It's Been A While I Know...

Its been much much too long I know. I've been up to my ears in Darling Clementine Business and juggling Juliette's busy schedule (I mean come on, she has dance class at age 2, really!) and trying to enjoy my happy little family life with Kevin. I hate that I've neglected Urban Branches, really I do. Just know that I have been keeping up my eco ways (though a few good habits have given way to some bad habits, I'll get to that...)

I have recently noticed (not for the first time might I add) that our little household of 3 goes though a lot and I mean ALOT of trash. I honestly don't know where it comes from. Our trash can isn't huge, but it seems to get filled up every other day to the brim. Plus I am one of those people that hates even the faintest smell of rotting food. Ew just thinking about it makes me shudder, so I am usually quick to rush the trash to the curb.

Having have read Garbage Land by Elizabeth Royte I know well that though we think out of site out of mind when it comes to our trash that simply is just NOT true. It goes somewhere, every day, every hour most likely our trash is being dumped. And there isn't endless space. So we better start reducing the trash we create, fast.

Here are some tips I plan on sticking to

* Stop buying small portioned food! Being a mom, it's so nice and easy to purchase a tiny bag of cheddar crackers at the corner store while out and Juliette needs something to snack on, but it's much more waste than we need. I vow work my hardest to stop doing that. I mean we have 3 Lunchskins after all, and we do use them everyday in fact, but sometimes I forget to refill, or toss in the bag or Juliette pulls them out and hids the bags in her toy bin or whatever myrid of excuses I can come up with...

Here they are if you haven't seen them, they are reusable bags called LunchSkins, they come in great prints too, we have this, this and this and we love them. Easy to clean, Juliette loves using them too!

*Curb Juliette's hand washing time. She loves washing her hands, and likes to do it by herself, well this often ends up being a 3 minute long hand washing session, and that's a whole lotta water...

*Continue shopping vintage, consignment and thrift stores for her, I did it a lot in the beginning and really have gotten away from it lately... but it is so thrilling to find a great item at a great price, plus you are giving something a second life!

*Create a scrap paper bin for Juliette to use as art paper! That's easy enough!

*Get creative, make her modeling dough from scratch, and switch to natural crayons, we sell this cute set at Darling Clementine.

*Get Juliette involved in recycling, give her little jobs, like stacking the yogurt cups or putting the papers in the right spot! Yes, will do this tonight!

Tell me some of your ideas and tips to reducing your garbage load! I'd love to hear them!

Darling Clementine

Hi All,

It has been an embarrasingly long time since I've posted here, and I feel terrible. Really terrible. I have been a busy girl, working on a 2 year project called Darling Clementine. Darling Clementine is an online children's shop I just launched about a week ago, and I couldn't be prouder of it! It is my heart and soul. I  have worked hard to incorporate many eco-chic brands into my collection of children's wares. Here are a few I'd like to spotlight.

Baggu Reusable Bags

Smiling Planet Plates & Bowl

Go Gently Baby

Lunch Skins by 3 Green Moms

Clementine Art Natural Art Materials 

Please send word along to friends and family. Support Darling Clementine and you support eco minded businesses! Merci. Xx

Here is how you can follow Darling Clementine all over the web
http://darlingclementineshop.com
darlingclementineshop.tumblr.com

@drlngclementine

facebook.com/DarlingClementineShop

Smile. Shop. Smile Some More.

What I've Lost & Gained Trying to be an Eco Mama

Having a child changes everything, this I was told before Juliette's arrival September 1, 2009. Boy is it true. 10 pm seems like a perfectly amazing time to lay my head on the pillow whereas 10 was a time I'd be applying mascara to pop out for the night only a few years ago. I've learned to eat with 1 hand only, quickly might I add so I can make sure Juliette is fed and not flinging bowls and plates across the room. Yes everything changes. I've tried to incorporate my eco habits into every aspect of parenting but as anyone with kids knows (or no kids actually) it is hard sometimes. REALLY hard sometimes. Especially when your baby girl is covered in sticky blueberry jam and all you can reach is a few paper towels not the reusable napkins a few rooms away.

