As a green/non-toxic newbie, I know it can be totally overwhelming to find and buy “safe and responsible” products. During my time blogging as the Eco-challenged Mom over on MightyNest’s BabySteps blog, I have the chance to try out a ton of new products and in the process found more than a few winners. Check out my new post on MightyNest which lists my 5 fave products for beginners. Some of this stuff is so cute that it was easy to ditch the old stuff and bring in the new!
Now on MightyNest ~ Eco-Challenged Mom’s Wish List for Beginners February 1, 2010
Olive & Cocoa – a fantastic combo January 31, 2010
Yesterday, I opened my mail to a rare treat…a catalog I’ve never heard of before – Olive & Cocoa.
WOW!
Olive and Cocoa has the three Ps (presentation, product and packaging) in spades!
The collection has everything from modern Martha-worthy floral arrangements to multi-colored Aussie Licorice Box and soft and snuggly baby blankets.
I was shocked to find gifts in all price ranges because everything, including the gift packaging, looks top notch. Cannot wait to give this one a try. Will report back.
The cutest of them all January 14, 2010
Testing out publishing using iPhone app. Here’s my little man Sammy who is currently asleep on my chest. Does he have to grow up?
Because one can never have too many bags! December 4, 2009
It’s that time of year again – SHOPPING TIME! This year, I’m going to do my best to avoid all those plastic store bags by bringing along some of the cute tote bags I’ve been collecting this year. Here are a few of my favorites…
MOD GREEN POD LICORICE/EARL GREY TOTE BAG
This tote from organic fabric maker ModGreenPod is the polar opposite of those boxy grocery store bags. Stylish, durable and 100% organic, this bag is perfect for a trip to the mall. Comes in a bunch of different patterns in red, gold, chocolate brown and blue. Available at MightyNest – $24.99
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I use this one all the time for trips to the post office, the gym or as an easy diaper bag. Big enough to carry alot but small enough to throw in my purse. 100% organic and water based inks. Available at MightyNest – $16.99
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RedPlum.com featured this on in their $30 under 30 holiday gift ideas and I can see why … cute AND very functional. This reusable Market Pack contains five Fold-Up Market Totes in a stylish carrying case. They come in colorful prints like ocean damask, kelly green circles, a raspberry box pattern and two different giraffe designs. Available at Neela.com – $28 (for 6 bags)
Ok – off to the mall with bags in hand. Enjoy. 
Stamp Champ November 21, 2009
I live for sending out personalized holiday cards, invitations, thank you cards, bday cards…you name it. I spend ALOT of time thinking about what photo to use, what design, who gets which one. ALOT of thought.
And every time, what do people comment on?
The gorgeous card? No.
My stunning two little boys? Try again.
The return address stamp? Bingo.
I have received tons of compliments and emails asking me where to find these so thought I’d share with you guys here. It’s from a site called Three Desiging Women. I actually received it as a house warming gift from my best friend….a stroke of genius. Totally unique, unexpected and useful.
Pair one of these stamps with some of their very cute blank inSTAMPable cards and you’ve got yourself a great little wedding or housewarming gift.
Three Designing Women stamps are available at many high-end stationery stores or via online retailers like the very worthwhile Paper and Polkadots. $38
Thanks to Momgenda, the sun might actually come out tomorrow! November 11, 2009
After becoming a mom, my new mantra has become “One day at a time.” And I mean it. There are so many things happening in a day that my brain literally cannot process tomorrow until about 8pm the night before.
And I’m one of the lucky ones - Grandma, Grandpa and Great-Grandma live 2 miles away and take care of the boys every day while we work! It’s fabulous but with 2 toddlers, 3 sr citizens (sorry mom and dad – just going by the legal definition), 1 diabetic, 1 16-year old cat and an insanely crazy dog who eats EVERYTHING IN SITE – just managing dr appointments is ridiculous!
These Momgenda Weekly Family Planner Sheets have done wonders for us. It is a pad of tear-off sheets with spaces for mom and up to four children – or in our case grown-ups, pets, whatever. The design is simple, clean and there’s even a magnet on the back so you can hang on the fridge.
