Aromatherapy Gift Set Candles

Set the mood for your romantic evening with these super cute beeswax candles!The gift sets scents are Harmony (Lavender & Geranium), Rapture (Patchouli & Cassia) and Sensuality (Palmarosa & Geranium). Talk about great combo right! Beeswax is a renewable resource that cleans the air by emitting purifying negative ions. Who knew right? BuyGreen.com – Your Trusted Source for great Valentine’s Gifts

Gerbera Daisies

I’m not a fan of roses but Organic Bouquet offers a wide array of beautiful bouquets to choose from. You can never go wrong with flowers on this awesome holiday. Organic Bouquet is the place to go if you do go the flower route. They harvest their flowers sustainably and even ship them greenly. Eco-Elegant Valentines Day Flowers & Gifts Starting At $29.95- OrganicBouquet.com!

Valentine's Ganache

Is there any better way to tell someone you love them then by giving them chocolate? I am pretty sure not! These beautifully hand panted chocolates are filled with super delish cherry puree, made from organic ingredients. Organic Bouquet never goes wrong with great eco-gifts!Free Gourmet Chocolates with Purchase of One Dozen Sweet Romance Roses! OrganicBouquet.com!

Organic Truffles & Sangria Lovebird

Ok jewelry and chocolate that is probably the winningest combo for a V-day gift ever! From War to Peace has packed up their amazing Peace Jewelry and combined it with organic truffles! Omg to die I say to die!! Get yours fast before the day of love is over!

Petal Purity

 You must know I love body scrubs because I write about exfoliating all of the time! I generally like to make my own but sometimes you don’t have time for a fresh beauty treatment so you must go to the next best thing! If you have to purchase a cosmetic or beauty product make sure you are choosing a responsible one. Remember whatever ingredients are in the product are going in and on your body. I know the words are difficult to sometimes understand on the back of the bottle but that should be the first clue that maybe you should rethink using that product. Cocoon Apothecary has a wide variety of skin care products that are perfect for the green beauty inside all of us.  You can see for yourself in their ingredient listings.  Nothing crazy in there.  You can pronounce all of the ingredients and probably have seen most of them in nature. I am actually drawn to the site simply because I think it is pretty. It is simple and almost elegant much like their products. No flashy designs or adds to confuse the customer, their products speak for themselves which speaks volumes about the kind of business Cocoon Apothecary really is.

Product Description:

This gentle exfoliating cleanser combines the purifying powers of lavender and geranium with spherical jojoba beads to remove dead skin cells and keep pores clean and clear. This facial cleanser is for all skin types so don’t be afraid to give it a try.

BENEFITS:

•Promotes skin-cell turnover, a process that slows down with aging.
•Keeps skin pimple-free by keeping pores clear and unclogged.
•A gentle formula that can be used daily as a scrub and a cleanser.

KEY INGREDIENTS:

•Jojoba Beads Non-abrasive beads that gently exfoliate skin.
•Lavender Essential Oil Anti-bacterial, healing, combats acne.
•Geranium Essential Oil Astringent, balancing.

GOOD STUFF:

•Biodegradable with eco-friendly beads
•Cruelty-free and vegan
•Made with certified organics
•Rated 0 on the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database
•Amber glass bottle, corn label, pre-cycled pump and cap

INGREDIENTS:

Distilled water, certified organic sweet almond oil, jojoba beads, certified organic virgin coconut oil, cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid, vegetable glycerin, certified organic geranium essential oil, certified organic lavender essential oil, sodium anisate, sodium levulinate, sodium cetearyl sulfate, rosemary leaf extract.

Make Your Old Candles New

While un-Christmas-ing our house last weekend I realized we have a bunch of candles that we can’t use anymore but I didn’t want to throw them out because there was still plenty of wick, wax and perfectly good jars for some left over. I have many a glass container sitting in our basement waiting for some good use and it struck me, I can make new candles out of these. I always struggle with our tea lights as well that can’t burn anymore but there is still wax left over. I did some online research and making old candles new really isn’t that difficult.

1. Separate your colored, scented and plain candle wax from each other. In the articles I have read mixing colors generally turns the wax brown so trying to mix may not always be that good of an idea. The same goes for scented wax. The idea of mixing scents sounds fun but they may not mix as pleasantly as you might think.

2. If you have wax in glass containers you can remove the wax by boiling water in a pot. Once the water is boiling put the glass containers in the water and let sit until wax is melted enough to pour out of the container.

3. While you are waiting for the water to boil/wax to melt get your new containers or molds ready.  Make sure to clean the containers first and that they are dry before pouring wax in.  Also make sure the glass is at room temperature before pouring the wax in.  You don’t want them to crack.

4. If you want to add color or scents to plain candles while the wax is melted add some food coloring, or your favorite scented oils. You can also add dried fruit or herbs if you want to get fancy. Make sure to stir thoroughly.

