So now that all of the Holidays are upon us, I hope that you are done shopping or DIYing. Every year I promise to start earlier and I never do. Instead everyone is just getting crappier stuff and less of it. Now if you’re one of those people who thinks that a gift card is a cop out…sorry. I’m still recommending it as a great gift. I know people who are highly offended by that kind of thing. I don’t get it because instead of stressing about what to get, they can decide for themselves. No one is entitled to a gift ever, but if you’re going to give one it should at least be useful. Saffron Rouge has an awesome selection of natural and green cosmetics so you can have a field day there. You can send it via email so nothing has to be shipped and no paper or plastic has to be used. Perfect gift, no?

It would be a great present for someone who is interested in trying out some natural cosmetics but hasn’t quite taken the plunge yet. Many other places also offer online gift certificates so if you’re in a rush or live out of state from your family, like me, then it’s a great option. It looses some of the excitement of opening the gift but hey, I haven’t been excited to open my presents since I was 12. So there you go. Are you okay with gift cards or do you think they’re the lazy way out?

Image via LUSH USA

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I really had to share with you my latest Etsy find. It’s another salt soak. Yes, I know it’s a problem but hear me out. You can take bath salts anywhere and they solve so many problems. Tired? Take a lovely bath honey. Aching muscles? Stressed? Take a bath. They’re oh so helpful. Etsy seller Heathen’s Hearth has a bevy of salts and scrubs but the Chamomile Salt Soak is the one I must have. It’s a mixture of different salts and well Chamomile so it’s pretty straight forward. You could certainly make something like this yourself at home.

If you’re really interested in a mind, body, soul rejuvenation thing then you should try a scrub in addition to the salt soak. Then of course you run the risk of having skin so soft that you can’t bear to wear anything but cashmere and gloves non-stop. A fantastic homemade scrub I always come back to is a mixture of your favorite oil (walnut, olive, sweet almond) and the grounds from a freshly brewed pot of coffee. We get this great Gingerbread Coffee from Trader Joes that has bits of ginger and almonds in it. Um, hello now that’s a recipe for some awesome coffee body scrub. I digress. Either pick up or make some bath salts and scrub and turn off the phone.

Image Via Heathen’s Hearth

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Image Via Oriental Trading

Post from: Pretty by Nature

So I’ve tried a few Juice Beauty products in the past and they’ve either been a big hit or a big miss. If you’re still looking for some gifts or just something for yourself, you should head on over to Sephora. They have tons of limited edition gift sets that are a great way to try out several products from a specific brand. The Body Brilliance Collection from Juice Beauty comes with the Mousse Body Cleanser, Body Peel and Extra Firming Body Moisturizer. I have tried the Body Cleanser before and I am all over that. It made the very few minutes I have a day to shower a little more pleasurable. Plus it left my skin feeling very soft. I have to also add that the cute little case it comes in looks pretty cool. I usually keep all that stuff for storing little crafty things and well little toys. Might also want to buy it now and save it for another occasion. You can’t beat the price and I’m always running out of time or forgetting to pick up gifts for Birthdays. Just a thought.

Via Sephora

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So we’re coming down the home stretch here so I hope everyone is done or almost done shopping. If not I thought you might like to know about the great gift sets from Pangea Organics. Now I already love their soaps so I may be biased but I think you can’t go wrong with this gift. You won’t even have to wrap it. The box itself is compostable, biodegradable and it can be planted since it contains seeds from a Spruce Tree. Awesome? Um…yeah. They have three sets “Joy”, “Harmony” and “Peace”. “Peace” looks like the winner to me because it comes with the Lavender and Cardamon shower gel, which is way up there on my list of favorites.  You could even break up the set and use them as stocking stuffers. Or maybe like keep some for yourself. You’re secret will be safe with me.

