I like the colors and the little details that go into every pair- the soft memory foam foot bed and groovy traction that leaves the unmistakable Jambu foot print. However when I went to put them on, I was thinking to myself "perhaps I've just become a shoe snob" because the cool details/textures I was just ogling over on the pads of the shoe bothered my feet a little... Since I wasn't planning to do the major sandal faux pas, that is wearing socks with my sandals, this new texture was going to take some getting used to.

I wore them right away as I do all my Jambu shoes and noticed these were going to take a little breaking in as well. It didn't take long- within a week I was over the textured sole and my feet were ready for extended hikes and walks- and although I wouldn't recommend them for heavy hiking in the back country I'd say they were perfect for walks around town, a trip to the mall or amusement park and everyday life in general. I love that the Jambu Coastline sandals are light weight, have good airflow and stay clean easily! I hate new shoes that are scuffed on your first day and look worn out after one outing- no my shoe fanatics these Jambu Coastline sandals will be a welcome pair for my spring and summer collection being versatile and functional- my favorite kinda shoes. =)

Jambu Ladybug: A Perfect Match to the Jambu Coastline

If you have a little girl who is developing her own style and loves fancy shoes too (or she adamantly knows her own style and you have very little say) you'll love the new Jambu Ladybug. If she wants to be like mommy but not necessarily your clone she will love 'em too. The Jambu Ladybug is perfect for a girl who is a little wild and crazy and active and fun.

But, you as a parent want to make sure she has the support she needs for her growing feet and not just a shoe that will be kicked off and discarded because they are pretty but not functional. The Jambu Ladybug are light weight, cute and available in pink, baby blue and green (actually pistachio if you want to get fancy). They are pretty to look at, easy to clean and they stay on nice and go on easy!!! The foot bed is also super comfy memory foam and the recycled rubber outsoles have toe and heel bumpers for extra durability. They are the perfect cute sandal for a little girl and tough enough for everyday real play with their scuff resistant toe bumpers.

As with the Jambu Coastline adult version I wouldn't recommend heavy hiking with lots of rough terrain- but for light hikes, rides with bikes, parks, zoos and everyday life they are the perfect well rounded her kinda personality fitting shoe and will no doubt last the seasons. And with any luck fit her sister too in years to come.

Find the Jambu Coastline, Ladybug and
other Jambu Sandals for sale on Amazon Below

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Jambu Women's Coconut Sandal Sale Price: $61.99 - $99.95

Jambu Women's Espy Thong Sandal Sale Price: $58.99 - $107.10

Jambu Coastline and Ladybug Sandals for Moms and Daughters is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

KEEN Says: Go from the office to the trailhead with the KEEN Newport Pack. Versatility is built into the pack with a laptop sleeve and hydration bladder pocket. Padded shoulder straps adjust to your preferred comfort level. Zippered pockets both inside and out allow easy access to essentials on and off the trail.

He Says: There is something about this KEEN Newport Pack Backpack that really appeals to me - perhaps it is the rich brown contrasted with the black nylon - or the fact that it looks a bit like my rolled up sleeping bag and really gives me the urge to hit the camp ground and enjoy some nice cool nights and a crackling fire while I hold my new KEEN Newport Pack to my warm chest and cuddle it tight. Umm, sorry got a bit carried away there. I tried this backpack on recently and it is a comfortable pack with the features you need for a good hike. ie.. it is hydration compatible and will hold a 15" laptop - although I don't do a lot of computing while hiking in the woods, it does make for a nice commuter backpack feature though.

She Says: The KEEN Newport Pack is more geared toward a guys style sensibilities but if you are an outdoor girl you'll love this bag, even more so if you want an earth friendly backpack to go along with your Keen Newport H2 Sandals. I may just have to get myself another pair of Newport H2 sandals to match this backpack if my hubby decides to buy one (as I was typing this up I saw a pair that matches perfectly!) I saw this backpack the other day at an outdoor gear store and it looks to be very well made, durable with plenty of room for a quick day in the woods - or even a nice school backpack if you don't want to bring all your books. Plus you'll feel good knowing KEEN is making an effort to re-use much of the rubber and aluminum left over from its shoe making endeavors to make this Newport Pack Backpack.

• Overall Dimensions: 20" x 12" x 8"
• 100% recycled aluminum components, interior liner, and molded rubber bottom
• Exterior bungee strap compression system and stash compartment
• Lightly padded 15.4" laptop sleeve
• Hydration bladder pocket with hose outlet
• Adjustable mesh and foam shoulder straps with sternum strap, breathable mesh and foam back panel, interior mesh pockets, and hidden webbing waist strap

This is an older style KEEN Newport Pack, they now have an updated KEEN Newport DP, but I still love the earthy brown color of this pack. Below we've listed the current selection of KEEN Backpacks on Amazon so you can check out what else they have for sale right now.

