NEW! FlexiBath: BPA, PVC & Phthalate Free Folding Bathtub for Babies and Toddlers

Danish company, A Real Cool World takes bath time to an entirely new level with their uber cool FlexiBath.

The FlexiBath is BPA, PVC and phthalate free. The sides and bottom of the FlexiBath are made of non-toxic Polypropylene, and TPE is used in the corners and in the thin lines of the tub's bottom enabling it to fold flat for easy storage and toting!

We'll get to the amazing, innovative design features of the FlexiBath in a moment, but first I'd like to say how thrilled I am that A Real Cool World is pioneering the effort to eliminate toxins from infant/toddler tubs. I have written on several occasions about keeping chemicals (from shampoos and body washes, as well as tub cleaners, toys and bath gear) out of your child's tub time regimen here, here and here -- but I had never questioned the safety of the plastic used in the actual, physical tub itself!



Regarding the design -- I think it is ingenious that the FlexiBath may be easily folded after use by simply closing it up with the small, attached latch. This feature is a clutter avoiding lifesaver -- especially in smaller homes and apartments where space is limited. Additionally, the FlexiBath features a temperature sensitive, BPA free drain plug that changes color when the bath water reaches the ideal temperature. (Note: the color changing drain plug will be introduced in spring 2010, while the initial collection of FlexiBath tubs will feature a black drain plug that does not change color based on temperature).

The FlexiBath will be available for purchase in the USA and Canada in January 2010 from Easy Walker in colors blue, pink and white, with a retail price of $39.99.

As an aside, I love that the personable makers of FlexiBath included the following statement with regard to the sturdiness of the FlexiBath in their product info: "Our own kids have used them as downhill sledges in the winter!!! No detectable weakness!!!"

So, once your child outgrows his FlexiBath, it may still be used for snow day fun! Talk about good, green, multifunctional design! How remarkably flexible...

Eco-Friendly, Reusable, Felt Christmas Crackers

Thanks to Green Planet Parties, Christmas crackers are now an eco-friendly, celebratory tradition! Green Planet Parties offers festive and adorable reusable felt Christmas crackers, so revelers are no longer left with a handful of wasted paper and a plastic trinket after the "pop!" Available in patterns of stripes, trees or jolly Santas, Green Planet Parties' Christmas crackers fasten on each end with a hemp string which may be easily tied and untied to fill the cracker with organic candy, merry messages, or sentimental trinkets. The best part is, they may be reused again and again every year as a new, green family tradition!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!

Alphabet Wall Decor for the Playroom or Nursery

Olivia loves her ABC's, and if we had a dollar for every time we've sung the alphabet song to her, and with her, I'd be sipping a Pina Colada in Maldives instead of writing this post. But seriously, I am moved at the whimsical and unique alphabet wall decor in the nursery shown above -- because it is both ornamental and functional. It will truly help tots learn their ABC's while also making their room look super chic.

I also like that you can make piecing the letters on the wall together into a fun project -- and every time you're out and about at thrift stores, vintage shops, garage sales, etc. you can look for that G you need, or that Z that's required to cap it all off.

via Spearmint Baby

Carton Chic Play Cash Register

This sweet cash register would be the perfect complement to Olivia's green grocery store! 'My bio little market' by Carton Chic is made in workshops in France of 100% recycled compact cardboard. It includes accessories: coins, sushi tray, milk and organic cupcakes. (Quite a combination of things!) Ring me up!

Eco-Friendly Stockings for the Whole Family!

Now that you know the best green stocking stuffers to get for your kids, it's time to pick out some adorable eco-friendly stockings to stuff! These colorful, cheery stockings from Etsy shop rikrak are handmade and handcut from durable, ecospun felt which is made from 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles! Who knew a plastic bottle could be reborn into something so beautiful to be treasured for years to come? rikrak offers a wide assortment of sustainably designed stockings, from chic and elegant to bright and kid-friendly. There's truly something for everyone!

Non-toxic Lolly ChalkMat Placemat Keeps Tots Entertained During Mealtime

Want a great way to keep your tot tuned in to the Thanksgiving meal? If you can't create a separate kids' table filled with entertainment, bring the fun to the main table with a Lolly ChalkMat! Created by Grace Paik, a mom of three, when her home kitchen renovation lasted six months and she had to keep her children occupied in restaurants, the ChalkMat proves yet again that necessity is the mother of invention!

