I was fortunate enough to receive amazing gifts from my loved ones and that includes the expensive wrapping jobs.  The boxes are most definitely sturdy enough to keep and the bows are just too beautiful to throw out. I have collected three boxes of bows so far and I plan on keeping them.  Some will make it into a scrap book of memories, some to wrap future presents and some will serve an even greater purpose, that is to help me with my jewelry line.

What have I collected and what did I do with it? Every year Neiman Marcus is generous enough to include a key chain on each box and believe me these key chains are nothing to laugh at. I find Saks to have the best customer services as well as overall wrapping. As we all know great customer services goes a long way during the holidays and their boxes are most definitely worthy of holding my jewelry pieces. Bergdorf Goodman has beautiful silver boxes, which are perfect for holding delicate shoes.  The boxes and extra wrapping that did not make it will of course get recycled.

If you are feeling crafty think of all the ways you can use your holiday mess into something artsy or even usable.  Maybe an art teacher could use the donation to do a project, or you can donate to the less fortunate. All it takes is some creative thinking.

There is one thing everyone loves about the holidays.  That is the food. What about all the food and drinks no one wants to touch? I found a great recipe for an egg nog french toast, which I plan on sharing with you tomorrow.

I want to know how you clean your mess, the best and most creative answer will enter you into a contest for an organic beauty goody bag.

How have you cleaned up your holiday mess? The contest ends on February 15th, if you want to get yourself a little Valentine gift enter to WIN!

image from Olive Paper

a Wonderful Holiday and a Happy New Year!!

Image: 110% recycled Junk Mail Joy card from Green Field Paper Company

In a busy city getting food delivery is sometimes unavoidable and even if you emphasize you do not want them to bring you plastic utensils, they still do not listen. I should know, I have a drawer full of them. It is a great idea to use them at an event like the one I am planning but since it is my birthday I want to make a specific statement.  It should say stylish but green.  By a mere chance I found eco friendly party essentials on amazon and the color as well as the fact that you can reuse them as much as you’d like is perfect.  I hope to get this green theme together by the end of the week but after all I have to leave some room for having fun on my birthday as well. 

Take a look at these products from Preserve, an eco brand that sells products for the home.  They aim to save energy and support local community non-profit organizations.  Now that is a brand I do not mind buying from.

I purchased utensils, plates and cups-100% recycled plastic, reusable and dishwasher safe, 0 toxic or harmful chemicals+ they come in modern colors

Preserve Pear Green Cutlery, cups and plates

The website is http://www.preserveproducts.com

The intricate stitching Alabama Chanin demands is done by hand directly from the homes of the artisans. They all live in the same area of Florence, Alabama and believe in the making quality products that can be passed on for generations. The organic materials used go hand in hand with the brand’s belief.  That is believing in community effort and preserving the American culture as well as the planet.

Natalie is proud of her Southern roots and has originally come back to her home to create a documentary.  She has produced a short film that focuses on traditional quilt making and salvages quilts. Quilting has a rich American history and is a direct source of family stories from generation to generation.  There is something so tranquil about this brand, the concept and I image the materials feel like home.

To find out more about Alabama Chanin and Natalie go to http://alabamachanin.com

Images via style.com & alabamachanin.com

Songbirds from Jessica Turner on Vimeo.

Stylish Bamboo Straws, sustainable and reusable

Men’s cufflinks, made of computer keyboards.  You can buy any letters you chose, how cool is that?

Bamboo Flash Drive.  I am always looking for a stylish flash drive and this one is simply appealing. 

Recycled dominos into coasters.  So modern

Maggie Bags made of unused but discarded seat belts that have been given a second chance at life.  I am loving the bright colors.

The resources on how to are endless, everyone is joining the green movement and I am glad to be working with a magazine that cares so much about the planet and your wellness.  

http://www.projectgreendorm.com is also a great resource and an example on how to live a green dorm life. They are a national movement to educate students on how to not only live green but help students to become advocates in their community. 

Here are some tips on how to make your dorm room a bit more eco:

The first thing to do when walking into an empty dorm room is to clean it the green way.  Do not use harsh chemicals that will stick around and could be toxic.  Simple soap and water or green cleaning products, such as Green Works, will do the job just the same and you will be able to breathe afterwards.

Second, check what kind of lights the room is using.  If you have no power over what kind of lights have been installed conserve energy as much as you can.  Living on your own now means being conscious of turning off those lights or unplugging appliances that are not in use.  The responsibility falls on you.

