The New Essentials
SHADES OF GREEN
This summer, Juicy Couture launched their Choose Green eco-sunglasses collection. The Peony style ($135), available in black, tortoise or “organic green,” is cat-eye inspired and made with 55% bio-based renewable plant material. The frames, which feature Juicy Couture’s signature stamp logo, are made from “green plastic” derived from the beans of castor plants combined with sustainable, renewable bamboo. Each pair also comes with an organic canvas pouch printed with soy ink and an informational “Choose Green” hangtag printed on recycled paper. —Lindsey Blomberg
A LUNCH TO LOVE
It’s always a pleasant surprise when something familiar is reinvented. Such is the case with the Oots! Lunch Box. It’s compact, packed tight with containers (one large and four small) in its “deluxe” version (about $27) for holding snacks, salads and sandwiches and features a wide elastic strap over the top designed to snugly secure a full-sized reusable water bottle. Simply—and retro—colored in blue/red, orange/yellow and green/green combos, the lunch box has an understated style appropriate for the office or book bag. And all the plastic containers are BPA- and phthalate-free as well dishwasher- and microwave-safe. —Brita Belli
SHOULDER STYLE
From cell phone cases to purses to totes and shoulder bags, there is a huge variety of Rebagz Eco-Chic Handbags to choose from in umpteen shapes and colors, and they’re all made from recycled materials like rice sacks from the Philippines and juice boxes. But they don’t forgo style for sustainability. The latest Statement Makers line, including the Tap on the Shoulder Bag ($88, pictured)—made with coated recycled paper and straps of recycled plastic—come in solid colors or patterns (including leopard print) and would have no trouble going out for a night on the town. What’s more, Rebagz are fairly made and $1 from every purchase goes to the human-rights organization Global Exchange. Their online store even features videos of the bags, some of which contribute to humanitarian efforts like the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund and Greenpeace. —L.B.
JOT WORTHY
Perfect for home, work or school, Ecojot notepads and sketchbooks are made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper and feature beautiful cover illustrations. Their collage-inspired designs bring inspired personality to your grocery list, daily agenda or journaling, and kids will love the exclusive Jane Goodall Collection featuring colorful pandas and chimpanzees for schoolwork needs. All sales of sketchbooks ($9), 5×7 notebooks ($11) and jumbo journals ($18) contribute to the Buy 1, Give 1 (b1g1.com) campaign, which provides school supplies to kids who can’t afford them. So far, Ecojot has donated over 81,000 notebooks. —L.B.
SKIN SAVIOR
Those of us with sensitive—and problem-prone—skin struggle with finding a facial moisturizer that does all we ask of it: smooth lines, hydrate dry skin and help make our countenances more supple and bright. Such is the magic worked by Scientific Organics Skincare Phytocell Cream ($75), made by emergenC. It’s pricey but addictive, lightweight and hydrating while soothing dry and irritated areas, all thanks to a host of planet-friendly ingredients like grape seed oil, the extract of tea leaves, organic shea butter and organic jojoba seed oil. The company claims it’s the not-so-secret ingredient kombucha (a medicinal fermented tea) that really heals all facial woes. —B.B.
PORTABLE OM
Can a deeply inhaled fragrance ease your anxiety? The makers of calmspace ($14.99) are counting on it, and there’s certainly appeal to quieting one’s nerves with organic essential oils (the primary fragrances are vanilla and lavender) as opposed to popping a pill. Calmspace is being promoted particularly for those who suffer from claustrophobia, but we could see it being applied for any number of anxiety-heightening occasions: when the airplane you’re riding in starts shuddering from turbulence; while driving between two 18-wheelers in your compact car; or minutes before taking the stage to speak before a roomful of VIPs. The scents come in lipstick-sized roll-top packages—just unscrew the cap and breathe deeply. —B.B.