5 Amazing Eco-Friendly Gifts for Your Female Coworkers

Whether you’re celebrating an accomplishment or doing a holiday swap, choosing gifts for coworkers can be a challenge. Homing in on your coworker’s interests and passion can help you select a meaningful gift that she’ll love.

An office desk with computer

If your coworker prides herself on living a sustainable, eco-conscious lifestyle, you’re in luck. Here are some fantastic eco-friendly gifts for your female coworkers.

1. A Desktop Garden

Putting together a desktop is an excellent gift for your eco-conscious coworker. This creative project can be scaled for any budget and style and also works well as a group gift. 

When creating a desktop garden, consider the location of your coworker’s desk. If her desk is away from the window, you’ll need to find plants that thrive in a low-light environment. If she has a nice spot, look for bright, sun-loving plants and flowers.

Desktop gardens offer several eco-conscious benefits. They can help purify the air without requiring another drain on the electricity. Furthermore, flowers improve mood, memory, and focus to create a happy, healthy work environment. 

2. Sustainable and Ethical Jewelry

Jewelry often gets overlooked as a gift for coworkers out of fear that it could be inappropriate. By no means should you purchase your coworker a diamond bracelet or give her jewelry if she never wears any. However, if your coworker is known for accessorizing, an affordable piece of sustainable and ethical jewelry is appropriate. 

Look for a jeweler who uses recycled and natural materials to make their products. Consider the symbolism of the piece you choose. Selecting something with a positive message or association is a nice way to share your good wishes with a coworker.

3. Eco-Friendly Lunch Kit

Food packaging and single-use plastics are one of the main offenders against our planet. Things like sandwich bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, and plastic straws add 130 million metric tons of waste to landfills in a year. While most of this comes from major corporations, every little bit of effort counts. 

Put together an eco-friendly lunch kit for your coworker. Include things like bamboo utensils, cloth napkins, stainless steel straws, beeswax and fabric food savers, and glass containers. This gift is a simple gesture that’s both practical and meaningful to someone who cares deeply about the environment.

A keyboard next to an wrapped gift

4. Water Bottle from a B-Corp

A B-Corp is a business that shows proven positive impacts on society and the environment. These for-profit organizations must adhere to rigid standards to achieve their certification. While purchasing a reusable water bottle is a nice gesture, it’s also important to confirm that the producer also uses sustainable manufacturing processes.

If your coworker already has a tried and tested water bottle, choose a travel mug or another vessel instead. You can even get stainless steel beer growlers and wine tumblers for the coworker who enjoys a nightcap after a long day at work. Pair your gift with a sample of your coworker’s preferred beverage for an added touch.

5. Natural Soaps and Lotions

Putting together a collection of natural, handmade soaps and lotions is another great, eco-friendly gift for a female coworker. Look for local makers at small stores and craft markets to support your community. You can also get natural hand sanitizers and beauty products to create a self-care gift basket.

These simple, meaningful gifts are perfect for an eco-minded coworker. Choose one or multiple items from this list to make an impact, both on the recipient and the world around you.


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woman holding bouquet of flowers

Single on Valentine’s Day? 5 Ideas to Keep You Smiling All Month Long.

We’ve all seen the myriad Valentine’s post for lovers. Heck, we’ve done one ourselves on sexy lingerie for Valentine’s Day. But for many people, being single on Valentine’s Day can lead to melancholy or loneliness. Don’t despair! Not only are there literally millions of other folks who don’t have a “Valentine,” but there are also some fun and creative ways to celebrate while caring for yourself. Here are our top 5 tips to make this your best Valentine’s Day yet.

Start with a Spa Day

Spas run all sorts of specials and deals for Valentine’s Day. You can get the same discount on those gift certificates if buy them for yourself and have a day-spa treat! What’s better, most gift certificates are given as gifts on Valentine’s Day, so they’re often not actually used until after Valentine’s Day. That means you can get it on some low-cost, self-love with easy-to-get appointments in early February.

If you can’t get to the spa, arrange for some wonderful at-home relaxation with the help of a portable sauna blanket from the Heliotherapy Institute.

Feed Your Ex to a Tiger!

Calvin the Tiger from Wildcat Ridge Sanctuary

Support charity while letting go of a bad breakup or just having a really good, healing belly-laugh by feeding your ex’s name to a tiger. Wildcat Ridge Sanctuary is hosting a My Bloody Valentine fundraiser for their big cats. According to their website “… for a mere $35, we’ll feed that cold, cold heart (in the form of a bloody jello mold) to a wildcat and send you a compilation video. For $75, we’ll make it personal, feed it to a wildcat and send you your own custom video.” They’ve even got some pretty dramatic videos of the tigers having a go at the molds. But really, it’s all in good fun and no one gets harmed. In fact, it helps them continue their mission to provide a safe, natural, lifetime home for captive-born wildcats in need.

Side note: I’m a vegan, but tigers are NOT. These big cats need their meat to stay strong and healthy. Getting little treats of different foods and meals presented in different ways is great enrichment for the tigers!

Make it Cozy

Nina pajama set from FaeriesDance.com

Ok, so you’re relaxed from the spa, you’ve gotten a good laugh at your ex’s expense, it’s time to get cozy in some ultra-soft, organic loungewear. From fair trade pajama sets to snuggly fleece loungewear pieces, picking something from Faerie’s Dance’s sleepwear selection will make being single on Valentine’s Day seem outright joyous.

Indulge in Chocolate, but Skip the Heart-Shaped Box

single on Valentine's day? Try this skull shaped candy from Lagusta's luscious

Ethical, vegan chocolate company Lagusta’s Luscious is featuring a Valentine’s Day “Love is Dead” chocolate skull. From their website, “Just in time for Valentine’s cheer to be interrupting us at every corner, (grocery store aisles! television ads! public displays of affection!) we have made you a pretty sizeable chocolate skull, filled with our favorite assortment of seasonal bonbons. Share it with a lover, a friend, a family member, or smash it open yourself. No matter what your intentions, it’s the sweetest form of February self-care.”

Once you crack open this skull, it even contains an anatomically shaped heart along with other treats inside. It’s an activity as well as a dessert. Half the fun is smashing the skull. How will you do it?

