Reusable shopping bags are a must have for every eco-savvy consumer, but a normal family grocery trip isn’t always easy with typical reusable totes.  Kristen Brown, founder of Green Waste Solutions, has created the answer – a convenient, easy to store system of 4 versatile shopping bags.

Wrapping Paper

Wrapping paper is a beautiful way to be festive and to show the receiver that you care enough to go over the top with ribbons and bows. There are great green ways to show you care, however, other than coating a box in Santa and his reindeer. When it comes to wrapping paper, recycling the used wrapping is a first step towards sustainability. Saving this year’s paper and reusing it for next year is an even greener way. Just tell your loved ones to be careful as they unwrap and collect the paper once the gift has emerged. Another great idea is to use colorful newspapers or magazines that were headed for the recycling bin and choosing images and articles that speak towards the gift recipient. While it may not be store bought, a movie review starring a favorite actor wrapped around a special gift would really show that you care. If you have kids, why not let them decorate with crayons or markets using paper grocery bags as the base. Or, to be truly sustainable, try something completely reusable such as a bandanna or old shirts.

Decorations

Ribbons for gifts or for a wreath, and ornaments for a tree or for around the house, can all have a green twist. For ribbons, think about using the old tape from a video or cassette. They curl just like traditional ribbon using scissors! Or for the special gift, try decorating with broken shoelaces, old buttons, tape measures, or even broken Christmas lights to make a gift look truly original. If you have Christmas tree lights that still work, try stuffing them into an empty wine bottle for a festive centerpiece. Better yet, choose LED Christmas lights that use 80-90% less energy for all of your lighting needs. For tinsel to decorate a tree, think about using aluminum cans and cutting them in a spiral to loop around or across a tree, wreath, or anywhere else around the house. Just be careful with your fingers and be sure to recycle the cans again after the holidays.

So, Merry Christmas Eve from the Green Connoisseur for those of you who celebrate the holiday, and remember that no matter the occasion, there is an eco-conscious way to celebrate in luxury!

Image Credit: QPSU, Cliquee, Country Living, Ticklymoo, Wit and Whistle, Daily Danny

In the shabby-chic room above, the eye is immediately drawn to the beautiful old chandelier hanging above the distressed dining room table. What a perfect place to start when shopping for pieces for your room? Vintage chandeliers come in many different styles and varieties, so take your time when shopping.

I found a great little shop called Heavenly Lights that carries a wide variety of vintage chandeliers. Check out this beautiful vintage chandelier with scrolling arms. (above) This would set a really great mood for any room, and it’s absolutely loaded with glistening amber crystals. You can check online for vintage chandeliers, but many individuals who adore shabby-chic items love to find treasures at flea markets and garage sales as well.

This second photo of a shabby-chic room features antique art that is bold and beautiful. The antique chairs are dressed with frilly cushion covers and the shelf to the left is stacked with vintage dishes. I think it’s safe to say that the most compelling piece in the photo is the chunky, distressed dining room table – it’s both charming and functional.

When shopping for vintage furniture for a shabby-chic room, anything goes! If it would be functional in your room and you think it’s beautiful – nevermind the chipping paint, the nicks and the scratches because it will work. This beautiful hardwood plank table is available from Antiques Furniture Online – and there are many other treasures to be found there as well!

In the vintage room above, the elements that really bring warmth and pops of color to the room are the pillows and covered cushions. Vintage fabrics can be used to make drapes, pillows and other elements that really warm a shabby-chic room and make it cozy. As an alternative, one can buy vintage cushions, pillows and drapes.

The beautiful and rich pillows above, available from spanishangels on Etsy, are made with vintage fabric from Spain. The gold and crimson colors would be the perfect warmth to add to a shabby-chic room. You should also consider vintage embroidered table linens, quilts and throws to add warmth and color.

It’s easy to create a charming and attractive shabby-chic room with vintage treasures. Remember that it’s also eco-friendly and you should buy vintage whenever possible.

Photo Credits: www.workingwoman’sguidetodomesticsuccess.blogspot.com, www.heavenly-lights.com, www.apartmenttherapy.com, www.countryliving.com, www.antiques-furniture-online.com and spanishangels on Etsy.

Thousands of packages will be making their way around the globe over the next few weeks as gifts are exchanged with family and friends both near and far.  Holiday shipping can have a huge impact on the planet – not just the fossil fuels burned to transport those gifts, but the boxes, paper, tape, and other packaging supplies that make their way to the landfill after the season is over.

