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110th out of 126 books
—
133 voters
Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life
Are you confused by all the advice you hear and see daily on how to "go green"? Do you want to incorporate earth-friendly practices into your life, but you don't know where to start? Don't stress! Green guru Sophie Uliano has sorted through all the eco-info out there and put everything you need to know about living a green lifestyle right at your fingertips.
In Gorgeously G...more
In Gorgeously G...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
April 8th 2008
by William Morrow Paperbacks
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The other day, I went to Target, going to my usual Target Aisles: bedding, cosmetics, skin care, and books. I bought a makeup bag to corral my lipgloss, blotting papers and brush in my work totebag and Gorgeously Green.
I almost didn’t buy it because I saw it in one of those health food store advertorial magazines and I generally think those are full of nonsense.
Let me tell you: half the book is highlighted with Things I Must Remember. I’m sure it will take me a while to incorporate them all – or...more
I almost didn’t buy it because I saw it in one of those health food store advertorial magazines and I generally think those are full of nonsense.
Let me tell you: half the book is highlighted with Things I Must Remember. I’m sure it will take me a while to incorporate them all – or...more
This book virtually transformed my medicine cabinet -- not to mention household, which is shared with a lifelong bachelor who purchases twelve-packs of Ivory bar soap and uses (nay, used!) rubbing alcohol as aftershave -- from the standard Oil Of Olay / Neutrogena / occasional Aveda lineup to serious non-paraben/fragrance-less organic and/or green products that might actually prevent my children from being born with gills and ADHD.
Its cheery tone is a bit much at times (though I do understand th...more
Its cheery tone is a bit much at times (though I do understand th...more
This book changed my life! I have always been environmentally conscientious, but I was lacking some information and practical advice. I'm trying to incorporate as many of the ideas as possible. By going green, I find that I save money in some areas, but spend more in others. For example, I bought cloth napkins, which will save me money in the long run. However, I am now buying organic milk, which is over $2 more a gallon that the regular kind! (You'd think this wouldn't be the case in Wisconsin....more
I was so excited to get this book as a gift for Christmas. I had seen the book at my friend's house and she had really enjoyed it. The author lives in Hollywood, teachs yoga, and is trying to live a green life.
I found the book to be a very good guide for the best home, beauty and personal products to buy that are green, organic, etc. The information on all of the horrible things that are in makeup was eye opening, to be sure! However, I had a difficult time with her section on organic gardening...more
I found the book to be a very good guide for the best home, beauty and personal products to buy that are green, organic, etc. The information on all of the horrible things that are in makeup was eye opening, to be sure! However, I had a difficult time with her section on organic gardening...more
Gorgeously Green is a little bit pushy and gimmicky. I was annoyed by the constant use of the phrase "gorgeously green" (really, if that's the title, do we need to keep hearing the phrase over and over?) and I didn't like that Uliano stuck her own skincare brand in her list of recommended skincare products. I understand that she probably felt that she might as well, but it felt like she had an agenda which distracted me from her mostly good advice. Also, she said to give copies of the book with...more
There is a lot of good information in here, but you have to take some of what this author says with a grain of salt. I think that the basic message I took away was to really think more about the chemicals in the beauty, cleaning, and other products that I use in my home. That was good for me and I did make some changes (today I bought some new shampoo and conditioner, for example after learning to my absolute chagrin that Fekkai products are actually awful). I was already aware of many of the re...more
Published in 2008, this book already feels out of date. It's a good primer for anyone who wants to start out being "green," but almost all of the tips/suggestions in here can be found in almost any magazine or website on being "green." These days, most of the information found in this book seems like common knowledge. One nice thing about this book is that the author isn't too terribly strict about being green. She acknowledges when she herself could be greener and acknowledges that an "extreme"...more
All 'Green' books I read pretty much tell me the same thing, as did this one. But this one was a bit different than the others. It was a lot more detailed and gave lots of web sites to visit to learn more about how to keep yourself, your home, and the planet green. What I liked was how it mentioned beauty products. I have super sensitive skin, and after I read the beauty chapter and reading the list of toxins that are in the products we use, it's no wonder my skin looks like crap. There's a grea...more
Dec 31, 2010
Katey
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
clueless privileged women who have scads of time, energy, and money
Sometimes this book read like a premise for a bad sitcom. The wacky wife with all her outrageous ideas and the husband who has to shrug and deal with them: "Oh that Sophie!"
And sometimes it irked me that while there were good, if not great, ideas in this book, the way the author drones on and on about how she does this, that, and the other thing, it makes you feel pretty low that you too aren't doing this, that, and the other thing. But then you remember you don't live in La La L.A. and you don'...more
And sometimes it irked me that while there were good, if not great, ideas in this book, the way the author drones on and on about how she does this, that, and the other thing, it makes you feel pretty low that you too aren't doing this, that, and the other thing. But then you remember you don't live in La La L.A. and you don'...more
Some of the book is a bit...shallow?...by my standards because I'm not necessarily interested in the whole "staying fashionable while being eco-conscious i.e. I don't wanna look like a dirty hippie" thing... I don't necessarily care if people think anything I do is hippie-ish... Doesn't bother me a bit.
