The PRODUCT Blog - Pure Ingredients for Gorgeous Hair

At the Corner of www & (dot)com

  Photo: www.abesmarket.com/abe-story

A visit to Abe's Market is a bit like strolling down a virtual boulevard that's populated with lively storefronts, unique wares and friendly shopkeepers.  A family-oriented e-commerce hub, Abe's brings a local feel to the worldwide Web by highlighting the people behind the goods.  If you're a thoughtful shopper searching for natural products, this online corner store is right up your alley. Folks at CNN, NBC, Good Housekeeping and the New York Times have all discovered an abundance of eco-friendly offerings at Abe's Market.  Some highlights:

• PRODUCT pomade, naturally.
• Adorable onesies and organic cotton clothing for babies & toddlers.
• At last count, 71 natural deodorants (stick, cream, spray, crystal, even towelettes), plus over 100 dental products.
• And a personal favorite:  Quinn Popcorn.  A word to the wise - it sells out quickly.

From PRODUCT & Abe's - Welcome to the neighborhood!

Cheers!

Here's to the start of a new year, and a new decade! 

May many wishes be realized in 2011 ...

Photo:  aussiegall/Flickr

Week in the Knees

Fashionistas, on alert!  Fashion Week L.A. kicks off March 17 and closes the 24th.  Check out the LA Times Image section blog or the official site's calendar for your itineraries - anticipation is building ...

 

PRODUCT was happy to be included in the festivities at two FWLA opening events.  First, Talia from Three Day Rule invited us to be part of the gift bag for their 'Single Mingle for Charity,' which happened last night at the ABH at Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills.  One of TDR's featured bachelors, Vincent M., hosted the gathering, and he won't be on the market long once ladies melt in the heat of his heartwarming philanthropic efforts ...  The charity being supported was After School All-Stars, an organization active in LA that provides comprehensive after school programs for at-risk youth.  And its impact goes beyond California - After School All-Stars has helped out almost 80,000 young people in 13 states across the country.

 

 Also discovering PRODUCT this week was a flock of beauty bloggers at another March 11 fashion fete.  The style mavens at Dedicated Follower of Fashion hosted the evening, at which the first 50 people to arrive received a goody bag full of great style and beauty finds.  Knowing how seriously the ladies of DFF love their stuff, it's likely there were some pretty sweet selections ...  

While we're on the subject of style, the PRODUCT email newsletter for March went out earlier this month, featuring info and ideas about upcoming hair and fashion trends for Spring.  For those not currently subscribed, we'd love to have you!  You can join via the 'Join My List' tab on our Facebook page, or by sending us an email at info@thenameisproduct.com asking to be added.  Don't miss out!

Boos & Ghouls

Decorations, costumes, treats - the potential for a sasquatch-sized carbon footprint at Halloween is huge.  But help is no more than a mouse click away ...  here are some of the web standouts with advice on greening your fright fest: 

Planet Green put together a series of articles with ideas for how to shrink your environmental impact this year - and grow your creativity in the process!  Contributor Leslie Billera shares some alternatives to the usual confectionary suspects that don't take the fun (or deliciousness) out of the occasion ...  And Blythe Copeland has some inspired tips for making costumes and decorations, my favorite being the spooky skeleton made of socks whose partners have gone missing.  

Another great source for DIY innovation is Jenn Savedge on MNN.com - she provides instructions for how to construct some fun costumes on the fly, or in a time crunch.  And if the party's at your house this year, she also has fantastic ideas for Halloween games that will keep everyone involved and entertained, as well as help channel some of that treat-induced energy. 

Hope everyone enjoys a spirited and safe Halloween!  

Pro-Market Economy

May is here!  Hard to believe we're in the 5th month of 2009 already, but it's arrived ... 

About a month ago, in an effort to save money, we decided to re-institute the routine of going to our local farmers' market for produce.  We had been 'regulars' at the Sunday setup in Hollywood, but somehow in the hectic activity of everyday life we just kind of shifted to the supermarket ... We are so happy we've come back!

Last week, MNN's newsletter listed the top ten farmers' markets that they described as "a new generation of paradigm-shifters" - and our Hollywood haunt was number one on the list!  They also featured an article about how best to shop the stands ... It's been really wonderful to get our fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the source, and the quality (and flavor!) is leaps and bounds better than at the grocery store ... Highly recommended!

Also, some news to share:  LIL PRODUCT is now available at our very chic and cozy West Hollywood salon retailer, Indo Studio.  Indo's owner and hairstylist, Janet, said clients were enthusiastic about the idea of a healthy, organic hair styling option for their young ones ... We hope it's as much of a hit with them as original PRODUCT!

Hello Gourd-geous!

I always think of October as the month of the pumpkin, and now's the time that you see the orange orbs piled in front of markets and popping up in patches.  And don't even get me started on the pies...It turns out this seasonal vegetable is one of nature's most nutritious foods, rich in amino acids and the mineral zinc.  After you've scooped the "guts" out of your pumpkin in preparation for carving this year's jack o' lantern, try separating the seeds from the pulp and toasting them in the oven with olive oil and a little salt - truly delicious.  Or you can get adventurous with flavor combinations - I was intrigued by a recipe for cinnamon and salt toasted pumpkin seeds that I may have to try.

Speaking of toasted, I read a great piece on NaturallyCurly.com about the damage done to hair when you keep the heat on your flat iron too high.  Good information to be aware of.  I am extremely attached to my flat iron because it does make my strands smooth as a sheet, but sometimes that hot ceramic is so intense!  I'd be glad to back off and settle for slightly less than stick straight if it's better over the long run for my hair. 

Hope you all enjoy the weekend, I'll say Boo! next Friday...