little honey blog

Heading to Atlanta..

2012-01-11T13:33:00.000-08:00

We are heading to Atlanta today for the International Gift Fair. This is our first showing in Atlanta and we are looking for to it. Come see us at booth 1007. Building 3. 4th Floor. Lots of new stuff!

Happy Holidays!! Peace and Love to All

2011-12-19T22:54:00.000-08:00

Japan here we come!

2011-11-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce Little Honey is now available in Japan! Our luxury travel pillows and kid's travel pillows debuted at a trade fair this week with our newest distributor! We are very excited. Lots of love and sweetness to you all. Bee happy. xoLH

We really like you guys...SALE! Ends May 8

2011-05-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

happy valentine's day..

2011-02-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

NYIGF - 2011 January 30-Feb 3

2011-01-19T12:57:00.000-08:00

So excited!! Come see us! Giveaways and Specials.

We love Mamaista!

2010-10-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

Check us out on ..the Chic Daily for Moms!

New Products..Free Ship!

2010-10-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

Bee Animalistic...

2010-09-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

We saw the return this spring (and maybe for some, the trend never left their closet) but we're here (and happy) to say that leopard print has stayed for fall! There may be no explanation to why we're drawn to this primal pattern and we're not looking too hard for an excuse. Maybe it's because one piece can say it all - "I'm chic, polished, fun and down-right bad ass" - when paired with an everyday uniform. Whatever it is, and whatever it makes you feel, be sure to have your dose this season. Here are some of our favorites:

Walk stylishly through any concrete jungle with these Ann Taylor flats.
Maybe you want to be a bit more subtle. This Hanky Panky set is the perfect accessory for date night.

Or go all-out with this faux fur leopard coat by Alice + Olivia.

Catch some serious shut-eye with this Little Honey eye mask.

Kid's Pillow Photo Shoot

2010-09-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Blue Monkeys

Pink Elephants

Purple Giraffe

Green Lions

Just wanted to share a few images from our Photo Shoot. xo LH

People loves our new Kid Pillows..

2010-09-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

People.com!!!

Bee Falling in love with fall...

2010-09-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the day - the first day of fall. And while we're all sad to see summer go, there's a personal excitement that comes each September. I've learned to hold onto it secretly, as many are not OK with the changing of the seasons, but I find it harder + harder to do as each year passes.

And what's wrong with that? It's it time for a change? Shouldn't we be ready to trade in our bright + shining colors for the warmer, more subdued (however, anything-but-boring) shades of fall? Shouldn't was be looking forward to covering up a little more, trading our boat shoes for booties, our cotton for cashmere and our tanks for trousers? Can't we find the fun in fall just as easy as we can in summer? If you're having a bit of trouble, we're here to help you out. Look below to see some of our favorites (colors, make-up, styles + sights) for fall. Hopefully we can inspire your look + your love for the season!

Fall colors don't have to be boring. Jewel tones have returned as a favorite and basic black has a new sheer twist. Gold is an unexpected fun flair this time around.

It's hard to narrow our favorite trends this season (see previous blog posts for other ideas) but animal anything, classic camel (which takes basic black's place), leather skirts and, of course, plaid, are a few that we'll certainly be sporting:

A change in our beauty regime is always fun as well. We're loving the same look of simple, fresh skin from summer. But our favorite dramatic flairs are berry lips OR trade the traditional smokey eye for a metallic smokey eye.

Don't forget that fall changes extend beyond the wardrobe, so try not to miss some seasonal pastimes - oh-ing + ah-ing at the changing leaves, apple picking + pumpkin carving - just to name a few!

Warning: LH Sleep Mask my cause drowsiness!

2010-09-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Little Honey - Life's Sweet from add rey on Vimeo.

Our friends over at add rey did this fun little video on our sleep masks! We love it..hope you do too!! xoLH

Bee Basic...

2010-09-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back we blogged about useful clothing items that could take you from the end of summer, right on through fall. This week, we want to share what new pieces you'll need for the upcoming season. Have no fear, they're basics that are cool, comfy, tried + true, so they'll go with everything. And don't forget the layering aspect that most all your pieces have (be creative here ladies). That will help you double, even triple, your wardrobe!

Chunky knit
Must we go over why this is a necessity? Long-sleeved, short-sleeved. Cape or body-hugging. Colorful, patterned or black. Pullover, button-down or zip-up. You need a super-soft, keep-you-warm-inside-or-out chunky sweater. It's just that simple. To balance it out, belt it over skinnies or let it hang over a pencil skirt. You'll look chic and...huggable!

Leopard accessory
We said it for spring and we're saying it again. Get.something.leopard. A scarf (our personal fave) a pair of heels, a bag or for the bold, a shirt. Don't overdo it, the single print will be enough to make a bold statement.

Leather jacket
It just makes you...cooler. If that isn't enough then we don't know what is. The weight is perfect for fall nights and we've been known to layer a fur vest on top of ours adding a little surprise!

Punk edge
Which brings us to this point...be sure to balance it out with a bit of fun from time to time. A little hardware (on shoes, bags and belts) goes a long way and adds an unexpected flare to the regular outfit. For beginners, try a belt.

Skinny cargos
These have been on our list for some time. This fall, we're making these comfy, edgy and versatile pants an official part of our wardrobe.

What's on your autumn shopping list?

Bee Prepared...

2010-08-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again: Summer seems like a dream, we're welcoming our September issues of our favorite glossies, and some of us are bidding farewells to the kiddos each morning as we send them off to a new year of school.

No matter the age or the grade, shopping for back-to-school items just never gets old. Here are a few fun basics that will keep your kids chic this semester.

We all love a pretty notebook. Jonathan Adler seems to take these to the next level with bright colors and funky designs.
How could you resist this cute case? Store your markers, pencils, crayons or personal items. (A plus, it's made with organic cotton!)

Encourage your kids to explore their creative side (and style) with this backpack, which comes with markers so they can apply some DIY design.
Gone are the days of a smooshed PB&J if you're using this fun lunchbox. (P.S. no matter what's inside, your kid's lunch is sure to stand out!)
And most importantly, is a strong support system! Keep your kids excited about school, sports and studies by letting your enthusiasm shine through. Here's to a safe school year - oh how they grow so fast!

Bee Hungry...

2010-08-23T06:17:00.000-07:00

We're only going to say this once: Summer is fleeting. Fast. So you can probably tell we've been trying to squeeze every last drop out of this season that we possibly can before we dive right in to the next.

While we're all about clothes, colors + cooling off during these months, let it be understood that we don't overlook summertime cuisine. So here's some classic summertime dishes + recipes for you to check out while it's still lighter later, while there's still no chill in the air and while you still have some of that summer time on your hands.

Traditional Gazpacho
Take advantage of the tomato bounty at your local farm stand! This traditional dish will cool off (and jazz up) most any ordinary meal.

No-cook Tomato + Basil Pasta Sauce
Everybody's favorite dish in an easy-to-follow, no-cook simple recipe. Another perfect way to taste the last of this-season's best tomatoes!

Classic Burger
Everyone's favorite dish!

Broiled Summer Salad
An amazing medley of all your favorite summer veggies. Super-easy to prepare + is delicious by itself or on top of pasta!

Corn Salad with Feta + Walnuts
A new (delicious) way to enjoy this fresh veggie.

Bon Appetit!

Bee Useful...

2010-08-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

Recession or not, there's nothing like maximizing the use of a piece from our wardrobe. It keeps us creative, our looks fresh and of course, justifies our splurge. Every August we enjoy the "Buy Now, Wear Later" spreads that grace the pages of our glossies. They're a subtle reminder that fall is right around the corner, but they urge us to take advantage of all those great summer sales. Most of all, they give us a wee bit of insight into styles the next season is prepared to offer.

Here are some staples we're stocking up on before summer ends but that you'll see us donning well into autumn.
Don't get rid of your shorts yet - just pair them with some fun, patterned tights for a little extra warmth (and style)!

You may be wearing a pretty floral dress like this solo, but as the air cools, it's easy to slip on some denim leggings underneath. You can even throw a belt on for a little waist definition.
These three never go out of style. For the tops, prepare to change from shorts to jeans + use this military jacket to complete the outfit. It is the perfect transition piece.

Since you're saving all that money...why not splurge on a fur vest? It will look great over that floral dress + leggings or even as an additional layer over the military jacket!

What are some pieces you'll be getting the most mileage out of?

Bee Euphonic...

2010-08-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

Whether you're at the beach, a barbecue or just hanging out on your porch, a solid summer soundtrack seems to complete each long, sunny, hot (and humid) day. Here are a few of our favorite albums (and some single songs) that have been on repeat this season-long.

Edward Sharpe + the Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Temper Trap - Conditions
Mumford + Sons - Sigh No More
LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening
La Roux - La Roux

Some singles (old + new) that we enjoy too!
Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Tears for Fears
In the Summertime, Mungo Jerry
Ready for the Floor, Hot Chip
I Love Beach Music, The Embers
One Sweet World, Dave Matthews Band

Check out some of these or let us know what YOU have been loving this summer!

Bee love from around the way

2010-08-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

great write up today by superchic blogger anna from around the way girl..check it out here!

btw, that clock on your blog is putting me in a sleepy trance. love it.

xoLH

Bee Memorable...

