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The Vintage Glass Earrings on the Daily Guff come from avid glass and bottle collector, Laura Bergman – founder of Bottled Up Designs. Laura saw an opportunity when collectors took the whole bottles but left the broken glass behind for the environment and wildlife to deal with. We commend her for identifying this problem and truly making the most of it!
She has lived in Pennsylvania Amish Country her entire life and has spent many hours poking through old glass and bottle dumps in the area, which are now in wooded natural habitats. In her words, “To me, though broken, this glass still has beauty and history, so I decided to pick up the pieces and turn them into something beautiful again, in my remarkable line of recycled glass jewelry.”
She goes the extra mile in working towards being environmentally friendly by not using older or flux, as this process produces chemicals that are extremely harmful to the environment. We appreciate that extra effort!
As an added bonus, each of her pieces comes with “The Story of the Glass,” which details what the jewelry piece was originally made from and approximate age. This little detail really makes it a special, one-of-a-kind gift.
Check out the amazing Vintage Glass Earrings in 5 colors on the Daily Guff: guffly.com
*Remember it’s only 16 days until Valentine’s Day! Don’t forget to get a cool eco gift for the ones you love!*
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Gas and electricity prices are always on the rise, not to mention that they are not very eco-friendly ways to heat your home during the winter. Instead of turning your thermostat up, consider these eco-conscious options that will keep you just as warm.
Insulation for your house is key
By having lots of insulation in your home, it will trap any heat that enters inside and keep it there. However, most insulation is toxin ridden that horrible for you and the earth. There are several different options for eco-friendly insulation, the most popular being cellulose. Cellulose is made out of 100% recycled newspaper /cardboard combination. Fiber glass insulation manufactures have starting using increasing amounts of recycled materials and recycled up to 40% more of material by weight than and other type of insulation. Other types of earth friendly insulations include those made of natural fibers like UltraTouch, which is made out of 85% post-industrial recycled natural fibers and is free of any toxins making it harm-free for the earth. Mineral wool that is formaldehyde free has recently become popular as well. Also, look for the GreenGuard Label when purchasing your insulation. This label certifies that formaldehyde levels are less than .05 per million particles of air, which is very clean. In general, the more you insulate your home, the less money you’ll have to spend on heating it up!
Cover all the Doors
Doors are notorious for letting cold air in from the cracks on the bottom of the door. A simple solution is to take an old towel or small blanket and roll it up length wise to cover the base of the door. This will stop any drafts from the outside from coming entering and will keep the heat inside. You can also buy “snake charmers” or draft guards, which do the exact same thing, but look a little nicer than an old towel.
Reverse The Ceiling Fan
Turn your fan to rotate clockwise and put it at a low speed. This will allow the warm air that is in your house to circulate, especially the heat coming from the oven, or wood burning fireplaces that don’t circulate heat very well.
Blanket, Blankets, Blankets
Simply put, if you use more blankets and turn down the heat, it will be a lot easier on your wallet, your health and your earth. Remember that there are many different green options to choose from when looking for that perfect blanket that will keep you nice and toasty:
- Organic Bamboo
- Organic Cotton
- Organic Wool
- Chlorine Free
- Dye Free
- Handmade
- Fair Trade
- Sweatshop Free
- Fleece made from 100% recycled plastic
- Recycled/Reclaimed fabric from old shirts, blanket, etc
Many popular stores have eco-friendly blanket options – read the labels and do your research. Or ask your favorite aunt if she is up for crocheting an awesome afghan, which you’re sure to have the rest of your life!
Remember to bundle up outside!
Layers are a necessity for blizzard -like conditions and having a warm jacket is the best start. Many eco-conscious companies are taking great strides in producing winter gear made from everything from bamboo to coconut husks. There are even jackets out there that can “grow” with your kid – which means less jackets and less waste. The ultimate in winter gear is thermal underwear. It is another must have for staying warm in freezing temperatures. Look for performance underwear that will keep moisture away from your skin while keeping you warm.
Guffly is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each and every weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/
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Valentine’s Day is celebrated the world over as a day where people express their love for each other. In today’s world, this tends to mean goofy Valentines at school, romantic dinners with your main squeeze, sending flowers, and enjoying chocolates. Whether you’re down with the whole holiday or not there is no better time to let the people you love know you appreciate them!