Wear Inspiration

Being single on Valentine’s Day is really not a big deal. Each of us needs to find joy and pleasure in commonplace things. Celebrate the everyday inspirations in your life with one of these thoughtful jewelry pieces by The Artist Jay. Each comes with a card to help you remember to be mindful in some way. They’re handcrafted in the USA using recycled aluminum, and an ideal gift to yourself for Valentine’s or really, any time at all.


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Support Small Business this Holiday & Find Gifts that Give Back

business open sign

2020 has been a real punch in the nose for many people and small businesses. Since Faerie’s Dance already had an online presence, we were lucky compared to many other companies. Still, planning has a been a nightmare with our lowest sales month in more than 10 years occurring within three months of our highest. Supply chains have been affected and in some cases, we simply can’t get products in to back fill orders. Our fun Mismatched Socks are nearly sold out – even at the manufacturer, and we won’t be able to restock all the missing sizes of our best-selling Treasure bra until February. That said, we still consider ourselves very fortunate compared to restaurants, spas, gyms and brick-and-mortar retailers.

If you’ve maintained employment throughout the pandemic, and find yourself in a secure position, you may be wondering how you can best support small businesses and hard-hit charities this holiday season. Here are a few tips that might help.

Support Small Business

Shop small

Supporting small business is more than just that initial purchase. Of course, shopping small is where it all starts. Shop for holiday gifts at small online stores or don your organic cotton face mask and head over to one of the unique boutique-style shops in your community. Sometimes you may end up paying a few cents more to support a small business, but local businesses often add to the character of your community, and online businesses almost always offer a selection of items that can’t be found anywhere else.

wellness dots organic cotton bra

At Faerie’s Dance, we’re proud to be the only shop in the USA carrying European bras from Swegmark, Comazo and Peau-Ethique. But if you don’t need a bra, or don’t want to give one as a gift, buying any of our everyday items helps support us and allows us to continue bringing you that selection of exclusives you’ve come to love.

Exchange Rather than Return

One of the biggest helps to small businesses is to exchange items that don’t fit, don’t meet your needs or weren’t perfect for your recipient. In addition to losing the sale, credit card fees are not refundable for small businesses. So refunds always constitute a loss. Doing an exchange instead can be a little lifeline for businesses that are struggling.

Christmas gift card

Give Gift Certificates

If you want to support a small business, or a restaurant that may currently be operating take-out only, get a gift certificate. Not only do they make great gifts – both for your recipients and for yourself – but it puts much needed capital in the hands of the business now while restrictions are still in place.

Read the About Us Pages

While not revenue-related, small companies put a lot of time and effort into telling their customers who they are and what they stand for. Does the small business you are buying from support charity? Are they minority or woman-owned? Are they focused on sustainability? Do they give back to the community? Spending a few minutes learning about a small business can be so beneficial. And the more people care about those extra steps companies are taking to do good, the more businesses will eventually follow suit.

Avoid Amazon (and other Big Box stores)

Amazon is convenient. Nobody can argue that. And most of the time, Amazon is cheap, too. But Jeff Bezos and Amazon stock holders don’t need your money. Early on in the pandemic while small businesses were closed, Amazon and big box stores that sold groceries were still open and raking in profits. They really don’t need any more.

If you do find something on Amazon, check the “shipped from” notice. Many times small business (including ours) sell a portion of their offerings on Amazon to increase revenue. We charge a little more on Amazon to offset all the fees. So you pay more, we get less and Amazon earns the extra. Instead, search for the “shipped from” company online. If you find their website, you can support them directly!

If you can’t find a small business that has what you need and Amazon is looking like your only option, be sure to order from smile.Amazon.com to have a portion of your purchase donated to charity.

after christmas sale image

Shop After Christmas

While everyone is focused on the holidays, January and February can be rough for small businesses. Be sure to save a little to shop early in the year. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of after-Christmas sales. While margins may be lower, most companies are looking to lower inventory or gain revenue to stock new items. So bargain hunting can be a win-win for everyone.

Buy Gifts that Give Back to Charity

In addition to small businesses, many charities are struggling with diminishing donations. Many charities get a good portion of their operating budget from live events and large gatherings which are currently curbed. Symbolically adopting an animal has been a mainstay of holiday charitable giving for years. While we love this idea, here are a few more unique ones you may not have heard about.

People hiking on an earthwatch expedition

Plan an Adventure

One of our sponsored charities, EarthWatch, is having a particularly rough year since most of their donations come from volunteer expeditions. While their expeditions are currently on hold, you can start an Expedition Fund for anyone for as little as $25. The Expedition Fund allows you to crowd fund your future EarthWatch adventure, or simply save up for it over time. If you start a fund for someone else this holiday, your recipient would have until the end of 2024 to to apply those funds to an EarthWatch Expedition.

Soften Your Skin While Giving Back

Heading to the local mall? Pick up Lush’s Charity Pot Body Lotion. 100% of the price of this luscious, ethical, vegan lotion is donated to small groups working in the areas of human rights, animal protection and environmental justice.

Africa quest charity wine

Buy Wine, Help Animals

Africa Quest imagines “an Africa where wildlife habitats are protected and endangered species coexist and thrive with their human counterparts.” They’ve partnered with a high-end wine maker to offer Africa Quest Wines with $40 from every bottle purchased going directly to charity.

Personalize a Brick

Whether you’re into space exploration, historical preservation or helping build new hospitals, you can leave a lasting memento for yourself or a loved one by purchasing a personalized paving brick.

Support Small Businesses that Support Charity

Do double duty by supporting small businesses who also support charity. (You’ll know who they are if you’ve read their About Us pages!) Faerie’s Dance gives 1% of all gross sales to charity. That’s gross sales, so even if profits are down, our charities are still being supported. I’m happy to report, we’re not alone in this. Many, many small businesses support charities. Most smaller companies go into business with high ideals of not just earning a living, but being a productive part of our larger communities. Find businesses and charities that align with your values and everyone will be elevated.

post office mail truck

Don’t Forget Your Postal Carrier!

Many small businesses rely on the post office to ship lightweight items economically and ecologically to nearly every address in the country. In addition, so many home-bound Americans rely on the post office, particularly this year, for their medications, mail and even voting ballots. Postal workers were a bedrock of consistency for us all year. Faerie’s Dance could not have operated without them! Our Self Care Gift Set makes a great gift for your postal carrier. Of course, gift certificates, restaurant gift cards, locally made craft beer, and cash are always appreciated too. Give them a small “thank you” this year for all they do!


