MODEL CITIZEN

When I started JMC, it was with the purpose of creating products that are good for you, safe for the planet and that give back in some way. I mean, what's an eponymous company if it doesn't operate under the same ethos as the founder? For me, the balance and purpose in a well-spent life is in having quality that also has heart. You know, Luxury with a Conscience. From the foundation of my line, 100% Pure Argan Oil, which gives back to Morocco and Marocavie, to my GOGO mascara (City of Hope) and Bear Naked Wipes (NRDC), my collection is meant to both beautify, help and inspire. Hopefully, it's done this for you.

So today, I am so proud to take it to a new place with my Model Citizen campaign. Along with my supermodel friends who also happen to have huge hearts, Petra Nemcova and Angela Lindvall, we joined together to each design limited edition bottles of 100% Pure Argan Oil with proceeds going to three causes: 

My cause is Women for Women International which helps female survivors of war heal and become self-sufficient. Petra chose the Happy Hearts Fund, her non-profit foundation that rebuilds schools and restores hope and opportunity in the lives of children after natural disasters. And Angela is giving back to Healthy Child Healthy World which empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals.

Join me through April on Chicological as we dedicate the entire month to being a Model Citizen—whether it's in buying the Limited Edition 100% Pure Argan Oil on Earth Day, doing good in your own community or in celebrating the work of others. 

Together, let's show that DOING GOOD IS A BEAUTIFUL THING.

DO GOOD World Forestry Day

Woods

I part the out thrusting branches
and come in beneath
the blessed and the blessing trees.
Though I am silent
there is singing around me.
Though I am dark
there is vision around me.
Though I am heavy
there is flight around me.

-Wendell Barry

It's a big week in the world of environmental causes. Today is World Forestry Day and tomorrow is World Water Day. No matter who you are, trees and water affect your life. 

World Forestry Day took root in 1971 at the 23rd General Assembly of the European Confederation of Agriculture. Gaining traction, it became recognized as a day to spread the awareness of the importance of the Earth's forests, the need for sustainable solutions and to advocate on behalf of preservation. 

DO GOOD
Volunteer or donate to organizations dedicated to protecting forests. I suggest:

American Forests, the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States that advocates for the protection and expansion of forests.

Plant A Billion Trees, an organization that helps protect the Amazonian rainforest. 

Tree People, a nonprofit working to make Los Angeles greener one tree at a time.

Million Trees NYC, a citywide initiative that greens New York by planting trees. 

If you have a chance this weekend, take a hike and sit among the trees! Not only will it remind you of the beauty of the world, but it will remind you how fragile the planet is and how we must do our part. 

BEHIND THE SCENES JMC Ad Campaign

Happy first day of spring! Jacaranda trees are dotting Los Angeles and it's sunny and mild outside which seems funny after our chilly team escape to Mammoth Lakes for the weekend. I guess we got our dose of winter in one weekend as we kept cozy together in a cabin by making veggie stew and playing charades. A few people braved the snow, but the rest of us were too cold!

In the spirit of the season, I thought I'd share with you a few snaps from our first ever JMC ad shoot! Yes, Rumi Joon makes a cameo which is so great. We'll get to look back on these photos together and remember how cool it was that she participated in launching Josie Maran Cosmetics into print. Since she was the inspiration for the line, it's only fitting to have her in it and you know what? I'm pretty certain she upstaged me with her gorgeous little face and charm. 

JOSIE'S TIPS Argan Oil Hair Serum

Tomorrow the JMC team and I head out on a weekend snow trip to have bonding time, snowball fights and watch each other attempt to get down the mountain. (I'll be sitting inside with hot cocoa, of course).It's going to be a fun weekend! Packing essentials? Argan Balm to soothe chapped skin, my Argan Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40+ to protect from the rays that reflect off the powder and Argan Oil Hair Serum to moisturize our locks. But how else can you use this wonder?

Let me tell you!

-After rinsing with cool water in the shower and towel drying your hair carefully, apply a quarter size amount of Argan Oil Hair Serum to your strands, paying attention to your ends. Then, let your hair dry completely in the hair without combing or touching. You'll end up with soft tresses.

-Before going outside, apply to your hair whether down or up to protect it from the elements. You'll smooth flyaways and nourish it at the same time. 

-For a night treatment, apply to hair and ends and then pin in a loose bun.

-For instant shine to an up-do, smooth over hair focusing on the crown and sides.

