Vertical Gardens

Mayor Daley has done a great job of implementing "green" or "vegetated" rooftops to newly constructed buildings. Green roofs are so amazing!!!!  Have you ever heard of "green walls" or "vertical gardens"???

Vertical gardens bring lush, verdant life to even the coldest and barest of surfaces, both indoors and out. These 'living walls' increase interior humidity, purify the air and provide a much-needed touch of nature in spare, angular urban spaces like airports, museums and shopping centers.

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What are some benefits??

• Cleans outside air of pollutants and offsets carbon footprint of people and fuel emissions
• Cleans interior air space by removing VOCs and other harmful toxins like benzene and formaldehyde
• Acts as a sound proofing barrier
• Soil and plants are a natural filter that can clean the water that flows through the wall
• Insulates and cools building envelope
• Qualifies for LEED certification points from USGBC
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Vertical gardens are not very apparent in Chicago...yet!  Like they say at Wrigley, "It's gonna happen"

• LIVE WELL. LIVE PURE.

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Demolition Photos

So today, I took a little break from doing work with my friend Jordan Spritz to go to my dad's office in the city to take some pictures.  National Wrecking Demolition Co. is a Mandell family business that has been serving Chicago and the country for over 50 years.  I am so proud to be a Mandell because lets face it, demolition is pretty badass.  Seeing extended family members is a bonus too.

The lighting didn't really work in our favor because it was too bright outside (boohoo, just kidding) so we couldn't get as cool of shots as we hoped.  Another trip back to National Wrecking when the sun is setting will happen soon.  Here are some shots that were taken:

National Wrecking Demolition Co 

Monday Blues

Everyone somehow or at sometime has the Monday blues.  Here is my interpretation of Monday blues...

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My favorite hues of blue in Treasure Cay, Bahamas

Vintage chair

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GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK (GTW)

Could it be?!?!  The HEAT is on!  Any by heat, I DO NOT mean the Miami Heat!  GO BULLS!!!

I am talking about the Chicago summer heat that is approaching!  When the temperature rises, people immediately turn to their air conditioning units on.  Air conditioning uses up SO MUCH energy and costs lots of dollars.  Here are some energy and money saving tips to keeping your apartment and body cool this summer!

Be a fan-atic. Instead of reaching for the AC, consider the much underrated ceiling fan. It uses dramatically less energy than an air conditioner, costs less to buy, is a breeze to install, and cools like a charm.


Consume the cold stuff. Take advantage of your fridge by filling up some spare bottles with water and keeping them in there. And keep one in the freezer for those extra hot days. Eat small, light meals, and foods high in water content, like fruits & vegetables. Also, don’t you forget the organic ice cream and sorbet 


Turn off the hot stuff. Switch off your computer and lights when not in use (try to avoid incandescent and halogen lamps in favor of compact florescent ones), and forgo the oven if you can.


Let in the breeze. Circulate air by opening windows, especially those on the north and south of your house or apartment—but keep out the heat with some white window shades (to deflect the sun) or bamboo blinds. And don’t forget the old-fashioned Israeli air conditioner: drench some sheets in water (or wash some clothes) and hang them over the windows to let the water evaporate in the breeze, 
creating a lovely cooling effect.

Take a cool shower. It's a great way to chill out fast and keep the air in your home cool too—and considering how quickly you may want to get out of it, a cool shower is also a great way to save water


And if you must use the air conditioner. Remember to keep doors and windows closed to maximize cooling. Also make sure you’re using an energy-efficient Energy Star model, and clean the filter every so often so as to improve air flow.

Live Well.  Live Pure

Sad and Happy Plants

I woke up this morning and just like everyone else, woke up to yet ANOTHER day of rain!  I went outside to check out my outrageously growing plant to see if she was ok and was saddened to see how she looks.

The wind took a serious toll on her and rescue was on immediately on its way!

Shoelace to the rescue!!! I wrapped a shoelace around the bottom of the plant and added some extra dirt to give her more support.  I also had to move her out of this gasping wing.  Lets hope for the best!

On a better note, my orchids have new buds and are starting to bloom!  Though they may look dead-orchids take time to regrow new buds.  I've had these orchids for about 9 months.  My secret to keeping/maintaing these beauties; 3 ice cubes a week!  Thats it!

Getting ready to bloom! Can't wait!

These are my flowers I planted in my water bottles.  They look amazing.

Grass is starting to grow.  Slowly but surely!  These will look great once they are all gown and trimmed to perfection.

**Remember, having plants around your home and enviroment can improve your indoor air quality up to 40%!!!

Cha-Cha-CHAIRS

When it comes to furniture, one of my favorite pieces in any space is a side chair/accent chair.  Bringing a chair into any space with a funky textile is a great way to jazz up a room.  I especially LOVE vintage chairs.  Check out some chairs that have AMAZING potential (only thing needed is reupholster) and chairs that are great the way they are.  Enjoy!

Before and After

Italian modern chair, eh

With the right fabric, the next few chairs could be amazing!!!!!

This chair is being recovered in this fabric!  Can't wait!  

These are great just the way they are!

LOVE!!!!

All of these are amazing!

To die for!!!!

For all of you who went to Madison, I know what you are thinking...I didn't steal this, it was my sister!!!