ShoptoBeGreen.com Offers Organic, Natural & Sustainable Products

If you don't have a small family-owned green products retailer near you, you know have one online.

Shoptobegreen.com offers organic, natural and sustainable products for your body and your home. Many factors go into the careful selection of vendors and their products. They ask themselves,"Can this product reduce the public's use of petroleum products; lower landfill contribution either through bio-degradability, pre-cycle and recycle usage; and lowering chemical exposure by providing naturally made alternatives?"

They also prefer to carry products "made out of recycled materials created in an environmentally friendly way; like our reclaimed wood furniture, recycled water bottle felt pillows, and junk mail greeting cards. We also choose to carry a lot of products that are handmade by small family owned companies (like Tumbleweed Bead Co, GB Proudfoot, Decoylab and Beehive Kitchenware). One of the many reasons we love small companies is because their products tend to be handmade at the time you place your order so there are no large warehouses of inventory sucking up energy."

You can tell they've put a lot of thought into this:

"We look for items that can replace petroleum based products (like soy candles) and products that can help conserve energy usage (like LED lights and solar electronics). We carry jewelry made only from recycled metals and we will only carry antique or Canada mined diamonds so you can rest assured that it is not a conflict diamond. Our policy on products from outside of the US is to find companies that help reduce waste like Verterra’s biodegradable disposable kitchenware, Chaba reclaimed wood decor, and AquaOvo Therm-o glass bottle. We look for companies with Fair Trade policies such as our Pomiare Clayware, BeeHive Kitchenware Ceramics, and Himalayan salt lamps."

Not only is that a time-saver from shopping store to store, but it's a heartwarmer too - you can feel good about absolutely everything you purchase here. How great to support these smaller, independent producers!

I got to try Solay Wellness, for instance, which I'd never come across before. Their Whipped Body Butter is so luxurious and light, that I've been slathering all over my body ever since it arrived. And my skin has never been so soft! And the Detox Face Mask is the perfect way to combat a stressful day and/or damaged skin.

G.B. Proudfoot is another company I hadn't heard of and was thrilled to discover. Their Original Organic Lip Balm is not only soothing, it's got the most invigorating scent - ginger and orange - you'll want to eat it! For truly soft, renewed skin, their Tea with Lemon & Honey Scrub (pictured above) goes to work on ridding you of any dry skin and leaves behind rich, moist skin, all done with natural ingredients.

Not only is Shoptobegreen.com a fantastic place to shop for yourself, it makes gift-giving a breeze.

Shop now. Shop green. Shop responsibly.

Naked Beans Organics Coffee Skincare Nourishes Your Skin Naturally

Usually I think of coffee as pretty dehydrating, so when I came across Naked Beans Organics Coffee Skincare, I was surprised to learn of it's many amazing properties.

For instance, according to Naked Beans, coffee is an antioxidant and vascoconstrictor. Also, the "perfectly balanced 4.5 pH Coffea arabica beans and oils in our products will help you cleanse, exfoliate, aid moisture retention, reduce wrinkles, swelling, and cellulite , combat redness, remove under-eye circles and dark spots, revitalize skin tone and protect against skin damage and blemishes."

Hollywood stars have been slathering themselves in coffee-centric products and it's no wonder - just look at all it can do! The blend of coffee with organic, wild crafted, and natural oils, butters, and botanicals gives you healthy, beautiful, radiant skin without having to wait for weeks to see results.

To look my best, I start my day with Naked Beans Revitalizing Eye Cream.  This combats my late nights and bleary-eyed look. It takes a very small amount (the size of a pea) of this light, refreshing cream to work. I put it on before bed and when I get up. No more redness or dark circles. And those puffy bags that I used to lug around with me all day? Gone. Completely gone.

And because dry skin is not just a winter issue, I am relying on Daily Moisturizing Face Cream to keep my skin aglow. I like how this non-greasy cream sinks in right away and that my skin feels nourished long after I've put it on.

For my perpetually dry lips, Reviving Lip Balm feeds my skin with organic oils and coffee butter. It even smells like coffee! The emollient feel lasts and lasts so your lips are always smooth and kissable.

For the rest of my skin, I'm enveloping myself in Naked Beans Soothing Body Lotion (pictured above) in Lavender. First of all, it smells incredible (I've started putting it on just before bed in addition to first thing in the morning because the scent relaxes me from head to toe). Secondly, it feels wonderful on. It goes on light, but it deeply hydrates my skin. If you suffer from dry skin, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll feel relief.

There's little wonder why you should be shopping for skincare at Naked Beans Organics Coffee. But if that's not enough of a reason, how about the fact that they are affordable and all products, ingredients, packaging, containers, and promotional materials are recycled, recyclable, sustainable, reusable, compostable and/or biodegradable.

Shop the entire Naked Beans Organics Coffee collection now.

Show Your Gratitude with Gorgeous, Inexpensive Cards from Thank You Cards Shop

One of the greatest joys in my life is stationery. And in particular, thank you cards.

There is something about being able to write my sincere thanks and gratitude to someone for their kindness and generosity or friendship.

