Rare Bird Finds

Woodlands Clock

This reclaimed wood clock is a pretty spin on your grandma's old cuckoo version - but much, much quieter. $95 at VivaTerra

The Hookmaker

This whimsical little teacup would add some fun to your kitchen or office wall. Made of eco-friendly earthenware, the cup provides storage for small objects while its "handle" is actually a hook for keys, pet leashes, dishcloths, etc. $30 at The Curiosity Shoppe

Dual Purpose Paper Tray Mats

These sturdy trays are made from heavy-duty recycled paper, and the inside corners snap apart to double as placemats. They come in multiple colors and patterns so you can switch out your trays and then fold them up flat for easy storage. Smart idea! On sale for $9.89 at Delight.

Celebrate Green!

By now, we all know we're supposed to be taking steps to clean up our act when it comes to helping the environment, but let's face it: sometimes all the work of going green can get a little overwhelming. I recently had the chance to preview Celebrate Green: Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations, and Traditions for the Whole Family by mom and daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell, and was relieved to find a "green guide" that provides simple, clever ways to make your parties and celebrations more earth-friendly - without making them less fun.

The book is about so much more than just eco-friendly entertaining, though. It's a practical, accessible, and encouraging reference guide for anyone looking to make some simple lifestyle changes in hopes of cleaning up our environment. There's a great section on the basic "how to's" of reducing, reusing, and recycling, along with tips on decoding labels and shopping for products that are truly beneficial for both people and the planet.  The book isn't preachy, either, so whether you're an environmentalist from way back or you're just getting started, you'll be able to find helpful tips you can put into action right away.

The guide also has tasty recipes, craft ideas, and lists of resources for further reading, shopping, and charitable giving. It's a refreshing approach to caring for the planet by weaving thoughtful, environmentally responsible practices into our celebrations and everyday lives. $17.95 at Celebrate Green

Blooming Wrapping Paper

This beautiful wrapping paper is holding a secret: once your gift has been opened, plant the biodegradable paper in your garden and wildflower seeds embedded inside will begin to blossom. $20 at Uncommon Goods

Tattooed Train Case

Lauren B is an etsy artist who finds vintage items and "tattoos" them with her original artwork. I'm loving this cheeky vintage train case that makes once-prim luggage look like it just came back from a wild weekend. $68 at Made By Lauren B

Trash Chic Bracelet

Every single bit of this chunky bracelet was made from leftover scraps and junk - most of the "charms" are really bits of glass, plastic, and broken pottery the artist found cleaning up her local beach. $175 at SeaFind Designs

Salvage Bag

I love the bright colors on this handmade bag salvaged from leftover skirt remnants. $60 at Orangyporangy

Dig 'n' Swap

I was really excited to learn about Dig 'N' Swap: it's basically like raiding your friends' giveaway piles - only on a much, much bigger scale. Upload pics of the clothes and accessories you want to trade, browse through other people's stuff on the site, and then bid on what you want using actual money OR your own used items. It's a cheap, fun, environmentally-friendly way to update your wardrobe. Love it!!

Recycled Football Strap Watch

With a strap made from repurposed pigskin, this men's watch used to be a football star. But don't worry - he won't go on and on about it when you meet him at a party. $72 at The Green Loop

Industrial Bloom Necklace

This blossoming necklace is made from discarded pieces of plastic waste: pretty jewelry with an ugly past. $48 at Studio 1AM

Cassette Wallet

This wallet made from an old cassette tape would be a fun way to store your loose change, business cards, or cash for a night out. $24.50 at Groovebag

Ecozoo Backpacks

Send the kiddos back to school in eco-friendly style with these cute backpacks made from recycled and organic materials. Also available: a panda, pig, and elephant. $29.99 at EcoGear

Felted Wool Acorns

The description for these tiny felted treasures says that "acorns have long symbolized potential, strength, and patience." Tuck one into a child's pocket on the first day of school or send one to a new college student to help them beat the first-day jitters.$6 for 3 at Lil Fish Studios

Sea Bags Wine Bag

So maybe you wrap presents in used gift bags...who hasn't? Here's a wine bag that actually celebrates the art of regifting! Made from recycled sail material with rope handles, the bag has a "to/from" label on the back with space to fill in names of all the givers and recipients, so you can see a history of where your bag has traveled. $29 at Sea Bags

No Trash Lunch Kit

Be a smart cookie and cut back on your lunchtime trash with this kit. It includes a lunch bag, a sandwich bag, two snack bags, and five cloth napkins, all washable and reusable. $17.50 at QwertyO

Owyn Toy Box

I love the look of this toy box: it's whimsical enough for a playroom, but sleek enough to double as a small coffee or end table for storage-starved families. It's made from eco-friendly wood and non-toxic paints, and the leaves are removable cutouts that pop on and off like a puzzle. $350 at Mod Mom Furniture 

Graffiti Clutches

I am completely smitten with Alisa Burke's graffiti accessories: they're portable, functional pieces of custom artwork! A talented mixed media artist, Alisa handpaints, silkscreens, and sews pieces of canvas into one-of-a-kind purses, wallets, and jewelry. My husband ordered one of these amazing custom clutches for me awhile back, personalized with a few of my favorite words and phrases, and it has since become one of my favorite accessories. It's perfect for dressing up jeans or brightening up basic blacks, and I get compliments and "where'd-you-GET-that's" from strangers nearly every time I use it. Recently I ordered several more as gifts for friends, and each one turned out so fantastic I had a tough time actually wrapping and parting with them.

Made of durable canvas, the purses are fully lined and finished with a snap closure and chunky vintage button. Alisa recently started greening up her creations too, incorporating fused plastic bags and other repurposed materials into her designs. Choose from pre-made clutches and wallets on her etsy shop, or visit her website to order a customized purse incorporating your favorite colors and words. Prices range from $30 - $100 each.

Payphone Ring

Remember the good old payphone days? The quaint dirty booths, the operator's voice cutting you off before you finished saying goodbye, the desperate scramble to find some more change? Yeah, I don't really miss them either. But this ring is a fun throwback to the BC (before cellphone) era. $55 at 19 Moons

Pop Mats

These recycled paper placemats are so charming they're reason enough to throw a dinner party! Each one has delicate cutouts that pop out, fold up, and can be used as placecards. $24.75 for a set of ten at Delight.com