When Juliette was born we decided for for financial reasons do use disposable diapers. I would have loved to have use a diaper service and all reusable-cloth diapers. But when we figured out the financials we realized we could not afford to live in Brooklyn, raise a baby, eat and have cloth diapers. Oh ya and we have no washer dryer in our apartment (or building for that matter). So right off the bat we were conceeding our beliefs and it was tough to swallow. I balanced out the diaper decision by buying Seventh Generation wipes in bulk (and have used them ever since), lots (and LOTS) of organic cotton onsies (that I stored for future use too instead of chucking when done).  But I still feel guilty about a choice at least once a day. Here are some things I do and don't do. What do you try and do? How do you make it work and make it eco?

Eco Mama Choices:
*Seventh Generation Baby Wipes
*Many eco brand choices for baby shampoo, lotion, diaper cream, sunscreen etc.
*Lots of mini tupperwares and to go snack containers (instead of baggies)
(I breastfed for 22 months (never buying formula, no container waste etc.) *this was a choice not made for eco reasons, but the eco benefits are always welcome)
*Organic stain remover (use a LOT)
*Natural home cleaners (counter spray, floor cleaner, dish soap etc.)
*Juliette wears hand me downs and we hand down many items to friends (NO clothes have EVER been thrown away, they are saved, sold, given away or donated)
*Mostly organic produce
*I made Juliette's baby food for months and months when she first started solids
*We are a big leftover family, Juliette loves them!
*Try to buy in bulk to cut down on packaging
*Still toting reusable bags with me for errands, a few tucked into my diaper bag even.

My Not so Eco Choices
*Often picking up smoothies in disposable cups/straws instead of remembering to bring my cup
*Sometimes getting a small cup/straw from coffee shops to entice Juliette to drink milk (whatever works!)
*Recently switched to cheaper wipes for quick on the go clean ups (I can't seem to find the eco brands in my local drug stores in the small size)
*We have a bunch of plastic toys, we also have lots of wooden, hand knit and small batch produced toys too, but it's a mixed bag.
*Juliette recently started loving the pouch baby food packets, not eco friendly. Organic ingredients yes, but disposable packaging. Hmmm what to do about this one? I am happy she's eating something on the go but how do I go about recreating these containers myself?
*I don't always find the organic produce I am looking for for Juliette so I sometimes give in and get what is available. This one I know I need to try to stop. For the planet but mainly for Juliette.

It is important that I am aware of these things and that I am trying to make an effort to change them. I want Juliette to grow up learning to recycle, remake and enjoy keeping our planet beautiful. Sometimes parenting is overwhelming and if a plastic cup from the cafe down the street perks Juliette up and convinces her to drink some milk so be it. But I'll make sure I recycle the cup of course.

Smiling Planet's Happy Plates + Bowls

Smiling Planet founder Olivia Haviland, who comes from a 150 year heritage of porcelain making creates whimsical, planet friendly, people loving plates + bowls for your little ones. The darling artwork on each plate and bowl are the creation of her husband (so sweet a husband + wife team!). All products are manufactured in the good old United States with safe, sustainable and recycled and/or organic materials. Their plates and bowls are made from sturdy #5 recycled plastic and are bpa free.

My favorite part of their line is the message of their products, which is peace, diversity + respect for the environment. They work with Healthy Child Healthy World to inspire parents to choose chemical free products for their children.

Smiling Planet makes happy bowls and plates, and are a true breath of fresh air!

They sent us the Circle of Life plate which has the sweetest artwork, I want an entire set for the whole family! They are perfect for toting to a picnic too. I also love the sweet heart bowl. So darling. Products are durable, made with love and are totally affordable. Once Darling Clementine is open you can bet I'll be stocking their entire collection! Stay Tuned!