When doing laundry in your dorm try using cold water as much as possible.  Heated water takes up a lot more energy than you realize, when all you can do is simply switch it to cold instead. 

Do you really need to use the drier for everything?  A clothing rack is not the most attractive thing standing up in your room, but it does say, I care about the planet.  You clothes might thank you as well.

Living on your own means paying for bills.  Even if it is something simple like a phone bill, most companies now offer a go paperless option.  I pay all my bills online, there is no point in receiving a bulky bill in the mail that you will probably never open anyway.  All it will do is accumulate clutter and that is never a good thing. 

Now that you are set up and your room is clean you are ready to move in and decorate.  Dorm rooms tend to become stuffy over time and one way to fix that is by decorating with a plant.  Plants take away the pollutants in your living space, plus look nice.

When buying groceries for your little refrigerator try to buy locally and organically.  The same goes for being careful on the items you purchase for your room.  Everything from a blow drier to your comforter.  You want to be good to yourself, and when you will spend the money you might as well spend it on something that is worth while. 

Now on to your wardrobe.  New clothing is always nice, wonderful actually.  So are vintage or special thrift store items.  I am not saying only shop at a vintage or thrift store, however looking into is not a bad idea.  Not only is this good for your wallet, but the unique items you might find will help you stand out from the crowd of jeans and sweatshirts.

Now look around the building, do they reuse, reduce and recycle?  Make sure to follow those rules and you will be living eco in no time. You obviously do not want to be annoying, but reminding others to do the same is doing your part for the planet as well.  Sometimes people forget or are not aware of these options.  Gently, become an active voice for living green. 

Many universities are now implementing programs to educate and remind their students to do their part for the planet and their own well being by going green.

When renting or buying any forward thinking individual will want to consider a home that is eco conscious.  A place like NYC has everything, if you look for it, you will most likely find it.  A green real estate market is no different. Today individuals have the option to go with a regular real estate broker or an eco one.  Which one would you chose?

Going with a eco broker obvioustly ensures you will get what you want without having to search for it yourself.  They consider everything, from how the building functions to the refrigerator you will use.  Simple details, such as the paint you use on your walls, can say you care about yourself and the environment.  Reducing your individual carbon footprint does not have to be difficult. All it takes is considering the type of products you use, how to reduce the energy used in your household making sure you do not take uneccesary trips to buy things you do not need in the first place.  

I know people in NYC tend to lead hectic lives and certain things just do not fit in the schedule.  Eco brokers can take the guess work out of reducing your carbon footprint so you can concentrate on just living your life the healthier way. 

NY 1 calls eco brokers an emerging trend, well in that case I hope it becomes a staple and a must very soon.  If you know of any good eco brokers feel free to post them here.

Those pesky breakouts just happen to appear around that time of the month, you are tired, bloated and there seems to be a conspiracy happening against you.  This is the perfect time to take an hour out of the day for yourself only.  What are you favorite snacks, berries, yogurt, veggies?  All usable for a homemade facial mask, not to mention yummy.  I have dug up and tested the easiest of the easy.  The yogurt & cucumber facial mask did it for me.  You can combine the yogurt and honey only, or yogurt and cucumbers only.  I should mention that yogurt has  wonderful effects on dry skin as well. 

What you will need

YOGURT & CUCUMBER FACIAL MASK

plain yogurt (let it chill in the refrigerator for a refreshing feeling)

cucumbers (chop them up into small pieces or slice them up thin)

1/2 tea spoon of honey (not necessary)

The way you combine this mask is entirely up to you.  I used all ingredients, once with chopped up cucumbers and once sliced.  The sliced cucumbers can be used as a base for the yogurt and honey mix, simply place them on your face and relax.  Note that you should slice them up thin if you want them to stay in place. 

Fourth of July might be over but the season for fabulous summer parties has just begun.  It seemed as if barbecue and bonfires were on mind and lips this past weekend.  One major problem I notice when having my own get together with friends is all the waste that is created.  The problem always is knowing how to go about creating the least amount of waste and then how to dispose of it.  So how do you throw an eco party without making your guest think you are eco insane ? These are some things to consider when you plan your party this summer and anytime of year.

-The first thing you will need are invitations.  If you are having people coming from different locations and need to create invitations http://www.evite.com has the cutest options for just that.  Why waste paper when the invitation will only end up in the garbage can afterwards. This is also a very organized way to track who is coming, who is bringing what and who won’t be able to make it. 