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Stylish (and Eco-Friendly) Mother’s Day Gifts for Eco-Loving Mamas

A bunch of pink and lilac tulips next to a heart.

Mother’s Day only comes around once a year, and it’s a terrific chance to spoil your nature-loving mama with some eco-friendly Mother’s Day gifts that she might not buy for herself. To get the ball rolling, we’ve put together a round-up of ideas for gifts that an environmentally conscious lady is sure to love. Ready to pamper your mama for all the hard work she puts in year-round? Let’s jump in!

Our Favorite Environmentally Friendly Gift Ideas For Moms

 A cluster of four blue glass rings on a silver chain as an environmentally friendly gift idea.

Eco-Friendly Jewelry

Top on our list of gifts for environmentally conscious mamas is a beautiful, ethical necklace or pair of sustainable earrings. With these sparkly accessories, you can be confident that you’ll get the right size — and your eco-warrior princess mama won’t fret that you’ve spent money on something that’s not kind to the environment!

One of the best environmentally friendly gift ideas for women of all ages, eco-friendly jewelry always comes with a story behind it. Follow this personality-based guide to find the perfect piece for your unique mom:

The Nature Girl

While some stylish ladies are drawn like a magnet to the sparkle of gemstones and gold, there are some that love the bohemian style of earthy, rustic materials. For the best ever Mother’s Day, give your nature girl a thrill with a bracelet made from African Zulu grass or a colorful tagua nut necklace-and-earring set.

The Happy Recycler 

Gifts for environmentally conscious mamas really are best matched to the things they keep telling you every day when trying to make the home as sustainable as possible. For the mama who can’t stand to see a can thrown in the trash, consider a recycled aluminum dragonfly or dolphin from the handmade collection by The Artist Jay.

The Persistent Peacemaker

What about eco-friendly Mother’s Day gifts for the long-suffering “peace, not war” mama who is constantly reminding the kids to get along? Among our gifts for environmentally conscious mamas, we just happen to have the perfect solution: The hand-beaten reclaimed peace-bronze pieces made by the anti-war brand, From War to Peace.

The Covert Wine Lover

Ok, so while we think every earth-loving mother is truly a saint, there’s always some time for a little fun! Give the wine-loving mom in your life a gift she’ll really appreciate with a bottle of bubbly and a recycled glass jewelry set from Smart Glass Jewelry. Match your gift with an incredible home-cooked meal and a shared bottle of wine for the perfect celebration!

 

A shiny black purse made from recycled VHS tape as an environmentally friendly gift idea.

An Eco-Friendly Purse or Bag

For environmentally friendly gift ideas that are a little more practical and just as likely to earn her compliments on style, consider giving the mama in your life an eco-friendly bag. Among our most creative gifts for environmentally conscious women, the purses and bags in our sustainable collection are made from versatile hemp and recycled VHS tapes! The retro-chic vibe of these off-beat pieces is a sure head-turner at parties. Plus a woman can never have too many bags!

 

Four colorful swirled soap bars as an environmentally friendly gift idea.

A Luxurious Spa-at-Home Hamper

Let’s face it — mothers work hard. Mother’s Day should be their chance to enjoy a little pampering from Dad and the kids! Prepare the perfect home spa experience with a pack of gifts for environmentally conscious mamas, including:

 

Women wearing purple bamboo pajamas as an eco-friendly gift idea

Her Favorite Stay-at-Home Essentials

The best gifts for environmentally conscious mamas are often things that she’ll use on a daily basis. For environmentally friendly gift ideas, consider some stay-at-home essentials for the ultimate comfort when hanging out at home on the weekends and evenings. Most of these pieces are made from indulgently soft organic cotton, bamboo, and modal, so they are as gentle on the environment as they are on her skin.

For your eco-friendly Mother’s Day gifts, give her a range of options with three or four colorful tunics and a pair of leggings or drawstring pants. If Mom is the type who shops for everyone else before herself, she would probably be thrilled to receive an organic pajama set (or two!) that actually match! Complete your gifts for your environmentally conscious lady with an organic cotton cardigan or wrap to keep her warm and cozy on cooler days.

A set of black lingerie as an environmentally friendly gift idea.

Some Sizzling Lingerie

Alright, dads, here’s a gift for you. So these kinds of gifts for environmentally conscious mamas are probably best given when the kids are all tucked up in bed and would go particularly well with those drinks for two. For a special mama, a well-fitting organic cotton bra or pack of silky-soft panties could be just the thing to show her that you care about her comfort each and every day. Some of our top recommendations for Mother’s Day lingerie include:

Buyers, please note: For reasons of hygiene, we cannot refund or exchange women’s panties or men’s or kids’ underwear, so if you’re not 100% sure of the size, consider purchasing a bra instead or opt for an e-store gift card.

Make Faerie’s Dance Your Go-To Store for Eco-Friendly Mother’s Day Gifts

Gifts for environmentally conscious mamas are easy to find when you know where to look and what she likes. If the gift isn’t right, we’ll happily refund or exchange the unaltered product (for everything besides panties) within 60 days of your original purchase.

A dedicated sustainable and fair trade superstore, Faerie’s Dance has been revolutionizing environmentally friendly gift ideas since 2005 — and we’re continuously expanding our range of products! Be sure to browse our sustainable clothing for men,women, and kids while you’re here, and we wish the environmentally-conscious mama in your life a wonderful, love-filled Mother’s Day!

 

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5 Eco-Friendly Lingerie Brands That’ll Help You Sizzle This Valentine’s Day

Alt tag: A woman in a white dress holds a red heart in front of her stomach.

With February 14th right around the corner, it might just be time to spruce up the lingerie drawer. At Faerie’s Dance, that means a chance to splurge on some cute, eco-friendly lingerie that’s as gentle on your skin as it is on the planet.

This Valentine’s Day, consider spicing things up with some luxuriously-soft, beautifully-designed underwear from our featured sustainable lingerie brands to boost your confidence and help you feel your best. With eco-friendly fabrics and a super-soft finish, these organic bras and organic women’s underwear are filled with love from start to finish!

