In Bed with Goldilocks

Date: November 26, 2008 | Category: Featured, Home Furnishings, The Home

It’s no wonder Goldilocks wanted to try out all the beds in the three bears’ home. She was trying to find the best sheets!

With the release of Goldie Home, a new line of eco-luxury bedding, sophisticated design meets sustainability. Using only third-party certified organic cotton, you can rest assured that your zz’s will be enjoyed pesticide-free. The dyes are not vegetable-based but do adhere to strict European standards, and Goldie Home makes the commitment to switch to more ecologically-sound dyes in the future. (more…)

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My Little Pakora

Date: November 25, 2008 | Category: Children, Clothing, Fashion, Featured, Kids

As an eco-conscious adult, you’ll want your legacy to live on with your like-minded little ones. My Little Pakora, a line of planet friendly clothing and accessories for baby, takes pride in its low-impact processing (using certified organic cotton from sustainable farms and toxin-free dyeing), helping ensure a green future for the next generation.

The darling designs are inspired by founder Sonia Gupta’s South Asian heritage. What’s more, My Little Pakora features helpful educational material on how to live more healthfully, incorporating local and organic nutrition, yoga, and natural remedies into your routine as part of pregnancy and parenting. In India, these practices have existed long before today’s contemporary trends. So My Little Pakora is not only selling the green goods, they’re living it as well.

Raising a culturally clever kid has never been so easy. Or so adorable.

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Bam-Beautiful

Date: November 24, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Makeup, Teens for Safe Cosmetics

As an ecofabulous reader, you started to replace many of your beauty products with ecological options – sans toxins and chemical-based preservatives (always referring to the trustworthy Teens for Safe Cosmetics). And if you’re paying close attention, you are hopefully starting to question the “process” as much as the “product.” Well, the process for that pretty face can now include make-up brushes that carry your mineral-based powder from the compact to your cheekbones in full sustainable style. (more…)

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Waking up all of the Eco-Senses!

Date: November 21, 2008 | Category: Lifestyle, Tech

Has the green movement got you movin’ to a new tune – recycling, composting, eating organically and buying sustainable products? Well now you can sing to something more sustainable too.

Ecofabulous, design-loving music aficionados everywhere have been overheard coveting the Vers 2X iPod stereo. But it’s the Vers 1.5R radio/alarm clock for iPod that got us out of bed this morning. Designed to deliver maximum sound for its size, the stereo has a retro bamboo exterior cabinet and an energy efficient class D amplifier (between 35-50% more energy efficient). And the 18-function remote allows you to control the tunes, even from across the room.

Also available in cherry, natural walnut and dark walnut (all from sustainably managed forests, of course!), the wood used in each stereo replaces 80% of what would have been plastic. While each Vers 1.5R is finished by hand and takes over a week to build, for just under $200 you can get a sound system that’s as unique and rockin’ as last Friday’s karaoke moves. Santa, in case you are reading this, this would make waking up in the morning a little more appealing…just think about it, ok?

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A Staycation in Bed

Date: November 19, 2008 | Category: Home Furnishings, The Home

It is beginning to get a little chilly to lay in a field of flowers (OK, LA, we know…). So to do your part to reduce your travel footprint and to save your precious pennies, try turning your bed into a retreat. The Bloom organic cotton duvet from Wildflower Organics can help create an escape.

Made from 100 percent certified organically grown and processed cotton, the duvet and matching shams are individually printed using non-toxic, eco-friendly, water-based dyes. Combine these 320-thread count toppers with a set of luxurious sheets by Coyuchi and you’ll have made yourself a five-star all-natural bed.

The duvet and shams, which retail for $320 and $65 respectively, are available in cream and cocoa on the Wildflower Organics website. Sweet dreams.

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Singing the Love Story Blues

Date: November 18, 2008 | Category: Fashion, Women

If retro is the way you roll (which is now au current), rock these slim fit jeans from J Brand Green Label.

