Eco-friendly bridesmaid gifts
We were inspired this week when a customer searching for something different to give her bridesmaids picked up these adorable recycled paper wristlets from Engage Green.
What a great idea! Here are a few more suggestions for affordable, green gifts that are a great thank you for your girls.
Made with recycled silver, Dogeared’s Make a Wish necklaces make a thoughtful gift that will compliment any bridesmaid dress.
Greenmarket girl’s eco-cuffs are both eco-friendly and extremely stylish, they turn heads and prompt a ton of “Where did you get that bracelet?” questions.
Nikita Lynn’s signature hand-blocked motif print wallet made with eco-friendly cotton is a green option that every girl can use.
If you are shopping for something different than a typical monogrammed whatever to give your bridesmaids, consider selecting an eco-friendly gift that serves as a happy reminder of your special day and friendship.
Buy a bag – help a village
We have all heard of a little retail therapy to lift our spirits. What if your next purchase helped a woman a continent away at the same time? Here is a behind the scenes video of some of the women making recycled newspaper handbags in the Philippines.
Yesterday’s news becomes today’s must have accessory
These women are able to generate income which means that their children are now able to attend school instead of going to work which in turn helps eliminate child labor. At the same time they are recycling materials that would end up in a landfill.
Here are a few of the finished products
So next time you are in need of a shopping fix, consider a product that is fair trade. You will be helping yourself and a few others at the same time.
Your purse is so yesterday
Why thank you! They must be talking about my recycled paper wristlet from Engage Green.
Engage Green takes yesterday’s papers and turns them into eco-chic wristlets, totes and coin purses with vibrant colors and designs. The fabric is created by taking narrow strips of paper and twisting them to create strength. At the same time, yarn is used to weave the fabric. The amazing colors are made with animal free dyes so the collection is also vegan.
A few of the benefits from using recycled paper are –
* Saves 60% to 70% of the energy used in the manufacturing process compared to using virgin pulp.
* Uses up to 55% less water that virgin pulp, and helps preserve our forests.
* Reduces air emissions by 74% compared to virgin pulp manufacturing.
Designer Leoner Mendoza, an award winning artist whose work is part of the Art Museum of the Americas permanent collection in Washington DC, is the creative mind behind Engage Green. Their products represent a consistent commitment to protecting our Earth’s natural resources.
Find your zen in style
I find that I am always more motivated to go to the gym when I have a new outfit to wear or bag to take with me. My new yogoco recycled yoga mat bag has been just the trick to push me towards more pilates classes. Amazingly, 70% of this bag is made from the discarded scraps of the t-shirt manufacturing process.
Scraps from the T-shirt making process are collected, sorted by color and blended. This significantly reduces incinerator and landfill use. The cotton fibers require no new dying, saving on water while adding no new pollutants. Furthermore, as no new cotton is grown, there is no land use, no water intensive irrigation and no fertilizers or pesticides used.
The resulting cotton-like fabric has an organic feel and is used as the fabric in the large mat section of the yogoco bag, as well as much of the towel section and piping.
These beautiful bags come in six different designs with vibrant colors and patterns putting you in the mood to find your inner peace and your toes. Take a look at the entire collection - see you on the mat!
Mar y Sol fairtrade handbags
What has your handbag done for the world lately?
Well, if it carries the Mar y Sol label it has helped families to gain economic independence and helped to promote environmental conservation. These colorful handmade raffia handbags from Madagascar & Kenya enable women to provide for their families and have the opportunity to send their children to school instead of work.
By incorporating renewable raw materials to create their original clutches, totes and shoulder bags they are leaving a greener footprint. Mar y Sol handbags can be seen in O Magazine, Lucky, Glamour and Marie Claire.
Welcome summer with one of their raffia clutches, they are a must have for the season!
Natural Luxe featured in the Charlotte Observer
Hemp isn’t just for hippies anymore – so says the staff of the Style section at the Charlotte Observer.
