Forever Plastic

As a mom committed to protecting and preserving the world my child is growing up in, I am constantly in search of ways to reduce my carbon footprint. Recycling is a simple, inexpensive way to preserve the earth’s vital resources by taking a product that has been used to it’s full capacity and turning it into a usable raw material to make another product. One of the most prevalent materials used in society today is plastic. Why? Plastic is inexpensive, durable, and can be made into virtually anything. Apart from recent reports of adverse health effects associated with certain types of plastics, there are several reasons to reconsider their continued use.

Fact: Disposed plastics occupy 25% of landfill space.

Fact: Once buried, a plastic bottle takes at least 1 million years to disappear.

Fact: Americans recycle 5% of all plastics produced in this country.

Source: Energy Information Administration

Even more alarming is the fact that THE largest landfill is actually in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

This week I introduce you to a company who is committed to turning this non-renewable resource into chic, eco-friendly products. Recycline has created a line of mod and trendy products for your home. Preserve products (and their packaging) are not only made from 100% recycled plastics and 100% recycled post-consumer paper, they are entirely recyclable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. You can return your used toothbrushes, razor handles, and tongue cleaners, which will be used as plastic lumber for park benches, decks, and more. Download your postage-paid return label here . The company’s eco-conscious practices extend beyond their products. All products are made in the US, thereby conserving fuel and limiting their environmental footprint. Check out their efforts to further reduce their impact on the environment here.

From personal care products like razors and toothbrushes to kitchen essentials you’ll find stylish, affordable products that are both functional and fun. You can find Preserve products at Target, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods.

Download a coupon for $1.00 off 2 Preserve toothbrushes here. They even offer a Jr. version for kids age 2-8.

The Great Outdoors: Camping with Kids

Last weekend, my husband and I packed up all the necessary equipment and went camping with our children for the first time ever. It was a lot of fun, but very, very tiring. One thing I noticed was that the families with young children looked like they were stressing more than they were enjoying themselves, and I shared their feelings at times.

Camping is a great way to get more active and enjoy nature as a family, but it can be a challenging, if not harrowing, experience for the parents of young children. Use the following tips to ensure that your camping is as stress-free as possible.

Be Prepared
Start making a list of camping necessities a few days before your expected departure. Last-minute planning will only cause you to forget certain essentials. If your child regularly uses sippy cups or pacifiers, pack several. Pack a few small toys or books, but don’t expect your children to pay much attention to them. Also bring extra clothing, because S’mores are quite messy and muddy lakes are toddler magnets.

Test Run

I can not stress this enough! If you’ve bought any new equipment, like an air mattress, tent, or camping stove, give these products a trial run at home. This should help you work out any kinks, and avoid snags when you’re at the campsite, allowing you to concentrate on keeping track of your children, which brings me to my next tip:

Expect Your Children to Go Crazy

My son discovered his inner pyromaniac, while my daughter just wanted to run. Anywhere. And. Everywhere. It wasn’t just my kids; I observed numerous parents of young children reaching their wit’s end and snapping at their kids, saying things like, "Get back here now!" or "Who said you could do that?" There’s not really much you can do about your kids’ excitement. On their first camping trip, they will experience sensory overload. Just watch the fire very closely and try to find a camping spot that’s not too close to a road.

Choose Your Campground Wisely

If at all possible, scout out your desired campground beforehand. Don’t feel that you have to rough it too much with little ones in tow. Look for a place with at least one flushing toilet, because toddlers in the midst of potty training would rather scream bloody murder than enter a stench-filled Port-a-Potty (ask me how I know this). Try to find a campground that has activities for children and a nice playground. If you will be camping for several days, laundry facilities would be nice, too.

Sneak Around

Don’t even attempt to put up a tent in front of a toddler. Take the children to the playground and let your partner accomplish this task on his own. Trust me, he’ll finish it faster by himself than he would with a toddler rampaging around! If your children are anything like mine, they will want to spend a while cavorting inside the newly set-up tent, which presents a great opportunity to accomplish other tasks, such as starting a fire.

Lights, Lights, Everywhere

Since children are so prone to running wild on their first camping trip, consider investing in a small, bright flashlight or lantern for each of your little ones. First of all, these little lights may be just fun enough to keep the kids entertained for a while. Second, if a youngster does try to make a getaway, you’ll be able to spot her more quickly if she’s got a light attached to her. I LOVE the Coghlan’s Micro Lantern.  This tiny lantern packs a real punch. At only two inches tall, it’s actually twice as bright as a ten inch tall lantern I own! I was able to hang this little dynamo at the top of my rather large tent and see well enough to make the bed at night. Plus, it lasts 25 hours (50 when flashing) and clips securely to a toddler’s shirt or belt loop. At only $7.99, this lantern is a must-have for camping trips.

Most Importantly…

Don’t forget why you decided to take your children camping in the first place. You wanted to have fun and enjoy healthy activities and the outdoors as a family, remember? If you find yourself getting stressed to the max, take a step back. Don’t let momentary stresses overshadow what could be a wonderful experience!

Fabulous Finds for On The Go

This weekend we’re headed out of town for our first wedding of the summer, my brother’s, and we’re so excited!  It will also kind of serve as our summer "kick off", as summer officially begins on the calendar, and our calendar starts to get busier and busier.  So with all this running around, it’s important for us hip mamas to stay well equipped.  Here’s a few of the fab items that can be spotted in my Skip Hop these days.