Our Favorite Sustainable Lingerie Brands

Cherry red eco-friendly lingerie with black lace

Xylem Clothing

Possibly the most sensual sustainable lingerie brand on the block, Xylem is an Oregon-based family business that focuses on creating intimate, eco-friendly lingerie. Their bras, panties, nighties, and tees gracefully accentuate your curves with comfortable bamboo that is grown sustainably, and silky-soft, reclaimed soy fibers that gently stretch for a perfect fit.

For a steamy Valentine’s underwear combo, we recommend their drop-dead gorgeous soy lace thong and matching soy lace bralette or their provocative soy lace cheeky panty and matching soy lace cami bra. Both of these options are adorned with lace that is ultra-cute and non-itchy on the skin!

A blue Pants to Poverty panty eco-friendly lingerie with black print

Pants to Poverty

Britain-based Pants to Poverty showcased a manufacturing alternative that could reverse poverty in the poorest areas of the world while providing food, clothing, and education for tribal farmers and their families. While the experiment has now ended, the results are leading the way for Fair Trade analysis and production in the garment industry. Faerie’s Dance is grateful to have their last batch of colorful, eco-friendly lingerie in stock now. Grab a fun pair of “pants” (British for undies), and celebrate the strides in sustainable manufacturing they’ve helped create. In addition to being organic and Fair Trade, these pieces were made with the use of water-saving drip irrigation and low carbon emission factories.

If you’re a fan of upbeat prints and cheeky cuts, we think you’ll love their women’s briefs and men’s organic underwear which are made from 100% organic cotton and look like your regular fashion underwear. For the ladies, our Valentine’s picks are their hot-pink Love Thong with a print featuring tiny hearts or their Fashion Revolution thong and cami for an explosion of eye-catching color. For the men, we love their jet-black M’s Poverty Fighter Briefs and their suave, blue-lined Grey Marl Tank top — because who says men can’t have lingerie on V-Day, too!

A soft pink Peau-Ethique panty with a hot pink bow.

Peau-Ethique

After two sustainable lingerie brands for the daring, we have the elegant and very feminine French brand Peau-Ethique (roughly translated to “Skin-Ethic”) for those who like more classic designs. Made from organic cotton, their lovely bras, beautiful briefs, and luxuriously comfortable pajama sets have been produced with fair-trade practices, low-impact dyes, and no chemical processing. Their eco-friendly lingerie line also features feminine details like miniature bows and subtle prints that provide the ideal aesthetic for sweet, earth-conscious ladies who want to shop with integrity. The result is a skin-friendly finish that makes your body and soul sing. 

For the perfect Valentine’s Day eco-friendly lingerie combination, we love their Sublime collection with its range of chic, retro-style lace-and-bow thongs, high-waisted briefs, corsets, and bras. A more mainline option for the conservative and shy is their pretty pink Eva bikini or thong with the matching Eva underwire demi bra. No matter which of their designs take your fancy, you can be assured that these undergarments are as ethical as they are attractive with organic cotton, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and fair trade certifications to back up the brand’s claims. Peau-Ethique’s stunning underwear shows that “eco-friendly really can be beautiful!”

A model wears a pink Love Nature padded bra next to a setting of pink roses

Love Nature

Love Nature offers eco-friendly lingerie for the free-spirited woman who appreciates intimate day and nightwear that is feminine at its essence and features subtle touches of whimsy. Made from organic cotton, this sustainable lingerie brand’s elegant latex-free lace panties, sumptuous push-up bras made with cotton foam instead of polyurethane, flowing cotton nightgowns, and dreamy pajamas are sure to evoke a sense of wonder and delight.

This Valentine’s Day, wrap yourself in beauty with Love Nature’s cherry-licious Princess brief and matching Alba No Wire Support Bra for an underwear set that will enhance your natural glow. Their Sweet Sport Brazilian panty and matching Sweet Sport no wire bra combine an athletic look with a delicate touch of pink lace—a sure winner for active women who’d like to add a dash of pretty for this romantic occasion.

A model wearing a stormy blue bra from Do You Green eco-friendly lingerie.

Do You Green

The last of our sustainable lingerie brands and one of our personal favorites, Do You Green is a small French company that produces eco-friendly lingerie from white pine tree trimmings. They collect this pesticide-free source material in cooperation with tree trimming companies and combine it with a small amount of spandex to create a fabric that is velvety-soft with a nice amount of stretch. The gorgeous colors featured in their men’s and women’s underwear are achieved using OEKO-Tex certified dyes that have passed stringent standards in relation to their impact on health and the environment.

Reduce landfill waste and turn up the romance this Valentine’s Day with their stormy-blue Amsterdam Shorty Thong and matching no wire padded bra. For the guys, we love their smooth, fly-free pine tree boxer brief in sensual black. Best of all, Do You Green’s sizzling, eco-friendly lingerie comes wrapped in paper envelopes with no plastic!

Spending This Valentine’s Day Alone?

With all the focus on couples and romance, swinging it solo on Valentine’s Day can feel like a bit of a downer. At Faerie’s Dance, we believe in living your best and most joyful life no matter if you’re happily partnered or scintillatingly single. This Valentine’s treat yourself to some eco-friendly lingerie just because you’re awesome and give yourself some self-love with our soy and bamboo bath and spa accessories

Save the Planet in Style at Faerie’s Dance

As you’ve seen with our sustainable lingerie brands, eco-friendly lingerie can be cute as well as environmentally conscious. Shop our organic women’s and sustainable men’s clothing today and get free US shipping on orders over $99.

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6 Ways to Keep Your Holiday Celebrations Eco-Friendly

A top-down view of a christmas tree, presents, and woman’s socks.

As the end of another year approaches, toy factories and shopping malls are working overtime to prepare for the onslaught of anxious shoppers. With 28% of gifts returned after the big day and 25% more waste thrown into landfills between Thanksgiving and New Year, it’s a good time to be thinking about ways to be eco-friendly over the holiday season for a happier (and healthier!) planet. At Faerie’s Dance, we’re here to help redefine how people think about eco-friendly shopping. Here are our top 5 ideas to consider for making your holidays more eco-friendly!

1. Ditch the Tinsel and Disposable Knives and Forks

Tradition and convenience are attractive go-to’s when the family is coming over and there’s way too much to do. Fortunately, there are several ways to be eco-friendly and prevent the huge amounts of plastic that are purchased and disposed of around holiday time each year.

