Archive for the ‘Eco-Friendly Bath, Body, Spa’ Category

Green Gifts For the Five Types of Moms

Monday, April 19th, 2010


What type of mom do you have? All mothers are unique and special, of course, but certain categories seem to fit most (if not all) moms. Luckily, Elegant Roots has gifts for every kind of mother out there — all eco-friendly and gentle to Mother Earth, and many of which support women artisans who make a living doing what they love. Because isn’t that what all moms want?

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THE SUPERMOM — She organizes the Girl Scout cookie drive, writes a grant proposal, updates her blog, picks up the dry cleaning and gets the oil changed … and then it’s time for lunch. Then it’s off to yoga and volunteering at the nursing home before coming home, bathing the dog and trying out a new recipe for coq au vin.

Handcrafted Artisan Tote-EthiopiaEco-friendly Cambodian ToteWe’ve never met a Supermom who couldn’t use an amazing tote bag — she definitely has a ton of stuff to carry, and she wants to do it in style. Check out these lovely totes, all made from recycled, organic and/or eco-friendly materials: the handcrafted Ethiopian tote bag (left) by the fantastic artisan’s collective Creative Women, or the handcrafted Cambodian silk tote (right) by Green Gecko (with matching wallets available).

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THE DOMESTIC DIVA — Mom’s home is her castle. Even if she’s traveled the far corners of the globe, she can’t wait to come back to her own little corner of the world. She’d far prefer to entertain at her house than go out, and she would say a home-cooked meal beats dining out by a mile.

Zulu Basket & Master WeaverHandcrafted Mohair Lap Throw - Creative WomenHelp her feather her nest with lovely, nontoxic, gentle-to-the-earth home decorations. She can store just about anything in these beautiful yet functional Zulu Iquoma canister baskets. They’re a fantastic storage solution: museum-quality, crafted from natural grasses by Zulu Master Weaver Lauentia Dlamini (inset). Or, she can snuggle up under a gorgeous handcrafted mohair lap throw by Creative Women. When it’s not keeping her legs toasty, it’s a stunning complement to a room when draped over a chair or sofa.

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THE C.E.O. MOM — She loves her work, she loves her family, and all her time and energy go into those two things. She puts on her “Mom Face” at the office every time she negotiates, mediates or delegates, and she brings her “Office Face” home whenever she has to organize, prioritize or show the kids who’s boss.

EcoFriendly Laptop/Messenger BagEco-friendly Aromatherapy CandlesThis mom would love an eco-friendly Blackstone Sustainable Wool Laptop/Messenger Bag. It’s sleek, chic and high-quality, and versatile enough to be used as everything from a laptop case or executive carry-all to an oversized purse or stylish diaper bag. Or, delight her with these yummy aromatherapy soy-wax candles by Kokoro. Whether she’s unstressing at her desk or in her bathtub, she’ll love the soothing scents of the all-natural essential oils used in these award-winning candles.

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THE ACTIVIST MOM — Wherever her beliefs lie, this mom is a fountain of information, facts, questions, and solutions. She’ll go door-to-door to gather signatures for a pet cause, walk or run miles for her favorite charity, or stuff envelopes for her preferred candidate. She’s aware of all the issues that might affect her or her family, and feels strongly that “change begins at home.”

Handcrafted Leather JournalOrganic Cotton BlanketThis mom can jot down notes, lists, appointments, ideas or brilliant thoughts in an all-natural, made-in-the-USA handmade pewter/leather journal by Oberon (Shown: Celic Knot). With different styles to fit her personality, these journals are as beautiful as they are useful. She’d also appreciate a sumptuous handmade organic cotton throw by Marcel Miller: eco-friendly and downy soft, it’s free of chemical dyes and perfect for sensitive skin or allergies — nothing but comfort.

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THE HIP MOM — Her wardrobe is straight off the runways, and she can stand, dance or walk for hours in high heels. This Mom had the newest version of the iPod before you did, can talk knowledgeably about anything from politics to pop culture, and is constantly being mistaken for your sister or trendy aunt.

Recycled Wine-Bottle NecklaceRecycled Rubber HandbagShe’d love some of these unique recycled accessories that are as cool and different as she is: a gorgeously simple silver and recycled chardonnay bottle necklace by Smart Glass, or English Retread’s funky Reclaimed Rubber handbag.

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We’re confident that Elegant Roots has something for every mom: all gift-wrapped beautifully (and free of charge) in eco-friendly packaging.

Five Thoughtful Eco Gifts for Mom

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Finding just the right gift for Mom can be tricky. How can you express “I love you,” “Thank you,” and “Sorry about my high school years” — all in one item she’ll treasure? Here are five gifts made with joy, love and care, and are as gentle to the earth as they are beautiful and unique — all characteristics you associate with your mom. These Mother’s Day selections support women’s collectives, artists, and fair trade, so they’re a gift to Mother Earth too.

All Elegant Roots gifts come beautifully packaged using organic and recycled gift wraps, free of charge, straight from the eco-friendly facilities who partner with us.

GOAT’S BEARD SEED ORBS by Seed Shaman

Elegant Roots-GoatsBeard Seed Orbs

Seed Orbs allow a stunning glimpse into a secret of nature. Artist Richard Solomon, the “Seed Shaman,” hand-harvests seed pods from the “goat’s beard” plant and allows them to bloom in American-made glass globes. All vary in size, color, and number of seeds. Your Seed Orb can be placed atop glasses or grouped in glass bowls. Attach the hanging-cap and create a stunning ornament for the holidays or every day. This will delight all plant or nature lovers, gardeners, or anyone else who appreciates uniquely beautiful home accessories.