Earth Friendly Tid Bit: Keen’s Hybrid Transport line contains 40 percent recycled materials with a goal of reaching 100%. This Keen Newport Pack Backpack has 100% recycled aluminum components, interior liner, and molded rubber bottom. The company also uses boxes made from biodegradable materials, natural water-based latex glue and soy-based inks.

Find the KEEN Newport Pack and other Keen Backpacks for Sale on Amazon

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Keen Women Venice Backpack Sale Price: $80.00

Keen Newport Pack Sale Price: $87.30 - $100.00

Keen Alameda 15 Inch Messenger Bag with Laptop Sleeve Sale Price: $66.11 - $100.00

Eco-Friendly KEEN Newport Pack Backpack is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Nah, these Jambu Nomad boots are so fashionable you can wear them as Fall footwear, as well as cozy enough for those blustery Winter days soon to come. However if you like to wear a nice warm wool sock with your boots you may want to go up a half to full size as the Jambu Nomad boots fit a little snug with winter socks.

Jambu Nomad Boots - More Like a Comfortable Shoe than Clunky Boot

Perhaps since the Jambu Nomad fits more like a shoe or high boot like the Jambu Colorado Vegan it doesn't need breaking in like other winter boots, plus they are more comfortable for longer walks - the memory foam footbed is just heavenly on long walks. I was able to wear the Jambu Nomad boots for an all day trip to the Mall of America without any foot soreness. I don't know of many winter boots that can do the same.

These are by far my favorite boots as far as comfort and looks - I love the faux fur lining, the detailed stitching and laces and of course the front recycled rubber toe bumpers so I won't ruin my pretty Jambu Nomad's from salty sidewalks or slushy snow. (when the snow finally arrives). Oh, by the way the Jambu Nomad is supposed to be waterproof too so even when winter hits full swing these fashionable boots should be able to handle it. I'll have to let you know more once I've tested them out in colder weather and snowy conditions.

Two Stylish Styles for the Jambu Nomad Waterproof Boots

There are two options for the Jambu Nomad boots, a Black/Gray Waterproof Leather and a Brown/Saddle Waterproof Leather. Both have a soft suede outer and faux fur fringe. They are about 11 inches high and weigh only about a pound - that's another thing I love about these boots - they are super light compared to your usual winter boot! If you are looking for gift ideas for the fam put these boots on your list you'll love 'em! Look for upcoming sales on these Jambu Nomad boots online as the shopping season heats up.

Again I'll let you know how these super cute, furry cuddly, soft, cozy, plush boots (is it a bad idea to wear boots like slippers?) do in the snow when I find out.

If you've worn Jambu Nomad boots, or any other Jambu boots for that matter, in the Winter please leave a comment below I'd love to hear how they've held up for you.

Jambu Nomad Waterproof Boots or Super Cozy Slippers? is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Having a hard time coming up with gift ideas this holiday season? If you are like me you have no idea what you want for Christmas much less what to get for the rest of your family members. Well, I figured it was a good time to take a look at eBay's World of Good for some inspirational Fair Trade items. World of Good specializes in inspiration with their huge selection of hand crafted Fair Trade gifts from all over the world.

So this year why not give a gift twice over by supporting the fine crafters around the world who contribute their skills and find a unique ethical gift for those hard to shop for family members.

Fair Trade items for Holiday Dinners: Hand Carved Bowls

First off is a lovely Olive wood with inlaid bone bowl made in Africa by Jedando Modern Handicrafts which is a collaborative of more than 100 carvers in Machakos, Kenya. I love wood grain items and this hand carved bowl is a beauty with a rich grain set off with the black and white batiked inlaid bone.

The traditional mud cloth designs of the batiked bone is created by placing wax on the white bone and dipping the bone in a dark brown/black dye, resulting in these striking patterns.

These Fair Trade Olive wood bowls are being sold by Fair World Partners founded by Christina Stimson. Take a look at the rest of their more than 180 Fair Trade items for sale including Fair Trade jewelry, purses and bags, kids toys, Christmas ornaments and more.