Skinny all the way down, the low-rise pencil leg in the Woodstock wash recall the 70’s but with a modern flair. Made of 100 percent organic cotton with a touch of Lycra for just enough stretch but not too much, the low rise jeans retail for $209.

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A Call to Arms

Date: November 18, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion, Jewelry

Are your wrists feeling a little bit out of the loop lately? Ecofabulous has the 411 on sustainable jewelry and the news keeps getting better and better. How cute are these hand-woven telephone wire bracelets from Original Women?

Made entirely from telephone wire by Zulu basket weavers, the beautiful texture of the weave and the graphic patterns will appeal to teenagers and grandmothers alike. You can select from copper, black, silver, brown and copper zebra, or the black and white zebra. Since the bracelets are made by hand, each piece is unique. And when you buy the bracelets, which retail for $35, now on sale for $26 from Original Women, you’ll be helping female artisans earn a living and receive basic education, health education, and HIV/AIDS support. What a deal!

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Bag this Deal!

Date: November 18, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Bags, Fashion, Featured

Ditching plastic bags is an honorable goal but if you want to lift your eco efforts to the next level, using totes made from organic cotton is the way to go. While we applaud anyone who forgoes plastic in favor of a reusable tote, many of the bags that tout themselves as eco-friendly aren’t really green.

SKN makes bags that fit the bill, ecologically speaking, and the company is currently offering ecofabulous readers a fabulous deal on its 100 percent organic cotton – and super cute – totes. The bags, which measure 12″ wide, 16″ high and 6″ deep and hold up to 40 pounds, are large enough to carry dinner home from the market and stylish enough that you can be eco on the sly if you so desire.

The bags retail for $34.95 but by typing in the promotional code “happy holidays,” ecofabulous readers will save 20 percent through Dec. 1^st!

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ecofabulous Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Date: November 18, 2008 | Category: Guides, Holiday & Gift

Stumble It!

Eco-Decorating: More than Your Tree Should be Green

When it comes to decorating for the holidays, green decor means more than hanging a pine wreath on the door. To start, research organic Christmas tree farms in your area by logging on to GreenPromise.com or LocalHarvest.com, both of which feature farm directories by zip code. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year, which means buying organically-grown trees is crucial in terms of reducing the amount of pesticides released into the atmosphere. Buying a live tree that can be replanted in your back yard is the best choice, but if you choose a cut tree be sure to recycle your tree responsibly. Many towns will chip trees to be used as mulch. Check earth911.com to find a recycling location near you.

To decorate your tree use LED lights, which consume significantly less energy than regular lights and last years longer. HolidayLEDS has a large selection in a variety of bulb shapes and sizes. And choose eco-friendly ornanments made from recycled materials. We love the christmas tree ornament ($12) made from recycled magazines from New Leaf Project, the angel ornament ($12) made from a recycled soda can from Ten Thousand Villages, recycled glass balls ($9 each) from One World Projects and these pretty recycled glass infused pottery ornaments ($7.50) from Paloma Pottery.

To decorate other areas of your home, check out the Organic Herb Wreath ($39.99) that you can eat after the holidays (talk about recycling!) and these amber and red recycled glass pebbles from Crate & Barrel, that can be used at the bottom of a vase, to dress up a candle holder or to add some bling to your holiday table, for under $10. We also love the Eco-Friendly Modern Menorah ($85) from Eco-Artware and these Fair Trade Menorah candles.

Recycled Wrapping and Compostable Cards

Whether you have a husband whose guitar skills rival those of Eric Clapton, or teenager whose mission it is to blow out your ear drums, the gift of music is one that will keep on giving (whether you like it or not). Check out the Bambuza guitar from First Act (about $400), which is constructed entirely of bamboo with a water-based finish, making it as eco-friendly as it is cool. And for the front man in your life - or the karaoke enthusiast, as the case may be - pick up Vocal E-Z Throat Spray ($10.99), an all natural spray which is guaranteed to keep the pipes in tiptop shape. Or, for the armchair rock star, pick up an iTunes gift card, a smart way to cut down on Christmas waste by eliminating the plastic wrap those CDs come in.