At Guffly, we think that green gifting is the new language of love. Unique, eco gifts show how much you care for both the recipient and this lovely planet we live on. This doesn’t have to mean products that aren’t stylish, desirable or affordable! Check out these fabulous eco chic gifting ideas:
The Ecofriendly Wine Tote helps you transport not one but, two bottles of wine or bubbly or beer (hey, go with what you love!) to a romantic picnic location. To-Go Ware Utensil Kits are the perfect set of picnic tools to replace plastic utensils. If it’s freezing out like it is in Detroit at Guffly HQ might we suggest a picnic at home with candles, carry out food, a cozy blanket and indoor fun.
Often the men can be overlooked during this schmoopy holiday – don’t leave him out! Cufflinks made from recycled Legos (comes in blue or black too!) or discarded Scrabble tiles are great pieces of man jewelry that are sure to make him smile. He may also like a fancy new Reusable Razor Kit that gives him a closer shave eco-friendly style for those intimate moments.
While jewelry may seem like the obvious choice for your leading lady, don’t go to the old standbys. Chances are she already has those and has seen other gals rocking the same pieces of jewelry. Make her feel extra special with one of a kind pieces like the Chunky Ring, Recycled Sterling Silver Ring (extra chic when stacked), Recycled Cork Cuff Bracelet, and Upcycled Scarf Necklace (with more colors than you can think of). Each piece is eco-friendly in its own special way and sure to make her feel like a princess.
For those you love-like-a-friend, surprise them with a cute gift that’s super nice to your wallet – the Recycled Game Tile Valentine’s Pendant is sure to make them feel appreciated. Also available in our top selling Tree design.
To make for a spicy, green Valentine’ Day consider enjoying the Cupid’s Travel Kit that’s equipped with travel sized love potions that are natural, vegan, and delicious. Ladies will also love this Sexy Eco-friendly Lingerie set that is comfy and flirty all at once! Ooh la la!
All of these fun, eco-friendly gifts are found on Guffly – your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. We happen to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Guffly searches high and low so that you can bet our green products are stylish, fun, and attractive – eco stylish if you will. Check out the eco chic products at http://guffly.com
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Oh la la! Things are spicing up on the Daily Guff! Today’s Sexy Eco-friendly Lingerie Set is designed and handmade by the lovely ladies at Urban Fox, a Midwest-based lingerie company founded in 2007, that’s keeping it real with cute designs, eco-friendly fabrics, and hand sewn products. Seriously, what’s not to love about these sexy little things!?
To stick with the Guffly mission of finding eco friendly products that don’t make you sacrifice your sense of style, we spotted this lingerie set and just had to get it. While it’s a bamboo and organic cotton blend this isn’t your average undies. It’s more burlesque-inspired with designs and models that are much closer to what we see in the mirror.
Since each of these lingerie pieces is handmade, it’s going to take us a little longer to get them to you. Make sure you order yours – or a set for your leading lady as soon as you can to ensure fun times for Valentine’s Day. Run, don’t walk to check out the Daily Guff: http://guffly.com/
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Why yes, we are shaking things up on the Daily Guff a bit just in time for Valentine’s Day. The Cupids Travel Kit that is featured today is created by the company Good Clean Love. The company provides natural love products and on a mission, “to increase the awareness and experience of love in the world.” They always said love one another, why not do it the eco-friendly way?!
Good Clean Love was founded by Wendy Strgar. She describes herself as, “a loveologist who writes and lectures on Making Love Sustainable, a green philosophy of relationships which teaches the importance of valuing the renewable resources of love and family. She has learned that physical intimacy is an important component of sustaining healthy loving relationships through her own marriage of over 24 years.” This lady knows what she’s doing and is offering top quality eco-friendly love products, the nature lover in all of us can certainly appreciate that!
We’re offering the special Cupid’s Travel Kit that’s equipped with TSA size approved Almost Naked Organic Lubricant, Love Oil of your choice and Cocoa Mint Body Dessert. Intriguing, isn’t it? Treat your Valentine to some good clean love this Valentine’s Day by getting one of these on the Daily Guff: http://guffly.com/
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In many areas of the country, it is cold, snowy and grey. It can be difficult to find ways to get out of the house – much less be motivated to leave your cozy home! It really doesn’t have to be that way, the winter is a great time to get out, get active and have some fun. There are some incredibly fun options that you can only do in the winter, so don’t miss your chance!
