Everyone plays Scrabble more often in winter than summer, right? Seems like every winter I circle back to Etsy’s SanDiego-based, HomeStudio, to survey their latest collection of handmade recycled Scrabble tile pendants. They’re a sweet little way to make a fashionable eco statement … so lightweight (and inexpensive) – the perfect accessory to pack when traveling. $8.95/each. Silver chains are sold separately, or simply provide your own.

Related: more eco fashion finds on The Alternative Consumer

The explosive proliferation of smartphones and other small electronic devices has created a growing demand for portable power solutions. One company hoping to feed that hunger for sustainable power is PowerSkin, which is debuting an array of new portable power solutions at this month’s CES. PowerSkin’s battery-boosting skins for mobile gadget users include: SolarCharge, KeyCharge, Gaming Skins for iOS and Nintendo 3DS, as well as new smartphone skins.

Featured will be PowerSkin’s new SolarCharge (pictured above), a 1000 mAh universal charger for use with all types of smartphones and all generations of iPod touch. SolarCharge is said to provide up to 350 minutes of extra talk-time. The SolarCharge charges off of natural light and can also be re-charged indoors via USB.

KeyCharge (at right), is a funky looking charger that attaches to your key chain and packs 750 mAh – extending talk time up to 90 minutes on most smartphones. Users connect their phone directly onto the KeyCharge’s Micro USB to start charging.

Both SolarCharge and KeyCharge will feature blue rubberized skins with LED lights indicating the amount of battery levels left. PowerSkin’s SolarCharge, $69.99, and KeyCharge, $24.99, will both be available beginning February @ Power-Skin.com.

Related: more solar charger and green gadget on The Alternative Consumer

New Year’s Resolution #9: Eat Well No Matter Where You Roam

This one’s for the road…are you listening Mr. Bourdain?  inBloom is a new app, created by 2 indie musicians who grew tired of eating poorly while on their way to their next gig… Andy Ross of OK Go and Eytan Oren of Eytan and The Embassy designed this user friendly app to be easily customized to suit one’s personal dietary and eco preferences — it features the nearest organic, locavore, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, raw, Paleo-friendly and environmentally-friendly businesses in New York City’s five boroughs as well as biz members of Musician’s Energy Conservation Alliance (MECA) … more cities will continue to be added throughout 2012. (more…)

To kick off the first month of the New Year, I would like to challenge you all to take some time off from your electronics! Wait, don’t go yet! Allow me to explain. Whether you have kids that are addicted to the tube and their latest video game, or perhaps you, yourself, spend a majority of your time on a social media website, MP3 player, or even your Kindle, consider taking a small portion (an hour a week) of that time to play a game with friends and family. (more…)