Lolly ChalkMats are BPA, PVC, and phthalate free, eco-friendly and reusable. They come in a variety of whimsical prints (airplanes, damask print, owls), and they may be easily rolled up and toted to restaurants. One side of the Lolly ChalkMat is a placemat, and the other is a chalkboard that may be drawn or written on to keep kids occupied. The mat features a small pocket for storing chalk, so it is always readily available. Chalk may be easily wiped off to provide a clean slate.

Dust free chalk is recommended for use with Lolly Chalkmats. Be sure to check out the biodegradable butter chalk and chalk crayons made from sea shells (!) as the perfect accompaniment to the ChalkMat, also available at Jaq Jaq Bird by Sam & Bellie.

7 Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers for Green Kids!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care -- in the hopes of being filled with awesome, green toys! Here are 7 eco-friendly stocking stuffers your kids are sure to love!

Little Sapling handcrafted maple wood cars and bridges with walnut wheels. They plant a tree for every toy purchased via Trees for the Future.




Optrixx - Classic, vintage and mod cameras with kaleidoscope lenses!


Snowman and gingerbread hair clips made of hand stitched felt.



Custom, personalized rubber stamp mounted on maple wood.

D.I.Y recycled crayons!


Maileg Mice - Mouse and baby mouse in a box.

A Fairy Door - for year round magic and imaginative play! Everyone should have a fairy door!

Rocker-feller Wooden Rocking Horse

Kids would surely light up by seeing this trusty steed under the tree on Christmas morning! The Rocker-feller rocking horse boasts more than a clever name. Made in Vermont by Maple Landmark Woodcraft, he is crafted with responsibly harvested solid pine and coated with a non-toxic, natural oil finish. Sized for toddlers up to age 3, rock a little buckaroo's world with this sustainably designed, made in the USA horse this holiday!

Craft TuesD.I.Y with Lisa Lopez: Pet Rocks

Every time we go outside, my son has to pick up as many rocks as he can carry so he can bring them home to add to his rock collection. We decided to bring his rocks to life by turning them into pet rocks with a bit of paint, some googly eyes, and other fun features! Pet rocks may be used as paper weights, magnets, adorable garden decor -- or they may simply be enjoyed as a new pal!

First you will need to go on a hunt for rocks to use for this craft. A couple of things to keep in mind: smooth, polished rocks don't hold paint as well, so select regular, rugged rocks like the ones shown above. Also, plan out what creatures you will be making so you can choose your rocks accordingly. We made a bumble bee, a frog, and a lady bug. Once you collect your rocks, wash them off so that they don't have any dirt on them, then let them air dry.

Materials You Will Need:

• Paints/ brushes

• glue gun

• pipe cleaners

• Felt- I used the harder board felt as well as regular felt. It works better for legs. ie: frog

• fuzzy pom poms

• googly eyes

• scissors

Once your rocks are dry, you can paint them. This is how I made the bumble bee pet rock.

• Paint your rock black, allow to dry.

• Cut strips of yellow (soft) felt for the stripes on the bee. You will want to measure your strips on the rock across horizontally to decide where to cut -- making sure it goes from one end of the rock to the other.

• Glue your stripes onto your rock, ahem, bee.

• Using the harder board felt in white, cut two small wings out. Glue them on the top of the rock on each side.

• Glue your googly eyes onto your bee. You can either glue the eyes to a pom pom first, as I did with the frog, or glue them directly onto the bee. Or you can paint eyes on as well.

• Paint the mouth on, then using your black pipe cleaner, cut 2 small pieces about an inch long for the antennas and glue these on as well. Your kids will be BUZZING about this one!

To make the frog: Paint your rock green, glue on the eyes, and draw a face. Then with your harder board felt, cut the legs. Glue them on. You can paint spots and warts on his back too!

To make the ladybug: Paint your rock red. Then you can either paint black spots on it, or I took red felt, cut it into a circle, then cut the circle in half. Glue small black pom poms to each semi-circle, then glue on the top of the rock. Glue eyes and paint a mouth. Use your pipe cleaner for this as well to make the antennas.

Once dry, you can also glue a magnet to your smaller creatures. Whatever you choose, pet rocks are a fun, inexpensive way to make a plain old rock come to life as a new friend and cherished keepsake!

It's 'Operation Christmas Child' National Collection Week!

