Eco Friendly Gifts for the Green Fashionista

Choosing an eco friendly gift can sometimes be a daunting task.  What makes a product considered "green," or environmentally friendly? Where can we find these green gifts?  In our search for great gifts for the environment conscious friend or family member, we've come across some great gift giving tips and green products that we thought we'd pass on.

What to look for in an Eco Friendly Gift

Recycled packaging is a
great way to spot green gifts.

There's more to eco-friendly gift giving than finding items that are recyclable.  Here are a few tips to help make your green shopping easier:

• Eco Friendly Packaging is a great way to spot green gifts.  Look for items with minimal packaging or packaging made from recycled goods.
• Gifts that are made of natural components, like sustainably harvested wood, natural fibers, or glass are sure to fit into the green category. 
• Purchase gifts  that are locally made or are sold by local vendors.  This assures you that the natural resources used for shipping the products are preserved.

Eco Friendly Gift Ideas

• For the fashion conscious, consider custom eco friendly handbags or accessories, like our very own Draw String Pouch Purse.  These green gifts are sure to be a hit as well as being considerate to the environment.
• Digital Media like movies, music and e-books are great green gifst that have no packaging and can be used again and again. Amazon.com and iTunes are great resources for this type of gift.
• If you're on a budget, try making your own green gifts. Knitted items, homemade preserves, or art made from reused items are some great do-it-yourself gifts.  You may also consider doing some type of service for your friend like cleaning, babysitting or cooking.
• Second hand goods are another great gift idea.  All kinds of high quality items like jewelry, clothing and instruments can be found at local second hand stores and pawn shops.

• Fair trade items are made with sustainable materials, and are not manufactured in large factories. You can spot these items by a  fair trade certified logo on the package like the ones shown on the right.

For other great green gift ideas, check out Purse Time 4 U, a great online boutique that offers eco friendly purses and other accessories.

Sue and Doreen

(949) 766- 2871

Unique Handbags - Purse Time 4 U

Debras Cottage

START SHOPPING FOR THE PERFECT HANDBAG TODAY

Purse Time 4 U Offers Eco Friendly Handbags

Fashion is not the only concern of the modern-day fashionista. Trendy choices and the latest styles in purses and handbags have taken on another side - eco friendly handbags. With that in mind, Purse Time 4 U, has come up with felted wool handbags made from all-natural materials.

Felted wool is one material that is environment friendly. Since it is made from fleece, it can be easily replenished. Aside from that, wool is also:

• Durable. Bags and purses made from wool can last a lifetime.
• Biogradable. Since wool is natural and not synthetic, it breaks down easily and will not pollute the environment
• Water-resistant. This means you can use your purse in any weather.

View Our Eco-Friendly Handbags Here!

These eco friendly purses are made even better by felting. Felting is a process that makes the bag more durable, which also makes this eco friendly handbag a good gift. And, to stay true to the eco-friendly principle, no chemicals are used in the felting process.

Eco Friendly Purse and Accessory Options

Purse Time 4 U has stylish, custom eco friendly bag options for you to choose from. These unique fashion accessories come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can also coordinate your look with their other eco-friendly accessories like hats and scarves.

If you are looking for eco friendly gifts like a unique handmade purse, a wine carrier or a fashion accessory that shows your unique taste and stays true to your environmental principles, check out pursetime4u.com!

Sue and Doreen

(949) 766- 2871

Unique Handbags - Purse Time 4 U

Debras Cottage

START SHOPPING FOR THE PERFECT HANDBAG TODAY

Next Weekend will be a very busy one!
Come see us either Saturday or Sunday!
 

Saturday, March 16...Brea Spring Boutique

We look forward to another year at Brea's Spring Boutique.  We will have our unique and crative handbags, hats, and scarves.  Hope to see all of our returning clients there!

Sunday, March 17...Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival

For the past two years we have been rained out, but this year (third year is a charmer) we will be there to celebrate St Patrick's Day!  The weather will be great, there will be great food and music, and best of all...we will be among the 100+ vendors.  We have our new, Spring Line ready and are excited for you all to see our unique and creative knitted/felted handbags, hats and scarves. 

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Downtown Sierra Madre, California.     Historic  Vine Viewing from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

1984 Photo of the original Vine

 Each year, the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce hosts the Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival, with tours of the Guinness Book certified World's Largest Blossoming Plants, 100+ arts, crafts and vendor booths, and live music at several outdoor venues.

  CLICK TO ORDER TICKETS ONLINE

Tickets may be purchased online or on the day of the event at the ticket booth on Baldwin Avenue.  TICKETS PURCHASED ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT WILL HAVE A $2 SURCHARGE.  

More Vine Information, History, Video and Photos 

Viewing the vine is free of charge, but the shuttle round trip to the vine  from the festival downtown is $12, or $7 for seniors 62 and  hildren 6 to 16.  Children under 6 are free.  Special discount for families of 4 - 6 people: $30.00 - (no more than two adults per family.)

A Shuttle from the  Sierra Madre Villa Station of the Gold Line will be traveling  on a loop to downtown Sierra Madre from 10am to 6pm.  The Coach will be free of charge on Wistaria Day.

