Fashion

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I received the wood bracelet from five ACCESSORIES from someone for work I did for them, plus I also received a couple of recycled picture frames. These are native to Chicago – handmade by a StreetWise (a Chicago organization) vendor out of recycled street rubbish. The vendor, Glenn Hughes, uses a plain pine frame and attaches the old ticket stubs with glue to create this unique picture frame. I like mine. I have one on my desk with a photo of our children in it.

Photos compliments of Theresa Gould.

The insert of the frame has not only five’s logo, but a photo of Glenn and a little bio about him. It gives the product a personal touch and truly makes one want to support a socially conscious business like five ACCESSORIES because of all the good they are doing in a world that is hurting during this economic downturn.

From five’s website:

A unique Chicago find that makes a perfect green gift. Made from refuse collected from the streets of Chicago, cleaned and handmade by the vendors of StreetWise. Each item comes with the picture and story of the individual who made it. Holds a 4x 6 picture. 15% of sales goes back to StreetWise as a fundraiser. Picture by Neal Neo. $15

This picture frame is a part of five's newly added line called Off The Street. For more information, please visit five’s Giving Back page and StreetWise.

• Wood Bracelets from five ACCESSORIES
• 40% Off Cristina V. Jewelry for Limited Time!
• Eco Friendly Designer Handbags from five ACCESSORIES
• Episencial Skincare for Babies and Children and the Very Hungry Caterpillar Collection
• PLAYATHON for Haiti – Let Kids Give Back

Rate this post! (No Ratings Yet)  Loading ... Written by Theresa Gould Filed Under Organic Eco-Friendly Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: Charity, Chicago, Five ACCESSORIES, Giving Back, Recycled Picture Frame, Recycling, Socially Conscious Enterprise, Socially Conscious Fashion

Fashionable Media Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

I was sent a Growl Onesie, yes you read that correctly! Cute name, eh? It is a 0-3 month onesie from Wobabybasics – New”Green” Baby Clothing that is being sold by Soft-Baby-Clothes.com. It is made out of soft, 100% organic cotton. It is truly very soft to the touch. There is a three-snap-closure in the diaper area. The fabric has a lot of elasticity to it. I really like it. It’s cute and it’s healthy for my baby to wear since Wobabybasics works exclusively with certified organic textiles that are free of toxic chemicals and use safe low-impact dyes.

Here’s what the tag says:

What really matters – Your baby, Your environment, Your community – Wobabybasics offers unique 100% organic cotton children’s basics, with an emphasis on quality, comfort, fun and functional details.

Wobabybasics proudly supports local fair trade production methods to ensure the highest social and environmental benefits.

Ethically made in China.

I really love companies that are eco friendly, promote fair trade and if they are a socially conscious company, all the better in my book.

Unfortunately, I was unable to do a laundry test since the product does have to be returned.

The following photos are ones that I took here at home:

Soft Green Baby Clothes sells a variety of organic clothing especially for babies. Lots of cute things that make us mamas go, “Awww….I like that and want it for my baby!” The Growl Onesie sells for $30.00 each.

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We mentioned Episencial a couple of days ago in our post Actively Healthy Skincare Tips from Episencial founder, Kim Walls, MS. Today we’ll tell you a bit more about the company and a couple of products from their Episencial Skincare line. Thanks goes to our PR contact for the information.

100% organic Episencial Skincare for babies and children and the Very Hungry Caterpillar Collection. Episencial is the first company to deliver clinically effective, newborn-safe products designed to support the essential immune functions of the skin. Made exclusively from all natural ingredients and loaded with organics, Episencial is leading the chemical-free charge in personal care products for kids. The Episencial skin care system offers parents a complete range of products based upon formulas relied on by leading spas and clinics for more than thirty years.

