Photo-genic Sweatshirt

Want a super easy way to delight your child? Give them a camera to take pictures of whatever they desire. Our three year-old has become quite the photographer, capturing stunning images both in our home and on nature walks through the neighborhood.

The Photo-genic sweatshirt above would be the perfect top for any budding photographer... and I like that it depicts a good, old-fashioned camera... not a web-cam, iPhone camera, or other modern spins on saying cheese.

This sweatshirt is 100% cotton (not organic), but it is made under Fair Trade conditions in India, and 10% of the profits of this item goes to a social project to benefit children in various parts of the world.

'Stump' by Kalon Studios

This gorgeous, minimalist stool, dubbed 'Stump' by Kalon Studios is a beautiful perch for a child, which may also easily translate into decor and extra seating for any room in the home. Stump also reminds me of the poignant end of the story The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein -- wherein all the tree has left to offer the little boy he has given everything to is a tree stump to sit on and rest.

Made from FSC certified domestic Ash or Maple, Stump stools are sanded smooth, but left raw and  unfinished. "The piece celebrates the natural qualities of the tree trunk. Stump is cut from the green wood of a tree trunk so the surface splits as it ages and dries, giving each piece a unique look."

We Should All Feel This Happy About Autumn

Wishing you the unbridled glee and enthusiasm the changing season has to offer!

SHirin NYC Eco Scarves

If you're looking for the perfect gift for that hard to shop for green tween girl on your list, these hip, gorgeous SHirin scarves are sure to enchant and delight. I love wearing scarves, not just for the warmth they provide, but because they add such simple sophistication to any outfit. I especially love these scarves because they are luxuriously soft, sustainably designed and ever so chic!

If these designs look familiar to you, it's because I have featured SHirin collections on Petite Planet previously: here and here. I literally can't wear the top seen at the bottom of this post out without being stopped by several people who ask me where I got it and comment on its beauty.

I absolutely love the artistry behind Shirin Roubeni's work. New to her line, these scarves are made from leftover fabrics from the dresses Shirin makes. They are comprised of a mix of 100% pure silk and lyocell. Lyocell is extracted from sustainably harvested wood pulp and is a lightweight, wrinkle resistant and high quality eco-fabric. Additionally, the prints on the scarves are water based and heat set with no use of chemicals.

Present one of these lovely scarves to a young woman on your list, and put them on the road to becoming eco-fashionistas! *Sidenote: I plan on wearing a SHirin NYC scarf myself this season, and I'm certainly no tween!

Shirin's scarves may be purchased here.

Eco-Friendly, Non-toxic CaliBowls for Family Friendly Dining

As much as I'd like to blame my children for all the chipped and cracked bowls in our house... it's all me. I am forever dropping bowls during washing, and after chipping the final bowl in a set of four, I decided it was time to move on to more durable wares.

I'm so happy I came across CaliBowls! They are BPA free, microwave and dishwasher safe, and they are darn cute to boot! We got a stack of bowls in the retro-aqua color, and I don't think I've ever been more excited to eat my granola. They are perfect for kids (and clumsy adults like me) because they have a non-slip lip on the bottom, and an innovative ergonomic design inside the bowl: "an inward curving lip, which, like a wave, pushes all the food back onto whatever you're eating, ie: your untensil, a chip) to create a no-spill result." The CaliBowl was designed by surfers in San Diego, and they certainly know a thing or two about waves!

Further, CaliBowl has partnered with Shriners Hospitals for Children with their Charit-A-Bowl program. They explain, [the] “Charit-a-bowl” program “will allow us to enhance the lives of children by helping them make the mundane magnificent and the frustrating feasible. It will improve the children’s quality of life by allowing them to do what most may take for granted - independent eating.”

And CaliBowl's zero landfill policy rules! They have a Recycle-A-Bowl program so at the end of a CaliBowl product's life customers "will have the option to return the CaliBowl™ product to Simple Wave to be recycled into new product. In return the participant will receive a 20% discount on their entire subsequent order through the CaliBowl™ online store."

I purchased our fabulous LaJolla CaliBowl cereal bowls on Overstock.com. The company offers a wide array of bowl sizes to fit every need. I wish we owned the entire collection!

Tiny Sprouts' Grow-With-Me Growth Chart

Gone are the days of the writing being on the wall... metaphorically and literally. Although I have fond childhood memories of proudly charting my growth on the wall in our pantry, with permanent ink nonetheless, renting a place doesn't lend itself to marking up the walls for posterity. And besides, it gives us a great excuse to find or make an adorable growth chart.

Tiny Sprouts' grow-with-me chart is simple and elegant and will fit in with any decor. It is made of easy to write on canvas cloth, and it is hand-embroidered with numbers and your child's name. It also comes in many hues, ranging from grape to sunshine if you'd like to coordinate it with your space. One of the best features is that it rolls up easily, so your children may tote it with them as an heirloom. See? That's much easier than having to knock down and move a wall.

If you're not in the market to shell out for this chart, I also think it provides great inspiration for a DIY growth chart project!

