Archive for the ‘Gifts by Zodiac Sign’ Category

Five Fabulous Green Gifts for Leos

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

One of the boldest signs of the zodiac, the Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) is a force to be reckoned with! Capable and creative, passionate and energetic, athletic and attention-seeking, and with confidence in spades, it might be easy to write off the Lion as overly vain or self-centered. But Leos are among the most altruistic signs of the Zodiac: they’re romantic, loyal, and often have a soft spot for children, animals, or both. You will often see a Leo on center stage, at the head of the boardroom, or seated in first class — but you’ll also see Leos forcefully leading the charge for causes that are near and dear to their hearts.

Here are some gifts that are sure to appeal to this one-of-a-kind personality.

GGecko_Rose_A_385x253The Leo lady likes to stand out and be noticed, and chic accessories with a “wow factor” always make great gifts for her. She’ll love this Artisan Silk Bopha Handbag from Green Gecko … it’s a simple and elegant handbag with a brash oversized rose that goes seamlessly from clubbing to cocktails to the red carpet. It’s hand-spun and hand-loomed under fair trade conditions, and supports Cambodian artisans.

Estelle_Cuffs_XSimilarly, the Leo gentleman appreciates gifts that convey a powerful, classy image. Stephen Estelle, designer of eco-friendly fine jewelry, comes through beautifully with these simply stunning Labradorite and sterling-silver cufflinks. Hand-forged in a bold, masculine design, these cufflinks draw the eye and make a statement.

TriSET_A-_ZM 350x350Another fabulous gift for a Sun Sign lady … dazzling 18K-gold and sterling jewelry. Again, Stephen Estelle delivers the perfect gift for this confident personality. The sophisticated design of Estelle’s “Montpellier” collection was created by the family that designed jewelry for Nepal’s Maharajas. So, it’s important enough to satisfy a Leo’s sense of royalty, yet playful enough to appeal to Leo’s sense of enjoyment and fun. Estelle’s jewelry is tailor-made for a Leo’s fiery spirit and appreciation for exquisite craftsmanship.

Tuttio_Salad_C_385x321 breadTuttio_Set_A_385x312The proud Leo considers the home a reflection of him- or herself, so gifts for the home should be unique, elegant, and command attention. One perfect example are these artisan hand-thrown ceramic items from Italy: the Dipping Bowl and the Wine Set, both by Tutto Mio. Leos who entertain at home will appreciate their high standards of quality and taste. After all, you can’t expect a Leo host or hostess to serve wine or hors d’oeuvres from anything less than spectacular, can you?

PuppetSet_XAs for the little lion cubs: if there’s one thing Leo children love to do, it’s put on a show. With creativity and enthusiasm to spare, little Leos can always use some direction in harnessing their imagination. They will love to entertain family and friends with these organic, hand-knit “African Critters” puppets from Kenya (now on sale). Yes, the set of four includes a lion, naturally!

Of course the most important thing to remember about Leos is: Never forget their birthdays! Happy Birthday, Leo!

Five Fabulous Green Gifts For Cancers

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Now that we’ve moved into the sun sign of Cancer the Crab (June 21-July 20), it’s time to celebrate the birthdays of these emotional, perceptive and sensitive Moon Children! Cancers will tell you that “any gift is special, as long as it’s from YOU” … but we all know there are certain items that will put a glint in a Cancer’s eye! So we’ve found some gorgeous green gifts that will delight a wide variety of Moon Children.

Swirl Earrings and pendant 385x280Emotions run deep in those born under the Cancer sun sign. While they often project a confident personality, Cancers are gentle souls whose emotions perhaps affect them more than the average person. This is why the “spiral” shape is most often associated with Cancers. The spiral is a symbol of constant energy, forever turning inward. Because silver is the Cancer element, we think these amazing recycled sterling-silver spiral jewelry pieces by C5 are ideal for the introspective and thoughtful Cancer. Handmade in a fair-labor studio in Bali, no two of these pieces are exactly alike.

StephenEMoonlightA2 385x338Like the Moon Children they are, Cancers are physically and mentally affected by the moon like no other sign in the zodiac. Their moods can directly correspond to the waxing and waning lunar cycles. A beautiful clear moon in the night sky gives Cancer a sense of spiritual peace. Celebrate the Cancer’s intimate relationship to her ruling Moon with acclaimed jewelry artist Stephen Estelle’s “Moonlight” collection. These enchanting fine jewelry pieces are made from sterling silver and smoky quartz, renowned for promoting balance and harmony. Handcrafted by the artisan family that created jewelry for Nepal’s Maharajahs, these stunning pieces are guaranteed for life.