As a nursing mama, I pretty much have to be able to whip one out everywhere I go.  With my first child, I was so timid about this that often I’d avoid going out just so I wouldn’t have to confront the situation.  Either that or I’d spend all this time pumping (which I hate doing), then coming up with ways to keep the bottles of breast milk chilled until I was ready to use them, then having to find a way to heat the bottles up for feeding; the whole ordeal just seemed more of a pain then it was worth.  So this time around, I made sure I was well prepared to nurse in public.  My go-to nursing cover is from a fabulous company, Tot-To-Go.  It’s perfect.  When I nurse using it, I feel so discrete and it has this great neckline that allows me to keep an eye on Ireland.  Plus, the fabric is nice and lightweight (perfect for summertime) and really beautiful too! 

Visit Tot-To-Go.com to purchase and enjoy $10 off your purchase with promo code: peekaboo

Another company I love for nursing cover-ups is Peeky-Boo Baby.  This hip company makes a line of nursing blankets that are so adorable and functional too!  It’s basically a beautiful baby blanket with a removable corner weight.  The weight allows you to drape the blanket over your shoulder and nurse as well as a ton of other uses.  What I love about this product is that being a blanket, it is very discrete, and because it’s so versatile in it’s uses, it saves me from having to pack extra stuff.  I’ve got a nursing cover, extra blanket, play mat, changing pad and sun shade all in one!

Visit PeekyBooBaby.com to purchase.  Be sure to checkout the coordinating burp clothes too!

So how about those outings that you don’t feel like lugging your entire huge diaper bag around but still need the essential couple of diapers, pad, and wipes?  For these events, I’m loving my chic changing clutch from The Apple of My Eye.  The Original Changing Clutch comes in a variety of fashionable fabrics and holds 2-3 diapers plus a plastic wipes holder, but the unique thing about this clutch is that the changing pad is attached.  Obviously, a mom is behind this clever product!  It’s the perfect solution for any hip mom on the go.

Visit TheAppleofMyEye.com to purchase.  P.S. I’m loving their fab new fabrics!

Weekend Read: Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter

Okay, so I know it’s been forever since I’ve done a Weekend Read, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been my usual book worm self.  I’ve got a good stack of books all ready for review, and with the summer "beach read" season approaching, I figure it’s time to pass on a few of my recent faves.

Topping my list is the incredibly entertaining Mrs. Perfect by one of my favorite authors, Jane Porter.  You may remember her novel Odd Mom Out from a Weekend Read a few months back.  Mrs. Perfect is somewhat of a sequel to Odd Mom Out, although this time Jane shifts the narrative from Marta Zinnser, the "outsider" of suburban moms, to that of Taylor Young, the Queen Bee amongst this upper class society of mommies.  A perfectly polished, impossibly thin, PTA going SAHM, Taylor is the epitome of what most moms would consider "perfect."

So naturally, as the book opens, I’m a little jealous of Taylor and all of her perfection.  But soon Taylor’s world comes crashing down around her, and she is left to face her innermost demons.  Stripped (somewhat) of her glamorous facade, forced to put her impeccable mansion of a home up for sale, and heart wrenchingly dealing with a faltering marriage, Taylor has to dig deep in order to overcome her struggles.  Strangely enough, as a reader, I began to envy Taylor even more when things got rocky, but now what I envied was her strength, determination, and will and not just her fabulous wardrobe and 25 inch waist.

So the moral of the story?  Well, I think there are plenty.  One being, it begs the question, "How important, really, is stuff?" and "If all of our stuff were taken away, what would emerge as being truly important?"  But don’t get me wrong, Taylor doesn’t make some dramatic saintly change, she simply is awakened to a life less charmed and forced to look for answers from within verses her usual remedy of a little retail therapy followed by a trip to the spa.

I loved this book for being real and for allowing me to live in this fantastic world of wealth and privilege, if only vicariously.  So if you’re looking for a fabulous summer read, I give Mrs. Perfect two thumbs up!

Have you read a fabulous book lately?  A couldn’t put it down, perfect beach read type of book?  Make a suggestion for the next Weekend Read by leaving a comment below.

A Summer Swaddle: Aden and Anais Muslin Wraps

I think every new mom knows how essential swaddling blankets are in keeping both baby and mama happy (read getting some sleep!)  I keep Ireland loosely swaddled almost all day, with the exception of playtime.  So with the weather turning warmer, its crucial to have on hand lightweight swaddle blankets that will still give your baby the comfort of being wrapped without overheating.

My new favorite swaddling blankets are by Aden and Anais.  These Australian muslin blankets are super soft, breathable, and extra large (perfect for wrapping even bigger babies).  They come in a variety of fabulous designs for both boys and girls, and trust me, you will want to stock up.  I have 4 that I use in rotation, and depending on the amount of spit-up and explosive diapers, some days I could use a few more.

Visit AdenandAnais.com to purchase.   

Summer Shoes by Robeez

A new season means new footwear for my fam.  Jason and I both picked up a new pair of Rainbow flip flops (a summertime must-have!) and as for the kids, they’re sporting Robeez this year.  For my toddler, a super cool pair of the new Robeez Tredz.  This ultra cute sandal is the perfect everyday shoe, complete with accents of orange and green, adorable!

As for my little one, we’re digging the new Weekend Collection by Robeez.  She now has a pair in sassy pastel green, but I love them so much I’m thinking about getting a second pair, maybe fuchsia?

As always, Robeez delivers top of the line quality, great style, and superb comfort.  With our new kicks, we’re all ready for summer! 

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