Christmas · Eco-Chick

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10 Simple Ways to Reuse That Gift Wrap this Holiday!

I don’t know about you but I find much of the traditional gift wrap sold in stores to be – how to say this – tacky. But what’s even tackier is all of the waste that’s created from people opening up a gift, crumbling the paper into a ball and then tossing it in the trash.

You’re better than that.

Since you’ll likely be given gifts wrapped in a number of ways, many of which won’t be green, keep these very practical and easy ideas in mind for re-purposing the gift wrap you’re given this season.

1.) Store the wrapping paper and re-use it. You can iron out any kinks on low heat.

2.) If it’s crumbled beyond repair, keep it anyway! You can just shred it and use it as the filler in gift bags.
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Christmas, holiday, Recycling, reuse, upcycling, wrapping paper

Odette New York: Handcrafted Jewelry Inspired by Natural Ephemera

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by Starre Vartan · 12/30/10

I was lucky enough to receive the gorgeous necklace above from my boyfriend for Christmas this year. Not only is it lovely and interesting, it is made by hand, locally, in NYC (Brooklyn, to be exact) and is one of the many creations that’s part of the modern jewelry line, Odette New York.

I had spotted the necklace at an eco fashion event in Brooklyn during the most recent NYC Fall Fashion Week, and exclaimed over the unique and crafted aesthetic that guides the line. He remembered! The necklace came in a pretty keepsake bag and is part of a line of ocean-themed pieces, called ‘Sea‘.

Jellyfish at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which inspired the gift!

I’ve always loved jellyfish and can watch them for hours, such simple, singularly graceful beings that seem composed of nothing, yet are alive and sensitive beings perfectly suited to their environment.

Christmas, necklace, ny, NYC

Beautiful Things: Eco Chick’s Holiday Green Gift Guide, 2009

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by Alicia Lubowski-Jahn · 12/03/09

I’ve always been a firm believer in the idea that buying stuff doesn’t have to be bad. Should we buy less? Yes. Should we carefully consider what we buy, where it comes from, and who makes it? Definitely, for sure, and yeah! BUT the thing that’s missing in all the anti-consumer screeds (and I’ve written a few) is the fact that many people on this planet make a living by selling something to someone else. It’s how they feed their families and pay their bills.

So my aim in buying new products (when I need to) is to make sure that whatever I’m purchasing is made responsibly and is made by people who benefit from it’s production. And that goes doubly for gifts because when I hand that hand-wrapped prezzie over, I want to be able to tell a story about what it’s made from, who made it, and where I got it. This is an easy way to influence the receiver of the gift in responsible consumerism (without the lecture).

This year’s gift selections from myself (Starre Vartan), Alicia Lubowski-Jahn and Stephanie Rogers all uphold the idea that stuff can be beautiful, stuff can be unique, stuff can be useful.

Starre’s Picks:

Sustainable Designer Jewelry: Kyler by Joy O

If my style aesthetic could be made into a pair of earrings, these would be them. Never a fan of diamonds or other gems that have been ripped from the Earth’s belly, I prefer graphic pieces that show artistry and restraint, while at the same time exuding energy. These intaglio pendants are made from recycled steel coated in black zinc and are inspired by the moth’s wing.

As the designer writes, “Moths are a positive entity of truth and curiosity, always seeking the brightest light.” Be sure to check out all the other glorious designs made from recycled metals; necklaces, bracelets and cuffs. The twine collar necklace is another standout.

The Kind Diet, by Alicia Silverstone

Along with her great blog, The Kind Life, actress, activist, vegan and now author Alicia Silverstone shares her info and recipes in her new book, The Kind Diet. You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy the plethora of Alicia-designed dishes (seriously, this actress REALLY cooks!); this book would actually be a fab gift for someone who does still eat meat or other animal products as it could help them see the wonderful variety that’s available from veggie meals.

MUCH more after the jump!
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Christmas, Green Gifts, holiday

Simple Ways to a Green 2008 Holiday

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by Kimberly Jordan Allen · 12/21/08

Every year there are things we do to minimize the consumptive haze. This year, with the economy being what it is and people mowing each other down at Wal-Mart, many are choosing alternatives to corporate Christmas debris. Here are some of the tips that help my family to slow down, enjoy each other and breathe.

1. Get Outside: This is always the number one answer for us. When cabin fever settles in or the air is getting stale, we head for the wild. Today we took our screaming toddlers for a cross-country ski. The gray sky broke as the sun set behind snow-covered trees. My son, who only has a few words (mama, dada, eat, lulu doggie) said “Weeeeeeee” as my husband glided on the snow. Moments like this make it worthwhile.

