DreamSacks – Luxurious Natural Fiber Products

It's impressive when a single company can turn just one travel product into a venture that now creates a wealth of eco-friendly products fashioned from natural fibers, such as silk, bamboo, soy and cashmere. DreamSacks produces an array of luxurious bedding, clothing, and accessories. From saving more than 300 gallons of gas per year driving an all-electric truck to giving back to poverty-stricken communities, Dream Sacks gets an A+ for creating a well-rounded, earth-conscious business. Just a few DreamSacks products to consider: For Women: DreamSacks offers an assortment of pants, skirts, dresses, jackets, and nightwear, such as this Cerise Robe with handcrafted knotted closures. Comprised of sheer silk and rayon, the robe comes in a seductive Chocolate with Cielo Blue trim (shown) or relaxing Green Tea with Vanilla trim. A selection of garments for expecting mothers includes an array of colorful tunics, gowns, and pajama sets. For Men: From breathable bamboo boxer shorts to comfy lounge pants, DreamSacks accommodates men with fashionable eco-friendly clothing and undergarments. For example, the Charmeuse Men's Robe provides a loose fit, two convenient pockets, and matching belt. Comprised of Charmeuse silk, women aren’t the only ones slipping into something a bit more comfortable. Available in Black and Chocolate Brown. For Baby: DreamSacks has your little one covered from top to bottom with eco-friendly baby hats and pesticide-free bamboo socks. Accessories and gifts sets include knit baby blankets, bibs, and natural fiber crib sheets. When shopping for an eco-conscious mama-to-be, consider the BabyDreams Collection Gift Set & Outfit ($84) – consisting of a Lemongrass with Nectar trim blanket, Lemongrass Long Sleeve Tee & Pants, and nectar hat and socks. This set is available for babies 3 to 6 months. Bedding: Your bedroom serves as your sanctuary and what better items to enhance your slumber than with DreamSack bedding that includes Handstitched Habotai Silk Coverlet Pillow Shams ($105) and Reversible Silk Charmeuse Coverlets ($378). This BambooDreams Sheet Set ($216) offers a 250-thread count bottom fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases that accommodates Queen, King, California King, and Twin beds. Available in Green Tea, Rain, Natural, Almond, and Sienna. Travel: Whether at home or in the air, you want a luxurious slumber during your jet-setting adventures and the Luxury Travel Kit ($196) aims to place you in first-class surroundings no matter where you may be. For in-flight comfort and hotel room relief, your set will include a Silk/Cashmere blanket (42"x76"), Charmeuse Silk Eyeshades, and an outer bag that doubles as a pillowcase. Available in Chocolate with Cielo Blue. Giving Back I'd also like to applaud DreamSacks for not only their contribution to preserving the environment, but also their effort to give back to less-fortunate communities. DreamSacks supports Coaching for Hope (an organization that uses soccer to fight the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Africa; Hwa Nan Women's College (provides advanced degrees to women in China); and Mercy Corps (helping people beat impossible odds, disasters, and chronic poverty). Image Credits: DreamSacks

Chocolate Has Never Been So Divine

Chocolate is one of life’s simple pleasures. While the luxurious storefronts of Godiva and Ghirardelli showcase some decadent and delightful treats, there are other companies that take a different approach. Introducing Divine Chocolates. This is a direct chocolate company: the farmers in Ghana who grow the cocoa own a large percentage of the company and are active decision-makers about large-scale operations. Divine Organization In the 1990s, a group of farmers in Ghana pooled together and set up a farmers’ co-op, Kuapa Kokoo. This co-op managed the selling of the cocoa and empowered the farmers by giving them direct control of their situation. By using honest practices, Kuapa Kokoo was able to attract a large membership. They were also able to gain fair trade certification, ensuring better returns for their farmers. In 1997, the members of Kuapa Kokoo decided to take even more control over their situation and voted to create their own chocolate company. With the investment of several socially responsible organizations, Divine Chocolates was created. As owners, the farmers have input into the sale and production of the final product. For the farmers and owners in Ghana, the fair trade benefits as well as the success that Divine Chocolates has had has meant a great amount of money has been able to build schools, sink wells, provide medical care, and improve the condition for women. The Products Divine Chocolates specializes in delicious chocolates for any occasion. They offer a selection of dark, milk, and white chocolate with a variety of different fillings and flavorings. There are also smaller crunch bars as well as toffee bars. For those of you searching for a decadent flavor, try the White Chocolate with Strawberries. For a heartier bar, check out the Fruit and Nut Dark Chocolate. Opportunities If you want to enjoy some delicious treats and support an environmental and socially responsible organization, there are many opportunities. Beyond ordering chocolate for your personal enjoyment, Divine Chocolates sell tubs of 200 mini bars to be used as party favors or incorporated in a beautiful centerpiece. Divine Chocolates also makes it easy for you if you choose to host a fundraiser or create a lesson plan to teach about fair trade in the classroom. Check out their website, look for them in your local store, or at an event across the country or in the UK. Image Credit: Divine Chocolates

