You'll certainly get an "oh my!" when this gift is opened. Since this bag is made from a piece of a recycled banner, the vinyl is sturdy and waterproof. That makes it perfect for damp swimsuits, drippy groceries, muddy picnics. It would also make an ideal alternative diaper bag for moms who like to customize their carry-alongs. They'll never have to worry about dirty nappies or sticky fingers around this tote -- just wipe it down or wash it out, and it's good as new!
Like the diaper bag idea, and know someone who's going to need all the basics soon? Make a full gift of it, by adding an organic folded changing pad and some home made baby wipes. Your soon-to-be mom will be set to hit the ground running!
Admit it. There's a guy in your life who would think you were just the coolest if you gave him an NFL cheerleader for the holidays. This year, you can give him 38 without feeling too silly about it. This calendar features the Philadelphia Eagles' cheerleaders showing off eco sexy fashions, with bikinis made of organic cotton and recycled plastic, plus of course lots of all-natural skin. All that green gorgeousness is then printed on recycled paper. Don't forget to sneak a look yourself for eco fashion ideas you can wear come summer!
How would you like to give the gift of all natural plant extracts instead of synthetic beauty product components? Korres focuses on building their products naturally, and the lotion and wash featured here have a sweet and spicy smell that's perfect for the holiday season. Plus, they've added an adorable tub of lip butter, which smells of fruit and gives a nice pop of color to lips. It's a $26 value in a cute little package perfect for gifting.
Korres Vanilla Plum Collection Set $20, exclusively at Sephora. Perfect for bathing beauties who love a steamy shower to jump start their morning.
Know someone who whips out the Robot at every night club and has the whole gang in stitches? Or maybe you've got a friend who daydreams of getting her own place and covering it in retro woodsy wallpaper? If so, you've found the perfect audience for these adorable necklaces, made from recycled records by hand in Brooklyn. Super sweet.
Can you imagine anything more luxurious than breakfast in bed on this lovely bamboo tray? I've discovered that it doesn't take fancy equipment to dine safely off soft spots, just a stable surface like this tray. Throw on a hot cup of fair trade coffee and a steaming plate of farm fresh eggs and you've got the ultimate holiday morning indulgence.
Bamboo Countertop Tray & Canisters $44 from $89. Also available in a festive red. Perfect for homebodies whose favorite Sunday mornings are spent curled up inside.
What a beautiful color for cold weather! You'll love the vintage floral lining, too. This charming wristlet is made of salvaged cotton corduroy in an eco friendly studio out on Portland. It's the perfect size for tucking into a larger shopping bag, or slinging onto wrists for a night out sampling microbrews. Not the best color for your gift-getter? There are also two hemp version in an earthy olive and a goes-with-everything natural.
Don't go out for the holidays -- stay in, with this beautiful massage set from Jimmy Jane. As the all-natural-ingredient candle burns, the wax becomes the perfect temperature massage oil. Drip it over your partner, then use the the smooth surfaces of the ceramic Contour M to work out tired muscles without cramping your fingers. That sounds like the kind of massage anyone would appreciate. Plus, you'll feel good knowing only soy wax, shea butter, all natural oils and natural fragrances are being rubbed into your partner's skin.
Contour M + Afterglow Sensory Set $45. Perfect to keep for yourself... then surprise your special someone with a post-holiday treat.
The pretty drawings on these bottles make them almost a gift in and of themselves. But then, they're filled with yummy peach-scented bath products, perfect for travel or just a treat at home. Face Boutique is a new brand to me, coming from London and promising no petrochemicals, GMO, parabens, phthalates, sulphates or other potentially harmful substances, plus of course no testing on animals. These products were originally designed for young girls with oily skin, but with that gorgeous packaging, I can't imagine a girl on your wish list who wouldn't love this little set.
Face Boutique Body Mini-Kit $40. Perfect for tween earth lovers who like their outsides as gorgeous as their insides.
Wow! December already? This year, it's chic to be cheap (was it ever not?) so the gift guide's starting with a week of fabulous eco finds under $50. After that, we'll have a week of little gems under $25, and after that... well, you'll just have to check in to see!
I love giving statement jewelry as a gift -- it's fun to chose, fun to receive, and you know it will always be remembered. This gorgeous cuff is made from sustainable wood then carefully plated with silver. It's exactly the kind of piece that will get you a "Wow!" when the wrapping is pulled off.
Betty B Nina Cuff $34 from $48. Perfect for urban hippies with a penchant for the dramatic.
I would love to be one of those people who does their holiday shopping year round, ensuring perfect presents for everyone without a mad rush come December. If nothing else, though, I think can manage to stock up on some of some of this insanely adorable organic wrapping paper (so I won't be forced to run to CVS when I realize I'm out of paper the night of the 24th!) These prints are modern and festive, plus come in great nondenominational options. I can't imagine any gift that wouldn't look cuter dressed in reindeer dogs and fire hydrants!
This lipstick and lip gloss palette has a lot going for it -- it's made with oranic and natural ingredients, is paraben and petrochemical free, and of course is never tested on animals. But what I love most is that there's a subtly pretty color for every compassion. Wear plumping nude gold lip gloss Optimism for brunch with the girls, then sweep on sheer red lipstick Devious to vamp it up for dancing with someone special.
p.s. Shhh, yes I'm back dating posts. I just got caught up in holiday prep last week, but didn't want you guys to miss out on the awesome eco gifts I'd discovered!
Here are Chartreuse Chic, we try to accept the men in our lives the way they are. And so we recognize that as much as we'd like to dress them in some sexy organic jeans for the holidays, they're really not that interested in such things. So when it comes to boys, we're focusing on the big three: food, gadgets... and now booze!