If you are an old fashioned gal and prefer to send out physical invitations then I recommend you buy ones made of recycled paper.  An interesting way to send out invitations is on seeded paper.  This is by far the most adorable way to show you care for the planet.  Seeded paper is embedded with a mixture of seeds that are easily planted after you are done with it.

-When buying food for the your party, make sure to shop locally, even better shop in stores that have locally grown brands.  This saves on energy for pretty much everyone.

-Just because you are having a casual party, this does not mean the serving plates and utensils have to be paper or plastic.  Besides the fact that this is just boring, this practice is extremely wasteful.  Do you really want to be remembered for your paper plates?  Class it up a bit.  If you are worried about your expensive plates, this goes especially for outdoor parties, I suggest investing in something cheap.  Go to your local auction and purchase all the kitchen stuff you can handle on the cheap.  Since I am used to throwing a party in the country I do not always worry about matching.  Shabby chic has never looked so good.

-For decoration, use as many organic or energy saving items as possible.  Remember to put thought into the details and your guests will most definitely take notice.  Charming pillows and candles always work. Bamboo material is much easier on the planet and it provides a serene look to pretty much anything. 

-In the end when it comes to the clean up, being organized matters.  It makes things so much easier in the end.  Designate a place to pile up all the empty bottles and cans.  This way you have them out of the way and ready for recycling.  To clean up messes simply use clean rags, soap, water, or a gentle cleaning product (ex. green works).  This is the safest and most chemical free way to clean up your home.  I try to use the least amount of paper towels as I can, which is why you can use washable rags.  Remember to not use them more than once, as germs would love to hang out in them.

Not many people realize this, but left over food can be decomposed back into the earth or given to your local farms for feeding.  I know my grandmother’s chickens would love them.

If you have more tips on how to throw an eco party I want to hear a bout them.  Together we can think up more interesting ways to be polite to our guests and the environment. The most important thing to remember is to make your guest feel comfortable and enjoy your party at the same time.

Are you starting to devote yourself to living green yet?  One Eco way to find out about the resources and ways to live a greener lifestyle is by reading our blog! Of course, no paper necessary.  There are however so many other outlets, and one of those great resources are books.  As a devoted book reader I have some recommendations for you and for your young children.  Bland?  No.  Entertaining?  Yes.  Besides being entertaining, I always think of books as a cultural and educational tool.  We can all allow ourselves a little Eco guilt.

Eco Fashionistas, this book is for you-Eco Chic Guide to Life by Starre Vartan

It is a classic guide for stylish girls on how to be fabulously green, this means learning how to shop for vintage and sustainable clothing and lowering your carbon foot print in a pair of Louboutins. 

In case you think you already know everything Eco and about a healthy lifestyle this book might surprise you.  Michael DeJong shows you there is more than one way to do things- Clean Body by Michael DeJong

He aims to teach us the importance of personal and household care by doing things yourself.  The most important lesson he has to teach is that living green means cleaning up your life.

If you have young children at home and a bit of spare cash around this guide is for you, A Kid’s Guide to Giving by Freddie Zeiler

This book sorts out through the mess of kid-friendly charities and gives you the 411 on who, what, how and why.  It will teach you the proper way of giving money and organizing charitable events.  If you can believe it the book’s idea was thought of by a 14 year old Freddie Zeiler.  He has decided to make a change in the world but soon realized a need for more research and instead of quitting did the work himself. 

1 ripe banana

1 tablespoon of organic (regular is fine) honey

1 lemon

Cut up the banana and mix it with honey until you  get a good paste going

Add a few drops of lemon

Use it right away as it starts to get gooey and dark after a while

Apply it to your face for about 15 minutes 

Wash it off with a warm or cool washcloth 

One thing I would keep in mind is that this mask does not  look attractive at all while on the face :  )

How often do you buy a new toy for your pet and throw out the old one?  The obvious answer would be if it is dirty or too chewed up it should probably go.  Well what if the toy looks fine and like new but at a closer look you notice the different ypes of hazards it can create.  

I am always on a search for a safe toy for my Yorkie and when walking into a dog store they seem to be rare.  Since he is very little I have to be that much more careful and picky. A lot of times the stuffed toys have little details that hang off and he can choke on, not to mention the fluffy material he likes to rip of and eat.  What about rubber toys? Once punctured with his teeth the little pieces of rubber start coming off, and of course I worry he will eat them. All of this without mentioning the materials and dyes they use to make the toys in the first place.  With bigger breeds certain toys are excellent, but I feel as if the little breeds have to be watched closer when playing with their toys.  

