Bento Boxes - Stainless Steel + Wood

A lovely reader wanted to know where I got the stainless steel tiffin box that I featured yesterday and where she could buy one. I've had my tiffin box for years so I can't remember where we got it but I have found some wonderful options for anyone looking for reusable food containers.

This two-tiered, Zen 04 bento box is made in Japan from stainless steel. There is a 'silicone seal around the inside rim of the lids' so if you want your bento even better, you could try the wood versions below.
Available at Bento & co - 39.80 EUR

Magewappa Michi is a bento box made in Japan from 'sustainably farmed sugi (Japanese cedar) wood' that is untreated.
Available at Bento & co - 65 EUR

I love this Magewappa Hana two-tier bento box. Not sure if it's too small but it could work for lunch snacks! It is also made in Japan from sustainably farmed cedar wood and is untreated.
Available at Bento & co - 89 EUR

Hope this helps! If any other readers have questions about where to find ethical products, just get in touch. I will try and find it for you!

Images: Bento & co

No Plastic Packaging for Takeaway Meals

This is how I picked up a lot of my takeaway meals when I was travelling through the States and New Zealand. I wanted to avoid using disposable plastic food containers, cutlery and carry bags for obvious environmental reasons but also because of health concerns about plastic leaching into food.

Anytime I ordered a meal, I would just hand over my stainless steel tiffin box and ask if I could have my food stored in there (BTW, that's a lovely Thai meal in the photo). I thought I'd look somewhat dorky but restaurant staff were always so accommodating.

Taking your own reusable containers and cutlery is easy and reduces so much unnecessary plastic packaging. If you can try and do small things such as this, it will make a huge difference.

Decorating with Vintage Finds

Vintage Suitcase - Guest Room Supplies
The next time you have people staying, why not try this cute way of storing towels? Fold them into a small vintage suitcase or vanity case and all of a sudden your room will look very 'boutique hotel-ish.' I also like Country Living's suggestion of adding some supplies for guests such as dried fruit and herbal tea.

Brass Bucket Sink
Using an old brass bucket as a vegetable sink adds such a rustic and charming touch to the kitchen. I'm on the look out for vintage brass buckets now!

Vintage Mirrors
Stick to using vintage mirrors in the same colour and style for an eclectic but sophisticated look.


Image Credits: Country Living
Guest room - Janis Nicolay
Brass sink - Keith Scott Morton
Vintage mirrors - Ellen McDermott

Shop EtsyVeg

Organic Cotton Hat and Bootie Set - Caramel Diezel ($38)

If you love shopping for handmade goodies on Etsy but want to find the best vegetarian and vegan products, you must check out EtsyVeg. Their Marketplace makes it ultra easy to find just what you are looking for. Fashion, beauty, homewares. It's all there and it's all animal friendly!

Here are a few lovely things that caught my eye but there is much, much more to check out from the talented and conscientious Etsy sellers who are all vegetarian or vegan. Pop over to the EtsyVeg blog for more information or try searching for pieces labelled, 'EtsyVeg Team' the next time you are shopping on Etsy.

Thank you Heather (Etsy shop - Aktie9) for introducing me to the EtsyVeg team and a big thank you to all the EtsyVeg sellers who are making it so fun and easy for us all to shop for vegetarian and vegan products to suit our lifestyles. Keep up the good work!

Vintage Sewing Machine - Arksendeavours ($110)

Organic Cotton Forest Friends Pin Set - Vegan Craftastic ($6)

Upcycled Tire Tube Wallet - Derek Howlett Dot Com ($12)

Vintage Cake Carrier Tin - Mothrasue ($30)

Recycled Fabric Lunch Roll - Au Claire De La Lune ($20)

Handmade Pottery Bowl - Clay N Fiber ($12)

Eco Friendly Mini Cards + Coin Envelopes - Deep Fried ($7.50)

Fair Trade Country Throws

I dream of one day having an armoire overflowing with cute, country throws and quilts. Ideally, they would all be organic and made fair trade but I think I've found the next best thing. These two, wood block printed throws were made fair trade in India (by Aspiration International) with 100% cotton and no polyester in sight. They are deliciously soft!

We purchased our throws instore at Trade Aid (which is one of my new favourite shops in New Zealand) but you can also buy these and other bedding online at Trade Aid.

Organic Handkerchiefs & Cosmetic Squares

I get a little giddy when I find super pure, good-for-the-planet products. Can you imagine my giddiness when I spotted these handkerchiefs and cosmetic squares from Hankettes? Not only do they look cute but they're made from organic cotton, are reusable and made in Canada. What a joyous find for a Wednesday! Okay, small and simple things make me happy but I love that these products help us to live a less disposable lifestyle.

I was actually going to do a post soon about how great coconut oil is for removing mascara and eye make-up but didn't want to encourage people to use tissues or even organic cotton eye pads because they are wrapped in plastic and then tossed away after one use. Problem solved now! You don't have to buy expensive make-up remover either, just try applying some organic coconut oil to your eyes (which you can find in glass jars in health food stores) and then wipe mascara away with these nifty cosmetic squares.

Organic Cotton Cosmetic Squares available at Hankettes for $19.99 (Canadian Dollars).

Organic Cotton Handkerchiefs - Box of 8, Hankettes ($44.99 CAD)

Christmas Green Gift Guide - For Kids

Organic Cotton Baby Bib - Not On The High Street, £6.50
The reindeer print is perfect for Christmas but I also love their butterfly bib. These are made in Britain by Littlechook.

