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Recess Nail Spa. From Green L.A. Girl.

I recently checked out Recess Nail Spa, an environmentally friendly nail salon not far from the Beverly Center, and came away impressed. For one thing, the space is huge — it looked about three times the size of a typical nail salon — and it was much more luxurious, with plush chairs and flat screen TVs. Aside from actual spas, I have never seen a dedicated nail salon look so nice.

I got a manicure and pedicure, courtesy of a gift card I won at The Fashion Frontline launch party. I got the the Basic Manicure, which includes a mani, hot towels and massage, and the Basic Pedicure, which includes a pedi, scrub, hot towels and massage. I had two people working on me at the same time, and both did a great job. I chose a pink-coral color from SpaRitual, which according to its website, is a vegan nail polish line free of synthetic dyes. I’ve noticed that the color doesn’t chip as much as it wears away from the tips. Recess also carries Zoya, which is free of toluene, formaldehyde, phthalates and camphor. You also get your choice of lotion for your massage, with scents that are sweet, spicy or citrusy.

I was also happy with the service. Even though I came in without an appointment less than an hour before closing time, the salon accommodated me and didn’t make me feel rushed at all.

Through the end of August, the salon is offering a special on the Basic Manicure for $20 and the Basic Pedicure for $30. If you want to save $5, just forgo the hot towels. I’ve had similar manis at actual spas (and even ones that weren’t as good) for much more. This is a great deal. I just may have to make this a regular part of my beauty regimen!

…Mother Earth, that is.

It’s Earth Day, and dear ol’ mom has graciously taken the temperature down for those of us in Los Angeles who have been melting in the heat over the past few days. So thank her by doing something environmentally friendly.

Veev-a-la-Green cocktail

• The Whiskey Blue bar at the W Hotel in Westwood is offering a special drink today through May 31. The $12 Veev-a-la-Green, AKA Amazon Cooler, is made with Veev brand liquour derived from acai berries. Veev donates $1 from the sale of every bottle to save the Brazilian rainforest and is a certified carbon-neurtal company. Whiskey Blue will donate 50 cents from the sale of every drink to Global Green USA, which works to stem climate change by creating green buildings.

• Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is participating in an adopt-a-farmer program, part of a Loews-wide initiative. The Santa Monica location’s Ocean and Vine restaurant has partnered with Rancho Sisquoc in Santa Maria, Calif., for its certified Angus beef. Chef Gregory Foos shops at local farmers markets, too.

• L.A. company Revenge Is recently released new styles of its T-shirts made from organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles. The men’s and women’s shirts, with more color and graphics, are more stylish than version 1.0 of the message-focused tops. There’s also new shirts for kids, too.  Prices range from $21 for the little ones’ tees to $32 for the new adult-size shirts.

• The Sofitel hotel is taking some extra steps in the quest for going green. The hotel uses wind-generated power, making it an Environmental Protection Agency green power partner. Sofitel is also turning its lobby, restaurant and bar lights out every night, as well as offering free valet parking for electric, hydrogen and hybrid cars.