As I continue to do more research on advanced Eco friendly and dog friendly toys I will post more information. After little to no digging you can find earth friendly dog toys online. The toys are organically soft and non-toxic, not to mention cute. Once again organic cotton is important to look into for a peace of mind.  Smart purchases are the best you can ever make. Your best friend will love you for it.

UK Brand Belu Water in a compostable bottle made from corn

Motorola’s MOTO W233 Renew made from recycled water bottles

 World’s first PC TrickleSave Standby Power Saver detects and saves you+world power

Many of those who have not joined the green movement just yet are probably thinking it is far too much work to change old habits. When considering living an environmentally as well as a health conscious lifestyle there are certain questions you need to ask yourself. Your daily routine will tell you more about yourself than you can ever imagine.

Today’s society tends to be too busy to stop and ask; how exactly is my cotton fabric made, is my skin as radiant as it could be, why is it that my food tastes like plastic and does your fabric make you sick?

There are small steps everyone can take and incorporate into their every day lives without hardly any effort. In my opinion now is a better time than ever to be a bit selfish and start thinking long term into the future. Ask questions about the products you use and do your research.  When you practice being a smart consumer there is a good chance you will start living green.

For example, did you know that cotton is not as pure as many of us seem to think? Growing cotton and making it into textiles means using harmful chemicals.  Among these you can include pesticides, arsenic, heavy metal dyes and formaldehyde.  If you bother to do some research on these chemicals you can bet their toxic and cancer causing nature is being put out into our environment.  As someone who took a class or two in fashion school about textiles I like to know what I am wearing. What I know is that I enjoy wearing cotton more than any other fabric, however it is safe to say that when given the choice I prefer to use organic cotton.  

Here are few small changes even the most un-green person can make in order to start living green.

Environmentally conscious steps to a greener lifestyle

Whatever you are throwing out of your home this spring cleaning season makes sure it is disposed of properly. That means if you think it is up to others to make sure your waste is recycled, think again.  There are labels on trash cans for a reason.  As far as the disposal of garbage, I do want to add that if you work in an office you do not need to throw out a plastic bag every day when all you really put in your waste basket is paper.  Did you really need to print that paper in the first place?  Just something to think about.  

Once you are ready to replace the old with the new try switching to products that are environmentally and health friendly. If you have a family it is that much more important to use safe and natural household cleaners and recycled products. A good way to save money is to use your grandmother’s cleaning remedies that you can cook up at home.

If all you really want this Spring is to feel new and refreshed my mantra is to buy new bedding. This is a great time to look into buying organic products. These days the options are endless, bamboo fabric is a great new choice for sheets as well.  I recently discovered a great collection from Alabama Chanin for pillows and quilts.      

Spring Cleaning also means that you want to feel better about your body as well as mind. This usually calls for a vacation, well what if you cannot afford that trip this year?  If it is quiet and tranquility you crave it might be closer than you think.  After all stay-cations are the new vacations. Look into doing something locally.  I know there are really great yoga places that sometimes provide overnight stays. If you live in New York, upstate New York has a few great ones.  You will save money on gas, airfares as well as expensive hotel rooms.  

Fashion, fashion, fashion, for those who love it and hold onto its superficial factor dearly are more than likely not going to let go.  The good news is, you do not have to. I know I will not be passing on some luxuries that I crave this season, however I do give a chance to vintage and sustainable items. If you care to pay attention style can pretty much come from anyplace and it cannot always be bought.

If you are feeling charitable, spring cleaning is the perfect time to get rid of those pieces in your closet you always think you plan on wearing, but never do.  Give it to the women who will really love it and wear it to their next date or much needed job interview.  That is called recycling.

Once you have finished your spring cleaning, even a green fashionista needs to eat. How do you enjoy the organic foods that taste like back in the old country without spending a fortune?  There are ways around this.  Why not take on gardening?  Audrey Hepburn did it. This might also double as a workout and help you to get into shape for the summer.

I am also aware that for those of us who live in the city this might a bit of a challenge.  The nice people at food coop have had a solution for this problem since 1973.  I suggest you visit their website and get more information in the shopping experience that gets you really involved and eating good. http://www.foodcoop.com 

If you have more tips on the small steps you can take to lead a greener life I want to hear from you.