Handmade Vintage Fabric Purse
- Not On The High Street, £16.50
Girls need a pretty purse to stash their treasures and this one is perfect. It is made in Britain by Harmony and Rosie, using vintage fabric with two fabulous prints. One side is the 'The Queen of Hearts' and the other side is 'Little Bo Peep.'

Vintage Child's Toggle Coat - Claire Ferrante (Etsy) $28
So English and so sweet!

Worry Dolls - Shared Earth, £4.99
Kids can place these dolls under their pillows at night and their worries will be taken away as they sleep. Made fair trade in Guatemala by CreArte.

Vintage Wood Bowling Pins - The Fancy Lamb (Etsy) $56
Get ready for some 1950s style fun! Children and adults will love these.

Christmas Green Gift Guide - For Foodies

DIY Cake Stand
You can send several of your favourite plates to Teacup Candles and they will transform them into a beautiful cake stand for you!
Made in Britain.
Available at Not On The High Street - £20

Vintage School House Cookie Jar
Every good kitchen should have a cookie jar. Cute, comical and vintage, if possible. I love this 1970s one from Babylon Sisters (Etsy) - $36.

Fair Trade Recycled Rice Bag Pot
These adorable pots can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen but I think they look cute for planting your favourite herbs. Handmade in Cambodia, fair trade certified by AAC (The Artisans Association of Cambodia).
Available at Not On The High Street - £5.75

Recycled Glass Pitcher
Serve your filtered water or luscious iced teas in this lovely pitcher that is handmade in Spain.
Available at the Natural Collection - £15.95

Booja Booja Vegan Truffles
For a little chocolate decadence, try the hazelnut crunch flavour. They're the perfect after dinner treat! Handmade in Norfolk (click link below for vegan ingredient list). Available in health food stores or online at sites such as Riverford - £4.99

Upcycled Apron
I had to include one of our aprons in this foodie gift guide. I know I'm biased but they really are lovely to wear and cook in. Each one is handmade in London using the best remnant fabrics.
Available at GreenLashesFashion (Etsy) - $25 (approx. £16)

Second Hand Cookbooks
You can find oodles of good second hand books at Oxfam, either online or in-store. Why not gather a selection of rare and lesser known cookbooks for your gift and stick to a theme such as Italian, Vegetarian, Seasonal or Baking.
Good Housekeeping: The Cook's Year - available at Oxfam (£3.99)

Fabric Sweets in a Glass Jar

Handmade loveliness at its best! This is the perfect, unusual Christmas gift idea for anyone who likes pretty things. The sweets are actually filled with English lavender so they can be sprinkled through your drawers, hand bag or even your luggage when you are travelling. They are made in Britain by Naive Textile Art using calico and ticking fabric.

Purchase at Not On The High Street - £19.50

Furoshiki - Reusable Gift Wrapping Fabric

I have some pretty new pieces to add to our Etsy shop today. Over the wintry weekend, Ali (my mum) whipped up some Furoshiki, wrapping cloths using some stunning remnant fabric we sourced in London. With Christmas fast approaching, we wanted an environmentally friendly way to wrap our gifts this year and we thought the Japanese way of packaging items in a reusable piece of material was the best way to go.

You won't need to waste paper or use sticky tape and you won't require any master wrapping skills. Making the Furoshiki look plush and luxe is a cinch. You just place the gift in the centre of the open material (on the diagonal) and then fold two opposite ends together firmly in a double knot. Repeat with the remaining two ends. So simple and so stunning!

We are selling our collection of Furoshiki in sets of three. They are medium sized and are ideal for wrapping up books, clothing and other similarly sized items. You can even wrap your lunchbox/container up in this fabric!

To start with, we have a collection of colours to suit women and men. There is a pink, green, blue or mixed colour set to choose from. You can also receive free postage on any Furoshiki orders placed before Friday, 3rd December.

To view more of our Furoshiki collection, please visit our shop -
Green Lashes and Fashion on Etsy.

Thank you!

Elemental - Antique & Vintage Furniture

This cabinet has sold. I feel I should state that straight away before you fall for it like I did. Isn't it 'reach-for-the-wallet' fantastic? It's an Antique Victorian cabinet from England, 1880. My goodness, this would have looked good in my future/dream house.

Fortunately, Elemental have other flutter-worthy pieces available online as well as at their store in Spitalfields Market (East London). Depending on your budget you can peruse, purchase or pine after items such as theatre chairs, pew benches, apothecary cabinets and other quirky and delightful pieces you can't find anywhere else.

Shop online - Elemental

Decorate Naturally - Fruit Place Cards

For some festive table decorations, why not try using some autumnal and winter fruits? I love this Apple Place Card photographed by Country Living. It looks like it's just fallen from the tree to the table. Here's some more beautiful and fruitful ideas...

Clementine Place Cards - Martha Stewart Weddings
All that's needed is some brown parchment paper and I'd try using hemp twine and recycled cardboard for the tags.

Pomegranate Seating Cards - Martha Stewart Weddings
Decadent and delicious. Click link above for how-to instructions.

Pear Place Cards - Country Living
So simple yet so lovely!

Pumpkin Place Cards - Recipe Girl
I think pumpkin is technically a fruit or maybe considered both a fruit and a vegetable? Anyway, it looks pretty so I'm calling it a fruit.