The writing style can be a little vapid BUT I understand that the author isn't writing for people like me. She's doing her best to convince The Masses to go get on the green bandwagon too.
Otherwis...more
The writing style can be a little vapid BUT I understand that the author isn't writing for people like me. She's doing her best to convince The Masses to go get on the green bandwagon too.
Otherwis...more
As a prompt for more responsible purchasing and living decisions, this book did pretty well. Little of the information felt unique; but for all of the topics that the author covers, this could be considered a nice comprehensive guide.
However, there were many times while I read this book when I felt like I didn't necessarily fit, somehow, in the book's target demographic. For example, in the discussion about Gorgeously Green clothing, the suggestions include companies like Loomstate, Patagonia an...more
However, there were many times while I read this book when I felt like I didn't necessarily fit, somehow, in the book's target demographic. For example, in the discussion about Gorgeously Green clothing, the suggestions include companies like Loomstate, Patagonia an...more
Somewhat useful, but I found the level of materialism a little high / surprising. I guess the point is that this is helpful for people who don't want to radically change their lifestyles (and to be fair, I have a very high-consumption lifestyle too that I'm not sure will change anytime soon), but I'm not sure how "green" buying tons of super-expensive green products is. She gave lip-service to the make-do-with-less mentality, but certainly allowed me to just look for alternate products to buy wi...more
I really liked how the author begins the book by suggesting that we just pick 1 thing from each step (i.e. chapter) of the book to implement in our lives to help us lead a greener life. I'm a firm believer that if everyone would take just a few simple steps our environment and our lives would be so much healthier. I get disappointed with attempts to encourage everyone to go totally green...I just think that's too overwhelming for most people and the end result is they do nothing. However, even t...more
Mar 18, 2010
Wendy Palmer
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2010,
non-fiction
I picked up this book because I thought it would be a useful one-stop reference for all the small and simple things you can do in daily life to be greener and reduce your carbon footprint -- and it is, as far as it goes.
However, I kept getting tripped up by small (and not so small) errors by the author. For example, according to her, global warming is Al Gore's theory (either poor wording or she genuinely thinks he came up with it); she repeats the claim that there is asbestos in tampons (there...more
However, I kept getting tripped up by small (and not so small) errors by the author. For example, according to her, global warming is Al Gore's theory (either poor wording or she genuinely thinks he came up with it); she repeats the claim that there is asbestos in tampons (there...more
The 300-page book is filled with so much information on almost every aspect of one’s life, I found it hard to take everything in. This is definitely a resource to keep, that I will go back to time and again. Before reading this book, I was not aware of just how toxic items I am using on my body are (yes, there are even asbestos in tampons), how bad dry cleaning and conventional cleaning products are for the environment, and how our unsustainable seafood consumption could lead to this food we now...more
Mar 21, 2011
Heidi
added it
This book should probably be titled, don't go to the store without it... if you want to go green.. maybe... ok nevermind.
The author does a good job of making green relevant but kinda goes more on a shopping recommendation binge. I am not in a shopping mood. The book links to her blog which is great. I'm surprised at the number of people who get book deals from their blogs. Have I missed my calling. Should I just pool all the websites I visit every day to a mass list an publish my own book? Mayb...more
The author does a good job of making green relevant but kinda goes more on a shopping recommendation binge. I am not in a shopping mood. The book links to her blog which is great. I'm surprised at the number of people who get book deals from their blogs. Have I missed my calling. Should I just pool all the websites I visit every day to a mass list an publish my own book? Mayb...more
Parts of this book really annoyed me. I think the consumerism the author pushed seemed to go against the whole philosophy of green living. Also, I think that the target audience was women that like keeping up with fashion and the latest beauty trends (not so much me). However, I think it had some great and helpful information about what to look for in products you use and how daily use can affect you. Prior to this book I think I'd focused more on what I put INTO my body rather than what I put O...more
This book is a good starting off point for anyone who is trying to live a little greener. Sophie gives good and easy steps on how a person should live, products to use, and how to influence friends. Some of what she suggests is a little pricey but she also offers great websites to find more information on. The chapters can be read in any order and as slow as one needs to make adjustments. Just be careful that you really want to know the answer. The website about what is in your make-up and perso...more
Little things do matter! Every seemingly insignificant step we take towards being "green" adds up. I got a lot of good ideas; may have to buy the book for my home library.