2010-08-02T05:49:00.001-07:00

Remember the days of sending greetings to family + friends from your vacation spot? Yeah, neither do we. Perhaps the thought of rubbing in our time off to others made us feel rude, or perhaps the inflation of postcard prices made us feel cheap.
Or, it could be that they just don't make those paper hellos quite like they used to. If cards were still as glamorous as these babies, you can guarantee we'd be sending our best from wherever in the world we happened to be.
*Sunny California!
*The Big Apple!
*Waaay down South!
*The City of Roses!*How cool is this one - it features all 50 states + acts almost like a checklist for the cross-country trip!

Of course you can find all of these postcards (and others) on the Internet. We like sites including Greetings From Postcards (which actually does custom 1950's style) and The 2 Buds.

Bee Bright...

2010-07-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

One (of the many) thing(s) we love so much about summer are all the lively colors that surround us the whole season - it feels as if we could never tire of the bright hues. These bold shades evoke carefree summer fun + sights when we see them. Hence our enthusiasm to incorporate them into our wardrobe + even makeup routine. Check out some of our favorites below - from nature and how we would incorporate them into our daily lives.

A pop of yellow will ensure you shine brightly in any room.

There's nothing that says summer quite like crisp white - sands or sundresses!

A favorite summertime treat for your taste buds + toenails.

Makes us think of nights in the Caribbean. Pair that skirt with a white take for an easy, breezy + sexy look.

Tanned skin and soaked sand. Sun-kissed neutrals (with a touch of shimmer) spice up even the simplest makeup routine.

A favorite view of ours? Not being able to tell the difference between the sea + the sky.

Happy Hump Day!!

2010-07-21T07:26:00.000-07:00

Love this! Art by Dear Colleen. xo

Bee Active...

2010-07-19T06:49:00.001-07:00

Maybe your idea of the perfect summer vacation isn't sitting on the beach doing, well, nothing. And that's just fine. There's plenty of ways to relax while staying active + there's plenty of places you can visit that will keep you busy.

New England hosts a multitude of action-packed outdoor activities - everything from hiking, climbing, swimming + biking - and the cooler, less-humid weather is perfect for each. Check out the Boston Globe's top 20 outdoor New England adventures.

Perhaps an expedition to Grand Canyon National Park is more your speed. With plenty of trails to choose from, you can get your fill of hiking + beautiful scenery from sunup to sundown.

Have time to head out of the country? Check out countries including Costa Rica, Nicaragua + Puerto Rico which offer equal parts water (rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing) and "dry" (rappelling, caving, zip-lining) sports, as well as waterfalls, volcanoes and rain forests that punctuate regular hiking expeditions.

Whatever your thoughts + desires, if you need a little direction, you can always head over to Trip Advisor. They make finding + choosing a destination based on your wants super-easy.

Happy Trails!

Bee Beachy...

2010-07-12T06:19:00.000-07:00

We all love the kitschy-yet-classic feel of a beach house. Nautical stripes, brightly-painted walls, sun-bleached driftwood, and shell + sail accessories punctuating each corner for an extra authentic feel. Being surrounded by these quirky accents always seem to remind us of the true essence of summer - vacation time!
While totally opposite in aesthetic, both of these entrances scream, "Welcome!" They seem to imply that what lies beyond has all you'll need for days of relaxation + fun.

It's not a beach house unless there's a shell display. How you choose to show the world your finds is up to you, but get creative or keep it traditional.

Bright pillows to adorn the furniture is a must.

Other accents such as sun-bleached beechwood add an earthy yet simplistic feel to the room.

Nautical stripes are almost a must for all beach houses. You can incorporate one piece into a room, or many pieces into one room.

If bright-colored paint isn't your thing, try a fun wallpaper print.

Almost as much as shells, all things sailing seem almost too appropriate for detail. Use wallpaper, a collage of snapshots, wooden models or even buoys and/or rope to get the feel.

Va Va Va Vooooom

2010-07-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

Check out these beautiful images of Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks in Sunday's LA Times Magazine. Ms Hendricks looks amazing and the styling of Hayley Atkin rocks.

Mad Men season 4 debuts July 25 and I can't wait!!

Celebrity Travel Style

2010-07-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

People.com recently posted images of celebrities at the airport and we just couldn't help ourselves by matching the perfect Little Honey pillow and eye mask to go with their stylish outfits. We thought Kate Hudson's gray and white ensemble would look so chic with our Carousel print!

And, Kate Moss of course with our stylish leopard print...

And finally Naomi Watts with her black and white stripes would look oh so fabulous with our colorful popsicle stripe pattern!

Bon Voyage! LH

Bee Patriotic...

2010-06-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

In honor of the up-coming Fourth of July festivities we're encouraging you to let your true colors of red, white + blue shine through! Outfits don't have to be over-the-top or down-home dowdy. The key is to stick to one (crisp) color or pick a cute pattern + break it up with a solid accent. No matter the look you choose, be sure to keep it casual so you can enjoy the lazy mid-summer weekend of food, friends + fireworks.
Nothing screams summer like a crisp white frock. Dress it up or down with shoes + colored or metallic accessories.

Red + white stripes = classic. This dress is perfect for the casual cookout.

A solid color wrap dress (especially in this royal blue) is flattering on almost anyone.

Gingham never gets old for summer. How cute is this dress?

Pair this top with denim, white or khaki shorts.

Use this fun belt over any dress to cinch your waist or add as a detail to your jean shorts.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Bee Happy...

2010-06-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhhh. Summer. No matter how old we get, this day keeps filling us with that school's-out, three-months-off, feeling. It's time for longer days, sunsets on the sand, poolside picnics and a care-free state of mind.

Cheers to the summer solstice. We hope you enjoy the marking of this season just as much as we do.
*Sunglasses available at revolverconsignmentboutique.blogspot.com

Summer in the City - City Harvest

2010-06-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

We were very happy to donate our Little Honey Sleep Masks to NYC's City Harvest and their great summer event Summer in the City. The event takes place June 22nd at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. Last years event raised over $225,000!

For more than 25 years, City Harvest has been dedicated to working hard to end hunger in they New York City’s communities through food rescue, distribution and education.

The star-studded charity event is a highlight of the summer as Manhattanites mix + mingle while watching some of the hottest chefs and cocktail artists in the city in action – all while raising money to help feed New York City’s hungry.

Tastemakers and culinary all-stars participating in the event include Danny Meyer, Eric Ripert and David Chang.

Please go to their website to find out more about this amazing organization and you can be involved!

Bee Minimal...

2010-06-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite things about summer is there's no muss + no fuss. We love the simple styles + barely-there makeup that becomes not just acceptable, but sexy. Punctuated with perfectly imperfect hair and of course, your carefree, laid-back attitude, it's never hard to remember why the arrival of this season continues to make our excitement climb.

Here are a few simple beauty + wardrobe staples that will make your look minimally magnificent.

These create the perfect glow on our lips, cheeks and even eyelids.
This tinted moisturizer is the simplest - light coverage AND spf all-in-one.

With flats, flip-flops, wedges or barefoot; a white v-neck, floral flowy blouse, simple tank or over a bikini; cut-off or rolled up, you can NOT go wrong with a pair of worn-in jean shorts.
This shirt looks like you picked it up off the floor on your boyfriend's side of the bed. it's lightweight, cool and comfy.
j.crew, we love you. we think you've simply outdone yourself when it comes to your super-soft tee's.
Spray in + air dry. This formula leaves locks soft, frizz-free + smelling sweet.

Enjoy your long days, warm nights + simply style!

Beach Ready

2010-06-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

Perfect beach bag in navy canvas, Baggu $20.

Summer straw hat from J-Crew, $58
Little Honey Neck Pillow, great for the pool or beach as our pillows can get wet! $14.99

Kor-One BPA-free hydration bottles, in great summer colors, Delight.com $29.75

Bud Beach Balls and Swim Rings, Amazon, $6.99 each

Supergoop SPF 30. No parabens, no petrochemical, no toxins.Industrial Size! Sephora, $68

Bee Suited...

2010-06-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

You may have been working all year on getting your body bikini-ready, but if you don't have the right suit to wear at showtime, then you certainly won't be flattering your figure. Here are some tips, tricks + top styles that the pros recommend for complete (and comfortable) beach bliss this season!

*A vertical detail along the center of the suit actually slims your silhouette by drawing the eyes in + up.

*High-cut bottoms can make your legs appear longer.
*Ruching in the torso of the suit helps conceal extra weight + has a slimming effect.

*Ruffles help enhance smaller chests + flat derrieres.

Here's to a summer that suits you just fine!

Bee Hot...

2010-06-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

After this weekend's official summer kick-off, you may be thinking that it will be one long, hot summer. And you're right. From Newport Beach to the New England coasts, here are some ways to stay sizzling (and sexy), even when you're not in the sun.

Everyone loves beach waves - the ones on your head, not the ones on the sand. Keep your mane the main attraction by using a product that mimics the effects of saltwater.
Keeps your nails nice + simple with a neutral color like CND's polish in Putty, but play up your feet with a punchy shade like Essie's Vermillionaire.

Trade your flirty summer dress (but keep it on call by all means!) for a relaxed pair of (very short) shorts. Pair with a tank or flirty tee + some flats.
You can't look sexy when beet-red, so pile on the spf AND a good fake tanner.

