So you are thinking about going green. You use the real dishes in your company kitchen rather than the paper plates, cups, and plastic-ware that is all soon bound for the landfills. You have a second receptacle specifically for your recyclables. You have changed the lights in your house to low-energy bulbs. You donate your gently used items to your local charity or goodwill, and you even have a reusable lunch tote rather than the throw-away brown bags that you have used since your mother packed your lunches. What about at your local grocery stores or farmers markets? Do you pick paper or plastic? When was the last time you picked neither in exchange for using your own re-usable grocery totes? If you haven’t, it’s time to make that area of your weekly life green as well.

Need some help finding a few reliable brands and bags that will be sure to last and sure to hold the heavier items on your list? You have seen eco-friendly totes for awhile now, but have you found one that suits you best? The following are bags that I would recommend to anyone from beginner to novice. Some are available in sets, some are individual.

baggallini Zip-Out Shopping Tote.Bagg
Beneterre Clam: Set of Two
Beneterre Splash Set
Eagle Creek Packable Shopper Tote
eBags eTote - 3 pc Set
Soapbox Bags GoGo Green Shopping Bag Kit
TOKYObay Carry Eco Polka Dots Recycled -3 pak

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. - Victor Hugo

Whether they play it or listen to it, for many, music is an integral part of life. It moves us. It speaks to us. Music excites, entertains, expresses. and enthralls us. Some are music professionals. Others are music lovers. So what kinds of gifts do you get the latter?

How about something to help them listen to music? Or perhaps a bag that holds a musical instrument? Here are some great gift ideas for music lovers.

So you’re looking for corporate gift ideas. Maybe you need thank you gifts for customers. Perhaps you need employee appreciation gifts. You’re just not quite sure of what types of gifts are out there. Well, you certainly know how many you’ll need and what your budget is, so here are some corporate gift ideas to get you to that next step.

	Here’s a corporate gift that will truly give people a warm feeling inside. This mug gift set includes a 16 ounce ceramic cup and 1 coffee or 2 cocoa packets. It’s the perfect way to get your company logo noticed in company kitchens, on desks, and in meetings. If you want cocoa, be sure to specify that as the default is coffee.
	It’s the gift that keeps growing. This bamboo plant pot set is not only a unique idea, it is also eco-friendly. The pot is made from biodegradable bamboo fiber. The set includes one 6″ bamboo shoot, a 3″ bamboo fiber pot, 1 lb. of assorted-color polished rock filler, and instructions. Please note that since the set contains live plants, it must be unpacked and cared for according to the growing instructions within 2 weeks of receiving the shipment.
	Give your executives or most valuable clients the gift of speed - as in speeding through airport security. These padded, rear compartment checkpoint friendly bags hold up to a 15.4″ laptop and allow the computer to remain in the bag during airport security screenings. They bag opens like a book, allowing it to lie flat on the conveyor belt. Features include padded shoulder straps, water bottle pocket, and organizer panel.
	Remind them that you’re always moving forward. This clip on pedometer counts steps up to 99,000 and includes instruction manual and button cell battery. It can clip to belts or shoe laces and is available in black, blue, or red.
	They work hard for you all year so why not give them a little gift of relaxation? This spa set includes 2 oz. containers of Green Tea bubble bath, body lotion, shampoo, and pillow mist. It also includes an 8 oz. container of sugar scrub, one unscented tea light candle, and a two-piece valet box.

For more great corporate gifts, executive gifts, employee gifts, and more, visit eBags’ Corporate Sales website: http://www.ebagscorporate.com/

Last night I watched a show on CNBC about Coca Cola called Coca-Cola: The Real Story Behind the Real Thing. It was truly a fascinating look at the Coke brand. When they talked about how people associate great memories with Coke and really connect with the brand beyond the soda, it made me think of all the Coca Cola brand products out there. From glasses to vintage posters to polar bear stuffed animals holding Coke bottles (I have one of those), if you know someone who loves Coke, it’s not hard to find them gifts.

That got me thinking about the Coca Cola bags on eBags. You may know Ashley M for their Cadillac handbags or the clock bags I featured on the blog recently, but they also have a line of Coke handbags, totes, and messenger bags that make great gifts for Coca Cola lovers and collectors. And since all are under $50, they also make affordable gifts for the holidays. Check out some of these Coke bags below.