This week, November 16-23 is Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child National Collection week. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach your kids about charity and giving to children who are less fortunate. All you need to do is pack a shoebox with thoughtful gifts a child would love, include a donation of $7 for shipping/project costs, and then mail it or find a drop off location in your area. Kids may even track their shoebox to find out where it goes and who receives it!

Learn all about Operation Christmas Child here.

Petite Planet's Makeover!

I am beyond thrilled to unveil Petite Planet's new design! Since I started Petite Planet, I have dreamed of the day I'd be able to have my design ideas for the site come to fruition, and I am extremely grateful that the time has come!

None of this would have been possible without the savvy and amazing Lisa Cameron of Cameron Solutions. She delivered every aspect of my design makeover with professionalism, enthusiasm and expertise. She wanted everything to be perfect as much as I did, and she went out of her way to make sure every detail was in place. Thank you, Lisa!

If you're in the market for any website or blog design services, I give Lisa Cameron my highest recommendation. She made waking up to my shiny, new blog feel like Christmas morning does to a child!

I hope you enjoy the new and improved, Petite Planet! Thanks for reading, and please stay tuned!

Candygram Delivers a Sweet Birthday Wish

I love this sweet card idea from Inchmark! We all have little boxes lying around the house, so upcycle one into a birthday greeting and fill it with colorful candy so it's a card and a gift rolled into one. The box may also be treasured as a keepsake and saved to store small trinkets, or candy refills! See more of this creative card at Inchmark.

Stuffed Animal Jacket!

We have an overflow of plush toys in our home, mostly given to Olivia as gifts, but I've never once thought of using them to make a jacket! Designer Sebastian Errazuriz created this teddy bear jacket, which could perhaps be viewed as anti-fur fashion commentary. The model wearing this hilarious garment really manages to pull off the look, but I have a feeling it would be bear-ly acceptable if I tried to rock this.



via Dornob

Eco-Friendly Country Cottage from Imagination Box Company

Every parent knows that a cardboard box always tops a child's list of favorite "toys." I am continually amazed at the creative uses Olivia finds for empty boxes -- and also at the fact that she is sometimes more smitten with the cardboard box than its fun contents!

The aptly named Imagination Box Company plays on a child's penchant for boxes by making them the main event! They offer a variety of eco-friendly toy boxes that kids may decorate and make their very own. Kids may choose between a barn, a country cottage, a firehouse/rescue station, or a schoolhouse. Each is made from sturdy double-walled corrugated board and comes with a set of eight, non-toxic washable watercolors. (Markers or crayons may also be used to bring the boxes to colorful life as well).

Charming details are drawn in black atop the white boxes and on their interiors, and they ship flat to make it easier for kids to decorate them before assembling them. Imagination Box Company suggests that coloring their boxes makes a great birthday party activity -- and the birthday boy/girl may cherish and play with the creation long after the party is over!

Imagination Boxes are made in the USA from 45% post consumer waste materials, and they are 100% recyclable at the end of their life. Kim and Russell Cash, creators and owners of Imagination Box Co. work with Panhandle Special Needs, Inc., where people with special needs in their local community assemble their playhouse boxes.

Furthermore, Kim and Russell don't just talk the green talk -- they walk the walk too! They live on five acres in beautiful northern Idaho where they thrive in all that Mother Earth has to offer them. They in a yurt, an environmentally sensitive dwelling, utilize solar power, including a solar oven and solar shower, tend a large garden and twelve chickens for their produce and nutritious brown eggs, and enjoy outdoor cooking with their mud oven!

Imagination Boxes are a great, green, fun way to spend time indoors this winter, collaborating with your kids on their design, and then playing with them with dolls and stuffed animals!

Craft TuesD.I.Y with Lisa Lopez: Recycle Broken Crayons into Colorful New Crayons!

Today's craft project is: Recycled CRAYONS!

Recycling broken crayons into new ones is a fun, easy, inexpensive craft to do with your kids -- and it's a great opportunity to teach children the value of upcycling! So, next time your child breaks a crayon during a coloring session, save it in a special box and put it aside to do this craft!

Materials You Will Need:

*Broken crayon pieces

*Muffin Tin/mini muffin tin

Or, fun alternatives to muffin tins: candy molds, ice cube trays, silicone molds with fun shapes

1) Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.
2) Peel all of the paper labels off of your broken crayons and separate them by shades of color -- keeping oranges and yellows together, blues and greens together, and pinks and reds together. If you mix them all, it will turn out to be a yucky color!
3) Spray your molds, muffin tins, etc. with cooking spray. You can use paper muffin liners, you will just have a ridge around your crayons. And don't use your favorite muffin tins, buy one from a thrift store or use an old one.

