GIVEAWAY: Personalized Holiday Cards from Shutterfly

Christmas cards are such an enjoyable part of the holiday season for me. I love sending and receiving photo cards especially, to see how families and kids have grown, and to share in the memorable experiences people have throughout the year that are captured in snapshots.

In a day and age where most correspondence is done electronically, the simple act of mailing a card has become a romantic notion in an all too faced paced world. But doing so is a tradition I won't give up until the post office shuts down!

Shutterfly makes it easy to personalize and design holiday photo cards that you can send to friends and family to commemorate the season with good cheer. I love that you can simply upload your family photos to the Shutterfly website, and then choose the perfect greeting card and embellish it by adding original captions and messages. My favorite cards in the collection are the photo Christmas cards, which enable you to fashion a fabulous Christmas card by selecting between choices of theme, number of photos, and card format. You may also opt for personalized Christmas cards which are entirely unique and memorable.

In the spirit of the holidays, I'm giving away 25 free Shutterfly cards to three lucky winners! Each of the three winners will receive a code to order 25 holiday cards of their choosing.

HERE'S HOW TO WIN: Simply leave a comment on this post with your answer to the following question: What is one thing that you're doing to green your holidays this season?

Winners will be chosen at random and I will announce them here on Petite Planet on Monday, November 7, 2011. At that time, winners will need to email me directly with their email address so I may send them their code. (I will provide my email address in the winners announcement post).

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY!

Handmade Charlotte Teams Up with Anthropologie to Offer Gorgeous Girls' Clothing Collection

Little Plume Coat

The lovely Rachel Faucett of one of my favorite blogs, Handmade Charlotte has teamed up with one of my all-time favorite stores, Anthropologie, to create a gorgeous heirloom mini-collection of handmade clothing for little girls!

Rachel made each piece by hand in her home, exclusively for Anthropologie, and each was designed to have a unique, vintage vibe that will truly set tiny wearers of these classic masterpieces apart with charm and an old-fashioned sense of grace.

I love that her collection is timeless and elegant, and may be handed down and worn for generations.

Re-visit my previous post on Rachel's inspiring craftsmanship here.  And visit the Anthropologie website for an enchanting closer look at every piece in her new collection.

Love Letter Dress

Love Letter Bloomers

Merry Mount Dress

Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Insulated Bottles Available in Fun Colors

Remember when I wrote about Klean Kanteen's new wide insulated bottles, and how they were my new best friend? Well, now they are available in cool colors including: black eclipse, deep purple, forever coral, and monterey blue.

I recently treated myself to a sparkly new Klean Kanteen wide insulated in deep purple. Since chilly days are here, and most of us will be enjoying even more coffee and tea than we regularly do, buy one of these reusable bottles so you can save all of those paper cups from entering the landfill due to your coffee and tea runs. Most coffee houses even give discounts now when you bring in your own reusable cup or bottle -- so you can save money while you save the earth.

And don't forget, these bottles keep hot drinks hot for SIX hours! Which is a God-send when you pour your tea, only to get distracted by a diaper-change, a dryer buzzing, lunch-making... you name it.

*No, I am not paid to endorse Klean Kanteen -- I simply love their products!

Zarbee's Nightime Cough and Sleep Drink

I love homeopathic remedies for kids. See one of my favorites here. And there's a new natural remedy designed especially for children that I am relieved to have on hand for the upcoming winter cold season, and which I have already used with much success.

Miss O and Mr. A have actually been ill for the past couple of weeks, so I have stocked our medicine cabinet accordingly with the best relievers I can find. Zarbee's Nightime Cough and Sleep Drink just launched, and it is all-natural and drug free. Since cough medications are not safe for children under the age of 4, it's nice to know that this product has been proven safe and effective for kids ages two and older.

Developed by a pediatrician, Zarbee's Nightime Cough and Sleep Drink is made from antioxidant-rich buckwheat honey and it also contains immune-boosting Vitamin C, zinc and elderberry and a small amount of melatonin. It is also gluten free, and contains no alcohol, drugs or dyes.

Each packet of grape-flavored powder may be mixed with two ounces of warm water and given to your child at bedtime. I know that when my kids are sick, coughing jags wake them frequently, so I need a remedy on hand.

