12 Holiday Gift Ideas for the Stylish Eco-Gal

Put more green into your holidays by choosing gifts that are made with durable, quality, non-toxic materials and that are made by people that care about our planet.

Looking for some stylish eco-friendly gift ideas this holiday 2009 season? Here's are some of my favorite green picks for the environmentally conscious glamourista in your life.



Quicksilver Je T'aime Tee ($48) 100% organic cotton jersey dip dye. 3% of each eco-friendly sale benefits Everyday People Initiating Change. Shop: www.quicksilver.com
Edun Ainsely Knit Dress ($170) Limited Edition 100% Organic Cotton sleek knit with a striking cobra print! 15% of proceeds benefit War Child. Shop: www.endunonline.com and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Azuri Organic Cotton Scarf ($29) Incredibly stylish everyday accessory. 100% Organic Cotton and can choose from 110 amazing colors! Shop: www. nimli.com


Molly M Designs Earrings ($46) Lasercut earrings inspired by botanical shapes from the designer's own garden. Crafted from sustainable light bamboo veneer and reclaimed suede in a soft, sea-foam green color. Shop www.mollymdesigns.com
Alex and Ani Beaded Bracelet Set ($118) Set of seven gleaming golden bangles, both smooth and textured, some with amber-colored glass cube beads in a unique expandable design.All metals used in Alex and Ani collections are recycled. Shop at Saks Fifth Avenue and www.alexandani.com
The Andean Collection Acai Necklace ($55) A bold, vibrant centerpiece made from Acai seeds by Ecuadorean artisans. All Natural materials. Perfect for day or evening. Shop: www.theandeancollection.com


Tarte Femme Naturale refillable natural eye palette ($44) Comes in a reusable purple case filled with 10 mineral-based eyeshadows, a double-ended brush with greatness eyeshadow brush and a double-ended eyeliner. The magnetic base allows you to pop out recyclable and refillable eyeshadow pans that help reduce environmental waste. Shop: www.tartecosmetics.com and Sephora online or in-store.
Jurlique Gift Set ($60) Enjoy the soothing benefits of of their most popular Lavender formulas this holiday season. Jurlique products do not contain Parabens, Mineral Oils, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Synthetic Emulsifiers, Artificial Colors or Fragrances. Shop: www.jurlique.com and in-store at Whole Foods Body.
Burt's Bees Polka Dot Mani Pedi Gift Set ($20) All the full-sized products and tools you need for a luxurious mani-pedi are wrapped up with an adorable polka dot carrier. All Burt's Bees products are made with all-natural ingredients and with the environment in mind. Shop: www.burtsbees.com and in-store at Whole Foods Body.



Organic Edun Tote Bag ($40) This tote is 100% Organic Cotton with a bold Africa "thumbprint" on one side and Edun logo on the other. Shop: www.edunonline.com
Hooded Velour Terry Robe ($88) Made with 100% Certified Organic cotton and low impact eco-friendly dye. This robe is free of artificial fertilizers, synthetic pesticides and insecticides. Shop: www.underthecanopy.com
Paddy Wax Soy Candles ($28) These candles smell amazing. The Re-Leaf Collection comes in six different fragrances. Paddywax will plant a tree for the purchase of every Re-Leaf candle through the American Forests Foundation. Shop: www.paddywax.com

Workout in Style with IVEE's Bamboo Clothing

IVEE is an environmentally-friendly, runway-inspired clothing line designed for the busy contemporary woman, making it easier for us to move from yoga, pilates, dance or the gym to coffee or lunch with effortless yet polished style. Their first collection was launched in 2008 and was made available at leading boutiques, high-end gyms and spas. IVEE's complete sporty collections, includes a green, environmentally friendly bamboo collection of apparel that's absolutely lovely and fashionable with prices rage from $58-$110.They also use environmentally friendly dying, which is a much cleaner process for their fabrics.



You are probably wondering what's so great about Bamboo fabric?
Bamboo fiber has many benefits such as, naturally anti-bacterial and odor-resistant, even after washing. Nearly three times more absorbent than cotton (which is why it's now used by many sportswear companies), the fibers of the bamboo plant are naturally porous, so they absorb and wick moisture away from the skin, keeping you cool and dry.
Bamboo plants are also the most eco-friendly plants on the planet. They are very quick growers and do not require fertilizers or pesticides. They require very little water and are a sustainable and renewable resource since the bamboo plant is self replenishing. Bamboo is 100% biodegradable.
So there you go, plenty of reasons to work out in style and save the planet at the same time!

Shop at www.iveestyle.com. Orders over $150 get free shipping.

Photo credit: IVEE

Eco Glamourista's Pick: Mar Y Sol Signature Clutches

I appreciate companies that can make a difference in people's life. Mar Y Sol is a fair trade company that emphasizes in social and environmental responsibility by using eco-friendly materials, working to minimize poverty and improving the lives of people in Kenya and Madagascar. Originally called Mad Imports, the company has received rave reviews from publications like Oprah's "O Magazine" and Celebrity magazine OK.

I am really loving the vibrant and unique designs of Mar y Sol eco-friendly clutches specially their colorful Opal Clutch(shown above) from the "Girls" collection. This clutch which is hand woven from artisans in Madagascar and made from sustainable Raffia Grass is now discounted almost 20% at Terra Trendz!
Although most of the materials used for these bags are Raffia Grass and Woven Straw which usually translates to a warmer season, this is a recession time, a time to mix and match. You can wear these with your favorite LBD for a pop accessory accent or bring out the little bohemian in you even in the cooler weather!

Check out the entire shop for their latest collections like their Fall 2009 styles(shown above) and all of the beautiful products they offer. You can also find amazing sales of their bags and clutches on their website and www.orangeandpear.com.


Photo credit to: Mar y Sol, Terra Trendz and Belle Maison Blog

Simply Stylish Recycled Jewelry by Ija Designs

A simple accessory like jewelry can add something intriguing to your look and highlight your individuality. Ija Designs is a line of chic, edgy and unique jewelry made with the environment in mind. Businesswomen and mom, Erin Hasler is behind the designs of this beautiful jewelry line and she says "green is more than her favorite color, is also a way of life". They run their studio on 100% renewable energy, recycle all their scrap metal and purchase recycled metals, how amazing is that!
The jewelry pieces ranging from $28 to $298 are made with only the finest materials, including gold fill, sterling and fine silver, and gemstones. Her latest collections are Pixie, Flash, Quintessential, and Sumptuous and they offer interesting designs that will make every women look and feel special. Also check out their blog to stay up to date with their beautiful jewelry collections, news and events.



Designs Jewelry at IjaDesigns.com, Sacred Accessories, Couture Candy, Kaight, and other in-store locations.

Photo credit: Ija Designs