BEHIND THE SCENES Sephora Store Director's Conference

On Tuesday, Josie, Ali, Indi Joon and the JMC Marketing & Sales Teams flew to Las Vegas for the Sephora Store Director's Conference. Everyone here at the office was imagining our coworkers getting into trouble at the blackjack tables, but it turns out they were working hard, introducing our forthcoming products to the Sephora movers and shakers who were invited into a giant JMC bohemian tent draped in vibrant prints. In a hall filled with black-and-white displays, our boho spirit made quite a splash!

A DAY IN THE LIFE Last Days in PA

With Rumi Joon's school starting soon in L.A., we will have to say goodbye to our farm in Pennsylvania for a few months. While I'm excited to see all my friends and family and get back into my California routine, I can't help but feel a little sad. It's been so nice to be out in the beautiful countryside, watching my older daughter play in our backyard, and my baby daughter get bigger and bigger against the backdrop of growing sunflowers and ripening tomatoes. It's been a summer I'll never forget—and I can't wait to spend more time with my family later in the year here on the farm. 

With love,

Josie

BABY LOVE Clothes & Carriers

I've been exploring the world of baby stuff and finding faves. I'm happy to  pass on my discoveries to you, my dear readers.

I like to keep my soft, sweet new daughter, Indi, in soft, sweet organic clothes. The duds from Under the Nile are all made from 100% handpicked organic Egyptian cotton. The cotton is processed without pesticides or chemicals, so I know there's no harmful residue on my baby girl's skin. The cotton is sustainably harvested and Fair Trade, which is something that's really important to me and my family. Indi's been sporting the Short Sleeve Side Snap Undershirt. I can't wait to try the other clothes on her when the weather cools off.

 I'm loving the Beco Baby Carrier, too. It keeps Indi Joon snuggled up close to her mama and keeps my hands free. It's made of 100% organic cotton, and it's super comfortable and doesn't hurt my shoulders. I like the Gemini, which puts baby on your chest. It comes in a bunch of cute prints as well as black and brown.  

With baby love,

Josie

ECO TIPS Shopping

Even though I'm huge on reusing and recycling and going easy on consumption, I'll admit it: every once in a while, I love going shopping with my girlfriends, too. Apparently it's not just me. I just read an interesting article that says the female love of bargain buys comes from caveman/cavewoman days, when women were the family's gatherers and foragers, searching through forests to find the best-looking berries, and climbing into trees to snatch up the plumpest plums. That gives us a great excuse to throw our hands up in the air and say "Shopping's natural! We can't help ourselves!",  but showing love to Mother Earth means being aware of consequences. My solutions? Read on.

1. Buy Used

Instead of heading to the department store when something new strikes your fancy, first try to find it in a more eco-friendly way—from a thrift store, a vintage boutique, or on websites like Craigslist and Ebay. Most of my favorite clothes are vintage or used treasures. Buying that way makes it easier to create a style that's all your own, and keeps you from looking like you just stepped out of a store window. 

2. Sell Used

If you're over that pair of brown clogs or that purse you paid too much for, consider re-selling them to a consignment shop or on Ebay. If selling’s not your style, you can always donate your cast-offs to a worthy charity like Dress for Success, which provides professional attire to women for job interviews. Or have a clothing swap with a bunch of friends. Your rejects might be someone else's fave.

3. Share It

On the rare occasion when I rev up to cook a big meal for my family and friends, I often have the annoying experience of discovering, mid-soufflé or mid-marinade, that I don't have the right tool for the job. I finally figured out that instead of going out and buying something I wouldn't use for another year, I could check with a friend (or my mom, who lives down the street) to see if she has one. When we pool our resources, we usually find we have everything we need. 

4. Cast Your Vote

As I always say, when we buy we vote for what we believe in. So take a through look at who and what you're supporting. Look for companies that use eco-friendly materials and ingredients, and give back to charities. When you shop with your conscience, you're doing good for others by giving yourself a treat.   

With love,

Josie

Images Via: Lovely Clusters Forever Cottage Sadite

BABY LOVE Diapers, Shampoo, & Swaddles

Now that Miss Indi has arrived, everyone's been asking me about my fave mommy must-haves, so I'm going to start blogging here as I discover them. 

In the six years since I was choosing diapers for Rumi Joon, a whole lot of great eco baby-care options have been invented. One of my new favorite businesses is The Honest Company, which was founded by Jessica Alba & Christoper Gavigan. I’ve been using their chlorine-free, biodegradable diapers on Indi.  A bonus? They give you a choice of super-cute diaper prints—gingham, pink stars, ice cream cones—to keep that baby bum eco-adorable.

Honest also makes shampoo. I tried it on Rumi and Indi and we love its yummy vanilla-tangerine scent! It's gentle on Indi’s tender newborn scalp and Rumi’s usually-tangled hair.

 

To keep Indi snug, I swaddle her in Aden + Anais Bamboo Muslin Swaddle Blankets. The fabric's an incredibly soft combo of muslin and bamboo, so even during the humid Pennsylvania nights, Indi stays cool. The blankets come in packs of three coordinating prints. My favorite is the Mela collection—it has a peacock print that Rumi and I both love. We're pretty sure Indi approves, too.