Organic Bouquet: Sustainable Eco-Gifts

Flowers play an integral role in birthday surprises, setting the mood on Valentine's Day, and expressing an undying love. Organic flowers and gifts allow eco-minded consumers to support their earth-friendly lifestyle by choosing gestures that place less harm on the environment. Since 2001, Organic Bouquet has been delivering sustainably grown flowers to thousands upon thousands of customers around the world. Leading the way in the floral industry, the company has set impressive standards from establishing the first carbon offset program to promoting earth-friendly packaging. From 10 long-stemmed Organic-Certified Calla Lillies to a spread of orange roses bursting with color to a bunch of exotic-looking Pink Oriental Lilies (shown above), Organic Bouquet is much more than a flower business. The company offers a selection of decorative wreaths. Choose the hand-made Dried Lavender Wreath to add color and fragrance to a room. A wreath constructed of bay and rosemary (shown) leaves behind traces of ancient Rome with eye-catching appeal. Eco-Friendly Plants and Seed Gifts Imagine the delight that comes when relatives and friends open a gift that keeps on growing with love. Organic Bouquet offers plenty of choices in apple trees, dogwoods, California poppies, wine grapes, parsley, and other seasonal treats. Currently, Organic Bouquet is featuring the Tangerine Bonsai, which infuses a room with fragrant tropical flowers and produces mini tangerines. Housed in a natural ceramic bonsai container, this indoor gift is VeriFlora Certified. Organic Bouquet Gift Baskets Gift baskets are an easy way to show someone that you're thinking of them without the stress of choosing the 'perfect' gesture. Avoid time-consuming shopping trips and send a taste of luxury with one of the following theme-baskets:

• The Eco Gardener: For the gardener in your life, this tote provides your loved one with an array of gardening utensils, watering bottle, and a fragrant eco-friendly hand soap. Cap off an adventure spent with freshly grown rose bushes and herb gardens with a relaxing cup of tea, dried fruit, shortbread cookies, and chocolate.
• The Vineyard Selection: With a beautifully wrapped basket filled with organic Chardonnay from Bonterra vineyards, Organic Valley cheese, crackers, chocolate and cookies – how can you not go wrong?
• Italian Bistro Gift Basket: Celebrate with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon wine with a bistro basket offering the makings of a fine dinner (pasta, sauce, olive oil breadsticks, and biscotti).

Organic Boutique Eco-Standards and Achievements From the sustainable gift basket to the Oregano Wreath, Organic Bouquet products meet the highest of standards – certified by the likes of USDA Organic, Veriflora, Demeter, Fair Trade, Smart Certified, and Green-e. When possible, the company uses recycled, recyclable, tree-free, biodegradable, compostable, post-consumer, and wild-crafted materials for their luxury gift baskets, holiday wreaths, and plant-centered presents. Eco-minded shoppers can purchase their gifts with confidence - knowing that Organic Boutique:

• Takes a gentler approach in growing flowers that places less strain on the earth
• Embraces safe ecological standards
• Prints with vegetable-based inks
• Considers the well-being of farm workers and wildlife

In addition to the many green business practices, Organic Boutique supports social and environmental causes beyond their daily operations. For example, the company donates a portion of their proceeds to charitable organizations – raising more than $250,000 to date. Photo Credits: Organic Bouquet