Tis' the season for teeny bikinis, tiny tops + barely-there bottoms. So no matter what it is that makes you feel sexy, be sure to let all your hard work and - most importantly - self confidence, shine as bright as the sun!

Bee Ready…

2010-05-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves a weekend getaway, but somehow Memorial Day tops all others. We keep repeating: beach, sand, family, friends + fun, when we think of how we’re going to kick off this start to summer. And here are some essential items you must tow along to help make your travels easy breezy + to keep you inspired for the rest of summer.
*Start off with a carry-all that will fit...well...all of it! Check out this one from J.Crew by Want Organic. We're also partial to the Angela Adams® for J.Crew diagonal-stripe sail bag as a beach carry-on.
*You'll be spending most of your day on the sand, so be sure to accompany your bathing suit (we previously posted one of our faves) with the proper accessories such as these glamorous + flattering sunglasses + a hat for extra sun protection!
*You can't be tired on your vacation! Make sure you travel comfortably (and stylishly) to your destination. The sleep mask also comes in handy after a late night of celebration with friends!
*You (and the kiddos) can kick back in the tide or swimming pools with this float. And the nautical design never goes out of style.

Whatever your vacation must-haves may be, grab them, get ready to go + have a great weekend!

LA Style

2010-05-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

LA-based designer Kelly Wearstler featured in the NY Time T Magazine. Always inspiring and great with color, Ms. Wearstler is fearless when it comes to design. If you missed it in the Times, you can still check it out online HERE. Have a good weekend. xLH

Bee Clean. . .

2010-05-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Ever get in one of those moods where you simply must purge EVERYTHING, clean EVERYTHING before you feel you can get your life in order?

Right. Us too.

Kind of makes you believe cleanliness is next to godliness. Maybe Mom did have it right all those years. "Put up this, make up that. . ." And while you've got the cleaning bug, why not opt for the eco-friendlier option. Maybe "greenliness" (is this a word? Should be.) is next to godliness too.

Below are some age-old tips for maintaining a clean home, satisfied soul (thanks to said clean home) and

green conscious.

1. Keep a death-ready house. Sounds spooky, right? But a friend once told me to throw

out things you no longer use so that"no one else would have to."

2. Empty the trash once a week. And don't procrastinate!

3. Make your bed everyday - it will improve your mood. Simple, but true. Another mood lifter: Le Labo's Signature Scent Detergent by The Laundress.

4. Clean windowsills. You'll want to sit on them come spring + summer.

5. Store "stuff" in a stylish way.

6. Don't be afraid to use a little elbow grease in an eco fashion. And while you're at it, ditch old sponges for these cellulose beauties.

We could go on forever thanks to Grandma's helpful housekeeping tips, but we'll stop there - for now. Please do share your tips with us!

Summer dreams makes me feel fine..

2010-05-14T06:46:00.000-07:00

So, during my pilates workout today I was dreaming of a house in Malibu (something had to get me through those hundreds). I thought wouldn't it be great to have a house in Malibu this summer and wouldn't it be great to get my bum in a hot new bikini. I also thought if I did have a house in Malibu this summer, I would wear this bikini all day. I would also wear these Free City sweat pants, which are super comfy and totally Malibu.
Then I thought I would like to have this super comfy Alexander Wang tshirt.

Then I thought it would be nice to have a dress for after the beach and I thought this Zimmerman dress would be perfect since I wouldn't have any tan lines from new bikini.

And lastly I thought I would add these shoes, because I could easily wear these all summer long. Now all I need is that house in Malibu..oh and that body! Have a good weekend! xj

We love blue polka dots, too!

2010-05-12T05:48:00.000-07:00

I was over on Design Sponge today and saw these images of ranunculuses shot on a blue polk a dot fabric. The colors pop off the page and made me very happy! Shot by Kari Herer, these prints are for sale and you can purchase them right here.

The blue dot pattern in these images are very similar to our very own Blue Dot Travel Pillow and Sleep Masks! Check it out! Which you can purchase for way less than $20 right here!

People Magazine's White House Dinner

2010-05-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

We were very excited to be a part of the People Magazine's White House Correspondence Dinner on April 30th. Check us out in Media Bistro! Some of the great celebs who took home a Little Honey Travel Pillow include Glee's Matthew Morrison, Precious Star Gabourey Sidibe and Oprah's Best Buddy Gayle King. Looked like a fun night! Thanks People!

Bee Green. . .

2010-05-10T10:41:00.001-07:00

Call it the ushering in of spring and all things green - leaves, gardens, swimsuits, Earth Day and a swarm of eco-friendly home and beauty products. Sure, we try to live a greener existence daily, but there's nothing quite like the sun and regrowth of spring to renew your pledge.

Green Depot All Purpose Cleaner, www.greendepot.com

"In Defense of Food," Michael Pollan

Creative Jane Street coin purse, Kate Spade

Shoshanna string bikini, Shopbop

Travel Pillow Giveaway!

2010-05-07T07:02:00.000-07:00

To wrap this week's Bee Giving theme, we decided to do just that. We're giving away Travel Pillows to five lucky fans (and just in time for summer travels!).

Become a fan on Facebook and direct message us or repost the information (tagging our fan page by using @LittleHoney in your post). Additionally, follow us on Twitter + direct message us or retweet the giveaway announcement. (Use the quick links to the right!)

We'll choose winners this afternoon - good luck!

Sleep Masks are here!

2010-05-05T10:14:00.001-07:00

Our lovely sleep masks have arrived! We shipped out a lot of orders this week and you should find them on the shelves of Flight001 stores shortly! They are available on our website as well...www.alittlehoney.com.

Just to give you a little information on our sleep masks and what makes them so special. Our masks are made out of molded foam. We have molded an area for the eyes, so the mask never touches your eyes or lashes so you can get the best and most peaceful sleep! It also won't smudge your eye makeup on those long flights!

Our masks are lined in black and held in place with a wide, soft elastic strap with velcro closure. Each mask folds up and fits easily in your purse pocket or make up bag. I hope you like them! xLH

Bee Giving...

2010-05-03T07:22:00.001-07:00

If it's ONE DAY out of this year that you go above + beyond for Mom, it's gotta be May 9th. You've deprived her of sleep, energy, alone time and sanity (and that was just in your late teens...). So make sure you give her something extra special to say "Thanks," and to gear her up for more years to come!

Here are some of our favorite gift ideas as well as some links to others:

People Magazine has 10 ideas that will make her smile.

Check out Lucky Magazine for 14 ideas under $60 each!

And it's no surprise that we're fans of these pillow + mask duos*. But Mom will be too after they help her catch up on some z's!

Travel Pillow + matching Luxury Sleep Masks: For the jet-setting business mom or for a mom who just likes to take a snooze on family car rides.
*Each style mask comes with matching pillow.

Pipila Portable Pacifier Sanitizer: For a new mom that like to keep it clean on the playground, public transportation and at the beach!
Mavis Travel Vases: So she can store her beautiful blooms!

Work Smart

2010-04-28T04:36:00.000-07:00

I can never seem to fit it all into my day and wonder how some people seem to do it all. Last night as I should have been working on designs, I found myself distracted by my new issue of Elle Decor UK magazine. As I was perusing home after home of enviable houses, I found posted on the office wall of French homeowner, Cleo, this list on How To Work Better. Needless to say, Number 1 is a problem I constantly face and number 10 is oh so true. Everything works out better with a smile.

Anyway, I thought I would type it up to share with you guys as I think Cleo's mantra is a good one. Not to mention her stylish abode.

"How to work better" pulled from Elle Decor UK Magazine, May 2010 edition

Bee Smart...

2010-04-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

Enjoy some of spring's top reads and dress the (smart) part as well with these classic, must-have staples.
Books:
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, by Stieg Larsson
OPRAH, by Kitty Kelley
THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
THE LAST SONG, by Nicholas Sparks

Food Inc Potlucks

2010-04-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Recently i watched the documentary food inc. it completely changed the way i purchase and consume food... i'm even putting in my own organic garden at my house. now, pbs is airing it to the public on april 21 (check your local listings for showtimes). if you have not seen it i highly recommend it. below is a post from food52 blog about the food inc. potluck, a chance to win some prizes and a preview from food inc. check it out! xj

UPDATE: Food, Inc. Potlucks (posting from Food52 blog)

April 16, 2010

If you haven't seen the movie Food, Inc. yet, we highly recommend it. As conscientious food-lovers, we think the more people who see it, the better. So we're excited to hear that PBS will be broadcasting Food, Inc. next Wednesday, April 21 at 9pm and is encouraging viewers to get together that night, throw a potluck and watch and discuss the film together. Given the food52 community's enthusiasm for potlucking, we thought you all might be interested in taking part. Watch the trailer below and, for more information on hosting your own Food, Inc. potluck, click here.

UPDATE: Here are a few more details on the broadcast and reasons to get involved and throw a potluck viewing party!

- Go to the PBS Food, Inc. webpage between April 22 and May 3rd and tell them about your potluck for a chance to win a gift basket of free stuff (autographed books by Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, sustainable coffee from Equator Coffees and organic teas from Numi Tea, tote bags, biodegradable wine glasses and more).

