Do you write or receive letters anymore? Well I don’t know about you but call me a classic girl, I love writing and receiving letters in the good old post mail box. Actually the more I write it to you here the more I am urged to write a few letters to people I love. One of my fondest memories as a child was my penpals…I had a few. One boy I especially remember that lived in east germany and I loved sharing our childhood through pictures and words.
The reason I bring this up is well for one, I would like to inspire you to take pen to paper and write someone a letter! Secondly I want to introduce you to a small business I recently discovered that awakens the magic of receiving letters in young children of today. In the form of beautiful stories.
Mr. Quinley’s Adventures – The letters are written by the adventurous character, Annabelle Button, about her magical adventures with her uncle, Mr. Quinley. He is the keeper of magic in the world and always has a trick up his sleeve…or in his hat, rather. Each story consists of three illustrated pages and one full page illustration. The readers get to follow along the adventure while experiencing the novelty of receiving fun mail and building a sense of wonder and excitement… Not to mention fresh reading material each month. Before you know it, your children will be running to the mailbox awaiting their next letter!
The founders of this magical concept are Eric and Janine, they have been friends since high school! A decade and a half later, they decided to launch Mr. Quinley’s Adventures in hopes of bringing a tangible story experience to children. In a world saturated with technology and social media, Eric and Janine saw an opportunity to bring back the joys of letters, stories, friendship, and connection all through something as simple as a letter.
We at Eco Couple are always excited when we can support a brand that is bringing something special, heartfelt and beautiful to humanity and especially to the kids of tomorrow. Thank you!
We were able to get you a discount code: ecocouple we do not make any money on these sales nor are we paid by the brand, we simply wanted you to know about them!
These are some beautiful pieces I have picked out for you to enjoy and we do make a small commission on the sale at no extra cost to you
Some times the greatest gifts are those of time. The time we take to be with one another, sharing time when doing DIY projects are extra special as the world disappears for a moment and the arts or crafts you are focusing on becomes the only thing we are focused on. I would like to share a few fun ideas for the whole family to enjoy. One of my favorite stores to support for these types of gifts is Etsy supporting small businesses worldwide. Another fun list is “5 Handmade Gifts for under $25”
To hand make Christmas Cards for the ones we love is extra special. It’s not only entertaining and fun to make but also someone will be very happy when they receive there very original personal xmas cards. Especially when the helpers are the little ones.
This is a an especially sweet store for the younger ones in the family. Making your own fairies, horses and wizards I find to be very magical during this time. You can even add on this beautiful doll house to go with it.
Who doesn’t want to own a beautiful colourful space night lamp that is hand made! I really like this gift. I think it emanates a lovely light in a room and again brings the giver and the gifted together to make in extra memorable.
Ok I am not going to lie, this is my personal favorite. So if you were planning on getting me a gift. Don’t hesitate on this one. In all seriousness though, this is such an elegant piece. Useful, classy and I think it speaks for itself. It is obviously a little harder to build but all the more rewarding.
I personally have always wanted to have the gift of painting. Unfortunately its never been a strong suit for me. However these beautiful paint by numbers kits are so stunning and give you the relaxation one so desires over the holidays. So for me this is absolutely another top choice over the holidays.
So enjoy some of these fun projects that bring families together and make valuable memories that money can’t buy. Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday!
I founded Opus Mind with one simple mission: to empower consumers with sustainable options that ensure the health of our beautiful planet. – Kathleen Kuo
Opus Mind delivers a classic sustainable backpack to last a lifetime. Classy beautiful leather that will be a part of our family for life. It is sleek, intrinsically handcrafted and simply put: a classic. When speaking to Kathleen Kuo I was so impressed in her attention to detail, every aspect of the way she is running this brand has been thought out.
Kathleen used to work at Chanel in her previous life and was so distraught as to how much was actually wasted in production. This inspired her down the path of sustainability. Opus Mind’s bags are handmade in Italy, and the leather used to make them is actually the scraps from a factory that makes gloves. How cool is this?
Recycled from scraps to make these exquisite pieces. I have to say I am already looking forward to owning the Saddle Crossbody when I am back in the city.
I truly cannot emphasise enough the quality of these bags. The detail in the craftsmanship is superb. These bags are functional and match any occasion. A day out in the city or a day at the beach, this bag looks good wherever you take it. The thought that the scraps that are used to make this bag would have ended up in landfills polluting our planet, instead you get to treasure it and pass it down to your kids, just like your grandfathers old classic briefcase!
Mine still looks brand new and I look forward to seeing how it ages. Send us pictures with you and your ¨Opus Mind¨ we would love to share them.