So thank you cards are a very big deal to me. I don't send just anything. It's got to be darn special.

So when I found Amy Lowry's Thank You Cards Shop, I was absolutely elated. Someone that specializes in thank you's? How amazing is that?! Amy writes about how she came to have the shop: 

"[Thank You Cards Shop] is an expression of my love for stationery and for living the creative life. I cannot tell you how much fun I had designing each card for the shop. I got my start designing stationery for my own wedding, almost 6 years ago and from there I was hooked. Almost everything about our wedding was DIY! When it came time to design the thank you cards for the wedding I found myself short on time – and ended up shopping for cards, but wasn’t totally happy with the selection available and the lack of customized options. Years later, I remembered this and realized that designing stationery would allow me to explore so many different styles – and to design for so many different types of people. I knew it was a perfect fit for me, and I’m excited to be embarking on a new chapter in my career as a stationery designer."

All of the cards are digitally printed on high quality white cardstock and professionally printed and packaged in the TYCS studio. The paper is manufactured in the United States, either from FSC certified forests (ensuring responsible harvesting techniques are used) or from paper recycled from cotton remnants, with 90% of packaging materials made from recycled paper.

When is the last time you had so many thanks you card designs to choose from?

-Flowerburst Patterned Cards are sweet and summery - perfect for sending after this season's events. 

- And I love the bird themed cards - Bird Thank You Cards and Crowned Bird Thanks (pictured above). I can think of a bunch of folks that will really appreciate the beautiful illustration and colour palette of these.

- But I think I love The Birds - Stationery the most. These rendition of a happy l'il forest just makes me smile, so I can only imagine how delighted the recipient will feel.

I don't know how Amy is able to offer such affordable cards! And the more you buy, they more they go down in price. My advice is to get a bunch of your favourites and stock up. I like to have them on hand so that as soon as I want to thank someone, I can send it off in the mail as soon as possible. This week, I'll be sending Amy's lovely thank you cards and thank you notes all around the globe - to a friend in London, to a friend who just got married this weekend, to colleagues in Michigan who opened up my eyes and my world, and assorted family and friends for just being in my life.

Now I just have one problem - how do you send one to a person who makes thank you cards for a living? I'll have to think on this one...

Shop the entire Thank You Cards Shop Collection now.

Why You Should Make the Switch to IQ Cleaners

Not all "natural" and "eco-friendly" cleaners work.

Sometimes they leave behind streaks and essential oil smudges.So it's important to find one that actually cleans well enough that you don't feel like you have to clean afterwards. Been there, done that.

Scent is also very important to me. I want something that smells "clean" but not astringent.There's nothing better than walking into the house and inhaling a big ol' whiff of "this house has been taken care of."

That's why I'm think iQ Cleaners are a smart choice:

- The wicked design  of an empty bottle with a cartridge. You pop in the cartridge and add water. Better for the environment (80% less waste) and a lot easier to carry home.

- They do what they say they do: clean.

- Non-toxic ingredients means that I can feel good about using them at home. After all, our Cosmo has been known to lick the floor on occasion.

- You can finally afford cleaners again. Thanks to iQ, they've created an inexpensive options for those of us who don't want to have to choose between buying a cleaner or pair of shoes...

- The scents are wonderful - flowery, but not sweet, and yes, clean-smelling. Woo woo!

I tried 3 of the 4 cleaners and was thrilled with them all. The All-Purpose Cleaner goes to work in my office and the kitchen without any elbow grease required. I clean our bathroom a lot, so it's nice to know that iQ Bathroom Cleaner is always up to the task. It makes it smell amazing too, which I really appreciate. And with mirrored doors everywhere, you wouldn't believe how much Glass Cleaner I go through. This is one I can actually afford. 

When's the last time you were "thrilled" with your cleaners? That's what I thought.

So get yourself iQ Cleaners and have a clean, safe home that smells wonderful without having to break the bank. It really is that easy.

Leave a Small Footprint with Pur Footwear

I am always on the hunt for an amazing pair of shoes.

Ones that not only look great, but feel good too (my feet are my car, after all). And to be able to find all that with the bonus of being ecologically sound seems too good to be true.

But I found it all with PUR Footwear. Their philosophy is simple:

"Put into a shoe only what needs to be there. Keep the materials as earth friendly as possible. Impact our planet as little as we can."

But they left out that they're Canadian (woo woo!), their thoughtful designs and the huge comfort factor. And that they make shoes for both men and women.

Each shoe is made with only 5 simple ingredients:

- vegetable-tanned low-impact leathers

- recycled board

- natural crepe rubber soles

- latex rubber foam cushioning and thread

And not only does PUR pledge "to use only materials that have limited environmental impact, using renewable resources or recycled materials wherever possible and donating 1% of its revenues to environmental charities."

This summer, I'm rockin' Provence in azalea (pictured above), a sweet espadrille-style flat that works with everything from skinny jeans to capris to dresses. Available in 4 warm colours - worn born, driftwood, azalea and capulet - they'll accentuate whatever the outfit!

