Keeping tea warm is a serious eco consideration: just think of all that water that you'd otherwise have to re-boil in order to give all your friends a cuppa.
That's why it's a good idea to have a good, insulating tea cosy close at hand, and if you don't want to make your own there are plenty of great looking cosies out there to choose from. This appliquéd 'chicken' cosy from Tearcraft would make a great gift and is made by fairtrade organisation Asha Handicrafts in India (Asha meaning 'hope'). £8.50 at Tearcraft
Related: Hippyshopper's guide to a greener cuppa
Yes, I know it's not really necessary that the lid of my jewellery box be covered by a gossamer light butterfly which flutters its wings, but isn't it pretty? And if we're talking functionality, well I probably don't need that home planetarium, disco ball or oddly shaped lamp either. The wings are powered by the natural light in the room, so I'm guessing they use a very low level of solar energy to keep them flapping (more details aren't provided), and it will keep your treasures safe.
$15 from Brando
[Via Shiny Shiny]
I can't find a lot of detail on exactly how 'eco-friendly' this mousemat really is, but it slips in just because it's got the Flight of the Conchords boys on it.
The site tells me it's made from 'recycled rubber' which sounds good enough to me. Pick one up for $9.99 (under a fiver for us Brets *ahem* BRITS) at the HBO store, which also sells a rather fetching organic Conchords t-shirt.
[Via Alternative Consumer]
If you decide that what's been missing from your life is a small, light-seeking technicolour robot, then your luck may just be in. Meet Bert: he's one of a whole colony of 'bugbots' currently seeking a home over at Tinyminds' shop.
Each robot is powered by a tiny solar panel on its back, and will crawl towards any light source. Just make sure you keep an eye on yours, as butbots have an unfortunate habit of leaping to their doom.
[Via The Alternative Consumer]
Emily Tan writes: Moo, a unique printing company, is launching a range of Eco-Friendly Busines s cards on June 25. The cards are 100% recycled, recyclable and biodegradable and come with Moo's unique Printfinityoption - meaning every one of your business cards can be unique. The company allows printing orders of as little as 50 cards for $21.99 and you'll get a free specially deisgned carrying case with your cards.
Related posts: 20 things you can use twice before chucking | Unicef's handmade Thai notecards
These are no ordinary frames: made from the debris left behind in the wake of hurricane Katrina, they symbolise new beginnings and hope. The name comes from the "Second Line" - a timeless New Orleans tradition. It's the colorful parade that follows a funeral procession to turn tragedy into a celebration of rebirth.
Each time you buy a Second Line frame, ten per cent of the proceeds go to the Katrina Foundation for Recovery, which is still working tirelessly to help victims of the hurricane. Frames are priced at $55 and upwards on Etsy.
[Via Sub Studio]
How many times have you started preparing an elaborate meal, only to discover you were clean out of herbs? The best solution to this problem is to grow your own: they look lovely, taste and smell fresh and won't go off until you pick them.
These cute, cracked-egg shaped planters called 'Egglings' would make a welcome addition to any kitchen.
This could be the first step to growing your own! Egglings are available to buy for £5.99 at Amazon
Keeping tea warm is a serious eco consideration: just think of all that water that you'd otherwise have to re-boil in order to give all your friends a cuppa. 
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