Friday, May 21, 2010

Blogger's Favorites -- Carina of Nonchalant Mom

I am seriously jazzed about this week's blogger's favorites.

Carina Schott is something of a super-mom (who also happens to be completely mellow, groovy, and in the possession of some seriously good taste.) She's the woman behind the brilliant Nonchalant Mom -- a shop, website and blog -- that really is the perfect embodiment of Carina...

And then there's her home...Who can forget the amazing domino spread? (I still dream about those outdoor spaces.) It's by far, one of my all time favorite houses.

So I was of course pretty thrilled when she agreed to share some of her favorite things with us this week...

Without further ado, herewith Carina's favorites. Enjoy and have a splendid weekend!



I think that everyone has them but I have my 'right now' favorites and then my forever favorites! so, here we go....

Right now I love:







This video by the morning benders... it's the best! and makes my day sing!


I am a complete Tea nut! I have the ultimate teapot (Hoganas) that works great in the summertime because it's BIG so I can make a pot for the day - I have hot tea in the morning and then later in the day I combine Organic Apple juice, tea and ice for a refreshing tea in the afternoon - I also have this orange/mint plant so I put a few leaves in there too... yum! at night it's tea again, chamomile or I take leaves from my sage plant and make tea, it's good for digestion.


  • Britt Beautiful Skin - I have started to skin-brush! I do it about three times a week. You cannot believe how invigorating this is... it just sets me straight for the day--It's a skin system that my sister developed.


  • Layla Afghani tops - this is my summer uniform! With shorts... I suppose!


  • I have just discovered Rose Marie Swift's make-up, it's completely organic you could almost eat it, so I have thrown everything else out!


  • Hasbeen clogs... I have a few pair now and I just think they are cool! I get them from this Scandinavian store in Santa Monica called Huset.



Since most of my blog is about tips and information on how to raise your kids in a more natural way I thought I would share a few of my FAVORITE tips:
  • Dr. Hauschka nose cream - the whole family uses this, it's especially good if you are traveling -- we never get sick when traveling because of this wonderful cream and the kids use it a lot in the winter when the school has cold and flu outbreaks. It works like a charm and all you do is put some on your finger and put it in your nose! Sounds crazy but it's where the virus usually enters!


  • Umeboshi Plums - they give you energy and make your bodily fluids more alkaline which is healthier!


  • Apple Tea - it's the simplest thing... just apples and water but it is somehow the saving grace when things are going NUTS or at least you are! It's calming and delicious and it can also help with depression.


  • gomasio - people use too much salt today... make gomasio and use it instead of salt, kids LOVE it!

And then for my "forever favorites"...



My kids and my husband, I really like my life - it's not always cut and dry, living with an artist husband (feast of famine anyone?) it keeps me on my toes!


Our home is always evolving and I love that! I think a small home is important, have you ever visited someone who lives in a big house and you can't even FIND each other!? We love living on top of each other... My husband and I travel quite a bit (on our own) so that gives us the time for our heart to grow fonder!


louvre pic via jen gotch

Paris! I just love Paris and I think I always will!


Camping! - camping is unpredictable and I like that about it… and if you don't like where you are you can just take your tent elsewhere! It just feels so good to sleep on the ground (okay I'm getting old and I need a little pad in there) with your kids next to you, cook on a fire and just do simple things!

here is a desired camper... although we use a tent! ha! just thought it was nice to dream a bit there...


wooly pocket image via nonchalant mom

Gardening - this is new for me but I love eating out of our garden, hhhmmm what should we have for dinner? let me just go outside and see what we've got!?


Magazines! - Lonny, Small Magazine, Dwell, Vanity Fair, World of Interiors - these are my monthly reads.