By Dena Fritz

Buy your products in bulk and you can help save our earth! The landfills are being loaded up with consumer packaging and we can do something to put a stop to it. Wasteful packaging, for products like toilet paper, paper towels, napkins… buy a product in bulk and it is wrapped one time compared to buying it every week and in the end, you have thrown away several wrappers. You may even pay higher prices by buying food and produce in fancy excessive packaging. They look nice but when unwrapped, the quality is not better, just prettier. Buy your meat in larger quantities and break up, place in reusable containers to freeze. That means less Styrofoam, which NEVER breaks down in a landfill.

The same goes with many products that are boxed needlessly. Deodorant now comes without fancy boxes, who needs them? They go in the trash and kill trees anyway. Look at these things when shopping and try to buy things that go package free. Many manufacturers are looking at ways to display their products without all the needless dump fillers. You can do your part by shopping smart and avoiding all the over-done packaging that are most times just marketing ploys.

This helpful compilation includes a solar powered portable electronic charger, an organic counter garden, coffee from Community Agroecology, green sneakers, and more. Before you venture out to do your holiday shopping, you must take a look at these great green gifts. Have a guilt free holiday to one and all!

Gorgeously Green by Sohpie Uliano

We think that author of Gorgeously Green, Sophie Uliano, is both gorgeous and green! She has effortlessly created the bridge between being a normal girl to tree hugger. In this easy read she gives girls a breakdown of 8 steps to follow for a more eco-friendly existence. The steps and subjects are as follows: Explore Your Life, Beauty Regime, Yoga Practice, Shopping Green, Home, Green Cuisine, Transportation, and World.

Each of these areas touch on ways, big or small, you can positively impact your life. Sophie has made being green glamorous, because she knows that being green IS glamorous. This book is a fun way for women, of any age, to learn what they can do to chip in. You will use it as reference for each step of the way, and find yourself relating to Uliano’s experiences. From the moment you pick it up, you won’t be able to stop your self from thinking greener!

Take a look at Gorgeously Green now!

Now that you’re back with a bunch of garments that you don’t get use out of any longer, call up your best girls and invite them to bring their pile as well. Open up a bottle, or two, of wine with some snacks. Lay out the clothes and start claiming what suits you. Each of you will undoubtedly go home with new pieces to add to your wardrobe. If you want to go all out add accessories, beauty products, purses, etc.

Not only will you feel good about putting your under utilized clothes to good use, you will be recycling them as well! The time you spend with your closest gals will also serve as bonafide, quality, and much needed girl time. At the end of your garment soiree, pack up any straggler items and donate them to a local charity. Have fun girls!