- Join the POV Food, Inc. Flickr Group and add photos from your potluck (and see the POV team's potluck held last week).

- Get potluck-friendly recipe ideas from participating bloggers (including lots from food52!)

- Share this link to POV's free lending library program with any NGO, community-based organization, school or library that might be interested in using Food, Inc. as an educational resource.

(all images from Food52)

juli.b loves little honey!

2010-04-17T12:45:00.000-07:00

thank you juli.b for the plug on our pillows! we love juli.b

honey bunny.

it's been ages since you've been able to nap, but something about the pressurized air on a plane just makes you yearn for shut-eye. indulge with a little honey travel pillow. this LA-based brand knows you'll want to match your sleep accessories with that matthew williamson caftan you're putting on as soon as you land in your carribbean destination, so cuddle up with these cuties and catch some well-appointed Zs. better yet? enter JULIBLH at checkout and receive 20 percent off. available at www.alittlehoney.com

9 by Design

2010-04-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

I found this post via the Moodboard blog and remember a feature on this NYC family back in an old issue of Cookie Magazine. They are the husband and wife design team of Bob and Cortney Novogratz, owners of Sixx Design and I guess now stars of their own reality series "9 by Design" on Bravo. The couple stood out not only for their inspirational redesign of family homes, but also because they managed to run and maintain a successful business in NYC with SIX KIDS!

Now, according to their bio, they have SEVEN KIDS. I can't wait to catch the show and see what they are up to now. These images are of their summer home in Massachusetts, which at this time might be sold (part of their business is to flip their own homes). Anywho, here is a link to Bravo for more info on their series. xjp

Images property of Moodboard/Oprah at Home Magazine Winter 2008/Photography: Joshua McHugh

Desert Sun

2010-04-14T05:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, I just wanted to show you some images I found on the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. Been wanting to get out here for a visit, its only $145/night! Family and dog friendly and looks super relaxed. Looks like a weekend where you never get out of your swim suit. xjp

Images via Ace Hotel.

Bee Nude...

2010-04-12T06:09:00.001-07:00

While we love the colors + prints of the season, we can’t help but be drawn to the uh…lack-there-of as well. Nude palettes are turning up in all of our glossies so we had to give this trend a try. We find it’s one part sweet with one part sexy and all parts flattering. No matter which pale hue you choose, if nothing in your closet is satisfying your style craving, go nude!

Friday Finds

2010-04-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, which one to choose...I spotted these adorable Fry's leather sneakers on Unruly Things and swear I could live in every single color this summer! But, if I had to choose one, I would go with Lavendar or maybe Pink. Available in high tops too! What color would you choose?

xjp

Venice Beach Bungalow

2010-04-07T03:18:00.000-07:00

Barbara Bestor's Floating Bungalow is one of four homes in this weekend's AIA/LA Spring Home Tour located in Venice Beach. Definitely must check it out!

xjp

Bee Relaxed...

2010-04-05T07:04:00.001-07:00

Warmer temps, outdoor lounging + active afternoons have us craving all things comfy. pieces that are equally chic + transitional are an added plus. From a dress to tee and all things in between, here are some things we rely on to keep ourselves calm, cool + collected.

Publish Post

*Alexander Wang, T halter dress is sexy + soft.

*Little Honey sleep masks are fun + effective. (Available May 2010)

*Tom's Canvas Classics are casual + cool.
*This jersey blazer is transitions well from work to weekend.

Baby's Got Style

2010-03-31T05:30:00.000-07:00

Crewcuts and Stella McCartney for Gap in mini sizes!

xjp

Bee Wild...

2010-03-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

we love any excuse that encourages us to show a little of our wild side and this season we didn't have to look very hard. we're spotting (pun intended) animal prints all over the place. from cardigans to belts, scarfs + shoes, these fun, textured patterns are spicing up our wardrobe, day + night.

Friday Finds

2010-03-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air and since it is Bee Floral week here at Bee Happy, I thought I would share these lovely spring blooms from The Little Flower School Blog, which is part of the Saipui Flower Shop in Brooklyn, New York. I can't remember how I stumbled across the Saipui Flower Shop, but I love to look at their blog because they have the most beautiful flowers.

I have never visited the store, living in LA and all, but I know who to call if I ever need flowers in NYC.

Bee Happy. xjp

Bee Floral...

2010-03-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

Finally. Spring is here! Hello longer days, warmer weather, bright colors and, our personal favorite, flowers! They're popping up all over - in our backyards, parks and more stylishly, on clothing + accessories. Here are some of our favorites that have us wanting to host a garden party.

Friday Finds

2010-03-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

I have always been obsessed with magazines, especially home magazines where you get to peak into the homes of people from around the world. I loved Domino, it was my favorite! Each month they would have some cool celebrity lounging in her LA office or a stay at home mom in her NYC apartment. Now, I am completely obsessed with Blogs. There are some really awesome and creative blogs out there. As with Domino, my favorites are the ones where you get snapshots of life on the other side of the globe. I put together a few of my faves.

Love to hear about some that you might like...

Above image is from Dos Family. Sweden.

The Selby..Love, Love, Love

Photographs from all over the world

Bloesem Kids, Kuala Lampur

Line and Liv. Flensburg, Germany

My Scandanavian Retreat. Norway.

x jenny

Bon Voyage Kids

2010-03-17T12:52:00.001-07:00

My oldest Chloe is fascinated with the world and maps. Each day she wants to discuss a new country or continent she learned at school. She was seriously obsessed with Chile for a good two weeks and now she wants to talk about Poland all the time.

Recently, I came across this adorable company called Little Passports. A fun subscription service that sets your kids up on an worldly adventure with imaginary penpals as they travel the globe. For a monthly fee your child will get to learn about Brazil, Australia, China and France through a care package they receive from Sam and Sofia (their new travel buddies).

The introductory kit comes with a travel suitcase, a world map, travel passports, fun stickers, activity sheet and access to online gaming with their personal boarding pass.

Each month, they receive a letter for Sam and Sofia describing their adventures, fun and unique souvenirs, a passport stamp, photo of the country they are visiting and a secret code.

Not only is this a great way to learn more about our world, but so much fun too!

Bon Voyage!

Bee Worldly...

2010-03-09T14:07:00.000-08:00

We love hopping on a plane, train or automobile to get from one amazing destination to another. We also love collecting souvenirs along the way. This spring one of our favorite looks - pattern, and lots of it - is inspired by a little globe-trotting + we're fond of these finds that suggest we've been along for the ride.

Oscar Favorites

2010-03-08T10:49:00.001-08:00

Sandra Bullock was beautiful! Her dress, that hair and that lipstick, I loved it all. I thought she looked perfect for the evening. Below are my other favorites for the night.

xjp

Bee Vintage...

2010-03-08T05:43:00.000-08:00

We're already fans of making something old new so it's no surprise that we love to see vintage-inspired finds in our glossies each month. Whatever your style may be: old Hollywood glamour, decked-out housewife a la Betty Draper, boho-chic or DVF prints from the 70s there's something for everyone, the key is to have fun finding it!

An homage to a few classic styles:

Friday Finds

2010-03-05T06:09:00.000-08:00

I am a big fan of the online private sales. They are a great way to buy designer goods at discount pricing. Most of them you have to sign up for an account, which is free and then they email you whenever they have a new sale. The sales run for a limited time and there are a limited supply so sometimes you have to be quick to get the good stuff!

Here is a list of some of my favorites...

Gilt.

Women's, Mens and Children's fashion including clothing, accessories and shoes.

My last purchase...two blouses by Tucker by Gaby Basura.

Mini Social.

Children's Fashion and Toys.

This cool LA-based site, started by two Mom's who live in my neighborhood carries fun and fashionable clothing labels as well as toys, shoes, swimwear and nursery accessories.

My last purchase..swimsuits for the girls for our trip to Mexico.

Rue La La.

Women's fashion. I find great jeans and underwear sales on this site.

My last purchase... a pair of James jeans.

Hautelook.

Women, Men, Kids, Home and Beauty can all be found here. I have not purchased from this site, but a good friend of mine swears by this one.

One King Lane.

This one is new to me, but definitely looks promising. They sell top decor and home brands at discount pricing. You can find products from candles to art work.

Bee Germ-Free...

2010-03-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

A big thanks to Babble's Droolicious blog for highlighting Pipila pacifier sanitizer. It's portable, compact, 99.9% effective + 100% safe for your baby!

Pretty in Pink

2010-03-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

1. Tory Burch 2. J-Crew 3. Vogue Australia Shoot (via Coco and Kelly) 4. Rebecca Minkoff 5. Willow

Bee Bold...

2010-03-01T05:09:00.000-08:00

Kick off this month by giving a try to some of spring's hottest trends. To transition the looks from runway to real world, keep it simple + stick to one at a time - a la Ashley Greene.

Bold lips:
Bold patterns + prints:

Try it yourself with this top by Twenty8Twelve:
Lingerie-inspired street wear:
Try it yourself with these shorts by Joie:

Bee Portable...

2010-02-24T14:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks Urban Baby for naming Pipila a must-have for summer travels with a tot:

Bee Love...

2010-02-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

(via A Cup of Jo) 8" x 10" Print on Etsy. Live it!

Bee Happy...