One look at the Engage Green city bag and you will agree too! This fashionable handbag blends recycled cork, organic cotton and hemp to create a beautiful tote.
Eco-chic designers are becoming aware of the versatility that hemp offers in creating today’s sustainable fashions. We agree and hope that we continue to see the use of hemp in everyday items increase too!
Make a statement with a recycled magazine handbag
Urthbags has turned our obsession with celebrity gossip magazines into a unique eco-friendly choice for a head-turning handbag. Monica Ralli, founder of UrthBags Eco-Chic Handbags, has created a one-of-a-kind line to help inspire people to develop a stronger sense of ecoconsciousness while making a stylish, green fashion statement. “Our handbags became a vehicle for this mission” says Ralli. “I wanted to create a line of stylish & planet friendly purses made from recycled materials that were Eco-chic, smart & green.”
Not only are these bags eye-catching but they are waterproof and the exterior trim is made from salvaged plastic. Urthbags has come up with great designs, from tote bags, satchels and even a yoga mat tote.
From Rice to Nice! Recycled rice sack totes are hot!
Give credit to Marty Stevens-Heebner of Half the Sky Designs for inventing the recycled rice sack handbag. She had the idea of taking rice sacks and recycling the colorful, funky designs into gorgeous tote bags, clutches, even yoga mat bags.
Armed with a rough idea of the concept, she went to the Philippines to track down rice suppliers and purchased the used sacks and yes; they thought she was crazy! When she returned to the States, her company Rebagz was born
Rebagz Rice Sack Graphic handbags are sturdy, since they were made to carry 50 or 100 lbs of rice. So if you get dirt or liquid on your bag, just wipe it off with a damp sponge and it’s as good as new. Love it!
The recycled rice sacks used for the bags have those amazing graphics already printed on them, any screen printing is uneccessary. They’re just that gorgeous all on their own. Rebagz are made under fair labor conditions over in the Philippines with Green America’s Seal of Approval so you know that your are getting a wonderful bag and helping others at the same time.
Oh Joy! Baby clothes made from soy
Do you know what your baby’s little lovey blanket is made of? Why should you care? Well, if your baby is anything like mine, they will be snuggling up with it and chewing on the corners everyday for months and it’s important to create and maintain a chemical-free environment for your child’s development.
We’ve got a inexpensive, super-cute company for you: Babysoy
Babysoy is the first company in the world to create baby’s newborn wardrobe using soybean protein fiber. Soybean protein fiber is a sustainable and botanical textile fiber made from renewable and biodegradable natural resources – the leftover soybean pulp from tofu and soymilk production. Its 16 amino acids are healthy and nutritional for our skin. It is a green textile fiber that possesses the superiorities of many natural and synthesized fibers.
The colors of the blankets, bibs and clothing are beautiful! Deep pinks, chocolate browns and vibrant blues make up the line of baby kimonos, signature soft blankets and accessories. They are also proud to support Healthy Child Healthy World, an organization dedicated to protecting the health and well being of children from harmful environmental exposures. With most of their items under $25, Babysoy makes giving your baby a green start affordable too. Check out the Babysoy collection at Natural Luxe today!
Now that’s Fierce!
Combine original artwork, organic cotton and babies and you get Fierce Hugs.
Started by friends Tina Fusari and Hani Hong, Fierce Hugs is a welcome alternative to the world of cutesy baby clothes. The bright colors and fun graphics stand out from the crowd, paired with organic cotton and made with fair-trade labor Fierce Hugs is on it’s way to securing a spot on the must have list for babies.
Fierce Hugs commissioned Italian artist Silvia Osella to design the graphics for their spring and summer line. She came up with prints that are both whimsical and edgy, a perfect addition to a green baby’s wardrobe.
We love the unique designs but we also were struck by the gift ready eco-friendly packaging. Cute and convenient!
Natural Luxe is excited to offer Fierce Hugs online and in our Charlotte location. We think you will love them too!