Instead of plastic tinsel and baubles, consider opting for the more nature-friendly pine cones and rose hips, decorating your home with pieces of brightly colored organic cotton and homemade bunting. For ways to be eco-friendly with your holiday meal, think about switching your single-use plastic cutlery for compostable bamboo disposables or preferably make a fun activity out of washing dishes by turning up the holiday music and laying out the leftovers for helpers to help pack up. With the treats off the table and the party in the kitchen, you’ll soon have a team of eager volunteers!

2. Purchase Gifts that Give Twice

With so many birthdays and holidays in a lifetime, finding the perfect gift for each person can be a challenge. Make your presents meaningful as well as sustainable by shopping local and giving preference to eco-friendly gifts for the holidays.

Organic cotton children’s toys are free from flame-retardants and other chemicals making them a safer, softer option for bringing a smile to the kids’ faces. Organic women’s clothing or sustainable men’s styles are other ideas for ways to be eco-friendly when buying gifts for the whole family. The styles available in organic and sustainable fabrics means you won’t have to sacrifice on fashionability, and your purchase will help small family businesses make a decent living in countries around the world.

A blue textile-wrapped package for eco-friendly holidays.

3. Wrap Your Gifts Without Killing Trees

According to a study from Sundale Research, Americans spend a whopping $7 billion on wrapping paper every year. Keep gifts a surprise without damaging our forests by looking for alternatives to brand-new “virgin” wrapping paper. As an item that is used once (or at most twice) and then thrown away, this holiday tradition can easily be replaced with gorgeous tree-free gift bags that can be folded back up and used again. The red cloth stocking hanging from the mantelpiece is a similar idea and brings back the nostalgia of centuries past.

If you must wrap with paper, there are ways to be eco-friendly while still giving the kids the fun of ripping each package apart. Create a rustic feel by wrapping gifts with newspaper and securing it with twine or colored cloth rather than plastic-coated sticky tape. When you’re done unwrapping, compost your newspaper wrapping paper to return the goodness to the earth. For those who like a sea of color in their living room, swap the newspaper for some colorful pages from used magazines. While this option isn’t as great for your compost pile, it can still be recycled for more eco-friendly holidays!

4. Gift Experiences Rather than Toys

Creative gifts can be a way to be eco-friendly and counter the excess of consumption that pollutes our homes and our hearts. Whet the appetite of curious kids with a science clinic or cake-making workshop and give the older ones the thrill of a lifetime with a voucher for a tandem skydive or white-water rafting. Is there a couple on your list who could do with a romantic getaway? For ways to be eco-friendly at the same time as showing some sacrificial generosity, consider gifting a hotel, restaurant, or movie voucher and offering to watch the kids!

A white card and brown envelope for an eco-friendly holiday gift.

5. Give Them a Choice

Having someone guess the exact gift we want is a rare pleasure that is usually preceded by 12 months of hint-dropping. Avoid the problem of gift-return and reduce waste by giving your loved ones a gift card printed on recycled paper or charity-based “gift” that plants trees or “adopts” an endangered animal.

Looking for ways to be eco-friendly with a sustainable holiday budget that won’t put you in the red? Time vouchers are a creative idea for eco-friendly holidays that only cost you an hour (or two or three) and leave the details up to the recipient. You could make these vouchers fun and attractive by including a few suggestions and decorating the page by hand. A time-voucher for your teenage son could offer activities such as:

  • An afternoon of go-karting
  • Putting together an engine for his future car
  • Going on a camping trip together to the local state park
  • Helping him practice his basketball shots
  • Spending time together during something he enjoys

While this gift could seem like more effort than checking out an iPhone and calling it good, it will create unforgettable memories that last for a lifetime.

6. Change Your Mindset to Transform the World

Although looking for ways to be eco-friendly with our celebrations can make an enormous difference, changing the way we think has benefits that extend far beyond the holidays. Take a moment to step away from the hustle, bustle, lights, and music, and ask yourself these important questions:

  • What am I trying to achieve with this year’s festivities?
  • Which gifts have I received from others that really changed and enriched my life?
  • What will I do this holiday season to build relationships with the people in my life?
  • What can I let go of this holiday season?

When you step back and look at the big picture, you might realize that the most important thing is spending time with family, making memories, taking time to rest, and filling your home with joy. Ready to make your holiday more eco-friendly? Explore the best eco-friendly gifts in our collection.

Happy Holidays from Faerie’s Dance! We wish you a healthy, prosperous and, most of all, joyous New Year!

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Tis the Season… to Save The Planet! – The Best Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas This Holiday Season

Woman holding plant

Looking for eco-friendly gift ideas for the holidays? Faerie’s Dance has you covered! With an extensive selection of practical and sustainable clothing and accessories, we offer the best eco-friendly gifts for the whole family in one place. Here are our top picks for the men, women, children, and significant others in your life!

Best Eco-Friendly Gifts For Him

Ok—so we don’t sell reclaimed timber baseball bats or bamboo bicycles just yet, but we do have a selection of eco-friendly gift ideas — like stylish sustainable men’s clothing — to keep the men in your life cozy and comfortable all year round.

A man in a brown, striped sweater.
The Driftwood Crew in 100% Organic Cotton

A Soft and Sustainable Pullover

Made from hemp and organic cotton, our luxuriously soft men’s pullovers are perfect for keeping your man snuggly and warm all winter long. Made in ethical conditions within the United States or in fair-trade regulated factories overseas, these classic men’s garments are a wardrobe staple that he can layer with a tee or polo for a versatile look. 

A Pair of Bamboo Boxers

It’s not something he’d usually buy for himself, so take advantage of the holiday celebrations to treat your man to some silky-soft bamboo or organic cotton underwear. Whether he’s into briefs, boxers, long johns, or thermals, you can find it all in our eco-friendly collection.

PrAna Lybek flannel
The Lybek Midweight Flannel

An Organic Cotton Button-Down 

The best eco-friendly gift ideas are those that can be used straight away. A classic button-down in timeless colors will have the man in your life rocking the holiday parties in style. An organic shirt—while great for the planet—is also good for your man and your home as well. With zero toxic finishing products or harsh dyes, our shirts are not likely to irritate his skin while he enjoys doing what he loves most.