The Hungry Caterpillar says Love Episencial

If you're like me and have a sweet little baby in your care, you slather them with sunscreen every time you step their little toe into the sun. I have a treasure trove of sunscreens for Juliette, 1 in her room, 1 in the diaper bag, 1 in my bag in case I don't use the diaper bag ... anyway...you get my point. sun protection matters! Using a product you like matters too, not just for vanities sake, but because it really works and makes life easier + healthier. I have had a few sunscreens that go on nice, but end up taking forever to absorb and leave an icky white reside, turning my sweet olive skinned darling into a pale, ghostly version of herself. no thanks.

The lovely folks at Episencial sent me their sunscreen kit to try out and just in time too cause I was getting low on my diaper bag tube! I've used the Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35 twice already and have really liked it, it's thin enough to rub in quickly, doesn't have any scent and rubs in without too much of a white reside, plus it doesn't have the Oxybenzone sunscreen ingredient we've all heard so much about (and if not please take a moment and Google the ingredient and see for yourself.) Sunny Sunscreen is full of Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide as your sweeties sun fighting power! What more, it's SPF 35 and has nourishing organic sesame, safflower and avocado oils to help keep the skin supple and soft. And while we know water resistant creams are best for our wee ones (as they run in and out of sprinklers, pools and sweat up a storm) we don't need the chemicals that provide that bonus do we? Instead Sunny Sunscreen uses beeswax and organic shea butter to help increase the natural water resistance. Like magic right.

Their founder, Kim Walls created an entire product line including this awesome sunscreen all with the sweet illustrations from Eric Carle. You're sweetie will perk up at the sight of their darling bottles + tubes. Products include balms, bubble baths, foaming wash + soothing cream.

Products are sold at Target last I checked, but I am sure you can find out more right here. I think I'll be picking up some Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath next time I run to Target. Juliette doesn't know yet, but a fun, soothing and sweet bath is on it's way...

Around the Web Catch Up

I've always got about 10 web pages open, to news sites, articles I am in the middle of reading, inspiring blogs I like to check in with and of course baby products I am researching for my upcoming baby boutique (!). Here are some of the things I'm finding interesting these days.

When you use your own bag in the month of April at Urban Outfitters will donate 10 cents to the Canary Project  read more about this cool organization working on climate change.

What to do, what to do? Bake your own Challah of course.

This darling owl clock made from renewable eco material bamboo from one of my favorite eco children's shops online Shak-Shuka. Don't let the source fool you, with or without kids you'll want this clock.

How to avoid food dyes (darn pesky chemicals we don't need) from Eating Well.

Farmers not to blame for food price increases, read the article for more details.

The best recipes to fill your cookie car (or tummy, either way) from Big Girls, Small Kitchen via Huffington Post Food.

A super chock full article regarding the never ending debate, To Eat Meat or Not To Eat Meat. Great view of all sides.

Waxelene for well, EVERYTHING

Ok, so petroleum jelly isn't a very sexy product is it? But ohhh it has so many uses. I hate to admit we have a tub in our bathroom. And every time I see the words PETROLEUM I shudder just a bit. Well I think it's time to toss it and never look back. Enter Waxelene. The petroleum jelly alternative! Where has this been all my life!

A USA made product full of natural and harm free ingredients for all your daily skincare needs. This baby can do it all. So happy to have found another product that I can feel good using.


I will use this for a gazillion things, here are some:


*lip balm
*diaper rash prevention for Juliette
*excema treatment
*flyaway hair tamer
*dry hands balm
*dry nose when I have been blowing it often during cold season
*makeup remover
*aftershave on my sensitive skin
*wind burn relief when Juliette's cheeks turn red from long walks in the chilly air
*ohhh so many more...

