MUGI – My Unique Gift Idea

This year is all about being green. So for the busy lives of my readers, I’ve compiled a list of must-have multitasking basics – from clothes to foods to tools – which really get amazing mileage.

Little Black Dress

The little eco black dress is the updated version of the critical wardrobe staple and statement that is always in style. Go for a little stretchy (give or take five pounds) with some understated lines and the dress which you slip on year-round can be dressed up or down with the right accessories.

Distressed Jeans

Denim does double duty from a basic tank top or biker jacket to a nighttime gallery hopping with a nice sleek blazer. Distressed can be $200 of intentionally torn or the most broken-in pair in the closet, of course authentic is usually the way to go.

Button Down White Shirt

An organic cotton or hemp basic button down for day or night can take you to a business meeting or a formal dinner.

Toothpaste

For a toxin-free smile you may brush with an eco-alternative, but you also can use toothpaste for a plethora of other tasks, like scrubbing the rubber on your sneakers, cleaning your keys, brightening jewelry, removing watermarks from furniture and stains from clothing, nixing zits and cleaning silver.

Baby Shampoo

Not just for washing gentle little heads of hair without dyes and surfactants, organic baby shampoo is great for bathing pets and for hand washing lingerie or hand knit sweaters.

Accordion Folder

There is a very good reason that teachers highly recommend these expanding cardboard file folders with sections: They are excellent for keeping order, and can be reused for various projects. They are thin enough to fit into a backpack or satchel and are pretty much indestructible. We have not abolished paper just yet, so until we can live without filing, this style is more versatile than most others.