Spring Things
PICNIC PICKS
Heading out for a spring picnic or packing a lunch for the office? We hope it’s the former, but in either case, the U-Konserve collection from Kids Konserve has what you need to make your lunching simultaneously eco-friendly and stylish. Our favorites include the Big Reusable Wrap ($9.50/pack of two)—a deli-size “food kozy” that both wraps a sandwich and opens out into an on-the-go placemat; the Sweat-Free Ice Pack ($11.50), which comes in a saffron or slate Velcro case, is made from a plastic bottle and is BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free; and the delightful and generously sized Bamboo Spork ($5.50) in its own mesh carrying case.
REINVENTING THE BOTTLE
For far too long the only options in baby bottles were plastic or glass. Enter the Stainless Steel Infant Bottle ($13.99) from Pura’s Kiki line, 100% plastic-free and dishwasher safe, available in an array of bright colors and supportive of a variety of nipples from other infant bottles including Avent and Born Free. The stainless steel protects breast milk or formula from light exposure, and once baby becomes a toddler can be swapped with other tops to transform into a sippy cup. For those who aren’t new parents, or friends/parents to new parents or parents-to-be, Pura’s Stainless Steel Water Bottles for grownups with their signature wide-mouth tops and screw caps ($15.99) are simple, solid-colored, BPA-free and come with a lifetime guarantee, too. purastainless.com
THE TOTAL TOTE
Totes from Run Run Run ($13.50) are stylish enough to double as a purse, but still waterproof and durable for bringing home the veggies. They are available in a variety of vibrant colors and prints from fabric made of recycled plastic bottles with a leather-looking polyurethane handle and clasp, and are machine washable and lead- and BPA-free. Totes contain an interior pocket and special inside message, like “Mistakes are just one part of a full life,” and can fold to wallet size. Also, a portion of proceeds from tote sales benefit green causes like 1% for the Planet, Surfrider Foundation and Plastic Pollution Coalition.
HAVE WINE, WILL TRAVEL
Sea Bag Wine Totes ($35) are made like all Sea Bag totes, carriers, placemats and pillows, from recycled sails, adding nautical reusable wrapping to that bottle of wine for mom this Mother’s Day—or easy transporting for wine-on-the-go. Motifs include a lobster claw, star, anchor, whale tail, or—new for this spring—“Ahoy!” in pink, blue, green or yellow.
HEADY SCENTS
I have zero tolerance for most perfumes, colognes and other fragrance assaults, yet I am entranced by the scents offered by Pacifica, makers of the most delicious-smelling solid perfumes (made of coconut, soy wax and essential oils) and candles (ditto). So, too, the latest offerings, including Pacifica’s Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter ($24) which gives you (or someone you love) a jump-start on summer, and is made from coconut, Shea butter, essential oils, fruit extract and pearl powder among other ingredients. It smells like a summer cocktail. Meanwhile their Kona Sugar and Coffee Detox ($28) promises to get your body beach-ready by providing an invigorating scrub pre-bronzing. A portion of proceeds from both support clean water causes.