Roses are Red, Violets are Blue,
and your gift can be Green by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady It always looks good to be Green. Green is the color of things that last (unless they are green M&Ms that you gobbleup), and have a lasting positive impact on our environment. Think green and your valentine will blush with from your thoughtfulness. T-Bag Mirror,  From a fair trade group, this beautifully handcrafted mirror is made from an unlikely material and represents artists who are literally painting their way out of poverty. Recycled tea bags are emptied of their leaves, dried in the South African sun, ironed and individually hand-painted by artists who live in a settlement near Mandela Park. Mounted on a painted wooden frame.
$99 at www.gaiam.com This gift is in the Bag  This is a great new green product that gives to friends and family and to the environment. It is the Olive Smart Sack – 6 stylish, reusable bags in one small sack. The Sack fits in the cup holder of your car, making it accessible and almost impossible to forget. The biggest consumer complaint about other reusable bags is that they are inconvenient to carry around and easy to forget because they are typically left in the trunk of the car. The Olive Smart bags come in a combination of 6 enduring colors, each with a 20 lb capacity. The fabric is soft, durable and washable supplex nylon. The Sacks are available for $39 online at www.olivesmart.com.
Since the plastic bag ban in San Francisco went into effect on November 20th, and many cities are designated to follow suit, the timing is particularly great for people to become aware of their consumption habits and embrace the concept of bringing their own bags. By making it fun and practical to have a reusable bag solution, Olive Smart believes that Americans will parallel Europeans and not expect a bag handed to them at every purchase. WARNING: Green M&Mm's can cause Amorous Side Effects  Green M&M's, which are rumored to have special romantic powers? The brand is with all green bags amidst the holiday's traditional sea of red and pink.
Legend has it The Green Ones are an aphrodisiac; rumors of their special powers have been circulating since the '70s. Did you know: In fact a certain perm-bearing early '80s rock star had it in his contract for three pounds of Green M&M'S backstage for, uh, "inspiration." The Green Ones have even made it into outer space. Green M&M'S Chocolate Candies have been requested on 31 space shuttle flights. According to unofficial reports, the astronauts wanted to keep that lovin' feeling when traveling so far away from home. The color green has a strong place in history, long associated with love and fertility. Green is also associated with energy, youth, growth, hope and new life. In the 15th century, green was the preferred color for wedding attire and the Celtic symbol of fertility was The Green Man. Today, green is considered an emotional stabilizer and pituitary stimulant. This Valentine's Day the flirtatious, alluring, and confident Ms. Green will appear on packages of M&M'S Chocolate Candies along with a disclaimer that states: "Consumption of The Green Ones may result in elevated Romance Levels. If you experience this effect, contact your Significant Other immediately." Ms. Green joined the M&M'S pack in 1997 as the first (and only) female spokescandy. She instantly captivated fans of the iconic candy with her luscious lips, slightly suggestive smile and white-hot go-go boots. Famous for her sometimes intimidating "I melt for no one" bravado, Ms. Green is turned on by simple candlelit dinners… in Paris, and isn't shy about promoting her beauty and special powers. s celebrating the innuendo this Valentine's Day season by stocking candy shelves. Award this Gift Double Buzz. Eco-friendly
and designed by Celebrity Moms  CARGO’s PlantLove™ Lipstick has changed the face of beauty. PlantLove™, the first-ever lipstick in a compostable tube made entirely from corn, actually helps in the fight against global warming. PlantLove™ is more than a cosmetic collection, it is a life ideology. CARGO creator, Hana Zalzal, believes “The seeds we sow today affect future generations so we are investing in the earth and our children for the future of the planet.” Hollywood moms Angie Harmon, Kim Raver and Denise Richards, are also firmly committed to making the earth a more beautiful place for the world’s children, and in that spirit have designed lipsticks inspired by their children.
CELEBRITY MOM DESIGNERS The original launch of the PlantLove™ collection included six actresses (Courteney Cox, Lindsay Lohan, Evangeline Lilly, Maria Menounos, Mariska Hargitay, and Sarah Chalke) who lent their time and inspiration to design signature lipstick shades. When developing new shades, CARGO turned to celebrity moms to take the meaning of PlantLove™ a step further. The process was individualized – Angie, Kim and Denise collaborated with CARGO to create their ideal lipstick shades, and then worked with CARGO to perfect the formula and finish. SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING Each lipstick has been thoughtfully created from start to finish with the future of the environment in mind. The lipstick tube is made from PLA or Polylactic Acid, a polymer made from corn, a renewable resource that is compostable. Also, PLA production emits less greenhouse gases and thus helps in the fight against global warming (man-made emissions of greenhouse gases are widely believed to be the most significant contributor to global climate change.) To commemorate this new celebrity designed collection, CARGO introduces a new earth inspired blue and green palette for the packaging. You can wrap it with a traditional red ribbon. Or a more trendy green. WATCH YOUR LOVE GROW Even the outer box is eco-friendly! The carton is made with biodegradable flower paper, infused with real flower seeds. Simply moisten the packaging and plant. In weeks, a beautiful arrangement of wild flowers will grow in your pot or garden. EARTH FRIENDLY FORMULA The lipstick itself is made from an infusion of Orchid Complex and Meadowfoam Seed Oil as well as Jojoba, Shea Butter and Vitamin E, which boast the ability to moisturize lips, fight free radicals, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. While the feel maintains CARGO’s high standards of quality and silky application, the formula is also environmentally friendly, containing no mineral oils or petroleum. Smack your lips to a greener tomorrow. And your valentine will love your conscientious choice. www.cargocosmetics.com Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who loves Valentine's Day. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.yogayaya.com, www.carladynews.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.coffeeatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com | 