Best Eco-Friendly Gifts For Her

Buying for women can sometimes be easier than men—when it comes to organic women’s clothing, the choices are nearly endless! Here are our top eco-friendly gift ideas for the ladies.

Cotton Knit Knee-Highs

For most of us, the holiday season comes with a blast of cold that’s enough to make you want to tuck up by the fireplace all winter long. Keep your loved one’s legs toasty and warm with a colorful pair of knee-high socks. Some of these knee-highs are mismatched on purpose to chase away the winter blues. Buy two pairs—or three!—and bring a smile to her face as she steps into the fun of ethical fashion.

Indigenous designs alpaca coat
The Winter Coat from Indigenous is Ethically Made from both a Human and Animal Perspective

A Free Range Alpaca Coat

Set at a higher price tag than many eco-friendly gift ideas, a bamboo, hemp, or alpaca eco-friendly winter coat is one of those luxury gift items that is worth saving for. Give this coat or jacket as a mouth-dropping standalone present, or pair it with a scarf, hat, and a pair of gloves for a complete set of the best eco-friendly winter gifts.

Peace bronze recycled earrings
Seven Rings of Peace Recycled Earrings

Recycled and Sustainble Jewelry

Our natural jewelry is another great gift for the special woman in your life. Chic and affordable, choose from our selection of recycled metals and nature-inspired designs featuring seeds, clay, nuts, and grasses. These eco-friendly gift ideas are beautifully rustic and avoid the problems of conflict stones and strip mines that plague the conventional jewelry industry.

Best Eco-Friendly Gifts For the Kids

Little ones can join in on the eco-friendly fun, too! After all, it’s never too early to teach your little one about the importance of looking after the planet. Watch your children’s eyes light up with these easy eco-friendly gift ideas:

A stuffed, eco-friendly fox plushie
Organic Cotton Plush Toys are Safer for Babies Mouth

Organic Cotton Plush Toys

Like most of us reading this article, you can probably remember a prized teddy that was given to you as a child. Create the bond of a lifetime while keeping your little ones safe from chemicals with our gorgeous animal-themed organic cotton plush toys. These adorable teddies are free from pesticides and finishing products and come in sizes as large as 16”.

Mismatched Rainbow Socks

Solve the problem of missing socks once and for all with the best eco-friendly gifts for children (and their parents!): funky three- and five-packs of mismatched kids socks from the family-owned American company Solmate Socks! Complete your children’s eco-friendly gift ideas with soft organic cotton kids’ clothing that is as soft on the kids’ skin as it is gentle on the environment.

Bamboo soap dish
Skip the Plastic, A Bamboo Soap Dish Makes a Great Stocking Stuffer

Best Eco-Friendly Gifts For Everyone

Eco-friendly gift ideas extend beyond the immediate family to your wider circle of relatives, friends, and work colleagues as well. Our bath and spa accessories add ambiance and charm to any home with naturally flavored soy candles and tea lights, essential oil soaps, bamboo soap holders, and ergonomic bamboo hairbrushes and scrunchies. 

For a family that is expecting a new arrival or has recently had a baby, our organic cotton and hemp baby clothes are sure to be appreciated. Ideal for newborns’ sensitive skin, these adorable baby onesies, bibs, sleeping bags, and layette sets are provided in gender-specific and neutral colors and include sizes to fit babies from newborn to two years old.

The Perfect Gift

Is there someone who you think would enjoy shopping for the best eco-friendly gifts on our website but you’re not quite sure what they would like? Give the gift of choice with our site-wide gift card! Our eco-friendly gift card receipts are emailed to the email address of your choice and can be purchased in the recipient’s name—the perfect low emissions present that won’t be re-gifted!

Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas that Give and Give Again

When you shop the clothing, accessories, toys, and jewelry at Faerie’s Dance, we give 1% of the gross sale price to three well-known environmental charities:

  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Sierra Club Foundation
  • EarthWatch Institute

This is our gift to the planet for a peaceful and more prosperous world for everyone and continues to make a difference all year round.

If you’d like help with eco-friendly gift ideas for someone special or want to know if your order will arrive in time for the holidays, please contact us. We are happy to help! Shop our selection today to find the perfect gift for the loved ones in your life!

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Celebrating Earth Day – Meet Your Planet

This post was originally published on April 8, 2016 and updated on April 11, 2019

 

Earth Day is Every Day!

You hear this phrase all the time.  In one very important sense, it’s true.  We should be considering our impact on our planet home every day, with all of our decisions.  But is there any value in actually taking time out to celebrate a single “Earth Day” each year?  Yes, I believe there is.

Like any holiday, celebrations remind us of things that are important to us that we may have lost track of in our busy schedules.  Celebrations help us rejoice and come together as communities with shared values.  So I believe it’s well worth taking note on April 22nd of all the activities that effect our environment and having a little fun together in the process.

So, what should you do for Earth Day?

 

Visit a National Park
The single best thing you can do for the environmental is to get outside.  People fight to protect what they love, and they only love what they know.  So go introduce yourself to the beautiful places in your area.  To facilitate this, the National Park Service offers “Free Entrance” Day to all parks countrywide on April 20. 

You can also check your state for a state park near you.

See the source image
Bryce Canyon National Park

Volunteer
There are so many beach, trail and forest clean-up efforts centered around Earth Day.  This is a great time to chip in a few hours, get outside, and meet up with other caring folks.  While there’s no single website or link that covers every area, a quick web search should point you in the right direction for a local event.

For example “Oregon Earth Day Clean Up” produced these helpful links:
EarthShare Oregon Volunteer Opportunities
SOLVE Oregon’s Environmental Clean Up

If you’re feeling ambitious, Earth Day might just be the time to schedule your next vacation.  What about something adventurous with a side of helping the planet?  EarthWatch Institute has some absolutely amazing volunteer vacations.  Many of them are unique opportunities you might otherwise never get a chance to do, like their newest one counting wildlife and checking reforestation efforts in Brazil.

You can take action in other ways as well. Sign a pledge, plant a tree or find out how to reduce your footprint.

 

Donate
Chip in a few hard-earned bucks to an environmental charity.  There are so many great organizations, you can definitely find one that resonates with your values.  Choose one of the environmental charities that we support, or find one that resonates with you and your priorities.  Charity Navigator rates charities based on how they use funds that are collected.  It’s a great way to ensure the charity you give to is using your money wisely.  The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Guide also helps donors make more informed giving decisions.