For the Green Thumb

What could be greener than gardening? Organic gardening, that's what! For the person in your who life can't get enough time in the dirt, a copy of Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening (under $15 on Amazon.com) is the perfect reference, especially with a gift certificate from One Green World, a nursery that has pledged to be a model of sustainability in the world of nurseries, tucked inside. And for bug bites and other mishaps that befall those whose passions bring them outside, pick up Burt's Bees Great Outdoors gift set for $15.99, which is packed with natural bug repellant along with salves to heal every outdoor woe.

A Fresh Face in the New Year

Alabaster complexions don't grow on trees, which is why skin care is such an important part of a woman's life. Pamper your lady (or yourself) with one of Zem's personal favorite's, the Terralina Skincare gift set for $100, which includes a cleanser, toner and facial moisturizer, as well as full- and travel-sized body lotions. Zem also recommends Duchess Marden’s darling skin care travel set for about $25, which is perfect for skin care on the fly. The set contains the company’s most popular products, Pure Rose Water, Foaming Cleanser and Face Crème, and will keep skin looking fresh in any time zone.

If a friend's resolution for 2009 is to use only eco-friendly cosmetics, start her off with Jane Iredale's Lip Crayons. The set of five pencils line and color lips, or in a pinch can be used to add color to cheeks. The pencils, which retail for $55, are paraben-free and never tested on animals.

For Those Who Like to be Showered (with Gifts)

Sometimes locking yourself in the bathroom is the only way to get some time alone, so why not make the time sequestered in the powder room a little bit more luxurious? There are a slew of decadent products for the bath and shower that are all natural and make amazing gifts. We love the organic Lavender Spa Set from Pharmacopia for about $40, which includes bath salts, body lotion, lavender body oil and a clean burning soy candle, all in a decorative, reusable, Fair-Trade certified, handwoven grass basket. As if that wasn't enough, all orders over $25 will receive the company's lip elixir free of change. Or check out Shea Terra's Bourbon Vanilla Indigenous Shea Butter body set for $48, which includes a Silk & Shea Body Lotion, the Silk & Shea Shower Elixir and a Shea Butter Dead Sea Salt Scrub in a handmade sinimay bag. Plus, if you order now the company will include a 3.5 ounce Divine Chocolate bar with your order, which may be the only thing to keep you from sampling your shower gel.

For guys, the Pangea "Harmony" holiday gift set, which retails for $35, might be just the ticket. In gender-neutral scents like white pine and Indian green tea, the soaps, shower gels and lotions will inspire him to create his own skin care regimen. Looking for a fantastic gift for those whose idea of heaven is a tub full of suds? Pick up EO's Bubble Bubble gift set, for about $35, which is packed with three bottles of the company's certified organic bubble bath and two envelopes of its bath salts, to transport you to relaxation in a way that Calgon never could.

While you are at it, why not redecorate your little sanctuary a little bit with an organic shower curtain ($49) and bath mat ($29) from West Elm, and an organic cotton monogrammed bathrobe ($99, plus $6.50 for monogramming) from Pottery Barn.

For the Eco-Athlete & Fitness Freak

Athletic gear is finally hitting its stride in sustainability and with the holidays upon us it is just in a nick of time. For the athletic boys and men in your life, an eco-certified, vegan basketball from Fair Trade Sports for under $20 and Ethletic high top sneakers from Autonomie Project ($56) - made of organic cotton canvas and an FSC-certified sole - are sure to inspire a little one-on-one out in the driveway. For the female athlete, we suggest the Bamboo Zip-up iPod Jacket from Omala, made of 100 percent bamboo and featuring a hidden spot for her iPod on the front of the jacket ($78), or the Natural Yoga Mat from Prana, which retails for $48, is biodegradable and made with absolutely nothing toxic.

And to keep all the athletes in your life healthy and hydrated, pick up a Kleen Kanteen bottle for $18. The bottle is made of 100 percent recyclable, high-quality, food grade stainless steel, which means it is completely BPA-free and won’t leach chemicals, toxins, or funky flavors into your water, unlike some plastic water bottles. The company also makes some cool accessories, like the Bike Cage for $6.95, which clips onto a bicycle for H2O on the go.

