Entertaining greenSTYLE

With colder weather and the holiday season fast approaching, more people will be indoors entertaining. Here are some terrific "green" ideas if you are planning to host a dinner party or gathering.

Go green with these eco-friendly napkin rings from my greenSTYLE Collection. These napkin rings are sure to be a year-round favorite. Designed for casual or formal dining, these napkin rings bring a natural texture into your room.

Each napkin ring is handmade from pieces of an authentic burlap coffee bean sack. The burlap is adhered to a card board tube and each ring is embellished with a handmade spruce tree branch button attached with hemp twine.

For selections, please visit A Remark You Made at http://www.aremarkyoumade.etsy.com/.

 
 
 

Go green and save a little green with these eco-friendly and easy to care for classic-style napkins from my greenSTYLE Collection. These napkins are sure to be a year-round favorite and they are perfect for everyday use.

Each napkin is handmade from 100% Organic Cotton Oasis Canvas fabric by Marcus Brothers in a wonderful red color. This fabric is produced with eco-friendly dyes and looks and feels much more like linen bringing a soft, natural texture into your room.

These wonderfully rustic and charming coasters from A Remark You Made make me think about trips to the mountains and sitting out on the deck drinking a steaming cup of coffee in the morning or a tall iced tea in the afternoon.

This set of four coasters is handmade from the branch of a fallen maple tree in hopes of giving it a second life. The coloring and spalting patterns are stunning!

I have kept these coasters as natural as possible. The bark has been removed and each one has been sanded smooth on all sides with the edges slightly rounded. Each coaster is finished with natural tung oil to protect the wood then buffed to a perfect shine with carnauba wax for a durable finish.

Do you love the 80s? Well, host an unforgettable event and break the ice at your next dinner party, cocktail party, bridal shower, or wedding reception with this unique and fun Ice Breakers Trivia Game by A Remark You Made.

Each ice breaker has a different question pertaining to 80s music and is made from a clear glass gem/marble. The answer for each question is on the bottom. Place one at each guest's place setting or sprinkle them around your table setting as decorations to get the conversations started.

Celebrate the grape, toast the winemaker and nourish friendship by hosting a wine tasting.

These bottles bags from South House Boutique (http://www.southhouseboutique.etsy.com/) are carefully crafted from a premium, all natural jute fabric with a label (3.25” x 2.5”) of the most wonderful chalk cloth so you can ID the mystery bottles, address the gift recipient or post a seasonal message. Use chalk or Chalk Markers, and yes, they wipe clean for use over and over again, the ultimate in living green and great!
 
 

These wine scoring sheets from South House Boutique will keep your wine tasting party light and fun, and yes, a bit irreverent.

Rather than stuffy and pretentious, wine tasting should be fun and friendly. So to keep the party just that, with the aid of many friends, South House Boutique designed a set of 4 scorecards for your next Blind Wine Tasting Party. You are prompted to score each wine based on the same attributes traditional aficionados use: appearance, aroma, taste, balance/body and finish. But pop-culture serves as your measuring sticks. How full-bodied is wine A: Mini Cooper or Hummer; Kate Moss or Heidi Klum? How long-lasting is the finish: Bert & Ernie or Teletubbies? Is the taste more reflective of Howard Stern or Michelle Obama?

You will receive a PDF file that contains four different scorecards as well as a page of tips for hosting a great wine tasting party.

To top off those wine bottles, how about a beautiful hand turned wine bottle stopper!

Please visit Sunset Turnings for a wonderful selection of wood wine bottle stoppers. Each one is unique and the wood is complemented by a chrome droplet-style base.

Looking for a great gift for the wine connoisseur or the occassional wine drinker on your gift list? A handmade wine bottle stopper would be perfect!

http://www.sunsetturnings.etsy.com/

Host a Holiday Cookie Baking Party!

Do you love the holidays? I know I do! I love them all, but Christmas is my favorite. I really enjoy spending time with family and friends and here are some super cute and clever ideas for hosting your own cookie baking party.

These cute as can be Spot-To-Jot Stockings from South House Boutique are perfect for a multitude of ideas. Yes, the cuffs are chalkboard cloth. Use colored chalk or chalk markers. And each stocking can be personalized AND used again and again.

Here's a very clever idea. Attach the details of your cookie party on a tube of frosting. Tuck inside a personalized stocking for each guest and hang on their doorknob. You may want to add a cookie cutter as a nice touch, too. You can also upgrade to a tree branch button from A Remark You Made for the button used on the toe.

For tree branch buttons, please visit http://www.aremarkyoumade.etsy.com/. For Spot-To-Jot Stockings in a variety of fabric choices, please visit South House Boutique at http://www.southhouseboutique.etsy.com/.

These goody bags from South House Boutique are carefully crafted from a premium, all natural jute fabric with a label (3.50 inches x 2.75 inches) of the most wonderful chalk cloth so you customize each bag for any occasion, any recipient.

Approximately 8-inches tall by 6-inches wide with a 3-inch gusset. They are a great size to be used as goody bags for party favors. These are perfect to give to each guest to hold their cookies from your party.

As the days grow shorter, try adding a little ambience to your pathway or steps on the day of your party with these eco-friendly mason jar lanterns.

They are available at Midwest Finds in sets or singles and are offered in blue or clear glass. You can visit their shop at:
http://www.midwestfinds.etsy.com/.

If you plan to hold a cookie baking contest, try pairing this hand turned and eco-friendly scoop with your favorite spices or baked goods ingredients and recipe cards for a perfect gift for the winner.

This wooden scoop was hand turned and carved by Sunset Turnings from a beautiful piece of pecan wood from a down tree. The wood has a wonderful wood grain pattern and the color is a chocolate brown and golden honey with swirls and streaks throughout.