4) You will need about 1 cup of broken crayons to make 12 larger crayons as I did. Ice cube trays and mini muffin tins will yield more.

Oven: If you are using muffin tins/silicone molds in the oven, fill your tins about 1/2 full with broken crayons, separated by shades of color. Put them in the oven for about 8 min. You will need to remain close by and check in on them periodically because they will melt quickly.
Once your crayons have melted, take them out of the oven carefully, and then take a toothpick and swirl the wax around. Let them cool. Cooling takes a while, so to help the process along, you can put them in the freezer. Just be sure that they are flat so they harden evenly. Once they are hard, pop them out of your molds! (If you put them in the freezer, they will have condensation on them, so allow them to air dry for a bit.)

Microwave: If you're using candy molds or ice cube trays, which cannot go in the oven, then microwave the crayon pieces in microwave safe cups or bowls (separate the color shades into different cups) for about 4-6 minutes. Then pour the melted crayons into your candy molds or ice cube trays and wait for them to cool and harden. Be careful -- once melted, the wax is very hot!


Your recycled crayons are now ready to enjoy! They make great, green holiday gifts! I found cute little boxes (pictured above) and I had some crayon stickers which I placed on the outside of the box. You may also wrap your crayons in cellophane and tie it with a ribbon while attaching a couple of regular crayons to the outside so the recipient knows what they are. Recycled crayons are a fun, eco-friendly gift which will brighten a lucky child's day!

Sinupret for Kids - A Natural Remedy to Keep Kids Healthy this Winter

Winter is almost here, and with flu season and colds running rampant, we need to gear up with safe, alternative means of healing for our kids. Sinupret for Kids is a plant-based remedy/herbal supplement (in syrup form) which contains a proprietary blend of European Elder, Common Sorrel, Cowslip, European Vervain and Gentian, and it is a natural remedy which promotes healthy nasal passages, supports the upper respiratory system and strengthens the immune system.

Sinupret for Kids is recommended by my favorite pediatrician, Dr. Bob Sears. He says, “Of the products that I have examined, I prefer Sinupret. It has a long track record around the world for its safety and effectiveness and is a natural aid for sinus health.”

I plan on paving the way toward alternative medicine and natural remedies for Olivia by starting her down the path with Sinupret for Kids. * For use by children ages two and older.

Click here for purchasing information on Sinupret for Kids.

Kamik's Recyclable Rain Boots for Women

Girls will be girls, and Olivia loves sneaking into mommy's rain boots! I've written about Kamik's eco-friendly rain boots for kids here and here, and I feel compelled to share that they also make rain boots for moms and dads, because after all, we're the ones chasing around after our little puddle jumpers, and we need rain boots too!

Above, Olivia is wearing my Kamik rain boots, which I love. They are 100% recyclable, but they're so sturdy and well made that I can't imagine the day I'll have to recycle them. They're also comfortable and easy to walk in, which is important given the fact that I'm often wearing them on slippery surfaces while holding a squirmy toddler.

I can't stand the rain, but at least I have my trusty Kamiks to make it more bearable!

T-Shirt Memory Scarf

I can't tell you how many times I have been cleaning out my drawers, and although I know I'll never wear certain T-shirts from my past again, I simply cannot part with them due to nostalgic reasons -- my Oxford University T-shirt I purchased in Oxford on my way to visit Shakespeare's hometown, my "I heart NY" T-shirt I wore between falling in love with the city and selling everything I owned to move there, the list goes on and on, and so do the memento T-shirts.

So when I spotted this T-shirt memory scarf on Craftzine, I thought it was pure upcycling genius! Now we can wear all those old tees again, or at least hang them on display somewhere in the house! The designer of this crafty sentimental scarf had the same reasoning behind her inspiration - she didn't want to part with her old tees, and she wanted to make them wearable again. Click here to read how she created this sweet scarf, which would also make quite the conversation piece!

via Craftzine

Felt Playhouse Slipcover turns the Kitchen Table into a Child's Dream Abode!

