Neon Style

It’s Memorial Day weekend and summer is around the corner. What are you going to wear this weekend? Now, for the most part I try to stay true to my own style, but I’m also a total sucker for trends and there’s one trend in particular that keeps pulling at my heart strings!

Neon?! Don’t mind if I do! It’s almost like a magnetic attraction, everything from nail polish to accessories. I find myself totally drawn to summer’s brightest hues and my new BFF! Perhaps it’s because I grew up in the 80’s, a time when audacious hammer pants and scrunchies were totally awesome and puffy paint was all the rage! But seriously, how can you resist a piece of neon bling screaming at you from across the store? The answer is simple… YOU CAN’T! So get it while it’s hot and work that trend from head to toe!

Neon Style featuring pink shades

Neon works best as an accent to simple outfits like the one pictured above. Dress up your basic jeans and tank with some hot pink flats, a multi-colored clutch, and some bold accessories!

Now, don't get us wrong - there is always a right way and a wrong way to sport neon. Some can pull off a whole outfit, and others only need a little neon bling to call it good. It's a fine line only the brave dare to cross...

Stay Bright,

G&L

Be a Beach Bum at one of our Top 10

If you live in Southern Oregon it’s hard to believe that summer has officially started. Need a break from the rain and gloominess? G&L has a list of top 10 beach destinations for Memorial Day weekend to get you in the mood! Cheapflights, (www.cheapflights.com) has searched the coast and recommends these sunny sweet spots…

1. Hilton Head, South Carolina
Spend your days biking the 100 miles of cycling trails throughout the Atlantic island -- breaking only to catch waves, soak up the sun and savor the area's fabulous restaurants.

2. Hermosa Beach, California
Check out downtown Hermosa for three days of great food, drinks and live music. Kids can switch between amusement park rides and sand castles until 6 p.m. nightly as parents peruse local shops and the ever-popular beer garden.

3. The Gulf Coast, Mississippi
Sailboats, casinos and spectacular beaches await you on Mississippi's Gulf Coast this Memorial Day weekend.

4. Nantucket, Massachusetts
For the ultimate in New England living, put your Nantucket Reds on and head to Figawi Race Weekend this Memorial Day to watch the finest sailors in the country race wondrous yachts from Cape Cod to the island of Nantucket.

5. Stone Harbor, New Jersey
Wake up early to beat the crowds waiting in line for fluffy pancakes at Uncle Bill's Pancake House and after, stroll the strip of shops in the seaside village's downtown. After days of bike riding and body surfing, catch a proper small town parade on Sunday at noon along the town's main drag.

6. Chincoteague, Virginia
This charming hideout, renowned for its wild horses, is a regular on the country's top beach lists and simply perfect for a long weekend escape from the nation's hurried capital.

7. Chicago, Illinois
Blend the relaxation of the beach with the thrill of the big city. Chicago's summer-long love affair with street festivals begins Memorial Day weekend, so check out the 27th annual Belmont/Sheffield Musical Festival in hip Lakeview neighboring Lake Michigan.

8. Sanibel Island, Florida
To channel the wildlife lover in you, visit Sanibel Island this Memorial Day, located just west of Fort Myers on Florida's Gulf Coast. The 12-mile island offers rustic beaches, unsullied by tourists and snowbirds.

9. Waimea Bay, Hawaii
 Situated on Oahu's North Shore, Waimea Bay is home to some of the gnarliest waves in the whole Pacific. But by Memorial Day weekend, those swells chill out a bit, paving way for a serene summer spot for swimming and frolicking.

10. Del Mar, California
Visit Del Mar, a spectacular beach just 30 minutes north of the city. Paddle board the day away, and then give your arms a rest by strolling along the white-sand beaches of California's coastline.

Before you jet for the weekend don’t forget to pick up an organic bamboo beach towel by Yala and for goodness sakes wear your sun block, there’s nothing worse than an awkward tan line!
 

Hang ten,

G&L

Brilliant Graffiti

The anonymous graffiti artist, known as JR, began his large scale (in every sense) artistic career by simply finding a camera on the subway in Paris...

Self Portrait

His first major project was actualized in 2006. The project entitled Portrait of a generation, exhibits portraits of the suburban "thugs" that he posted, in huge formats, in the bourgeois districts of Paris.  This illegal project became "official" when the Paris City Hall wrapped its building with JR's photos.

Other projects include:

Face 2 Face:  in which he posted huge illuminating portraits of Israelis and Palestinians facing each other in eight cities, as well as on both sides of the Security/ Separation wall. 

And Women:  a project intending to underline the dignity of women with large scale portraits in Africa, Brazil, India, and Cambodia.

Gaby Wood asks why he does what he does in an article published by the New York Times on February 24, 2011. He responds, “I think it comes from several things, firstly a real curiosity about the world.  When I was little, I didn’t really travel — from the suburbs to Paris was already a journey.  I had a foreigner’s eye on the city, and I still enjoy that point of view.  Then there’s the fact that one of the things that touches me most is injustice.  I’m of mixed origins — North Africa, Eastern Europe, Spain — and this generation today, we’re all a little bit from everywhere.  My parents were born abroad.  I was born in France, but I feel comfortable everywhere — I don’t see the borders.”

To learn more about the artist, visit http://jr-art.net/

Join JR's latest collaborative project and post your own photographic posters.