5. Once the was is ready you can pour into the container, mold or cookie sheet. If you are pouring directly into a container make sure to put a straw in the center of the candle while the wax is still hot so you can put the wick in it. Once you have the wick where you want it slowly remove the straw from the middle. I wouldn’t pull the straw completely out so you can make sure the wick doesn’t fall into the hot wax and melt back into the candle. If you are using a cookie sheet/mold and intend to cut out shapes let the wax harden a little before cutting the shapes follow the same instructions for adding the wick as in the container except you may have to hold the straw up if the mold isn’t tall enough to keep the straw from falling over while the wax is still hot.

6. Once the wax has dried a little and is ready to cut, do so carefully with a cookie cutter or knife. Remove the mold or cookie cutter quickly so the wax doesn’t stick to it but also make sure the shape holds. If it doesn’t the wax is too soft.

7. Once the wax is set and hard you have brand new candles without spending any money! You can give them away as gifts or keep them for yourself.

8. If you want to layer colors or scents you can use a oj or milk carton as a mold.  Pour the first layer in the mold and wait for it to set, then the next and so on until you have the layers you want.  You can follow the same directions with the straw as above for adding the wick.

Eco-Chic Events

This article was written by our fave guest blogger and one of my closest friends Danielle Mosley! She wanted to share some excellent tips for hosting eco-chic parties in 2012.
Even though the holiday’s are over there is still a full year of events left to be scheduled!
Here are some simple tips on throwing zero-waste “eco-chic” parties:

1. First things first are invitations.
The easiest way to send an eco-friendly invite is an Evite. There are so many sites doing that these days so you can find the perfect one. Try Evite.com or Stationery by Amy Adele.You can also make your own invites out of things you have from around the house or find items such as recycled card stock at your local craft store. You can be original with the writing by using cut outs from a magazines or even images and make the invite a game to figure out, left over ribbon from the holidays, buttons, you name it!  Be Creative and have fun with it! Guests appreciate when the host goes out of their way and personalizes the party.

2. No matter the size of your party you are going to notice a pile up of trash from plates and cups to straws and cutlery. Skip the plastic and try reusable flatware. Plenty of places also sell biodegradable utensils and flatware, even napkins. Like these Bamboo Plates, Biodegradable Trash Bags or these Biodegradable Paper Straws.

3. Next is décor…you can deck out the whole party with biodegradable goodies like balloons and crepe paper steamers Make your own confetti with scraps of paper from your amazing homemade DIY invites. You can make a pretty amazing centerpiece with magazine flowers . You can even create a mini version of this for a party favor for your guests. Use clean vegetable cans, decorate the outside with a solid piece of recycled paper and decorate in a similar fashion to the invites. If your event calls for real flowers please make sure to buy them locally, make sure they are organic like OrganicBouquet.com.  If you keep bottles and jars like i do you can use them as vases or votives and make cute take aways for your guests as well. If you use candles safely you can save energy and since it is winter if you cook your food and plan arrival times can keep your venue warm without having to turn on your heat.  If you have to use party lights make sure to get energy saving bulbs, no need for your bills to sky rocket just because you want to have fun!

4. Next are food and drinks obviously. I know you know to go local and organic which is easy enough now many local groceries have their won organic or natural sections. In some areas it isn’t as easy to find organic wine or liquor. One of my fave organic wine retailers is OrganicWineCompany.com or you can try Crop Vodkas or Prairie Vodka. If beer is more  your style then try Eel River`s Certified Organic I.P.A .
If you are unsure what kinds of apps and fun food to serve you can always check out our receipe section where I have plenty of fun food for the greenie in you! Also keep in mind if you use all organic foods and biodegradable flatware, cups, utensils you can throw it all to be composted.

Organic Club Sofa in Hemp Fabric

Hello organic couch from Bean Products, Inc.!! I want it for many a reason but honestly the price is such a deterrent. I get it is organic hemp and a sofa bed, you have 17 fabric colors to choose from and you can even choose the colors for the feet and it’s hand crafted! The wood used is sustainably harvested and the cushion’s can even biodegrade. There are soo many amazing green qualities to this piece of furniture. You can tell that Bean Products, Inc. really goes out of its way to offer you a high quality and highly responsible piece of furniture however that being said I feel like even some of the most dedicated greenies who would love to purchase this comfy little tid bit couldn’t because of the price when you can find furniture for much less than that at many other chain stores. I don’t advocate shopping at the big chains when there are greener alternatives but especially in tough economic times we really have to find a way to make green products more affordable to everyone. I would buy this couch in an instant (as I am definitely in need of a new one) but I can’t invest $5200 in a couch when many places offer 7 piece furniture sets for around that price. I’m n0t sure if you are like me and want to support green businesses as much as possible but with things like this I can’t no matter how much I want it and how much I’d rather put my money towards this than come plastic couch from China I can’t invest that much money in anything that frivolous right now. I don’t know too many people who could and the people I do know who could wouldn’t shop at Bean Products, Inc. anyway but that is an entirely different story.