My mom and I use it at the beginning of every week to include dr. appts, playdates, music classes, work dinners, business travel, blogging events, birthdays, holidays, family dinners….whatever. Love it.
If you share childcare with a family member, babysitter, nanny or even your husband (hahaha) – do your brain a favor and pick up one of these pads.
You can find the Momgenda Family Planner sheets in many high-end stationery stores in the US or on the Momgenda Web site. $16.95
Love Starbucks? Grow your own Barista. November 7, 2009
I’m completely 100% totally addicted to Starbucks. And I’m not just saying that to be cute. I need a venti-two-pump-whole-milk-extra-hot-no-whip-mocha every single day – sometimes twice – or I just can’t survive.
Starbucks was the first place my boys ever visited in the real world - both within the first week of life. My oldest, the little barista shown here, is now 2 and I kid you not, the first thing he says every morning is “Mama…we go to Starbucks?” One day in the drive-thru he actually recited my drink (mind you, most adults can’t even do that) and now, he insists on having his own “coffee” (h20) at every visit.
So it’s only fitting that my little man wanted to be a barista for Halloween. I found an adult apron on ebay and gave it to grandma who cut it off, hemmed it and even made mini-pockets to match the big apron. (thank god for grandma) It was absolutely adorable!
Of course, today while poking around the Starbucks site, I found an online store and what do they sell??
A KIDS STARBUCKS BARISTA APRON!!!
Duh. Maybe next time I should check the site – huh? I’m definitely not telling grandma.
Oh well, at least you and your little ones can now play along!
The Starbucks kid apron can be found at Starbucks.com. $12.99
Ziploc who? November 6, 2009
These cute little “dittys” are 100% organic cotton reusable sandwich and snack bags from a company called EcoDitty.
I use these things all the time to carry Cheerios, trail mix, my trusty PB&J and even pacifiers. They come in many different fabrics, are eco-friendly (no more ziplocs!) AND completely non-toxic for those little ones with PVC allergies.
The only downside is there is no way I’m putting these adorable little bags in any lunch I give to my boys when they’re older. For starters, I’d never see my eco-dittys again. Second, there’s no way they’ll ever appreciate just how darn cute they are. And third, I’m pretty sure they’d rather starve then whip this girly thing out at the lunch table. Even if it is filled with Oreos!
BUT WAIT - that gives me a great idea! They should make these with superheroes, monster trucks, Dora or little princesses on them for the munchkins. How great would that be?
I’m on it. Writing them right now!
Eco-ditty sandwich and snack bags can be found at MightyNest.com. $8.99 - $12.99
My what a MightyNest you have! November 5, 2009
Ok, so I don’t run the most eco-friendly and non-toxic house in town. But I will say one thing…the new site MightyNest.com makes me want to build a better nest!
MightyNest is a site where parents can go to read up on all those fun chemicals they keep finding in our baby products like BPA, Lead and phthalates and buy non-toxic, safe and eco-friendly (not to mention cute and fun) products right there on the same site.
No more running around to 40 different stores to find what you want…it’s all right there. Toys, baby bottles, dishware, mattresses, clothing, lunch sacks, water bottles, lotions, lip balm ….you name it!
Of course I’ll be highlighting many of them right here very soon!
Full disclosure: I blog for MightyNest as their @ecochallenged mom BUT even if I didn’t, I would still love MightyNest…seriously.
No, I’m not lying under something heavy October 24, 2009
I’m still here! Just busy with all sorts of blogging things that have kept me from my pursuit!. Here are some fun posts to show you what I’ve been doing….
Interviewing Uma and Minnie on Famebaby
Taking on eco-challenges over at MightyNest (i need support! @ecochallenged)
Giving away strollers on BabyCenter’s Momformation.com
Showing off the loves of my life over at samandjack.com
But don’t fret. I’ve got tons of cute things in my head that need to come out soon. I’ll be back!