2010-02-18T20:52:00.000-08:00

This home by interior designer Angie Hranowsky has made me rethink my whole living area. How great is she with purple? And the wall of art? Love it.

Happy Home of the Week!

Bee Sparkly...

2010-01-30T20:13:00.000-08:00

..with this adorable sequin heart headband by Ban.do and metal mesh zip top love clutch by Felix Rey.

Bonjour happy bees!

2010-01-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to our - GPR's - first post on the Bee Happy blog. We're happy to be here and look forward to sharing our musings with you.

Until soon,

ab + kbf

New Retailer! Charming Charlie

2009-11-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce that our luxury travel pillows will be sold at Charming Charlie, a new retail partner for us and a leader in women's accessories! Charming Charlie is located throughout Texas and the southeast. With more than 80 locations, you are sure to find one near you! Stores can be found in Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia and new stores opening in Arizona!

Every accessory sold in a Charming Charlie store is less than $50! Great earrings, dresses, handbags, scarves and more! All super stylish in the latest trends and colors.

For store locations, please go to the store locator.

Summer Sale!

2009-09-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

Our top selling beach balls and swim rings as seen in InStyle, Rachel Ray, Cookie and People are now on sale!! 50% off! Stock up for end of summer or for next year. Then check out all our new products and other sale items while you are there! www.shopdrg.com

The Babble Review: Sleep Sack Roundup

2009-08-19T07:41:00.001-07:00

The Babble Review: Sleep Sack Roundup Our Somi Sleepsacks are reviewed by Babble...love these sacks!

Posted using ShareThis

2009-08-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

Ahhh..freshies

2009-07-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

French Artist Thierry Bouet's series of newborn photographs title 'First Hour' is a wonderful look at the first hours that a child enters into this world. As a Mom, I think these babies are so beautiful and remind me so much of the first time I saw my own babies. Their eyes all squinty and swollen, the chalky white appearance, the fuzzy hair and that first cry..a sound you will never forget.

The exhibit was first shown in early 2008 in the former department store La Samaritaine. It conists of 50 photographs and shown in large scale. You can see more of Thierry Bouet on his website. And more photographs at Life Lounge.

Famille Summerbelle

2009-07-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Famille Summerbelle is this beautiful line out of France by Artist Julie Marabelle. She does whimsical prints that look amazing in any modern nursery. Her most recent pieces include these paper cut prints of original drawings of maps of London and Paris. Below you can see the detail of the cut out showing London burroughs and attractions. They are 42 cm x 59 cm or 16" x 23" and ship unframed. They cost $60 and will ship to US for $15. Unique and Original artwork for less than $100!

And wow! Check out the Hot Pink Paris Map...love this! While you are on her website, look at her family tree pieces. A really cute way to display your family photos.

Dairy & Egg Free Custard

2009-07-14T03:26:00.000-07:00

A friend with a delightful daughter who is dairy, nut, egg and sesame allergic asked me for this recipe. It is so good that I thought I should share it here. It comes from my favorite recipe book by Jude Blereau, titled "Wholefood for the family".

I make this once a week and keep it for school lunches and after dinner desserts.

You need...
2 tsp kudzu (amazing japanese root plant with medicinal properties)
1 cup rice milk
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp cocoa

What to do...
Add kudzu and cocoa to a saucepan. All 1/4 cup of rice milk. Stir to make a smooth slurry with wooden spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients. Place over medium heat and stir constantly until just boiled.

Enjoy!

LITTLE PASSPORTS

2009-07-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

School Holiday Fun

2009-07-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

The winter school holidays are almost over. Hallelujah! Cold rainy days inside can quickly lead to cabin fever at our house. We managed to keep it together doing a few crafty home spun activities. This one was my favorite. Cheap and surprisingly easy to clean up. Me and the girls had a ball playing with our very own scientific marvel.

What you need......
Bowl
Cornstarch
Water

What you do.....
Add cornstarch to bowl. I used the whole box. Slowly add water until you get to a runny consistency. Use your hand to mix it. Start having fun!

What is happening??????
Cornstarch is made up of long chains of atoms. A Polymer. These chains move past each other very slowly. If you pour slowly they move like liquid. If you move fast they lock up and act as a solid mater.

Here are some things to try....
1. Rolling. If you roll it in your hands really fast it will make a ball. As soon as you stop it will ooze through your fingers
2. Smack it. If you hit it really hard it goes solid you can even try to break it.
3. Throw it. It will land like a ball and then just fall apart into liquid.

Best of all it is non toxic. When it can to clean up all I needed was a bit of soap and water and put the dirty clothes in the wash.

Give it a go it is really heaps of messy fun.
x sam

Time Flies In Style

2009-07-12T07:56:00.000-07:00

Swatch has a brand new line of artist series watches that are adorable! It's like wearing a little piece of art on your wrist every day. One of my favorites is NY-based artist Matthew Langille. He creates these wonderful characters that have been found in some of my favorite products. I just ordered the Snuggle Bunch one shown here, but you can also find Floating Away and Germaholic on Swatch's website. While you are there, check out their great line of children's watches. I picked up the Bau Bau print for Chloe. Matthew Langille Swatch Watches...a sure fire way to make me smile even when I'm late!

Guest Mommy - Why I Chose a Home Birth

2009-06-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

Who: Carolyn Paugh Black
What: Mommy to Charlie Black
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Kids: Charlie, 6 months
Links She Likes: www.sacredentrance.com,
www.birthsanctuary.com,
www.silverlakeyoga.com,
www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com

WHY I CHOOSE A HOME BIRTH

Our decision to birth at home came from the desire to have the birth of our choice, which meant avoiding ALL unnecessary medical interventions. (And sadly, that included epidurals!) Even before I was pregnant, my aversion to hospitals and the big, scary medical equipment they contain was much stronger than my fear of pushing out a baby naturally. When a woman, her fetus and her pregnancy are healthy and appropriately monitored, I strongly believe that the best way to get a baby out is by letting her body and the baby do what nature intended – which means not rushing anybody with inductions or slowing things down with epidurals (and then winding up with the dreaded C-section, which these interventions often lead to.) I knew I could do it, wasn’t afraid of labor and didn’t fear the thousands of “what ifs,” in spite of the fact that everyone and their mother reminded me ad nauseam of all the things that could go wrong during a delivery. I knew my baby and I would be properly monitored and that contingency plans were in place should something go less than perfect, or even terribly wrong. I trusted my midwives and my doula to have the knowledge, skill, patience, compassion (and equipment) to safely deliver our baby in the comfort of our home. I prepared by staying as healthy as possible during the pregnancy – eating right and exercising a ton – and educating myself on the process of birth. I think it was extremely important for me to be in top shape mentally and physically for this type of birth, akin to training for a marathon. But instead of shin splints, I got a baby at the end of my journey!

Thankfully, it didn’t take a lot of convincing to get my husband on board with this home birth decision. My husband works in hospitals (he sells medical devices) and his intimate knowledge of hospitals made him uncomfortable having his baby born inside of one. He shared my view that hospitals are wonderful for sick people, but not for brand new little babies, and as long as we remained healthy, there was no reason to go to one for birth.

We did have to pay out-of-pocket for the midwives and doula. I’d say in total it came to around $5K, but we were reimbursed by our insurance company for about ½ of what we had put down. Compared to a hospital birth, we feel like we got off cheap.

So here we were, all content and empowered by our decision to birth at home, midwives and doula selected and properly bonded with, sheet and towels sterilized, medical supplies on hand and neatly put away, my mother on stand-by to fly in when labor started, and our due date rapidly approaching. A little over a week before I was due, I felt the first contractions and they were totally doable. I practically patted myself on the back thinking, “You’ve got this! You’ve done the yoga, read the books, visualized and meditated – you’re ready and you’ve earned yourself a beautiful, spiritual experience!” And it was. But along with all that spirituality and beauty came a TRUCKLOAD of unrelenting pain! Whoa. By the time things really got going (if I had to guess, I’d say from about 5cm to 10cm), I was BEGGING to be taken to Cedars (our back up, non-emergency transfer hospital.) In spite of all my prior aversions to the big, bad hospital, I was now fantasizing about being taken there and of getting poked and prodded gleefully, as long as what followed was umpteen CCs of glorious pain relief. When it was finally time to push, I experienced a moment of joy, thinking, “Oh thank GOD this is almost over,” only to have my hopes dashed as the minutes turned to hours (it took a total of two hours, which is very average for a first baby) before his little head was beginning to crown. This was NOT the Zenned-out labor I had ordered. This was torture!

Great gobs of pain aside, choosing this birth allowed me to labor in my own home, on my own furniture, in my own bathroom and shower, with my dogs by my side, with my mom making dinner for everyone (yes, you CAN eat and drink during labor, the hospitals just don’t want you to for liability’s sake.) I got to take a midnight stroll around my own neighborhood because I was home, and not hooked up to any machines or on anyone else’s schedule, and I swear that walk helped me dilate a few centimeters. When it came to delivering, I got to decide where exactly I would push him out (ended up in my bedroom in front of my closet – go figure!) My husband was able to catch our son when he came swooshing out – the first hands to touch our baby boy were ours and ours alone. I’m not sure why but that just warms my heart. He was immediately put up on to me, no rushing him off to be weighed or cleaned up, and because of that, I actually got to call out that he was a boy – I was first person to see his “manhood!” Once he was out and on me, it was within minutes that we were moved to our bed for his first meal and he wasn’t taken away from me for hours. Those things are just so special to me, and I cherish that his first hours after coming into this world were gentle and relaxed, absent of a fluorescent lighting and a bunch of unnecessary poking and prodding. So even though it wasn’t exactly the mystical journey I was expecting, and was a lot more painful than I had “planned,” I wouldn’t change a single second of it.

