SIGG Kids & Cleaning Tablets

I’m not sure exactly what the tablets do (am I a sucker? is it just a clever money maker?), but it’s funny that I do feel like my SIGG bottle is somehow freed from bacteria build up. Maybe it's just psychological. Since I already bought and used the product I need to convince myself that it was worth the buy.

For $10 one gets 20 "Bottle Clean" tablets. All you do is fill you’re your SIGG bottle with warm water and drop in one tablet. Let it sit for 30 minutes then rinse it out. What my guess is that the tablets do, is gently bleach the inside of your bottle to aid in both possible discoloration and fight off germs and bacteria. (See my other posts to understand why SIGGs are great).

SIGGs also come in small sized bottles for kids. They come printed with fun designs and flip tops to avoid spills.

In Honolulu you can buy SIGGs and SIGG bottle cleaners at Lily Lotus in Kaimuki. (It’s fun store, particularly if you like yoga wear, locally made jewelry, or need meditation books, CDs, pillows and other relaxing home accessories.)

Where to go:
Lily Lotus (kaimuki; lilylotus.com)
Whole Foods (kahala)
REI online (rei.com)

J.Jill, Midlife & Child Exploitation

When I saw that JJill.com posted an ad on my blog site I got excited, particularly since I actually own a couple J.Jill items. When I told my friend Angela that I actually shopped at J.Jill she said, "Isn't that like, for *old* people?" Okay, maybe I am getting old, afterall someone did call me "middle aged" the other night. Middle aged? Shesh.

Anyway, I find J.Jill clothes to be light weight, super soft and casually simple...mostly of well knit cotton. If were I living in Colorado or Portland I'd wear this stuff everyday...but even in the OC I find that some of their more casual cotton tops, pants and hooded sweaters can pass for weekend wear around the Newport Beach area--some pieces can seem a bit yoga-ish or beachy (although the line as a whole has an outdoorsy, casual, and simple feel).

My only gripe was that the jewelry I bought were made in places like India and Thailand, and I picture children squatting on the ground stringing the beads on the necklace for a nickel's wage.

I have more to say on child labor, sweatshops, and the global economy but I'll save that for a later post.


There are some great J.Jill sales going on:
Ends Sunday: Extra 25% off already reduced items
Online Outlet: Save up to 70% off
Regular Sale: Up to 60% off

What I'd recommend from J.Jill:
- Kenneth Cole shoes
- Lightweight sweaters
- And (unfortunately) they have really neat jewelry every season that will put you in an ethical crisis

Where to Buy It:
No stores in Hawaii; limited stores in other states
Online at: www.jjill.com (on green bar to the right)


Dedicated to my mom whose closet is packed with J.Jill casual wear, and who introduced me to the comfort of J.Jill clothing.

Best Water Bottle – Hydrate with SIGG Style

Thumbs up for these Limited Edition Asian-inspired reusable water bottles by SIGG ($22). SIGG, a 100 year old Swiss company, is known for its quality built products, garnering a consistent loyal base in Europe and Canada.

Four good reasons to buy a SIGG:

1) SIGGs are lined with ceramic leaving water tasting like water—not the plastic or metal container it’s in (FDA approved).

2) SIGGs are eco-friendly – Reusable, made from recyclable aluminum and 1% of every purchase goes toward environmental causes!

3) SIGGs are stylish – They come in 149 fun designs, 6 of them Asian themed

4) SIGGs are functional – They are well constructed and durable, noted as “the world’s toughest water bottle” (Backpacker Magazine), yet weighs almost the same as a plastic bottle.

Unfortunately, SIGG manufacturers are completely sold out of their products for 2008, and according to Hawaii store owners the Asian designs in particular are nearly impossible to find.

Island Secret - Where to Get It:

Lily Lotus Boutique, Kaimuki (only a handful of Asian designs left)
Online: REI and Patagonia (regular designs)