ShainsWare wants you to say it, wear it, mean it with their 100% recycled rubber bracelets. When I was teen hipster back in the nineties, if I could have worn a bracelet that said “save the dolphins” I probably would have. Thanks to ShainsWare, today’s kids, tweens and teens can make a personalized statement with these groovy bracelets by choosing from 9 different colors and inserting letters, numbers and icons that can be changed whenever they feel like it PLUS ShainsWare donates 10% of net profits to environmental organizations. With their totally unique and customizable bracelets, Shainsware has made environmentally conscious self-expression easy and cool!

Find It Here: ShainsWare

By Sarah, June 29, 2008  
Filed under: Gift, Kids, Recycle, Teens & Tweens, Wear

While we’re not normally fans of vinyl for new products, we are in favor of re-using the vinyl that already exists because it does not break down in landfills and thus, it might as well be used again for things that need to be tough and waterproof (obviously not baby/kids products!). What better way to display your fabulous “reduce, re-use and recycle” lifestyle than with a purse, tote or bag made from recycled vinyl billboards? In 2002, the Vy&Elle company (a play on word on ‘vinyl’) started designing and creating women and men’s accessories that were practical works of art. To date, Vy&Elle have reused over 100 tons of billboard vinyl and their manufacturing process includes 100% recycling of all scrap and waste materials, which are turned into garden hoses and flooring by other manufacturers so every bit of those billboards is reused and lives another life as something else — which means LESS NEW VINYL being produced! Of course, we look forward to the day that vinyl is no longer made at all but until then, we think Vy&Elle products are not only good-looking but also gorgeously green!

Find It Here: Vy&Elle

By Sarah, June 7, 2008  
Filed under: Recycle, Reduce/Reuse, Style, Travel, Wear

Though I love fruits and vegetables now, I’m pretty sure I didn’t eat a single vegetable when I was a kid without some sort of protest. Maybe if my parents had been able to send me to bed in New Jammies, I would have started enjoying my vegetables a lot sooner. Made of super soft 100% organic cotton, New Jammies fruit and vegetable print pajamas for kids and babies feature brightly colored images of bananas, blueberries, carrots, peas, tangerines and apples along with cute little phrases like “Apple of My Eye” and “Pretty Peas Please.” The icing on the cake carrots is the little book that comes with every pair. Filled with pictures of happy produce, counting games, rhymes and a short story, it really does make fruits and vegetables look fun; like something kids would enjoy instead of something yucky their parents insist they eat — and take it from a former world-class vegetable hater, getting little ones on the path to healthy eating in a positive way is half the battle in the veggie wars.

Find It Here: New Jammies

Congrats to Emily H., winner of a New Jammies pajama set!

By Izzy, May 5, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Kids, Learn, Organic, Toddler, Wear, Win

Baby Gap and Gymboree watch out - you’ve now officially got some serious eco-competition. Introducing…Kicky Pants, our latest and greatest find for totally unique, comfy and eco-friendly clothing for babies and toddlers. We love them for their line of bamboo basics, which are really and truly the softest baby clothing we’ve ever felt. (Yes, bamboo clothing is actually really soft! The fiber itself has been compared to silk and we’re not surprised. It’s that luxurious.). Created by designer and mom Erin Cloke, Kicky Pants was developed while she was on bedrest with her second son (wow!). With the help of her husband, environmentalist Nick Cloke, Erin has created a line of bamboo clothing that includes coveralls, dresses, onesies, PJs, and tees. My personal favorite are the coveralls - if only because I love the adorable “drop down” butts on those pants! All in all, I’d say this husband-wife duo has come up with a pretty kick ass line. No pun intended.

Find It Here: Kicky Pants

Congratulations to Frances F., winner of a set of bamboo coveralls by Kicky Pants!

By Cristina, April 25, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Bamboo, Wear, Win

Swaddling is one mom skill that I never truly mastered. I would swaddle the baby and two seconds later she’d have limbs poking out all over the place. Frustrated, I would make my husband, who has a black belt in swaddling, wrap her up like a little burrito while I watched in awe. Please teach me your ways, most honorable baby swaddler. So when I set eyes upon the organic cotton Cozy Cocoon, I was all “Why didn’t I think of this?” It’s like a big stretchy sock and your baby is like the foot. Wait. No. Let me re-phrase that… Your baby wears the Cozy Cocoon like a body sock which, once on, holds their limbs close to their bodies, making them feel snug, secure and comforted with none of the jerking, twitching or startling movements that repeatedly wake them up. Plus? No snaps, buttons or yucky, scratchy Velcro like on those other weird swaddling blankets. It’s almost cool enough to make me give in to the baby fever one gets when all their friends are pregnant. I said almost.

(Note: Does contain some Lycra for stretchiness)

Find it Here: Cozy Cocoon

By Izzy, April 12, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Organic, Wear

Have you heard of BabyLegs? They’re these really cute legwarmers for babies and toddlers. You know, like in Flashdance? No, no, I’m just kidding. Sort of. See, BabyLegs do keep little legs warm BUT unlike pants or tights, they don’t cover diapers or feet and therein lies their genius — no five hundred snaps to undo for a diaper change, legs stay warm while airing out itty bitty fannies, little knees are protected when crawling but feet stay uncovered for good traction and finally, no tugging and pulling down pants for potty training. See? Genius! They come in a frillion ab fab colors and patterns for girls and boys but being that we’re your friendly internet Green Moms we are, of course, big fans of the totally not-even-remotely-eighties organic cotton BabyLegs.

