit of the place, with nothing to disturb nature's magic: no TV or telephone in the rooms, no Internet, no air-conditioning. Ahhhhhh.

Of course the Sustainability factor has something to do with the reason we chose to blog about this unique and chic place.  The village of Picinguaba is located in the heart of the Mata Atlantica rain forest, a unique ecosystem, part of which is listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. Its conservation is capital for the future of our planet. Therefore they take special care to apply and promote environment-friendly ways, using biodegradable products, composting, using only reusable drink bottles and even making their own soap from kitchen oil residue. They take good care of their employees with salary and the benefits that have a marked influence on the economy of the village. Financing language classes and employing fisherman to catch local fish for the resort. The loyal members of our team not only get a salary, but also education and training and an opportunity for personal development.

Few places on earth remain so untouched.  Much of the surrounding rainforest is primary forest and classified as UNESCO World Heritage, since it is one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Both the sea and the mountains too are blessed with a huge variety of fauna and flora. You may see dolphins, sea turtles, innumerable varieties of fish and birds, such as toucans, humming-birds, and even some endemic species such as ant-eaters, slothes, or leopards (but deeper in the forest and rarely seen!).

"It’s all about tropical nature."

The idenity – the decoration, the architecture, the ingredients they use, the people who work here, the way they receive their guests comes naturally as it is also also the identity of Picinguaba, of the people born in this village, and that of Brazil. "We believe luxury is simplicity. Our simplicity is not the contrary of wealth, nor the contrary of sophistication. Bringing something to its simplest reality can be a rather complex process. Our simplicity is an unpretentious attitude, naturally pleasurable things and real vibes that together generate authentic happiness." 

The rooms are simple but comfortable, walking out onto a vast garden with the sea as a backdrop. Overgrown luscious tropical flowers and plants form natural screens for the rooms, with humming birds as visitors.

Vila Picinguaba Village is friendly and relaxed, a welcoming locale of people living in harmony with nature, a rare balance.

They even offer Art Groups and Projects on their Farm in Catucaba.  They have made room for an artist residence program and are hosting artists under the exchange mode, where they can stay in a charming house (alone or with their family), with an atelier at their disposal, as well as natural food from the farm. They can stay from 10 days to 2 months and be dedicated to create in this very special and peaceful environment, be visited by our guests, and leave some of their art. 

Post Author Tamara Wallop

for Globally Gorgeous

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- Saturday Shopping with Globally Gorgeous and 1st Dibs

Rare Pablo Picasso Art Deco Carpet 5' x 6'

French 1972

Nazmiyal Collection

Huge Architectural Building Blocks

USA, 1970's

Double Vision
Pair of Tuffted Scoop Chairs

France, Circa 1970

Coup d Etat

Up and Down Adjustable Wall light

Italy, 1960's

Pat McGann

Bamboo Tiki Bar

USA 1960's

T.C. Donobedian

Pair of Table Lamps Signed J.Blih

1950's

1st Dibs Paris

Stilnovo Spider Chandelier

Italy, 1960's

Marie Battaglini

Pierre Folie Fauteuil

French, 1972

Miguel Saco Gallery

Good Form Aluminum Chairs

USA, 1930's

Wyeth

"Giraffe" Life Size Wire Sculpture

Italy, Contempoary

Themes and Variations

Five French Andre Cazenave Designed Rock lamps

France, 1960's/70's

Talisman
Mid-Century Driftwood Table Lamps

USA, 1950's

Paul Marra Design

Huge 7-1/2' Hand Built Wood Flying Wing Airplane

USA, 1944

TFTM

Brazilian Lounge Chair by Cimo

Brazil, 1930's

Heather Karlie Fine Art & Antiques

"Lotus" Chair by Dan Wenger

USA, 1930's

Bourgeois Boheme

Post Author Tamara Wallop

for Globally Gorgeous

An Organic Martini? Yep. You Bet and with Aloha & Sustainable Vodka.

In favor of the "work hard, play hard" motto, we at Globally Gorgeous love to end the day with a good martini.  We were recently introduced to Ocean Vodka, hand-crafted and made in small batches on Maui with 100% Mahalo Deep Seawater, it's 100% USDA Certified Organic. Made by a  Maui family that has been raised for generations on surfing and ocean related activities, they  have been deeply influenced and affected by the ocean itself.. They have also recognized how fragile ocean eco-systems have become.  Having owned and operated successful businesses for several decades, they decided it was time to devote themselves to a project that was not only highly enjoyable, but could also provide a means to give back to protecting our ocean environment.  The water is drawn from 3,000 feet below the surface off the coast of the island of Hawaii to  insure the water is cold and safe from surface pollutants.  The family then uses a state-of-the-art facility to desalinate the water, while still retaining its precious minerals. 

