Ethical gift guide: for the sustainable living

Put on your best holiday mood and dive into spectacular Christmas universe. Shopping for gifts can be hard, so it’s only natural that shopping for ethical and fair trade gifts is even harder!
With all the thousands of small business out there it can be hard to find those that are really producing gifts that give back. Luckily we’re starting to see a growing trend in sustainably conscious craftsmanship on Etsy. Many of them using their business to do good.
From sustainably sourced materials, to ethically manufactured products these gifts are actually putting something good back into the world.
Whether you’re shopping for ethical Christmas gifts or sustainable birthday present ideas, or perhaps a little something for yourself, this ethical gift guide has you covered.
Sweater  and Leg Warmers 
You can look up to these adorable warming sweaters for a winter season by DesignbyGUS, and best WoolenClogs boots and leg warmers made of cruelty free wool from European farms. Stylish and natural clothing will make you crave for a cozy evening with your family in front of the fireplace.
Vegan Soy Candles
Light is an essential part of a traditional interior setting for Christmas, so why not let it be as lavish and decorative as possible. Embellish your home with candles in different forms to light up the room in a trendy fashion. Please choose these vegan  and nature friendly soy wax candles by MiLiCrafts. The candles are made from sustainable and renewable plant based wax which benefits people and environment. The maker chooses to work with natural soy wax because it is free of animal testing, petroleum and paraffin products. These candles bring joy to your home while taking care of the environment. Also you can find scented pine cones for a small gift idea.
Pine Cones
Also you can enjoy wonderful handmade ceramics by MrBowlCeramics. Clay is one of the most beautiful and durable options available for pottery. Derived directly from the Earth, ceramic is also one of the most natural materials you can use in your home interior designs.
Create a harmonious look by blending matte surfaces with shiny glazing and pastoral structures, preferably up against a deep colored background.
Handmade Pottery
Use natural linen napkins for your table instead of thous made of paper or any other material. Flax is very friendly to earth. So a set of linen napkins, table runner or apron by CozyLinen will be a perfect housewarming gift for your friends. It is a practical gift for everybody and linen fabric last for years.
Full Apron
And what about home decor?
We have so many options for you to choose of. Just have a look to these wonderful Christmas ornaments which are made from foam base and natural Lamb's ear leaves by Kaleda. Or this scented ornaments set made of foam base pepper and cloves.
Christmas Ornaments
Scented Ornaments
One of the best and cutest interior decor, making you feel comfortable is pillows. Pillowlink is offering much more than just a pillowcases. It is truly sustainable living idea by using linen fabric pieces to make your home looking better.
Bolster pillow
Christmas is time for giving and receiving. So don’t forget decorative gift wrapping makes it’s easy to give each gift a personal and exclusive touch that will surely make the receiver exited even before unwrapping the gift. Have a look how we used these felted acorn ornaments by Vaida Petreikis for gift wrapping ;)
Felted acorn ornaments

Linen care. How to soften this fabric.

Linen fabric has been used for table coverings, bed coverings and clothing for centuries. Is is much stronger and smoother than cotton and there are only few things to know in order for your linen textile or clothes to last a long time. We have already written a post about why linen is eco-friendly, so you can read that as well.
Linen decorative pillow cases from TikTakTimeLINEN
So what about linen care? Linen has a tendency to wrinkle easily, especially when it's new. We recommend to iron it on full heat when it's still damp, or use a lot of steam while ironing.
Long sleeves linen dress by  SondeflorShop
Slightly used linen feels soft and supple, while brand new linen may feel stiff and harsh if it is not special treated during the production process. A lot of sellers use softened linen fabrics for their production.
If you are in love with crafts you may like to visit YarnStories for linen yarn supplies.
Actually, with each washing, linen becomes softer and more absorbent. This fabric is washable up to 90°C, but we recommend up to 60°C. It may seem like it would be scratchy, sometimes, because of the texture, but unlike wool it doesn’t give you the itches. The results of softening depend on how the linen fabric was originally manufactured. Weight can be a factor of how firm the fabric is, but you can speed up the softening process without damaging the fabric.
Perfect mug coasters for your table by Linentextile.
Before washing your linen, always check the manufacturer's suggestions for care. Most linen is best washed in cool or warm water in the gentle cycle and dried on low heat. If your linen has been pre-washed and preshrunk, you may be able to dry it on a higher heat setting. Feel free to machine dry your linen clothes or textile if you have one – just be sure to use cool temperatures and remove when still slightly damp, because over drying can make linen stiff and crackly. When removed from the dryer linen items can be hanged on a hanger or lied flat to fully dry.
Bedroom linen by CasaDeLinos
Traditional fabric softeners may not work well on linen fabric; plus, they may add a chemical residue or a scent that you don't want. An option for a natural fabric softening method is adding a solution of 1/2 cup of baking soda or 1 cup of vinegar to the wash. You can soak the linen overnight in a stronger solution of 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water before washing. Use dryer balls during the drying cycle, because once again, you're trying to increase friction.
And much more in SandSnowLinen shop

