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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As an added bonus, each of her pieces comes with “The Story of the Glass,” which details what the jewelry piece was originally made from and approximate age.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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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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These Fair Trade Napkins are another great product from Market Place Handwork of India. Not only are they a great way to spice up your table but, they supports disadvantaged women in India. Market Place Handwork of India is more than just a company – they are a non-profit that supports the economic development of disadvantaged women so that they can build their own sustainable businesses.
They currently work with 14 coops consisting of 480 artisans in India. All of them produce high quality fair trade products. What’s more is each artisan’s community is also impacted by the work of these women. Leadership-building initiatives and decision-making in the workplace have given the artisans the tools and confidence to become social activists. They have tackled such problems as lack of clean water, corrupt shopkeepers, and insufficient garbage collection.
Lull in the dinner conversation? Tell the amazing story of these napkins to get the conversation flowing. Check them out on the Daily Guff: http://guffly.com
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The nice people at Vers create these attractive, functional Bamboo iPhone and iPod Cases while considering the environmental impact of said items. We appreciate the careful consideration of the effect of mass production on our environment and the great steps that Vers has taken to make a difference for today’s Daily Guff.
You may remember these too cool cases from back in October when we first carried them – we got an overwhelming response that you wanted to have more funcationality from your case with your iTouch and iPhone. Well, Vers must have heard a lot of that too because now they’re offering new styling on the cases that allows you to access full functionality and ultimate protection.
Their mission states:
Without a doubt, the creation of any mass-produced product requires the use of resources and energy to manufacture, transport and manage throughout their useful lives – which resources, how much energy and the length of a ‘useful life’ are where big differences can be made to reduce the total impact that a product makes on the world. Could you craft a more beautiful, better sounding system with LESS impact to the environment at the same time? We thought so, and it’s been the driving passion behind Vers from day one – to be better in every way imaginable.
The company also partners with the Arbor Day Foundation to replant for each tree they take! Bamboo grows faster than any other species, reaches a harvestable height in as little as 3 months, and produces 35% more oxygen per acre than trees – amazing stuff! The bamboo grass for these awesome cases are harvested by hand so they require significantly less energy (energy = CO2). Believe it or not, bamboo is harder and more dimensionally stable that Oak, with strength characteristics equal to steel! There isn’t a better, more eco-friendly way for you to protect your precious iPhone.
We think this a great option for a iPod case that will protect it for sure! These make great gifts (especially for those hard to buy for guys). Get one for you iPhone, iTouch, iPod Classic, or iPod Nano on the Daily Guff: http://guffly.com
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The Daily Guff today is featuring the Recycled Nylon Laundry Bag made by a company called Gorilla Sacks based in Atlanta, Georgia! They are not creating your average reusable bags down there. All of these bags are made from recycled aerial banners. Believe it or not they actually hand cut the pieces of their bags from the billboards!
Worried about the cleanliness level of something like this – no worries man, after the banner is unfolded, inspected and cut it’s sent to the washer with eco-friendly Charlie’s Soap and a bit o bleach to disinfect it (you don’t want sky cooties on your underoos do you?)
The cleaned up pieces then head to the master sewers at Gorilla Sacks – they get to work from the comfort of their homes in the good ol US of A! We like American made products that really are made in the US under great conditions!
Given the nature of recycled materials, each of these awesome, oversized Recycled Nylon Laundry Bags is one of a kind. We think these could be a great beach bag too! Make doing laundry fun on the Daily Guff: http://guffly.com
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Back to the Daily Guff by popular demand are the Fair Trade Shoes but this time it is the High Top Fair Trade Shoes! These awesome kicks are brought to us by The People’s Shoe founded by Anton Brandt.
Anton discovered The People’s Shoe while in Shanghai working in public relations and we’re glad he did. The white and blue canvas sneakers are standard issue work wear in the country. Anton saw an opportunity to bring these eco-friendly shoes to the rest of the world and now they’re on the Daily Guff!
The company manufacturers in China (before you scream, keep reading…) and they spend a lot of time in the factory checking in on product quality and more importantly, workplace quality. They ensure that all workers get paid a living wage, the work conditions are fair and accommodating, and everyone is of age to be working in the factory. They also avoid the use of polybags during each step of their process and package their shoes in reusable totes instead of shoeboxes. We don’t doubt that this is a huge undertaking but it is a necessary one to be good to the planet and the people.
On top of all that, each pair purchased also contributes to LA Mission, and organization that fights homelessness and drug use in LA’s Skid Row. The People’s Shoe says, “We’re setting our sights high: donating money, sneakers, and planning an event to get the word out.” Right on.
Sport a pair of these incredibly stylish, eco-friendly, fair trade shoes and make people turn and look because they truly are unique. Get yours on the Daily Guff: http://guffly.com/
