Furoshiki - Reusable Gift Wrapping Fabric

I have some pretty new pieces to add to our Etsy shop today. Over the wintry weekend, Ali (my mum) whipped up some Furoshiki, wrapping cloths using some stunning remnant fabric we sourced in London. With Christmas fast approaching, we wanted an environmentally friendly way to wrap our gifts this year and we thought the Japanese way of packaging items in a reusable piece of material was the best way to go.

You won't need to waste paper or use sticky tape and you won't require any master wrapping skills. Making the Furoshiki look plush and luxe is a cinch. You just place the gift in the centre of the open material (on the diagonal) and then fold two opposite ends together firmly in a double knot. Repeat with the remaining two ends. So simple and so stunning!

We are selling our collection of Furoshiki in sets of three. They are medium sized and are ideal for wrapping up books, clothing and other similarly sized items. You can even wrap your lunchbox/container up in this fabric!

To start with, we have a collection of colours to suit women and men. There is a pink, green, blue or mixed colour set to choose from. You can also receive free postage on any Furoshiki orders placed before Friday, 3rd December.

To view more of our Furoshiki collection, please visit our shop -
Green Lashes and Fashion on Etsy.

Thank you!

Homemade Dried Fruit and Herb Tea

I spotted this recipe on Whole Foods Market's site and had to share. I like the idea of making my own tea from scratch and using nourishing and 'ultra-good-for-you' ingredients. There's stomach soothing ginger, refreshing and cooling mint and fennel as well as dried cranberries (or apricots) and citrus zest. I always have lemons around the kitchen but I might try switching the orange zest for clementine zest as they will be in season December and January, here in the UK.

If you'd like to try making this tea for yourself or as a lovely homemade Christmas gift, you can view the recipe at Whole Foods Market. They also have a downloadable gift tag to go with it.

Enjoy your weekend!


image: Whole Foods Market

Quirky Vintage Fashion Finds

Vintage Fox Terrier Pattern Skirt
Cute, comical and somehow still stylish. So perfect for winter!
Purchase at Jess James Jake (Etsy) - $42

Vintage Red and Gold Jacket
The military style / band jacket is always a fashion must-have and this vibrant red one is wonderful, dotted with gold buttons.
Purchase at Tiny Vintage Wardrobe (Etsy) - $55

Vintage Vegan Graffitti Boots
These shoes are completely out there but I think that's why I like them so much (plus they're vegan). They'll add some fun and edginess to any outfit for this autumn and winter.
Purchase at The Vintage Boutique 66 (Etsy) - $33

Roast Vegetable Couscous Salad

Next time you whip up some seasonal roast vegetables, leave some aside and use them the next day in this luscious lunchtime, couscous salad. I've made this a few times now and love all the flavour!

To make

• Prepare couscous (in a bowl place 1-2 cups of organic couscous and cover with boiling water and 1/2 t turmeric, 1 t curry powder and a pinch of salt. Cover bowl and leave for five minutes).
• Add roast vegetables such as potato, sweet potato, carrots, parsnips and onions.
• Toss in some marinated vegetables too, such as artichokes and olives.
• You can also spritz a bit of lemon juice for an extra zing and freshness.
• Lastly, add a big handful of fresh coriander and mix it all together. Divine!

Elemental - Antique & Vintage Furniture

This cabinet has sold. I feel I should state that straight away before you fall for it like I did. Isn't it 'reach-for-the-wallet' fantastic? It's an Antique Victorian cabinet from England, 1880. My goodness, this would have looked good in my future/dream house.

Fortunately, Elemental have other flutter-worthy pieces available online as well as at their store in Spitalfields Market (East London). Depending on your budget you can peruse, purchase or pine after items such as theatre chairs, pew benches, apothecary cabinets and other quirky and delightful pieces you can't find anywhere else.

Shop online - Elemental

Decorate Naturally - Fruit Place Cards

For some festive table decorations, why not try using some autumnal and winter fruits? I love this Apple Place Card photographed by Country Living. It looks like it's just fallen from the tree to the table. Here's some more beautiful and fruitful ideas...

Clementine Place Cards - Martha Stewart Weddings
All that's needed is some brown parchment paper and I'd try using hemp twine and recycled cardboard for the tags.

Pomegranate Seating Cards - Martha Stewart Weddings
Decadent and delicious. Click link above for how-to instructions.

Pear Place Cards - Country Living
So simple yet so lovely!

