Yankee Candle's Beanswax

My MIL and grandma-in-law were shopping with me last week, trying to find a gift to buy me (I guess for the sake of buying??) and they know I like candles. However, without trying to be snobby, I am trying to always buy a greener alternative to any item to which it is available. We then spied Yankee Candle's newest line, Beanswax.The candles are 100% soy-based, so they don't create pollutants when they burn. Plus, the jar is made from recycled class, and is funky enough to hang out among your other house decor. I happen to love green, so it fits in my living room nicely. The large jar is supposed to burn for 55 hours--that's some serious time. OK--the BEST part: the scents I love are unbelievably realistic. I got Beat Around the Bushel and last night, within an hour, the whole upstairs smelled like an apple orchard! I was then inspired to make an apple crumble (no joke). End of the Line is straight out of every memory of great-smelling dryer sheets, the scent that today inspires every purfume I choose. As usual, the sweet-smelling choices were too strong for me, but I was so pleased that I can still have candles and don't have to feel like I'm polluting my house's air.

Organic Housekeeping

I received this book as a bridal shower gift, but really started to use it when we moved this summer. Once my cleaning supplies run out, I've agreed to replace each one with a healthier, green version. This book does a great job of showing you how virtually every surface in your house can be cleaned with materials you already have in your pantry (i.e. baking soda and vinegar compose about 90% of the cleaning materials). Therefore, you don't really need to make room for 12 different cleaners. Besides the basic cleaning, so far I've cleaned my coffee pot and my dishwasher--not bad.

Aveda nourish-mint smoothing lip color

Give me most skin/cosmetic products from your average discount store, and I'll be allergic to them. This history runs deep, as I've had a dermatologist in my life since the ripe age of 6 mos. I consider Aveda a little piece of heaven. Their hair products (esp. their shampoo) is phenomenal. But lipstick is even more of a treasure--as just like my mom--I can't wear almost any kind of lipstick. It's got SPF and mint in it, which gives you just a little tingle. $14 / 21 colors. Also comes in sheer.

Method cleaning products

Since I am pretty much allergic to everything anyways, the push for retailers to start offering organic/non-toxic cleaning supplies works for my consumer interests. Target features a line of plant-based, non-toxic cleaning products called Method. Some of them still have scent but they are all natually-derived. I've used the bathroom cleaner, wood cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner (in unscented & grapefruit--YUM). Oprah's got a whole list of other companies that offer non-toxic supplies, so I am sure I will try some of those out too. I've tried the Seventh Generation powdered dishwasher soap (in which I was only trying to buy the cheapest version of a pricier product) but it left some chunks on my dishes. Method also carries microfiber and other cleaning cloths (I have the one to use with the furniture polish), mops, and air fresheners (I've got two) that used soy-based, all-natural scents that are non-toxic. They smell great and last a long time.