The funny thing about Frog's Leap wine is that I've actually had it a million times and never knew it was organic! In fact, years ago I even worked at one of those NY restaurants where you had to talk about wine like you understood it (honestly, who genuinely understands wine?) and even they didn't know it was organic. Maybe that's because the bottles only claim to be "responsibly farmed" to avoid any supposed stigma attached to being a CCOF certified organic vineyard (I guess in the wine world, it's still not hip to be green.) Hey, I'm not complaining -- the bottles I've had have poured tasty, tasty stuff, and when it comes to wine, that's what really matters.
Frog's Leap Zinfandel $24.20. Or better yet, snag some at your local wine shop (shipping in bulk = fewer resources!) Perfect to add some big flavor to a big night in.
p.s. Now, we learned a little last week about the difference between natural and USDA approved organic. It doesn't look like Frog's Leap has that later seal of approval, so read a little about their farming practices if you're worried and decide if their version of organic rates high enough on your green meter. If only everyone were this forthcoming!
Well most people won't be opening these around Grandma next week. But you know you've got a green girl friend who'd go nuts for these tongue in cheek (or tongue in... nevermind) little boy cut panties. Cute enough to be a funny (not awkward) gift, give a wink this holiday when you acknowledge how wowed you are by you your eco conscious friend.
These handmade recycled silk earrings are such a riot of color and life! What a perfect way to kick off our last week of green gifts -- eco-friendly luxuries under $25. Plus you know no one's got anything like this in their jewelry box -- these earrings (just like their recipient!) are one of a kind.
We might have hit the last of the green gifts under $50, but this adorable little handmade ear warmer is actually my favorite. A cross between a headband and a hat in beautiful bright colors, it's perfect for those in-between days when a hat seems sort of frumpy but your ears need a little extra protection. As someone whose ears are always a bit chilly, this would let me keep covered while looking totally charming (a big step up from bulky winter hats indoors, let me tell you!)
Purldrop Simple Headkerchief $38. Perfect for girls in cool climates who know that style and comfort can live happily hand in hand. GOOD B/C: Handmade.
p.s. Check back tomorrow for green gifts for $25 and under -- perfect for last minute stocking stuffers!
Yum, do I love John Masters. These bottles are small enough for your carry-on and the refreshing Lavender Mist, hydrating Rose Face Serum, and yummy Lip Calm are exactly the kind of pampering everyone wants when they're stuck on a long, dry flight. Plus, I've had doctors tell me that keeping your mucous membranes hydrated (that would be the inside of your nose and mouth) is one way to help your body fight off all the nasty bugs in the recycled plane air. So not only will this gift add a little touch of eco luxury to your loved ones lives -- it will also help keep them healthy during this holiday travel season.
John Masters Travel Rescue Kit $40. Perfect for enthusiastic (or even reluctant -- maybe this will change their mind?) world travelers.
You know, despite the fact that this is supposed to be an "eco-boy" kind of gift (per M's gadget and food instruction), I actually think it would be super cool for anyone who commutes to work by bike or travels a lot, whether they're boy, girl, neither or both.
This wind charger is so adorable it blows my mind. I really think good design makes a huge difference when it comes to the ease of using gadgets and the likelihood of incorporating them seamlessly into your life. I don't think there's anyone on your gift list who wouldn't love charging their cell and ipod on the go with the sexy curves of the wind powered HYmini.
HYmini Wind Power Universal Charger $49.99. Perfect for your on-the-road warrior. Black was the best pic I found, but do go for the sexy, giftable green.
p.s. Now, there's some debate out there as to whether all the portable solar and wind options that have been popping up should contain batteries. Dark greens point out that the battery itself is a wasteful product that will end up in the landfill someday. But light greens like myself recognize the impracticality of only being able to charge a device that's connected directly to your charger when you're collecting that solar or wind power. With no battery, you're kind of stuck. With a battery, you have the charge you collected earier stored for when you suddenly realize that the cell you desperately need is on its last legs and you're in no position to charge your HYmini with anything more than blowing on it. Because let's face it -- that last scenario would be me every time.
Wow, has it been a busy crazy week! I have all these wonderful green gift lazing around in my bookmarks folder that I haven't gotten to share. Luckily, today's just the kind of day to snuggle inside from the storm and catch up on Chartreuse Chic!
My love for Armour Sans Anguish is certainly no secret. This beautiful recycled barrette is a way to add a little AsA to someone's life. It's such a unique accessory that you'll want to save it for a someone who will appreciate it, but trust me -- if you're looking for a gift for a quirky someone, this lovely barrette will not disappoint.
This stunning necklace is made of leather recycled from the cast-offs of an Indonesian shoe factory. It's sure to add a touch of "wow" to anyone's wardrobe.
I'll admit it -- I love perfume so much, I'll probably be changing my smell every few months for the rest of my life. Now, I know there are people in the world who are given a scent at 16 and wear it to their grave. But if you know someone who steadfastly eschews a signature scent, there's nothing better for the holidays than introducing them to a totally unique smell they've never tried.
Tsi-La starts with a certified organic alcohol base, then adds all-natural essential oils and plant botanicals to make their lovely and unusual scents. I think the "Saqui" perfume sounds ideal for winter -- it's a combo of Christmas-y spices rounded out with sultry vanilla orchid and topped off with bright citrus notes. I'd wear this one to a dark jazz club, and let everyone guess what, exactly, I might smell of.
Treehugger
the ultimate go-to for all things hip and green
learned to love fashion in NY and sustainability in Berkeley; now I'm busy in Boston trying to find easy ways to keep up the green without giving up the chic.