Try this:

OCEAN POTION

2 ounces Ocean Vodka

1 teaspoon sugar

1 squeeze lime

1 chunk of watermelon

1/2 slice cucumber

*vigorously shaken

*served with a thin slice of cucumber

More great cocktail recipes on their site.

As we love to support companies with "green practices," this company  practices in a place with energy-efficient lighting, recycles all shipping materials, utilizes reusable steel containers to transport bulk spirits and deep sea water, and uses natural cleaning products and recycled post-consumer office supplies.

*A portion of all Ocean Vodka's profits go to organizations that help protect and revitalize our ocean's resources.

No Impact Man- A Documentary About Sustainability

Most of us are aware of the environmental impact based upon our consumption and ways  of life and are at least concious of some little things we can and try to  do to make a difference.  The Beaven family took their actions to the extreme in a humorous and educational documentary that follows them as they abandon their high-consumption Fifth Avenue lifestyle in an attempt to make a no-net environmental impact.

Colin Beavan began this project in research for his next book.  He calls himself "a liberal schlub who got tired of listening to himself complain about the world without ever actually doing anything about it…" Thus, in November, 2006, Beavan launched a year-long project in which he, his wife, his two-year-old daughter and his four-year-old dog went off the grid and attempted to live in the middle of New York City with as little environmental impact as possible. Michelle Beavan, a self-proclaimed shopaholic and Starbucks poster girl, had absolutely no idea what she was getting into when she agreed to do the No Impact Project, You can sign up for a week and follow their step by step guide if you are feeling up to the challenge.

  This documentary, "No Impact Man," is sure to stimulate interesting conversations about lessons learned from the viewing experience. Maybe it will even spark a change that will make a difference.  Maybe you'll remember to bring your water bottle, or your own cup to Starbucks, or your own bags to the grocery store.  Maybe you'll walk to work one day a week..The DVD is available for purchase or on Netflix.
Here are 6 of Colin's Guidelines for a Low Impact Life, ( more on his blog)
 

1.Save the World by improving your diet.

Cutting beef out of your diet will reduce your CO2 emissions by 2,400 pounds annually. Could you commit to a week without beef for a week? a month?  maybe just 3 days a week?

 2. Get your Drinking Water for Free.

Giving up 1 bottle of imported water means using up one less liter of fossil fuel and emitting 1.2 pounds less of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Could you commit to a week without plastic water bottles? A month? A year?

3. Observe and Eco-sabbath-

Don’t buy anything, don't use any machines, don't switch on anything electric, don't cook, don't answer your phone, and, in general, don't use any resources. Do it for a whole day each week to cut your impact by 14.4% a year. Could you commit to one hour a week for a month? A year?

4. Tithe a fixed portion of your Income-

If an average family contributes 1% ($502.33) of their annual income ($50,233) to an environmental non-profit, they could offset 40.7 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Could you commit to tithing .5% of your annual income to an environmental non-profit? 1%? 2%?

5. Get there Under Your Own Steam-

If you can stay off the road and ride your bike or walk just two days a week, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year and get good, healthy exercise and we'll all breathe fewer fumes. Could you commit to using your own steam for one day a week? Two? Three?

6. Commit to Eco-Service-

Take time off from television watching each week and join with others to improve our planet. Spend three fewer hours each day sitting in front of your plasma television and you will reduce your carbon emissions by 550 pounds each year. Could you commit to 5 hours of eco-service a month? 0? 15?

Post Author Tamara Wallop
for Globally Gorgeous

Wine Lovers Sustainable Flooring Solutions- Recycled Wine Barrels & Corks

There are some really interesting new materials being used for flooring these days.  If you liked the post on Sustainable Wineries you will probably also be interested in the Vintage Wine Barrel Flooring by Fontenay Wood.  Whether you're a wine enthusiast, or just like clever design ideas...this recycled flooring idea is really fun.  I personally like the random and casual effect that retooling oak wine barrels has when they are installed as flooring. 

The "Cooperage" displays authentic stamps and markings from barrel heads.

"Wine Infusion" is a rich colored material that is naturally stained by the wine inside the barrel.

"Stave" material is from the outer sides incorporating the distinct markings from the hoops around the barrel. If you love wine, but prefer something other than wood, maybe Recycled Wine Cork by Jelinek Corkis  is more your thing..

Tiles are made in a similar way to traditional tile. The corks are layed on paper sheets and glued, grouted and sealed.  The resulting product is durable, fire and dust resistant, softer to the step and much more sustainable.  Once installed it is not obviously cork at first glance.