Season of Splendor Boutique- event information

Tea With Iris at Season of Splendor Boutique this weekend!

I'm getting ready for a very big shopping event this weekend in the Coachella Valley. Below is the link to the event information:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171146076239463

My free gift with purchase was so popular last month at the Fall Family Festival in La Quinta that I've decided to do it again for this weekend's shoppers.

So, with every 'Tea With Iris' purchase at this weekend's event, you will receive a free veggie seedling and/or a fresh herbal and pepper bouquet from our garden. Hope to see you there!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

TWO SISTERS PROMOTE ZERO WASTE BY UPCYCLING

Leslie Kelly Shockley with some of her upcycled goods

Leslie Kelly Shockley during her U.S. Peace Corps service in Cantaan, Philippines

Meghan Kelly during her U.S. Peace Corps service in Korotubu, Fiji

Tea With Iris founder Leslie Kelly Shockley creates upcycled goods to promote waste-free living. “Upcycling” transforms unused materials into new products. Shockley, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (1996-98), recognized the connection between waste management and the environment during her work in the Philippines. She observed how waste management is a daily struggle for rural communities that lack proper landfills. Since their livelihood relies on the health of the environment, the reduction of waste is vital. “I was so impressed on how resourceful the people were in everyday life”, says Shockley.

Shockley’s sister, Meghan Kelly, recently returned from her Peace Corps service (2007-10) in Fiji. She also experienced how community members resourcefully dealt with waste issues.

With their experiences abroad, the two Coachella Valley natives came to realize that many Americans can improve on reducing waste on a daily basis with minimal impact on their lifestyle. Through Tea With Iris, the sisters work together to educate and promote healthy living through gardening, composting, and other simple ways to reduce waste.

Their upcycled products are available in the Riviera boutique in Palm Springs and at Albert & George in Rancho Mirage. Shockley and Kelly will be at the Albert & George grand opening on Friday, December 10. They will also be at the Sacred Heart Christmas Boutique at Rancho Las Palmas Resort on Saturday, December 11 from 9am-2pm. You can also read more about Tea With Iris at www.teawithiris.com

My home accessories now at Albert & George!

I'm excited to have my line of home accessories and bags at Albert & George in Rancho Mirage!

Come to the Grand Opening of Albert & George, William Miller Design's New Store in Rancho Mirage on December 10 from 6-9PM.

We also offer a unique selection of Candles, Books, Gifts, Home Accessories, and Holiday Decor.

Please RSVP to 760-836-9199 by December 8.

The most important R!

There are so many good reasons to bring your bag everywhere, here's a few:

1. rely less on natural gas and petroleum (plastic bags are made from petroleum)

2. create less trash

3. practice the most important of the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) which is REDUCE.

When picking your shopping bags, be sure that it's one that you like and won't forget to put in your car or bike everyday.

Here is a link to my line of reusable shopping and produce bags, that is if you like my style!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TeaWithIris?section_id=6493924

a sample of my fall collection!

click on the link below to view a sample of my fall collection:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/teawithiris/sets/72157625321484861/

slowing down during the busiest time of year...

This is the time of year when it gets a little crazy with the holidays. So this is when I try extra hard to slow down. Last week our friend Kimberly came by for a morning painting session in our front garden. It's moments like these, slowing down to enjoy life with friends that make the rest of the day's challenges easier to tackle and overcome.

Fall Family Festival in La Quinta

I will be showing my upcycled line of products at the Fall Family Festival in La Quinta on Saturday, November 13 from 10-4.

Imagine...you can do all you holiday shopping in a couple of hours in a beautiful setting and you will be supporting local businesses and most importantly at the Tea With Iris booth...HANDMADE!!!

Please click one of the boxes below to share this with your friends who will be in town this weekend.
Thanks!
Leslie

Article in The Desert Sun

http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201010130371

1 out of 3 kids will eat kale chips

Last week I brought kale chips on a day trip to the Palm Springs tram with two of my friends and their kids. I've deceived my 3-year old so far with all my homemade concoctions sneaking pureed veggies into dishes like tofu nuggets and I was sure that she would like the crunchy kale chips but not this time. So 1-1/2 year old Camilla made my day by munching on the chips as we sat by the creek. The consensus by the moms is that it sort of tastes like dried seaweed. They are best eaten right out of the oven to retain the crunchiness. Here is the recipe I used:

Kale Chips:

Ingredients
1 bunch kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon seasoned salt

Directions
1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
3. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.