Valentines Day: Arts and Craft Plates

Ok...I have totally been in an Arts and Crafts mode over the last few months and one of my New Year's Resolutions is to spend more time on my creative side (avoiding the ever growing stack of work papers on my desk)...we had handmade gift tags for Christmas, melted shaped crayons and cinnamon caramels as gifts, paper snowflake decorations and beautiful Christmas cookies decorated by my niece (she might have eaten more of the decoration than actually went on the cookies once she discovered it was edible). Now, I am not big into Valentines only because I think Hallmark invented this holiday...however, I am in love with these plates and think this is a great project for the kids with a few plates from the Salvation Army (which is around the corned from Spotlight where the pens are sold)...I found this over at CraftBlog which is kind of a Net-a-Porter for crafties...totally chic and simple...I am even thinking my white mugs could do with a bit of redesign. xxx

babycakes: Kid's Lunchbox Heaven

babycakes: Vegan, Gluten-Free and (Mostly) Sugar-Free Recipes from New York's Most Talked-About Bakery

Ok...here in Australia it is the start of the new school year...this year has been a totally stressful start to the year...perhaps it is my third starting Kindy and adjusting to the idea that I will never have another child in pre-school... or just the sheer organizational requirements of getting three kids out the door, in uniform, with book bags, homework folders, sunblock, hair ribbons, etc. by 7:45...or, maybe it is just wishing I was back in Wyoming (where we spent most of January) skiing and looking at Elk...my bright spot?....babycakes cookbook - seriously. You do not know how many 'healthy' recipes I have tried for snacks only to have my kids look at me in horror (most of them did taste pretty awful)...then, my sister (thanks Mel) sent this to me from America...it is full of vegan, gluten-free and (mostly) sugar-free recipes from New York's very cool babycakes bakery (Natalie Portman LOVES it)...Anyway, Martha Stewart can eat her heart out...the recipes are divine...here is what my kids (and me) are snacking on this week:

Carrot Cupcakes from babycakes
3 cups gluten-free flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Xanthan Gum
1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
2 Teaspoons Ground Ginger
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
2/3 Cup Coconut Oil
1 Cup Agave Nectar
1 Cup Rice Milk
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
1/2 cut Hot Water
3 Cups Shredded Carrots

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.

Whisk together dry ingredients. Add all wet ingredients except for hot water and stir until a thick batter is formed. Add the hot water and continue stirring till smooth. Using a spatula, fold in carrots till evenly distributed.

Fill muffin cups almost to the top. Bake for 25 minutes (cupcakes will bounce back when pressed). Let sit for 20 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack. EAT. xxx

Handmade Kids' Christmas Presents: billy boy & mia

I am so excited...I just received this gorgeous creature (Posie Pretty) in the mail from billy boy & mia (the Christmas Tree is my addition). She is handmade using vintage fabrics and is one-of-a-kind...she is a special Christmas present for a little poppet...according to the green book, if every child received just one alternative-to-plastic toy we could save almost 25 million pounds of plastic and enough energy to bake thirty-one million Christmas cakes...cute and saving the world...what could be a better present?

School Holidays!!!

Today is the last day of school for many Australian kids for the winter break...I know that school holidays can be a bit bittersweet, but I have to say I have come to love them....no packing lunches, searching for the missing sport shirt, rushing out the door to make Cello rehearsal at 7:40 or soccer training at 7:15, the logistic coordination of picking up 3 kids at the same time from completely different activities and the dreaded 'have you done your homework' question...pjs till 10, lots of play dates, video rentals and just hanging out are truly a holiday...let's see how I am feeling in 3 weeks.

Not sure what school holidays has to do with being green, though I have been thinking of coming up with a green project the kids and I can do over the holidays...veggie garden? Any other ideas? xxx

PS. This photo is from TummyMountain's shop at etsy (she has the most divine prints).... I loved it so much I have ordered it for my daughter's room...she loves swings and I think it captures that wonderful feeling of "whoosh" you get when you swing...plus, swings are very green...outside, no electricity or batteries - just kid-powered fun.

Magnolia Square

My friend Kate sent me this link and I am loving it! Sort of a cross between Daily Candy, etsy and your favourite flea market. Next week is their first show in Sydney with over 50 different retailers (details below) and the products are divine (I would so love the typewriter key jewelry)...they also have two blogs....Snippets and LITTLEsnippets....this might be the first year I really have my Christmas shopping done early...Hope to see you next week. xxx

Gaia Organic 50% Off Sale

If only I could shrink my girls...I love everything about Gaia Organic Cotton clothing. Divine fabrics, adorable styles, organic cotton and made by a Mum...and now all the summer stock is 50% off. Have given lots of the cotton onesies as newborn presents to many a happy Mum. Personally, I love the classic white cotton dress...but unfortunately my girls have outgrown Gaia...bummer...I think my niece might look adorable in it though...Happy Shopping. xxx

PS I find that the toddler sizes run a bit small so I would order up a size.