Try the Zeta

EcoSmart Fire brings us their award winning Zeta model. This stylish fireplace is made up of timber, leather, and stainless steel, with glass screens on either side of the fire. The Zeta, which is located on a secure swivel stainless steel base, acts almost as a space heater, portable and able to heat the area around it. It is available in four different exterior colors: Nero, Ranch Hide, Latte, and Ciocolatta. The flames for this chic fireplace are fueled by denatured ethanol, a renewable biofuel.

Or Maybe the Fire Ribbon

Another company, Spark Fires, created a beautiful fireplace known as the Fire Ribbon. This “versatile installation” fireplace does not require any ventilation, so can be installed in your home with ease. This fireplace is over 95% efficient and can run on either natural gas or propane. This stylish fireplace will be a welcome addition to any home this winter.

Bringing the Heat with the Igloo

If the Zeta and Fire Ribbon are too conventional for you, you will love the Igloo made by EcoSmart. The fireplace consists of a stainless steel bench with flames, suspended by glass. The Igloo is a visual and a practical gem, with flames that reflect off the glass to create a beautiful dancing effect. The Igloo, also running on denatured ethanol, is truly an eco-conscious luxury and a fashion forward way to heat your home.

So when it comes to keeping warm this winter, invest in an environmentally friendly fireplace that doesn’t sacrifice aesthetics for function.

Image Credit: EcoSmart, Inhabit.com

Creating a Christmas Paper Chain

You might remember this craft from elementary school, but it’s a fun one to share with the kids or use to create some charming holiday decor. The trick is to use paper that would otherwise be destined for the trash – old Christmas cards, stationary, or even paper shopping bags.

Using different patterns and colors will create beautiful paper chains that you can hang on the tree, run along the mantel or something else.

Making Paper Snowflakes

This is a fun craft that I do with my kids – partially because it’s the only way we’re going to have snow for Christmas and also because it’s fun! You can get some very intricate designs to create paper snowflakes that are frame-worthy!

Dave’s Paper Snowflakes is a great site to get patterns from – they’re beautiful and festive. You can use recycled paper plates, wrapping paper and more to create these. Then, brush them with some glue and sprinkle on silver glitter to set them shining!

Making Paper Bows for Gifts

This is an incredible way to use up old paper that would otherwise be thrown away, and you can also make your gifts look really festive. Simply follow these instructions for cutting, folding and gluing strips of pretty paper for making bows.

Paper bows are so pretty, they can also be used for decorations on the Christmas tree, or for centerpiece additions as well! Use your imagination when creating these beautiful bows, and you’re sure to find the perfect spot for them.

The tips above are perfect crafts to do with the kids. They’ll enjoy being part of the Christmas decorating, and you can use up that old beautiful paper that you would normally throw away. Let’s work together to make this the greenest Christmas ever!

Photo Credits: Greg McElhatton on Flickr, funkyphreshpapierkreations.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving and Black Friday have come and gone; holiday decorations are going up all over town – what’s the most eco-friendly way to deck the halls this holiday season?  

Inspiration

Australia, as an island nation, is well aware of the threat of global warming. Australia recently suffered from 5 years of drought, which started the wheels turning for how to interact more sustainably with water. An average suburban home with a roof area of 1,000 square feet can capture about 600 gallons of water from only 1 inch of rain. Using tested methods, the company Aussie Rain Tanks figured out that you can divert the first batch of “dirty” rain, which collects the dirt and dust that inevitably settles on the roof. The rain after that point is clean and is filtered before being stored in a tank.

Uses and Models

The rain stored in the Aussie Rain Tanks is used exclusively to flush toilets through additionally plumbing to the house. Should the tank become empty, there is a back-up connection to the municipal water supply so no problems should arise. The Aussie Rain Tanks website concentrates mostly on water conservation in California, as it is the most populous state and has an unstable water supply. These tanks, however, can be used all throughout the United States. Their models range from the “tower” which can become a feature piece in your yard or garden, to the “under deck” which is completely hidden from sight.

So, if you’re looking for a way to make a sizable environmental impact without a much of a hassle, consider getting a rain tank. You could become the trendsetter for your eco-chic neighborhood in water conservation and re-use!

Image Credit: SoilErosion.net, Aussie Rain Tanks