Lavish & Lime - Every Purchase Plants a Tree

Posted by Mark and Kat in Beauty, Body, Go Green, Health and Wellness, Home Design, Shopping, Wellness

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Lavish & Lime is an "online boutique," created by a husband and wife team who wanted to make eco-friendly products easier to find for the green conscience consumer. It all started with the research and preparation for their growing family.

"When the girls came along – like most new parents – we started thinking more about ingredients, materials and the impact we were having on the environment with diapers, baggies, etc. We found there were lots of great eco-friendly products out there, just not necessarily readily available – and Lavish & Lime was borne."  

Louise, of Lavish & Lime (True Cuddles interview) 

Here is just a sampling of some of the greener attributes (for you and the planet) of products for sale at Lavish & Lime -- Lead-free wooden toys, PVC-free bags, Chemical-free beauty supplies, 100% Biodegradable sporting accessories, Water-conserving timers, Organic skin care, Reclaimed jewelry.  

Not only will you feel good about living a little greener with these safe and healthy products for your family and loved ones, but a tree is planted with every purchase you make. Lavish & Lime partners with the non-profit organization, Trees for the Future, to continue to pay it forward to our planet and the people who enjoy it. Check out their website for some great products for you and your loved ones.

Lavish & Lime, Eco-Friendly products for Greener Living and Giving

Dust Furniture

Posted by Mark and Kat in Home Design, Nursery Decor, Shopping

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Want to add a bit of whimsy to your child's bedroom or playroom? Check out these fun pieces from Dust Furniture. Artist, Vincent Thomas Leman creates "abstract traditional furniture." He and his wife, Jessie, launched Dust Furniture and decided to add a witty reminder to people to keep furniture clean, or to have people "dust furniture." 

"Maintaining that art can be both beautiful and functional, Vincent combined his knowledge as a fine woodworker and his engineering skills to create gravity bending furniture with personality, while leaving function fully intact."

Thred up - Swap kids clothes online

Posted by Mark and Kat in Go Green, Kiddos' Threads, Shopping, Threads

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ThredUp.com makes it easy to have your own virtual clothes swap and outfit your kids with "new-to-them" clothes for the extra low price of just $5, plus the cost of shipping. Each member can post a box of clothes on the website to be swapped, so you just choose the boxes that you like and pay $5, plus shipping, and it's yours! It's free to join and once you do, the website keeps track of your swaps for you, that way everyone plays fair ... it is a swap, so you have to give and take. Check out thredup.com for full details and have fun swapping!

Coloring is Green!

Posted by Mark and Kat in Activities, Creative Projects, Go Green, Shopping

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For your little artist, it's all about the process ... and when it comes to kids, that means getting messy creating their fridge-worthy masterpieces. Luckily there are art products that are safe, natural and eco-friendly. Clementine Art™ provides a host of art supplies with wholesome ingredients for your little ones to let their creativity run wild.  So when your tot gets more paint in her hair than on the paper, you can rest assured knowing that her colorful appearance isn't harmful to her health. 

Wonderful things can happen in a kitchen by a teacher who wants to solve a problem. Clementine Art™, was created by a teacher who wanted to promote creativity, with safe art supplies for your child and the planet. Clementine Art™ is available at a number of retailers across the USA, including select Starbucks, Whole Foods, and babyGap retailers.

It's a stroller. It's a bike. It's a Taga!

Posted by Mark and Kat in Body, Go Green, Health and Wellness, Shopping, Wellness

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With the birth of my first child, I did so much research to find a stroller that could grow with my family. Be it on a walk or jog, to and from the store, or being able to add another seat to the stroller so it could carry more than one child ... I had a list of requirements that needed to be met. Luckily, I was able to find what I was looking for at the time. I still do research from time-to-time just to see the improvements and new innovations that have hit the stroller industry. I thought I had seen it all, until I came across the Taga.