Kites deserve a rediscovery in our culture as a simple, yet profound tool, for getting us outdoors and lifting spirits.-Little Cloud Kites
Flying a sustainable kite is such a magical experience. It is no coincidence when you fly one that all the children gather around eagerly and want to take a turn. As do the adults. The wondrous act of launching a kite into the sky and watching it soar above you. It is mesmorizing and in a way it can be a beautiful meditative process also for us adults. We love Little Cloud Kites!
I remember when I was a kid and we used to go to the hill to fly the kite. It was not very often, but every time we went felt like a “special day”. Walking with that purpose, hoping for wind, searching for the area without trees. Rigging the kite was always exciting, since it was such a seldom experience, every time there was those couple of steps where you weren’t sure how to do it, and it is certainly simple; I guess being excited makes you want to do things faster.
Well, we have re-created that moment, that emotion with our new “KITE”; Atlantis, our son was always curious about kites when we saw them from the playground, and now he is enjoying his a lot.
Mum normally raises the kite and Atlantis takes over and flies it for a while; we ask for wishes, since the kite is closer to the sky and takes messages from us back to the main land.
If I am lucky, I get a turn to fly the kite too, since every time we fly it, there are children gathering around to chase its shadow or eagerly stand in line to take a turn holding the spool. It provokes many smiles, fun, joy and happiness, and it is only a kite!!
It is amazing that although the construction is quite simple this kite flies batter than any I have flown. Simple yet it soars higher than any other and it looks phenomenal when flying.
This one, we explain, is made consciously; the wood used comes from a man who provides FCS certified wood and carves the different parts with his own hands; the fabric comes from India and it has been hand painted in Canada; the line is hemp, once again grown sustainably. It is the only kite we have ever found to be truly ethical and sustainable. It even has a lifetime warranty and it is exactly that a beautifully handcrafted Kite that will be and stay in your family for generations to come. All it needs is some tender loving care and some healthy flights to keep it going!
An unknown family having a go at the kite
Now, once you grab the handle you connect with nature, it is magical how the kite makes you feel the wind gusts, makes you realise when it is comfortable up there, and when it needs and extra push or wants to turn a little. When you look at it, you automatically come here and now, such a simple beautiful way to look up and admire how beautiful the blue sky is and the clouds, you see butterflies and dragonflies passing by, the experience is phenomenal. There is nothing quite like it and you are out in the fresh air catching a breeze on your face.
So we really want to urge you to support this small business and its exceptional organic sustainable kites. It is an investment you will make for you and your family to spend time in nature doing something everyone loves for generations to come.
Everybody has grand plans for the perfect wedding, after hours upon hours of research I wanted to share with you how you can keep the cost down but also support amazing small businesses on your special day. Creating the most magical atmosphere and having the most memorable sustainable wedding. These are the tips I can share that can help you make your sustainable wedding decisions.
The selection of wedding dresses is absolutely fantastic on Etsy and there is really something in every price range. Classical beautifully handmade traditional dresses made to order.
But also really simple wedding dresses like the ones below by January Wedding or something a little more boho from Aya Sacred Wear there are just a few hundreds of stunning dresses for every possible style and taste.
There are also very elegant suits to choose from for the groom. I myself liked these two that could be worn at a beach wedding or something a little more laid back and intimate. This brown suit was one of my favourites as well as the blue one pictured below.
You can even find a beautiful rug to stand on for your ceremony if you are so inclined to do something out in nature. This rug is handmade in India and made this moment so special and now will forever be a beautiful memory in our home. A simple wooden heart made from driftwood and a special conk shell gave it an extra Hawaiian touch.
When it comes to rings there are also a plethora of options, we really liked these wood rings by Palisander Art Wood for under $100 that you can also get engraved. I might also add that they have great customer service. Or you can browse a more classical selection of His and Hers on Etsy. We personally went for wooden rings for our beach days and diamonds for special occasions. We are very happy with our wedding rings.
For the most adorable Ring Bearer outfits look no further, KickandGiggle will hand sow you the most adorable outfits and in a very timely fashion. Add in the adorable suspenders by The Bold Bowtie for that extra touch.
I also really love this rustic sign to greet the guests as they arrive to that special place the couple will get married at. Also these wedding sparkler tags are adorable, with the little match detail on the cardboard.
Some things are yet so very simple, but also magical. Simply putting a polaroid out by the arrival area your guests can have fun taking their picture and hanging it on the heart string and you will both have so many wonderful memories to look back on. Also gives the guests something to do while they wait.
It is always nice to leave your guests with a little something to remember the day with, I am a really big fans of fridge magnets and think this is a beautiful touch for a wedding. You can find these at the ¨Say it with Style¨ Store
I wish you the most beautiful wedding wherever and however you choose to manifest it. We would love to hear from you if you liked or used some of our ideas and CONGRATULATIONS!
If you are interested in more of my selections on Etsy please see my profile.
