Chic Simple Moms

Back to School: Monday AM Edition

Three items on this AM's List:

For Mom (or dad--or your favorite college student headed off to school)

I am a Rickshaw Bagworks Fan. A HUGE fan to say the least.  Their bags are smart, stylish, functional and eco-friendly.  As the mom of two boys under the age of 5, I am constantly on the go and I am at the point where I want to carry my own purse in addition to the diaper bag I still keep at arm's length.

The Mini Zero is the perfect bag for me. It holds my wallet, keys, a diaper if need be, Blackberry, my Flip (see below for review), and a bottle of water. It's actually a bit strange using a bag that doesn't have a zillion compartments but a nice change!

There are two options to choose from, the Valley Forge collection of prints such as Magenta Maze (the bag I have pictured to the left) and the Solids collection. Priced at $40 and $35 respectively, the Valley Forge collection is constructed of 100% polyester (many of the prints are 100% recycled polyester) and the Solids collection is constructed of 100% cordura nylon in Rickshaw's SF factory.

Locally made with a minimalist approach that doesn't sacrifice quality, style or your bank account, the Mini Zero is a perfect accesssory for any mom or gal who needs a little pick me up for Fall.

www.rickshawbagworks.com

I am one of those moms that uses her cell phone as camera and camcorder but the latter has started to change since I got a Flip UltraHD. With dimensions of 2.19" x 1.17" x 4.25", the Flip UltraHD is compact, light and portable with 120 minutes of recording time. I love the battery option--the rechargable Flip battery--or 2 AA batteries.

Mine is now a constant companion in my bag or jacket pocket (now that Fall has seemingly arrived in the Windy City) and the Flip is easy enough to use that you can hand it off to someone else to use (hubby in my case) without a tutorial beforehand. With a built in USB connection and software, it's brilliantly designed for portability. No extra disks or cables to carry so you can take it on trips and download video to your laptop in minutes. The video quality for the size of the camera is impressive and I've captured everything from the end of camp talent show to the 1st day of Pre-K without a hitch. This upcoming school year will definitely be captured on my Flip.

Priced at $199 for the HD and $149 for the basic model, it's a definite mom (or dad)-have.

Visit www.theflip.com for additional specs and retailer information.

For the Kidlets:

With families being more budget-concious this year, back to school shopping is much more calculated these days. There are some areas that are a no-brainer, especially for the younger ones, that quality is a must and children's shoes definitely fall into that category. Pediped's fall line fills the need nicely with shoes that will last the school year.

Their fall collection is cute and practical, and as I've found, boys shoes in particular either go the direction of gym shoes or dress shoes. Pediped's JAKE (see photo to the left) is the perfect happy medium. Dressy enough wear with khakis but durable enough to wear to school and satisfy the basic footwear needs of an active (and shoe-picky) 4 year old.

The girls collection features Mary Janes, again in practical but stylish colors with rubber soles that will make any little girl and mom happy.

Prices start at $32 for infant shoes. Visit www.pediped.com for a retailer near you.

Fun with Frito Lay!

I was scouting Target this morning for the last few items on my son's Pre-K supply list when something caught my eye. A pencil case made of a recycled chip bag at the mere price of $1.00.

How cute, how quirky, how smart. How ECO-CHIC!

Frito-Lay has partnered up with TerraCycle to create cool bags that minimized waste and are made thru the collective effort, literally of schools and organizations that collect chip bags and get paid for doing it. Imagine making money for your organization by collecting everyday lunch items that will wind up in a landfill someplace, making money for doing it and then seeing what you've collected on a store shelf near you.

What a great way to teach kids how to recycle and have the opportunity to see an end product from their efforts!

To find out more about the complete line of TerraCycle's products and programs, visit them at www.terracycle.net.

Get Ready for Back to School! Getting Organized

Ok, back from our vacation to PA which was so much fun and time to get ready for the upcoming school year.

ALREADY?

In our household, that means getting for a new school as well with an earlier start time, earlier pick up time and different activities for both myself and the kids.  As a WAHM, getting organized is a challenge.  As a WAHM mom with ADD, it's even more of a challenge! But, there is hope in sight!

My (3) top picks to help get organized for the new year:

1. The Scoolio-Von-Hoolio school supply line at Office Max.

Brightly colored supplies that are easy to spot and reasonably priced.  $5.99 for a drawstring bag that is perfect for a change of clothes and snack in for an afterschool playdate or activity. Prices range from $.99 to $5.99. What more could a kid or mom ask for?

For some great organization tips, check out the blogcastfeaturing Peter Walsh, organizer extrodinaire. It aired this afternoon and featured real people with real organization needs.  Simple, straightforward.

http://www.officemaxsolutions.com/btsblogcastgcast

 

2.  For those of you who love your Moleskin journals, check out this MUST HAVE from my hometown, San Francisco. Rickshaw Bagworks has done it again with with their Moleskin Folio. I love my "Bottles to Bags" folio which holds pens, business cards and my Moleskin journal inside. (I have the exact pattern as the photo, Bottle Bank Thorn Apple). The "Bottles to Bags" line is fabricated from 100% post consumer water bottles on the exterior so that awesome print on the outside used to be a bottle of Evian at one point! Eco-friendly, great for travel and just a smart idea.

$50 at Rickshaw Bagworks. 

3.  The Fridge Grid. Keep track of EVERYONE'S schedule without having to hand out PDA's! (I admit, I have one, I love it but still haven't synched my Outlook Calendar with it yet! Guess what I use instead!)

