Gifts+Gifting – Fabulously Green

Category archives: Gifts+Gifting

UK Sample Sale: Ciel, Terra Plana

28Nov07

Sarah Ratty wrote us from Ciel to alert London readers about a Christmas Sample Sale to be held this Friday and Saturday in Covent Garden. What you can expect to find: fabulous coats, shoes, frocks, boots and knits at up to 50% off regular prices. Oh-so-British style mulled wine and mince pies will be served to tickle the taste buds.

The Details:
Friday, Nov. 30 | 3pm-8pm
Saturday, Dec. 1 | 9am-7:30pm
Covent Garden
2nd Floor, 65 Neal Street
RSVP to the studio here.

The Fab Factor: Ciel fabricates its gorgeous collection using organic cotton certified by Skal, as well as hemp, silk and faux fur. According to their website, Ciel uses “only 100% Azo free dyes for fabrics, using fabrics certified by Oekotex and Confidence in Textiles labels, preferring recycled and recyclable fibres wherever possible, ensuring great performance along with eco-intelligent design made in accordance with ethical production.”

Wish I could join you all!

Filed under Eco Glam, Fashion - Women, Gifts+Gifting, Sales+Shopping| Tagged Ciel, fashion+style, luxury eco, sample sale, Terra Plana | No Comments

Holiday Sales Roundup – Where to Shop Green

21Nov07

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Fabulously Green will be on hiatus this week and back again on Monday the 26th. In the meantime, here’s a quick sales roundup for those interested in giving green and fabulous this holiday season.

Nov. 24-25 | Friends and Family Sale at Branch Home. Enter code “branchfriend” to take advantage of 20% of virtually their entire selection of modern green furnishings, accessories, bags, and gifts.

Nov. 23-26 | Equita boutique turns one and celebrates online sales on Lucina jewelry, Edun tees for guys, mod messenger bags, organic skincare products, and gourmet fair trade chocolates, coffee and olive oils.

Nov. 23-25 | One of my favorite New York boutiques Kaight is having an in-store and online sale. Enter code “Thanksgiving” to get an extra 15% off eco-luxe apparel and accessories for women.

Nov. 22-Dec. 24 | Holiday Sale at Vitamin D(esign) runs through Christmas. Enter code “HOLIDAY2007″ to get 20% off any purchases totalling over $50 on furniture, apparel, accessories and more.

Nov. 28-29 | NYC Sample Sale on Loyale with complimentary Reyka Vodka cocktails from 5-8pm on Thursday the 28th for lucky shoppers.
- Sample Sale Location: 307 W. 38th St. #1412 (at 8th Avenue)

Filed under Babies+Kids, Fashion - Men, Fashion - Women, Gifts+Gifting| Tagged eco, Eco-friendly, eco-luxe, edun, Gifts, green gifts, holiday shopping, kaight, loyale, sales, vitamin d(esign) | No Comments

Holiday Style File | Getting Ornamental

14Nov07

Photo courtesy of splityarn

Here’s an easy idea for tree ornaments. Make them for you or send them as gifts.

Design it yourself:

1. Get your blank canvas: a package of class glass ornaments from a crafts store (I get mine at Michaels).
2. Be innovative: use whatever lovely leftovers you can find. This is the fun part. Consider it your own designer’s challenge. Channel your inner Martha. In the famous words of Project Runway’s Tim Gunn: make it work.

Odds and ends or unexpected textures work best and can even tell a story. Yarns from knitting projects, ribbons from birthday parties, confetti in your hole puncher, toothpicks, rubber bands, scotch tape (sculptor Tara Donovan’s work might inspire some out-of-the-ball thinking here). Or use your hole puncher to make confetti. If you have a paper shredder, you can create ribbons from virtually any paper source like magazine ads, old photos, etc. The more your reuse, the greener it is.

3. Fill ‘em up and you’re done!

Variation: Wishful Thinking
I made these five years ago for family and in-laws from used leftover vellum. Three different colors. I composed a one sentence wish for each member. Then I cut them into ribbons placing each person’s wish into the respective family ornament. People loved them and spent an hour shaking them up and reading their individual wishes. Martha would have been proud.

Big design day ahead. Until tomorrow!

Filed under Gifts+Gifting, Handmade, Refashion+Refurb| Tagged Christmas, DIY Style, Eco-friendly, Handmade, Holiday Style, make your own ornaments, Ornaments, Recyclable, Recycled | No Comments

Fish Lips Designs | Under Wraps

11Jul07

I’m enraptured by these gift papers by Fish Lips Designs. Bold graphics printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Oh, and the dyes are soy-based and chemical-free. As a former graphic designer I will say that going green in printing and paper is no easy feat. And the prices for papers are pretty reasonable.

DIY tip: Having seen these papers in person (owner/designer Kimi Rutkin dropped by some samples), they are handsome enough to frame as wall art. Buy a large sheet and create your own tryptic, or cluster a few patterns together of varying shapes and sizes to create a composition.