10 things that make linen eco-friendly material

Linen is one of the most biodegradable and stylish fabrics in fashion history. It is strong, naturally moth resistant, and made from flax plant fibers.
Linen can withstand high temperatures – making the fabric generally perfect for everything. Sleeping on linen bedding or using it in your kitchen or just relaxing on a tropical island. It absorbs moisture without holding bacteria. In fact, it is actually stronger when wet than dry and becomes softer and more pliable the more it is washed. It just gets better and better!
Here is a bedding example by of their stonewashed softened duvet covers.
More natural and not dyed linen bedding you can find in shop.
Here are 10 things that make linen an eco-friendly material:
  • Flax grows naturally and requires no additional water other than rainwater, making it the most eco-friendly fabric.
  • Because it’s a natural fiber, flax linen is recyclable and biodegrade. 
  • The whole flax plant can be used, leaving no waste.
  • According to the European Confederation of Linen and Hemp, flax respects the environment and preserves the land.
  • Very little energy is required to process flax.
  • Linen yarn is inherently strong, which reduces the need for starching during spinning and weaving.
  • The Advisory Commission Report to the European Parliament stated that flax cultivation has positive effects on eco-system diversity as it allows for an “environmental pause”. One hectare of flax can retain 3.7 tonnes of CO2 .  
  • Linen fabrics can be recycled into paper and insulation materials for the car industry.
  • Flax linen is many times stronger than cotton, which means clothing, window hangings, and upholstery made from linen is made to last, rather than wind up in a landfill.
  • Most Lithuanian companies use low-impact dyes to keep it certificated with a STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®.
You can use linen textile in your kitchen and to decorate your table for every occasion as it looks simple but luxurious at the same tame. You can find many linen goods for your kitchen and dinning in shop.
Designer Ingrida uses only 100% organic and toxin free certificated linen for all her collections. We recommend to look in Linenfox shop for these beautiful linen clothes

Warm, Inviting Thanksgiving Dinner Table

After going through several Home Decor blogs and journals we briefly pointed main accents of Thanksgiving 2017 with links to order and get them just before November 23rd.
Rich colours is the top this year, black, blood red, emerald green, white, gold and purple cabbage. Set of Black Dinnerware or couple of dark Serving Bowls.
Doilies and layered textiles are the key to this year's table decor, use placemats with 
and Stonewashed Pure Linen Napkins to the top.
For a dark and sophisticated table look, use different style and material candleholders metal, crystal or porcelain it will create a bit of interest and surprise or go with Faceted Gold Candles instead.
For bright, airy and harvest themed table setting, go for more plants, wood, natural linens, copper, leaf patterns are on the peak.
To make setting more personal, write place cards Yourself, we suggest Handmade Rustic Wooden Card Holders.
For well layered table, white linens are always a safe option OR go for Grey Linen Tablecloth,
Luxury Table Runner, Organic Linen Placemats,
OR add splash of freshness with Blue Table Cloth,
Look for old pitchers, cooper cutlery, Dry Flower Vases, old green glass bottles, colours, materials. Experiment with centrepiece. It might not be one floral arrangement, try different foliage, few smaller floral or candle settings around table to create feel of unity and coming together.
Whichever theme or table setting You'll pick for Your Thanksgiving dinner, we wish You warm and cozy evening full of cheer and gratitude.

5 tips for hygge home by WoolenClogs

5 quick tips on how to make your home hygge
So what is hygge in the first place? Hygge is a design and lifestyle concept from Denmark which is becoming increasingly popular. Associated with pale neutral colour schemes, especially white, Hygge homes focus on happiness and well-being.