Anamalz - My Favorite Gift for Kids

OK...these Anamalz are just too cute....plus they are made from organic maple wood, use non-toxic paint and are hand-crafted here in Australia...I bought a few for my nephew and my girls were begging me for them (they were more popular than Littlest Pet Shops which says a lot)...You can but them individually or in sets (you can also purchase a little bag to keep them safe in)...I love the idea of kids playing with these simple, but gorgeous toys that come with no packaging (unlike the Littlest Pet Shops that come with more plastic in the wrapping than in the toy). You can buy them at Bonza Brats plus other specialty toy shops or online at Down to Earth Organics which sell them separately and as sets (they have lots of other lovely things online)...so skip the plastic toys and give the kids something they will love and is kind to their world...oink oink...xxx

Eco Babies Wear Green - A Great Present for Little Ones

Eco Babies Wear Green - the perfect green present for your favourite little one. I came across this book at Bonza Brats...it is so sweet I would have bought even if I weren't green...It is a fun way to introduce littlies (and grown-ups ) to the basics of being green through a series of delightful pictures....I bought a few for my Chrissie presents and am keeping one on my desk to make me smile....xxx

I Love Georgie Love (especially for gifts)

OK....I will admit it, I am a closest arts and crafts person. I have bags full of unfinished knitting and needlepoint. I have boxes of buttons, scrap paper and old glass jars which means we can do pretty much any arts and crafts activity at a moment's notice....the problem is I am not sure others would appreciate the beauty of my work (my daughter's on the other hand create complete masterpieces). Well, thank goodness for Georgie Love. This is just the cutest website and totally perfect for a glam green girl....here is a bit about it...

Georgie Love ...is Australia's first website store dedicated to promoting and selling handmade delights from independent and emerging artists from Australia! Georgie Love is filled with a mix of edgy, eclectic, funky and beautiful pieces that are either one-off originals or a part of a very small run. Most things can't be found in stores anywhere else! Georgie Love's items are made by hand and not in factories, usually from a range of recycled and vintage fabrics. We love all things produced ethically and locally.

Here are a few of my favourite things....This adorable Milk Chocolate Doilie Baby Singlet ($22) made using vintage doilies by Nell at Kids in the Mix...(featured above).

This wonderful stuffed toy which is really too cute for words....a Wonky Lucy ($39.95) from Julie at Juicy Roo.

And finally, a Strawberries and Cream Purse ($20) from Penny at Pocket Carnival.

Happy Shopping! xxx

What You Need to Know About Sunscreen

There seem to be more sunscreen brands on the shelf everyday yet skin cancer is on the rise. 80% of newly diagnosed cancers in Australia are skin cancer. Environmental Working Group in the US found that 4 out of 5 sunscreens contained harmful chemicals or were ineffective. Though there is some controversy about their findings, the fact remains that all sunscreens are not created equal. Here is my Sunscreen 101:

UVA and UVB. UVA rays cause ageing and go deeper into the skin. UVA rays go through almost everything including light clothing. UVB rays cause sunburn and are considered to be the main cause of skin cancers.

SPF and Broad Spectrum. SPF only measures a sunscreens effectiveness for UVB rays. You can buy a 30+ sunscreen that does nothing to protect you from UVA rays. To protect from both UVA and UVB rays you must buy a product labelled Broad Spectrum, 30+.

Chemical vs Physical Filters. There are basically two ingredient groups to protect against the sun. Chemical filters bind with skin cells to convert rays to heat so they cannot damage the skin. Physical filters are particles that sit on top of the skin and prevent the rays from getting through. There are only 2 physical filters: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, both natural. Zinc Oxide offers the greatest protection of any ingredient from both UVA and UVB rays and is natural.

15 Minute Beauty has a fantastic chart which gives an overview of the different sunscreens ingredients and what rays they are effective in blocking out. A great resource to check your sunscreens against.

Preservatives: Preservatives are present in all sunscreens to keep them from going off. The overwhelming majority of preservatives are chemicals.

So what does this have to do with being green? Well, I have made a commitment to take as many chemicals out of our home, bodies and food as is possible both for our health and for the environment. The best natural choice for sunscreen is Zinc Oxide. However, none of us want to be mistaken for a mime!

I am loving wotnot (100% what's good, 0% what's not). It is a zinc product with a natural preservative. Plus has organic aloe vera and macadamia nut oil. It goes on clear and easy (but a bit greasy initially). My kids don't like the smell but that is probably because they are used to something that smells supposedly like a strawberry. Downside is it is expensive (about $25 for 115 ml).

So, put a little green in your sunscreen this summer... xxx

P.S. Let me know if you have any natural favourites...I have a few more to come.

Sources: Cancer Council, Environmental Working Group, UV Facts: UVA vs UVB from Ezine.

Gaia Organic Cotton Clothes for Babies and Kids

Gorgeously designed, soft organic cotton, deliciously comfortable (tested by my youngest) and well-priced (the dress shown is A$39.95) . This is one of my absolute favourite finds. Gaia Organic Cotton was started 7 years ago in Australia by Annette Francis (who happens to also be totally gorgeous). Here is what she has to say about why she started using organic cotton:

"I realised that the very fabric I was using was having a detrimental effect on our environment. I'd always thought of cotton as pure but as I learnt it was a chemically intensive growing process, I felt the need to re-look my design direction."

I have written about the terrible environmental impacts of the clothing industry in The Greening of My Closet, but it is also important for us to reduce our kids' exposure to chemicals in their food, bath products, and clothes. Gaia Organic Cotton makes this ecoliciously easy. I ordered two delightful dresses for my youngest (unfortunately they only go up to size 4) and ordered 3 gifts for friends with newborns (they ship internationally as well). Best part, I did not even have to go to the dreaded mall! the online site is terrific and easy.

I am making my Christmas list now ....there will be some well-dressed (and green) babies amongst my friends this season. xxx

Photo credit: Gaia Organic Cotton, Secret Garden Baby Doll Dress