Premier all natural skincare brand Episencial is taking the skin care market by storm, offering an immune-boosting, newborn-safe skin care product that feature planet-friendly organics, solar-powered manufacturing and sustainable packaging at an affordable price. Episencial product is made exclusively from all natural ingredients , more than 50% of which are organic and chemical free. We are proud to offer a new layer to bath time, by educating and engaging the child on how to be healthy and to learn how to care for their skin. Currently, available at Whole Foods and leading retailers including Buy Buy Baby, online at drugstore.com and target.com, episencial products range from $5.99 to $14.99, well below the average prices of natural personal care products for children. Proceeds from the sale of the product benefit the company’s philanthropic partner Healthy Child, Healthy World and its mission to protect children from harmful chemicals.

Celebrity moms are raving about Episencial, celebrities like Courtney Cox, Larry Birkhead and baby DaniLynn (Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter) and Mary Louise Parker.

The product line includes: Playful Foaming Wash, Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath, Soothing Cream, Better Body Butter, Protective Face Balm (SPF 6), Nurturing Balm and Sunny Sunscreen (SPF 35).

Playful Foaming Wash

Ultra pure hydrating hair & body cleanser.

SRP: $8.99/Size: 8oz

* Won’t irritate eyes or sensitive places. Rinses off fast!
* Gentle and hydrating cleanser using thyme oil and plant-based surfactants. Sulfate free!
* Fragrance free. Organic orange extract is our mild and fresh scent.
* Organic ginko biloba and calendula extract to sooth the skin.
* Organic aloe and soothing oat extract to moisturize naturally.

Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath

Long-lasting bubbly gel concentrate.

Size: 8oz/SRP: $8.99

* Won’t irritate eyes or sensitive places.
* Enhanced bubbles from natural, sugar derived surfactants. Sulfate free!
* Organic avocado oil and soothing oat extract to hydrate skin.
* Organic ginko biloba, green tea extract, and mandarin orange.
* Organic lavender oil with plum and peach extracts help wind down for a peaceful nap or night’s rest.

Check out their ingredients page, gotta love it when a company actually reveal what their products are made of and give a definition of them! http://episencial.com/ingredients/

For complete product line and additional information, please visit http://episencial.com/

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Rate this post! (No Ratings Yet)  Loading ... Written by Theresa Gould Filed Under Organic Eco-Friendly, Skin Care Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: Babies, Celebrity Bambino, Celebrity Moms, Charity, Chemical Free, Eco-Friendly, Episencial, Episencial Skincare, Healthy Child, Healthy World, Natural Ingredients, Organic Skin Care Product, Philanthropic Company, Very Hungry Caterpillar

NEST sale on Hautelook
DECEMBER 11th at 11am ET

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The Fashionable Housewife and The Fashionable Bambino have teamed up with Hautelook, one of our favorite sample sale sites! We’ll be promoting a couple Hautelook shopping events over the next two months. They have some really great sales coming up offering giant savings on awesome brands like Liz Lange (sale started today!), Baby Lulu, Sweetpea Baby, and more. Between now and Christmas there will be a lot of sales starting each day that you won’t want to miss!

We’re most excited about NEST, a fabulous line of chic children’s clothing. Their designs are based on popular and contemporary adult styles, yet are offered in playful colors with attention to small details that make every piece really special and unique.

Sale Starts DECEMBER 11th at 11:00am EST!!

Prices for this sale start around $15
and almost everything will be under $25!

Get a jump on your Christmas shopping!!

I’ve purchased several NEST items for my daughter on Hautelook before and have been absolutely thrilled with every piece. The clothes are comfortable, very high quality, and look totally adorable on my kid! (If I do say so myself!)

Some of their items are made to mix and match so you can get several different outfits out of just a few pieces. And they boys clothing really sets the standard. Even though I don’t have a boy, I’m pretty opinionated about little boy’s clothing and I must say, I usually hate all of it. However NEST has really found the perfect balance between little boy and adult. It’s grownup style without looking to grownup. You know what I mean?

Well, you’ll just have to take my word for it!

Mark your calenders: DECEMBER 11th at 11am ET

And make sure you are at a computer when the sale starts so you can get the best selection. Sample sales like this sometimes sell out quite fast and you really need to be on the ball to get the items you want.