JOSIE PICKS Growing Your Garden

Don't you love the longer days? I feel like spring has officially arrived when I can dig around in the garden until the early evening. The interesting thing about my yard is that it's tiered up a hill so it feels like there are always nooks to discover and patches to help grow and change. It's great to watch Rumi get her little hands dirty and when this baby comes along, hopefully he or she will enjoy sitting outside, too. I imagine the whole family sitting in the spring breeze, enjoying the sunshine all together. How exciting!

Do you have a garden? What do you grow?

Lillys Cottage Vintage Gardening Books

Cushion Chicago Vintage Green Wood Tool Caddy

Every Eskimo Vintage Watering Can

Cubits Organic Seeds

Small batch production Organic Apron No. 1

Callooh Callay Vintage Gardening Tools

A DAY IN THE LIFE Making Terrariums

Sending you love from Pennsylvania (my home away from home) again! What I love about coming out here, besides visiting QVC, of course, is how green it can be. Los Angeles is sunny and warm, but the trees? Well, we could use a few more. So when I'm here, I enjoy getting out and hiking around, visiting farms and being in nature. Now that March is here, I can bundle up in a sweater and be outside all day.

While I wasn't glammed up for the Q, I was busy getting my hands dirty by making my own terrariums. I know, I know...they're everywhere, but how fun are they to make? And playing in the dirt never goes out of style, right? So here are a few snaps of my indoor gardening adventure.

How was your weekend? Any green thumbs out there?

MY HERO Winner

Kim, we wish your mom happiness, health and recovery! Your story melted our hearts—your mom truly sounds like a brave and strong woman. Congratulations on your win and send our love to her from our whole team! To all of the people that sent us stories of your heroes, we thank you so much. You inspire us daily.

Have a great weekend!

DO GOOD International Women's Day

How was your International Women's Day? 

This day of celebrating women—from empowering them through education and initiatives, highlighting their successes, and commending the heroes among us—is so important. Over 100 years old, it has been celebrated here and throughout the world to bring attention to women's rights and to advocate for peace for all humans. It's amazing to think how much it's grown since beginning! It's now an official holiday in many countries. 

I'm proud to say that Josie Maran Cosmetics commends and supports causes that directly affect the lives of women. From my continued working relationship with Marocavie Association and the Berber women of Morocco who are bettering their communities (and who produce Argan Oil), to my involvement with City of Hope as they fight cancer, it has always been important to me to stand by my fellow females.

And so now I have some news to share. Come April, I have a very special product that is going to benefit Women for Women International among other organizations. It's a surprise as of yet, but it's going to be huge! So, in the meantime, I ask that you:

DO GOOD
Educate yourself on Women for Women International. This organization is doing great things to help heal and empower women survivors of war. Come time to reveal my big news, you'll be an expert!

If you want to get more involved, check out their great resources.

And stay posted for April!

WOMEN'S WEEK Your Hero Giveaway

Now it's your turn! Who are the women heroes in your life? How are they making the planet a better place? Why do you want to celebrate them this International Women's Day?

Email your entries (50-150 words) along with a photo of your hero (585 pixels wide) HERE and you may win a bottle of 100% Argan Oil to gift this person, plus your entry will be featured on our blog on Friday.

Cheers to the strong women in the world!

*Entries valid until 12pm PST on Friday, March 9. U.S. and Canada residents only.

WOMEN'S WEEK My Heroes

March 8 is International Women's Day and I thought, why just celebrate a day? Let's give it a week! On Thursday, I'll tell you how you can DO GOOD for women and on Friday I'll be giving away a little gift to the female heroes in your life.  But today I thought I'd share a little about the women warriors in my life.

My mom, Roberta Maran, is my rock and foundation. Even though I'm grown, she still guides me to be a balanced person, a stronger woman and the best mom I can be. She is truly the original "Chicological" girl—she was doing eco and hip well before anyone else was! Her giant heart and generous spirit fill my life and her sense of style and eye for good things fill our offices and my home with warmth.

Rumi Joon is not only my sweet kid, she's also my little best friend and a tremendous source of inspiration! She was the reason I started this company—I wanted a better world and future for her. When I look at her,  I see someone who will grow up to change the world! But right now, she's bettering mine. Plus, she's hilarious.

My aunt and my grandmother, Meredith and Rita, are brilliant, tough and have paved the way not only for me to follow my dream of helping the planet, but also for others. Meredith is author of countless novels, a speaker and a community activist. My grandma Rita is a professor of International Rights, author and lecturer who has always fought for the voiceless.

I'm so lucky to have a life filled with these beautiful women and today I celebrate them!