National Endangered Species Day is Friday, May 21st.  Join us in recognizing Endangered Species Day; a day to learn about the threatened wildlife in your area and also to share the importance of wildlife conservation with family and friends.  North America is home to a variety of wild plants and animals, however, scientists estimate as many as 1/3 of the United States’ native species are at risk of extinction, mainly due to human-caused threats such as habitat loss and global warming.

“This year, Endangered Species Day comes at a time when wildlife faces an extra urgency:

• The BP Oil Spill continues to gush oil into fragile marine and wetland ecosystems, threatening sea turtles, sperm whales and other endangered and threatened species in the Gulf. Also at risk is Louisiana’s state bird, the brown pelican, which was deemed "recovered" and was removed from the Endangered Species list just this past fall of 2009.

• Shell Oil is pushing to drill in Alaska’s Chukchi and Beaufort seas–newly-designated critical habitat for polar bears, which were listed as "threatened" last year.”

-www.nwf.org

For more information on what you can do to help the environment, visit the National Wildlife Federation’s website at www.nwf.org

And remember, ENDANGERED means there’s still more time.

For three days only Save 15% on Grant Dawson at Rain Collection in support of National Endangered Species Day! Grant Dawson Collections strives to bring about environmental change by giving back more than we take from the Earth.  The company has earned the prestigious Silver Exemplary status of the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), a non-profit coalition of industry leaders committed to promoting sustainable practices within the home furnishings industry by raising awareness among consumers and buyers. A portion of all Grant Dawson profits will be donated back to the SFC to help maintain a healthy balance between environmental conservation, social equity, and economic development.

We find a lot of people that have accounts with Rain Collection share their Wish List with friends and family. In this same spirit we have decided to share our Wish List with you just for fun.  These Lists will give you a peak into the personal style of various Rain team members. We hope you enjoy looking at them as much as we have enjoyed creating them!

We invite you to share your thoughts, opinions, ideas and even Wish Lists if you feel like joining us.  My Wish List can be found in our ‘Find a Wish List‘ feature.  Look for a new Wish List blog post each month throughout the summer.

My top five picks are in the images above. Happy Listing!

Become our Fan on Facebook and enter for your chance to win a DayNa Decker Soleil 16 oz Couture Chandel; an Eco-Chic Treat just in time for Earth Day!

Prize valued at $92.00

Click here to enter

Sexy and smart, modern but delicate, Zoe Chicco has found the perfect alchemy of style and femininity women are looking for in today’s jewelry. In describing her work, Zoe, a trained goldsmith, says she looks for inspiration in her friends; dynamic and fashion-forward women who know how to put disparate styles, colors and textures together to create unique statements. Most of the pieces in her collection have been made with a particular muse in mind.

Zoe’s gift is an ability to create classic but versatile pieces that can be worn every day. Her philosophy, that every woman should feel special in the jewelry she wears, informs all of her work. With a small dedicated staff of artisans, Zoe pours her energy into creating pieces that are at once timeless but timely. Additionally, her meticulous eye for detail and quality insures every piece that leaves her Los Angeles studio has been carefully screened and lovingly hand made. She personally sets by hand each flush set diamond and purposely leaves the hammer marks made by forging the metal because she likes the authenticity it brings to her work.

Zoe’s designs are popular among star clients including: Cameron Diaz, Demi Moore, Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz, Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Hudgens, Hilary Duff, Ashlee Simpson, Debra Messing, Uma Thurman, Sheryl Crow, Marisa Tomei and you…

-Zoe Chicco

You’ve snuffed out your candle for the last time. So now what? You have this beautiful glass vessel and no wax to burn. This got us thinking - how can we recycle all of these glass candle containers?

Working with the team here at Rain Collection we have come up with a short list of ways you can reuse these beautiful pieces.

• Change jar for coins
• Burning tea lights
• Drinking glasses (especially k.hall)
• Potpourri
• Store seeds
• Candy dish
• Bath salts
• Forks/knives/spoons for outdoor entertaining
• Store cotton, q-tips and other bathroom items
• Vase
• Store nails, bolts, etc.
• Store seashells

This list is a work in progress for us. We are always trying to find unique ways to recycle the luxuries we enjoy. We hope this quick list will help you find ways you can reuse your beautiful glass candle containers too.

From the unique and detailed boxes to the fragrances themselves, D.L. & CO. has created exquisite collections of home fragrances that will help set the mood for any occasion.  Established in 2003 by Mr. Douglas Little, D.L. & CO. is a vibrant company that continues to grow into an indulgence for all.