Fair Trade items for your tree: Hand Carved Fair Trade Christmas Ornaments

The second Fair Trade holiday gift that caught my eye were the many hand made Christmas ornaments - these here by master carver Luz Laureano are something special. Luz from the village of Cochas Peru hand tools these Christmas tree ornaments from gourds and creates the fantastic designs by burning into the gourd with eucalyptus embers. They look hand painted but are actually dyed with natural vegetable dyes that will hold their color much better than paint. Each bell shaped ornament is about 3 inches tall by 3 inches wide. For $24.95 (with free shipping) you get not one but six of these beautiful bell shaped Christmas ornaments. Compared to some of the other hand made Christmas tree ornaments this is quite the deal.

These fine Fair Trade Christmas ornaments are being sold by Sanyork Fair Trade fouded in 2001 and based out of the small town of San Juan De Lurigancho on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. A community of 63 artisans create wool woven home decor, carved gourds, pottery, musical instruments, metal wall decor, sterling jewelry, knit Alpaca apparel, cotton apparel, and bags and accessories all while passing down the tradition of hand crafted goods to the next generation.

Fair Trade items for gifts: Recycled Gift Wrap

You can't have a holly jolly Christmas without some fun gift wrap and this eco-friendly recycled gift wrap is a perfect holiday gift for yourself or anyone you know. Besides who says Fair Trade artisans have to live thousands of miles across the globe? These fun, creative and as I mentioned eco-friendly gift wrap designs are sold right here in the US by a family owned business called Sweet Organics and Naturals. Sweet Organics sells products from local artists who care about the environment and create unusual, recycled, sustainable, handmade, natural or otherwise eco-friendly goods. A few of the many items you'll enjoy are eco-jewelry, tree free & recycled greeting cards, tree free & recycled gift wrap, bags, gift tissue & biodegradable ribbon.

For example this fun eco-friendly reindeer gift wrap is produced by Earth Love’n Paper who is committed to saving trees by making their gift wrap out of 100% recycled post-consumer waste. Made from chlorine free paper with no harmful nasty bleaches these fun recycled gift wrap designs make even the trees smile (well at least the ones still growing in the forests). To top off the eco-coolness Earth Love’n Paper plants a tree for every 10 packs of recycled gift wrap sold - so buy ten and give the planet a breath of fresh air.

In looking for these 3 Fair Trade items to Feel Good About I discovered many beautiful unique creative Fair Trade gifts that I'm sure you'll enjoy too - please visit any of these fine sellers and see what they have to offer, a word of warning since these Fair Trade items are hand crafted they are in limited quantities. Have a mighty fine Fair Trade holiday from Earth Friendly Goodies.

3 Fair Trade Items That Make Unique Ethical Gifts is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

If your little girl loves something a little flashy, cool and comfortable yet you want a good quality shoe in which they can play hard and be a kid I think you'll love these Jambu girl shoes too.

Jambu Splendor Designer Girl Shoes Features

• Very soft Contoured Memory Foam footbed
• Partially recycled non marking outsole with great traction
• Toe and heel bumpers help protect the shoe
• 100% recycled and recyclable packaging
• Very cute creative fall kids shoe - I love the fuzzy faux fur!

What We've Learned from Previous Jambu Girl Shoes

We've had several Jambu girl shoes purchased new and used and we've been very happy with how they have held up with two very active kids. Here are a few things we have noticed with our Jambu kids shoes:

• Tread still in very good condition throughout with some slight wearing after a year or more of use
• Stitching is all still intact (even around velcro strap with the shoes with velcro) - no fraying or breaking
• Toe bumper really helps save the shoe from excessive wear - the shoes look nicer longer
• We have been able to get a second (or third when we have bought used) use out of them and they still hold up great

Overall we have enjoyed our Jambu discovery. The company seems to be dedicated to creating new cute styles that not only look great but hold up in all types of use. If you are looking for cute comfortable girl shoes I think you'd be very happy with Jambu as well. And if you are looking for fall girl shoes the Jambu Splendor is a winner in my book.

Check out these other fun girl shoes for sale from Jambu

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Jambu Dragonfly Mary Jane (Toddler/Little Kid/Big Kid) Sale Price: $54.95 - $55.00

Jambu Butterfly Mary Jane (Toddler/Little Kid/Big Kid) Sale Price: $55.00

Jambu Splendor: Flashy Fall Designer Girl Shoes with Style is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Voltaic Systems Says: The Voltaic solar backpack is a mobile solar power generator designed to charge virtually all handheld electronics. Voltaic bags also use 600D fabric made from recycled PET (soda pop bottles). Recycled PET fabric is lightweight, extremely durable, UV and water resistant. Most importantly, it uses significantly less energy to produce than nylon. Voltaic solar backpacks are both eco-friendly and fashionable!