If you’re not already a member of Hautelook, you can join for free! Click here to sign up!

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I also had the privilege to interview one of the owners of Greenie Tots, Jilea Hemmings, on Friday, October 9 and decided to share that with you as well. Here is a snippet from our conversation:

Theresa – Good morning, Jilea. Thank you so much for the samples you sent. So you started this business because of a need in your own life, right?

Jilea – Yes, when my older son was younger, I noticed that he had some developmental delays and kept watching to see if it was just him growing at a different rate or if the delays were something else. Then I started researching and found that autism was linked to high fructose corn syrup, which has mercury in it. That is when I realized that diet was very important to my son’s development. I’ve actually had lobbyists for corn refiners send me letters refuting the effects of high fructose corn syrup. They’ve even included studies. But I am like nah-uh. I know better. I want to make sure that kids are provided with healthy meals that are good for them and that they like.

Theresa – How did you come up with your recipes?

Jilea – We developed the recipes in our own kitchen at first and tried them on friends and neighbors. Our kitchen is actually in Brooklyn, New York and is FDA licensed, with our distribution center out of Florida where our headquarters are.

Theresa – What are your childrens’ favorites?

Jilea – Oh my oldest would eat the macaroni and cheese and the pasta/spinach/meat sauce all the time if I let him. You know how they get into the groove of liking something so much that’s all they want to eat.

Theresa – Yes, I know, but that‘s great! Now, who are your food suppliers?

Jilea – We use to get everything from Whole Foods, but found it was more cost effective to buy our produce from a local organic farm here in Florida. We are actually partnering with them to start a green market in this area. The rest of our supplies come from Whole Foods. They have strict standards.

Theresa – Has the controversy with Whole Foods affected your business?

Jilea – No, it hasn’t affected our products because we use the 365 brand, which is the Whole Foods brand. I think Whole Foods has run into problems with some of their vendors claims of being organic, rather than their own brand.

Theresa – Plastic is a big concern these days for parents. Can you tell me more about the plastic used to package Greenie Tots meals?

Jilea – We use BPA free plastic because we know how concerned parents are about microwaving food in plastic. That is also how we’ve differentiated ourselves from our competitors because there is more than one way to prepare our meals. You can boil them, microwave them and you can even fry them in a pan if you wanted to.

Theresa – How do you insure the product arrives to your customer without it being spoiled, especially in the heat of summer?

Jilea – They hold up really well. There are different grades of coolers – overnight coolers, 2-5 day coolers and we use overnight coolers and ship overnight. I talked to shipping companies about packing and tested shipping the products to Texas, California, Chicago, New York and Maryland before we shipped to customers. Greenie Tots comes packaged in an insulated cooler with several ice packs.

Theresa – Where can people buy Greenie Tots?

Jilea – Right now, they can buy them at our website www.greenietots.com or they can order them over the phone. We have a 24 hour phone service. We are currently in the process of having Greenie Tots sold through Whole Foods and are waiting on their decision.

Theresa – What has been the best thing you’ve experienced since starting Greenie Tots?

Jilea – It comes back down to the kids. Kids love the food. I love the feedback – “They like it!”, “You’re a great cook!” and “Can I have some more please?” These are the things that keep me going. We’ve already been asked if we are going to do an adult line, but we are working on these initial products first. We do offer a casein free, gluten free alternative to our meals since there are parents having a hard time finding these items, but right now they are only available as a special order and have to be requested.

Theresa – Any closing comments?

Jilea – Just that I am a mom too and want what’s best for my children and other children. Greenie Tots will make your lives easier when life gets a little crazy. They are safe, pesticide free, hormone free and ready within 5 minutes.

Theresa – Thank you so much, Jilea. It was a pleasure talking with you.

