'The Best of Organic Arrivals'

Whether it’s designing an entire collection on zero waste or reducing carbon emissions in production, home & fashion designers are more often than not factoring eco-friendliness into their designs.

Organic Cotton Set

Organic cotton shows up in the bedroom at Décor Innovation in a classic duvet set available in three sizes: twin, full/queen and king.

The set features a sleek striped design in a natural white – a lot of designers will sell organic products but use unnatural dyes. It is made from home grown cotton, free of any harmful pesticides and fertilizers that might ultimately render the cotton harmful to sensitive skin. Mindful of quality and function, the duvet cover has a double zipper closure and has ties to latch on to its matching comforter.

Vegan wallet by Matt & Nat

Clean, contemporary shapes and recycled materials form the foundation of Matt & Nat’s design aesthetic. The accessory brand never uses animal by-products, priding itself on its use of at least recycled element during the production of each handbag. A personal favorite: This quilted wallet in cherry or black is made from vegan leather with recycled brown lining. The $95 wallet has ample room to fit all your credit cards, loose change and cash.

earrings by Alkemie

Besides having the perfect name to describe a jewelry line forged of reclaimed metals, Alkemie features handmade designs by husband-and-wife team Ashley Lowengrub and Dara Gerson. The intricately carved cuffs, necklaces, belts and more, are inspired by nature and the rustic charm of California. Give your next outfit an added pop with these long, serpentine earrings in etched metal. Pay attention to detail: these ominous-looking serpents have rhinestones for eyes.

Organic cotton for babies

Guarantee your infant or toddler gets a good night’s rest on a set of organic cotton sheets. Now with free organic cotton receiving blanket. Back in stock, this cotton baby crib bed cover ($49.99 on sale) has no unnatural chemicals or dyes added to it – perfect for even the most sensitive baby skin. Looking for the ideal baby shower gift? This is it. My cousins and boss, who all have small children, will testify.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of decorinnovation.com; mattandnat.com;shopbop.com; decorinnovation.com

'A Little Scare to Go Around'

Feeling dark and sinister this Halloween weekend? Keep the Halloween spirit going all season long with décor and fashion staples inspired by the gothic resurgence. Designer Ricardo Tischi at Givenchy is doing it, with a broody collection of expensively tailored clothes ripe with hardware.

Lace, velvet and faux fur were as predominant as shearling (aviator trend to be touched upon in a later post) on the Fall-Winter 2010 runways. And if there is any way to enjoy a gothic romance this season, it’s with these luxurious fabrics in black and berry shades.

Make Halloween last all year 'round with these fun buys:

The costume party might be for only one night (or two depending on how much you love the holiday), but these bottle stoppers are unlike any other. For those rare occasions, there’s this skull bottle stopper from Urban Outfitters ($12) to put a cork on the festivities.

Mink faux fur throw

Cozy up with a sweetheart while watching your favorite scary movie with this mink faux fur throw from Décor Innovation ($64.99 smaller size, $84.99 bigger size). A glossy black coat on one side and a cozy plush lining on the underside, this is one living room must-have.

Skull candles

These mini black skull candles by Modern Alchemy ($75) really know how to set the mood. Don’t just light one. Go for five all together and make sure to light them around company. Then see what a conversation starter these little candles are good for.

Cross ornaments

Function meets fashion with a selection of silver cross ornaments. Evoke gothic charm if paired with skulls and other foreboding finds, or deck the halls during the holidays. Whichever time of year you choose to show off these crosses, pick unexpected places to show them off: around a lamp, candelabra, headboard, ceiling hook, etc.

Oh so creepy, but oh so cool. At least that’s what I think about this shower curtain at Urban Outfitters ($28). It’s unexpected spookiness in your bathroom – the last place one might think to get a little scare. But why not?

A little scare every now and then never hurt anyone.

-S. Gonzalez

'All Hallowed Spirit Continues'

Welcome party goers with pumpkins

The French poodle costume gathering is well underway with a few other Halloween alternatives: a flapper, firefighter, Bat Girl and peacock.

Not sure which costume I will wear to the Halloween party at the local nursing home, but the end result will likely be well-received by the seniors. Candy shopping has already been completed, including some sugar-free options for the diabetics.

Halloween decorating for the annual extravaganza, which I will help in planning and executing, is still not finished. Last week, I shared a few do-it-yourself tips for crafty decorations such as the Jack-O’-Lantern and tissue paper bouquets that seniors can even do.

This weekend, there will be DIY friendly ghosts, pumpkin painting and more to add to the mix. Here is what’s in store:

For the ultimate party entrance, spell out a greeting in lighted pumpkins (top). Carve out pumpkins and make an opening on the bottom – not on the top like most people tend to do. Use a drill to bore holes in the pumpkin and to spell out your greeting. Use Christmas tree lights, rolled in small bunches, to light each pumpkin. Tip: unscrew the bulb of the lights where it connects to the next pumpkin.

Friendly ghosts

Nevermind Casper this year. Try a hand at your own friendly ghosts with a little bit of cheesecloth and some small balloons. First, soak a strip of cheesecloth in fabric stiffener and have it dry over a balloon. Place it over a small paper cup. Pop the hardened balloon with a pin. Using craft glue, have the seniors glue tiny black circles out of felt onto the ghosts. Remove the ghosts from the cups and hang using fishing wire.

Use pumpkins to decorate a simple bookshelf

Use the entire length of a bookshelf or cabinet to create a ceiling-length tree with pumpkins. You will first need to decide the placement of the pumpkins. Tip: the larger pumpkins should be placed at the bottom of the shelving unit. Take a felt tip pen and trace the outline of a tree onto the pumpkins (once in its ultimate spot). Start at the bottom and gradually trace your way up. Remove the pumpkins and fill in the outline with black acrylic paint. Once dry, place back onto the shelf.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of countryliving.com