You've read about my penchant for turning kitchen tables into dreamy wonderlands, and when I came across this amazing four-sided felt playhouse, which actually slips over a kitchen table, my heart skipped a beat! The amazing mom behind the beautiful blog Homemade by Jill made this for her son, and it is so sweet and clever, that I want one right now! Click here to check out all of the thoughtful details on all four sides of the house, including an apple tree, a working mailbox, a doghouse with a doggie door, a vegetable garden, and more! What a fabulous alternative to buying a plastic playhouse! Be sure to check out Jill's blog for templates on how to make this felt house for your own lucky little one!

Image via Homemade by Jill

via Ohdeedoh

Craft TuesD.I.Y with Lisa Lopez: Name Game Bottles!

If you're looking for a unique, homemade holiday or birthday gift for kids, or an engaging activity to keep your child occupied in the car, in waiting rooms, or just about anywhere, Name Game Bottles are the perfect craft for you! These simple, yet ingenious bottles are inexpensive to make and fun to put together, and they'll supply hours of entertainment! Filled with trinkets, all starting with a letter in your child's name, (or the name of a lucky recipient), the fun begins when the player must find all of the hidden objects which are camouflaged by bird seed!

Materials you will need:

*Clear, empty plastic bottle with lid

*Bird seed mixture

*Small trinkets: dimes, buttons, safety pins, eraser, pom pom... (anything you desire, it just needs to fit through the opening of the bottle)

*Tape

*Paper

*Funnel- I made my funnel out of a piece of paper

1) Mix bird seed mixture and trinkets together in a bowl. Trinkets should start with a letter in the child's name, so add a dime for D, star confetti for S, etc.

2) Using your funnel, pour the mixture into the bottle, filling it only 3/4 full. Don't fill your bottle to the top because kids will need that extra space to tip and tilt the bottle to find their items. Screw the lid on tightly!

3) At the top of a piece of paper type: "Just for you, a searching game. Using the letters of your special name." Next, type the child's first and last name -- and for each letter of their name, detail which item in the bottle they need to find. (Example, J = jewels and jingle bells.)

4) Tape the paper to the front of the bottle for reference.

Kids will love twisting and turning the bottle while trying to find the hidden, corresponding items! To make the game worthwhile and challenging, include at least 15-20 little items in the bottle. Once you have spelled the name and listed the items next to each letter, simply list additional items underneath.

For an extra touch tie a bow or ribbon around the neck of the bottle.

Book Review: Practically Green by Mindful Momma Micaela Preston

Petite Planet is all about taking a practical approach to greening your daily life. My hope has always been that if we all do enough little things every day to clean up our acts, then we can make a global impact collectively.

When I heard that fellow mommy blogger, Micaela Preston, aka Mindful Momma, had a new book out entitled Practically Green, I knew it would be right up my, and your alley. It is filled with a variety of clever, creative and simple ways for families to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle. One of the aspects I appreciate most about Practically Green is the prevalent DIY component (ideas and crafts) written by a green mom. While the book taps into all of the necessary and helpful information to live a green life: which are the best foods to buy organic & in bulk, cleaning product ingredients to avoid, a guide to home energy saving, natural body care, etc. -- it's the highly unique and individualized ideas/recipes/crafts Preston offers from her daily life as a mom that make this read so... practical.

Here are a few I love:

*Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip! (Need I say more?)
*How to Make organic cotton pillow cases
*How to Make crayon cupcakes (to color with, not to eat!) from broken, old crayons
*How to Make homemade cosmetics and beauty treatments for yourself & to give as gifts
*How to Make felted sweater mittens

*I also appreciate the "Where can I Recycle That?" section of the book, which gives recycling info on items most people either don't think to recycle or don't know they can recycle! (dry cleaner bags, carpets, etc.)

Another aspect I enjoyed about Practically Green is that it's divided into manageable sections for each topic: "Buy it" and "Do it." So, even the lightest shades of green among us will have a clear eco path carved out for them, with no guesswork.

Mindful Momma has certainly lived up to her name with Practically Green!

Practically Green is available here on Amazon.com.

Donate Your Halloween Candy to a Good Cause

Not sure what to do with all that Halloween candy your little one collected? Donate it to a good cause! Cool Mom Picks is running a great feature today, filled with ideas of where to send your Halloween candy.

We will be donating Olivia's candy, but replacing her coveted collected treats with a small toy so she won't be left empty handed... since charity still doesn't quite make sense to a 2 year old!