Resources:
http://www.greenietots.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/greenietots - NBC South Florida Interview with the Hemmings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL1seJC8yvA

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Rate this post! (No Ratings Yet)  Loading ... Written by Theresa Gould Filed Under Organic Eco-Friendly, Shopping & Goodies Leave A Comment >>  Email This Post Tags: All-Natural, All-Natural meals, Greenie Tots, Interview, Jilea Hemmings, Organic, Organically Grown

I recently learned of Greenie Tots, a company offering tasty, all-natural ready-made meals. Greenie Tots meals are made from fresh organic produce (their supplier is a local organic farm in Florida) and the other ingredients used, are Whole Foods’ 365 brands. Greenie Tots meals contain no additives, pesticides, hormones or high fructose corn syrup. The packaging is made from recycled materials and the plastic the food is cooked in contains no BPA. Greenie Tots is a meatless fresh frozen meal (see below for YouTube video link for more details) that is minimally processed and for children ages 6 months-12 years. Each meal is made to order and overnight shipped in a cooler. The meals have a 3 month expiration date from the date of shipment and must be kept frozen until used.

Greenie Tots offers several entrees that include: Sweet Potatoes & White Beans, Pasta Marinara & Lentils, “Chicken” Nuggets & Sweet Potatoes, “Chicken”, Cheese, & Spinach Quesadilla with Mixed Vegetables and Pasta & Spinach, “Meat”. Then they have their pureed carrots, peas, pears and apples for infants and toddlers.

The meals may be heated in a microwave, but the alternative is to boil them in water and voila, from package to table in five minutes!
Greenie Tots generously sent us a couple of complimentary samples, so I have had experience with this product. They were a time saver and very well received by two of my little ones.

Instead of making trips to places like McDonald’s, etc. on days you are on the run, have some meals from Greenie Tots in your freezer that will provide a fast, healthy meal once you get home.

Resources:

http://www.greenietots.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/greenietots - NBC South Florida Interview with the Hemmings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL1seJC8yvA

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five ACCESSORIES is an online shop, headquartered out of Chicago. They carry eco friendly designer handbags and accessories. The founder, Christine Hutchison, was on her honeymoon in Bali when she learned from a tour guide that the gift of $5.00 had made a significant difference in the life of his family and enabled him to get a good education. Inspired she and her husband started five ACCESSORIES with the intention of giving back $5.00 of every handbag sale to underprivileged school children in the country from which the handbag was made and 15% of the sales of their accessories go to assist the local artisans. The mission of the company is “to create income generating programs for individuals in need, donate a large portion of its sales to worthy charitable causes and foster the use of sustainable material in fashion.”

Each of five’s products comes from one of five countries – Bali, Honduras, Cambodia, India and the United States. These bamboo bangles to the right are from Bali and come in a pair of two. A perfect accessory for any outfit. They are currently on sale for only $10.00, regularly $15.00.

Pictured below you will see an Oversize Woven designer handbag that was made in Bali. It would make a great library bag, diaper bag or purse. It is dark color so it will hide dirt very well. Inside there is a small pocket with a zipper closure and it also zips closed across the top of the handbag.

This woven handbag is only $40.00 and if purchased, $5.00 of that will go to the school children in Bali – A gift that gives back. Love this idea. You may also wish to visit five ACCESSORIES for more information.

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Recently I discovered a little company (run by 3 stylish moms who just happen to be sisters) called Do De Da that puts a cute new spin on the infant onesie/toddler t-shirt!

Capturing the innocence and wholesomeness of childhood with designs straight from the garden and their own kitchens, these super-soft, super-comfy shirts have a bit of a retro vibe that will warm the heart of everyone your baby meets! Two lines are available–Homebaked, with 9 different bakery-themed styles, and Homegrown, with a dozen garden-fresh choices–and each short-sleeved, 100% Organic Cotton shirt is available in sizes from 6 months to 5/6T at a price of $24.00 (not including shipping).

I ask you: with fall just around the corner, who could resist a little pumpkin like this?

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We’re giving away the full line of Kiss My Face Kid’s Collection products to 1 lucky winner!