If you like to hike in warmer weather then a great transition is snow shoeing. It’s very similar to simply hiking but you have some fun shoes to help you navigate through the snow easier. Many people say that if you can walk you can go snowshoeing. While it may not be exactly that simple, it won’t be difficult to adjust your walking a little to get into the groove. This activity can allow you to go more places in the winter than you would by just hiking or cross country skiing. It’s a great opportunity to get out, exercise the dog, and get some beautiful winter photos.
Skiing and snowboarding might be the first things that come to mind when you think of winter activities. Both are a great way to get out and burn some calories while having fun with friends. If you’ve never gone before there is equipment that you can rent at most ski resorts or hills. There are generally also lessons taught by professionals. Don’t be intimidated and stay on the slopes that make you feel the most comfortable. Just being at the ski resort can be an experience in and of itself so take some time to look around, enjoy the scenery, and people watch!
The fun part about winter is when cities take advantage of the cold weather and create outdoor ice skating rinks. While you can ice skate year round, there really is something special about skating outside. You keep yourself warm and if it’s located in a downtown area you can admire the skyscrapers are you’re zooming around the rink.
It’s a perfect time to embrace your inner child! Building snow forts, creating mazes, snowman building, and good ol’ snow ball fights are all great ways to use the snow and burn calories at the same time. Even if you don’t have kids to run around with, these can be fun for adults too. Dress warm and enjoy the nature made play material that falls from the sky. Watch out for those icy snowballs and be sure to have some mulled wine, Irish coffees, and hot cocoa ready for when you head back inside.
If you would like to stay close to home it’s easy to feed the birds in your yard, go back inside with some hot cocoa, and enjoy watching the birds from the comfort of your home. During the winter it can be harder for non-migrating birds to find food so not only will they appreciate it but, you will be rewarded with a front row seat to some awesome bird watching.
Guffly is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each and every weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/
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Guffly loves their affiliates! We think know that partnerships online are what makes the world go round and that is why we participate in Share a Sale’s affiliate advertising program.
If you would like to become an affiliate for Guffly, signing up at Share a Sale is easy. We provide banners for your website/blog/MySpace page/etc, details and everything you need to be an effective affiliate. We are offering a 10% commission on all sales with a 60-day tracking gap. This means if someone visits Guffly through your site but doesn’t make a purchase right away, they have 60 days to come back, purchase, and earn you commissions.
We look at this as a win-win situation, you drive people and sales to Guffly and we pay you for doing it! What could be easier than this?! Since Guffly is a new company (we launched August 11, 2009) this is a great way for us to grow and we would love your help!
If you have questions just let us know! We hope to be paying you the big bucks for driving sales to Guffly in the very near future!
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With the holidays just ending, don’t we all wish we could just continue our vacations? Especially in light of deep freeze and snow the Midwest is getting. Here are some of the best and most creative eco-friendly ways to think about escaping the piling snow and the daily grind at work.
Tree Top Vacation Rentals:
When you rent a bamboo “hooch” in Rincon, Puerto Rico you will get your very own tree house in the jungle. The homes start at $100 per night you will have a fully equipped kitchenette that is solar powered with a separate bathroom hooch with a flush toilet and hot water that is powered by a solar heater. Then man who owns them is called Jo Sheer and when you vacation in the hooches, you will have his 12 acres of jungle to explore by hiking and biking. Talk about a kid’s dream tree house come true! Visit their website for more information about the different hooches and reservations.
Eco-friendly spas:
If roughing in out in the wilderness is not your thing then try a green spa! The Green Spa Network has a directory of spas around the country that have committed themselves to being natural. The benefits of going to one of these spas are endless, as you will cleanse and relax yourself by going all natural. These spas will offer naturally made products to be pampered so all the creams and lotions used will contain only natural botanicals. The food will be food free of artificial ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils and corn syrups. Also, these spas will be surrounded by nature and will have many nature related activities, such as hiking or mediation and yoga outdoors, which will help when wanting to forget about the chaotic city-life.
Green Cruises:
Cruises are huge source of waste and carbon dioxide emissions. Most ships use the filthiest and cheapest fuel oil to not only runs the ship, but to power the ship’s many amenities like the pools, restaurants, nightclubs etc. Also, with massive amounts of people on the boats, there is an estimated 210,000 gallons of sewage alone not including the hazardous wastes and other sewage runoffs from sinks and baths according to the Friends of the Earth environmental organization. Thankfully, some cruise lines are offering some eco-friendly solutions. Holland America’s Alaskan cruise ship named Zaandarn has put in a million dollar saltwater “scrubber” to detoxify the engine’s emissions. Australia’s Clean Cruising promises to plant a tree to make the voyage carbon-neutral, free of charge. Celebrity Cruises’ new ship called Celebrity Solstice not only has a fuel efficient design including an aerodynamic structure and the increased use of windows that reduce heat transfer, but also is using 216 solar panels to power elevators and LED lights. Other cruise lines like Disney and Royal Caribbean have created plans to reduce wastes that the ships send overboard and therefore everything is reused.