By their own definition, Taga combines the fun of a carrier bike with the functionality of a luxury stroller. This high-end innovation is pretty remarkable; built with pride and designed by an international team of world-class designers, engineers and manufacturers. Taga was created with the end-user in mind, and designed and constructed to make the urban lifestyle easy to maneuver for parents and fun for children.

[According to tagabikes.com]
Taga is a multifunctional vehicle designed for families on the go. It is a baby stroller and carrier bike all rolled into one—and a means of transportation unlike any other. In seconds, Taga goes from super fun, safe and maneuverable bicycle to designer stroller that easily navigates stores, boards trains and slides into elevators. The possibilities for adventure—and reasons to buy one—are endless.

Here's a quick-list of what makes Taga a great green vehicle to move your family around in:

1. It's pure quality time with your child
2. You can ride with confidence and control
3. It's the only bike that transforms into a stroller
4. No parent workout can compare
5. Taga grows with your family
6. Invest in a truly green vehicle

Take a look at this transport option for your family. I'm kind of in love! If I lived in a more urban neighborhood, this would be my vehicle of choice.

Some Random Friday Finds

Posted by BJ and Shalene in Baby Shower, Friday Finds, Maternity, Recipes, Shopping

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I can hardly believe Friday has come and it's now Friday afternoon! Let me be honest, the last thing I need to be doing right now is browsing the blogosphere or posting an update ... a freelance article needs to be written, the floors need to be mopped, and laundry needs to be folded. But alas the little man is napping, so I'm taking a few minutes for myself before he wakes! Here are a few recent finds that I'm loving:

*Seeking design ideas for a baby shower? These images are sure to inspire.

*This Eva & Oli diaper bag, which I recently won via a Babyccino giveaway. I'm the girl who never wins anything, so I was ecstatic to have such great luck! It arrived today from France, and it's as spectacular as it looks in the picture. Thanks Eva & Oli and Babyccino!

*This darling clothing line, EmersonMade, (via A Room Somewhere) launching Aug. 10.

*This fabric paired with pale pink cording for our little girl's crib bedding. What color combos do you like for little girls?

*This post brought tears to my eyes.

*I received quite a bit of fresh basil in my organic produce co-op share this week, so we're enjoying loads of fresh pesto. Here's a great source for pesto four ways. I'm also loving browsing this site in general, so you can bet some of the recipes will show up in Monday Meal Planning (which I promise, will resume next week).

*And speaking of food, Cannelle et Vanille is a treasure trove of eye candy, with gorgeous photos and delectable recipes that will capture your attention the moment you visit their site. The most recent post gives some inspiring dishes for eggs, and since I have 3 dozen eggs fresh from my aunt's farm in the refrigerator, I'll likely put some to use!

*Another gorgeous food blog, Sunday Suppers will have you wishing you lived inside their perfectly serendipitous photos.

*Yes, it's random and completely irrelevant, but this image makes me wish I were half as glamorous.

Image: This is Glamorous, via It's Mary Ruffle

* A sweet idea for a first-year baby book. Unfortunately, I'll be lucky enough to merely get my collection of my son's first couple years simply printed before our little girl arrives.

*And last, a book I'm going to have to seriously consider purchasing, especially since I've been thinking about ways I can be more intentional in teaching my little guy from day to day. Recommended by Bloom, if this is anything like the reading last recommendation I took them up on, it will surely be good. How are you intentional about teaching your young children at home?

Enjoy your weekend! Meal-Planning Monday will resume on Monday ... thanks Crissy for letting me know the menus are actually helpful!