 

See the source imageWatch and Learn
Stay informed on environmental issues.  There are a lot of ways to learn that are fun as well as informative.  For example, Portland holds an Eco Film Festival as does the University of Miami.  Even if you don’t live in Oregon or Florida, you can check out any of these environmental documentaries to learn more about our planet.

 

Vote for the Environment
The League of Conservation Voters is a non-partisan, political action group that “works to turn environmental values into national, state and local priorities.” Check them out to find out how your elected representatives are voting when it comes to the environment.

Contact your Senators and Congressperson to let them know you’re pro-environment.

 

Attend a Fair or Festival
Many conscious businesses, artists and organizations spend a lot of time and effort to set up earth day festivals.  So if you’re lucky enough to have one in your area, go check it out.  Learn, mingle and just enjoy all of the effort.

The best way to find a local event is to do a web search using your city name, check with your local paper or contact your city hall.

 

Whatever you decide to do, just taking a moment out of our busy schedules to notice all of the ways our every day decisions effect the long-term health of our planet will be amazing.   Please tell me what your plans are in the comments or other ideas you’d like to share.

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4 Unique Tips to a Greener Halloween

Halloween is my favorite holiday.  Confession.  It’s not just for the trick-or-treating, October 31st also happens to be my birthday.  So my childhood was filled with costumes and candy AND cake and presents.  Seriously, it was better than Christmas.  Like most things, though, Halloween has a dark side (pun intended).  With the majority of cocoa harvested by children and single-use costumes ending up in landfills, it’s time to Green your Halloween.  We can all still experience the unbridled excitement of my childhood Halloween while making just a few changes towards a much more sustainable holiday.

1. Buy Fair Trade Candy

Organic, Fair Trade Halloween Chocolates
Sjaaks Halloween Bites

Avoid the child labor and sweatshop conditions and buy Fair Trade candy.  Yes, it will cost more.  Honestly, that’s the point.  The candy we’re buying from companies like Nestle and Hershey is cheap specifically because the producers are not provided a living wage.  A luxury like chocolate shouldn’t be the driving cause of poverty in remote African villages.  By paying a little more for your chocolate, you can ensure that the cocoa growers earn a living wage and have the opportunity to send their children to school.  Here are some great companies making fair trade chocolates and candies.

Sjaak’s Chocolates – Not only does Sjaak’s make fair trade, organic chocolate bars, but they also have Halloween tubs and chocolate bars inexpensive enough to give to trick-or-treaters.  They also happen to be vegan and seriously delicious.

Endangered Species Bug Bite Chocolates
Endangered Species Bug Bites

Endangered Species Chocolates – Another reasonably priced, fair trade, organic chocolate company.  The Bug Bites make perfect Halloween give-a-ways.

Equal Exchange – Try their minis for giving out to trick-or-treaters and be sure to stock some full-sized bars for yourself. 

Lärabar – For a sweet treat that’s a little healthier, but still well-priced, try Lärabar’s bites or kids versions.  All versions are fair-trade.

Alter-Eco – A bit pricier, but well worth it. They sell only full-sized bars rather than minis.  You can buy these organic, fair trade bars by the 12-pack to save a few bucks, and they’re having an autumn special.  Use code Autumn20 for 20% off with free shipping on orders over $65.

Ocho Candy – If you want more traditional “candy bars” rather than straight chocolate bars, Ocho makes fair trade, organic “fakes” of your favorite brands. They also have Halloween bulk minis for the trick-or-treaters.

organic, fair trade candy
Go Max Go Jokerz Bar

Go Max Go – Another fair trade, non-GMO “candy bar” company.  They don’t do minis, but bonus, all of their “fakes” are vegan (and delicious – I’ve tried them all!).  You can purchase 12-bar boxes for 10% off.

Madécasse – If you really want to take the next step in sustainable chocolates, Madécasse is the way to go.  They don’t just source their cocoa from Africa under fair trade conditions, they make the entire chocolate there.  It creates jobs and provides better living for whole communities.  At $4.50 per bar, you may not want to give them to the trick-or-treaters, but definitely treat yourself.

Lagusta’s Luscious – If money isn’t a worry, check out this luxury chocolate brand.  Yes, their prices are high, but it’s oh so worth it for a little indulgence.  They use locally sourced ingredients from small businesses and only fair trade certified chocolate.  Unique truffle combinations really make this brand stand out.

Organic, Fair Trade Autumn Chocolates
Lagusta’s Luscious Autumn Truffle Box

Organic Fruit Snacks – Don’t want to give chocolate at all?  Give the kiddies organic fruit snacks.  There are numerous varieties that have no palm oil or high-fructose corn syrup out there.  Many companies also offer multi-pack sizes like Annie’s or Yum Earth.

2. Find a Creative Re-Use For Your Costume

You’ve probably read time and again that it is more sustainable to buy a used costume from Goodwill or ebay.  Both have huge Halloween sections, and that will also save you some money.  While that’s a great tip, I would also suggest that you consider ways to re-wear your custom after Halloween.  Turn your one-time outfit into something you can wear over and over again.

The Wedding Dress – The year after I got married, I couldn’t figure out what one is supposed to do with this expensive wedding dress, so I wore mine for Halloween!  (I won the award for “most authentic”.)  If you’re divorced or your wedding dress no longer fits properly and you’re not saving it for a child, cut out bits to make it fit, cut out some strips along the arms and bottom, dirty it up a bit and go as the Corpse Bride!

While this might be too extreme for most women (and maybe it’s better to donate it, anyway), how about trying one of these other tips?

Pirate Costume – Go as a pirate and make plans to visit your local pirate festival in spring or summer.  Pirate festivals invade both coasts every year.

Renaissance Faire Faeries
My friend, Grisel and I reuse our Faery Halloween Costumes for the Southern California Renaissance Faire, circa 2001.  She creatively re-purposed a bridesmaids dress.

Renaissance Costume – There are a surprising number of times a Renaissance costume comes in handy.  Get a good one and dazzle everyone at your local Renaissance Faire.  They happen all over the country.  (I was once invited to a Renaissance-themed wedding.)  Go as a wench, and you can wear the costume earlier in the month for Octoberfest, or get a traditional Irish Renaissance dress and wear it to your local Irish Festival.