For the Babe that Craves Bling

Has your lady been a very good girl? If so, reward her with some sustainable baubles this year. We like the Shoot Ring from Bario-Neal, a Philadelphia-based company that uses only reclaimed precious metals, ethically-sourced stones and low-impact, environmentally conscious practices. Plus, 1 percent of the $141 price tag will be donated to the Association for Responsible Mining.

Our hearts also went aflutter for the 3 Circle Flower Earrings from Alkemie, which forges all of its jewelry from 100 percent reclaimed metals. A pair costs $121. Another item she'd love to find under the tree is the Choco pendant from Brilliant Earth. Feminine without being fussy, the two-sided pendant is made from one of the first truly fair trade sources of gold from Oro Verde, responsibly harvested from cooperatives in the Choco region in Colombia, South America. It is adorned on one side with a pre-Colombian petroglyph pattern, while the other side glimmers with a rough-hewn hand-hammered finish, giving two looks for the price of one. The necklace retails for $425.

For the Style Maven & Style Master

Getting new clothes for Christmas or Hannukah doesn't have to mean the dreaded hand-knit sweater from Granny or a snowman tie from your kids. Check out these sexy and sustainable fashions for everyone on your list... and you might even be tempted to pick up one of these special somethings for yourself.

For women, we love the Cropped Round Neck Cardigan by Pure Collection, which retails for $158. The sweater is made from 100 percent sustainable cashmere and comes in six gorgeous colors. Pair the sweater with one of Chlorine's vintage refurbished handbags (we love the Long Lala Clutch, pictured) and Form & Fauna's Mommom Platinum Heels, made entirely of non-leather sustainable and renewable materials, and your girl will be the eye candy at every holiday party this season.

If greening your guy's wardrobe is one of your projects in 2009, start with the basics, like a long sleeve organic cotton polo shirt from Patagonia ($60) and a pair of Levi's eco Vintage Men's Jeans, made of 100 percent organic cotton and only $69.50. Layer on a silk scarf by Sevya, which is hand-loomed by Karnataka artisans and retails for $42.

For the Man on the Run

Life is hectic and, let's face it, we are all on the go most of the time. But just because your loved ones drink their coffee and respond to their emails on the fly doesn't mean they have to go back on their promise to lead a green life. This laptop sleeve by GreenSmart, which costs under $25 and is made entirely of recycled bottles, makes the perfect gift for the guy or girl on the go. The simple envelope enclosure is padded for protection, and comes in two sizes. The best part? At only 7-ounces, this sleeve will help lighten your load. Put this inside the Bentley Messenger Bag, made from recycled tires, and the recipient's path will be a green one. The large bag retails for $169.

Juicing up throughout a long journey is a necessity, both for the busy traveler and for his or her electronics. For the human, pick up the "I'm Organic" Eco Travel Mug ($20), which will keep coffee hot and make a statement. Made of 100 percent corn and printed with vegetable dyes, the cup will disappear in a compost bin in two months... but not until you are finished with it. For your electronic counterparts, pick up this portable solar charger, which will rev up your phone, computer, iPod or razor thanks to a handy adapter for about $170. The device will provide 20 minutes of talk time on your phone with just one hour of solar power, or it can be plugged in when you are back on the grid.

For the person who is always running from gym to shower to office, tuck a bar of Pomera5 under the tree this year. The soap-free cleanser is made only with olive oil, organic, pomegranate seed oil, herbs and essential oils. For only $18, the 100 percent organic cleanser gently exfoliates skin and leaves it feeling clean and soft, without having to tote around an armload of grooming products.

And to offset all of this running around, whether it is by car, airplane or train, consider offsetting your friend or family member's carbon emissions by purchasing points from CarbonFund.org, which supports carbon-reducing projects such as renewable energy, reforestation projects and energy efficiency. In fact, you get to choose which project your dollars go towards. With different options, such as offsetting car or plane emissions, it will be like your friend or loved one is staying still... even when they are on the run.