How to: Make Fabric Canned Goods for Play Kitchens

How adorable are these plush fabric cans? They're especially up my alley because they certainly don't contain any BPA in the can lining! These would make a thoughtful addition to any child's play kitchen, and they're so much more fun to manipulate and play with than their cheap plastic counterparts.

The brainchild of crafter Jodi Kahn, instructions for how to make them may be found in her book: Simply Sublime Gifts: High-Style, Low-Sew Projects to Make in a Snap.

via Ohdeedoh

REVIEW: Organic Moby Wrap is a Parent and Baby's Best Friend!

I have now been blessed with two babies who chose me as their parent because they know I am an attachment parenting mama and would carry them everywhere, because they want to cuddle on a full-time basis!

With Olivia, I wore the Nojo sling -- and the uneven distribution of weight on one of my shoulders left my shoulders and back a ravaged mess after 18 months of babywearing. A massage therapist finally told me I was doing such damage that I had to ditch the sling... so I did, and my back immediately improved.

When Ashton came along, I had a hunch he was going to want to be held most of the time as well... so I still had on hand my Baby Bjorn carrier, and I got the ERGObaby carrier. Both are great carriers, but they just didn't fit the bill for at-home use in my opinion. I wanted a cozier option, something that felt more like a light blanket I could wrap around both me and the baby, securing us together for indoor use. That's when a friend of mine suggested the Moby Wrap.

The organic Moby Wrap is made of certified organic cotton and is one size fits all. It can be worn in five different positions and used to carry babies from birth up to 35 pounds... which is great because the majority of carriers on the market are not very accommodating of tiny newborns. The Moby Wrap is also easily machine washable, which is a huge plus.

As you can imagine, the Moby (which stands for MOther and BaBY combined) has been a lifesaver for me. I'm actually typing this as my son is asleep on my chest in the organic Moby wrap carrier. It's as if we are swaddled together, and it's ever so comfortable for him and just as importantly, for me! It evenly distributes his weight so that both of my shoulders are employed in toting him... and my back doesn't ache after use!

When I initially saw the Moby Wrap, I was really intimidated by the fact that it's simply a very long piece of fabric that the wearer must wrap and tie around themselves in various patterns in order to hold baby in a variety of positions. But, I quickly got the hang of the wrapping gathered technique and can now efficiently hold Ashton is his preferred position in the Moby Wrap, the hug hold.

I also really like the fact that each time a wearer puts on the Moby Wrap, it becomes tailored to their comfort and height, etc. automatically, because it is wrapped anew with every wear. With other carriers, there are so many clasps and buckles and adjustments that need to be made -- which makes it a real pain for my husband and I to share our babywearing duties, as we're forever re-adjusting the carriers because our sizes vary greatly.

The only issue I have with the Moby Wrap is that (after only about a week of use) I am not yet highly skilled at putting it on quickly and correctly when my baby is screaming and crying, wanting to be carried in it immediately. Also, I have yet to achieve consistency in how the Moby wrap fits each time I wear it... sometimes I get the perfect wrap and hold, other times I have to start all over again. Finally, I have yet to find a graceful way to take the wrap off. If any readers are Moby Wrap pros and have any suggestions regarding these issues, I am all ears! I'll definitely be wearing the Moby Wrap everyday for the next year!

I got the Moby Wrap in organic cotton, in a beautiful purple "eggplant" color which may be purchased here.

'Toddler Stilts' from Made By Joel

Made by Joel is one of my favorite destinations on the Internet. I've written about Joel's brilliant handiwork and artful creations at both EcoSalon and Inhabitots, and I wanted to introduce this savvy dad's enchanting blog to you here on Petite Planet as well!

Joel details the art and craft projects he makes for his kids on his blog, Made by Joel. The beauty behind his work is that it is simple yet ingenious, and he typically employs household objects and odds and ends to make fun come to life for his children.

Case in point above: Joel's 'Toddler Stilts,' which he whipped up with wood and rope. They are a throwback to the old coffee can stilts of yesteryear, but they keep young kids safer and closer to the ground!

I love the thought of using these stilts to help kids hone their coordination and concentration skills. Olivia has a keen interest in jumping rope, but she's a long way from mastering the art... and I think these stilts would put her on the path to understanding the concept better. If you have more than one child, you can make a few pairs and have them do stilt races down the sidewalk too!

Image: Made by Joel

7 Tips for Preparing for Postpartum Life with Your Newborn

Are you preparing to welcome your new bundle of joy into the world? Most parents-to-be spend all of their time preparing for pregnancy and childbirth, but the lifelong work begins after baby has arrived! Click here to read my post on how to prepare for the postpartum period, which includes 7 tips for getting things as organized as possible!

HOW TO: Request & Receive Green, Non-toxic Birthday Gifts for Your Kids

Perhaps it used to be taboo to look a gift horse in the mouth, but the ways of the world are changing. Given all of the safety recalls (ahem, the lead and cadmium contamination), and the manufacturing hazards that have gone hand-in-hand with so many childrens' toys on the market - research, education and a discerning eye are now necessary byproducts when it comes to purchasing childrens' gifts.

