Fab Feb finds for Valentines | Print |  Email
For February, here's a special Valentine's edition of my favourite finds. To see earlier faves, click here. Love is in the air, but if you care about the planet as well as your other half, you'll celebrate V-Day the eco way. Inspiring ideas:
 
Blooming marvellous
Instead of cut flowers that you'll have to throw out (or drop on the compost heap) why not buy your beloved a potted plant, so the blossoms – like your love – can last a lifetime (or at least longer than a few days). Added bonus: houseplants fight pollution! Scientific studies prove that houseplants remove harmful chemicals from the air. The news gets even better: they also improve your physical, emotional and psychological health, lowering blood pressure and making you feel more relaxed and calm. The Flowers & Plants Association (www.flowers.org.uk) notes that the top plants for fighting pollution include spider plants, palms, ficus, peace lilies and gerbera. The site has inspiring ideas for displaying your plants. Shown: a vibrant pink cyclamen. 
 
Ooh la la!
For the sauciest lingerie with its heart in the right place (!) take a look at The Natural Store (www.naturalstore.co.uk). This Powder Pink set from Enamore includes hemp silk knickers trimmed with black ruffled lace, £36, and a triangle bra top, £42, with ruffled black lace and satin ribbon straps. If you dare, add a naughty eye mask, £16, lined in soft hemp and silk for a comfy fit.
 
 
Billets doux
Eco products are often depicted as worthy and humourless. Not anymore! Lucy Batchelor's fun Little Errol dolls are a big hit, and her greeting cards are delightful – and green, made and printed in the UK with vegetable based inks on recycled paper. See the whole range at  lucyjanebatchelor.me.uk. Every card has a little extra something to make the fun last, in this case a detachable label to sew into your clothing. Valentine memories will come rushing back whenever you see this private love note. This spring Lucy will be launching a new line of wedding invites. Time to pop the question?            
 
 
 
Ring true
Instead of a blood diamond or guilt-laden gold, buy her a righteous ring or beautiful brooch from Rcyclia (http://www.rcyclia.de). These objets d'art by Dunja Karabaic bring new life to found items – one man's rubbish is now officially another man's treasure. Shown: Liebelei ('flirtation'), price on application.
            
 
Slippery when wet
Get down to basics with the scrummy Ooo, Grr and Mmm bath oils, £10, Hedgerow Herbals at Simply Soaps (www.simplysoaps.com). At Simply Soaps you'll find a host of natural products with all the goodness of plants – and without nasty chemicals.
 

 
 
Jump into bed together
But first make sure you've gone organic with this plush but virtuous organic mattress, £695, Warren Evans (www.warrenevans.com).
 
 
 
Pants!
The perfect undercover gift for him: heart-shaped world and ‘Eat Organic’ boxers, £12 each, from Green Knickers (www.greenknickers.org). They’re 100% organic cotton and Fair Trade, so his green cred will stretch right down to his smalls.
 
 
 
 

 
Play footsie
If you think ethical footwear means clompy clogs, read on. Today’s trendy footwear is glossy and stylish but the beauty is more than skin deep. If your Cinders has a foot fetish, buy her hand-made shoes from Beyond Skin (www.beyondskin.co.uk). They’re produced without exploiting animals – or humans. Fashion + ethics = gloriously guilt-free shopping.
 
Back to nature
Treat your lover to tantalising skincare products from Mother Earth, (www.motherearth.co.uk). They're handmade in the Lake District with natural herbs and no artificial chemicals or synthetic fragrances. Offer your partner the Simply Relaxing Bath & Massage Oil,  £11.75 (with the promise of a head-to-toe massage of course!) or send her to heaven with the Cloud Nine Body Soak, £9.99, with organic sea salt and neroli and tangerine essential oils. 
                      
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Titillating tipple
If your mate has a taste for the tipple, try the tasty – and organic – brews from St Peter's Brewery (www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk). The Organic Ale won the Soil Association’s top prize in 2002, so order yours in bulk, 12 bottles (500ml each) for £25.80. Or for full-bodied flavour, choose the organic Best Bitter; 12 bottles, £25.50. 
 
  
Hippie chic
If your gal pal dances to the beat of a Bohemian drummer, indulge her inner flower child with Rich Hippie perfume, made by traditional methods without harmful chemicals, additives or synthetic perfume; £63, The Natural Store (www.thenaturalstore.co.uk)

           




Specialité du jour? Seduction
Chocolate is the ultimate aphrodisiac, so put lust on the menu – cook up a tantalising V-Day recipe from this book by Green & Black, £14.99, (Kyle Cathie, www.kylecathie.com). 
 
 
 
 
 
Save water – bathe together
It's tempting, with the sensuous scent of this Moroccan Rose Otto bath oil, £26, from REN (www.renskincare.co.uk). If you're even more keen to conserve natural resources, share a shower – and don't forget Ren's Rose Otto Body Wash, £16.
REN products don't contain skin-unfriendly ingredients such as synthetic fragrance, petrochemicals, sulphate detergents, synthetic colours, animal ingredients or parabens.