Join JR in his Inside Out Project- a global graffiti art project. Inside Out is a collaboration between the artist JR, the Ted Prize, and you. 

The Inside Out project invites everyone to join in JR's aesthetic: Everyone is challenged to use black and white photographic portraits to discover, reveal and share the untold stories and images of people around the world.

Upload a portrait, receive a poster, and post it in your community.  To see the thousands of portraits already included in this collaborative graffiti piece, check out the submissions on Inside Out.

“To change the way you see things,” JR says, “is already to change things themselves” (Gaby Wood, NYT).

Poster Prints of JR's work are available from Crakedz.

G&L 

Harmony Festival

 Are you jonesin to get your green-loving groove on? G&L recommends hitting up the Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa, Cali. Created and seasoned in the trend-setting North Bay Area, Harmony is the original festival to appeal to the green lifestyle market since 1978 and celebrates the latest trends in health, music, arts, ecology, and spirituality.

Over the past five years they have expanded their reach to Eco Rally Skateboard Competitions, and performers such as Damian Marley, Slightly Stoopid and Ms. Lauryn Hill. A new  Harmony Tea House features freshly made baked goods, teas, live jazz and sacred music in an intimate setting.

 Other righteous activities include: liquid lounge, eco village, well being pavilion, wisdom stage, kid zone, crafters village and Bazaar where you can find your favorite eco vendors.

As Julia Butterfly Hill said, "If you're making garbage but not asking it out at your progressive events, do Mother Nature a favor...stay home. "

Starting this year, Harmony will be composting everything that was alive in your lifetime and bringing all of their organic waste to a local work ranch. Anything that can’t be composted will be recycled! They even boast sorting through every bag at the event to properly separate the waste, but would much rather everyone make use of the 100 EcoStations throughout the festival!

Make sure to check up this year’s lineup of artists which include,  Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Flaming Lips,  Primus, Rootz Underground, Three Legged Sister and G. Love & Special Sauce.

Looking for a hip, funky festival style to wear at Harmony?

Find these items at your favorite G&L website! Yala Kai Boatneck Top $58, Yala Cami Tank $38, Yala Tie Dye Scarf $38, Sunday Afternoon Jackson Hat $22, Yala Eden Vest $69, Yala Mandala Tote $46.

Buy your tickets today!

Peace, Love and Style,

G&L

Stellar Style on a Tight Budget

Check out this super sweet street style at a steal and grab em’ before their gone.

Our Squeeze Team takes savings seriously and we’re stoked to be able to offer you one of our favorite bamboo lines at a price that won’t put a dent in your style budget!



Incredibly chic and super soft Ginger and Lime has deals on select styles from BambooDreams by Yala. Everything from yoga wear to summer dresses at 50% off!

Go ahead and spice up your style!


G&L

Women Rank Rock Climbing as the Sexiest Sport

A study by a University of Hertfordshire professor suggests that women are especially attracted to men who rock climb.

Working with fitness expert Sam Murphy, Prof. Richard Wiseman polled over 6,000 people to find out which of 15 sports they thought would make a member of the opposite sex more attractive. Climbing topped the list for women with 57%, edging out extreme sports like soccer and hiking.

As an alumni of Prescott College I can attest that everyone knows 'dating a rack' is the fastest way to learn how to climb with access to top of the line gear. Climbing is just a sexy sport in and of itself. It’s adventurous, acrobatic, and takes place in some of the most beautiful spots in nature. Climbers themselves tend to be trim, muscular, extremely flexible people with a penchant for taking their shirts off. Who's not on board with that?

 Yosemite National Park

As for the most unsexy sport... Golf didn’t fare quite as well. The sport came in second to last in women’s opinions, just above aerobics. According to Aspiring Golfer, Wiseman suggests three reasons that women find golf so unattractive:

1. Golfers don’t have to be fit.
2. They keep their clothes on while playing.
3. They frequently wear plaid and Pringle jumpers.

As unsexy as these reasons are, I’m not convinced that super fit, scantily-clad golfers would be enough to make golf interesting, although it would probably boost the PGA Tour’s female audience. 

Whether we’ll now be seeing more golfers swapping their plaid pants for climbing harnesses is hard to say. To me, the sexiness of climbing is less about toned muscles and hard-core maneuvering and more about the passion and commitment behind the sport. If you’re not feeling it, it’s awfully hard to fake.

Always spicy,

G&L

PS - Did we mention we're having a 50% OFF sale?

Give her what she really wants for Mothers Day...

The Day Off!

You could take her out for a fine Mother’s Day breakfast, brunch or dinner, but nothing says “I love you” like a home cooked meal – prep, cooking and clean-up a la YOU!

Our good friends at the Food Network have prepared some fabulous menu ideas for mother’s with all types of pallets.

Check out G&L's pick, a little tribute to Mama - Italia style!

Antipasti: Crispy Olives Stuffed with Sausage



Primi: Spicy Shrimp and Spaghetti Aglio Olio (Garlic and Oil)



Secondi: Saltimbocca of Zucchini

Dolci: Orange and Nut Squares



For more recipe ideas visit www.foodnetwork.com.

Need a last minute gift idea? Visit www.gingerandlime.com and pick up a gift certificate so she can pamper herself with something soft, luxurious and eco-chic!

Happy Mother’s Day and Bon Appétit,

G&L