With baby love,

Josie

GIVING BACK Giveaway

Did you know? JMC is all about “Luxury with a Conscience” because our products are made from good-for-your-body-and-the-planet ingredients. But there's more good to JMC than meets the eye (or the skin): we also give back to the community. Being kind and conscious really matters to us, and we know it matters to our customers, too. Here are some of the ways in which your JMC purchases help make the world a better place:

City of Hope & GOGO Mascara

Prettifying your lashes can help cancer survivors feel pretty too. For every tube of GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara purchased, our Give One Get One campaign donates another mascara to a City of Hope cancer patient or survivor. After 5,000 mascaras have been donated, the campaign continues to donate $1 per mascara to women’s cancer research at City of Hope.

Bear Naked Wipes

With the ice melting under their big, furry paws, polar bears need a little human help. You can give them that helping hand when you buy a pack of Bear Naked Wipes. A portion of each sale goes to the Natural Resources Defence Council’s Polar Bear SOS Initiative. 

Moroccan Women’s Co-Ops & Sustainable Harvest

In 2002, the Moroccan government helped establish women's cooperatives to manufacture Argan Oil--while providing Moroccan women with a steady income, fair wage, and healthy working conditions, as well as literacy and education classes. The co-ops also give women a sense of empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated society. Dedicated to responsible harvesting practices, reforestation projects, and environmental protection policies, this program helps preserve Argan forests and women's jobs. The purchase of Josie’s 100% Pure Argan Oil contributes to their success. 

Marocavie

Each time we source our 100% Pure Argan Oil, we donate a portion of our purchase price to Marocavie, a charitable organization in Morocco dedicated to improving economic, social, and environmental conditions in the Southwestern regions of Morocco, where Argan Oil is harvested. The organization works to improve education for children, provide socio-economic opportunities for families, and prevent the spread of the desert and rural exodus.

We know that you, our beloved customers, are out there doing good things for the world too. Tell us how you contribute to the well being  of others, and you’ll have a chance to win your shade of Argan Matchmaker Powder Foundation SPF 20. Just type your answer into the comments section. We'll announce our world-changing winner on Monday, July 30. 

A DAY IN THE LIFE Playing Dress Up

It's so fun to play with your kids' looks when they're still too young to express their own tastes! Rumi Joon is definitely her own stylist, but Indi Joon is still my little dress-up doll.

With love, socks, sneakers, and hats,

Josie 

ECO TIPS Raising Eco Chic Babies

One of my favorite "quotes to live by" is a Native American proverb that says, "We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

When my first daughter was born, I became obsessed with that message. I wanted to do everything possible to make the world beautiful for my baby. Since Indi Joon arrived ten days ago, I've become obsessed again. I really want my girls to grow up loving and respecting nature. Here are the eco-warrior mama tips I came up with. I'd love to hear yours, too.

Teach the Birds and the Bees.

I grew up in a green household with parents who always recycled, and took my brother and me on nature hikes, and questioned where things went when we threw them "away." Their attitudes helped make me into the earth-mom I am, and I'm raising my girls the same way. Rumi doesn't get scared or grossed out when she sees a spider or a mouse or a bee, because she's never been taught to fear nature. I'm teaching my jellybeans to love all creatures, even if they're a little hairy and have eight legs. 

Grow a Garden full of Goodies

Believe it or not, one of Rumi's favorite foods is Japanese Shishito peppers. Luckily for us, they're super easy to grow in a hot, sunny climate like LA. We grow as many of the foods she loves as we can, so she has a first-hand appreciation for the benefits of doing-it-yourself in the garden. 

Read and Learn

There are tons of kids' books available that teach children to be good to the planet and kind to other people. One of my all time favorites is a book I had when I was a kid, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. "I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!" 

With love,

Josie

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Loving Your Body

As many of you know, Wednesdays at JMC are our workout days. We run around the block, do dozens of squats, and crunch to our heart’s not-so-content. We’re a diverse group, ranging from 21 years old to 60, and we’re all at different fitness levels. Some of us can barely touch our toes; others are pro-style yogis. Although we sometimes slip up, we try not to compare ourselves to one another—after all, working out is all about showing your body some love, not bringing it down with negative self-talk. We leave our workouts feeling stronger, healthier, and a whole lot more beautiful (despite the frizzy post-workout hair). What makes YOU feel good about your body? What do you do to show your temple some love?

xo, The Chicological Chicks 

Image via Glamour

P.S. That's not us, we just really loved all the beautiful sizes in this picture. 

JOSIE'S PICKS Summertime Essentials

It’s been scorching in Pennsylvania, so Rumi Joon and I are spending hours splashing around in our pond, trying to cool off. Gotta love that summer heat! To help you enjoy the steaming season, here are some of my must-have summer products from sunscreen to snacks.

What makes your summer wonderful? Share, please.

With love and sunshine,

Josie 

Whole Foods Recipe for Peach Mango Popsicles

byMart Orange Striped Tote Bag

Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40

Free People Salena Crochet Texture Hat

Gazillion Bubbles Non-Toxic Bubbles

Havaianas Flip Flops

Other images via:

Favim

Christa in New York