I love that I can go for long walks and still be stylish and comfortable. I also really appreciate that my feet breathe in the material, because with the insane high temperatures this season, I don't want to risk sweaty feet on top of it all.

But the best part may be that you don't have to spend the time - and pain - breaking them in. Because they're so soft and sensual against your skin, there's no room for blisters or cuts, rubs or scrapes. Finally a season of unharmed feet!

Get yourself a pair of pretty AND comfortable shoes from PUR Footwear.

These l'il beauties are going to be the most used item in your wardrobe this season. You just watch.

Vermont Soap Organics Deep Cleans Without Toxic Chemicals

I am trying to rid our house of chemicals and go all natural wherever possible.

One of the first places I hit was underneath the skin where I store my house cleaners. A clean house is very important to me, but now that we have the option of cleaners that use natural ingredients instead of toxic chemicals, I want to replace everything under there.

The problem is, some natural cleaners just don't do the job well enough.

So I'm always on the lookout for something that doesn't just smell good or makes my appliances look good, but really gets in there and cleans.

Vermont Soap Organics produces "USDA Approved, Certified Organic alternatives to the chemical and detergent based personal care products now in general use," and their Farm & Ranch Multi-Surface Cleaner stands up to my vigourous testing.

I like that it works on everything in the bathroom and kitchen, it brings out a shine on the taps as well as the porcelain and countertops. I feel good knowing that its free of artificial preservatives, colours, fragrances alcohol and detergents too.

Not only that, it smells good. Using saponified  organic coconut, olive and jojoba oils, organic orange oil, tea tree and other natural essential oils, organic aloe and rosemary extract, you get that fresh, clean aroma without inhaling anything harmful.

But don't feel you can only use it on your room's surfaces - it works on all washable materials including wood, plastics, leather, cloth, people, pets, car interiors and much more (just be sure to test a small area prior to use).

So instead of having 5 bottles under the sink, have just the one. The good one.

Buy Farm & Ranch Multi-Surface Cleaner now.

Get the Cleanest Floors You've Ever Had with Rubbermaid's Reveal Microfiber Spray Mop

I've got hardwood floors throughout my home. And then tiles in the kitchen and bathroom.

That combined with my fella and I working out of our one-bedroom home with our cat at our feet leaves our place somewhat overrun. Oh, and when I'm not writing, I'm cooking, so needless to say, our floors need to be cleaned once a day.At least.

That being said, as much as I love a clean house, I don't want to spend hours scrubbing floors. That's why I am head over heels for Rubbermaid's New Reveal Microfiber Spray Mop!

The microfiber pad is phenomenal - I can't believe how clean the floors get, with no need to go over them again (thank goodnesss)! Rubbermaid says it picks up "50% more dirt and dust per swipe than traditional mops," but it seems like a higher number to me.My kitchen and bathroom tiles have these grooves where everything slips into. The Reveal cleaned 'em  right out. All that hair (it's not just the cat, we all shed), dust, dirt, food, everything gets picked up.  And because of the design, it swivels and gets into teeny, tiny corners like no other mop I've ever tried.

I think because of the thick, thirsty microfiber material, it holds more water than most pads and it's able to  clean thoroughly with each swab you do. My floors look amazing (yes, you can come and see them, but please call first). A refillable spray bottle allows you to wash your floors in whatever eco cleaners you like. Me, I like to use just water (try it and tell me your floors don't shine up a storm), so I appreciate that I can fill the bottle and pull the handle and spray as I go (why anyone would still use a bucket in this day and age is beyond me, but all this time, I have been having to go over to the sink and re-wet my cloth - no more!).  That means, that I can clean much, much faster.

I've never seen a velcro stickiness like this before either. You never ever have to worry about the pad becoming loose (a problem I've had in the past with other mops) because you have to use some upper arm strength to tear the pad off when you're done. So mop away knowing that the pad is always safe and secure. I also love the cushiony foam handle, which makes for very comfortable mopping. Why not make the experience as enjoyable as possible?And there's no need for disposable anything with this mop. You get 200 times with each pad. Toss your pad into the wash, not in the garbage like those ones from the drugstore. Ech.

Buy it online at Rubbermaid.com, at Lowes, Loblaws, Home Hardware, Walmart and Home Depot for $29.99 (it comes with one spray bottle and one cleaning pad). Additional cleaning pads can be purchased for $6.99 and spray bottles are $4.49.

Rubbermaid Reveal Microfiber Spray Mop, where have you been all of my life? I know have all this extra time on my hands, thanks to you.

Ahhh.

Alaffia Sustainable Skin Care Helps Communities Beat Unfair Conditions

It's not often that you can make a difference by buying skincare.

But Alaffia cares about more than your skin. They are advancing gender equality and alleviating poverty through the fair trade of handcrafted shea butter in Togo, West Africa and their amazing products.

Alaffia's Skincare line is superb, one of the best I've ever tried. And crazy inexpensive! When I saw the quality of the ingredients and how it transformed my skin, I thought for sure these bottles would be at least $60 each. 

Not even close!