He Says: Ok, when I came across my first solar backpack in an issue of Popular Mechanics magazine I was thinking "now that's a good idea!" I mean it's such a simple idea - we all spend time outside in the sun hiking, camping, walking to class whatever - why not take advantage of the sun to power all our gear? In the reading I've done the Voltaic Solar Backpack is one of the most popular out there and the real deciding factor for me was the recycled PET material (Polyethylene terephthalate in case you were wondering - in other words plastic bottles). The fact that you can save money by recharging all your gear with the sun and the actual backpack is made of recycled material won me over - I picked this backpack over others that were more stylistically impressive (but functionally inferior).

One thing to note when considering to buy this solar backpack is that, while it has the capacity to carry your laptop it doesn't have the power to charge it. Voltaic does have a solar laptop bag that produces nearly 15 watts of power that would do the trick, but then you are paying double the price. For us eco-tech-geeks what's a few extra dollars for being the first to get a new toy right?

She Says: The Voltaic Solar Backpack is perfect for college students or anyone who spends a lot of time walking outside. If you are one of those people who are into the latest tech gear this backpack should make your list of new toys to try. This backpack is one of the top rated solar backpacks on the market. Stylistically there is room to grow, but this solar backpack is gender neutral so guys and girls can feel comfortable with this bag. I do like the orange tinted solar panels which give it a bit of life (they also make green, silver, and black). The biggest appeal for me is it's functionality - I mean who couldn't use free solar energy to power their gear - sounds like a win win to me.

Voltaic Solar Backpack Features and Specs

• 4 watts of solar power from three waterproof solar panels for fast charging.
• 3.6 volt, 4,400mAh Li-Ion battery pack which stores power until you need it, when not in the sun, the battery can be charged using the AC travel charger or DC car charger
• 11 standard adapters for easy connection to handheld electronics including a car charger socket and a USB adapter so you can use a standard charger for your device
• Fully padded laptop sleeve for up to a 17" laptop
• Wire channels throughout the bag for headphones and bladder tubes
• Adjustable phone / MP3 pouch on the shoulder
• High density padding in the shoulder straps and back
• Mesh backing material for better air flow

Find the Latest style of Solar Backpack for Sale on Amazon

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Xantrex Technologies 852-2071 Xpower AC/DC Powerpack Solar With 400 Watt Inverter, Two AC Outlets, USB Port, And Digital Display Sale Price: $349.95   Eligible for free shipping!

Since this post Voltaic Systems has released an updated version of this solar backpack called the Voltaic Systems Off-Grid Solar Backpack with updated solar technology.

This review of the Voltaic Solar Backpack is part of our He Said She Said review series, look for more eco-friendly backpack reviews in the series.

Voltaic Solar Backpack: A Solar Backpack for Commuters and Hikers is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

What are Recycled Dog Collars Made out of?

AKC Eco-Friendly Dog Collars are double woven from recycled plastic bottles, and surprisingly are flexible and comfortable (well ok I haven't actually tried one on, but they must be ok since he's been very happy with it). The clasp and leash ring are also made of partially recycled plastic and steel, and the whole manufacturing process is pesticide and herbicide free. The packaging, also made from recycled cardboard, has made a great little drawing pad for the kideos while I write this post. Reuse, recycle and all that right? Oh and most of all these recycled dog collars are very affordable at about $6-$9 so if he does decide he wants an eco-friendly snack it doesn't hurt the wallet quite so much.

While looking for these AKC recycled dog collars I happened upon other recycled dog collars for sale on Amazon so below are a few featured brands to check out for the eco-geek pooch in your lives.

Check out these bestselling eco-friendly Recycled Dog Collars Below

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Planet Dog Cozy Hemp Adjustable Collar, Blue, Medium (12-19") List Price: $16.99 Sale Price: $13.77 You save: $3.22 (19%)   Eligible for free shipping!

Planet Dog 5' Natural Hemp Leash with Fleece-Lined Handle, Blue List Price: $17.99 Sale Price: $13.61 You save: $4.38 (24%)   Eligible for free shipping!

Update: It has been six months since this post and Barley's recycled dog collar is still going strong - these recycled dog collars from AKC seem to be a bit hard to find but if you can get your paws on one you'll love it.

AKC Recycled Dog Collars: 10lb Fluff Ball Chew-a-holic Proof is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Each set includes a fork, knife, spoon and chopsticks all snug as a bug in a rug in a nice durable utensil holder made from RPET, recycled PET plastic (often called RePEat) which is made from recycled plastic bottles.

• These Bamboo utensils are heat and stain resistant and won't absorb flavors so you don't have to worry about chocolate pudding flavored pasta.
• They are sealed with a natural, vegan, food-safe sealant that has been tested and contains NO heavy metals that could leach into food.
• They are strong too, much stronger than those pesky plastic forks that always break and you end up trying to eat with a one or two tined fork by the end of the meal.

