This women’s watch proves solar can be sexy. Most solar powered items have a clunky, ‘I’m a techie’ look that doesn’t necessarily scream ‘fashion.’ Not this watch. The Citizen Women’s Eco-Drive Dress Bangle Watch has a sleek, modern look befitting its solar charging technology. The watch features a stainless steel bracelet, and circular black dial that’s adorned with slender silver-tone hands. A push-button deployment clasp fastens the bangle-like band. The watch is powered by light – both natural and artificial – offering continuous functionality without a battery.

For last minute shoppers they’re offering free 2-day shipping and an additional savings of 25% on this watch if ordered by Monday 12/20/10. $117 before discount; $87 with discount … @ amazon.com

Many thanks to Indie Tea for providing us samples of these three teas (below) for the purposes of our independent review.

It’s a cloudy, chilly day and I’ve just steeped my first cup of Wise Man’s Caravan Masala Chai Tea from Indie Tea – delicious and satisfying. (I brew my tea straight-up, no milk, soy, honey, sugar or anything else.)

From loose leaf tea, herbs, fruit, flowers and spices to creative packaging – what we have here is an extraordinary tea maker. Story goes, it all began in their kitchen one fine day when a family of artists, Mike and Carolyn Johnson and their daughter Rachael, dreamed up Indie Tea. Every ingredient they use is USDA organic and also Fair Trade, (wherever available). Organic certification is around the corner.

The exotic lineup includes:

• Black Tea and Blends
• Green Tea and Blends
• Herbal Tisanes and Blends
• Rooibos and Blends
• White Tea and Blends
• Yerba Maté and Blends

Wise Man’s Caravan is a blend of all organic and Fair Trade ingredients: Assam black tea, cloves, orange peel, cinnamon, cardamom, white peppercorn, allspice, organic ginger, nutmeg, myrrh, frankincense. Love at first sip.

I look forward to this afternoon and evening when my tea party continues. I’ll be brewing a cup of Crazy Earl – organic black tea, orange peel, grapefruit peel and the essential oil of bergamot; and end on The Road to Hana – a heady mix of organic mango, Pai Mu Tan White Tea, coconut flakes and hibiscus flowers. Sounds mighty tasty … see more of what’s brewing @ indietea.com.

Haifa, Israel’s third largest city, is celebrating this Christmas in an eco-friendly fashion by unveiling a new 38-foot Christmas tree (above and below) made entirely of recycled water bottles and other plastic objects donated by its residents and on display in the city’s center. Comprised of 5,480 recycled bottles and illuminated by energy-efficient LED lights, the “green” tree was created by Israeli designer Hadas Itzcovitch and her father, artist Ernest Itzcovitch, to raise awareness of environmental issues. It comes just in time for the 90,000 travelers from around the world expected to arrive in Israel for the holiday.

The tree represents the religious diversity of the city’s Jewish, Christian, Baha’i and Muslim residents, and serves as a reminder of the environmental impact of Carmel fires which recently devastated the area’s forests.

source: Israel Ministry of Tourism

Okay, the gifts have been bought and now it’s time to wrap…my favorite part of gift-giving. There just doesn’t seem to be enough planet-friendly, readily available off-the-shelf options today, but with a little ingenuity, you can wrap those gifts thoughtfully without adding to those ever-growing landfills. Here are a few suggestions.

(above) Made in the USA, BOBO Wrapping Scarf is a fabric-based option which allows you to wrap, carry and reuse in eco chic style. You’ll find a wonderful array of solids and unique designs as well as an entire book illuminating just how-to do it. It would be even nicer if the fabric itself were either sustainable or recycled.

(above) Shrapps also offers pretty fabric-based gift wrap that can be re-used. The pink and blue dot wraps are on sale now through Christmas Day. Or check out their various Collections where you’ll find different sizes and patterns & solids grouped together. Again, if only the fabric were more sustainably made…maybe next year.

(above and below) Phoenix-based, Ecosaurus – has beautiful, luxuriously thick, ecofriendly gift wrap made in the USA:  their gift papers are made from 100 percent recycled paper and they’re recyclable as well. So when you’re done either wrapping or unwrapping the present, you can salvage some scraps for re-use and toss the rest in the recycle bin.

The graphics are printed with vegetable-based inks. This hip gift wrap, as well as their lovely greeting and note cards are FSC-Certified and Green-e Certified. And take note — the recycled card boxes can be either repurposed for storage or gift-giving. Products ship within 1 – 3 business days. find savings of 40% now through December 31, 2010 @ ecosaurus.com or look for them in shops around the country.

And last but not least – you can always Do It Yourself – either make your own wrapping paper if time allows, or wrap that gift in some pretty material or a scarf that you already own. Another creative way to wrap is to tie in the wrap with the gift itself. (A basket, bowl or box can be part of the wrap – pretty ribbon or a reusable bow may be all that you need.)

Time to fill that wine glass and have a wrap party!

Related:  previously on altCon, (12.01.08)
Gift Wrap the Eco Way

One week ’til the big day. No need to lose sight of what’s important – balancing time with family and friends, giving back, celebrating the true spirit of the season in whatever fashion you like. Here are some simple ways to keep it green, as well.

• Love to send Christmas cards but hate the “waste” involved. Opt for e cards. My fave is Jacquie Lawson holiday e-cards, (photo credit, above). She always has a lovely selection of beautifully rendered animations. By emailing greetings, there’s no need to purchase stamps, or use paper and energy (gasoline and transportation) in order to have traditional paper cards created and physically transported around the planet. Bonus – for a small yearly fee, ($12/1 year or $18/2 years), you can send ecards year round – birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

• Everyday deserves the best so be sure to use the real thing — Bone China, glassware, silverware, cloth napkins and table coverings. Ask family to help set up and clean up, or hire additional hands to help make it all happen. Using the real stuff requires extra time and special attention so reach out, don’t take on the additional stress by doing it all yourself.

• Keep the decorating simple and “live” if possible. Gather pine cones, evergreen boughs, branches, stones and fashion your own wreaths, garland and centerpieces. I’ve been doing this for the past several years and I always surprise myself by how easy it is, and how beautiful it is to bring natural elements from outside into my home. You can even give them as gifts. My sister gathered pine cones and made beautiful pine wreaths that we’ve been reusing for the past few years.
• Gifts don’t always have to be a new off the shelf item, bought in a big box and then wrapped in glossy paper tied with a big bow. Rather than toss a preloved item — digital camera or old iPod, jewelry or decorative item — give it as a gift to someone who can actually use it.
• If you do need to go shopping, get organized. Plan ahead to allow for the most efficient way to get from Point A to Point B. This will cut down on the amount of gas you use and save time as well. Shop locally as much as possible, and carpool to make your trips to the store not only more energy efficient but also more fun.
• If you grow your own herbs, salad and veggies, use them – whether fresh or dried. Dried lavender makes the most wonderful sachets. I’ve wrapped dried herbs in vintage handkerchiefs and tucked them into Christmas stockings. They’re sweet little surprises. I’ve also left lavender on their stems and used them as an accent on a fresh evergreen wreath. (photo credit, R: zJayne’s etsy shop – wonderful eco dryer sheets!)
• If you opt for the “live” Christmas tree, be sure to recycle it — create mulch, or give it an afterlife in a pond or lake – the fish and aquatic life love it. We’ve been placing ours in the pond (at right).
• Overall, be mindful of the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle and remember to re-think. Like rules, some traditions are meant to be broken. Here’s to making merry, and a low carbon impact holiday season.

• Hmm…it appears other experts found plenty…U.S. Government Finds Little BP Oil on Seafloor – msnbc/ap
• Good stuff…Best Pictures: Nat Geo Photo Contest Winners 2010 – natgeo
• It appears that consumers get hosed coming and going by current corn ethanol subsidies and tariffs…U.S. Ethanol Industry Faces Subsidy Battle Next Year – reuters
• I’m sure they’ll only use this tech to monitor bird populations...Space Laser Spies for Woodpeckers – bbc
• An additional benefit? Wind Turbines Help Crops by Channeling Beneficial Breezes – sciencedaily
• Scent of Danger: Is New-Car Smell Responsible for Car Accident? – aol news

Clean as a blanket of freshly fallen white snow — an exclusive sneak peek at some of the Spring 2011 Collection from organic pioneers, stewart+brown.com! Here are a few personal faves of what’s in store for early next year.

Perfect for the eco-conscious family room – this felt puzzle rug is made completely of recycled PET bottles. find @ matteriashop

• ROOZT.com is offering 50% off a wide array of EcoBags, normally $25, reduced to only $10. Water bottles are on sale, too. With each purchase you get to choose a charity whereby 1% of the sale is donated.
• Sign up today, Friday only, for Groupon‘s NYC Deal:  Green Apple Cleaners is offering $50 worth of eco friendly dry cleaning for only $25. Available at 2 of their Big Apple locations – one in Brooklyn and the other in Manhattan. Green Apple Cleaners uses CO2 cleaning, an EPA-certified green technology. The process captures all of its own carbon emissions to be reused elsewhere. It’s high time to kiss those chemical-based dry cleaners good-bye.