"It’s a special atmosphere of a special moment. It’s where everything just falls into place. Where the company is right, where the temperature is right, where we feel comforted, safe, warm and happy." Marie Tourell Søderberg, Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness

There’s no need to invest in expensive décor, small changes to your home and your lifestyle is all that’s needed to give your home a little more hygge while also staying nature friendly. 
First tip - chose your materials!
Pay attention to what your household items are made off. All the natural materials like ceramics, wood, linen, wool will help to create a more natural nurturing home and will be healthier than the alternatives. Linen tablecloths, pillows, even blankets will bring warmth and coziness to your home.
Linen is one of the most eco friendly materials -- growing flax produces no waste as all its parts
are used for different purposes, it does not require any pesticides, grows in unfertilised soil that other cultures would not thrive in.
If you are looking for high quality natural materials for your home -- Etsy has a great deal to offer here. There are a lot of great shops that sell handmade items from natural materials -- a few of them that I tried myself are CozyLinen (for all your table linen needs and more - great aprons, towels, napkins and tablecloths and all from 100% linen and handmade with care), Pillowlink (pillows of all shapes and forms, great design and high quality linen). You can find 100% eco wool legwarmers and shoes in Woolenclogs shop. For all your ceramic needs you can try MissDishCeramics.
Second tip -- colours can make it or break it
Colour coordinating your home decor is important if you want to achieve that cozy hygge feeling. It is not necessary to choose just one or two colours, instead choose a feeling that you want to achieve, is it soft, comfy relaxing home decor, something like this photo? See how well pastel pink goes together with grey, white and even a brick wall.
Think along the lines of warm and cosy to add texture and colour to your home. Chilly days and nights in the northern hemisphere make you want to snuggle up in wool legwarmers or a cozy linen throw while reading a book. Add further hygge style with cushions on the sofa, chairs and bed along with thick fluffy rugs to wriggle your toes into.
Third tip - how about some light?
Candles play a huge role in hygge living. They're used to create a relaxing ambience with their warm soft glow and scents that evoke good memories.
Find creative ways to place your candles, we tried using a cake dish for that and it turned out amazing!
Open fires and wood burners are used extensively in Danish décor, so, if you're fortunate enough to have either they're a great place to sit in front of with family and friends.
Even when it is not cold outside, you can add a bit more hygge by lighting the candles inside of your fireplace -- it will diffuse the light even further and give you the feeling of a cozy winter cottage without the winter.
Do not use center of the room ceiling lamps, use small area lights or even hidden LEDs to give that warm cozy glow to your surroundings.
Fourth tip - that perfect mood
Hygge isn’t solely about décor, it’s also about you, your family and your friends. Include the little things in life that make you smile, such as putting up photographs of happy times, drinking your favourite coffee or indulging in a warm bubble bath.
Sharing is a must in a hygge home. Eating wholesome food in-front of the fire or by candlelight with a gathering of friends or family are fabulous hygge moments that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Switch off and refocus by taking up a new hobby or reigniting an old one. A few hours on your own will make you feel refreshed and your batteries recharged. Enjoy your surrounding, every room in your home should be a sanctuary that you can step into at any given moment, so fill them with things that help you achieve this. But don’t over do it, hygge homes are rarely crammed to the rafters with clutter, but with carefully chosen meaningful items.
Remember the style isn’t about extravagance and cost, it’s about creating a warm and welcoming home that you and your visitors won’t want to leave.
Fifth tip - do you want a drink?
A steaming hot chocolate (tea or coffee if you prefer), a crackling fireside, cosy catch ups, walking on a frosty common bundled up in hats, scarfs and mittens – these are all “hygge”. To truly hygge, ceramic mugs are a must! You need that cozy, pausing feel of a mug in your hands. And if you really don’t have time at home to sit with a mug, at least invest in a reusable, glass to-go cup.

As a recognised ritual worldwide, tea drinking helps to enable feelings of optimism, knowledge, social bonding, gratitude and relaxation.
A cup of tea has long been the symbol of rest, break time, stopping for a breather. Arguably, its ritual could be the pinnacle of the hygge trend, with its implication of calm and togetherness.
Instead of letting hygge be another fad fashion-concept, we can take inspiration from its idea as a daily mindfulness practice, and make more frequent efforts to invite friends for tea, create social groups, and focus on the present moment. To make memories to be later laughed about, to talk about ideas, to be warmed from the inside out, to share the comfort of happiness.
These five quick ideas will give a start to your hygge journey. If you liked our photos and would love to have similar ones - you can read here on how we achieved this result.
Stay warm and cozy and hygge on! All these wonderful thougths was shared by WoolenClogs blog.

 

Teikia „Blogger“.

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