If you live in an area of the country that gets cold in the winter, even if it doesn't snow, then you need to protect your skin from chapping, and drying out. This is not just a cosmetic issue, it is a health issue, because your skin protects your body from catching diseases. Healthy supple skin is important, and of course it also feels good.

I am the kind of person who forgets to put lotion or creams on during the day, and I don't like the way they feel on my hands while I am working, so it was difficult to find something that I could use on a regular basis and that I would want to use. After several years, I found The Body Shop's Body Butters. When they first came out, there weren't too many choices of scents, but it seems like every year now they come out with more. I like to use them after showering in the morning over moist sking, and sometimes in the evening before bed. They come in different skin types all the way to very dry, and they are never greasy. My personal favorite is the mango, but they have many floral, fruity, and natural scents. Best of all The Body Shop is an ethical, fair trade, and eco-friendly company and has been since its inception. Definitely a product to have on hand and a perfect gift for anyone. Totally worth every penny I have ever paid for it.

Keeping Your Skin Protected Against the Cold Weather originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 6, 2012.

Burt's Bees is an "Earth Friendly, Natural Personal Care Company." They create natural, Earth-friendly personal care products formulated to help you maximize your well-being and that of the world around you. Burt's Bees got their start back in 1984 in Maine, when Roxanne Quimby and Burt Shavitz teamed up selling candles made from the beeswax created as a by-product of Burt's honey business. Burt's Bees has grown up over the past several years and a lot has changed, but there are some things that never will: their recipes, their values and their natural way of doing things.

Burt's Bees has products for the entire family, but I just love their baby care products especially formulated for baby's precious skin. These gentle, creams, powders and lotions are packed with a bundle of natural ingredients for your bundle of joy.

Burt’s Bees Baby Basket originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 5, 2012.

One of the most clever companies I have come across lately in my research for eco-chic green products is English Retreads.

In their own words:

"At English Retreads, we turn recycling into a bold fashion statement with our unique handbags and accessories. Designed specifically for conscientious consumers and savvy fashionistas, each one-of-a-kind English Retreads product is handcrafted from reclaimed truck inner tubes—right here in Boulder, Colorado.

One hundred percent vegan, our materials are an ecologically sound alternative to animal products. And even though our bags are designed to keep on truckin' forever, it's always good to buy a spare. Following in the tire tracks of Henry Ford's original Model T, English Retreads are available in any color you want—as long as it's black!"

English Retreads gets the inner tubes from truck stops in the Boulder, Colorado area where they are located. And the bags are really cute, and can take a lot of wear and tear.

English Retreads-Recycling Rubber Tires originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 4, 2012.

One place to start is with a True Green Laundry Washing Kit.

The True Green Laundry Washing Kit includes the green products below:

The Truegreen Laundry Washing Ball is an Extremely Earth Friendly and People Friendly Product that DOES NOT contain harmful synthetic detergents, perfumes, dyes or oils.

The Washing Ball cleans your clothes without bleach or detergents in cold water. You will be amazed at how bright your whites will be.

The Laundry Washing Ball is cheaper than detergents and bleach and much more convenient.

The Dryer Ball lifts and separates laundry so air can circulate more freely.

1. Reduces ironing, static and creases

2. Reduces drying time by 25%

3. Naturally softens fabrics

4. Non Toxic-no chemicals

5. Will last approximately 6 months

The Dryer Balls are re-usable, just leave them in your dryer and enjoy their benefits time and time again.

Wash Your Eco-Chic Green Clothing in a Green Laundry Washing Kit originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 2, 2012.

Clean House Clean Planet

"I was thrilled to stumble across Karen Logan's book shortly after my son was born. I started to avoid cleaning because I detested using most household cleaners due to the harsh chemicals. I was also very concerned about my son's second-hand exposure or worse - possible direct contact. Karen's book educated me about the hazards of commericial cleaners and then taught me how to make my own simple and safe cleaners right in my kitchen. This information showed me that harsh cleaners are unnecessary and more important what natural products would produce similar results. Making my own products is also entertaining and educational for my toddler who is now able to "help" clean and I don't waste precious naptime on toilet bowls and bath tubs! Her receipes are very easy to follow and are effective!!! I gave away all my commericial products almost two years ago and have not gone back to one of them. It's so comforting to know that my family is no longer exposed to harmful cleaners and we are doing our part in protecting the environment."

This books is a great resource in combination with How to Grow Fresh Air.

Clean House, Clean Planet: Clean Your House for Pennies a Day, the Safe, Nontoxic Way originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 2, 2012.

I figured that was just up my alley, so here is the list. Let me know if you agree with the order.

Eco-Chic #1: Sustainable Footwear
Eco-Chic #2: Green Beauty
Eco-Chic #3: Baby Goes Green
Eco-Chic #4: Sustainable Home
Eco-Chic #5: Bamboo and Organic Cotton Bed & Bath
To see the products listed under each item, click here.

I think that I would personally change the order to 5, 3, 2, 4, 1, but that is just me.  I really do like these suggested items, though.

3 Piece Super Soft 100% Bamboo Fiber Kitchen Towels - Pine Green

pb Bamboo Travel Blanket

Pinzon by Crypton Hillsboro Armchair

5 Ways to Be Eco-Chic originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 30, 2012.

These are the Eco-Friendly features per Samsung:

• The Samsung Reclaim is designed with environmentally-responsible components and fully recyclable packaging, including:
• Its bio-plastic material, made from corn, makes up 40 percent of the Reclaim's outer casing. Samsung Reclaim is free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), phthalates, and nearly free of brominated flame retardants (BFR): three materials commonly targeted on green electronics guidelines.
• The outer packaging and the phone tray inside the box are made from 70 percent recycled materials. The images and text on the box as well as the phone warranty information are printed with soy-based ink.
  The typical thick paper user manual has been replaced with a virtual manual that users can access at www.sprint.com/reclaimsupport.
• The charger is Energy Star approved for meeting the highest energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. It consumes 12 times less power than the Energy Star standard for standby power consumption and is equipped with a visible notification to alert you to unplug the handset once it's fully charged.

Additionally, $2 of each purchase will benefit The Nature Conservancy's Adopt an Acre program, which supports land conservation across the United States and protects some of the world’s most beautiful and important natural habitats.

For more information on the technical features, click here.

I honestly can't decide what I think of this phone yet. I will have to do some research. Do you know anyone who has tried it yet?

Have You Seen the Samsung Reclaim Phone Yet? originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 29, 2012.

Did You Know? Eco-Chic Green Fact #5 originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 29, 2012.

Throwing things at a newly wed couple is intended to symbolize good luck, fertility and abundance. This bag contains 100% pure lavender buds which are completely biodegradable. It won't harm birds or the environment. Guests can be given small packets of the lavender buds to throw at the bride and groom, and when everyone leaves the ceremony, they will be walking over the fragrant lavender. Another terrific eco-friendly idea from Beaucoup.

For more Eco-Chic Green Wedding ideas, follow this link.

Lavender Wedding Rice Eco-Chic Wedding Favor originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 28, 2012.

What APOC is doing is fascinating. They are working with construction and demolition experts in deconstructing buildings in order to recycle the reusable wood, bricks, and metal to make into new furniture, and other custom items.

APOC has been successful selling their custom work as well as a burgeoning retail line. To read more about APOC, click here.

Making New Products from Deconstructed Buildings originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 28, 2012.