Ashley M Coca-Cola Tote

Ashley M Vintage Coca Cola Messenger Bag

Ashley M Coke Hand Canvas Tote

Ashley M Coca Cola Camo Barrel Bag

Ashley M Coca-Cola Rpet Hobo Bag

Ashley M Vintage Coke Hobo Bag

Finally. A cure for keeping your back cool while you are out and about. What is it? Glad you asked. A mesh lining with a suspended backpack. Let me explain. Rather than the entire pack rest on your back causing it to retain heat (and making you uncomfortably warm on your hike or other activities) these great packs allow air to flow between your back and the pack. Wow. It’s already making me cooler. Check these out.

So pretty much any day at any given time at any gym across the US there is an iPod in every color plugged into almost every single person on the cardio machines (even in the free weights for that matter). Have you looked around the last time you took public transport? We all want to do our part to be Green! And if we aren’t plugged in to our music, it is our laptop or cell phone. So how do you keep your iPod spiced up and different? Or even protected for that matter? I think it’s time you consider purchasing an iPod case.

There are so many cases for so many styles in so many colors! The possibilities are almost endless.

Need a great gift idea for the Photographer in your life? Or are you the Photographer and you are looking for that special something to help add some sanity in the organization of all of your gear? Might I suggest the Lowepro DMC-Z? This little guy is a dream when it comes to Memory card organization. I personally use mine for my Compact Flash memory cards, and it has pockets for up to 6 cards! This is perfect for shooting large events and weddings when you want to keep your cards organized and you know you will be filling several cards before you can download your images and re-format your cards.

Interior pockets keep your cards organized.

This handy carrier has a nice velcro strap on the back so you can conveniently wear it on your belt! (I prefer keeping it in an outside pocket of my camera bag, but to each his own.) No more searching through all of the compartments of your messy camera bag. No more wondering which are the 2 cards you already used, and which cards have space. I would not do a shoot without it.

I am a girl with an eye for a bargain, especially in this economy where every penny counts.  So when I discovered the eBags Parlour Pouches last year, I knew that I had found a great, unique gift idea.  I purchased a few sets (each set comes with three pouches), filled each one with Hershey’s Kisses and gave them to my daughters’ teachers as a little “thank you”.  I still hear about how much they love the bags and how handy they are.  In fact, the girls’ new teachers are hoping for the same this year.  This is also my new favorite gift for gift exchanges where the recipient is unknown, and my nieces in high school will likely get one this year, but I may add a gift card to theirs.  There is even a green set which is perfect for the holiday season.  In this busy season, anything that I can do to simplify is key, so hopefully this will give you some ideas as you make your gift lists.  They also make great “end of the school year” gifts.  Enjoy!

The Lowepro Sling Shot 100 AW

I recently spend 12 days abroad photographing with a non-profit group in the countryside of Western Mongolia. Aside from trying desperately to pack light while bringing photography equipment, (Light and camera do not go hand in hand) my clothing supply took the hardest hit.  I did not want to skimp on my photography gear. Not when I was about to take the trip of a lifetime, and I wanted to properly document it with my Nikon D700 all without checking any bags.  Packing light meant that my carryon was packed to the brim with clothes, toiletries, granola bars, a sleeping bag liner, a winter hat, gloves, and various other items in anticipation of their cold climate. My camera bag qualified as my “one personal item” that was my remaining option for bags being carried on.

While in the countryside of Mongolia, my camera bag became my day-bag as well. It held my D700 body, 2 lenses, 2 flashes, a zip-lock bag of batteries, a flash diffuser, 8 extra Compact Flash memory cards, an ipod, and enough granola bars to suppress my appetite during the day. It even has a built-in lens cleaning cloth and a rain fly for unpredictable weather. All of this in the compact Lowepro Sling Shot 100 AW. I wouldn’t take another trip without it, and I HIGHLY recommend it to any SLR photographer with extra flashes/lenses to carry. You can easily change the position of the interior partitions to custom fit your gear.

Perfect compartment for granola bars! That's me on the right with my bag.

If you have someone on your list who loves wine, don’t just get them a bottle of white or red. Why not give something more creative, thoughtful, or even unique?

Wine Carriers and Boxes: If you’re going to present them with a nice bottle of Cabernet or Chardonnay, why not do so in a nice carrier or wine box. There are tons of styles to choose from including leather wine cases like the Bellino Leather Wine Case, soft-sided carriers with handles like those from Built NY, and even wine boxes with artistic designs like those pictured here from Picnic Time. Wine cases, boxes, and totes are also perfect if you’re bringing wine to a holiday party or dinner party. Not only do they protect the bottle, they also can be presented as a gift along with the wine.

Cheese Boards: What goes better with wine than cheese? Give the perfect compliment to your recipients favorite beverage by giving a beautiful cheese board complete with tools. The board featured here from Picnic Plus comes with a tempered glass cutting board swivel top and 4 stainless tools that fit inside the set.