Pumpkin Place Cards - Recipe Girl
I think pumpkin is technically a fruit or maybe considered both a fruit and a vegetable? Anyway, it looks pretty so I'm calling it a fruit.

Vintage Dress of the Day

This is why it pays to wear vintage. Guaranteed originality, glamour and gorgeousness! Available at Pin Up Dresses (Etsy) $90

Biodegradable Pop-Out Christmas Card

Isn't this pop-out Christmas card sweet? It's made from 'Maplex' and only uses water, heat and pressure to transform unbleached fibers from sustainably managed forests. No toxic glue is used! I love this reindeer card but you can also find a Christmas tree card and Christmas scene card. They are handmade by Orangewonder in Cornwall, UK.

Purchase at Not On The High Street - £4.80 (international delivery available).

Vegetarian Kale Recipes

Pasta with Lentils and Kale - view at Epicurious
image: Romulo Yanes

Growing up in Australia, I didn't come across much kale. Okay, I came across no kale and hadn't even heard of it! I've only recently started eating it here in London and like many people I know who eat kale, I'm addicted to it. You can taste the vitamins and goodness in it. It's one of those health foods that are a pleasure to eat. If you're stuck for recipe ideas though, hopefully this round-up will help.

You can eat kale as they do in Kenya with Whole Foods' recipe (try eating the sukuma wiki with flatbread). If you want some grains with your kale, try the Millet Garden Medley or Quinoa with autumnal vegetables - just remember to omit the Parmesan in the recipe! If you're like me and Italian is more your thing, then the Pasta with Lentils should delight! Epicurious also have a Kale and Bean Bruschetta recipe but it is topped with parmesan. I think it would be tasty without it though, if you want to try it out.

Kenyan-Style Kale and Tomatoes - view at Whole Foods Market

Millet Garden Medley - view at Whole Foods Market

Quinoa with Mushrooms, Kale and Sweet Potatoes
- view at Real Simple (omit Parmesan if vegetarian)
recipe by Kate Merker, image Christopher Baker

Eco Jewellery From Lula Dot

Lula Dot is a name to watch, literally. This striking jewellery has been made using reclaimed watch parts. Designer Lucy Norman creates quirky bracelets, earrings and necklaces from her London studio and you'll find each piece is stunning, affordable and earth-friendly. You can find Lula Dot at the new and fabulously conscientious online store, Think Boutique.

Clock Faces Bracelet - £43
Clock Face Earrings - £25

images: Think Boutique

The Best Organic Tea Towels

Bird Print Tea Towel - Peris & Corr £9
Handmade in Wales / fair trade, organic cotton
Three wee birds on a tea towel. Utterly lovely.

Acorn Tea Towel - Madder Root (Etsy) $18
Handmade in Maine / organic linen
Madder Root stock a variety of sweet, organic linen tea towels on Etsy. I love this acorn print but you can also find folk bird, fern and poppy prints too.

Mokimoe 'Mirra' Tea Towel - The Natural Store £15
Handmade in UK / organic cotton + hemp, water based inks
Add a splash of colour to your kitchen with these organic tea towels. They come in sky blue, buoy red and a sunshine yellow.

Zebra Tea Towel - Oh Little Rabbit (Etsy) $12
Handmade in Albany, Oregon / organic cotton
Adorable zebras on a tea towel? Yes, please!

Seasonal Fruit & Vegetables Tea Towel - Stuart Gardiner £10
Made in UK / unbleached organic cotton
There will be no excuse not to know what's in season in the UK with this nifty tea towel. If you want even more seasonal savoir-faire, they also sell tea towels with guides for 'British Wild Foods' and 'British Garden Flowers.'

'Home & Away' Tea Towels - Not On The High Street £15
Made in UK / organic cotton
Michelle Mason's olive green and blue tea towel set with images depicting all things 'home' and 'away'. Also available individually for £8.50.

Stunning Ethical Scarves

Ashton Scarf - Stewart + Brown $64
Made in USA / 96% hemp
Love the size and versatility of this scarf, plus the fact it comes in three colours / prints (clove, deep sea and majesty).

ReLUXE Recycled Knit Snood Scarf - Fashion Conscience £35
Made in UK / recycled fabrics
If I'm going to wear wool, I make sure it's vintage or in this case, upcycled. I'm loving this light grey snood but you can also scoop it up in dark grey, beige or black.

