I label practically all of my kids’ stuff. Water bottles, backpacks, lunchboxes…you name it. If I’m not busy folding endless loads of whites and darks, you can probably find me perched over some object, Sharpie in hand. Of course, none of the labels I’ve been using have been able to stand up to standard wear and tear or my dishwasher. I’ve tried everything from official-looking file folder labels, to the clever now-I-don’t-have to-do-anything-but stick-them pre-printed return address labels. But nothing will stay put. How incredibly psyched I was to stumble upon Kidaroo Crew’s Sippy Grab. Designed by a mom whose own experiences of keeping her kids’ gear labeled once and for all, these incredibly write-on, slip-on labels fit right over any standard sippy cup, baby [&hellip
The Green Walnut Archive
My 4-year-old loves her stuffed animals like Frosty treasures his magic hat. Sure, they don’t make her shout “Happy Birthday” when she jumps out of bed every morning and “comes to life.” But she does dress them up, carry them around and treat them like gold. And why shouldn’t she? These indispensable buddies provide her lots of comfort, especially on those days when she’s not feeling so great. No wonder then that Thermal-Aid Zoo is a hit with kids in need of a little TLC. A ice pack/heating pad cleverly disguised in the likenesses of a cuddly koala bear, elephant, hippo, monkey and rabbit, these plush pals are more than just a playtime companion. When your little one is feverish, pop one of them in the [&hellip
Still looking for that special something for your college roommate’s new baby? Yes, you’re still a procrastinator (things haven’t changed much) and it doesn’t help matters that she lives across the country. When an overnight-delivery of onesies just won’t cut it, consider the latest mail-order gift subscription service that we’ve stumbled upon this season. Taking the agony out of shopping and shipping, littlefox does the work for you. Spearheaded by two sisters who researched and hand-picked a selection of eco-friendly baby products and packaged them together in a recyclable cardboard box (yup, even the packaging is green) for a monthly mail-order subscription. From feeding accessories and adorable clothing, to developmental toys and other great finds, their picks are ones you’d only find if you spent [&hellip
Both of my girls have a flair for the dramatic. Whether they’ve inherited their parents’ passion for plays or have innocently been bitten by the theater bug, they adore putting on shows and having my husband and I as their hostages…er, captive audience. And because we are always on the lookout for toys and other fun stuff that can appeal to 4- and 8-year-olds, especially ones that are imagination-driven, we couldn’t resist Green Kid Crafts’ One World Puppets. Delivered right to your child’s door, this box is teeming with all the supplies needed to fashion paper doll puppets from repurposed materials. It comes with eight recycled cardstock dolls, an entire wardrobe of cardstock clothes (we love the vintage print romper!), wood craft sticks (in a [&hellip
My grandmother used to say, “Christmas is for kids,” but let’s face it: If it weren’t for all of Santa’s little helpers (yup, this means you), what kind of holiday would it be? You spend the entire month of December shopping, cooking, decorating and wrapping…and probably neglecting yourself in the process. But this year, it’s time to change all that and give yourself the gift of some TLC. Sure, you may not be able to swing an overnight visit to a spa, but that doesn’t mean you can’t replicate that experience at home. Our latest favorite indulgence? Goat Milk Stuff, an extensive line of lotions, soaps, bath bombs and other tub treats all made from raw goat milk. Before you go thinking that can’t possibly [&hellip
When my now 8-year-old was a toddler and we went out to eat, I always kept my bag stashed with crayons, coloring books and the requisite bag of Goldfish (in times of desperation, I’d break out the snacks before the art supplies, rebel that I was). When a colleague sent me a pack of tear-off, stick-on activity place mats, I went through them almost as fast as a bag of Goldfish! I always meant to order more of them, but never got around to stocking up. Wouldn’t a reusable mat work wonders for the time-crunched parent, the one who only realized she’d forgotten the Crayolas and paper after leaving home? (Yup, I admit to that being me on at least a few occasions…) Enter Jaq [&hellip
The supermarket aisles have been overflowing with Halloween candy since August, and I refuse to fall victim to their relentless beckoning. Milky Ways and Nestle bars may tantalize me with their colorful packaging, but so far, I’m not budging. Maybe it’s because I’m desperately trying to make smarter choices when it comes to snacking. Even with Halloween right around the corner, I’m striving to find something sweet that’s not necessarily bad to eat. My search may indeed be over. The just-released UNREAL line of chocolate candy is just what I’ve been craving. Made with all-natural ingredients like cacao beans, organic palm oil and dairy from free-range cows, this brand is proof-positive that candy doesn’t have to pumped with artificial sweeteners to taste delicious. We put [&hellip
Last week, I received a mailer for Christmas card photo ideas. With Halloween candy already arriving on store shelves, does this mean the holiday season can be that far off? If you don’t go by the name “Supermom” and haven’t given any thought yet to your family Christmas cards, consider a warm-and-fuzzy scene with the kids decked out in festive PJs that set the mood all on their own. Skylar Luna‘s new collection of eco-friendly sleepwear for babies through big kids has some delightful ensembles just begging to be photographed. The 100-percent organic cotton, two-piece sets provide ample coverage, while sporting a simple, understated style that’s easy on, easy off. With no snaps and buttons to contend with, that makes for smooth diaper changes for [&hellip
In my house, we go through paper towel like water; practically every time I turn around, it’s time to replace the now-empty roll with a new one. And while I aim to clip coupons whenever a brand I like is on sale, I am particularly fussy about which products I use. Once the colder weather rolls around, I tend to favor the softer towels with the thicker plush–much more kind on my seasonal eczema. Of course, like every mom trying to save the planet, one small sandwich baggie at a time, I do my best to cut down on waste. So, when I received a sample of Bambooee resuable paper towel, I thought maybe it could help me do a better job–both at planet-protecting and [&hellip
What mom couldn’t use a little “om” in her day-to-day? This morning at the library, I witnessed a mom desperately trying to quiet her babbling toddler while perusing the stacks. Despite her efforts, she was not successful and judging by her tone, her mounting frustration was entirely palpable. I know when I experience those stressed-out-mom moments, a little treat for the senses provides some welcome relief. It’s why the new skincare line from Baby Mantra caught our attention. Made from all-natural, organic ingredients like lavender, coconut and shea butter, these products are designed for those most sensitive skin, and are also a favorite of moms in need of a little TLC for themselves. Our favorite is the 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash that contains a [&hellip