The midwives proceeded to clean everything up that was used for the birth – by the time they left you couldn’t even tell a baby had been born in the house, except that there was now a newborn in my arms. They even made lunch for everyone! Eventually they left, the doula left, and then it was just my newly-expanded family (and my mom) in our home, in our own bed for our first night’s rest (ha ha!) as a threesome.

I feel that Charlie benefited from this kind of birth – he has been SO alert and dialed in to the universe since minute one. I know many babies are, but I feel that his alertness is a direct result of the way he entered the world. I feel that I gave him an amazing start by birthing this way and I encourage ANY woman who wants to have a non-medicated birth and is having a healthy pregnancy to consider birthing at home. I now am very much an advocate for home birthing, midwifery and for doulas, and plan to put my ever-running mouth to good use and spread the word as much as I can.

BPA Free, Phthalate Free, Organic...What does it all mean?

2009-06-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

Recently, I went to help a pregnant friend register for her first child. As we walked into Babies R US, huge signs hung above the baby bottle section with BPA Free and the bath toy section with phthalate free. What do all these words mean and why are they being plastered around blogs, magazines and the news? Well, I can answer those questions for you. In the last year there has been quite a few lead scares in regards to children's products. The CPSIA, which is the regulatory committee for toys and children's products in the US, decided to come up with a new set of guidelines restricting certain chemicals from children's products in order to keep our kids safe.

It is a great progress for a country that just two years ago had no restrictions on lead or harmful chemicals in our kid's toys, but is still being ironed out as some of the guidelines are not fair as far as the testing and hurt small unique companies that have always been making safe toys. But that is a whole other entry!

Phthalates are chemicals used in plastic that help to keep the plastic pliable. Such as in certain rubber ducks or toys. BPA is bisephenol. Bisephenol is also a chemical used in plastics such as baby bottles, sippy cups and water bottles. It is not harmful unless it is heated at which time it can leach into whatever liquid it is in contact with and thus be ingested into your new baby or yourself.

When purchasing products it is important to look for BPA Free and Phthalate Free. Many retailers have already put this into effect in their new products and our rubber ducks we carry are all phthalate and lead free.

Now don't get confused, because not all plastic products are made with BPA and with Phthalates. So when looking at baby bottles you will not find phthalates and when shopping for strollers you will not find BPA so it won't be advertised. The main concern is what your child puts in their mouth. If it is a product that they will possible put in their mouth, then look for BPA Free and/or Phthalate Free.

I know some mothers have fully switched off plastic and are using glass bottles and stainless sippy cups. Which I think are great, but there are other really great BPA free plastic versions that are safe and easy to use.

My Top 10 List Must Haves for New Baby (there are more things you will need, but these are my favorites!)

1. Dr. Brown's BPA Free Bottles. I love these! They do require a bit of work as there are a few parts to them, but they are great for helping with gas as the inner piece pushes the air back into the bottle instead on into baby's tummy. I would get 4- 4 oz bottles and 4 - 8 oz bottles.

2. I use Soothie Newborn Pacifiers and a great new one to the market is the Natursutten Orthodontic Pacifier. Soothies are very popular with newborns and many hospitals use them. My kids were both not into the pacifier, but Gwen did use a soothie for the first few months.

3. Top 100 Baby Purees Book by Annabel Karmel. Wonderful homemade baby food recipes that are quick and easy to make. Really, it is not that hard to make baby food. We will do a whole post on making baby food soon!

4. I am a fan of California Baby and Weleda. I love the Weleda Calendula Oil. I give the baby a little massage after her bath and use it on cradle cap.

5. When the new bub comes out you just want them in the softest clothes you can find. So, I load up on organic onesies and sleepsacks. Giggle carries a whole line of organic clothing.

6. Diapers is also a topic into itself. I use Nature Baby Care they are 100% biodegradable, no chlorine and developed by a Mom. You can order them on diapers.com.

7. The Ouef Baby Lounger. It is a baby bouncer that bounces with the babies own movement or by gently pushing on it. We used this all the time. As they get older you can feed them in here as well. It is made of 100% cotton and can be removed and machine washed. It looks good too!

8. Slings. Boy there are a lot of slings out there now. I used the Baby Pouch with both of my kids. It is a bit more labor intensive, but the babies love it! You can wrap them up in there and go for walks, do housework and great for travel. Super easy to breastfeed when it is on and almost impossible for baby to fall out. I also use the Ergo Baby Carrier. It is really comfortable and can use as the baby gets older.

9. I am a big fan of sleepsacks. Most European, Australian and New Zealand moms use these daily. Forget the baby comforter and the baby blankets put your little guy inside one of these sleepsacks. With no chance of the baby wrapping themselves up in the blanket or as they get older becoming uncovered in the night, this must have will keep them warm and safe through the night. Scientifically proven to help babies sleep longer!

A few of my favorites are the Somi Sleepsack, the Halo Organic Cotton and then I love the Go Go Bag from New Zealand, but you can only order from their site. I would never suggest a fleece sleepsack. Fleece is not a natural material and the babies will perspire. Fleece will not absorb the perspiration and the baby will be wet and possibly wake. I would always use cotton or merino wool.

10. Swaddling blankets. Aden and Anais swaddling blankets are awesome! You can use them to swaddle the baby to sleep, cover the stroller when taking walks, use as a burp cloth or even as a changing mat! They are super light and machine washable and come in many patterns.

Spaghetti Bolognese take 2

2009-06-16T05:04:00.000-07:00

What to do with the left overs? Here is the best part about the recipe I posted a few weeks back. When defrosted and topped with mashed potato and cheese it makes a greatest Shepard's pie.

What you need....
1. Baking dish
2. About 6 medium sized potatoes
3. 1 small sweet potato
4. 1/4 small pumpkin
5. 2 Tablespoons plain yogurt
6. Some tasty cheese
7. Olive oil
8. Leftover Bolognese sauce

What to do....

Take out left over sauce from freezer. Defrost over a few hours or very quickly in microwave. I always try to avoid plastics in microwave, so I normally place plastic container in large cooking bowl with boiling water around base. Wait a few minutes. Remove container and water. Slip frozen contents out of plastic and into cooking bowl. Place dinner plate on top and put in microwave until defrosted.

Peel and chop potatoes, sweet potato and pumpkin into golf ball sized chucks. Boil in salted water until soft. Drain water and return to saucepan. Add good splash of olive oil and yogurt and mash until smooth.

Put defrosted sauce in bottom of baking dish. Add mash veggies 1 spoonful at a time smoothing out as you go. Continue until completely covered. Using vegetable peeler slice cheese. Lay slices on top until completely covered.

Put in preheated oven at 175 Deg. from 30 minutes. Remove from oven and serve!

So easy!

Eczema Babies

2009-06-14T05:18:00.001-07:00

My girls were both eczema babies. Eczema is so cruel to babies. This continuous, insidious itchy rash that disrupts sleep, gets infected and brings down their immune systems. A recent court case in Australia found the parents of a 9 month old baby whom died from septicemia and malnutrition due to severe eczema guilty of man slaughter. Reading about the case brought back many memories of the early months with my first child and our battle against eczema.

The balance between traditional western medicine and alternative therapies is very tricky to achieve. Both sides not willing to accept each other views. Finding practitioners who are willing to concede that both the traditional and alternative have their uses is essential to finding a path that you are comfortable in taking for your family.

In the beginning I was clueless. Having had no experience with eczema or allergies it was completely unexpected to find myself in the situation we were in. It consumed all of my waking hours attempting to find solutions. Five years on, I joke that I spend at least 20% of my time preventing my girls from scratching. Whether it be as simply as saying “don’t scratch” (which I do at least 50 times a day!) to reading the labels on every single thing I buy be it food, cleaning products, creams, shampoo etc to make sure that there are no nasties like preservatives, trans fats, emulsifiers, GMO products, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, dioxin the list goes on.

Often the most useful tools in fighting eczema come down to common sense. There are no miracle cures as the causes for every single person are different. What works for us might not work for anyone else. However, just in case I can impart with some useful information to someone else I intend to share with you some of things that have helped in my home.

In my view eczema management can be view in 3 categories:

Preventers

The preventers are things like allergy management, environment management, diet, supplements, stress management, chiropractic care, homeopathic, kinesiology etc. These are actions aimed at preventing the eczema from occurring.

Stop the itch

The eczema slowly bubbles up to the surface. If it is left unscratched it can go away of its own accord. But if it is scratched then it takes hold and becomes in grained. Stopping the itch will stop it from flaring up.

Cleansing & Soothing

Once it has flared managing the eczema means to keep it clean, stop it from getting infected and soothing the angry skin.

I will share my tip in each of these areas of the next few weeks. In the mean time here are two good sites with some basic eczema management information.