The RePEat utensil holders are available in a number of colors and styles so you can pick up a different one for each member of the family. We actually bought them as camping utensils but we have found there are so many more uses, and we can feel good about turning down plastic utensils where ever we go. Yes we are eco-geeky like that. As it turns out so is Oprah as the To-Go Ware was featured on Oprah's Earth Day show. (just a bit of eco-geek trivia for you)

Bamboo To-Go Ware utensil sets are for sale at a number of locations including Amazon (where you can often find them with free shipping), Whole Foods, REI and through the To-Go Ware web site itself.

This Post Shared on Real Food Wednesday

To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensils and Eco-Friendly Utensil Holder is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

My feet stopped unable to leave the mall. They had to know how they'd fit - these soft raspberry pink suede Jambu sandals with rugged black partially recycled rubber soles and cool feminine details. My feet slipped into the Contoured Memory Foam footbed and immediately relaxed. These Jambu shoes are the high heel equivalent for a hiker chic - flashy and stylish yet I could climb a mountain in a fuchsia pink minute or dance down Broadway with no blisters.

It was a match made in shoe heaven - they will sit proudly next to my Keens and Merrels only just a bit more prominent, eagerly awaiting a warm Spring day.

These Jambu Planet Vegan shoes are available for sale at Amazon, Endless.com and PlanetShoes. (PlanetShoes, Endless and Amazon all offer Free Shipping)

From Jambu: A sporty take on the Mary Jane, the Jambu Planet Vegan is a casual shoe with some kick. The cut-out designs through the leather upper give breathability. Heel and toe bumpers provide added protection and the adjustable Mary Jane strap provides a snug fit.  Unlike other outdoor brands, Jambu shoes are designed by women for women, therefore, details such as floral motifs, contrast stitching and materials keep Jambu a step ahead creating an outdoor fashion feel. With its Memory foam footbed, Jambu will cradle your foot and keep you comfortable all day. Shoes use partially recycled rubber outsoles and recycled and recyclable packaging.

Find more Jambu footwear styles for sale on eBay below.

Check out these Jambu footwear styles for sale on Amazon too.

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Jambu Women's Shoreline Flat Sale Price: $99.00

J-41 Women's Tahoe Fashion Sneaker Sale Price: $89.00 - $89.99

My Raspberry Pink Jambu Shoe Love Affair is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

After all the excitement of gift opening is done what do we do with all that used wrapping paper? Well in the spirit of eco-friendliness and originality I have come up with a few fun ideas for re-using wrapping paper - even better than composting the biodegradable wrapping paper - trust me...

1. Make a huge wrapping paper pile and have everyone jump in it while singing Silent Night, at which point the crotchety neighbor next door calls the police to have you arrested. Good family fun - everyone gets matching black fingerprint fingers.

2. Shred it all up punch holes in your walls and stuff it full - the added insulation will make your home more energy efficient. Plus the process of punching holes in the walls makes for a lively stress reliever perfect for family get togethers.

3. Make three ten foot balls of used wrapping paper and roll it around your back yard until you set the world record for largest snow man. Use the temporary fame and status to educate the world on the merits of reusing gift wrap.

4. Gather all your neighbors and have everyone spread their shiny reflective foil wrapping paper out across all the streets and roof tops - then connect them to The Grid where it will provide enough energy to power everyone's christmas lights for 3 years - not to mention allow Santa to fly his new eco-friendly XL3000 Turbo Electric Sleigh back to the North Pole.

5. Ball up each piece of wrapping paper and have a family gift wrap fight. It doesn't serve an eco-friendly purpose but it sure is fun to pepper uncle Dave with his own gift wrap - a little pay back for giving you socks for Christmas... again.

6. Incinerate it making sure to collect the toxic fumes and ash in large insulated balloons that will float up into the atmosphere where the heat and pressure will cause an unexpected chemical reaction which releases oxygen and absorbs enough of the carbon emissions in the world to end global warming. (Hey it's my blog I can make stuff up if I want)

6 1/2. Sort all the paper into piles - Re-use, Recycle and Compost. Yes it is boring and that's what everyone else tells you to do but at least you aren't getting arrested, punching holes in your walls, getting frostbite while setting a world record, illegally paving city streets, getting an eye poked out with flying gift wrap, or playing with toxic fumes and ash.

If you have more fun ideas for what to do with your used wrapping paper leave a comment below. Have fun this holiday season and have a blast with your gift wrap!

6 1/2 Things to Do With Used Wrapping Paper is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies