Once, being a young environmentalist meant buying a plot of the rainforest with your school class or talking up the dangers of acid rain. These days, budding green activists are focusing on efforts closer to home. For the younger end of the tween spectrum, this is starting with their toys, as evidenced at the recent Toy Fair, where a new round of eco-minded toys was unveiled. Clementine Art is selling Natural Modeling Dough that features earthy colors outside of the typical Play-Doh spectrum, is made of all-natural, non-toxic ingredients, and is dyed with ingredients like turmeric and spinach. According to Toy Industry Association spokesperson Reyne Rice, 2010 will be the year in which green toys become affordable. One example is this butterfly rearing kit that educates tweens about raising and nurturing butterflies from caterpillars by allowing them to connect with nature directly.

H&M  announces its first ever range of skincare with certified organic ingredients. Debuting in stores at the beginning of March, the range of everyday essentials includes shower gel, body scrub, body lotion, hand cream and lip balm, all of which are based on natural and organic ingredients and are certified by Ecocert. The products are available in the fragrance combinations of raspberry and melon or lavender and mint, and are accompanied by make-up and toilet bags made from organic cotton.

With the temperatures in the single digits in NYC, it’s clear the spring isn’t at all in the air. Yes, I’ve got a case of the February blahs, and have a hunch I’m not alone. If you know the feeling, check out a few of my pick-me ups including a super-cute Valentines gift for girls, a sure-fire way to great hair days, and the worlds best salad dressing!

 Good Hair Days, Guaranteed: Although I’ve been married almost 10 years, there’s always been another man in my life. My stylist, Mark Garrison, of New York’s Mark Garrison Salon.  Not only is he a whiz with scissors, but he designs amazing, insanely natural looking wigs for any woman who is going though the devastating effects of chemotherapy.  Recently he introduced me to my fave go-to item: the wet/dry straightening iron by Create.  What is a “wet/dry” iron you ask? It’s a straightening iron that actually dries (damp, not soaking wet) hair as it flattens frizz, sans damage.  Talk about time saving! Mark has generously agreed to offer this iron (which is a bit pricey at $180), to friends of Invisibelt for $125.  A small price to pay for endless good hair days, no? For more information call: 212-400-8000.

 Go Green: I’m about to let you in on the best kept secret: Vivienne’s Romano Cheese Salad Dressing. I’m not one to use words like “zingy” and “zesty”–but in this case, it’s called for. In the summer I buy it buy it in bulk at the local farm stand in the Hamptons (the only place I’ve ever seen it).  Friends literally B-line from my house to stockpile this light, fresh-tasting find.  In the winter I order online at http://www.vivienne.com/.

 Valentines Gift For Your Girlie: My five year old daughter is so strong-willed (I wonder where she gets it? Ha!), especially when it comes to her personal style.  I’ve given up on our morning “what-to-wear” battles and now let her dress herself (tank tops in February?). Fortunately, she’s got a sharp eye and puts together styles that would wow Rachel Zoe.  Her new favorite?  Pork Chop Kids.  These funky “almost tights” are thigh highs in trendy colors and patterns.  They are the must-have accessory for the older girls and make diaper changes and potty breaks a cinch for the little ones!  Available for 6 months to 8 years.

Become a Pork Chop Kids fan on face book and save 20% off on your purchase! Click on the link below, become a fan!  The discount code is displayed on the fan page.

http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Pork-Chop-Kids/180661113116?ref=nf

http://www.porkchopkids.com/

by Kathy M Kramer, Beauty editor and Founder of the invisibelt

 www.Invisibelt.com

Alexi, Kate & 3floz.com

Here’s their story:

They became friends while working together and bonded while traveling. As they traveled together they quickly realized that their travel styles were completely different. This caused major chaos at the airport. Typically, Alexi showed up at the airport an hour before departure with nothing more than a carry on bag. Kate, on the other hand, arrived at the airport two hours before departure with no less than two bags to check (regardless of the planned length of stay); making Alexi crazy. Alexi was sure that Kate checked her bags because at 5’1” she couldn’t reach the overhead bins. Kate was certain that Alexi’s concern about losing luggage (just one of her many anxieties) prevented her from checking bags. Clearly, a compromise was in order if they were to continue traveling together.

The reality:

Kate wasn’t willing to give up her daily beauty regime and carried her full- sized beauty products everywhere she travelled. She couldn’t be bothered spending hours shopping multiple locations searching for the TSA approved size products. Alexi was willing to spend hours going store to store buying her beauty products in TSA approved sizes so she could carry on her luggage. In addition to her anxiety about lost luggage Alexi had a fear of commitment, so buying full sized products put her into a full panic; travel sized products were the perfect solution.
Alexi stopped shopping for her TSA approved beauty products and started using Kate’s full- sized products when they were traveling together. This did not work for two reasons- Kate HATED sharing her beauty products and Alexi was SICK of waiting for her at the airport while she checked her luggage.