For more selections, please visit http://www.sunsetturnings.etsy.com/.

This lovely frosted gift box from Purpose Design contains eight 1.75 inch (48 mm) glass top containers filled with essential spices for everyone's kitchen. This kit contains contains basil, crushed chili peppers, fennel seeds, minced garlic, oregano, rosemary, sea salt and thyme.

Visit http://www.purposedesign.etsy.com/ for a wide selection of spice kits.

Dreaming "Green"?

Want to go green for your next dinner party or event? Well, make it easy and memorable with these wonderful and eco-friendly ideas. They would make a natural and rustic table display and would be great for going green, holiday dinner parties, bridal showers or luncheons for your bridesmaids, your wedding party table, or an outdoor wedding theme.

This heart-shaped Willow tree slab is about 3" tall and 18"-19" in diameter with beautiful rustic knots and checks in the wood. Each slab is cut from Willow that will last use after use. Perfect for weddings, parties, and general uses. Get creative and add character to your decor!

If you are interested in purchasing a slab, please visit roxyheartvintage at http://www.etsy.com/shop/roxyheartvintage?ref=top_trail.



 
 

These wonderful and eco-friendly tree-branch place card holders would make a natural and rustic table display and would be great for going green  or an outdoor wedding theme.


Each holder is cut from a reclaimed tree branch from a down tree in hopes of giving it new life. The wood center markings and bark are unique to each piece and make a rustic statement. A groove for your place card has been cut in the center.

Visit A Remark You Made at http://www.aremarkyoumade.etsy.com/.

These smaller slabs of wood make great stands for wine bottles or centerpieces. They add a nice rustic touch to the decor. A Remark You Made offers disks up to 4 inches in diameter. If you would like thinner slices, they can be used as coasters after the event!

The wonderful origami flowers featured here can be purchased at Everlasting Blossoms by Karin Hope Designs. Everlasting Blossoms are her handmade origami folded-paper flower sculptures.

She creates lovely bouquets ~ earrings ~ decorative ornaments ~ and more!
Please visit: http://www.karinhopedesigns.etsy.com/.
The wood slices were purchased from A Remark You Made.

 
 

 




Give your guests a gift that they can enjoy again and again. Favor Creative's Eco Friendly Lavender Herbs in a Box Junior favor comes with a 100% 3x3x2 inch recycled box - inside the box is a 2" peat pot which can be planted directly in the ground or in a house plant pot, a peat pellet, instructions for planting, and lavender herb seeds.

For more selections visit: http://www.favorcreative.etsy.com/

This Ball Ideal jar from Midwest Finds comes with a wire bail, perfect for hoisting up in the air for romantic lighting. And...it can be your something blue!

They have created a sturdy chain attachment that makes hanging this lantern as easy and as adjustable as possible. The jar comes with a 36" long chain with "s" hooks on each end that allow doubling or tripling to achieve a shorter length. To hang your lantern from a shepherd's hook, simply use the bail (the built-in wire).

For more selections, please visit their lovely shop on Etsy at http://www.midwestfinds.etsy.com/.

The "GREEN" Life

If you are an eco-conscious consumer, I have found some terrific options for going "green." All of these items are from some of my favorite Etsy shops. They would make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season!

This One-Of-A-Kind totally unique handbag is made out of an actual burlap coffee bag! Go green!! The unique richness of the burlap comes alive when it is repurposed into a modern bag that can go from day to evening in a flash.

Visit Sol Studios for a variety of options. http://www.etsy.com/shop/solstudios?ref=top_trail

This gorgeous blouse is made from feather weight Organic cotton. There is cotton elastic to cinch the waist. It is shown here with Pretty Birdie's Organic cotton knot belt that is sold separately.

Visit Pretty Birdie for wonderful organic clothing options.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/stephanieteague?ref=seller_info





SMARTFISH footwear is handmade, and completely sustainable. Shoes are created without the use of any adhesives, and are 100% vegan.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SMARTFISH?ref=top_trail








This lovely jewelry/trinket box is handmade on the bandsaw from a wonderful piece of spalted maple from a down tree. The wood has terrific color variations in rich tones and unique markings caused by spalting. It would make a great accent piece in any room decor or a special gift for someone on your list.

Visit Sunset Turnings for a wide selection of beautifully hand turned wood items.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunsetturnings?ref=top_trail

These reusable cloth bags are made of a lightweight blend of 55% hemp and 45% certified organic cotton and cinch closed with an organic cotton drawstring. This fabric is strong with a wonderful texture and it just gets softer with every wash. They sport a frayed-edge goodkarma label on the front that is stamped with non-toxic ink using a hand-carved stamp.

Visit goodkarma at http://www.etsy.com/shop/goodkarma?ref=top_trail


Here is an eco-friendly alternative to sipping coffee or tea on the go!

This reusable double walled matte ceramic cup with sturdy silicon lid combines the simplicity and innocence of baby's breath flowers to evoke that essence. The color subtlety blends with the delicacy of the flowers and adds to the gentle art of sipping tea, coffee or smoothie. The surface of this thermal mug is luxuriously comfortable and makes it really hard to let go of the cup.

Visit yevgenia for more selections.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/yevgenia?ref=top_trail

This four ounce soap dispenser is the smallest Midwest Finds has ever offered. Standing just 4.5 inches tall, it would be an adorable little addition to your desk or counter top. Fill it with hand sanitizer, hand lotion, or liquid soap. Originally a jelly jar, this little guy is in the Quilted Crystal pattern.

Visit Midwest Finds for a wide selection of green wares.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MidwestFinds?ref=top_trail

All of the mirrors and chalkboards found at Rowan's Room are made from recycled antique cabinet doors, and recycled antique wood scraps. They are all one of a kind.

Check out this amazing shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/RowansRoom?ref=top_trail