During Miss O's most recent cold, she was up at 3:30 am with a terrible, barking cough. I gave her a dose of this tasty sleep drink, which she drank without putting up a stink (which is a miracle in and of itself -- note: she actually said "mmm, this tastes like candy!"), and after a few more coughs and whimpers, she fell sound asleep until morning. I had sat up with her from 3:30am to 4am to see if her cough would subside by itself, and it wasn't budging. I know if I hadn't given her Zarbee's we would have both been up all night. Do yourself and your kids a favor, and have a box on hand at all times!

TIP: Since you can only give your child one packet of Zarbee's per day. Wait until she wakes up in the wee hours coughing to administer the dose. One night I gave Miss O the dose at 7pm, and when she woke up at 2am, I had no relief for her. Since she had no trouble with a cough until the wee hours, I figured it was best to give it to her when she needed it most.

Nordic Naturals Baby DHA

Flu season is upon us, and I am a big proponent of finding natural ways to boost a child's immune system so she is less susceptible to getting sick.

I love Nordic Naturals, as you can see here, and I was happy to learn they make Baby's DHA, specifically for little ones, 5 to 35 pounds, so they may get the essential omega-3 fatty acids they so need. Baby's DHA supports eye and brain development, and the nervous and immune system. It also includes natural vitamin D3, and vitamin D offers tremendous protection against influenza.

Baby's DHA, made from Nordic Natural's Gold Standard 100% Arctic Cod Liver Oil, comes with a measure dropper, and you can add the liquid to baby's food or bottle. It is free of gluten, milk and artificial flavors.

I am including the label below for your perusal:

One Mom's Ingenious Solution to Constant Reminders

Here's another brilliant reuse idea for plastic toys! Camilla at Family Chic craftily and stealthily communicates with her kids by leaving little notes around the house, propped up by plastic toys that seem to be asking the big questions.

Every parent knows how much we have to REPEAT ourselves day in and day out! "If I've told you once, I've told you a THOUSAND times!" So commissioning little toys to do some of the dirty work is beyond
inventive -- and doing so lends an sense of humor and playfulness to the household.

Camilla offers, "I know my kids have discovered one of my notes when I hear them laughing from another room - which is so much better than getting into an argument over something stupid."

I could definitely use a few of these for my husband as well!

See more of Camilla's handiwork at Family Chic.

Images via Family Chic

Eco-Kids Eco-Dough, Green & Non-Toxic Modeling Dough

Fall is upon us, and winter is around the corner -- and although we're blessed to live in a climate in which sunshine is the standard, it's always great to have art and craft supplies lined up in the event you can't get the kids outdoors due to the elements. And parents expecting baby #2 or 3 or 4 for that matter, you'll want to stock up on fun indoor activities to pass the time with your older child(ren) when your newborn naps and you're all home bound!

Eco-Kids should be at the top of your one-stop shopping list for all of your green, non-toxic art supplies. I have to say, Miss O and I have played with many clays and doughs in our day, especially when we were always indoors in rainy Portland, and Eco-Kids eco-dough is the softest, and easiest dough to manipulate that we've come across. Not only is it a real pleasure to touch, given its soft texture and easily pliable nature, the ingredients are simply divine. Eco-dough is handmade with 'natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, beets, blueberries, carrots, paprika, purple sweet potato, red cabbage and spinach, flour, salt, cream of tartar, organic rosemary oil, vitamin E oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, potassium sorbate and citric acid.'

Given this ingredients list, you can imagine that eco-dough also has a pleasing, delicate scent. It's fun to see the natural hues in the dough that are brought forth from colors derived from fruits and veggies. The orange is decidedly sweet potato and you can picture the spinach leaves that were used to create the green. A tube of five, 4 oz containers including colors: red, orange, yellow, blue and green is well worth the $24. Eco-Kids also offers a gluten free version of their fantastic eco-dough for $30. I love that the eco-dough packaging is also environmentally-friendly and recyclable. 