Mociun Hand Printed Scarves - Beklina $40
Handmade in Brooklyn / 100% organic cotton
For quirky, deliciously designed prints, Mociun is hard to beat.

Six Vegetarian Moroccan Recipes

Pumpkin, Cranberry, Red Onion Tagine
Mary Cadogan - Good Food Magazine
Perfect November dish when pumpkins are still plentiful but perhaps in need of a little exoticism. This is also served with a lemony, almond speckled couscous. Must make this on the weekend!
View recipe at BBC Good Food

Harira
Image by Ben Dearnley
This Moroccan soup is brimming with good ingredients such as chickpeas, lentils, lemon and spices like ground ginger and cayenne pepper. Taste also suggest adding pumpkin (for a little autumnal boost).
View recipe at Taste

Cauliflower and Chickpea Stew with Couscous
Kate Merker, image by Lisa Hubbard
Cauliflower will be well loved when it's coated in Moroccan spices and tumbled amongst raisins and spinach.
View recipe at Real Simple

Chickpea Tagine with Figs
Image by Ian Wallace
I love the idea of using sweet figs in your dinner. Perhaps you could tweak this recipe too, according to what seasonal vegetables are available near you.
View recipe at Taste

Vegetable Barley Couscous
Recipe by Baija Lafrid, image by Martyn Thompson
Saffron, spices and an abundance of vegetables. Not to mention an introduction to the lesser known barley couscous. You can also make a honeyed red onion confit and fried almonds to go with this.
View recipe at Epicurious

Roasted Beets with Cumin and Mint
Gourmet magazine, image by Martyn Thompson
What to do with beets? I'd never have thought of adding lemon juice, cumin seeds and fresh mint. Sounds wonderful. A side dish that could steal the spotlight.
View recipe at Epicurious

Remove Tea Stains from Cups Naturally

It's awfully embarrassing to show such a badly stained tea cup but you understand I let it get to this despicable state for the purpose of today's post (honest). So how do you get your tea or coffee cup from gross to great? It's simple. You only need one natural ingredient, bicarb soda (also known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda).

Use about one tablespoon for a cup and vigorously wipe it around the inside until you start to see the magic happen (you may need to add a speck of water to form a paste). I was stunned with the results the first time I tried this. My super large tea cups were restored to their former glory and looked as good as new. You can't get much cleaner or greener in the kitchen!

Wednesday - Fashion & Music

Time for a little escapism with some pretty dresses and music (I was hoping the video link above would play but here's the link to watch it on youtube). One look and listen to Corinne Bailey Rae singing and frolicking around Paris in a stunning dress and I was inspired to first price Eurostar fares from London to Paris and then seek out the loveliest eco dresses available online. The ones I found are not really blue with beads and tulle like Corinne's but they're pretty and ethical dresses nonetheless and would all look cute underneath a masculine blazer as seen in her music video.

I've also added a little playlist at the end of the post with some of the songs I've been listening to lately. I like my music and dresses the same - whimsical yet upbeat. How about you? If you have any music recommendations, I'd love to hear about them!

Gardner Dress - She-bible $150
Look prim and pretty in a red organic cotton chambray dress that is made in San Francisco. Also available in black and a lake blue.

Jenny Dress by Julia Elin Burnbaum - BTC Elements $148
This would look sweet now or during winter, worn with thick stockings and vegan ankle boots. Made in San Francisco with 93% organic cotton.

Prairie Underground Fringe Dress - Beklina $180 (was $245)
This dress requires mandatory swishing and twirling to really show off its fabulous fringing. Made in USA with organic cotton.

Vintage 1980s Hot Pink Dress - Love Miss Daisy £39
Another dress perfect for twirling! Could be great for a New Year's Eve party and it's only £39!

Vintage 1960s Dress - Love Miss Daisy £110
Hello LBVD! This is so 60s, so classy, so sublime! Front and back!

Green Lashes and Fashion - November Playlist
1) La Valse D'Amelie - Amelie Soundtrack (Track 11)
2) New York City - Sinead O'Connor
3) New Soul - Yael Naïm
4) Mushaboom - Feist
5) This Will Be - Natalie Cole
6) Happy Baby - Shaye
7) Je Ne Suis Pas Ta Chose - Camille
8) Sway - Bic Runga
9) Out of My Mind - Colbie Caillat
10) No Mermaid - Shaye
11) Down to the River - Alison Krauss
12) Corinne Bailey Rae - Paris Nights / New York Mornings