Although you likely have all your gift wrap finished, in the unlikely event that you still have more to wrap, Simply Green Giving by Danny Seo has 50 quick, simple and unique eco-gift wrap ideas.  Using items around the house, you can learn how to create beautiful wrap from the Green Guru.  Some ideas include:

*Recycling oversized gift calendar pages turned into gift wrapping

*Old silk flowers reborn as stunning flowering bows

*Luxury store bags turned into personalized gift bags

*Jazzing up boring gift store cards

*Making organic soy treasure candles

Check out this slideshow for visual inspiration. 

Happy Holidays!!!

Source: Crafting A Green World.

It’s disconcerting and no surprise that chemical plants are terrorist targets, but the BIG question is why isn’t the fact that at least one of the “101 Most Dangerous Chemical Facilities in the U.S.” producing ”laundry and household cleaners, hair care products, toothpaste, deodorants, shave creams and gels, foot sprays, contraceptive foams, hand sanitizers and other products” worthy of front page news and primetime television?  According to this article, this facility alone has the potential to harm up to as many as 1 million people if it were the victim of an attack.  But let’s think for a moment about the 1 million people it has probably already harmed with the products they produce and the 1 million people they will harm in the future; not to mention that its undoubtedly a huge environmental polluter. 

If you’re not already a savvy label reader, now is the time to become a conscious consumer. Make a difference.  Vote with your dollars. 

Natural and organic beauty is no longer a niche industry. It has and continues to flood conventional markets as consumers ask more questions than ever about product safety and purity. The rapid increase in organic beauty sales is due, in part, to consumer awareness of hazards in their synthetic and toxic counterparts. Higher standards have become prevalent even for the average consumer thanks to mainstream media spotlights on lead in lipstick, estrogen-mimicking parabens and BPA in plastics.Though it may not seem like an ideal time to launch anything in our current economic state, there may not be a more perfect time than now for Organic Beauty.

According to The New York Times, lipstick sales have soared up to forty percent in the last few months. Why? It could have something to do with the Leading Lipstick Indicator, a term coined by Leonard Lauder (Chairman of Estee Lauder Companies) after lipstick sales doubled after 9/11. He observed that cosmetic purchases are a way to gauge economic status. “When it’s shaky”, he said, “sales increase as women boost their mood with inexpensive lipstick purchases instead of $500 slingbacks.” In the midst of gloom we look for ways to feel good and its no secret that looking good tends to make us feel better. And at less than $2.50 an issue (for subscribers) I can’t think of a more enjoyable or affordable way to help us do just that.

So what can we expect from this first-of-its-kind magazine? Everything from green makeovers, anti-aging alternatives, beauty tips, hottest trends, affordable finds, celebrity features, eco-event coverage and much more. The premier issue covers a wide range of natural and organic products from Burt’s Bees lip balm to Revolution Organics new skin care line. You’ll find articles featuring celebs Josie Maran and Olivia Wilde (cover model and lead actress on Fox TV drama, House), discover quotes from John Masters, Jamal Hamadi, Suki Kramer and Organic chefs like Colombe Jacobsen-Derstine; articles on how to choose products for your baby, healthy teas, “beauty foods” and acupuncture.

Visionary and Editor-In-Chief, Rona Berg is no novice when it comes to high profile glossies or beauty. She played an integral role on the ELLE launch team where she supervised and directed every editorial aspect from conception to fruition. As former Editorial Director at ELLE, Beauty Editor at The New York Times Magazine, best-selling author and engaging speaker, she brings vast experience and talent to the table. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, SELF, InStyle and more. She’s made hundreds of TV and radio apperances, speaks regularly at ISPA conventions and this past Spring was the breakout beauty speaker at Global Green Expo 2008.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of asking Rona some questions about the launch:

[Click here to read the interview]

 Photo & info source: Fig+Sage

Rolling hills covered in precise rows of vines peering through gray fog in the morning is what home feels like to me.  If you’ve never experienced it first hand, you may have had just a taste if you’ve ever riden the Soarin’ Over California ride at Disneyland, watched Sideways or Bottleshock, and you might be able to relate if I were to tell you that the beauty of vineyards gives me chills and warms my heart at the same time.   