Flowers need rain and sun to grow

One of my favorite things about Eco-Kids eco-dough is its backstory. Cammie, the woman/mom who makes the eco-dough from scratch got the recipe for the dough from her mother. She started selling her dough at farmers markets, and her endeavors spun into a thriving family business. I think it's wonderful to support small, family businesses creating high-integrity, green, non-toxic products in the USA.

The Eco-Kids collection of art supplies also includes eco-fingerpaint, eco-crayons, eco-art pad, eco-paste, and an eco-rolling pin crafted from sustainable wood, that would be the perfect complement to their eco-dough. It's never too early to think about Christmas gifts -- and eco-dough would be the ultimate gift for the tots on your list.

This is Miss O's earth. I think it's quite accurate!

Eco Halloween Decor & Goods from Green Planet Parties

I have to admit, I liked Halloween as a kid, but when I 'grew up,' I just wasn't feeling it anymore. But once I started celebrating Halloween with Miss O, her over-the-top enthusiasm was downright contagious, and I am back on the Halloween bandwagon. I am however, committed to making sure the occasion isn't an excuse to go on a buying spree -- purchasing items that are plastic, frivolous or wasteful.

That said, I think thoughtful decor that may be used year after year is really fun for kids. I remember a spooky, silly cardboard witch we had when I was growing up, and my mom hung her up every October in our playroom. I want to create those types of lasting memories with my family.

Enter Green Planet Parties. Their adorable, handmade felt Halloween garlands, which come in pumpkin or bat varieties, include ten appliques that are hand stitched and attached to hemp string. Given their heirloom quality and classic designs, they may be used again and again to evoke the holiday spirit. We just hung our jack-o-lantern garland in our abode, and they look so very sweet... I mean spooky!

Next up is the adorable cat mask that I'll be pairing with an all black outfit so I am not a party pooper who doesn't wear a costume to my daughter's multiple costume parties! I know this kitty mask is made for kids, but it's so cute that I want to wear it myself. And hey, if the mask fits...

Just like the garland, these masks (Green Planet Parties also offers an awesome wolf mask) are handcrafted, and they are made from two layers of eco felt and a layer of interfacing. The stretchy elastic band which secures the mask to your face allows for many years of wear. And there's no need to put the masks away once Halloween is over, as they're great items for everyday dress-up play. Meow!

As for parties, they so often go hand in hand with disposable tableware. But now there are so many options available that are easier on the earth, so if you have to use disposables, opt for biodegradable varieties. Green Planet Parties founder Suzanne just wrote a great, informative post on eco disposable tableware, and she even shares how to decorate plates and make them super creepy by stamping them with beet juice! Check out her post on the topic here.

Keep Green Planet Parties in your bag of tricks to put an eco spin on all of your holiday celebrations!

Snug Organics 100% Organic Cotton Sherpa Sleeper Makes Tots Extra Cuddly

I have a real soft spot for companies that are started by parents in an effort to give their children high-integrity products, while helping to preserve the future of the planet. Snug Organics is a family owned company based in Denver, Colorado, run by founders and parents Erin and Erik. As a school teacher, Erin was alarmed by the rising incidence of learning and developmental disabilities amongst today's generation of children (such as autism and ADHD -- both of which have been linked to a child's exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals). Read here and here for more info on the impact of these toxins and their relation to childhood disorders.

Bearing this in mind, Erin and Erik poured their hearts into Snug Organics, with their two boys serving as the inspiration to provide all children with organic sleepwear that is free of the toxic flame retardants that are typically sprayed on nearly all children's pjs. In their own words:


"The launch of Snug Organics is our solution to our findings and serves as our pledge to create sleep solutions for babies and toddlers that match the purity of our children. Equally important is the local, environmentally-friendly, low-impact manner in which these products are made."

There's nothing better than snuggling up with your freshly bathed babes on a cold winter night. And Snug Organics manages to take the cuddle factor to new heights with their 100% organic cotton sherpa sleepers. Sherpa is similar to fleece, but much better because it is antimicrobial, breathable and sustainable. They also feature side panels in organic cotton rib knit, to ensure a snug fit, which is an important requirement of children's pajamas. Made in the USA, these luxurious sleepers are free of pesticides, synthetics and flame retardant chemicals. A natural vanilla dye-less shell is paired with either dye-less natural or bright spring green trim colored with low impact dyes. You may choose between an aqua or a sunflower colored zipper - and sleepers are available in sizes 3 months to 5T. Bonus: the unisex colors mean the sleepers may be passed down and handed on to friends and family, regardless of gender!