Eco-friendly hotels near popular vacations:
If none of these destinations suit your fancy and you just want to visit a popular destination. Then check out It’s a Green World, which has an easy to use directory to search for eco-friendly hotels for in many different states in countries, many near popular destinations for mom, dad, or the entire family.
Guffly is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each and every weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/.
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These awesome Handmade Journal Sets on the Daily Guff today come to us from the husband and wife team of This Is It! Creations. We love their eclectic handmade gifts that happen to be fantastically eco-friendly!
Founded in 2005 in southern Oregon, this duo creates products that are designed to help you reflect, appreciate each moment, and remember what’s important in life: peace, love, beauty and fun! (that’s a quote straight from them…we love it) All of their paper comes from environmentally sustainable sources (Nepalese lokta paper for these journals) and the Handmade Journal Set comes with individually wrapped journals in biodegradable sleeves. We enjoy the humor and thought behind the sayings on the covers of these journals – you get to pick your favorite 3!
Their motto is “Freedom from the ordinary – Freedom for the animals.” You know that’s something we get behind here at Guffly. What’s more is they currently donate 5% of their profits to animal welfare groups.
Family Picture!
Hat tip to you Jodi and Dan of This Is It! Creations – you’re fighting the good fight and we support you! Support them (and the animals!) by getting your very own Handmade Journal Set on the Daily Guff: http://guffly.com
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Life is messy. Spills, constant maintenance, muddy paw prints and chaos happen. While it might be your first instinct to grab the standard cleaner to attend to the daily grime of life, there are many options that are more natural, earth-friendly, and probably already in your home. The average American uses about 40 pounds of toxic household cleaning products each year. These cleaning products contain dangerous ingredients, including neurotoxins to heavy metals, and other agents that cause or contribute to cancer, respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and this list could go on. Make simple switches in your home to ensure the happiness and healthiness of your family and the environment around you.
Baking soda is the superhero of cleaning. Baking soda works well solo or combined with other simple ingredients like vinegar. Most people already know about placing an open box in your refrigerator to keep it fresh. It’s best to replace that little box every 3 months and you can actually dispose of it down the sink drain without worrying about what it will do to water and the animals living in it. A lesser-known use but equally full of superhero power is a dusting of baking soda on your cutting boards draw out odor and stains. Just dust, leave for about 15 minutes or so and then rinse. Piece of cake…think of all those bamboo cutting boards you could give new life! Speaking of cutting boards all that produce that you chop can be cleaned with a sprinkling of baking soda in a bowl of water, soak, and rinse.
Vinegar, as mentioned above, is another cleaning product that holds great bang for its buck. Spray it on countertops, let sit, and wipe off to get rid of stains. Substitute vinegar for your average glass cleaner (extra points for using newspaper – no streaks!) for a streak free shine. You can even pour this full strength on unwanted grass growing on your walks and sideways since it’s much nicer than any chemical weeds-no-more product. This wonder liquid also relieves itching from insect bites or stings, even sunburns!
Lemon juice is yet another natural tool to help you clean your home. It can get rid of annoying soap scum and the hard water deposits that go along with it. Combine lemon juice with the baking soda and vinegar mentioned above and you have a powerful cleaning paste. Or maybe you already used the lemon in your vodka tonic – no worries, you can put the peels down the garbage disposal to keep it so fresh and so clean.
Salt plays really well with these other natural cleaning products. Mix with some vinegar for an all-purpose cleaner around the house but not for gentle surfaces like marble. Salt and lemon juice work wonders to clean metals particularly brass and pewter – just be sure to rinse well, it’s powerful stuff. Bust out the salt if you’ve spilled your favorite Merlot on your favorite shirt. Put some salt on the area ASAP and it should absorb the wine before it sets and stains. Then wash as soon as you can.
Plus you should make sure you’re taking care of yourself after toiling away around the house. Treat your hands to a moisture treatment by microwaving a small bowl of olive oil and soaking them. For an added bonus, you can add some sugar and make it a scrub.
Guffly is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each and every weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/
