And the Winner Is….. May 3, 2008

The winner of our soap-on-a-rope giveaway from Ananya Studio is Michelle B.  (My eight year old son helped pick the winning number.)  Congrats and Enjoy!  Thanks to everyone who left a comment to enter and keep checking back because we will be starting a new contest sometime next week.

Ananya Studio is also now offering 40% off all our fair trade sterling silver and semi-precious stone jewelry.  We are trying to clean house a little bit to make room for new stock.  Just enter csale in the coupon code box at checkout to receive your discount. 

Organic Clothing Blog April 16, 2008

Just a quick shout out to The Organic Clothing Blog.  This blog is an extremely well written and in depth blog about all topics related to the environment.  Michael Lackman one of the owners of Lotus Organics is the author of this informative blog.  One of his recent blog entries focused on The Diversity of Green Jewelry.  In this entry, he writes a very positive review of Ananya Studio’s fair trade jewelry.  We were so honored to be mentioned in this wonderful blog and were pleased to see all the options for responsible jewelry that are available!  To feed your hunger for more knowledge about green issues visit the information packed Organic Clothing Blog. 

On The Inside April 15, 2008

I am sooooo EXCITED!!  My husband and I are planning an adult only trip to someplace warm and sunny.  I cannot wait!  It has been a VERY long time since we have gone on a vacation without the kids………oh, the pure decadence of not having to go to any baseball or soccer games for a whole weekend,  sleeping to whatever time we want and dinners out without worrying about what is on the kid’s menu.   I cannot believe it is actually happening!

Thoughts of this trip have spurred me to start thinking about my unmentionables.  It is always fun to pick up a little something new for vacation.  On The Inside has beautiful handmade, sexy  lingerie that can be made to order to met all your sizing needs.  I love this Sweetspire camisole made from organic cotton.  It looks so soft and comfortable….. I can see putting it on and never wanting to take it off.  (And you can even order matching panties.)

I am also drooling over these super sexy boyshorts.  They are crafted from a soft black organic cotton embellished with delicate white embroidered flowers.  I am drawn to boyshorts because they are so flattering.  They help hide some of the bumps and lumps that come with motherhood.  And if you are a set kind-of girl, you can pick up the matching organic cotton camisole to compliment the panties.

On The Inside uses organic cotton panty liners on all of her panties because as the artist says, “I know your precious pink parts would be environmentally conscious, if they could express a point of view.”  She also uses recycled boxes for shipping.  What a great way to dress-up your “precious parts” while helping save the environment!!!

Clean Sheets April 7, 2008

 I just pulled my clean sheets out of the dryer.  The smell so yummy!!!! I fianlly got to use my new lavender scented Anti-static laundry spray from The Windsong company.  I love how fresh and clean they smell…….. is there anything better than the smell of clean sheets?  It was so easy to use.  I just put a few spritzes of spray on each side of the cute little frog patterned pillow that came with the spray and then threw it into the dryer with my sheets and clothes.  Hello fresh smelling sheets, goodbye fabric softeners loaded with chemicals!!!

You Can Find Recycled Art Everywhere March 26, 2008

 Early this morning when I was making my way bleary eyed through the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, I was pleasantly surprised to see an exhibit featuring five Austin artists “show their creativity and resourcefulness in the new exhibit Lost and Found.   The artists utilize found objects in their art to create unique assemblages that offer a broad range of theme and style.”

When we arrived in Austin last week, my guitar playing son and I had been struck by a shiny bright guitar that artist Ronnie Weeks had adorned with die, trumpet keys and a  small carburetor at the top.  It was very cool!  Today, I noticed all the other artist’s work.  Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures I can share but it was a pleasant surprise to see Texan artists making such beautiful creations from found objects.

Bumbleberry Bakery- Organic Goodness March 17, 2008

My crazy  little sister decided to give up chocolate for Lent.  I am always amazed at people who can forgo chocolate for that long.  - Me- not a chance!  I need my daily dose of sugary, sweet caffeine.  Last time I talked to my sister, she was lamenting having choosen this Lenten sacrafice.  (In fact, she confessed she had ”cheated” at her friend’s house over the weekend when her friend offered freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!)  She seemed like she was wavering in her conviction to stick with this promise.  That’s why when I saw these yummy looking organic chocolate chunk cookies from Bumbleberry Bakery,  I thought maybe I should send her a dozen.  I mean if she is going to cheat, she might as well do it with some amazing tasting organic goodness.