Here's their ingredient list, straight from the horse's (ok website's mouth)

*Organic Soybean Oil - full of lovely fatty acids, anti-oxidants + soy isoflavones. These ingredients maintain the healthy balance in your skin, keep skin beautiful and prevents wrinkles! Lovely indeed.
*Beeswax - unbleached (who knew it could be bleached! eek!) beeswax keeps moisture in, protecting and softening your skin. Beeswax is also an natural anti-inflammatory with anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. What a wonder ingredient!

*Organic Rosemary Oil - More anti-oxidant properties (score!) and also improves blood circulation to the skin.
*100% Natural Vit. E Oil - Yet some more anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties


All ingredients Non-GMO of course.

This product is going to make its way into every baby gift I give as well, it's a great addition to any nursery kit, for all of baby's needs! My husband, daughter and I love this stuff already. One product is always better than lots of jars and bottles. Plus the packaging is recyclable and made of glass not more plastic (ie petroleum).

While they find their way to a store near you (they are in locations on the west coast only right now) you can find them online here. 



I think I'll go get some now, my lips need a little tender care...ciao! Xx

Feather Love

I love feathers (and arrows and other Native American influences). What a sweet little Tee! And only $12 bucks if you sign up for The Mini Social (free to sign up of course) Use my invite and I get some referral credit (ahem, thanks!)

Tee is of course 100% organic cotton. naturally. Tiny Whales is the name of the company (adorable name!). Check out their site as well. 

Flopsy Mopsy Cottontail + Peter {Review}

 Each night we read Juliette the story of Peter Rabbit. He is a curious little one just like my little girl. What better inspiration for a line of 100% organic baby food that comes in easy to squeeze little pouches. Little hands can take them on the go as they explore the world. Each one is a delicious combination of fruits + vegetables and packs a nutritional punch too. Easy to reseal with their tops and easy to toss around (no glass jars!). Juliette hasn't mastered the art of squeezing them into her mouth yet, but we hope someday soon. I have seen little darlings around town squeezing them with ease so I know it's possible!

Peter Rabbit Organics only source organic (USDA certified) ingredients and when possible use local suppliers in Oregon (the US division of the UK company) Oh and pouches are BPA free, one less thing to worry about.

Oh and another thing, despite the adorable little bunny rabbit on the packaging these are great snacks for adults when you hiking, biking or eating on the go. Seriously.

You can find the pouches all over at Starbucks, Babies R Us, Amazon, REI and many more!

Here are the flavors:

Mango/Banana/Orange
Strawberry/Banana
Pea/Spinach/Apple
Carrot/Squash/Apple
Apple/Grape
Corn/Apple/Sweet Potato

(Image)

For a Wishy Washy Wash... {Review}

Wishy Wash $20

Little Miss Juliette takes a bath almost every night, not cause she smears black beans in her hair and guacamole all over her face (well maybe that's the reason) but simply because she loves the bath. She loves splashing with her toys, discovering how the water feels in her fingers and toes. While's it is her job to splash, play and enjoy herself, it's mine to lather her up and make sure she comes out my clean little bunny.

I received a bottle of Baby Bear Shop's 'Wishy Wash' in the mail to try out and we used it last night for the first time in her bath. Not only did she adore the little bunny on the label (she kissed it!) but she loved the soothing scent, a soft citrus. I loved how clean she got and how sweet she smelled even this morning when I picked her up from her crib.

Ingredients include; sunflower seed oil, nettle leaf extract, calendula flower extract, aloe and orange oil.

The cutest thing though is the darling little message printed on the bottle:

For a wishy washy wash
with your teeny tiny bunny
put a teensy bit of wash
on a soft squishy cloth

Put the soft squishy cloth
on the teeny tiny bunny
from the bunny's tiny tips
to the bunny's tiny toes

Sing a silly singing song
make a wishy wash wish
then wishy was the bunny
and end with a kiss!