The Kiss My Face Kid’s Collection is free of artificial colors, fragrances and SLS. They are full of natural and beneficial ingredients. The brightly packaged and kid-friendly graphics are sure to be a big hit with the little ones. The price range is $5.95 – $9.95 and are found in stores such as Target and Whole Foods.

1 lucky winner will receive:

• Self Foaming Shampoo & Body Wash
• Toothpaste without Fluoride
• Toothpaste with Fluoride
• 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner
• Self Foaming Hand Wash
• Bubble Wash
• Detangler Creme
• Lip Balm Duo Pack, Orange & Grape
• A Whale of a Soap

I picked this awesome collection to giveaway because I personally love and use these products in my own home. Kiss My Face makes excellent products that are all natural and yet totally affordable. These are products you can feel good about giving to your kids. Instead of wondering what’s in the ingredient list, you can enjoy knowing that your little ones are getting the very best.

My daughter is almost 2 so she doesn’t use the Kiss My Face Kids Toothpaste yet, but she really enjoys washing her hands with the Self Foaming Hand Wash. The pump bottle is really easy for her little hands to operate and this makes getting clean a lot more fun!

Wanna Win?

All you have to do is enter your name and valid email address in the contest box below for a chance to win!

Details

Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via e-mail on or before May 16th. Contest open to residents of the USA and Canada! Must be 18 or older to enter.

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Eating organic all the time can get expensive. Here’s how to choose the foods that will make the biggest impact on your family’s health.

Guideposts Article By Leslie Kramer, New York, New York

Have you been buying organic foods more often when you go grocery shopping? You’re in good company.

According to the Hartman Group, a market research firm, 73 percent of consumers in the United States now use organic products at least occasionally.

Choosing food that’s better for your health and better for the environment seems like a no-brainer, except organic food costs more—as much as 50 percent more—and there isn’t always a wide selection at grocery chains, making it hard to find what you need without having to visit several stores.

So how can you make sure the money and time you spend on going organic is worth it?

What Organic Means
For fruits and vegetables to be labeled as organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), no pesticides, genetic modification, growth hormones, artificial fertilizers or irradiation can be used in their production.

Most conventional farmers employ a variety of these methods. More than 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides were used in the U.S. in 2001, according to the latest Environmental Protection Agency data available.

For meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products to be labeled organic, they must come from animals that are given organically grown feed, no growth hormones or antibiotics, and are not confined 100 percent of the time, as they often are on conventional farms, says Steven Hoffman of the Organic Center, a non-profit group that furthers research on organic food. On organic farms, animals have some access to fresh open air and are able to graze.

Why Organic Produce Is Better for Us
Studies have linked the consumption of pesticides to health issues including cancer, birth defects and nervous system damage, says Sonya Lunder, senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a not-for-profit research organization. However, the effects on health are not clear-cut. They depend on factors such as pesticide toxicity, level of exposure, a person’s age and genetic susceptibility, and exposure to other toxins.

With children, there’s more cause for concern. Their immune and organ systems aren’t fully developed, making them more vulnerable to pesticides. According to a report by the Organic Center, “the average child in America is exposed to five pesticides daily in their food and drinking water.” The good news is, ‘Switching to an organic diet for just five days virtually eliminates any sign of exposure to organophosphate insecticides.’

Other parts of the equation: Pesticides seep through the soil and get into our water and the ecosystem, says Barbara Haumann of the Organic Trade Association. Organic farming practices help reduce pollutants in groundwater and drinking water, and create richer soil that aids plant growth while reducing erosion.

There are compelling reasons to choose organic meat and dairy products. Conventionally raised cows are given recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to boost growth and milk production.

The problem? These cows usually develop mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue. Traces of the antibiotics used to treat it can end up in the meat and milk of the animals. Ingesting antibiotics can cause allergic reactions in humans, Hoffman says. Even more alarming, antibiotic overuse enables bacteria to develop resistance.[...more]

Read the rest of this article >>

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