 
  
 
Him Tarzan, you Jane
Your man may think some grooming products are just a bit too girly, but the Bullocks collection from Cowshed Products (www.cowshedproducts.com) packs plenty of testosterone. Made from herbs handpicked from the walled garden of trendy Babington House in Somerset, these vegetarian products are unashamedly manly – yes, even the Cooling Toner and Soothing Moisturiser. Your man will be proud to display them (and will hopefully stop dipping into your pots and potions). Treat yourselves to the 'In the Mood' Valentine's Gift Box, with Horny Cow and Raging Bull bath and massage oils, £30.
 
 
Note worthy
Leave knowing notes all over the fridge – but ensure your magnets are eco-friendly. These funky fridge magnets are made from used bottle caps. Buy a boxed gift set of two, £2.99, or five, £4.99 or email to specify which brand you want. Fridge not included. All from clever clogs recycled gift company Revolve (revolve-uk.com).
 

 
 
Impeccable taste
Pamper your partner with a luxurious hamper from Daylesford Organic (www.daylesfordorganic.com). Choose from the Organic Indulgence chocolate lovers’ basket, £85 plus delivery, an Organic Salmon and Champagne Hamper, £65, or fill a bespoke hamper with tempting treats such as honey, jam, fudge or shortbread hearts.
 
 
Heaven scent
Nature lovers will adore the Love Heart Gift Set's rosehip scrub handmade soap plus eight strawberry sundae bath bombs, £5.99, Pure Thoughts (www.purethoughts.co.uk). All Pure Thoughts products are made in Derbyshire with soothing essential oils, natural herbs and flowers and shea butter, free from animal fats, harsh chemicals or preservatives.
 
 
  
 
 
Snuggle up
A corset or basque may be quite continental, but (for some) cotton is a girl's best friend. Just make sure it's organic. And no that doesn't mean crunchy or dowdy. Slip into these sophisticated satin stripe PJs made from organic cotton,  £44.50, Greenfibres (www.greenfibres.com). Around 11% of all pesticides in the world are used on growing cotton, so spare the poison and save the planet.
 
Dirty weekends with a clean conscience
Make sure your naughty night – or weekend – away isn't so naughty after all by staying in an eco hotel.
Choose from chic city locations or rustic retreats in the unspoiled countryside, but remember a green getaway doesn't have to mean roughing it. Carbon guzzling is so 20th century, but luxury is always in style.
 
 
The Zetter (right) in London's buzzy Clerkenwell has eco cred, but have no fear: the vibe is more hip than hemp. Voted Best Small Hotel at the Visit London Awards 2006, The Zetter is far from roughing it. For trendy, eco-friendly food, try the hotel’s own restaurant for fresh, seasonal ingredients or head for the amazing and carbon-neutral Acorn House Restaurant or Konstam at The Prince Albert, which sources ingredients from within the M25. See www.thezetter.com; rooms from £128 per night, rooftop studios from £225 per night.
  
 

 
 
Nature lovers can satisfy their cravings for outdoor – and indoor – pursuits at the organic Moss Grove hotel in Grasmere (www.mossgrove.co.uk). Explore the charming villages and countryside, or simply explore the charms of your loved one in this hotel that's environmentally friendly – and a friendly environment for guests. Rooms from £145, but check the web for special offers. Romantic goes organic with extras such as champagne truffles (£10) or organic champagne (£35).
 
 
 
Strattons (right) is a luxurious country house in the Brecks that's full of character – in every sense of the word. The award-winning hotel oozes casual chic and quirky charm, with covetable eco cred. Double rooms, from £65 per person per night, suites from £100 per person per night, with discounts for longer stays, depending on time of year. Plump for the ‘Cheeky Weekend’ extras package, from £55, including body and massage oil, homemade chocs, a bottle of pink champagne and a naughty – but nice – game for two. Book at www.strattonshotel.com.
 
            
           
 
 
If Bath takes your fancy, check into the Bloomfield House Hotel (www.ecobloomfield.com). This luxurious bolthole is set in eight acres of beautiful gardens with spectacular views over the city. Bath’s first eco-hotel has 12 bedrooms, some with four-poster beds. Owners Karen and Robert Barnard-Weston co-founded Baths Farmers Market, so you can be sure the restaurant serves only the finest and freshest ingredients. Bed and Breakfast rates range from £70 to £140, including full English breakfast. Check the website for special offers.
 
 
 
Instead of a short-haul flight, hop on the Eurostar for low-carbon travel to romantic destinations such as Paris, Brussels, Lille or Avignon. Eurostar London to Paris, return fares from £59. Eurostar London/Ashford to Avignon, from £99 return. Check out deals and holidays on www.eurostar.com.
 
 
                 

Or go completely carbon neutral by refusing to spend spend spend. Instead, turn down the heating and cosy up together in bed to exchange gift certificates you've made for each other, good for a selection of indulgent treats: a relaxing footrub, breakfast in bed, a sensuous massage, a romantic homemade candlelit dinner – or more private pleasures.
 
 
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