Parents should not feel the least bit tacky about giving direction to friends and family who are buying birthday presents for their kids. But there's a way you can do so with finesse. Here are several savvy approaches you can take to ensure your little one will receive a safe, green, non-toxic gift to commemorate her big day!

Most gift givers will be thrilled to have the guesswork taken out of their search for the perfect offering; especially if you're known in your circle (like I am) for being a green consumer with discriminating taste.

If you want your child to open a good old fashioned present, try these routes for making sure what's in the box is suitable:

• Email a wish list to friends and family that you know would like to buy your child a gift. This can be as simple as sending a link to an Amazon wish list you create for your child.
• Select a specific store and create an online registry of appropriate gifts through that store. As with any registry, include a wide range of offerings to accommodate every price point.

For monetary gifting:

• Open a 529 college savings account for your child, and ask people to invest in her future, as opposed to buying her a toy.
• If your child has a particular love of animals, trees, nature, the ocean etc., you may want to discuss with her the notion of having gift givers donate to a charity of her choosing which supports her favorite cause.

Intangible gifting:

• Ask revelers to contribute to an annual membership to your local zoo, science museum, children's museum, or botanical gardens. Then you'll have an entire year to reap the fun rewards of taking your child on many educational excursions.
• If your child is interested in taking music lessons, dance lessons, horseback riding lessons, etc., ask party goers to pitch in to teach her a skill she'll enjoy learning.
• Does a certain friend or family member have a special gift they could share with your child? Can grandma teach her how to make her secret banana bread recipe? Can your best friend teach her how to knit? The gift of someone's time and expertise will be a cherished addition to your child's interior landscape!

*I originally authored this post for EcoSalon.

Spooky, Wooly Green Halloween Toys from Asher Jasper

Looking for green Halloween goodies that won't take a 'horror'ible toll on your little one's pearly whites? Asher Jasper offers an array of spooky little egg toys which are needle felted from pure merino and mohair. Halloween loving tots can play with them year round, or they would make great party favors, decor, or trick-or-treat offerings for special visitors. At $85 for a set of 6, you may have to scare up some cash to invite these creatures into your house however!

My iPhone Case is Made Out of Plants!

Granted, Apple's iPhones boast some sustainable attributes: PVC-free handsets, headphones and USB cables, bromine-free printed circuit board, mercury-free LCD display, arsenic-free display glass, mostly recycled packaging, and a power adapter which outperforms the strictest global energy efficiency standards, you'd be hard pressed to find a die-hard environmentalist toting an iPhone around on their planet-saving endeavors. Calling Jane Goodall? (Alas! Even the famous conservationist sells a chimpanzee laden iPhone cover on her site!)

So, given our technologically inclined culture and need to stay connected via various electronic devices, it would be nearly impossible to go without. You can help assuage your gadget wielding guilt by outfitting your iPhone with an innovative new cover from bioserie that is made from plants!

Bioserie's iPhone cover is made from a blend of biodegradable, bioplastic materials which are derived entirely from plants that are annually renewable and sustainably harvested. A minimum of 90 percent Ingeo biopolymer - which is made in the U.S. - comprises these covers, allowing you to disconnect your association with cases made from petrochemicals. Ingeo has the lowest carbon footprint of any commercially available plastic, releasing far less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere with its production (in comparison to oil based plastic), and it is industrially compostable.

Let's talk design aesthetic details. Bioserie covers are available in the following hues: white, green, orange, red, lavender and black. They feature a textured surface which provides an ergonomic grip, and the cover is sturdy and supportive, to protect against scratches and impact. I use a Bioserie cover on my iPhone, in green of course, and my favorite feature is the four tiny ridges that discreetly jut out from the front of the cover to protect the screen from damage when it's in a face down position. I also like that it is lightweight (weighing only 14 grams) so it doesn't add bulkiness to my iPhone, and that it leaves all of the controls easily accessible.

Bioserie will be expanding their collection by launching iPhone 4 and iPad accessories in mid-August.

Bioserie iPhone 3G/3GS covers cost $34.95, and Bioserie also makes covers for the iPod Touch and the iPod Nano.

*I originally authored this post for EcoSalon.

Zutano's Sweet Collection of Organic Cotton Baby Clothes

Zutano has an adorable new line of 100% organic cotton baby clothing (sizes 0-18 months) featuring an array of  delightful prints such as the "Forest Fun" pattern seen above. Also included in the line are prints, stripes and solids, and mini-stripes. The colors and animals highlighted in this premier collection are inspired by the gorgeous Vermont landscape where Zutano is located... animals seen on the way to work and "the beauty of rustling autumn leaves on a crisp fall day."

I love the sweet, soft and serene new organic collection from family-owned company, Zutano, especially for our baby boy. I think it can be difficult to find organic clothing that features boyish patterns, and Zutano really raises the bar with the thoughtful design inherent in this collection.

Zutano's organic line is available starting today on www.zutano.com.