Other Fab DIY Possibilities:
* Book Covers
* Drawer Liners
* Scrapbooking
* Placements
* Handmade greeting cards
* Lampshades
* Switchplates – if you know how to decoupage

See the whole collection at the Fish Lips website. Go ahead, get wrapping!

Filed under Budget Decor, Gifts+Gifting, Lifestyle Tips, Recycled, Stationery+Cards| Tagged Eco-friendly, Fish Lips Designs, gift wrap, Kimi Rutkin, Non-toxic, Recycled, recycled wrapping paper, retro gift wrap, Stationery+Cards | No Comments

Sneak Peek | Branch Home

11Jun07

The team at Branch Home just e-mailed over some new fabulously green pieces picked up from this year’s ICFF show in New York. Hot or not?

Cain Chair, Seth Esthelman, $398USD/pair (unfinished)
These chairs remind me of old-fashioned school house chairs, yes? According to Branch the wood comes from sustainable forests in New York and Pennsylvania, but no certifications were mentioned so I’ll follow up and report back. They are stackable, and shipped flat. Exclusive to Branch Home.
Sling, Ting Studios, $578USD
A eco-modern take on the classic hammock, designer Inghua Ting’s Sling is handwoven using reclaimed, unused nylon seatbelt webbing. Available in six bold colors: green, orange, white, chocolate and black. According to Branch Home, Ting Studios strives for zero carbon footprint production in their UK offices. Employees bike to work and their products are made in Europe.

RD4 Chair, Richard D. Liddle, $1198USD
The RD4 (aka Roughly Drawn) Chair is a visual dervish of 100% recycled plastic molded into an airy seat. Was the designer channeling Jackson Pollack? Available in five colors: black, blue, green, orange, and red. Exclusive to Branch Home.

Filed under Furnishings, Furniture, Gifts+Gifting, Interior Design, Refashion+Refurb, Small Space Style| Tagged Branch Home, Eco-friendly, modern furnishings | No Comments

LIFE.STYLED | Help Stamp Out Hunger

11May07

Gone postal with all the junk mail flooding your mailbox? Me too. Almost missed a postcard for a fabulous idea called Stamp Out Hunger. Here’s a chance to bring fabulous food to families in need in your area. Who’s in?

Tomorrow, Saturday May 12, we can help. Leave a bag of non-perishable food next to your mailbox. Your friendly letter carrier will pick it up while making the rounds. So easy a caveman can do it (ok, I needed a little Friday Geico humor).

Of course any non-perishable food is welcomed. But if you happen to be near a local Trader Joes, Whole Foods, or supermarket that offers organic options, wouldn’t it be nice to indulge a family with a few extra healthy, sustainable options in the mix?

What going in my Fabulously Green bag tomorrow:

* Boxes of Pacific Organic Creamy Tomato soup, Trader Joe’s Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup. I always have a few in the pantry for easy meal making.

* Cans of Westbrae Natural Pinto Beans, Whole Kernel Golden Corn, Great Northern Beans

* Kashi’s Strawberry Fields cereal — hard for me to part with, it’s SO good.

* Organic Cream of Wheat, Polenta by Bob’s Red Mill. I knew there was a reason why I had bought a whole case this month.

* Dried fruits from Trader Joes: golden raisins, cranberries, currents, apricots

* Bags of pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans for snacking or cooking

For urbanites: check with your letter carrier or bring food to your nearest post office.

Thanks to the U.S. National Association of Letter Carriers for sponsoring Stamp out Hunger. You all rock!

Filed under Gifts+Gifting, Lifestyle Tips| | No Comments

Sunday's "It" Store: Zanisa

06May07

Zanisa is an online boutique well-stocked with green and gorgeous gifts for him, her, baby–even for your pet. Founder Susan Lawrence launched Zanisa as “a labor of love” and it shows. A beautifully drawn symbol legend helps shoppers understand the degree of “green” characteristics in each product. There’s a broad range of green style gifts to suit economical and extravagant budgets.

Who: Zanisa, a derivative Shona word meaning “to restore harmony and be in balance”
What: Online, one-stop source for high style, socially conscious gifts presented in drop-dead-gorgeous packages.
Best Bets:
Luxurious, handmade, organic soaps and spa kits
Restyled wallets, bags, totes
Organic, fair trade chocolates
Green gifts under $25

Extra: Catch the stories of artists/designers behind the goods in the Profiles section.

Know Before You Go: If you want to search products by green category (i.e. see what is “fair trade” or “recyclable”) you need to rollover the “Show” button to pop up the menu. Zanisa also stocks some “handmade only” items so not everything on the site is considered “green.”