A Few Fun Things

Posted by BJ and Shalene in Freebies, Kiddos' Threads, Shopping

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Since I clearly dropped the ball on Meal-Planning Mondays this week, we're going to simply pick it up next week. So in the meantime, here are a few fun things to peruse. Enjoy your Thursday afternoon ... Memorial Day weekend is on the way! Hope it's filled with moments a little like this:

Image

A few fun thngs:

KenziePoo - a sweet blog with great nursery decor ideas

La Petite Mag - a fun kiddo-inspired read, edited by the author of KenziePoo

Little Lovely - another fun blog, discovered while searching for girl's nursery ideas

IS*LY - crafty and inspiring

Style Me Gorgeous - design ideas from a graphic designer

Sarah Jane Studios - lovely children's illustrations

The Long Thread - crafting and sewing

Prudent Baby - another crafting blog with great nursery decor tutorials and inspiration

Shabby Apple Swimsuit Giveaway - enter this giveaway via Grosgrain Fabulous

Vintage Fringe - a sweet boutique currently offering 20% off

Smallable - covet-worthy clothing for the little ones (via DesignMom)

Lisa Leonard - a site with beautiful imagery and a jewelry store to match

For Your Friday

Posted by BJ and Shalene in Creative Projects, Friday Finds, Home Design, Homemaking, Recipes, Shopping

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Some fun finds for your Friday. Happy almost weekend!

Mother's Day is coming up. If your hubbie needs a hint, direct him to this lovely necklace from Tiny Belles Boutique.

Image: Tiny Belles Boutique.

I can't take credit for discovering this little gem of a gift shop (I found it while browsing over at DesignMom), but I'm sure glad I've found it! This lovely shop has delightful wares and some fabulous gift ideas for yourself or your moms for Mothers Day!

This recipe by Nourished Kitchen has me dreaming of a lazy Saturday morning! Now if only we didn't have to get up early to host a garage sale this Saturday ... alas it will have to wait till next week!

Image: Nourished Kitchen

Love this genuine leather snakeskin cuff! Head over to Grosgrain and enter a comment on thispost for your chance to win the cuff designed by Slightly Askew.

Image: Grosgrain

Dana over at MADE is making me crazy! She has so many adorable projects and tutorials, my sewing list is getting out of control! (Really, how does she find the time?) This scarf is on the list now too!

Image: MADE

Classic wooden blocks are nearly impossible to come by. These charming alphabet blocks byBrook Farm General Store will be an enduring toy for your little one or a treasured shower gift for a friend's tiny tot.

Image: Brook Farm General Store

I recently discovered A Country Farmhouse. This blog is like a breath of fresh air. I love perusing her beautiful images, her delightful home and her simple lifestyle.

All images: The Country Farmhouse

Enjoy your Friday!!

Friday Finds

Posted by BJ and Shalene in Friday Finds, Homemaking, Kiddos' Threads, Shopping

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Hello lovely Moms Dish readers! I fully intended to post some fun Friday Finds yesterday, but I got wrapped up making a baby shower gift for my dear college friend (I'll post on the gift later). So you'll have to forgive my tardiness, but here are a few fun finds for your Friday ... err, Saturday!

It's been raining here since last night, so this photo is a little taste of spring beauty, right when I need it. Image by Creature Comforts.


Love this Mia Bossi diaper bag, available at Gap Maternity online. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but the diaper bag is the one item that goes everywhere and carries all.

Crushing on these darling threads from London-based Hucklebones. A bit remiss that they don't design little boys' clothes.


Checked out ThredUP? This site takes the clothes swap concept to a national level! Select a box of clothing your child will love, and pay shipping to have it delivered to you. Pack your kiddos outgrown duds, and when someone selects it, ship it for free.

This deserves a post all its own, but to pique your interest until then, check out Little Dresses for Africa. This incredible non-profit delivers handmade pillowcase dresses to orphan girls in central Africa. When they deliver the dresses, it also gives them opportunity to hold camps for the girls and to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Visit the site to see how you can become involved.

The Ladies over at Bloom are hosting a Le Creuset giveaway. Click here to enter.

One toy = One Tree planted!

Posted by Mark and Kat in Go Green, Shopping

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I'm simply loving these adorable organic wooden toys over at the Little Sampling Toys shop on etsy.com. Feel good about your purchase, because for every toy sold a tree is planted. Local beeswax and jojoba oils are used to finish the wooden toys, or you can specify that you desire your wood to remain unfinished.

An eco-friendly option for your little one's playtime.