My routine starts with the Rooibos & Shea Butter Antioxidant Facial Cleanser. Using a combination of  handcrafted shea butter, virgin coconut oil, rooibos tea, aloe and African wild honey, it feels soft and gentle on your skin, but considering that I had some waterproof makeup on, it really went to work on getting everything off - with no effort on my part.

I love the feeling of having a freshly washed face before bed, but learned long ago that soap dries out your skin. My skin's dry enough, thank you very much, so I really appreciate that after having used this cleanser, my skin feels softer than before I put on my makeup this morning.

Next, I apply the tea-coloured Rooibos & Shea Antioxidant Facial Toner, sprayed on a cotton ball. The refreshing, revitalizing blend of rooibos tea, shea leaf extracts, witch-hazel and African wild honey prepped my fave like a canvas. See, it's formulated to "naturally balance your skin's pH and help maximize hydration," and because there's no drying alcohol, your skin simply looks clean and luminescent. 

My favourite part has got to be putting on Alaffia's Rooibos & Shea Butter Antioxidant Face Cream. I think it's because it feels so good to smooth on (the texture is soft and silky) and you can feel your skin immediately hydrate and soften upon application. Really, it works that quickly. It's their amazing products that you see throughout the line - unrefined shea butter, virgin coconut oil, rooibos tea and African wild honey. My skin became so supple and toned after using this just after a few days. And after just one day of use, my fella came home and said, "Your skin looks really good."

That really says it all, doesn't it?

You should shop Alaffia for many reasons:

- their products work

- they are incredibly affordable

- purchasing their products goes to help women in West Africa

- the fragrance of the ingredients is intoxicating - kind of like Chinese 5 spice powder

So shop Alaffia now and make a difference - to your skin and to those in need.

Full Circle Makes the Best Kitchen & Cleaning Tools!

Why are you still using that scrub brush that you got from the dollar store two years ago?

Ew. Not to mention that it is nowhere near eco-friendly.

That's why you've got to check out Full Circle.

Their cleaning tools are so beautiful, so wonderful to hold and use, completely eco-friendly and sustainable and - here's the biggest suprise - absolutely affordable!

Everything from dish brushes, scrub brushes, sponge, cloths, towels,to make-your-own natural cleaning set and home composting solutions are available here, so you can clean and have a clean conscience.

The Be Good Dish Brush has quickly become one of our most used kitchen tools ever. I used to just rely on a sponge and dish cloth, but this recycle plastic, renewable bamboo dish brush gets at all the stuck-on food and grease with so little elbow grease, I have time to go and make myself a drink afterwards!

Now that the Farmer's Markets are getting going, the The Ring Vegetable Brush is a must for gently removing dirt from your hand-picked carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, etc. The natural and recycled bristles work out the land from your veg quickly and easily. And the part bamboo handle is just gorgeous (Why can't Full Circle make jewelry too? This is the perfect bangle!) and so smooth. Everything Full Circle makes is just so easy on the hands, something that you certainly wouldn't notice with those cheap plastic things you've been using up until now, but you can't help but take note of - rest your thumb there, put your hand there, ahh!

And speaking of brushes, the Reach Bottle Brush works in travel mugs, baby bottles and I've been using mine to also clean the sludge that occurs in vases full of water (why does it do that?) and dust out the inside of my lamps. You simple place the longer end of the brush on the inside and squeeze the handle to clean both surfaces simultaneously. The handle and bristles are made with recycled plastic and the wire is made of  recycled stainless steel. This is one of those tools that you didn't realize was so handy until you had it, and now you can't live without it.

One of my favourite designs is the Stick'em Magnetic Kitchen Towel (pictured above). You know how chefs have a towel that sits on their hip so that they can wipe their hands or grab a hot pan out of the oven with one quick move? That's what this towel is like. You can put it wherever is most convenient, not just where it happens to fit.You can toss it towards the fridge or stove and it sticks! How cool is that? And here's the best part - the bamboo and organic cotton blend is so cushy and soft, you use it more than any other towel that's passed through the house. Ooh, if only there was pajamas in this material...

These are just a few of the amazingly wonderful, inexpensive kitchen tools from Full Circle. Look around and finally get items that are worthy of you.

Discover Eco-Friendly & Stylish WeWood Watches

Have you noticed how watches have all started to look the same?

I saw the same design made by 5 different companies. And that was just in one single display case. I craved something unique, something that would stand out against the crowd, but nothing too crazy. I don't want to look like a club kid after all. I want something I can wear to the office in addition to a night out with friends.

I found it all in WeWood Watches. 

It's amazing how sophisticated looking they are, because sometimes with wood, you get a very rustic, barn feel, which wasn't the vibe I wanted at all.

Somehow WeWood has managed to make very refined looking time pieces, while making them sustainable. "Completely absent of artificial and toxic materials," your watch is natural and when you purchase a WeWood watch, a tree is planted. 

Look fashionable and help to rebuild our endangered ecosystem? It's possible, thanks to WeWood.

The only hard part is trying to choose which style to get. The WeWood Date Army is quite fascinating and the Beige/Brown is simply stunning. But I wanted something with power and oomph. Something that wouldn't just settle into the background.