FAB GREEN PICKS

Bottlecap Bracelet by Laura Beamer, $159
Made from recycled Oopp juice bottle caps

Chocolate Wafers, Kathy Moskai, $15
Organic, fair trade chocolate from sustainably grown and harvested beans in the Ecuadoran rainforest. Topped with crushed espresso, pink peppercorns, or chipotle-roasted organic pumpkin seeds. A daring delight!

Filed under Budget Decor, Gadgets, Gifts+Gifting, Gourmet, Lifestyle Tips, Sales+Shopping, Skincare+Beauty| Tagged Eco-friendly, Laura Beamer, Organic, Unique Gifts, Vere Chocolate, zanisa | No Comments

Studio Sale at Lotta Jansdotter

21Mar07

Fresh from the Fab Green inbox: one of my favorite designers, Lotta Jansdotter, is spring cleaning and we’re invited! She’s launching a sample sale on March 25 at her Brooklyn studio. What you’ll find: accessories for the home from past seasons, samples, and one-of-a-kind items up to 60% off.

Lotta Jansdotter’s Studio Sale:
Sunday March 25th
from 12 – 4pm
at 75c Hoyt Street
(between State & Atlantic Ave)
Brooklyn NY 11201
ph: 718-596-2055

Non-New Yorkers (self included) can find some great deals on select items online. I went ahead and bought a button tote (lower left picture) to serve as a sweet shopping bag. Made from eco-friendly 100% linen.

Filed under Bags, Budget Decor, Budget Fashion, Furnishings, Gifts+Gifting, Indie, Interior Design, Sales+Shopping| Tagged Eco-friendly, Indie, Linens | No Comments

A Giving Kind of Love this Valentine's Day

25Jan07

Looking for love this Valentine’s season? Here few fabulously green finds that bring some love and tenderness to your one-and-only, your gal pal and our planet.

LOVE NOTES
These handmade cards by GG2G inspire the “touchy-feelie” this Valentine’s Day. Each one-of-a-kind design is crafted using salvaged fabrics and samples, and printed on 75% hemp/25% post-consumer paper stock.

I love the love peas. We are like. Perfectly said.

BED OF ROSES
I’m not one to buy cut flowers (I prefer to give and receive potted plants and flowers). But if you or your loved one is bouquet-minded then Organic Bouquet is a great bet. Their Charitable Bouquets are certified-organic, and 5% of every purchase is donated to a paired charity. The roses shown above supports the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public, specifically parents and caregivers, about environmental toxins that affect children’s health. With 28 arrangements to choose from, you’ll likely find something that will bring style with a smile.

DECADENT DESSERTS

Custom cakes by Sarah Magid are lovingly made with organic ingredients and in-season, locally found fruits and herbs. I’m dying to taste the Chocolate Loveblossom (left) and the Flutter Away butterfly-inspired cakes (right). Via Oh Joy!

POPPING THE QUESTION…

The Canary Uncaged Engagement Ring by Green Karat is a sunny-colored stunner that is responsibly mined and crafted in a recycled gold setting. The karma believer in me just says no to blood diamonds, and yes to conflict-free, responsibly made engagement and wedding bands.

…JUST A PROMISE TO STICK TOGETHER

Magnetic Ring by Dynomighty, $20. Spotted at GreenerGrassDesign.

LOVING THE SKIN YOU’RE IN
Organic Body Polish by Trillium Organics, $13, spotted at BTC Elements
Pure wholesome goodness for skin. Paraben, fragrance, petroleum, synthetic, and cruelty free. Available in Pink Grapefruit, Cedar Sage, or Lavendar Geranium.

Euphoria Vegan Handmade Soap by YouStinkSoap, $3.25 on Etsy
Chunky all-natural bars blend jasmine, rose and sandlewood. Super-fatted with shea butter for extra moisturizing benefits. Tons of silky, creamy bubbles, sans chemicals. All lovingly made in Michigan.

Love to all of you this season,
Fab Green

Filed under Gifts+Gifting, Gourmet, Handmade, Jewelry, Refashion+Refurb, Wedding Style| Tagged Eco-friendly, Handmade, Organic | No Comments

Etsy Find: Plantable Greeting Cards

23Jan07

Here’s a great way to spread a little love this Valentine’s season: Plantable Greeting Cards from round robin press. I discovered them on Etsy after buying my refashioned poker chip necklace from stinkycretingirl (beautiful jewelry, the name however…).

Wildflower seeds have been embedded in organic cotton paper and will sprout when planted. If I had a yard I’d test it out. Anyone out there game to try?

And the love birds? They’re letterpressed using soy-based ink, and enveloped in a 100% recycled Kraft envelope.

Love Birds, roundrobinpress, $6 on etsy. A variety pack of four is available for $20.

Filed under Gifts+Gifting, Indie, Lifestyle Tips, Recycled, Stationery+Cards| Tagged Eco-friendly, Etsy, greeting cards, Indie, plantable, Recyclable, Recycled, roundrobinpress, Stationery+Cards, Valentine's Day, Vegan | No Comments

Fabulously Green