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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
Ok, so you've been inundated with dozens of gift guides all over the web, in your inbox in mailbox. Gift giving is supposed to be fun remember, not stressful! Finding that perfect gift can really bring me joy, and there's nothing like finding more than 1 at the same time. Voila! Found. Apple & Bee makes the most darling organic cotton totes, cosmetic cases, kids satchels and nappy changing pads not to mention cute little coin purses and stationary! They do it all, and I want it all!!! Here's a little sample of my favorites for everyone on your list.
In the whirlwind of a weekend of shopping, I've been staying pretty low key. I stocked up on a few organic goodies at Drugstore.com who had a 15% off site wide sale, I picked up a few stocking stuffers and a few Mrs.Meyer's Lavender candles for our home. Anyway...
In an issue of InStyle Magazine I have discovered tons and tons of coupon codes for amazing deals including percentages off and free shippings. I thought I just must share them here! I am not sure of each codes expiration, so forgive me if they don't work. Here they are (including lots of eco-friendly options)
Shop.moxsie.com - code: instyle15 (15% off)
*Check out their 'Eco-Shop' full of lovely eco-friendly jewelry, makes for the perfect gift!
Bodenusa.com - code: st20 (20% off)
*Includes darling clothes for babies, kids and great picks for Men & Women!
Lulus.com - code:instyle (20% off)
*They've got the coziest looking infinity scarves in great colors
Greenwithglamour.com - code: instyle20 (20% off)
*Including the most precious handsewn stuffed animals that you must pick up for the babies in your life!
AlexandAni.com (I've blogged about them here on Urban Branches, check it out) - code: instyle (20% off)
*A must for the gals in your life, crafted of eco-friendly materials!
Ecoconsciousmarket.com - code: instyle20 (20% off)
*The one stop shop for everyone on your list, score eco-conscious radios, baby clothes, art, skincare and clothes for men & women
Tobi.com - code: tobi20style (20% off)
*Click on their eco-tobi link on the main page for eco-finds such as Alternative Apparel, Juice Beauty, Envirosax, Korres, Ren, Matt & Nat and much much more
Beautorium.com - code: instyle (20% off)
*Fill your cart with Weleda, John Masters Organics, Suki, Dr.Hauschka, Trilogy for Men and lots more
Upurea.com - code: instyle20 (20% off plus a free gift)
*Score non-toxic nail polish!
Threepotatofourshop.com - code: instyle3p4 (free gift with purchase)
*I love this site for their flea market finds!
Pure-habitat.com - code: instyle2010 (20% off and free shipping on orders above $100)
*Check your list and pick up some organic, fair-trade and cruelty-free goodies for all those on your list)
Froghollow.com - code: instyle15 (15% off)
*Give the gift of organic fruit, what better! Includes 25 varieties including peaches, cherries and nectarines that are send directly from the farm.
Polarnopyretusa.com - code: stylepop (20% off non-sale items)
*The coolest of the cool clothes for babies and kiddos, and they've got an eco section to boot!
And don't forget to stop by PureandLittle on Monday for a 50% off site wide sale! Pick up lots of organic and natural goodies for your purest baby.
What are you waiting for, get to shopping! Oh and to keep it extra earth friendly, shop with a friend of relative, and save on shipping fuel! (and you can share the cost too, score!)
Starting Monday the darling baby/kids online boutique Pure & Little is offering 50% off the entire site! I'm freaking out already, making mental lists of who I need to shop for, and what Juliette needs to stock up on!
They sell the adorable Green To Grow BPA-free baby bottles (Juliette has these!) MiYim darling organic cotton plush toys, organic newborn layette essentials and what I'll be stocking up on: California Baby skincare products!
Psst, California Baby products are great for adults too, especially their bubble bath!
These darling new Organic (!) cotton playsuits, onsies and sleep rompers for babies from Dwell Studio, too bad Juliette is too big for them now! I guess I'll have to stick to their other amazing items!
My daughter Juliette has a lot of toys, we've got 2 big bins full, but it is the earth-friendly ones that I'll be tucking away for my next! While I'd love for all of Juliette's toys to be made from recycled, reclaimed, organic and pure materials that isn't always the case. There aren't as many brands of toys I really love out there to choose from. Enter Apple Park to save this mama's day! Apple Park is a San Francisco based company who made it their mission to create products that were environmentally responsible (think organic, recycled and sustainable materials!) but also super sweet and lovable. They've totally won me over on all fronts. Their soft teething toys are made from organic cotton and have the sweetest faces ranging from lambs to monkeys. Their family of finger puppets is sure to put on a show for your little one and their super soft 100% organic cotton blankets will make Mom & Dad happy! Their line includes wrist rattles, blankets, teething toys, soft blocks and more. Perfect for your little one or that gift you've gotta give. Why not give the gift of organic! What better way to start out life than with organic materials. Apple Park believes that as asthma (and other major medical issues too!) are on the rise we are learning more and more that they are related to chemicals in our environment. Apple Park products are hypoallergenic and made from 100% certified organic cotton (and are of course sans chemicals and other carcinogenic materials!)
These soft toys are the sweetest, more huggable, lovable you've seen. I want the whole Apple Park Picnic Pals family! I know I'll be giving these away as holiday gifts for sure for the new little ones in my life.
Oh, and whilst I don't like excess packaging, I am a sucker for it when it's done well, and this is believe me, no wrapping paper needed! The box is made from recycled materials and printed with soy based ink, no guilt necessary!
In their own words: "It's good to be green for our health, our environment, our children and our future."
Check them out online on Twitter @appleparktoys & on their super cute website