Eco Couple uses affiliate links. We promote products we have tried ourselves and truly believe in. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running.Allows us to keep the content free for readers.This motivates us to stay on our mission of inspiring conscious consumerism.
We should all own a pair of sustainable pyjamas for every occasion! Wether it be a cosy flannel for a winter night to a light airy pyjama for your island lifestyle. Here on Maui you can definitely use a pyjama for every occasion. There are 24 micro climates on the island. It can even get to be freezing cold if you drive up to the Haleakala crater. I did many hours of research on this subject and found my very favourite brands. Firstly to share them with you but also for ourselves because we spend a third of our life sleeping, should we not be in the most comfortable, organic pyjamas one can get their hands on? We sure think so. Hope you like our selection!
I discovered this brand as I was hunting for an awesome pyjama for Iñaki. He is really one of those traditional Pj wearers. He wears his pj’s on a daily basis and his criteria is pretty high. When discovering Sudara I knew I came to the right place. As soon as his arrived I was so impressed.
I also loved knowing I supporting women in India with my purchase. You can really see and feel these pieces are made with love and a very specific attention to detail. Simply knowing, that by making this purchase I was supporting such an amazing cause, I could not resist from contacting Sudara and asking them how we could help shed the light on their project!
I absolutely love my flannel pyjamas and Iñaki is extremely happy with his cotton ones too.
Stylish light and even with detailed pockets.Every purchase supports living-wage employment and skills training for women in India who are at a high risk or survivors of sex trafficking. -Sudara
You will come to learn our love for India and supporting it’s beautiful gentle people. This Etsy Store straight out of India has so many wonderful things. Among them these vibrant organic cotton handmade Pyjama sets. They also have amazing Quilts, Rugs and scarves. I love being able to support a brand such as this one. Ordering from Chandra textiles you are supporting a small business in India that pays Rural Women to hand make their products. Our package arrived super quickly and the customer service is absolutely on point.
I really love the colours one can choose from at this store. Bright, vibrant and ultimately happy pieces.
If you are spending a day at the beach or simply lounging at home this stunning Kimono brings joy of vibrant colours into your life. You cannot go wrong with a few pieces from this store.
Feel free to support, gift and share these super cute sustainable pyjamas with your loved ones and know that you are truly supporting a good cause by doing so!
Such a great find for toddler pyjamas, all the way up to age 12. It is not that easy to find a brand that uses organic cotton for our little ones sleepwear. Mightly has far more than just sustainable pyjamas. Hoodies, dresses, comfy durable clothes, for kids that love to get dirty and play. This company is ran by two fantastic moms and one of their daughters Eloise. They are all about transparency, sustainability, durability and just the cutest style. We plan on being customers for many years to come!
Mightly has a completely transparent supply chain. We know our factories, their suppliers and where our cotton is grown.- Mightly
It was by no means intentional for India to be such a presence in this post but this brand is designed and california and made in India yet again supporting a fair trade factory in India that has been certified since 2010. We look forward to sharing many more pictures with you in the future.
We have been an extreme fan of this brand ever since our little one was born! We named them the ¨Softes Pyjamas Ever¨ clic on the link to read the whole post. Another family run business that uses the sustainable fabric bamboo. Since we discovered the brand they now also make super cozy pyjamas for adults and the most incredible blankets. I highly reccomend you check them out.
Bamboo is the best choice for your baby, and for the planet’s future.- Kyte baby
We are very proud of this list and can promise that it does not get more sustainable than these brands. So get yourself and your family a comfy outfit for these ¨stay at home¨ days and feel like you are making a difference, because you are!!!!
Eco Couple uses affiliate links. We promote products we have tried ourselves and truly believe in. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running.Allows us to keep the content free for readers.This motivates us to stay on our mission of inspiring conscious consumerism.
It is always a lovely surprise to receive a gift that you do not expect. Here is a really fun list of gifts that make a difference. Not only are you supporting a small business by making such a purchase but probably also surprising someone that does not expect it. If you are looking for other eco-friendly gift ideas check out our ¨Last Minute Gift Ideas¨ or ¨DIY Gift Ideas for the whole family¨
Thoughtful gifts always go a long way. So why not get a special ornament engraved and you can even make it a yearly tradition. If ornaments are not your thing you can always go with a personalised Wine opener and I think you will give someone a precious memory to end the year with.
Go for it! Send someone you miss a fun puzzle of a picture you once took together. And make it 1000 piece puzzle while the sale is still going. We currently have the time for it and it may put a big smile on someones face once completed.
With all this time on our hands a growth journal could definitely fill in a few hours of someones day in a positive way, I also really love their To Do Lists.
We have all become pretty good chefs in this lockdown. Why not send someone a funny message on a new cutting board, you can even add a fun Rolling Pin to the gift.