Faery Costume – You and your children can dress up as matching Faeries and save the costumes for your local Faery Festival.  Faeries have also been spotted at Pirate and Renaissance Festivals as well as at the Oregon Country Fair.

Disney-inspired Costume – Be a Princess on your next trip to Disneyland.  If you’re a runner, join in on any of Disney’s character-themed runs where costumes are encouraged.

Comic Characters – My nephew got an anime costume for Halloween, and then wore it to his local Comic Con.  Yes, the San Diego one is the biggest, but they happen all over the country.  This is a great idea for super hero costumes as well.

Cross-over Holiday Costumes – Dress up as Santa or the Easter Bunny and then play that character for the kids on the holiday.  If you’re family likes a twist, dress up as the Christmas version of Jack Skellington.

Dressing up for Fairs and Festivals really enhances the enjoyment, and if you’re re-using an otherwise single-wear costume, all the better.

Of course, once you are done with a costume, be sure to donate it, sell it or trade it at a future Halloween Costume Swap.

3. Avoid the “Fast Fashion” Trap

Witchy Night Shirt

Every year big box retailers break out the holiday-themed version of Fast Fashion.  Rows of Halloween-themed apparel line store shelves.  I admit that in my younger days, I had to have a new Halloween-themed shirt every year.  Of course, now, I’m much more environmentally aware and I avoid those types of cheap and unsustainable garments.  That’s why this year, I was so thrilled to find cute fashions that were wearable any time of year, but had just enough of a Halloween tie-in that I could get my holiday fashion fix on.

Faerie’s Dance has a new brand that makes 100% certified organic cotton womens printed tops and tunics along with matching accessories from recycled cotton scraps, all knit, cut and sewn in the USA.  The screen printing uses only water-based inks, and the fabric dyes are low-impact.  We’ve already placed multiple orders, but for right now, check out our Cat Moon series (below) along with the Witchy Night Top (left).

The handwarmers and scarves make equally fun gifts at Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah or any Fall or Winter birthday, especially for cat lovers, full moon romantics, or astronomers. 😉  We have more designs and colors coming in November, too.

This iconic Cat & Moon Design can be worn any time of year, but is particularly fun for Halloween.

4. Donate Your Pumpkins and Compost Your Jack-o-Lanterns

Whole pumpkins and carved jack-o-lanterns shouldn’t wind up in landfill!  Jack-o-Lanterns can easily be composted or cut up and added to your yard waste bin.  Cut them up before they start “melting” on your porch.

If you like to decorate with whole pumpkins around the house and yard, consider donating them right after Halloween while they’re still in good condition.  Who wants whole pumpkins?  Why, big cats of course!  Check out this big guy having some fun with his first pumpkin.

In Oregon, Wildcat Ridge Sanctuary takes pumpkin donations.  Call them at (503) 625-0812 to set up a donation.

In California, contact the Wildlife Waystation at 818-899-5201.

In Florida, visit Big Cat Rescue or call them at 813.920.4130.

I’m sure there are many others around the country.  Do a local search to find out if there is a wild cat sanctuary near you that would love a post-Halloween treat.

There are so many ways to green Halloween and all your holidays.  Just take a moment to evaluate each purchase or decision.  Buy decorations from charity shops and reuse as much as possible year over year.  We can all still have fun while doing just a little better.  Wishing you all a glorious, frightfully fun Halloween.

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Organic Clothing, Technology and Owning a Small Business (or Why Doesn’t Your Website Work?)

If you had an issue ordering from us in the last month or two, we’ve fixed a bunch of stuff, so please come back and try again. (This line was at the bottom of this post, but I’m told not a lot of people read past the first paragraph and it took me a long time to get to the point. So that’s the point. Now without further ado, I present the Great Ramble…)

Being a small business owner rocks!!

  • I meet amazing people and hear lovely stories.
  • I haven’t used an alarm clock to wake up for work in 5 years. (Although, I do have a 4-legged, furry alarm who makes sure I don’t sleep in too late.)
  • I have the freedom to make my own hours.
  • I don’t have to worry about mean bosses or annoying co-workers.
  • On a daily basis I have the freedom to work on whatever strikes my fancy or not to work at all.

My Alarm Clock

Being a small business owner sucks!!

  • Technology drives more of my business decisions than fashion or ethics.
  • Even when I’m “off” I’m thinking about business.
  • It gets lonely working on my own from home all the time.
  • There is enormous financial stress that comes with working for yourself.
  • Taking vacations together with my partner is such a challenge that we rarely bother.

Earth Creation’s Madeira Top

By now you may be wondering, what is she talking about?? Good question. (Brevity has never been one of my strong suits.)

In March we had a lot of frustrated customers calling us with odd errors we’d never seen or heard of before. The most common one was not being able to choose a size because the dropdown menu wouldn’t drop down. We had our worst sales month in 8 years… And nothing had changed on the website!

After much pulling of hair, I discovered that our PHP version (the software backbone that the code runs on top of, if you will), had been automatically upgraded by our hosting company. Our “old” code wasn’t completely compatible with our “new” software version.

I’m very happy to say that we now have the main issues fixed. We also have Paypal back up as a payment option. But if you’re still having problems, please let us know including what browser and operating system you’re using so we can trouble shoot.

Of course, what this actually means is:

  • A bunch of money went into paying developers instead of buying organic clothing.
  • A bunch of time went into fixing bugs instead of adding features.
  • A bunch of mental energy went into understanding technology instead of writing coherent, interesting blog posts… And here we are.

Since you made it all the way down here, I’m going to give you two treats.

1. A discount code. We usually only share our discount codes with newsletter subscribers, but this month all of our blog readers get it too.  Take 15% off on all Earth Creations clothing. Use code: ECforEarthDay – expires on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2018.

2. A “hint.” Every year we have a big Anniversary Sale in July. This is the ONLY time all year that our organic bras go on sale. This year, Glen and I are going on vacation. For REALSIES! In order to go together, we are CLOSING for two weeks from Friday, June 22 – Sunday, July 8, 2018 (no shipments, no e-mail, no phone.) So we’ll be having a big combined Vacation – Anniversary sale from June 22-July 8 as a thank you for being patient with shipping. So mark your calendars!  And in the meantime, pick up a new Earth Creation’s top – they’re on sale right now!

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