The WeWood Crono Black (pictured above) is a little bit Joan Jett, a little bit Laura Croft:Tomb Raider. Just what I wanted/needed to amp up my look.  This ebony wood watch is made from a tree that is thought to ward off evil spirits - just call it your good luck charm. And it's not just pretty - in addition to the time, it offers a stopwatch, the time and date and an alarm. So you can always be where you need to be, when you need to be there.

All that for this amazingly low price? And a tree gets planted every time you buy one?

What the heck are you waiting for? Buy a WeWood watch now.

Dsolv Mesh Lawn Bags Make Working in the Yard a Dream!

Why are spending your weekends in the yard, trying to clean up all those leaves, sticks and yard waste? All that backbreaking work of getting and filling paper bags, only to have to do it all again in a week or two?!

Blech.

That's why you need dsolv mesh lawn bags!

Their inexpensive Starter Kit allows you to get rid of those awful paper bags and to clean up the yard in an instant!

You use the spring-loaded sleeve as a container and slip on one of the 8 dsolv bags that comes in your kit. The bags are made of biopolymer, so despite looking like large fishnet stocking, they are incredibly strong and flexible. You fill your bag with your yard debris and forget about ripped paper bags forever! They are strong enough to drag along your driveway even, so if you don't feel like carrying them, you don't have to - it's practically a vacation having to clean up the yard now!

The best part about these bags though is that they are compostable, just as the leaves and grass clippings that you've just filled it with are. So by taking out the paper equation, you are actually saving the environment by using the dsolv kit. And because each dsolv bag holds up to 45 gallons of yard waster, it's twice as much than a paper lawn bag. And because the sleeve holds the bag upright, you don't have to worry about it tipping over, so add as you go - even over a couple of days if you like!

dsolv has even gone that extra step and included an ergonomic handle so that you can carry your bags out to the curb - it will hold 3 at once, so you don't have to run back and forth down the driveway or laneway like you've had to in the past.

The Starter Kit includes a spring-loaded sleeve, 1 bag handle, and 8 dsolv bags. These items are all packed in a durable, fun pouch, handy for storage between uses.  And inexpensive Refills are available for when you run out of bags.

I don't know why you'd use anything else.

Buy a dsolv Starter Kit now and get your weekends back. Summer is going to go by like that.

Shop the Season with Earth Creations' Sustainable & Organic Cotton Clothing

Ugh. Have you looked in your closet lately?

There's nothing to wear!

That's why you need Earth Creations eco, pure and simple clothing.

Fashionable beyond belief, you'd never know that they were made out of mud! Well, kind of. Here's the story:

"Earth creations evolved from an ordinary bike ride. One day after a storm, Joy took her mountain bike out for some off-roading and ended up covered with Alabama red dirt. Despite many tumbles through the washing machine, the shirt, socks, and shoes remained stubbornly stained by that mud! When Joy and Martin met years later, Martin was intrigued by the strength of that red clay. Where most people saw ruined clothes, Martin saw potential. Armed with his background in chemistry, concern for the environment, and a natural curiosity, Martin began experimenting with the clay as a dye for T-shirts.

That was almost 17 years ago. Our garments are still colored with natural clay dyes using the process Martin originally developed. From the first 'Alabama Dirt Shirt' tinted with that infamous red clay, earth creations has grown into a full line of organic T-shirts dyed in a rainbow of colors for men, women, and children. We also have a complete casual wear line for women made from sustainable fibers."

Founders Joy Maples and Martin Ledvina are really onto something here. 

Check out the gorgeous Tiki Top (pictured above) that I got in Sunstone. It's the perfect spring/summer top. Dusty rose is one of the top colours of the season and with the 100% organic cotton crocheted yokes with elasticized rouched shoulders and 100% organic cotton jersey fitted bottom, it fits and slouches in all the right places. It looks like 2012, yet it got a 1963 vibe to it. 

It looks fantastically sexy paired with jeans, slim capris or skirt. It can look dressed up or dressed down just based on what bottom you wear it with. And because of the crocheted peek-a-boo top, you don't have to accessorize at all, making like a whole lot easier and less time at home getting ready!

And because this spring hasn't been exactly warm, I envelope myself in my Juneau Jacket pretty much every day. Both because it looks so good and is so comfortable, I can't bear to slip on my other coats!

 

I love the range of summery colours that are available, but I went with Black (it just goes with everything).  This too is something that can look both easy-breezy casual or ooh-la-la dressy. The tie front and shawl collar give it an operatic presence, while the princess seam fitting lines show off the intricate detailing and fine finishing. It's incredibly flattering, thanks to being semi-fitted, so you can wear it with pants or dresses - widening your wardrobe options even further. And the material feels fantastic against your skin. It's no wonder I never want to take it off: 66% bamboo, 28% organic cotton and 6% spandex french terry blend together in a cozy, but never too warm concoction.

I want one of everything at Earth Creations!

 

Shop it all now - women, men and youth/infant - and get yourself a wardrobe that is good for you and to you.

Pack the Prettiest Lunch with Urban Harmonie's Reusable Lunchbags

For a short while, I actually went to an office instead of working here at my desk at the end of my bed.