Find It Here: BabyLegs

Congratulations Suzanne B., winner of a set of organic cotton BabyLegs in Pebble!

Do Good: From April 1st thru April 22nd, 10% of the sales from the BabyLegs organic line will be donated to the Nature Conservancy’s Adopt and Acre program in honor of Earth month!

By Izzy, April 1, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Organic, Toddler, Wear, Win

Featuring positive messages like “Choose Happiness,” “Live Mindfully,” and “Today Matters,” Tees for Change t-shirts are a wonderful way to inspire yourself and those around you to live with purpose and passion. These shirts are super soft, made from 100% organic cotton or organic bamboo, colored with low impact dyes and screen-printed with water-based inks. Cute, eco-friendly and inspirational — oh, and they’ll plant a tree when you buy a tee. What more could you possibly ask for in a tee shirt?

Find It Here: Tees For Change

Congratulations to Annette T., winner of a “Chase Dreams” Organic Cotton Jersey from Tees for Change!

By Amy, March 19, 2008  
Filed under: Mama, Organic, Style, Sustainable, Wear, Win

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, millions of pairs of Crocs shoes are purchased each year. The question is where do all those old Crocs go to die? In the past, probably to the landfill, but now there is SolesUnited, a recycled footwear donation program in which you give back your worn-out Crocs to be recycled into new ones and donated to people in need around the world. While I myself don’t own any, I’m still stoked to see that the Crocs company is taking a responsible and pro-active stance in trying to recycle their non-biodegradable product. Now go spread the word!

Find it Here: SolesUnited

By Izzy, March 11, 2008  
Filed under: Recycle, Resources, Wear

Buying organic, fair-trade children’s clothing doesn’t mean having to sacrifice style, especially when it comes to the hand-appliquéd dresses, t-shirts and pants from Kice Kice. Founded by artists and twin sisters Karen Kice and Lesley Nishigawara, Kice Kice specializes in environmentally and socially responsible clothing. Their spring 2008 line is made from 100% organic cotton and features playful designs that are comfortable enough to wear during playtime, but stylish enough to wear out for a special event. Each garment truly looks like a work of art - and like a work of art, each garment is individual and varies slightly due to its handmade nature.

Find It Here: Nonchalantmom

Congrats to Heather D., winner of the pictured dot shirt, valued at $38.00!

By Cristina, March 7, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Fair Trade, Organic, Toddler, Wear, Win

The Hotsling is the first and only pouch sling that I have ever purchased, and I love it. Not only does it do a great job of hiding my post-pregnancy belly, but it’s also super easy to use. Just slip it over your head, drop your baby inside, and off you go! Because it’s sized to fit, you don’t have to learn how to wrap it or adjust it so it’s a great beginner sling. Hotslings come in a lot of great prints, but I have to give it up for the undyed, unbleached hemp/organic cotton Hotsling. It’s machine washable, sweatshop-free, made in the U.S.A., fits easily in your diaper bag and hides your belly flab! If that’s not hot, I don’t know what is.

Find It Here: fawnandforest.com

Congratulations Kari, winner of a Hotsling in natural organic cotton!

Deal: fawnandforest.com is offering 15% off all slings + carriers through the end of February!

By Cristina, February 22, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Mama, Organic, Wear, Win

Your baby’s footprint is small enough, and now, even her carbon footprint can be a little bit smaller thanks to the “eco-luxury” line of bamboo baby clothing from BabyBam Collection. BabyBam’s line of bamboo clothing is scrumptious. Their bamboo and organic cotton onesie is all-natural - no bleach or dyes are used to color the fabric, with the exception of low-impact dyes for the graphic. Plus, it’s naturally anti-bacterial and hypo-allergenic. And soft. Did I mention soft? Granted, this onesie is going to be pricer than ones you might pick up at Target but I’m all for quality over quantity these days. And it’s earth-friendly, to boot!

Find It Here: BabyBam Collection

Congratulations to Stacey of KY, lucky winner of an exclusive BabyBam bamboo and organic cotton onesie!

By Cristina, February 21, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Indulge, Sustainable, Wear, Win

I love it when I find a product dedicated to raising environmental awareness - like the clothing from Lotus Blossom Style. Founded by singer, songwriter and yoga instructor Tabby Biddle, Lotus Blossom Style sells organic cotton, bamboo, and sweatshop-free clothing for men, women and children. Their unique, original designs are inspired by Yoga and Tibetan Buddhism. I found the baby Buddha peace onesies in organic cotton to be particularly irresistible, but for the older kids check out their Love tees, also in organic cotton and also made with a commitment to honoring the Earth through their design and manufacturing.

Find It Here: Lotus Blossom Style

Congratulations to Jennifer of Texas, winner of the pictured Lotus Blossom Tee!

By Cristina, February 14, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Kids, Mama, Organic, Style, Toddler, Wear, Win