They also sell lovely products for mama to be as well. Certified USDA organic, darling packaging, wonderful scents and affordable. The company products another type of product that I love, multi-use. That cuts down on cost to the consumer (you don't need to buy tons and tons of products) and is better for the environment, less packaging! Their 'Cheeky Baby Butter' can be used to slather up baby + mama in a multitude of spots!

For more information check out their website + blog 

(Image)

LunchSkins: Wrap me Up {Review}

Life is about toting stuff around, from place to place it seems, and now that I've had a baby, I have haul around stuff for 2. It's a lot. One thing I am constantly tucking into my extra large canvas bag are snacks for Juliette, we are often out for hours and hours and I can't rely to buying food wherever I am (nor would I want to drop that kind of cash!). I have only used a few plastic disposable bags since she's been born for her snacks and I'd like to keep it that way, but toting around 4+ mini bpa-free storage containers and snack cups can get bulky to say the least. I'd been looking for some alternative to washing out plastic bags each night to reuse. Then the folks at Lunchskins kindly sent me a reusable sandwich bag to try out, and I am a hooked!

The bags are certified food-safe fabric, are hand sewn right here in the USA and come in a variety of patterns, colors and sizes. They are dishwasher safe,  lead-free and of course bpa-free and phthalate-free. I love their patterns and colors! I've been using it for a few days now and love how easy they are to get into (velcro, tight enough to keep snacks fresh and too tough for my 15 month old to open!) and easy to clean, a swipe of a sponge and it's clean!

They are not just for snacks/food, oh no. They can be used to wrangle up any items  you'd normally toss into a disposable plastic bag (travel sized shampoo and conditioner say!) They make great stocking stuffers too, use them as gift wrap for your small gifts this year! 

Ok, so besides looking super cute and being great for our lives, they are a great gift to the planet. The stats speak for themselves. Each day 20 million (million!) disposable plastic bags are tossed into landfills each year, and that's just in the US alone. Please repeat that outloud to realize the magnitude of that number. 20 million PER DAY. It's time to take the small step to reducing your contribution to that number. Seriously.  They are not online lessening the trash but they give back as well, donating 1% of their online sales profits to C&O Canal Trust, an organization that protects and restores the historic C&O Canal near the nation's capital!

You can buy them at The Container Store, some Whole Foods and on the LunchSkins website, also, click here for more retailer information.

Oh and it's a company run by women, love this.

Holiday Giving: Eco Finds Online

There are a TON of these sale sights online, Gilt, HauteLook, MiniSocial, BeyondTheRack, Swirl...the list goes on and on....and I seem to be a member of them all. I don't buy too often, but when I do it's always something deeply discounted that I've been wanting for ages, like the boots that took years to find (yay HauteLook!) or the precious little pale pink dress for Juliette I could never afford full price (Thanks Gilt!). So I thought with the holiday shopping still looming for most I'd offer up my favorite eco-picks from a few of my favorite online sale sites. I've included an invitation to each site, which if clicked on I earn spending money just by you using them! So get to shopping, for us both.

Kor Water Bottle Swirl Price $30 (Comes in many colors)

Stripped Baggu Bag Swirl Price $8

 

 

Sustainable Bamboo Toothbrushes Swirl Price $11

I simply ADORE pinstripes, I'm happy to see it making the pages of every magazine, but I thought it was my little secret, not so when it's made it onto reusable bags! Baggu, which fold up nice and neat has a few for sale on Swirl, the brainchild of Daily Candy. Also on Swirl, these design-savvy reusable water bottles by Kor and a year's supple of Bamboo toothbrushes! Click here for the invitation link

Wood Snail Mini Social Price $20

MiYim Organic Giraffe Lovie Mini Social Price $8

The Mini Social is THE spot for kids brands that are both beautifully made and on trend. They carry lots of great brands and almost always hhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=689700872737796659ave an eco-chic products for sale. My favorites include these Manny & Simon toys and MiYim plush animals. Here is your invitation link! Enjoy!