Working outside the home has many challenges that don't occur here - there's the commute, people other than your cat to talk to and lunch options.

At home, I eat whenever and make whatever, depending upon my time and mood. When you work in an office, you have limited options. And where I was working, there wasn't much around to choose from, so I packed my lunch.

The problem I had was:

1. I could never find a bag cute enough to carry, so I ended up using ugly plastic bags

2. I could never find one big enough to hold my various containers of carrots, crackers, salads and whatever else I trucked in to hold me over for the day

So you can imagine my immense delight when I happened upon Urban Harmonie!

Made with the environment in mind, these delightful lunch bags and snack bags do not contain PVC, phthalates, BPA, lead or formaldehyde. Creator Vicki Davidson says, "The loops and handles on the lunch bags are made from our scrap fabric, we reuse old buttons  and we use only Kraft boxes and envelopes for shipping which can either be reused or recycled."

 

The fabric used are quality quilting cottons "coated to create a durable, water-resistant, easy to clean surface." The interior of the bags use Pro Care Barrier Fabric.  This makes it waterproof and extremely durable. And to clean your sweet l'il bag, you simply need only wipe it with a cloth and hang it to dry!

And let's talk about these fabrics, because you won't find anything cuter than In The City, Kittens and Fun Times. If you like patterns, you'll swoon for Avocado Damask, Lotus and Retro Wave.

The detail and care of these Canadian-made bags is extraordinary. Aside from the fun fabrics, you then have to think about what size you need. Do you want a strap, loop or both? Do you like it short, tall or bento shaped? There is so much to choose from!

I went with the truly awesome Pop Art Tall Boxed Lunch Bag (pictured above). I am a huge Roy Lichtenstein fan, so this bag makes me very, very happy. It also allows me to pack a whack of food (which let's face it, as a food writer, I'm not subsisting on grapes alone...). There is also an insert included, a little bamboo fibre tray that fits perfectly into the bottom, giving the bag a smidge more stability and strength. I also like that it gives a very flat bottom so that my various eats don't slip and slide while I'm navigating my way through subway crowds, etc. The insert is made without chemicals or fertilizers and does not absorb liquids or fibres. When you're done with it, place it in your compost. It will degrade 45-90 later.

I'll let you in on a little secret. Even though I'm back at home, I still pack my lunch in this cutie. And now I take food with me wherever I happen to go.

Because a bag this cute should not be left at home where no one can see or enjoy it.

Shop the entire Urban Harmonie Collection now.

Handcrafted Lily Organics Are Made Fresh on the Farm!

It's not often that you find skincare products as fresh as this: Lily Organics is a certified organic farm, where fresh products are mixed and made by hand every week, without the use of any synthetic chemicals.

The result is gorgeous, clear skin!

I started with the gentle, yet effective Nourishing Facial Cleanser. Using only pure, natural ingredients such as Lily's homemade almond oil soap, lemon juice, vitamin E and witch hazel, your skin will no only feel clean, but pampered.

I love the tea-coloured Balancing Facial Toner because my face brightened immediately. Thanks to goodies such as certified organic eucalyptus, white ginseng and pure sage and lavender essentials oils, your skin feels soothed and invigorated.

Balancing Facial Lotion is like none I've ever seen or used before - using beeswax, primrose oil, bee propolis and other exciting ingredients, it is like treating your skin to a rich buffet of wholehearted goodness! Just imagine how good you'll look and feel feeding your skin such natural ingredients. Be careful though, it smells so delicious, you're going to want to eat it!

And for those times when you need a little pick me up, you've got to try the Rejuvenating Enzyme Mask! It smells like molasses (though it's not an ingredient) and enriches your skin with honey, papaya, pineapple and other whole ingredients. Your skin will feel like it's been on vacation and finished with a spa treatment!

My skin is radiant, thanks to Lily! 

Let Mother Nature, not scientists, give you gorgeous skin.

Shop Lily Organics Skincare now.

The Occasion Calls For Egg Press Cards

Every time one holiday ends, it seems another is right around the corner.

Before you know it, it will be Easter, then Mother's Day, then Father's Day, not to mention all the birthdays, anniversaries and new babies happening... you're going to need a bunch of cool cards to mark these occasions!

Egg Press is one of my go-to places for cards because they are fun and whimsical and made with love.  These handcrafted letterpress cards are made with great care on an antique press, so you get a card that not only looks great but has great heart too.

And they have just launched a collection of incredible planners and calendars with Blue Sky that are so awesome, I can't pick just one!

If you're looking for cards that really mean something, shop Egg Press.

Renew Your Skin With Brittanie’s Thyme Incredibly Affordable Organic Skin Care

It's so cold out. Has your face gone and dried out like mine?

It's time for a renewal, but not anything chemical laden. You want to treat it like you would the rest of your body. And you don't want to spend your whole paycheck either. I mean, you're not making the big bucks, yet.

That's why you'll want to shop Brittanie’s Thyme products.

All of Brittanie’s Thyme products are USDA certified organic, with the exception of their French Green Clay Facial Mask with Organic White Tea. How they manage to use such exquisite ingredients and keep their prices so low remains a mystery, but at these prices, perhaps you won't mind being in the dark just this once!