Napa Soap Company

I love finding places that are green!! Besides having super cute and yummy smelling products a really cool thing they do is take packaging material donations which I think is pretty cool. Everybody should do this. It just makes sense especially now a days when people do so much online shopping and are swimming in boxes, peanuts or those plastic pillows. Simple ideas like these make for a greener world that is better for all of us. Another awesome bonus to Napa Soap Company is they make their soaps in the USA! To read more about Napa Soap Company and what they do Click right here!

Distant Lands Cell Phone Carrier Give Away

 
The winner didn’t claim their prize so we are running the contest again!! The contest begins today and ends on January 27th.
We love Novica.com for introducing us to super cool stuff made by some super cool people. The Distant Lands Cell Phone Carrie is made by Anchalika Chamnan who celebrates the colorful artistry of the Akha hill tribe people with this stitched phone carrier. Cross-stitch patterns recall the images that decorate traditional costumes. Each is sewn of cotton and lined, featuring a coconut shell button.
All you have to do is like me and don’t forget to share so your friends get a chance to win too! The winner has 48 hours to give me their contact info to where I can send their prize as well as send the shipping costs to my Paypal account. If in 48 hours I do not hear from the winner we will just start the contest over! Have fun and I hope you enjoy! Click here to enter!
If you want us to send you an additional gift friend us on Facebook at The Green Beagle and follow us on twitter twitter.com/thegreenbeagle. Once you have done this comment below and we will send you something special with the Distant Lands cell phone carrier.

I know I have told you all about LovingEco so here is another awesomely chic green flash sale site where not only are your purchases responsible but they go to a good cause. Pure Citizen sales this week are pretty good! Right now I am swooning over Omala!! Their workout clothes are awesome!! Especially their skeggings!! I am loving these new flash sale sites that have more than just over price crap for sale to make people feel special about spending too much on something they could get at Marshall’s for less than half the price. Pure Citizen offers great deals on a regular basis while featuring green/eco-friendly businesses you may otherwise have not heard of. I love being introduced to new companies. The more green businesses and products creates the less room there are for harmful and wasteful ones.
The way Pure Citizen donations work is it is built into the sale and if you would like to save a little less you can give a 20% donation to a non-profit and help them help our world. That has got to make anyone feel better when they go on a little splurge here and there right? If you haven’t checked out Pure Citizen you should! Signing up is free and you aren’t obligated to pay for or purchase anything unlike some of the other flash sale sites! So go there now and check it out. If you have tried Pure Citizen tell me about it! I would love to hear what you think!!!

Kaia House Gift Guide I have recently stumbled upon Kaia House and their gift guide has gifts for everyone at excellent prices! Kaia House bath and body gifts look soo delish I cannot wait to try them for myself so I know she will love them too!!

Save up to 40% off on Last Minute Gift Sets forHer. Find exactly what you need at Juara.  I have written about a few of  Jaura’s amazing products like their Coffee Body Scrub which is totes to die for! Juara offers an amazing selection of  Vegetarian skin and body care products that smell and feel sooo good! Perfect for any lady that likes pampering!

Pure Citizen or LovingEco are two of my fave places to shop and play! If you have seen all of the VIP sites like Beyond the Rack, Gilt or even Shoe Dazzle which sell fur, leather and other animal bits & pieces where you know the merchandise is less than ethical LovingEco & Pure Citizen are much better options! She can choose from cosmetics, accessories, clothes and even make donations if she chooses!! Get her a gift certificate from LovingEco and she will have regular access to soo many amazing ethical/green brands!

Fun gifts for her from Ecoist I know you are probably convinced that I work for Ecoist but I do not! I just love their accessories! If she isn’t in to purses look at their accessories or creative home decor ideas! I promise she won’t be disappointed if you get her a gift from here! Shoot even a gift certificate might just be the ticket!

FREE UPS GROUND Shipping From 12/8 Thru 12/19 On Any Order Now At Coyuchi.com! Click Here! Have you ever slept on organic cotton sheets? If not you needs to ASAP. They are the smoothest, comfiest, classiest sheets I have ever dreamed on! I promise you she will love them too! Easy to clean, great to sleep on and clearly excellent for the environment!

It is important for home owners to understand what they can do to their homes to make them more cost effective and energy efficient. Many people don’t live in new houses or may not have the means to completely updated their home to be as green as possible. The Green Self-Build Book helps homeowners out with some great ideas you can do yourself to be greener and more cost-effective for you.

Description:The Green Self-Build Book is a highly illustrated, practical handbook on eco-friendly building for homeowners.
Whether you want a turf roof, solar-powered hot water, a straw bale home, or a super-insulated (and cost-efficient) house, you need to know the essential elements of the process. In The Green Self-Build Book, Jon Broome gives an overview of the different methods of sustainable and eco-friendly construction techniques for non-professionals.

The Green Self-Build Book gives inspiration and information to guide you through the green building process. It is intended for anyone who is planning a do-it-yourself project, and for housing professionals, students, and teachers.