Handmade & eco-friendly northwest lovelies for Easter baskets

Posted on by March 18, 2012

I love Etsy. I love mama owned businesses. I love the Pacific Northwest. I love supporting those things by buying handmade, especially if it is eco-friendly, local, or made by moms. And, yes, I am a big believer in the idea that you get what you pay for…

Etsy is one great place to find those things, and there are so many more. I wanted to share with you some of the great Northwest finds that would be perfect for a little one’s Easter basket, or anytime! Easter is only one week away, so better get hopping if you haven’t snapped up any of these lovelies yet!

Local Etsy Finds:

Who could resist this cute Little Bird ($22) in such a sweet shade of blue? Or this Woolen Bunny ($12) made from recycled wool? Chet and Dot is based in Portland and makes some really cute stuff finding “inspiration in vintage craft magazines, Japanese design and crafts as well as nature.” Check out her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/chetanddot.

This Sew-a-Rabbit kit ($16.15 with other colors available) from Kit and Caboodle Designs is so cute! You can either make your sweet babe a sweet bunny, or let your older child have a great eco-friendly sewing project. Plus, it’s on sale now through Easter! Find all of the fantastic kits at http://www.etsy.com/shop/kitandcaboodledesign.

Isn’t this flapper beanie ($24) from PDX Beanies just the most ridiculously cute thing ever! The sweet babe doesn’t hurt either. Love, love, love all the hats and headbands for girls, plus there are some sweet ones for boys too! Find everything at http://www.etsy.com/shop/pdxbeanies.

How adorable would your little bean be in this Baby Bib and Burp Cloth Set ($22) from Quiltish? Alisa Jacobs is the creative mind behind some fabulous “handmade bags, baby gifts and little creations”. I am totally in love with some of her zipper pouch cosmetic bags, like this one, and zipper clutches, like this one. I am sure those tweens and teens would love them too. Find everything at http://www.etsy.com/shop/allisajacobs.

I think this Sky Blue Blossom Pendant & Necklace ($11) would be perfect for an older girl. The Garden of Dreams, based in Ashland, has some really sweet necklaces, many of which are on sale. The designer is an eco-conscious student and is even working on organic gardening with a local jail. Find all of her creations at http://www.etsy.com/shop/thegardenofdreams.

Technically, I suppose you wouldn’t be putting these I Love Candy tissue poms ($28) into an Easter Basket, although I suppose you could put the kit into a crafty teens basket. They are just so pretty I couldn’t not include them! They would make a lovely decoration for an Easter brunch (or any other Spring event for that matter). Prost to the Host make some fabulous tissue poms made of 100% recycled content all in the northwest!

Happy Birthday Dr. King

Posted on by May 21, 2011

“The time is always right to do what is right.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

How true that is. I think it’s something easily forgotten as well. We can always come up with an excuse for why we can’t do the right thing. Today we are celebrating a life that asked us all to dream, to effect change, to fight discrimination and poverty.

I want so much for my children to be good global citizens. I want them to seek answers for the world’s problems, to effect positive change in their communities, to be loving, compassionate people. I will use today to reinforce my belief that they can make this world a better place, that one person can make a difference. I will use today to reinforce my belief that it is always our responsibility to do what is right for ourselves, our community, our planet, and all living things.

What are you doing today?

What are you thankful for?

Posted on by January 16, 2019

If you’re on Facebook, perhaps you have seen others or are doing yourself, updating their status each day of what they are thankful for. When I first saw it, I hesitated. In some ways using a medium like Facebook to share what I am thankful for each day seems so forced, so insincere, but I decided to do it anyway. It has actually been sort of fun thinking of different things each day. Some days have been harder than others, especially once I got through the easy ones (my children, my husband, etc.). I started thinking about the more subtle things in life that I am so grateful for (coffee, I am talking about you!). Some days I really had to think… and I think I need more gratitude in my life.

Yesterday, my five year old told me that he heard something very important on the radio. He told me that there are people that don’t have clean water or enough food to eat. Every day children are dying because of it.

And he said this with much astonishment, which makes me grateful that he does not have to worry about this in his daily life, but also makes me wonder about how to use this moment to teach him about what we need to do for others and what we need to do for this planet.

We have done the usual canned food drives. In fact, several of his friends this year asked for food donations in lieu of presents for their birthday parties. We discussed why we did this, but obviously he still doesn’t really understand. We donate used goods to various charities. We also talked about why we do this, what it means for us and for others, but again it obviously didn’t really sink in.

So yesterday I shared how thankful I am to have clean water and enough food. And I am, incredibly thankful.

But now, how to teach a five-year-old about the gravity and worldwide prevalence of hunger, poverty, and limited access to clean, safe water? How do I impart how thankful we really should be for our home, healthy food, clean water, transportation, an excellent education, and the freedom to play? How do I teach him to be empathetic and generous with a desire to change the world?

How do you teach your children to be thankful?

What are you thankful for this year?

Tuesday Top Ten: 10 Ways To Green Your Pregnancy

Posted on by February 29, 2012
  1. Borrow maternity clothing, or buy used. We wear maternity clothes for such a short amount of time that it almost seems silly to buy brand new. Plus it will save you money!
  2. Eat organic. The foods that you eat during pregnancy are also sustaining your growing baby. Seek out lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you haven’t chosen organic foods yet for yourself, start now for your baby. You will greatly reduce the amount of harmful chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, and growth hormones all of which have been shown to cross the placenta) and increase the nutritive value and health of the foods you eat by choosing organic.
  3. Green your clean. There are companies that make more eco-friendly cleaning products that actually do work! I like Biokleen and Seventh Generation. You can also try homemade cleaners with baking soda and vinegar as the base ingredients. No toxic chemicals!
  4. Use safer personal care products. Start reading labels on your cleansers, lotions, shampoos, and deodorants. Harmful ingredients are as important for you as for baby, especially since the harmful chemicals and fragrances can and do penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. I love Earth Mama Angel Baby and many of their products can be used for other things. The Angel Baby Shampoo & Baby Wash makes a great facial cleanser!
  5. Start drinking filtered tap water. Pregnant women need lots of water, but skip the bottles! Buy a stainless steel water bottle for on the go and fill up the glasses while at home. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
  6. Use your library. If you are a research and book lover like me, you want to check out the numerous baby books out there, from baby names to childbirth to how to make baby food, the library has it all! Skip the “What To Expect..” books and scope out some that will help support your green lifestyle.
  7. Walk more, drive less. Not only is driving less good for the planet, but it’s wonderful for you and your baby’s health too. Getting or staying fit during pregnancy can make for shorter and easier labors, plus makes it that much easier to shed the baby weight later.
  8. Start choosing reusable whenever possible. This is great on your wallet once you’ve made the initial investment. Cleaning cloths instead of paper towels, cloth napkins instead of paper, and reusable water bottles and coffee mugs instead of plastic and paper is a great start!
  9. Change the shower curtain. Many shower curtains are made with PVC, which contain hormone disrupting chemicals. Choose a natural fiber or EVA shower curtain for a safer option.
  10. Choose safe decorating and remodeling options. If you are getting the nursery ready or feel the need to change the whole house, there are many eco-friendly options that will greatly benefit you and your baby’s health. Make sure you are aware if there is any lead paint or asbestos you need to worry about before starting in on any projects! Choose no-voc paint, eco-friendly flooring, and organic fabrics whenever possible.