Tuttio_Both_A_385x353While Cancers may travel far and wide, and enjoy success in a variety of pursuits — career, sports, arts, hobbies, or academics — their hearts will always remain at home. The home is the safe “shell” that Crabs need in order to stay centered and on track. Cancers have a deep connection to everyday items that help to nurture and sustain them, and they love practical household items that have a sense of artistry or history. We think Cancers will love these Tutto Mio ceramic noodle bowls, hand-thrown in Italy’s Umbria region by artists practicing ancient and revered Italian ceramic arts. These non-toxic and gorgeous bowls can be brought out for special occasions, showcased as a display bowl for other lovely items, or simply used on the dinner table every single night.

CitrusSet_A_375x311Cancers are known as caretakers who will often put other people’s needs before theirs. It’s a hard habit for them to break, and this is why Cancers truly appreciate gifts that let them indulge and care for themselves for a change! Check out this all-natural botanical Spa Set from Pharmacopia: it contains items that can be used every day (lip balm, shea butter hand cream) or for times when he or she could use some extra relaxation (massage & body oil, bath salts). Choose from intoxicating aromatherapeutic Citrus or Ginger scents that are suitable for both men and women.

YakMtnXFinally, Cancer babies and children are loving little beings who are highly sensitive to their surroundings — so much so that they may need more nurturing and soothing than other kids. Cancer children tend to cling to “security” items like cuddly toys and blankets — anything that comforts them and makes them feel loved wherever they are. These Fair Trade Certified cashmere baby blankets by Yak Mountain are 100 percent natural, non-toxic, downy-soft and, at a generous 36” by 44”, is one of the few items that a Cancer baby can use throughout childhood. It may not be a shiny toy or fast-paced game, but it will be a well-loved possession that will stay with a Cancer for life. Hand-loomed by Tibetan artisans from humanely harvested natural fibers, this gorgeous hand-washable blanket is an heirloom gift that can be passed along to the next generation.

Whatever the gift, you can be sure that if you put some thought and consideration into a Cancer’s birthday present, he or she will cherish and appreciate it for a long, long time! Happy Birthday, Cancer!

Five Fabulous Green Gifts for Geminis

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

As we enter the birthday month for the Gemini sun sign (May 21-June 20), let’s take a look at some of the awesome, unique and eco-friendly gifts we’ve rounded up for all the “Twins” personalities in your life.

An Air sign ruled by Mercury, Gemini is all about intelligence and communication. Those born under this sign have a passion for putting their brains to work, and for figuring out what makes things – or people – tick.

Geminis have a great love of all means of communication, and writing often comes naturally to them. They will not hesitate to express their opinion or point of view, and enjoy engaging in lively debate or witty banter. They like to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to get their thoughts out. Their way with words often makes a lasting impression.
Oberon_Journal_Rose_365x346
We found these gorgeous artisan leather-and-pewter journals by Oberon — perfect for the communicative, expressive Gemini. Hand-tooled and cured without damaging chemicals, these beautiful journals are as much of a conversation piece as they are a catch-all for brilliant thoughts.

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Little Geminis love games of imagination, role-playing and acting, so these adorable handcrafted hand puppets by Dwelling will keep a Gemini child busy for hours. Joyously knit by a fair-trade women’s collective in Kenya, these puppets are made of organic wool, vege-dyed and super cute.

Obama_Ceremony_2 385x282-01-01Those born under the Gemini sun sign are notorious for needing mental stimulation — learning is a lifelong passion for them. Anything that challenges the mind interests Geminis, and they will pursue the answer to a riddle or mystery long after most people give up! Get their brain power flowing with a complex, wood (FSC-certified) jigsaw puzzle — specifically this sustainable wood Obama Inauguration Puzzle, a sweeping crowd scene that will challenge even the most detail-oriented Gemini.

LichenStixcomposite385x270One drawback of Geminis is that they’re interested in so many things that, in fact, to some people they may appear flighty. But they see life as a buffet, and their goal is to sample everything! Variety, diversity and experimentation are vital to them. This is why the Stix & Stones Multi-Design Jewelry by Lichen is rather ideal for them. This interactive jewelry set comes with several stainless-steel magnetic “stix” and “stones” that can be arranged to create literally hundreds of fabulous contemporary designs, so even a Gemini will never be bored.

DreamSacks_Travel_X-01Finally, travel is important to Geminis, and they love taking trips. Their journeys may not be long, but there are plenty of them — Geminis love to be on the go. They crave new experiences, seeing new sights and meeting different people. Geminis with wanderlust will appreciate this gorgeous, luxurious, raw silk travel comfort set by Dreamsacks. A soft, warm but lightweight blanket, pillowcase and eyeshade will make sure that Geminis arrive well-rested at their destination!

What we love most about Geminis is that they never lose their fun-loving nature or their curiosity, and seem to get younger with time, not older. Happy Birthday, Gemini!