To get my rejuvenation started, I slather on the Organic Almond Oatmeal Facial Scrub (pictured above).  The ingredients? Organic oatmeal and organic raw almonds.  That's it!  Isn't that awesome? To use, you simply place a small amount in the palm of your hand, add a few drops of water to make a paste and then rub gently onto your skin in small circles. Rinse with warm water and voila - shiny new skin!

Then I apply the Organic Everyday Facial Moisturizer, which despite it's usually pricey ingredients, is only $16 a bottle!  The pureness of each component renews your skin and protects it from the harsh winter elements, which unfortunately, we've still got a month or so left to battle against.

You'll love how your skin feels during (it's not oily at all) and after applying this moisturizer (oh so soft!). Using wonderfully pure ingredients - organic aloe gel, 100% natural glycerin, organic rice bran, vitamin E, organic rosemary extract,organic geranium and organic sweet orange essential oils and organic (refined) coconut oil - you can feel good while looking good.  And you only need 2-3 drops every day, so the bottle will last f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

And at only $5 a bottle, you'll want to load up on French Green Clay & White Tea Facial Masks for you and your friends (what a great gift and stocking stuffer!). I love using this once every couple of weeks. The healing clay (montmorillonite) is from France and delivers magnesium, silica and selenium to your skin.  And according to Brittanie's Thyme, the organic white peony tea "provides 10 times more antioxidants than vitamin E,"  so you can imagine how beautiful your skin is afterward.

To make things ridiculously easy, get everything together in the Everyday Basics or Gluten-Free Everyday Basics Set.

Spring is still weeks away. Look damn beautiful in the meantime with Brittanie's Thyme.

Recycle Your Hangers with Ease with the Hanger Hamper

I love our place, but our bedroom closet is a constant source of agony (it even frustrated our organizer!). No matter how much I cull my clothes and rearrange things, I end up with having to yank out tops and by the end of the week, the closet looks like it's been raided by a 12-year-old.

One of my recent discoveries was that as I've been donating clothes at our local shelter box, I've been folding everything and hence, my closet still has the same number of hangers.

But how to recycle them? I've tried taking an armful to my dry cleaner, but that ended with hangers all over the sidewalk. Plastic bags don't work because the wire and plastic tears right through them.

Thank goodness for The Hanger Hamper.

This clever product helps consumers and dry cleaners easily reuse and recycle their hangers. Approximately 3.5 billion wire hangers are discarded in landfills every year, so I like feeling like I'm part of the solution - and it creates room in my perpetually cramped closet!

The cloth collapsible bag is shaped to stack up to 100 hangers neatly. The sturdy sides means they won't be tossing about on your way to the dry cleaner and the straps make it easy to transport them.  Then, when you're not using it, collapse it never worry again about wasting precious closet space. But even when it's open, it's triangular shape conform to your closet corners, making it wonderful to use for laundry or storing small items in the interim.

This afforable system ($9.95) is really a revolutionary household product.

Get your Hanger Hamper now.

Get Clean Naturally with Pattern Body Washes

Are you trying to incorporate more natural products into your life in the new year?

You should start with Pattern Body Washes.

They leave out all the bad stuff:

- parabens

- artificial fragrances, colours and dyes

- SLS/SLES

- not tested on animals

And instead, Pattern packs each bottle with gentle cleansers. What's surprising is the thick lather that is generated - often when natural ingredients are used, there isn't much foam or lather, so you don't get that satisfying feel. And also how moisturized you'll feel. There's no dryness here, only soft, smooth, clean skin.

Another way Pattern is distinguishing itself is that you can use this body wash all over - body, face and hair. I bet you can't do that with that bottle from the drugstore...

But perhaps it will be the luscious scents that memorize you the most. Fragrances, essential oils and plant extracts mix and mingle to exhilarate and energize you during your morning shower.

I tried Sage,  which is fresh and slightly foresty, thanks to essential oils of sage, star anise, grapefruit and cotton flower and Vitamin E. I love the moisture-locking feel that comes with the accompanying Sage Body Lotion too. It lasts all day long, even in these wicked cold temperatures and there's no slick, greasy feeling either.

Nutmeg is fantastic and my favourite of the two scents. This one's actually made to combat dry skin using herbal extracts and essential oils of nutmeg, amber, cardamom and Vitamin E. I find it completely intoxicating, probably because it doesn't give off a baked cookie smell, instead lifts you with a spicy, vigourous blend that completely wakes  and shakes you up.

Try them all or shop specific scents.

Isn't it time you had the shower of your life every day?

Maroma's Natural Home Fragrances Make A Wonderful Holiday Gift

It drives me crazy when I see people loading up with soaps and candles from those places in the mall. It just seems so unoriginal.  And those scents? Smelling like candy canes is not natural.

That's why I recommend Maroma's Natural Home Fragrances.

I like them because they everything is made with botanical extracts and contain no toxic or harmful ingredients. They also follow environmentally responsible manufacturing practices, so you can feel good about using them and giving them this holiday season.

