8/25/09

When you find the perfect shade of lipstick, don't toss out the tube when it's time to get a new one. Look for refillable cases that let you unscrew the old lipstick and replace it with a new one. Aveda (www.aveda.com) sells a refillable kit that's also made from a resin of natural materials and a high percentage of recycled aluminum.

8/24/09

If you just can't live without your favorite sunscreen, organic shampoo or moisturizer on the road, it might be time to pull out that infomercial splurge: the vacuum food sealer. Originally designed to vacuum-seal food by sucking out air to help lessen spoilage, these machines (and the accompanying bags) can also be used to create individual-sized servings of beauty products for travel. Just heat and seal the bags into smaller compartments, squeeze your favorite product in, and then heat-seal closed. No muss, no fuss.

8/23/09

Weekends are a popular time to decorate around the house, so when you're shopping for the perfect accessories or furnishings, look for a material called water hyacinth. This wicker-like material is lightweight, durable and inexpensive. Water hyacinth was introduced as a decorative aquatic plant in Asia by colonists; because it's not a native species, it has reproduced dramatically, often at the expense of native plants and wildlife. To control the population, water hyacinth is collected by hand, dried and woven into furniture, baskets and other functional accessories. The more you buy, the more you help.