Having grown up amongst vineyards, California’s distinctive wine country is home to me and all the gushing sentiment could have much to do with the fact that when you live there you take it forgranted; and when you move away you wish you wouldn’t have. 

Nestled amongst rolling hills in California’s beautiful Mendocino County, you’ll find almost 400 acres of Bonterra’s Certified Organic Vineyards.  They passionately believe growing their grapes without the use of artificial fertilizers or synthetic chemicals is the key element to their award-winning wines. 

 Bonterra Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon description from their site:

“This Cabernet offers aromas of Bing cherry, currants and raspberry, with spicy notes of cedar and dried cranberry, with slight vanilla notes. In the glass you’ll find juicy red berry flavors, and a very approachable, rich and full mouthfeel with a lingering, thoughtful finish. Good structure, polished yet soft tannins promise an ever more pleasing wine to come, with lively acidity and subtle spice.”

Whether or not you’re hosting or attending, Bonterra make a great compliment to any gathering.  Find the Cab Sauv for $12.99 here. 

Meet the first of its kind, the 360 Bottle concept said to be made from 100% renewable resources, food safe and a solution to our plastic water bottle problem.   Brandimage developed the concept, branding, prototyping, engineering and product design.  According to their site:

 The Challenge

Each day, Americans throw out 60 million plastic bottles. Only 14% actually get recycled—meaning 86% become garbage or litter. We looked at this as a radical problem requiring an equally radical solution. Could we design a container that would leverage sustainability, be easy to transport, and enhance the consumer’s drinking experience?

The Solution

The 360 Paper Bottle is a sustainable vision of the future. It is the first totally recyclable paper container made from 100% renewable resources. Versatile in its range of consumer applications and made from food-safe and fully recyclable materials, it decreases energy consumed throughout the product life cycle without sacrificing functionality. It is paper packaging that stands up to all liquid categories.

What are your thoughts? 

Sources: DieLine, Re-Nest &Amala.

Since 2005, Vancouver based Ashley Watson has been creating gorgeous one-of-a-kind handbags from 100% recycled leather.  Each unique bag is created by hand from reclaimed {disgarded} leather jackets found at charity thrift shops.  The buttery soft + gently slouchy bags, wallets + accessories have been known to grace the arms of celebs and the pages of glossies like Lucky, Marie Claire + Nylon.  You’ll find a variety of shapes, sizes + colors all in Ashley’s original designs.  Apparently bored at her parent’s house, she decided to take one of her dad’s retired leather jackets and get creative.  The result was a cool handbag and the birth of a new business for the studio artist.  According to this article, Ashley says “My bags are all made from old leather jackets and other clothes so on each bag there is, for example, a pocket from the original jacket, sometimes belts loops and a lot of the original seam. I use a pattern and then cut my pieces out of the jackets, trying to keep the good stuff. So, this said I don’t dye my leathers, I just have to find these crazy colours.”  Find one of my favorites, the Ashley Watson Thrush Bag here. 

I’ve only been using it for a day and I’m already addicted!  Buddha Nose is a wonderful line of luxurious and handcrafted fine organic balms, sprays and balt salts designed to calm and soothe made only with USDA certified organic and/or wild-crafted herbs and botanicals. 

Former actress and Buddha Nose founder, Amy Galper is a New York based Shiatsu practioner and designed her products to help women remember to “be still and breathe” and that “beauty is directly affected by our feeling good”. 

I absolutely looove the Booster Spray, which is perfect for just about anyone.  The aroma is calming yet refreshing and a little spicey.  The essential oils used have anti-bacterial qualities making it great to spray when people around you are “coming down with something” (plus, did I mention it smells amazing?).  I also use it as a room freshener as it seems to kill any unwanted smells and leaves behind a pleasant scent.  The Booster Salve smells just as great, while the Bodhi Balm smell more herbal (which I like too).   Once you massage it into the back of your neck and shoulders, you’ll start to feel the tension melt away.  The Bohdi Sugar Scrub is a very gentle exfoliant with a mild aroma and comes in a heavyweight glass jar.  The tins are adorably reminscent of the looking up at the sky through the trees.