Babycenter

Infantseczema

Heres to baby soft skin! x samantha

Guest Daddy - Playdate Playlist

2009-06-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

Who: Marc Jensen

What: Writer and Music Lover

Children: Sadie 3 and baby on the way

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Website: www.marcjensen.net

Playdate Playlist #1

Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean your musical selections have to be limited to Mickey and his friends singing “Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog.” I have fond memories of my parents cranking up Neil Young, George Harrisson and Paul Simon while I was growing up, and while I may not have always understood the lyrical content of the songs they played, their tastes challenged my expectations of how limitless music could be and help set the tone for my lifelong appreciation of it. The good news is that you don’t have to listen only to old school standards to find suitable listening content for your family. Alternative music has arguably never been more kid friendly and is a perfect way to expand the boundaries of your child’s impressionable little mind. Here are a few of our family’s favs:

1. Beirut “Nantes”. The accordion is back. Once the symbol of polka and bad German Oktoberfest bands, this classic instrument is finding its way into many new artists’ music—and perhaps no track does it as well as Beirut’s “Nantes.” From the opening Eastern European tinged accordion intro, “Nantes” also features a beautiful French horn interlude, a tango-esque percussion beat, and Zach Condon’s hauntingly rich vocals. A great song to introduce the little one’s to instruments other than the standard guitar, bass and drums line-up. Click here to see them on YouTube.

2. Grizzly Bear “Two Weeks.” The more I listen to Grizzly Bear, the more I’m convinced they just may be my favorite new band out there. While many of their songs tend to be on the sleepy side, “Two Weeks” has a contagious melody and snappy tempo that will grab even the most casual of listener. After cranking this song up one day, I caught my little one singing along to the gorgeous vocals in the chorus. Worth every one of those ninety-nine cents. Click here to see them on YouTube.

3. Animal Collective “My Girls”. I’m a sucker for Beach Boy harmonies and Animal Collective has perfected the homage in “My Girls”. While most of their tunes tend to be on the more experimental side of new music, this song is nothing short of a pop gem. Not sure if it’s the beat, the layered vocal parts, or the sweet lyrics (I don’t mean to seem like I care about material things like a social status/I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls) that has me hooked. Check them out on YouTube.

4. Wilco & Billy Bragg “Hoodoo Voodoo”. Apparently, Woody Gutherie wrote this playful song for his young son Arlo, but it never saw the light of day until Wilco and Billy Bragg recorded this album of the folk giant’s lost tunes. It’s a completely nonsensical jam and a completely fun mess of a song. Check them out on YouTube.

5. Fleet Foxes “White Winter Hymnal.” If this song doesn’t send a chill up your spine, you may need to go to a doctor and check your pulse. It’s a throwback to the classic folk movement of the 1960s with a choral arrangement that’s about as pretty as music can get. A great end-of-the-night, sleepy-time song. Click here to see them on YouTube

6. Yo La Tengo “Beanbag Chair.” Yo La Tengo is three people — and two of them are married. Maybe that’s why their music always feels so family friendly, even when the lyrics can get a little dark. This is a lively, fun track with a great bass line and I love the subject matter. Beanbag chairs were a furniture staple in my room growing up. Click here to see them on YouTube

7. Sigur Rós “Gobbledigook.” If you only know of Sigur Rós for the song on the Vanilla Sky soundtrack, then you won’t believe this tune comes from the same band. “Goddledigook” is an up-tempo number with a playful, breezy spirit. I have no idea what it’s about or what they are saying. But that doesn’t really matter when the music is this pure. Go to the Sigur Ros website

8. Super Furry Animals “The Horn.” The Furries have always had a childlike quality about their music, and this tune only cements that notion. Sounding like a Welch barroom stomp, “The Horn” is a tailor-made sing along number that inspires imagination and fun. Pretty hard not to smile when this one’s on the speakers. Go the Super Furry Animals Website

9. Vampire Weekend “Mansard Roof.” Now that the hype has died down a bit over these guys, it’s easier to just sit back and enjoy the music. The African-inspired guitar work always reminds me of listening to Paul Simon’s “Graceland.” Click here to see them on YouTube

10. M. Ward “Chinese Translation.” M. Ward could be one of the finest songwriters working today and this song demonstrates why. It’s pensive yet upbeat, intelligent yet whimsical. Kids should be listening to this kinda stuff .Click here to see them on YouTube

Technology Review - The Flipcam

2009-06-04T23:28:00.000-07:00

Around my house, one of my favorite gadgets is the Flip Video Camera. Unfortunately, we (ie my hubby) just lost ours, so I am looking at getting a new one. The original version takes 60 seconds of video, but the new Ultra HD takes 120 seconds of video and contains up to 8MB of storage.

The great part about this camera is that it is SUPER EASY! It has a built in USB port that pops out of the side and you plug right into your computer. Once you plug it in, it automatically downloads via their provided software and provides you a link to your video so you can email it to friends and family. You can also download it directly to YouTube and MySpace and post on your Facebook or link to twitter with ease.

It is a great for taking videos of your kids, you can carry it in your purse and then just pull it out to get that quick shot of the baby's firsts. I love the new colors they offer and really into this yellow one!

Story time chart toppers

2009-06-01T03:37:00.000-07:00

Lily is learning how to read. Every night we sit down to the same ritual of 1 school reader read by her and 3 stories read by mummy. So far the experience has been excruciating. Lily gets frustrated, Alice get bored and annoying and I feel the need to be bound and gagged as I sit there patiently waiting for Lily to sound out every letter. Yet we preserve and the prize at the end is getting to enjoy the mummy read stories together. We get to pick one each and I never forfeit my choice. I have some firm favorites. A good story should be short, amusing and preferably rhyming. Stylish illustrations are a bonus. Here is my top ten picks.

At number 10........ Where's my Teddy? by Jez Alborough. A very amusing tale of a silly scaredy cat bear.

Number 9....Peedie by Olivier Dunrea. I love them all Peedie, Gossie, Ollie and BoBo. They are the cutest little goslings around.

Number 8.... Vegetable Glue by Susan Chandler & Illustrated by Elena Odriozola. This book has a fantastic message and some very funny lines.

Number 7...Tim, Ted & the Pirates by Ian whybrow and Illustrated by Russell Ayto. Great book for boys. I have given it as a gift many times over.

Number 6....Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley by Aaron Blabey. This Australian book has a sweet message about friendship.

Number 5......Dirty Bertie by Davis Roberts. Simply Hilarious.

Number 4......Bartholomew and the bug by Neal Layton. A cute story about a unusual friendship. I particularly love the illustrations.

Number 3.....That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell Illustrated by Neal Layton. A story about a little girl and her treasured toy. It is a big hit in our house as there are uncanny similarities between Stanley (Emily's bunny) and Pinky (Lily's teddy).

Number 2.....Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems. Mo is famous for his stories and we love them all but Leonardo is my favorite.

Finally at number 1 my all time favorite is Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty Illustrated by David Roberts. I love this book, the message, the rhymes and most of all the illustrations.

Happy story time! x samantha

How to take the best photo of your family - Guest Mommy Interview 2

2009-05-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Who: Nicole Wilder-Shattuck

Where: Los Angeles, CA
What: One of the Set Photographers on Mad Men
Children: Ryder 7, Wyatt 5
Weblink: www.nicolewilder.com

Nicole Wilder-Shattuck started her career in photography in 2002 after the birth of her first son, Ryder. Although photography was in her blood, her father was an avid photographer as well as her brother, she had no idea of her passion until she began photographing her baby with a Canon Rebel she got as a wedding present. Five years later, two years as an apprentice for Lisa Franchot, she is set photographer for the very awesome show Mad Men, along with her personal portraits, and lucky for me...the photographer of Chloe's plays! Her son Wyatt goes to school with Chloe. She is also pretty funny.

1. What is the best time of day to take a photo?

I always love to take photos in the afternoon to late afternoon...the light is much lower, softer and prettier and can really be a beautiful time to take family portraits or just photos in general...it is called the "magic hour" for a reason! Very early morning light is beautiful as well, but not always the most practical time to shoot.

2. Top places to take the family photo in Los Angeles?

Any place where there are textures, foliage, and great architecture are always good places to shoot in any city.

Point Dume in Malibu is great because you have edgy, rough rocks, reflection from the water, arched cliffs (great architecture doesn't mean is has to be man made) and sand.
Descanso Gardens, The Huntington Gardens and Library, Greystone Estate off of Doheny Drive, Ocean Boulevard in Santa Monica in the park are all favorites.
Venice Beach is fun just for all of the wild people you see there and the vibrant colors on houses and buildings. You can always find a great backdrop to shoot against in Venice.
A day trip to Palm Springs is a great photo op as well!

3. Best online photo editing site?

There are a lot of different photo sites where you can edit, crop and color correct your photos. Some are very comprehensive and charge a monthly fee, others are free. Shutterfly is a great site that is free and is extremely user friendly while delivering quality prints, as well as digital photobooks and multitude of other cool and fun services. If you need something a little more advanced, Pictage.com and Collages.net are both excellent, but they aren't free. You can set up monthly packages to work within your budget.

4. Do you have a favorite camera?

I have several favorite cameras! My three very old A2 Canon film cameras and my Canon 5D digital...they both serve very different purposes, and both take beautiful photos. If you are ever going to spend a lot of money on one lens, spend it on a 70-200mm with an image stabilizer, it is an unbelievable lens!