Their Signature Collection is by far an artistic luxury that would admirably add that little something extra to any room.  D.L. & CO.’s Signature Collection candles are a fusion of soy, maple and palm waxes which are placed in a magnificent scalloped glass bowl.  Each fragrance has its own colored glass bowl that, while burning, creates an eye-catching illumination.  My personal favorite is the  D.L. & Co Lady Rhubarb Candle which captivates a sweet medley of Blood Orange, Red Mandarin, Grapefruit, Sandalwood, and Perilla (the rare Japanese shiso which boosts the immune system).  

D.L. & CO.’s Signature Diffusers foster a tranquil setting in which one can relax after a long day.  D.L. & Co Thorn Apple Diffuser  is the perfect blend of applewood, vetiver, oakmoss and patchouli which creates a relaxing ambiance and is favored by the ladies of Rain Collection.

The Art Nouveau Collection recognizes the Art Nouveau movement, meaning ‘new art’ in French, which occurred from 1890-1905.  Although the influence of this movement was global, it was most strongly felt throughout Europe.  In accordance with this collection being named after the Art Nouveau movement, it was inspired by Aubrey Beardsley, whom was arguably the most controversial artist during this movement.  With an abundant amount of inspiration, Mr. Douglas Little created a fierce yet harmonious collection filled with passion and ingenuity.  One of the eminent manifestations of the Art Nouveau Collection is the D.L. & Co Wilde Flower Candle which embraces the very art in which Mr. Douglas Little was inspired.  The detailed frosted glass jar and the essence of blackberry leaf creates an elegant atmosphere while burning.   

D.L. & CO. has taken their prestigious pieces from their Art Nouveau Collection and created quintessential candle and diffuser gift sets. With their striking custom designed diffuser bottles and luxurious fragrances, the D.L. & CO. Art Nouveau Diffuser Gift Set is a savvy token of appreciation for anyone you hold dear.

D.L. & CO. will add a little subtle splendor to your home with it’s captivating aromas and fascinating artistic designs.

My eye is always on something new at Rain Collection, and my wish list always growing.  I have this obsession for constantly reinventing my space and myself, and a love for finding the perfect piece for that perfect statement.

When the Jan Barboglio Pajaros Vessel first arrived I fell in love.  This type of love only comes around every so often, and I have already mentally placed this vase in multiple vignettes in my home.  As one of the most inventive and creative artists of our time, Jan Barboglio creates a world of perfect juxtapositions with each piece she designs: masculine yet feminine; rustic yet elegant.  An artist sure to bring a statement piece to every home, one to be loved and used time and time again.

Quartz Salt and Pepper Shakers anyone?  A perfect solution to having a set that can go from your cupboard to your dinner table in two seconds flat.  I love the natural raw element of the quartz this set brings to any situation, not only because it’s oh so elegant, but the risk of breaking these as they fall out of my overstuffed cupboard is highly unlikely (yes, this has happened one too many times).

And what woman’s wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without the perfect go to handbag?  When Rain Collection introduced Kisim last year, I made an omen to carry every bag in this incredible collection.  What I’m craving now?  Kisim’s Cutout Bag in Brown.  A menswear inspired, nylon tone on tone striped bag with leather trim.  Classic combination = Instant chic for a girl on the go.

Rain Collection has discovered the combination of simplicity and innocence innate in Cote Bastide products. Created by Nicole Houques in 1990, the goal was to delve into her own emotions and feelings and let them be the inspiration for her products.  She truly accomplishes this by enlivening all of your senses through each experience with a Cote Bastide product.

Rain makes available “For Yourself” options in body creams, lotions, bath oils, shower gels & soaps. Rain’s “The Home” offerings include room sprays, potpourri and candles. The scents are precise, subtle and are created from the highest quality materials available. The fragrances: milk, vetiver, cotton, linen, orange blossom, fig, amber and grapefruit are all understated yet unforgettable. Your childhood memories will  experience a reawakening of absolute comfort and peace.

The Cote Bastide Milk Body Exfoliant is a favorite indulgence of the ladies here at Rain Collection. It has the perfect texture accompanied by the beautiful milk scent that is in a class of its own.  Cote Bastide’s elegant potpourri crystals and room sprays will fill your home throughout each day with scents of amber, fig or orange blossom rejuvenating your sense of well being.  You can see the amber crystal potpourri featured in the November 2009 issue of InStyle magazine.

Indulge yourself, your guests, and your home in the splendor that is Cote Bastide!