Driving Directions - Sierra Madre is located directly North/East of Pasadena   & North/West of Arcadia. Exit the 210 Freeway at Baldwin Ave. Drive North to   Sierra Madre Blvd. Or take the Metro Link Gold Line to the Sierra Madre Villa   Station where you can catch the Gateway Coach to downtown Sierra Madre.

Sue and Doreen

(949) 766- 2871

Unique Handbags - Purse Time 4 U

Debras Cottage

START SHOPPING FOR THE PERFECT HANDBAG TODAY

Here we go, we're off and running! 

Saturday, March 2nd starts our Spring show schedule.  We will be at the 42nd. Dana Point, Festival of the Whales, for the Street Fair.  This is a new venue for us, so please come out and check out this new and exciting boutique.  There will be lots to see and buy.  

You can find us at La Plaza Park/Circle (Off PCH to Golden Lantern, turn inland, then left on La Plaza).  There will be a parade and after the parade, at approx 10am, the Street Fair will begin.  We will be there until 5pm.  

The weather will be spectacular, as well as the view and beautiful ocean breezes.  We are located in booth #30.  There is a free shuttle, as parking will be hard to find (for additional information about parking and shuttles, visit <http://festivalofwhales.com/free-shuttle>

Be sure to check our previous blog for all the Spring shows.  March will be a really busy month with five shows, with three being new venues.  Hope to see you at this wonderful event.

Sue and Doreen

(949) 766- 2871

Unique Handbags - Purse Time 4 U

Debras Cottage

START SHOPPING FOR THE PERFECT HANDBAG TODAY

Spring, 2013 Schedule

Spring is almost here...

  

Yes, Spring is almost here and we are looking forward to our new year of boutiques and shows.  Below you will find the schedule for our 2013 Spring Boutique Schedule.  We again have added three new*  venues to the Spring schedule. Since we left you in December, we have been creating and knitting new, and exciting designs for our handbags, scarves, and hats. 

               

                             2013 Spring Boutique Schedule                   

March 2^nd…*Dana Point, Festival of the Whales Street Fair (9a-5p)

March 9^th…*Yorba Linda Women’s Club Boutique (9a-4p)

March 16^th…Brea Spring Craft Boutique (9A-4p), 695 E Madison Way, Brea

March 17^th…Sierra Madre, Wisteria Festival Street Fair (9a-5p)

March 23^rd…*Rotary Club of Placentia, Easter/Spring Carnival

May (TBA)…Tustin Area Historical Society Spring Garden Show

June 1^st…Irvine Studio Arts Boutique (9a-5p), 14321 Yale Ave, Irvine

August 31- September 2…Orange International Street Faire

(Fri 5p-10p; Sat 10a-10p; Sun 10a-10p)

We hope to see you soon!  
                                                                

Sue and Doreen

(949) 766- 2871

Unique Handbags - Purse Time 4 U

Debras Cottage

START SHOPPING FOR THE PERFECT HANDBAG TODAY

Happy Holidays 2012

Doreen and I would like to thank you all for another year of support and good will.  We have enjoyed meeting new customers and seeing returning customers at all of our boutiques.  We added several new venues to our schedule this year, which was very exciting for us.  We have continued expand our territory each year and look forward to 2013.  Keep visiting the web site and our blog to get the latest information on our newest, unique creations of handbags, scarves, and hats.  We are always looking for new ideas.  I will be traveling to Europe in December and hope to gather new inspiration and yarns.

See you all in the Spring, starting in March.  I will be posting the Spring 2013 schedule in January/February so check back frequently for updates.

Happy Holidays!

Sue and Doreen

(949) 766- 2871

Unique Handbags - Purse Time 4 U

Debras Cottage

START SHOPPING FOR THE PERFECT HANDBAG TODAY

Wow, we are sure busy this Fall, 2012...

This weekend, we will be in Pasadena for the Pasadena Festival of Arts the Promenade at Paseo Colorado or Old Pasadena as it is known.  This is a new show for us and we are so excited to share it with you.  The address is 280 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena.  Clicking on the above picture will give you all the details, including a great map of the area showing the parking, etc.  Hope to see  you there.  And I know it will be hot, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.  Also, just because it is hot right now, doesn't mean you shouldn't shop...it will cool off very soon and we have great buys for those upcoming holiday presents  (Christmas is really just right around the corner).

 Pasadena Festival of the Arts - Booth 118 - 280 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
 9/15 - Saturday 10 - 6:00 pm & Sunday 11 - 6:00 pm. Come by and see us!  Admission is Free.

 Purse Time 4U - Doreen and Sue

Sue and Doreen

(949) 766- 2871

Unique Handbags - Purse Time 4 U

Debras Cottage

START SHOPPING FOR THE PERFECT HANDBAG TODAY

Show Off Your Individuality with a Unique Bridal Purse

You have never been one to follow trends just because it's a trend. You know what you like and you are not afraid to show it. Even with fashion, you have definite preferences. Your wedding day is the perfect time to show off your individuality with a unique bridal purse.

Sue and Doreen

(949) 766- 2871

Unique Handbags - Purse Time 4 U

Debras Cottage

START SHOPPING FOR THE PERFECT HANDBAG TODAY