I still love my Canon Rebel as it was my first camera.

5. Favorite Online Photo Site?

Flickr.com is a great way to explore photos from amateur and pro photographers from all over the world. It is also a great way to network and explore the world of photography and get feedback on personal photos or to get advice if you can't quite figure out why or how you can capture a photo differently.

Pdnonline.com is a great resource for professional photographers.
www.bhphotovideo.com is also a must if you are looking to find any and all camera equipment...It's amazing!

6. Best home photo printer?

Epson seems to be the best, however, Hewlett Packard makes some really great inkjet printers that seem to last forever. I still have an inkjet printer by HP from about 7 years ago and it's still up and running without any glitches.

7. Do you need to invest in software to edit your photos and if so, which ones do you prefer?

I can honestly say, that Adobe Photoshop isn't a 100% requirement if you are interested in photo editing software. It is extremely comprehensive and can be a great asset in editing photos.

If you want a great software program that will do a great job cataloguing and organizing your shots and do a phenomenal job color correcting, categorizing, and fixing any photo, Lightroom is the way to go. It's fantastic and many pro photographers use it for their professional work.

Push come to shove, you can always export your photo into Photoshop if you need something a little more because Photoshop and Lightroom are both Adobe softwares.

8. Best Weather to take a picture?

If you ever see an overcast day where the light looks even and flat and not particularly sunny, then that is probably one of the best times to shoot! Most people think, well, there are a lot of clouds, not bright light and not much sun to be seen due to cloud coverage...that cloud coverage diffuses the light and creates beautiful even light...so go shoot on those days!

9. In a family photo, what should you wear?

Having a family dress alike for a photo does make a portrait seem well thought out and cohesive and if you are doing a formal portrait, then establishing what everyone should wear beforehand is important, but it doesn't necessarily have to be the rule.

Some of the best portraits are where people are just caught in the moment and not posed, so depending on if you want formal or informal can make a difference in what you wear.

With that said, try not to have multiple patterns or stripes, a little can be okay and interesting, but don't go overboard.

10. Any other cool tips you can share with us?

Try shooting in your garage to take a nicely lit family portrait. Around 2pm, lift your garage door, position your children or your subject on a stool about 3-8 inches inside the garage from where the garage opens and shoot. Of course, make sure the background of your garage is clear of clutter so it does not show up in the picture.

Garages make great impromptu studios! Try to use the light from the window and make sure you don't have random objects (like garbage cans, cars, other people) in your shot and don't be afraid to turn off your flash and use natural light. You would be amazed at how much light there actually is!

Experiment and practice and you will get the hang of finding nice light.

I love Matt Bernson Gladiator Sandals

2009-05-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

Matt Bernson sandals are super cute and comfortable! I picked up the gold gladiator pair last season while I was pregnant and they were my go to shoes. This season I am still wearing my gold gladiators, but would love a pair of these fringy strappy ones and the very simple Love Sandal, which almost always is sold out! Hurry and get the last few pairs you can find on his webstore. www.mattbernson.com

2009-05-21T03:44:00.000-07:00

This is a all time favorite in our house. I cook it at least once a week, serving half as dinner and freezing half to be used later. My version is wheat-free using spelt or kumut pasta. If needed you can serve with a good quality gluten-free pasta.

Ingredients

When choosing between organic and conventional products it is important to start with root vegies as they absorb the most of the toxins in the soil. For this recipe try for a minimum of organic beetroot, onion and sweet potato. When cooking with any mince meat (chicken, pork, beef etc) always choose organic. Mince tends to comprise the lowest quality fatty cuts and animals store the majority of toxins in the fat.

2 small onions
2 cloves garlic
3 small beetroot
1 small sweet potato (golden)
1 medium zucchini
1/2 small pumpkin
500 grm good quality organic minced beef
600 grm bottle of tomato puree
olive oil
salt

250 grm Kumut or Spelt Pasta
I like the spirals as they trap in the sauce which means the kids eat more then just the pasta!

Cooking Instructions

I like to cook this first on the stove top and then slowly in the oven. This means I can whip it up at lunch time (when Alice is napping) and leave in the oven for the afternoon whilst I go out to do errands and the school run, swimming, dance classes etc. When we get home, I boil the pasta and take straight out of the oven to serve.

Using an oven proof sauce pan, heat a good splash of olive oil. Fry finely diced onion till translucent and add diced garlic and minced meat. Cook on medium heat until meat is browned.

Add grated beetroot, grated pumpkin, grated sweet potato and grated zucchini. Stir well.

Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add full bottle of tomato puree. 3/4 fill empty bottle with water. Shake well. Add mixture to sauce. Stir well.

Increase heat to high and bring to boil.

Place in pre-heated oven at 150 degrees. Leave to cook for 2-3 hours.

Boil water, add salt and pasta, cook till al dente, add cold water to cool the pasta and drain well. By serving cold pasta mixed with a hot sauce you get to a kid friendly temperature straight away.

Baby's Got Style

2009-05-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of the Aussie online store Baby's Got Style. They have some seriously stylish kid's clothing and they ship to the US!. They have great customer service and ship your order out right away. It usually takes a week to get my order and with the exchange rate, end of season sales and low ship costs, its a pretty good deal. A few of my favorites lines are:

Munster is a BOYS ONLY brand, but my daughter Chloe loves the bat print shirts and hoodies. They also make super stylish track suit pants.

Another favorite is Itch. Graphic prints on stylish dresses, shirts and pants. They also do amazing bedding and plates. This adorable dress will be a great summer staple. If only i could get Chloe back into dresses. Maybe with the owl print she'll try it. Fingers crossed.

Big by Fiona Scanlan. Fiona used to be a part of the Scanlan and Theodore fashion label for women. I always stop in and get a new dress or sweater for myself. Now Fiona has branched off and designs for her new kid's label Big. There is always a bit of sparkle and fantasy in her clothes. This season it was off to the circus. Check out this fairytale dress and what about the headpiece. Divine!

Rock Your Baby is a new label for me and I just adore this vintage style Chinese print with little blue ruffle cap sleeves. Maybe I'll get it for the baby and she can wear it this summer. Too cute.

A Little Honey Bee on Twitter!

2009-05-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

We are now up on Twitter under user name jennypithie. Please follow us on our blog or twitter to get daily updates on new products, retailers carrying our products and feature mom's of the week.

Next week, our first featured mom is Samantha, an artist from Melbourne, Australia. She will give her top ten on things that make her life sweet.

Gurglepot Rocks

2009-05-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

If you don't have a Gurgle Pot --you should! Gurgle Pots are designed in Seattle by our friend, Matt Ellison. After a long dinner in France, with not a soul speaking English the only thing that kept the dinner lighthearted was the gurgling water pitcher on the table. Matt came back to the States and decided to design a similar pitcher himself. The Gurgle Pot ,which comes in an array of colors, is the product of that long evening. We sell them on our site at http://www.shopdrg.com/.

Organic Gardening

2009-05-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

For mother's day my husband and daughter built me an organic garden bed filled with tomatoes, corn, eggplant, pumpkin, herbs and strawberries. Looking forward to summer already.

Featured on My Favorite Things Blog

2009-05-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

Today we were featured on My Favorite Things! Thanks for the kind words about our products!

Sleep Bags

2009-05-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our trip to Australia and New Zealand and I found some really cool products. In New Zealand, I picked up the Go Go Bag, a beautiful wool sleeping bag for babies and toddlers. I know wool, sounds not so comfy, right. But not this bag. The inside is super soft merino wool and the outside of the bag is 100% cotton. Wool is a natural insulator keeping babies cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It also absorbs moisture from the baby and releases it into the air so babies stay dry and sleep better. My husband's Aunt Toad said every baby in New Zealand sleeps in a bag and after trying it on my babe I can see why.

Safe Cleaning Products

2009-04-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

In the Goop today, Gwyneth talks about healthy choices for our kids and toxins found in everyday products such as personal care products, cleaning supplies and toys. Toxins that could possibly lead to health problems such as asthma, cancer and diabetes to name a few. Phthalates have become a key word in the toy industry along with bisephenol A (BPA)and of course lead. Our rubber ducks have always been phthalate free along with lead free and BPA free, a choice that was easy to make. In my house we have use "green" cleaning supplies and my favorites are Mrs. Meyers countertop spray in Lemon Verbana and Ecover Floor Soap with Linseed Oil. Both smell delicious!

Smelly Ducks

2009-03-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

New ducks arrived today from BUD and they are so cute! Loving the neon colors. They smell good too! Each one has a different scent. At first i thought these are strange, who wants a smelly rubber duck, but then I got a hold of one and adore them. They come in seven different colors and smells ranging from a Hot Pink Bubblegum to a Neon Green Lime. I'm putting one in the kid's bathroom to make it smell yummy. www.shopdrg.com

Wall Stickers

2009-03-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Wall stickers are such a great idea for kid's rooms. Most people who come to my house ask me who painted the tree in Chloe's room. They are surprised when i tell them they are stickers. It comes in parts, so you can design your tree however you like. I stuck to the original layout, but my husband changed it recently and it is now an orchard of trees. Pretty cool.