Posts Tagged ‘green living’
Laura on September 19th, 2009
Surely you’ve not forgotten about Space Monkey, that cute, loveable, cuddly monkey from space that brings color, fun, and light to boring places, have you?
Space Monkey will brighten up even the darkest night with his whimsical, fanciful, and beautiful art, but now, he can be worn, and bring all this goodness to you! Now, you can show off Space Monkey with an organic shirt, a hoodie, a bib, an organic onesie, a water bottle, even a messenger bag! There’s so much to choose from, it’s bananas.
Soon, we’ll add more art & more gear that will have you going ape. Think Beatles meets Space Monkey…enticing, isn’t it?
Naomi on June 10th, 2009
Alice Waters’ book about rethinking an inner-city Berkeley middle school as a training ground for future gourmands and gourmets is nothing short of visionary. Edible Schoolyard is inspiring on so many levels, from an educational and community activism standpoint as well as from a culinary perspective. As the mom of two wishy-washy eaters, I appreciate Waters’ zeal in exposing children to the glories of good food. Utilizing gardening as an incentive for better dietary habits is brilliant, especially in kids who don’t really have their own yards. She uses vegetables as tools for social change. What could be better than an Edible Schoolyard?
Naomi on May 13th, 2009
I love Flor. What’s not to love about carpet tiles? Especially when they’re eco-friendly, with some of the lowest Volatile Organic Compound emissions (VOCs) in the floor-coverings industry. Combine that with their imminent portability, endless color and graphic options, and the ability to pick up a single tile for cleaning and you have a great flooring solution for families. We have a couple of Flor rugs in our home and I can’t extoll their virtues enough… they really are fabulous, especially since I have a toddler who likes to grind berries into the floor and a couple of cats who like to, uh, mark their territory.
Flor’s graphic prints are my favorite. We have the Souk Chic in our family room and I have the Alexander Girard La Fonda del Sol in my office. There’s a new Girard print coming soon, and I am giddy just thinking about it! Another absolutely gorgeous print for Spring is the Mums The Word area rug. Which reminds me of a certain blog. I think the Mums The Word could go with an eclectic, bold decorating style or something more subdued and Martha-esque. (Did I mention there’s a Martha Stewart Flor Collection?) Can’t you see this underfoot in your home?
Win it! To enter and win a Mums the Word six tile (3′ x 5′) area rug, please CLICK HERE to enter. The winner will be randomly selected and notified via email.
Entries will be accepted through May 27th. US readers are eligible. Only one entry per person, please.
Naomi on April 29th, 2009
Green Toys is reinventing playtime. Their collection includes iconic playthings like tea sets and trucks and sand toys but they’ve added a new twist to the classic forms: all Green Toys are made from recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials and ship in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastics, cellophane or twist-ties, and are 100% recyclable once you’ve taken the toy out. Green Toys are also manufactured in the US, unlike most of the inventory on toy store shelves these days.
We received a couple of items from Green Toys to review, the Tea Set and the Dump Truck. The Tea Set is so lovely to look at and hold that I was inspired to make a sweep and rid Roo’s toybox of all the chintzy plastic dishware we’ve accumulated in the past five years. These HDPE plastic pieces feel substantial to hold and I like the fact that they contain no traceable amounts of phthalates or BPA. They are also designed without any external coatings, eliminating the fear of lead paint. And nary a peeling-off Princess sticker in sight!
The other Green Toy we reviewed is the Dump Truck. It is super cute in primary red and yellow, with a functioning dump bucket and chunky wheels. It is very sturdy and well-built. There are no metal axles to oil or corrode. Both of my kids fell in love with the Dump Truck and took turns filling it and spilling it. Roo even made a spa retreat for earthworms:
We love the imminent playability (for both genders and most age groups!) that Green Toys offer. I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.
This article is cross-posted on Superdumb Supervillain.
Laura on January 22nd, 2009
Do your kids love music? Do they love to bang on pots and pans? Do they use silverware as drumsticks? If so, then you NEED this toy. The Critter Conga, from the Parents Magazine line of toys, is really a band in a box-or a band in a large leopard head!
The Critter Conga comes with everything you need to make melodies-whistles, a rain stick, a tambourine that doubles as a drum, canastas, and more-and every instrument is animal themed…there are even a pair of snake drumsticks!
Not only is this set of instruments a huge hit with my little guys, but I know that they are playing with something that is free of BPA! If your family loves music as much as ours, you must check out the Critter Conga. It’s adorable and hilarious when Noel picks up the leopard head drum and starts running around the room banging it like he’s in the midst of a rain dance, and Lennon’s channeling Ringo Starr when he picks up the snake sticks and starts a little rhythm going. This is one toy that has enough stuff that we don’t break down into “It’s MINE!” fights, and it’s just a ton of fun to watch your youngsters happily banging away on their very own instruments. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they will leave YOURS alone though…
Laura on December 17th, 2008
As many of you know, we support ANY business that produces quality goods. Many of those businesses that make safer, handmade toys and good are in danger of being shut down. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is attempting to mandate 3rd party testing and certification for all toys and require toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number. An act like this would require the manufacturer (”manufacturers” being many work at home moms) to invest TENS OF THOUSANDS of dollars to ensure that their product is safe. The same people that let your child play with lead-laden Thomas toys now want to “regulate” the handmade industry…and this is absolutely deplorable. MANY people went to buying handmade items to AVOID store bought items that are potentially dangerous. This will affect places like Etsy in their entirety, and many of our on-line retailing friends.