Bumbleberry Baking, a Massachusetts company, is commited to making good food by hand using only the finest organic ingredients, without additives or preservatives.  In their etsy shop, they currently offer four different types of muffins and five different types of cookies but are planning to introduce new baked goods for Spring in the month of March.  Check them out at etsy to see what all the hype is about.  

The Windsong March 14, 2008

As the mom of two active, sweaty little boys there are some major funky smells going on in my house and laundry basket.  Sometimes when I go into the boy’s bathroom, the smell of their socks in the dirty clothes hamper is overwhelming.  I am always looking for ways to get their clothes clean and  hide the smells that seem to waft from their socks.  In the past, I have resorted to using fabric softeners but I have always worried about the chemicals that are in them.  The Windsong offers an all natural alternative to fight stinky boy smell.  Their organic anti-static laundry spray comes with an essential oil spray that you spritz on a free pillow and then toss into your dryer with your clean laundry.  Your laundry has less static and comes out smelling of the scent of your choice.  Good-bye (more…)

DinnerTime Chimes February 24, 2008

As most of you know who read my musing on a regular basis, the weather in the Northwest has been absolutely gorgeous!  Everyone has been outside enjoying the warmth and the sunshine and willing all their Spring bulbs to burst forth.  Every little pop of color is to be savored.  With all this garden longing, I am again finding myself searching etsy for garden accessories and supplies. 

In all my searching, I was so excited when I found Dinnertime Chimes!  Look at their adorable GARDEN IN A BOX.  It features a windchime made from a recycled sherbert goblet with recycled spoons and forks dangling below.  It also has a hanging bird feeder made from a recycled tea cup and saucer and the bird seed to fill it packaged in tulle.  A pair of hot pink (more…)

Fandangled February 22, 2008

  How fun is this shirt!!  My boys would have been all over this tee when they were younger- from the bright, monsterish eyes, to the crazy, wild yellow hair- they would have been in heaven!!  Even I  want to reach out and pet the hair. 

 Fandangled tees are one-of-a-kind creations that are crafted from recycled kid’s clothing and lovingly sewn onto new, 100% cotton t-shirts.  And for those of you who are super Green- she  also makes RE-Fandangled shirts… which means the shirt is recycled too!

I guess I am really attracted to skulls right now (see yesterday’s review on YaYascaps).  Take a look at this cute blue skull shirt with memerizing black and white striped eyes- all crafted from recycled kid’s clothes.  Fandangled offers fun, funky fashion for all the Green kids in your life!

Grace Graphics February 19, 2008

Today, I was driving home from snow covered Mt. Hood in Oregon, basking in the sunlight streaming through my moonroof when my 8 year old said, “Today is reminding me of Oklahoma.”  I could not for the life of me figure out what he was talking about because the Oklahoma he knows, his grandparent’s house, is flat as can be.  He told me that he was thinking of Oklahoma because it was sunny outside.  It made me realize again how little we see the sun in the winter in the Northwest.

Currently, however, we have had a string of sunny, warm days.  Of course, the sunshine starts my longing for Spring and mucking around in the dirt of  my garden.  The thought of my yard filled with tulips, daffodils and primroses makes me smile- that is why I was so excited when I found Grace Graphics’s line of  handmade plantable paper greeting cards.  The artist at Grace Graphics uses traditional papermaking techniques to produce beautiful tree-free paper created from recycled fibers and exotic materials.  She features a whole line of greeting cards that are infused with wild flowers seeds so they can be planted by the recipent after they have been enjoyed.  Look at this cute card featuring the spunky studio dog, Milo.

She also has a unique and beautiful idea for a wedding favor.  She sells a white tin of 100 flower shaped, wildflower seeded paper favors.  Each favor has a die cut center heart and a tag which includes  instructions for planting the seeded paper. Tags may be personalized with the couple’s name and wedding date, or other short text.  Here is a favor that any bride concerned about the environment and green issues can feel good about giving.  And the guests will be reminded of the happy day everytime they look at the flowers that spring from the seeds!