Story Behind the Scarves

I bought a beautiful unique scarf made of recycled saris from a friends' annual 'Christmas Store' at her home.  Recently, I called her to ask where she purchased these scarves.  I wanted to feature them in my store in Kenmore, Healthy Homes & Lifestyles, where I sell items made of recycled materials, plant based/natural supplements and products from locally owned businesses. 

What I found was an organization www.ConciousByKali.com created by clothing designer Kali Basi from Yelm Washington.  I met with Kali and learned the tragic story behind the scarves.  Kali created this company for the sole purpose of helping young women and children that are the victims of human trafficking.  She personally funded a factory in Nepal that hires, trains and educates rescued survivors.  They create these beautiful recycled sari/felted scarves that Kali sells in the United States.  100% of the proceeds go back to the women/girl survivors. 

Each scarf is tagged and signed by the survivor that made it saying, 'Your purchase helps ensure the new livelihood of a sex trafficking survivor.  Thank you for making a difference!'

*Nearly 80% of all human trafficking involves sexual exploitation. *Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise;  it holds low risk with high profits. *Human slaves are cheaper today than they have ever historically been.  This is due to the increase in global population and impoverished areas. *Humans can be bought and sold repeatedly, unlike drugs.  *Once rescued, slavery victims are often considered pariahs in society.

When does your back yard belongs to someone else?

I was trimming overgrown bushes and trees in my back yard when the neighbor directly behind my yard informed me that he was going to obtain 4' of my back yard for his own use!  It turns out that the home and property that I purchased in 1989 has an alley easement of 8' in the back yard.  This easement has been on our properties (on the east side of block) for approximately 100 years, way before the other side of the block (west side) was even platted.  **Important - the properties on the west side of the block do not line up with the east side, in other words SOME of my backyard lines up with this neighbor but not all of it.  Talking to the east side neighbors revealed that all of our 'old' fences  incorporate the alley into the properties on the east side of the block.  

I went ahead and replaced the old fence that had partially already fallen down (that divides me from my north neighbor) and was promptly given a letter from the city of Seattle DOT stating that I was violating the public access to the alley by replacing the fence.  Now, I want you to know that my house is not on the end of the block but in the middle.  The entire block has incorporated this 'alley' into their back yards.  At one point I suggested that I just remove the part of the fence that I replaced that sits on the 'alley' and I was told 'NO, you have to get a permit to remove the fence.' WHAT??? 

I found out that my neighbor to the north also received a letter about the fence.  Apparently he and I are the target of this aggressive neighbor who happens to be a city employee with clout.  So after approximately 26 years of use, there is a possibility that my back fence will be jagged, partially bumped into my yard 4'-8'.   My north neighbor and I will have to apply to use this alley space ($344 application fee, $140 year per structure meaning a fence or swing or tool shed) AND SOMEONE can appeal the city's decision to grant us the use permit, denying us use of the space that we have been maintaining for many years.

Consolation was given by my friend Vidal who promptly saw the 'zen' of the fallen trimmed tree and built a pond UNDER it.  This beautiful Zen water garden provides peace while I await the city's decision on how to proceed.

Reflecting on nature's beauty, Christine

Healthy Homes & Lifestyles

I am pleased to invite you to visit my design studio and gift store Healthy Homes & Lifestyles at the new Lakeview Yoga and Wellness Center, 7800 NE Bothell Way #155, Kenmore, WA. 

We are hosting an Open House to show off our new digs on Saturday June 7 from Noon – 3:00 PM.  Festivities include food and drink, gift bags for the first 50 people and gift packages that will be raffled off to our guests.  Kenmore Fitness is joining us in celebrating our move to the new facilities.  I designed both spaces and although they are polar opposites in the style (Relaxing Spa versus High Energy weight lifting,) both are equally successful in creating a sense of space that reflects their customers values and preferences.     

My obsession with locally made, healthy, sustainable and recycled materials had led me to provide these products for my clients.  Let me introduce you to some of the offerings:

Univera products have been a part of my life for a few years now.  Univera is a company that makes plant based supplements for your health.  Their headquarters is in Seattle and they ship out of Lacey Washington.  Of their many wonderful products I selected Xtra (for anti-oxidants), Regenicare and Regenifree (for body pain and mobility), Aloe (for moisturizing and healing cuts and burns) and Femme Vitale (for women my age).

Bio-Therapeutic Skin Care was created for professional aestheticians and we are lucky enough to be able to offer these products to the general public.  Specifically formulated for maximizing the health of your skin, all of their products are paraben free (paraben preservatives are linked to cancer) as well as being locally manufactured.

Bio Green Clean is an extremely effective cleaning solution that is made of 100% pure ingredients such as amino acids, minerals, leafy green vegetables, etc and is so healthy that if you accidentally drank it, you would be fine.  I have had professional cleaning services ask me where to purchase this cleaner because of its’ effectiveness and safety for use on all surfaces.