I love so many things about Snug Organics sleepers:
1) I am grateful to have sleepwear for my kids that isn't doused in flame retardants
2) I love that the fabric is organic and all-natural
3) When your child wears a warm Snug Organic sleeper to bed, there's no need to worry about a blanket smothering him or getting kicked off, leaving him cold --instead he'll maintain a safe and comfortable sleeping temperature.

Snug Organic sleepers would make great holiday gifts for the upcoming winter season! Support a family-owned company trying to make a difference by giving all the babies and tots in your life these warm and cozy sleepers!

Fluf' Soft Storage Bins Give Toys & 'Stuff' a Stylish Home

Anyone who has kids can attest: no matter how streamlined your efforts, keeping track of the 'stuff' that piles up around the house is close to impossible. I love having plenty of storage bins in every room, because even when there's no time for clean-up or organization, you can toss the remnants of the day's activities into a handy stowing station.

These soft bins from Fluf are great because they're chic and stylish, but also whimsical enough to look at home in a child's play space, nursery or bedroom. The best part is, they can live on long after the kids are all grown-up, as they'll seamlessly translate to teen or adult functional decor.

They're handmade in Toronto, Canada with 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton, and silk screened with water-based pigments. You may also machine wash them in warm water and lay them flat to dry -- just in case your kiddos version of "clean-up" is to stow something like crayons or playdough in them when you're not looking.

Light at the End of Every Tunnel

My family recently suffered a harrowing experience that, by the grace of God, left us unscathed. It was a near disaster that took place in front of our house -- and I wouldn't be discussing it here, except to outline its positive outcome. 

I have always believed in, and experienced the divine presence of Guardian Angels throughout my life. I ask them to protect my family on a daily basis, and clearly they are listening to me.

One of them left me this message in the sky the other night -- which I tried in vain to capture with my camera, but the above photo does it little justice. It was a rainbow jutting out from a bright orange cloud, landing in the exact location where our brush with destiny occured.

A reminder of how fragile and glorious life is.

Reuse Tip: Give Puzzles New Life As Wall Decor

One of my favorite websites, Ohdeedoh recently published a clever reuse tip that I incorporated into Miss O's room and wanted to share with you as well: Puzzles as wall decor!

We bought Miss O a large, world map floor puzzle. We pieced it together on a few occasions, but for the most part it was just languishing away in its box. So, after Ohdeedoh put the bug in my ear, we decided to hang the puzzle on a wall in her bedroom -- and now her knack for geography is exemplary!

When I drive her to school in the mornings and there's a lot of traffic and it's taking a loooong time, she'll say, "Mom, are we still in North America?"

She falls asleep looking at the puzzle, as it is opposite her bed, so I hope she dreams of world adventures and knows that the earth is her canvas.

Celebrate Fair Trade Month with Numi Organic Tea

October is Fair Trade month! Celebrate by supporting Fair Trade certified companies and products with your purchases. One of my favorite Fair Trade products is Numi Organic Tea. We drink so much tea in our house, that it's nice to feel like we're making a difference by putting our money where our mouth is to support farmers and ensure they are paid a fair wage for their labor.

Since I need a twice daily caffeine-fix, but I don't drink coffee (I drank enough coffee in college to sink a ship), I opt for a black tea that packs lots of perk -- and my favorite Numi Organic Tea is their Breakfast Blend. It is a blend of organic black teas, including: malty Assam, robust Ceylon, brisk Chinese Keemun and hints of floral Darjeeling. The tea bags themselves are also non-GMO and biodegradable.

And although it bears the 'breakfast' description, I also drink it in the afternoon to get me through my long evenings burning the midnight oil as I write. (It's 10:22 pm as I type this!)

I really love the smooth, creamy taste of Numi's Breakfast Blend, and I like that it doesn't leave a twangy aftertaste, like many teas do.

Check out Numi's entire collection of various organic teas, and raise your mug to toast Fair Trade efforts with every cup you enjoy.