The section on skin/hair care made me really examine products I use closely. Author has tons of online resources and websites for more information. A very good read for those of us teetering on edge of making a more confirmed comittment to green living. It doesn't make you feel guilty about everything you're not doing, but real...more
The section on skin/hair care made me really examine products I use closely. Author has tons of online resources and websites for more information. A very good read for those of us teetering on edge of making a more confirmed comittment to green living. It doesn't make you feel guilty about everything you're not doing, but real...more
I know that I have already said this, but I am so excited to have the opportunity to review new books. Okay, Gorgeously Green is written by Sophie Uliano. From the back flap it says, "Sophie Uliano is a passionate environmentalist who has developed an earth-friendly lifestyle that appeals to women who don't want to compromise their glamour or style." (Not turning into a non-shaving hippie.)
My first reaction to this book was that I was really excited to read it. I have been thinking for some time...more
Aug 13, 2008
Teresa
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
mostly those who are not yet "into" the green movement
Shelves:
non-fiction
I was worried this would be too fluffy given that I've read several books and countless non-profit organization newsletters on the topic. I was sort of right; it is pretty darned "fluffy", and she sounds almost Valley-girl-ish with all her "Hello!"s.
On the other hand, I did learn a few things, and I am a sucker for reviews and recommendations on the green products (everything from laundry, to kitchen, to body care, to make-up) out there.
There were only a couple of things that kind of irked me....more
On the other hand, I did learn a few things, and I am a sucker for reviews and recommendations on the green products (everything from laundry, to kitchen, to body care, to make-up) out there.
There were only a couple of things that kind of irked me....more
Even though I knew a lot of the things in this book already, it was still very informative. I was aware of all the horrible things in cleaning supplies, thanks to "Organic Housekeeping", and knew about the nasty stuff in nearly everything else in the terrifying "Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know" The problem I had was finding alternatives to the beauty products. So conventional make-up is full of carcinogens and hormone disrupters. So what do I do now? This book will actually tell you wh...more
Ok, this is SO SO much different and better than any other "ways to go green" guide or book that just drowns you in stats and makes you feel like everything is a lost cause and why bother. This woman was on Oprah with Julia ROberts a week or so ago and she said a few things that made me really interested in this book. Mainly, "Do what you can!" She is a girly girl who likes to look good and didn't want her life and family life overhauled in one night and realized that's impossible. So she took s...more
This book is divided into 8 sections where each section describes a large number of changes the average woman can make to reduce waste, toxins, and to be more environmentally aware. Sometimes reading through the sections, I became overwhelmed. I'd think that one or two things sounded easy, but then the author would just keep going with her wonderful information, and I'd start to feel a bit lost. Even though she kept reminding me, as the reader, that she's only asking for one little change--and s...more
I really appreciated all the easily accessible information found in this book. I read it at a time in my life when I wasn't very interested in all the details about why certain choices are not the best for our bodies, homes, the planet, and Sophie Uliano does a fantastic job of clearly and concisely saying just what is not good and how or with what you can replace it. She gives encouragement through all the changes that she suggests, as well as an action plan to implement the solutions.
This may not be the ultimate source for green living etc but definitely some great tips so far! and having everthing in the same book means that if I'm looking for a quick source or opinion on something that I have somewhere to look...
Just reading the chapter on beauty products and am finally motivated to look into what I have at home and what I should be replacing. Scariest thing I found so far? the children's toothpaste! Disturbing? you bet.
Just reading the chapter on beauty products and am finally motivated to look into what I have at home and what I should be replacing. Scariest thing I found so far? the children's toothpaste! Disturbing? you bet.
Tons of information and although a lot of isn't practical for my family right now it is still good to be educated on all things "green". She even quotes one of my favorite books 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle'. Basically: don't drive your car to a hundred different stores, recycle everything, use reusable water bottles and shopping bags, buy local and organic, use organic/nontoxic cleaning and beauty products, lower your overall energy use. Etc. Etc.
I found this book at Borders for four bucks and am so glad I picked it up. Living green is a complete lifestyle change, but easy to do in small steps. The book includes recipes, gardening, shopping green, exercise tips and other ways to reduce our carbon footprints. I was surprised and pleased to learn that I already practice many of the ideas presented in this book. It serves as a great reference book and I know I will refer to it often.
Having been loaned this book by a friend, I made an effort to get through it(and failed) The author, a Californian yoga instructor, seeks to inspire and motivate towards a greener life style with out the sacrifice of vanity and "good housekeeping" Actually this is a noble premise and her lists of the toxic and harmful ingredients contained in our every day, even several times a day - products are useful. She counters these lists with suggestions for alternatives , like using white vinegar for mo...more
I really liked this book as it was motivation to live "greener" but with a VERY positive can-do vibe and with an added "chic-ness" to it ;-) It feels slightly geared to trendy (i.e. shopoholic, salon-addicted) "gals" with no idea of what environmentally friendly is. I don't fit the profile but did pick up some handy tips and also got loads of motivation through Sophie Uliano's infectious and wonderful do-it now attitude.
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Environmental guru Sophie Uliano presents GORGEOUSLY GREEN, the modern girl's guide to living in sustainable style."
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May 04, 2008 11:12pm