Ethical Products for Kids

More and more people are becoming concerned about the environment and how what we buy affects it. This includes kid's toys.

If you are looking to buy building blocks that are made out of recycled packaging then look at the option of buying You Play Box. These are components that are made out of used yogurt containers. The single serving plastic containers have been designed so that they can be locked and snapped together to create different things such as cars.

Another green item is the Eco Friendly Cardboard furniture that is made by Metrocs. This furniture is also interlockable and folds up into blocks that can be stowed away. This environmental furniture is not new. It was originally designed in 1965 by Riki Watanabe and it has recently been revived for sale by the Metropolitan Gallery in Tokyo. This is furniture was inspired by origami and is made completely out of folded paper. It is safe because it does not have adhesives or nails. Once assembled the chairs are so strong they can also support the weight of an adult.

You can also now buy Pre-Fab playhouses that are made out of recycle wood, plastic and canvas. Kiddo Cabana is an example of a designer making this type of play shelter. Some of the styles of these eco-playhouses include windows, shelves for serving lemonade to outsiders and built-in tables on the inside. You can custom order one of these Owls to be made from of your old blankets or sweaters from the green artisans at Night Owl Paper Goods.

The Eco-friendly Orbit Baby System is an earth smart stroller made out of recycled fabric and PVC –free rain shields. However it also has a neat aspect to it because the actual crib on it can be twisted and lifted so that it rolls 360 degrees. It also lifts out of the stroller and turns into a car seat.

Another interesting toy I have run across lately is the NightOwl Paper Godos Owl Plushie. This is a little soft statue of an Owl that is made entirely from recycled paper and repurposed sweaters from thrift stores. They eyes are made from old book pages and wooden pegs.

Another nifty eco product is the Transformer Bunny Bags. These are big nylon totes by the company Picnica that can be manipulated so that it turns into a giant stuffed bunny.

As a mom I can't help but marvel at what a wonderful time we live in that we can be offered so many great products to help us take care of our kids while at the same time taking care of the earth!

Parenting Tips
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High Fashion Tots for Winter

Flipping through a few magazines I was really surprised to see what some of the trends were in kid's fashion for this weekend. For one thing some of the styles are quite grown up. Your kid is supposed to be in clothes that are as tailored as yours.

For example designer Philip Lim showed a collection that was all mustards, burnt oranges, and bone and tan colors. Kids were outfitted in little riding pants, cropped fifties style jackets and trenchcoats. Big bulky suede boots in milk chocolate brown complete the ensemble. This is a wonderful look if your kid likes to ride horses! I would probably only dress up my kids like this if I had to take them to wedding or a funeral. These are not every day looks even though celebrity moms insist they are.

Another interesting trend is the footwear for kids. There are a lot of gold and silver shoes on the market to buy for kids. The only problem with this idea is that once again, they are not really for every day wear unless your little girl is very neat.

Another trend is to make your kid look like a bit of a flower child. This is a much happier and more comfortable look especially for teenagers.

Everything that is tie-die is in including tie-dyed T-shirts and leggings. This is paired with long johns and shirts with tiny Victorian floral prints like violets or roses. Many girls are wearing short wool skirts or jean cut offs over this get up.

Straw hats worn with vintage sweaters with pictures of reindeer on them are also popular as are recycled corduroy skirts with floral inserts.

The key to a successful hippie look is to wear many layers including vests, belts and scarves as well as a perky wool artist's tam. In terms of footwear think Frye boots in a tam color and Jesus sandals for slogging around at home. Mocassins worn with socks and bright and shiny satin style leggings in a neon color are also in style.

Looking like a little jailbird is also cool. Gray flannel shirts, pants and dresses with lateral stripes are also considered to be very cool.

One look at this fashion trend tells me that it is probably a great idea to take my kids right to the used clothing store so they can mix and match their own look. It is a good way to teach them to put an outfit together on a budget!

Parenting Tips
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