Bellmont Cabinets is a family owned company in Sumner Washington, and creates some of the finest cabinets I’ve seen.  Their plant is extremely impressive with ‘just in time’ manufacturing which allows customization of cabinets without extra costs or wasted materials.  They have a huge commitment to providing quality cabinets within a completely ‘green’ manufacturing plant which wastes not, protecting both the environment as well as their employees and customers.

Theo’s Chocolates – need I say more?  Locally made, the Nibs are extremely high in anti-oxidants, in fact I never knew that anti-oxidants could be so enjoyable to eat!

I look forward to seeing and talking to every one of you!  Come visit me at my new home!   Sincerely, Christine

New Beginnings

Happy New Year!   Along with you, I have been reflecting on the past year and setting new goals for 2014.  Welcoming in the new year is like getting onto an airplane.  One of the things I like about getting onto an airplane is that I feel that I am about to embark upon a new adventure and that I am leaving my troubles behind. (at least symbolically.)  This is how I feel about 2014, it is a new year and I am embarking on a new adventure! 

After much deliberation, I have decided to go back to school. Sitting next to young smart people is stimulating enough but I also find that I am excited to be in a learning environment!   I will have help maintaining my Design Studio and Remodeling services and in fact I am adding to my Cabinet displays.  We are moving the showroom/office two blocks to a new location where I will have all my materials displayed along with a new cabinet display showcasing Bellmont’s wide array of chic styles.  I am also going to have a small Store that will feature healthy and sustainable health supplements, skin care for adults (my age!), specialty teas, non toxic cleaning supplies, meditation cds, bags and gifts using recycled materials, books, yoga mats, chocolate nibs (high on anti-oxidants,) and more.  

Our new name reflects our passion – Healthy Homes & Lifestyles!  You HAVE to visit US!

Please join us in the celebration early March (details to follow), our new home will be 7800 NE Bothell Way Suite 150, Kenmore WA

Always green, Christine

Healthy Home – GLASS counters

ONE of the most important selections in a kitchen design is the kitchen counter.  A stylish healthy material that is often overlooked is Glass.  Glass counters take the spotlight (as they should) in any kitchen.  They are most often used as breakfast bars, entertainment bars or eating surfaces such as dining tables.  Glass counters can be just as effective in a small kitchen as a large one (just because you are small doesn’t mean that you cannot shine!)

Some of the benefits of glass counters include:*

1.  Glass is non-toxic.  It will not emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or radon gas, making it one of the most healthy materials in your home.

2.  Glass is non-porous, leaving no place for germs to hide or stains to absorb.  This is one of the few materials that I personally warranty will not stain.

3.  Glass is durable - more durable than you think.  glass is made of silica which is the main element found in granite, offering a similar hardness and long life.  Glass counters are thick and not easily broken.  Glass does not require sealing or any special maintenance.

4.  Some glass counters are made with recycled glass which give them an A+ in sustainability.

Be aware that some counter materials contain glass pieces that are bound together in a resin.   These counter materials do not have the same properties as the 100% glass counters described above.  In fact, many of them are MORE porous and MORE delicate.

Again, whenever you are selecting counter materials, obtain a sample and try to ‘kill it.’  Try to stain it, try to scratch it, try to clean the stain, use harsh cleaners, etc.  Then you can safely decide if you want this product for your kitchen counter – you will know exactly how it will react to daily use.

When you use glass counters, you raise the quality of your kitchen design while receiving the health benefits of using durable non toxic materials!

*Glassworks Inc., www.glassworksinc.com

BLING on a BUDGET or REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

How can you get the BLING in your remodel while keeping within a limited budget?  By singing the REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE  song. Here are a few examples:

 We were able to save money in this bathroom remodel by REUSING the drain locations for the tub, shower and toilet.  Because this condo had a post tension construction floor, drilling new drain holes would have been costly.  We were able to use the savings to purchase more costly items such as the free standing tub.  

   Also, in the closet section of this remodel, we REUSED the existing cabinetry, giving it a new paint job and handles and cutting an opening for the cat to use the litter box in private.

This floating wood counter is a RECYCLED coffee table top.  (I like to call this UPCYCLING)  Purchasing a slab of wood with the ‘live’ edge and having it sanded & stained would cost considerably more for this home owner.

This living/entry area was spruced up with paint that accents the architectural features of the home creating interest and REDUCING project costs by not removing the wall.

 REUSING this sustainable cork floor

resulted in significant savings for this kitchen/dining remodel as well as bringing welcomed warmth to the Seattle condo.

Sometimes budget restrictions create wonderful unique solutions that we may not have previously considered.

As always, I welcome your ideas and feedback,  Think green and keep dry,  Christine