Via Zen Essence

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Another great place for Holiday Gift ideas is Sephora. Of course Sephora. They have tons of gift options and limited collections from your favorite brands. I personally love samplers because you get to try out lots of products without the commitment of a full size and it saves packaging. Cargo’s Plant Love Collections are always a hit. I recommend the Green Goddess Collection that comes with four eye shadows and two blushes. The Plant Love Collection is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, dyes, petro- chemicals and phthalates. Did I mention the packaging is also compostable. Plus since there are so many options you will get a lot of use out of it.

Via Sephora

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The hubs and I decided that this year we would be giving mostly handmade gifts. I have to say it made is feel so much better and the stress level from maneuvering crowded stores has been eliminated. All that’s left are little stocking stuffers and small gifts for co-workers and such. Those I’ve decided to just buy and be done with it. My creativity switch has been turned off. So I thought I would share my top five “green” $20.00 and under stocking stuffer ideas. Say that five times fast.

1. Saffron Rouge has tons of samples and gifts packages all ready to go. The Inara sample canister is at the top of my list for my best friend. Also it’s already basically wrapped. Less work for me=win.

2. Reusable sandwich bags from Etsy are AMAZING. We’ve been cloth lunch bagging it for years but I never really thought about the amount of plastic baggies we were going through. These are awesome because they wipe clean and stay closed. Great for cosmetics and kiddie snacks too. Oh and they’re cute.

3.  Donate to a Charity in someone’s name. Yes it has the potential of coming across as obnoxious or smug but I think it all depends on the charity, delivery and recipient. Honestly many people today have so much more than they need. How about not giving them more crap but instead helping someone in need. When given genuinely, it usually comes across in the right way. It’s especially relevent when a donation is made to a cause close to the recipient’s heart.

4. Bath Bombs from LUSH should come with redeemable coupons for uninterrupted alone time in the bathtub with a glass of wine. Maybe I’m projecting. That is my idea of a perfect gift.

5. Gift certificates to your local resale, thrift or consignment store are a must for the young and old. It’s fun, economical and one of the best choices you can make for the environment. Forget bamboo sheets and $100.00 organic t-shirts. Go to your local Salvation Army. Oh and did you know you can also donate airline miles?

These are just some of the ideas I’ve come up with. I’d love to hear some more. Please share with us your top reccomendations for stocking stuffers.

Via LUSH

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Via 100 Percent Pure

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When I was younger my mother used to swear by using baking soda as a toothpaste. I rebelled and bought some conventional toothpaste as soon as I could and never looked back. However recently a dentist recommended my husband try it out to lighten his teeth since all of the over-the- counter stuff caused him tooth and gum pain. She said that it would not produce immediate or dramatic results but it does in fact work for lightening and plaque. She did say that we probably should not use it on a long term basis but maybe a month or two every year would be fine. The solution that is used in over-the-counter whitening products is basically the same solution that yoiur dentist would use only in much, much smaller quantities. So chances are if you it causes you pain, you’re not a candidate for professional whitening either. I already use a mixtuer of baking soda and castille soap to clean just about everything in my home so we have a lot on hand and I pretty sure almost everyone does. I’m looking for testimonials here. Please share your experiences with using baking soda to lighten your teeth. Was it successful? Was it a pain in the butt? Discuss.

Via Amazon

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What is body dew you ask? Well I have to tell you I’m not quite sure. I think it’s somewhere between a mist and a splash of fragrance. I’ve wanted to try some of Jo Wood’s fragrances for a while but to be honest the prices are quite dear and I didn’t want to waste it if I didn’t like it. I really have to wear a scent all day in my normal atmosphere in order to be sure if I like it or not. The artificial surroundings of a store will just not cut it. So I picked this up over the Holiday weekend and…WOW. I am quite in love with the Usiku Body Dew and it’s earthy, almost old-world aroma. I don’t like fruity or flowery smelling fragrances so if you’re like me then try this one. It doesn’t hurt that it’s packaged beautifully in an etched glass bottle. It also comes in Amka, which I would reccomend more for daytime and the Usiku for an evening out (or an evening in!). This would make a great gift for someone. It would have to be someone you liked a lot and knew very well. Or like me…you can buy some and send it to me so I won’t run out.

Via Future Natural

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