Green Gifts for the Playpen Set

Keeping the outside organic is just as important as the inside, right? Traditionally grown cotton clothing not only exposes babies to chemicals but accounts for one quarter of the pesticides used worldwide, making it one of Earth's most dangerous foes. Luckily, many companies are on board with organic cotton, making it easier and easier to dress your baby for eco-success from day one. This organic cotton sleeper from Hanna Andersson for $37.50 will surely summon Santa Claus with its festive red and green stripes. (It is also available for bigger kids and adults so the entire family can be jolly.) Or for a layer of warmth on a cold winter day, give this snowflake onesie from Zazzle (about $39), also made of organic cotton. For bathtime, we love this tiny baby bathrobe from Under the Nile, made of organic Egyptian cotton for the discerning spa baby.

Finding earth-friendly playthings is just as important since babies put absolutely everything into their mouths. We love these precious organic cotton plush toys from Under the Nile, shaped like Santa or a snowman ($10 each). Zem is also a fan of Idbids, organic plush toys shaped like rain drops and flowers and clouds, which are designed to help teach children about sustainability. A set costs $39.99. We also like the Sprig Adventures Series, eco-friendly cars and trucks that harness imagination and encourage active play through lights and sounds. Using LED lights and no batteries, they cost about $50.

One Fish, Two Fish, Green Dog, Green Cat

With all the love you shower on your pets you would never dream of overlooking them on your very eco-Christmas morning, would you? For feline fiends we have found the gift basket to end all gift baskets. The Cat Lover Gift Basket, which costs about $55, includes organic dry food, organic canned food, organic treats and kitty’s favorite - catnip! The set comes wrapped in a bamboo basket with a bow, so buy one for your cat and ship one to all the other crazy cat ladies you know. For dogs, one of the cutest accessories we've seen this year is the tie collar from The Good Life for $30. Made of recycled ties, your pooch will be fancy enough to head to midnight mass in this get up. And when all the gifts have been opened and everyone is pooped, your dog (or cat) will love relaxing on a Green Dog Bed, which is made from 100 percent recycled coffee sacks. Ten percent of the purchase price will be donated to Bikes to Rwanda, an organization that provides cargo bicycles to co-operative coffee farmers in Rwanda to improve quality of life in these communities through a bike workshop and maintenance program that provides transportation resources for basic needs and enhances production of quality coffee. A large bed costs $37.

Green Goodies

There is a reason that people gain weight over the holidays... the goodies, and this year we have found some deliciously organic ways to pack on the pounds. For the perfect salty/sweet ratio (with some alcohol to balance it all out) we like the Sweet & Salty with Wine gift set from Organica Deluxe ($70), featuring organic salted almonds, Dagoba chocolate, ginger cookies and a bottle of organic wine. Or to be anyone's favorite employee, give your boss an Organic Cheese Collection complete with a beautiful leaf plate that can be reused for entertaining all through the next year, all for under $75.

Gifts for co-workers and employees can be challenging but who doesn't need a strong cup of joe in the morning? Send your coworkers the Pachamama Coffee Sampler. You can choose between organic, Fair Trade single-origin coffees, blends and decaf coffees in a variety of combinations for under $20. Or, to keep your employees healthy this holiday season, why not give the gift of fresh fruit with the Harry & David Organic Fruit Basket. A five-pound basket is under $80.

Zem also loves Wink of the Rabbit Caramels from Vosges Haute Chocolate, which are handmade from the finest organic ingredients. The caramels are soft and delicious, so much so that this box of 18 petite caramel bites ($29 for 12 caramels coated in milk chocolate and topped with chopped pecans and six dipped in dark chocolate and topped with a roasted, salted pecan) is too dangerous to have in your own house. Better to tempt friends around the holidays, no?