2. Avoid wasting energy with lights, inflatable snowmen and massive automated plastic snowglobes (these strange spheres that send styrofoam snow in circles are perhaps one of the signs of the capitalistic Apocalypse?)

3. Make stuff: This year I made my tahini, garlic, lemon dressing for friends. My hubby makes a mean roasted butternut squash soup with garlic, ginger and cinnamon and we put it in mason jars with a bow. I have friends who knit, make homemade lip balm, and create art to share with loved ones.

4. If you use Christmas trees, there are several sustainable options. One choice is to use a potted tree. If you don’t want to keep it after the holiday, you can find a planter who will take the tree. Here is a great resource page on how to manage live trees. Some municipalities collect trees for mulching. Use Earth 911 to find your local waste management. Fresh Christmas Tree is a great place to find sustainably harvested trees, but by this time of year they are usually sold out. They might be able to refer you to local farms that are growing trees responsibly.

5. Recycle Wrapping: instead of spending money on wrapping I actually save old wrapping and ribbons. Gift bags get used multiple times in our house. Re-gifting is also a really good way to avoid wasteful spending.

6. Donate to a cause: For those who don’t need ‘stuff,’ giving to local charities is a great way to give a gift with meaning.

7. Give an experience: Yoga classes, massage, theater tickets, or an afternoon of hiking…

Here is an excellent resource for other environmentally conscious holiday ideas. Mahalo!
Wishing everyone warmth for the season.

bags, charities, Christmas, dress, Energy, farm, farms, giving, Hiking, holiday, Home, homemade, local, mom, Outdoors, plastic, recycle, soup, sustainable, Tea, trees, waste, yoga

Waterkeeper and Lexus Hybrid Living and RFK Jr. and James Blunt, Oh My!

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by Starre Vartan · 12/08/08

Sara Brancato of The Four Hundred sustainable design showroom, Starre Vartan of Eco Chick, and Lara Miller, eco fashion designer. Check out our awesome shoes! I’m wearing the Melissas by Vivienne Westwood.

Last week was a busy one, kicked off by the Lexus Hybrid Living/Waterkeeper salon at the home of William Wachtel and Annie Zabar.

James Blunt performing in the living room!
Image by Remy C.

It was a fairly intimate evening, with RFK Jr. speaking and James Blunt performing in the host’s living room. Delicious organic food, VeeV acai liquor cocktails, and green networking was enjoyed by all.

I especially enjoyed meeting Kristine Stratton, the director of Waterkeeper (which is the umbrella organization for the Riverkeepers, which started on the Hudson River and now watch over the environmental health of 182 rivers around the world).

RFK Jr.’s speeches always make me cry a little. I love the Hudson River so much, and he speaks about it so eloquently!
Image by Remy C.

I got to tell Kristine how I interned with Riverkeeper when it was still based in my hometown of Garrison, NY in an old farmhouse just a few miles from my beloved Hudson River. I was only 20 when I worked with them; that internship was one of my first lessons in how to take environmental passions and put them into action.

Lexus Hybrid Living brand specialist in a Linda Loudermilk suit, and Elizabeth Harrington of Greenopia!

Greenopian Elizabeth Harrington and I were so busy talking to all the fabulous folks in attendance, we didn’t even realize the other one was there until later in the evening! I’m glad I found her! Greenopia has been growing by leaps and bounds and is now the web’s largest source for vetted green business listings (available on your iPhone, Palm or Blackberry), so you can find eco friendly resources wherever you go.

Starre Vartan, Nicky Deam (PR Coordinator for Stella McCartney), and Adi (model for Stella’s Eco Line)
Image by Remy C.

I was really excited to see some of Stella McCartney’s organic capsule collection designs being modelled, live, by Adi, who changed from the suit above, into a gorgeous sheath later in the evening. Besides being a top-tier fashion designer, McCartney’s commitment to animals and the environment is long-standing. I’m looking forward to her upcoming collections, both her eponymous line and those for LeSportSac and Adidas (both of which contain some ecofriendly materials and some conventional).

RFK Jr. posed with the awesome valet staff in front of all the (hybrid!) Lexuses. Cute!
Image by Remy C.

The lovely and fabulous Pangea Organics ladies wearing gorgeous frocks by Bahar Shahpar and Lara Miller, respectively.

Model Adi wearing Stella McCartney’s eco line suit of organic linen with reused buttons and a killer drape.

All images by Starre Vartan unless otherwise credited.