The essential oils used in their home products don't just smell good - they are formulated to clear and refresh the air.  And the fragrances to choose from are incredible, all at incredibly inexpensive prices, so you can afford to outfit your home as well as those on your holiday list. Take a look at what I've tried so far:

I love the large range of incense Maroma offers. I especially like their SPA line that includes not only fragrances but the therapeutic effects that go along with it. Each box of 10 includes a small incense holder (I love that!) and each stickburns for 30 minutes, allowing you the peace and calm that you need in this hectic world. New Energy is lively with its blend of Orange, Lemon, Basil, Peppermint, Lavender, Cubeb and Rosemary. And Pure Air is a wonderful blend of Pine, Vetyver, Eucalyptus Globulus, Basil, Bergamot and Spearmint that really helps make the place feel fresh, even with the windows closed.

I've never used cone incense before, but I am captivated by Devi Incense (pictured above). Blended with natural essential oils, these cones contains sandalwood powder and tree bark powder as a natural binder. What is amazing about cones versus sticks is that the ash of the cone stays in place, so you don't have to worry about any cleanup. I tried the Audacity Fragrance, which is a wonderful whirlwind of Vanilla with Jasmine, Cedrat and Mandarin. You get 12 cones plus a holder in this set. What a great gift or stocking stuffer!

And for a rich feel, I love Maroma Men's Incense. Tonka Vetiver is so sexy and alluring.

If incense isn't really your thing, Encens d'Auroville Perfume Sachets are a lovely way to bring soft fragrance into your home.  There are small squares that you can tuck in between your linens or in a drawer or sachets with paper hooks that makes it easy to bring a fresh scent to your closet, car or laundry room. Blended with natural essential oils that are infused into fine sandalwood powder then packaged in handmade paper pouches, these are a lovely way to say thanks this holiday as well as freshen the house before company arrives. I fell for Orange Blossom, Rosewood, Fragipani, Rose and Neroli.

Candles are a wonderful way to bring a scent indoors this season. Maroma's are made from 100% renewable resource farmed palm wax that gives you 24 hours of clean burn time with no smoke, soot, petroleum based residue or overriding wax odor. The wick is made of cotton and completely self-trimming. The Luminary cup and packaging are made from recycled natural materials
and the Luminary wrap is from harvested banana fiber. Once you've used up the candle, the cup can be used for tealight candles or for anything else you like. These cups are way too pretty not to showcase somewhere in the house. 

And the scents! I love the deep notes of Maroma Men's Cedar Lavender. And Maroma's Green-light Spicy Mandarin is a great choice for this time of year. The originality of Pear d'Anjou is so delightful. Just try getting anything like these fragrances at the mall.

Soap is a very popular gift at this time of year, but you'll stand out from the crowd with these Maroma blends:  

Spa soaps are 100% natural, made with certified organic soap base, with no added dyes or any synthetic fragrance. They have been triple milled, making quite the luxe gift without the hefty price tag. I think the Tranquility blend is an excellent way to unwind this holiday. 

Maroma True Soaps and Bath Salts contain no dyes, preservatives or artificial additives. I love the energy of Lemongrass. With Mango Butter, Lemongrass Leaf Powder, Lemongrass Oil, Gingergrass Oil and Palmarosa Oil, your body will be drenched in deep moisture. And for a more soothing feel, indulge in the Lavender Soap and Bath Salts.

You don't have to be a man to enjoy using Maroma Men Soap. There is the relaxing Cedar Lavender, invigorating Tonka Vetiver and the exfoliating Olibanum Citrus that uses walnut shell powder to rid you of any dry skin.

Whether you're buying Secret Santa gifts or just wanting to infuse your home with a little added warmth this season,  shop Maroma.

Celebrate the Season with The Cardboard Christmas Tree!

In recent years, there has been a real eco movement during the holidays - people sending out ecards instead of paper ones, giving less but more meaningful gifts and then there's the tree issue.

Perhaps you bought a plastic or 'fake' tree thinking that it is reusable and you don't have to kill a tree. Or maybe you believe that buying a real one is better because you can replant it.

I think one of the coolest solutions is The Cardboard Christmas Tree for a number of reasons:

1. It looks completely awesome.

2. It fits wherever you need it - there the tabletop version (1 ft) for teeny rooms and a small floor one (3 ft) for those with just a little more room.

3. It comes with its own decorations, simplifying your tree ceremony ritual forever!

4. You can colour and decorate it yourself, thereby personalizing it. Just look at what you can do!

4. It stores flat and small, so that you can finally have a tree but not have to move in order to have room to store it.

5. It is made from recycled materials, so it's your feel good tree.

6. You can mail to someone, straight from the website. Buying someone their Christmas tree tops any gift they get this yet. 

7. A portion of the profits from the Cardboard Christmas Tree sales are donated to the Arbor Day Foundation's Trees for America program. Through this program, for every one dollar donated, one tree will be planted in a damaged forest.  

8. They are so darn affordable, you might as well just get a bunch of 'em. There, your shopping list is practically done.

Shop for The Cardboard Christmas Tree now.