The Compromise:

Alexi and Kate created 3floz.com, as a one stop shop for all of your favorite TSA friendly beauty products. Problems solved! They sell only their favorite brands, products they are passionate about or products they want you to fall in love with. They will ship to you or directly to your hotel, whichever makes your traveling easier.

Even If you aren’t traveling but are curious and even if you can’t commit we are confident we have the product for you!

They are called Boob-eez and they are the newest products in bra technology.  Wear them while working out, swimming, dancing and under sheer and tight clothes -these boob products work!

How were they developed?  

At an early age, Carlie Christenson began feeling self-conscious about her developing body. Normally a very confident and outgoing nine-year-old, Carlie found herself covering her chest with her arms to conceal the “headlights” that showed beneath the fitted and fashionable shirts she loved to wear.

After borrowing her mother’s array of adhesive bras and nipple coverings, Carlie came up with her own idea of what would work better. With help from her parents, she invented the perfect product and named it Boob-eez because it helped girls ease into “boobs.”

During the process of developing Carlie’s idea, her mother Emilie helped her “test” the product and realized that Boob-eez weren’t just for girls! Carlie’s invention was better than any of the nipple concealing products on the market for women. Soon Emilie, her friends and the customers in her Florida women’s boutique were buying Boob-eez and wearing them everyday under sheer bras, thin tops, workout clothes and swim suits!

Boob-eez are the ideal solution anytime you need a little “coverage” where it matters most. You can stick them on – with or without a bra – and stand tall with confidence!  Be sure to check the other products in the Boob-eez line.

Use promocode “spyon15″ to save 15% at checkout  www.boob-eez.com

Our spies love things that make “life” a bit easier…..prepared appetizers, gourmet meals on the go, and problem-solving beauty kits to name a few.  Fortunately the well-organized people of this world are manufacturing multi-product kits to help us with our lives. A few weeks ago we spied personal care kits  by msandmrs.com. This time we are all about spying travel kits. Check it out below.

F1 GERM-FREE PAK
Flight 001 Exclusive Germ-Free Pak $28.00. This little kit will be your saving grace on a packed or long-haul flight! It contains anti-bacterial hand soap sheets, toilet seat covers, a plane defense inhalation pouch, no-cooties spray, anti-bacterial towelettes, mini tissues, and E-Boost immunity booster – all packaged in a reusable zip pouch. Also includes information card with suggested uses. CARRY-ON APPROVED!

TRAVEL FIX KIT
$14.00 Travel Fix Kit is the perfect quick fix for little things needed while in the sky or on the road. Kit includes 1 set of earplugs, 1 hydrating lotion towelette, 1 moist towelette, 2 dental flossers 1 toothbrush, 1 disposable razor, 1 sewing kit, 1 vanity kit(nail file, ear buds and cotton balls). All packaged in tin box container.
Measurement: 5.5in X 3.5in X 1in

F1 5 STAR HOTEL KIT  $42.00 Our 5 Star Hotel Kit. Indulge yourself with all the amenities of a luxury suite. Includes Malin + Goetz Peppermint Shampoo and Conditioner, Vitamin B5 Body Moisturizer, Bergamot Body Wash, Grapefruit Face Cleanser, mending kit, F1 shower cap, F1 dental kit, do not disturb hanging door sign, Dylans Candy chocolate square, and Maura Peters scented candle in pear moss. All packaged in a zip case. Measurement: 5- 1 fl oz bottles

 F1 RED EYE PAK   $18.00 Our Red Eye Pak. In-flight comfort all Pak’d up! This kit contains a Flight 001 eyemask, soft ear plugs, Jao lip balm, 1 LA Fresh hydrating lotion towelette, 1 LA Fresh Dental Refresher, chiclets for popping your ears, and a bookmark – all packaged in a reusable clear zip-top pouch. CARRY-ON APPROVED!

For more information go to www.flight001.com

Atmosphere, aromatherapy, candlelight, massages and oil……sound good? Let us introduce you to the Scandle candle, a clever, dual-purposed candle that helps you find the perfect way to make your massage a little more intimate and a lot more fun.  We love to spy eco-friendly, cruelty free products and this soy candle produces a massage oil as it burns.  The Scandle burns at 2 degrees above body temperature to produce a soothing oil for massage, manicures/pedicures, or as a daily moisturizer.   Doesn’t that sound delicious?

Burn it for ambiance while you enjoy the fragrance!   Then……extinguish the candle and use a few drops of the heated oil to nourish your own skin.  The canisters are refillable/reusable  and packaging made from recycled materials.  They also sell refills which feature a plantable hang tag that grows wildflowers.

To purchase, http://www.abodycandle.com/products.php