CIRCLES FROM AVENUE GREEN COLLECTION by C5
Elegant Roots - CIRCLES pendant & braceletIf your mom is classic, elegant, smart and one-of-a-kind, she’ll love Avenue Green’s “Circles” collection. Each piece is handmade in Bali from 100 percent reclaimed sterling silver, weaving design surprises into sleek and simple modern lines. These pieces are inspired by NYC’s South Bronx neighborhood, where multicultural urban living meets the natural beauty of the Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

HANDMADE ETHIOPIAN TOTE BAGS by Creative Women

ElegantRoots - Handmade Totes by Creative Women

These totes may look beautiful (and they are). but don’t be fooled — they’re durable and functional, as they’re crafted with green materials including an Egyptian cotton/rayon textile woven for strength and luster. Mom can use it a purse, exercise tote, knitting/ crafts bag, reuseable shopping bag, or in any other way that suits her lifestyle. These chic bags are crafted with care by Creative Women, a fair-trade women’s artisan collective in Ethiopia that gives its members rare opportunities for economic independence. Your mom’s gift will support other mothers and grandmothers in places of the world where good jobs are scarce.

KAKADOO JEWELRY by Dori Csengeri

ElegantRoots- Kakadoo Jewelry Collection

Dori Csengeri’s vibrant jewelry is as bold and beautiful as the women who wear it, and has been showcased in Vogue, Glamour, Marie Claire and In Style. A gift from the Kakadoo Collection is equally appropriate for lively moms who command attention, or understated moms who want to add a pop of color to basic black. Designer Dori Csengeri produces this stunning line in Israel with other talented artists, using eco- conscious materials — gifts created for amazing women by amazing women.

NATURAL TRANQUILITY SPA SET by Sonoma Lavender
ElegantRoots- Sonoma Lavender Spa Set

What better gift for Mom than refreshment and relaxation for a sore back, knotted neck or tired feet? Organic cotton booties and a body heatwrap come with organic lavender-and-flaxseed inserts, and are microwaveable for instant warmth. Mom will feel the tension drain away when she applies scented, aromatherapeutic heat at the end of a tiring day. Lavender is a universally appealing fragrance, and this Natural Lavender Footbalm is made with organic lavender from a Sonoma County, California family farm.

An item made with joy, by talented artisans, infuses love into your Mother’s Day gift. We can’t think of anything more appropriate for Mom.

Sonoma Lavender, the American Dream, Organically

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Lavender has been used for centuries in medicine and perfume, and early civilizations believed the fragrant purple flowers restored vitality. For Gary and Rebecca Rosenberg of Sonoma Lavender, the ancient plant is a means for reinvigoration and reinvention—one plant at a time.

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Many urbanites dream of leaving the hustle and bustle behind for a quieter life in the country, but few actually fulfill the dream. Gary and Rebecca Rosenberg are two of the lucky ones. In 1998, they sold their San Francisco advertising agency and catalog company and moved to their property in Northern California’s Sonoma County, long known for great wine, tart apples, and other fine agricultural delicacies.

With a goal to be home with their two kids as much as possible, the Rosenbergs focused on what they could do with the land to provide a livelihood. Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Mayacamas Mountain range, the Sonoma Valley mimics the elevation, climate and soil of the Mediterranean and provides ideal growing conditions. Many options were tossed around, including growing grapes and making wine, but they eventually settled on planting lavender.

More than 10 years later, Sonoma Lavender grows and manufactures hundreds of lavender products and is the single largest provider of lavender products in the US. Even still, the company remains family-owned and operated in the true sense, working together to plant, tend, harvest and dry the crop each season on their five-acre farm.
SonomaLavender_drying barn

We commend the Rosenberg Family for their natural, eco-friendly and “go local” approach. Local artisans handcraft all of Sonoma Lavender’s products, which benefits the local economy and the environment by avoiding transport and outsourcing to keep the company’s environmental footprint small. The Rosenbergs also practice environmentally friendly growing and manufacturing techniques, and every product is grown, designed and made in Santa Rosa, California.
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In keeping with their eco-friendly philosophy, Sonoma Lavender uses recycled cotton and organic ingredients whenever possible. We particularly love the booties and wrap in the Natural Tranquility Spa Set, which are handcrafted from a remarkably breathable fabric woven from recycled yarns.

What a terrific way to keep an estimated 5 billion pounds of waste out of landfills! The naturally healthful lotions, gels and soy candleshttp://www.elegantroots.com/Organic-Lavender-Spa-Set-by-Sonoma-Lavender-p-67.html feature organic herbal blends and therapeutic-grade essential oils. Soothing and spicy.
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Used throughout history for its therapeutic balancing properties, lavender has shown to be energizing, calming and revitalizing. To celebrate the fragrant, magical plant, each June Rebecca and Gary open their farm, which is otherwise closed to the public, for the Sonoma Lavender Festival. The festival features lavender cooking demonstrations, farm tours, a barn store and a lavender day spa.

I salute Gary and Rebecca for the vision to have conceived a robust business based on natural products and the commitment to operate it in ways that give back to the community and respect the earth. Sonoma Lavender is truly an inspiring American Dream.

Thanks to White Apricot!

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

We’re giving a shout out to White Apricot. Elegant Roots got some great coverage on their website:   http://www.whiteapricot.com/

They also put the review in their Newsletter.  http://www.whiteapricot.com/newsletter/eco_fashion_organic_skin_care_news.html (In the newsletter, you have to scroll down to the bottom — below even the Viagra-hidden-compartment ring. Seriously.)

The editor really gets it – and obviously spent a lot of time getting familiar with our site. We appreciate it.

Special notice goes to Cynthia and Julie Kramer for the “ impeccable and refined taste” in product selection. And to Ryan DeBisschop of California Retail Packaging for helping create our “quite elegant” (and always complimentary) gift boxes.