BOTTOM LINE: Handmade toys and goods will be ILLEGAL unless they pass 3rd party testing that costs approximately $4,000 PER ITEM!
How can you help save handmade?? Join the Handmade Toy Alliance’s Facebook Group and write to your United States Congress Person and Senator to request changes in the CPSIA to save handmade toys. Use our sample letteror write your own. You can find your Congress Person here and Senator here (from the Handmade Toy Alliance homepage). You can also see what the Handmade Toy Alliance has proposed to the CPSIA.
We implore you: HELP TO SAVE HANDMADE ITEMS!!!!
Laura on November 10th, 2008
We have a long standing love affair with Boon. It started with the Potty Bench and the Frog Pod, but they’ve expanded their line quite extensively since then! Now they’ve got a sweet little Layette line for the wee ones. Lennon has this DNA Bodysuit, which was perfect for Summer. Now that we’re into the colder months, how about a Coverall & Hat set in Pacifier?
You might have noticed on Boon’s website, that they now offer a complete line of ergonomic cups, cutlery, and dishware, ALL of which are BpA, Phthalate, and PVC free. Does your baby need a place to sit while dining, while using all of this state-of-the-art dishware? Very soon, you will see my guest post on one of ZRecommends awesome network of blogs, Polliwogged, discussing our newest love, and excellent addition to the Boon family of products, the Flair Highchair. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s posted…and until then, help yourself to ALL of Boon’s products!
P.S. This would look pretty great next to the Frog Pod. Do I need a little girl to go with it though?
Laura on October 15th, 2008
We are sad to announce that Fooey USA will be closing it’s virtual doors. However, they are having a closeout sale that you won’t want to miss! It’s all rad stuff, and it’s super cheap! My mom got these shorts for Noel & Lennon (they won’t fit Noel next summer) for $8.99! They are SOOOOO CUTE. Fooey’s also got the best collection of shirts for kids and infants. Some are as low as $3.99, people, but they won’t last! Get over there, and say goodbye to one of the best stores out there. Fooey, we are sorry to see you go!
On a sunnier note, Ashlee has come up with a new name for her store! Nonny & Boo, formerly Nest Baby Sling, now offers even more great items, like wraps (that are the coolest EVER), hoodies, and plushies! As usual, Ashlee’s wares are quite simply the coolest! Pictured here, are Steph and Ivy in nonny & boo’s bamboo sling. We have this sling, and Elliott and I share it. We love it. The fabric is light, but very strong, and it works well going out in the Texas heat. We just heart the lady over at nonny & boo, and you will too.
Laura on October 13th, 2008
If you’re on Twitter, you may already know Erin Ely. Erin is a stay-at-home mom, teacher, and researcher, among other things, and she’s got a PASSION for organics. That’s why she had dedicated herself to selling the some of the highest quality organic products on the market, Miessence. Check out some of the ingredients: Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Avocado Oils…mmmm…doesn’t your skin already feel soft? Miessence offers many different kinds of products. For pregnant mums, there’s the Breast & Belly Balm, which is “completely safe to use during pregnancy, and beyond, to help your skin regain it’s suppleness.” Their line of awesome baby products contains no perfumes, chemicals, essential oils, allergens, or nuts! I received some Miessence Baby Cream Wash from Erin, and I must say, I love it! It will last a long time, as you only need a small amount, and it’s made both of my boys’ skin sooooooo soft! I also don’t have to worry about what I’m putting on their delicate skin-Miessence is completely safe for even the youngins’!
If you want your family to have products that are good for the soul, good for the environment, and good for you & your skin, visit Erin’s Miessence site and order some of the best organic products available!
Lisa on September 17th, 2008
I consider myself green. Okay, maybe not green…more like sage. But I try to do my part, like replacing all my old school light bulbs with the new compact fluorescent ones, recycling cans and bottles and I try to buy the big gear for my kids from resale shops and stuff. I would like to do more but it can be very overwhelming to know where to begin. That is where HappyGreenBaby can help! HappyGreenBaby is an online baby boutique that selects only the best in eco-friendly and sustainably produced baby clothes and baby gear. They handpick only those products that are organic, natural and that have a commitment to lessening impact on the environment. 
You will find clothes (like the I’ll Save the World Tee pictured left), blankets, sippy cups, furniture and more from great companies like Boon, Baby Soy and Little Twig. Still intimidated by all the choices out there? Never fear for HappyGreenBaby can help there too with their handy Learning Center that contains tips and guides for everything from how to start using cloth diapers to how to throw an “all green” baby shower! And to top all that off HappyGreenBaby is also committed to operating their business in a green, clean, eco-friendly way. Here are just a few of things they do to lessen the impact on the environment:
· They are a member of 1% For The Planet, in which companies, like HappyGreenBaby pledge 1% of their total annual revenue to benefit environmental charities.
· They reuse all of the boxes they receive merchandise in as shipping boxes for their customers (with the hope that the customers too, will reuse the boxes again).
· They print everything on post-consumer recycled paper … and then they reuse that paper, too! You might find a recipe or letter from a “previous life” printed on the back of your packing slip.
Want to start living that Green Life that you have always wanted to? Then shop HappyGreenBaby and know that you are not just buying quality for your children but that you are also helping to make a better planet for them too!
And to get you started HappyGreenBaby is giving away a $50 gift certificate to their store!
WIN IT!
$50 Gift Certificate
Click HERE to enter and tell us what you would choose from HappyGreenBaby if you won. Contest ends Friday, September 26th at 10 PM CST. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Good Luck!!
