Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

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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How I Wear Eco Fashion: Model Citizen Summer Rayne Oakes Rocks the Uniform Project

Over the past month I’ve been taking on the Uniform Project challenge and helping raise money for Charity: Water through the kindness of the community’s readers. It’s been exciting because we’ve already raised enough money to build 1 1/2 wells and hope that we can hit our $10K mark over the next couple days to build two wells.

It’s been tremendous fun as it’s allowed me to maximize the creativity of my wardrobe. And it’s been great to share with the readers my personal style and also invite them in as a “guest” by giving them a 31-day snapshot into my personal-professional life. As I mentioned in previous post, they have seen the “whimsy and wunderkammerness of my little abode. Brightly painted walls…tendrils of ivy and philodendrons…terrariums of exotic insects…and a collection of honeys, tea, bibelots, and collectible from all corners of the globe.”

Not to mention the breadth of the programs I’ve been lovingly laboring over – from Source4Style to the environmental film I’m working on in memory of my greatest mentor and long-time friend, Tom Eisner.
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Repurpose or Reuse Common Household Items in Your Home Decor

The following is a guest post by the contributor of DIY-Guides.com, where you can find other useful decoration tips. Photo by suzette.

If you have an old household item that you just don’t use or maybe even don’t like any longer… why not give it new life and use in your home? It will be more eco-friendly – by not filling up our landfills, and help on the pocketbook at the same time. It’s a win-win situation.

So don’t think of a piece of furniture or household item as “old” or “useless” – repurpose it into something useful that will fit and even enhance your home decor.

While searching for some ideas, I found some great ways to repurpose some old items I have hanging around the house. One of them is on how to make new pillows. I happen to need new pillows for my guest bedroom – without having to trash the old ones and spending more money.

I fell in love with this first idea. In fact, I’m working on the pillows right now. And plan on giving these other ideas a try, too. Maybe you’ll find them useful as well:

Turn a Shirt into a New Pillow

As I said, I was looking for a way to make new pillows, so this idea was up my alley. My husband had several button-down shirts in his closet that don’t fit anymore or have had small stains on the sleeves. Perfect. And my guest bedroom is blue and white so blue, white and white/blue striped dress shirts are just what I’m looking for.

Here’s the easy to follow instructions to make your own button-down pillows at MarthaStewart.com. I also ran across another idea using old blankets. So I’ve decided to use one of my son’s baby blankets to make a special pillow as a keepsake. Here’s an easy how-to at DIY Guides.
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Eco-Chic Decor from Bacchus-Inspired Aesthetics

Guest post by Shireen Quodosi

What comes more easily in this economy than an assortment of empty wine bottles after you’ve just thrown a smashing get-together? With the preference being on sourcing cheap entertaining ideas, most people now see staying at home with a good meal and great wine as a viable alternative to spending money on restaurants and clubs.

Wine Bottle Ideas:

There are a number of ways to reuse wine bottles. Among the more common ideas are reusing them as water pitchers, votive vases, torches, and flower bed liners. However, there are dozens of other smart options that are rarely explored.

Rewined Recycled Glassware – Get uniquely hued wine bottle glassware made from orphaned bottles left behind at local restaurants and bars.

Water Feeders – On a very hot day or when you’re away, fill the bottles of water and stick them into the pot or soil near your plant. The water will slowly percolate from the bottle and into the soil.

Wine Bottle Chandeliers – In addition to the popular row lighting and pendant lighting, Pottery Barn put together an interesting chandelier with wine bottles strung around it. Even though four dozen other people will likely have the same statement piece, at least you know it’s a unique sustainable element in your home. Plus it catches the light beautifully during the day and especially at sunset.

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Personalized SIGG Water Bottles and a FREE tee because you know me!

I just love the products at Greensender.com and recently they just open The Bottle Shop where you can custom-design and personalize a premium SIGG reusable water bottle. Using a high-tech laser-engraving process, Greensender engraves a name and art selections on to the bottle — yielding a beautiful and vibrant personalized mark.

The bottles make a great Father’s Day gift. I just bought them as teacher gifts. Shh..don’t tell them! They are great for any gift occasion and the entire family — at the beach, camp, gym, pool, and more. Always know which bottle is yours. Want to get them for an entire team or company? The Bottle Shop will work with your own art to make the perfect bottle for you!

Best of all, because you know me –  Melissa Goldberg, if your order before August 1st, you can get a free tee shirt. Just put “Friend of Melissa Goldberg” in the comments section at checkout and note size and men’s or women’s shirt and a tee will be added to your order free. Isn’t nice knowing me?

Hey and why don’t follow me on Twitter @Green_Luvin?