No Wrapping Required

One of the most conscious and considerate gifts you can give is a donation to a favorite charity. There is no wrap to throw away, no ribbons to toss and even the smallest donation to charity is never the wrong size. And since your money goes straight to the cause of your choice, it is literally a gift that keeps on giving. But if you are looking for something a bit more tangible to give a friend or loved one but don't want the muss of a fussy gift (or if you have NO idea what to give) check out some of these ideas.

One of Zem’s favorite wrap-free gifts is to make a donation through ChangingThePresent.org, where you can donate money in a friend or family member’s name and decide how the money is used. For example, for $15 you can sponsor a rescued duck at an animal sanctuary. Or for $65 you can contribute to one month of intensive tutoring for a group of deaf high school students, and the list goes on.

Gift certificates to eco-friendly spas, like Epi Center here in San Francisco, or to yoga studios and organic and sustainable restaurants are certain to inspire healthy new habits. Or, pick up a gift card in the denomination of your choice. Target is offering a 100 percent biodegradable gift card this holiday season, which can go right into the compost bin when the shopping spree is over. When you give the American Express Give Green Gift Card, a portion of the proceeds benefits American Forests, the nation's oldest nonprofit citizen conservation organization, which is dedicated to growing a healthier world through healthier forest ecosystems. Cards can be purchased in denominations from $50 to $500 at Macerich shopping centers across the country.

We also like gift cards that will help save resources, like one from Audible.com, where recipients can download books online for tree-free reading, or a one-year subscription to Flikr, which will allow friends to organize their family photos digitally, rather than printing hundreds of snapshots of their thumbs.

For the Couch Potato

Sometimes the best gift you can give a family member is your time, and a Netflix subscription guarantees hours of snuggling in front of the television. Plus, Netflix now has many titles online and available for download, free with a one year subscription, which provides entertainment without the postman wasting gas to deliver them to your door. Wrap yourself up in the fluffy and fabulous Pomeroy Throw from Loyale Clothing, a vegan faux fur blanket lined with organic cotton twill fabric for $196, and settle in with one of Zem's favorite nibbles, 479° Organic Popcorn, in crazy-good flavors like Black Truffle + White Cheddar, and an evening on the couch will be elevated to a sofa event. Sampler packs featuring a variety of flavors cost about $35 each.

Great Gifts for Less Green

Recognizing the important people in your life is the whole point of gifts but being popular can be expensive. Instead of buying a mountain of expensive gifts, check out some of these Earth-friendly presents we have found for under $25:

A Slice of Organic Life by Alice Waters, is a guide to organic living, a good reference for the newly green and eco-freaks alike and it is only $25.

The Kiss My Face Organic Lip Balm Gift presents your buddy with three lip balms in lip smacking flavors for $9.95.

Have a friend with a foot fetish (or who just can't stand to go too long between pedis)? Deep Steep's Candy Mint Foot Polish, is paraben-free, vegan and, according to our tester, "smells like the sky on Christmas." The lotion retails for $15.

Having the travel bug doesn't have to mean roughing it if you give a friend Hugo Naturals Lavender Travel Kit, which retails for $14.99. The kit includes shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion and a refreshing lavender essential oils spray, all packaged in travel-sized 2-ounce bottles and packaged in a clear plastic zip pouch, as per airline reservations.

For the true bleeding heart, consider purchasing a flock of chicks from Heifer International for $20. The eggs produced by the flock will help families from Cameroon to the Caribbean add nourishing, life-sustaining eggs to their inadequate diets (and your friend won't have to clean up after a bunch of birds.)

Encourage your husband to do the cooking with a set of six organic herbs from McFadden Farm for $25. The set includes basil, chili flakes, garlic powder, sage, rosemary and lemon thyme. (Sorry, Simon and Garfunkle fans, no parsley in this set.)

Help a friend save their skin and the rainforest with the Save Your World Try Me Gift Pack. For under $15, you receive shower gel, body lotion and three soaps - all natural and paraben-free and made with organic Yerba Maté and organic Aloe Vera - in a variety of scents. The company promises that the purchase of this product will save 6 acres of rainforest for 1 year.

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Catch Zem on NBC

Date: November 18, 2008 | Category: Lifestyle, Media

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