 I reviewed this once before, but it deserves a repeat, especially before the school year starts. The Fridge Grid is undated, has space for (7) people which means the entire family, sitter, and the family pet can get on the schedule with their own space.  52 weekly pages, (3) hole-punched so you can put it in a binder and it's very reasonably priced at $12.95. 

To purchase, visit www.busybodybook.com and check out their other great school year organizers!

All Things Organic Show

Happy Summer! This past week I had the opportunity to attend the All Things Organic trade show at McCormick Place here in Chicago. It was a much smaller show than the Housewares show but fun nonetheless and this time, I brought along my little guys to check things out.

There are some great food products out there that should be arriving on store shelves soon. These items are 100% organic, most are gluten & nut free which makes me very happy since my toddler has a nut allergy and the people behind these brands were passionate about their products.  I’ll be reviewing (6) vendors total over three posts.

Today’s Picks: Part 2 to follow tomorrow!

ORGANIC B.R.A.T

Yes, you read that right. B.R.A.T—as in Bananas, Rice, Apple, Toast, the diet that is usually recommended when someone has a stomach ache or the flu.  Rice based and enhanced with electrolytes, calcium and vitamins, this is the perfect alternative to Pedialyte.  My toddler is teething at the moment (ah those stubborn molars) so his eating habits have been a bit sporadic to say the least. He’s turned into a grazer and like most parents, I fear that a diet of Cheerios, carrots and organic milk will not sustain him for long.  The Vanilla flavor was an instant hit with him and we are slowly working our way through the other three flavors thanks to the generosity of the company’s owners Greg and Ilsa who generously sent us home with a stroller full of samples.  So far, from what I’ve tasted of them as well, they’re yummy!

Started by Greg and Ilsa Toepfer, who needed a solution when their two little ones were sick and couldn’t have any dairy and the traditional BRAT diet wasn’t keeping them satisfied, their products are gluten free, lactose free, casein free and made with a conscious. 10% of their profits go to support various children’s charities including Autism Speaks and Celiac Society.

Look for Organic B.R.A.T. at your local Costco store soon or ask your local Whole Foods or grocer to carry it.  For more information, visit their website at www.bratdiet.org.

YOGA CHIPS

The great thing about bringing kids along is the honesty you get when it comes to taste testing! We met the folks at Yogachips at the show who provided us with some samples to nosh on.  With my 4 year old, the Strawberry Apple flavor was an instant hit. The 2 year old loved the Caramel flavor. What are Yogachips?  They are organic fruit snacks produced by Yogavive whose company is committed to producing USDA Organic products.  These products are sourced worldwide which allows for a smaller carbon footprint through the manufacturing process and helps bring the awareness that healthy eating and organic farming is a global effort.

Best of all, their .35oz size bag is perfect for school lunches, travel and contains (1) scrumptious Fuji Apple. Great for birthday parties, especially for those who are allergy conscious (no nuts/wheat/dairy/eggs to worry about).

Yogavive, the producer of Yogachips is based in Napa, California and their products can be found in the Bay Area/West Coast.  They’re hoping to be in grocery stores nationwide by the fall so keep a look out for them. They’re sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!

Visit www.yogavive.com for more information.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we've got a few items on our list that will make any mom you know smile! These gifts are practical yet chic, important especially in today's economy.

PeaceKeeper Cause-metrics

PeaceKeeper Cause-metrics is an eco-friendly product line that any mom would love. They are committed to women's health advocacy and urgent human rights issues and their nail polish has been rated by the Environmental Working Group as the Safest Paint-Based Natural Nail Polish!

They have a great price point ($3.50-14.00) and their product line consists of lipstick, lip balm, lip-gloss, vegan nail polish and nail polish remover. Their color selections are simple, pretty and everyday wearable which makes them eco-chic, mama-chic, and budget chic.

Products are available at Whole Foods and online at www.iamapeacekeeper.com.

cmarchuska: eco-chic clothes

Black is still a wardrobe staple, especially if you're trying to get out of the house with preschooler and toddler in hand. Marchuska has the perfect wardrobe staples for any mom, whether you're WAHM, SAHM or have a career outside the home.

Their pieces are comfortable, easily dressed up, made of 100% organic cotton and are made in the garment district in NYC. Their KIVA tee is a wardrobe staple with a figure flattering v-neck and longer cut and the Christine Dress is chic, sassy and can be worn over tights or jeans. Add in the mseries long-sleeved t and you have an updated wardrobe that will carry you through the year.

This eco-friendly clothing line is everyday chic as well as eco-chic. To order online (free shipping on every order), visit www.cmarchuska.com.

Busy Body Book

There are so many organizers and calendars out there geared towards moms and families complete with fancy systems, stickers and the like. The Busy Body Book is chic, simple, stylish and easy. Each person has their own column on the grid so you can see what everyone is doing on any given week. There is also dedicated space in the back for a year's worth of birthdays and events so you can again, take one look and you are in the know!

There is a wall calendar, a desk sized calendar (in calendar year and academic year format) which fits into a diaper bag, and a fridge pad which is perfect for larger/extended families.

Designed by single mom Joan Goldner, the Busy Body Book in any format is mama chic for any mom and priced at under $15 for any of the designs, it's extremely budget chic as well. Right now, they're on sale (25-50% off depending on the format) so there's no better time than to get your family organized!

Visit www.busybodybook.com to purchase and check out Joan's blog at www.busybodyblog.typepad.com.

Skip Hop: Bin-Go

Known for their diaper bags, Skip Hop has added a few more items to their product line that are great for any mom. The Bin-Go is a collapsible catch all bin that you can use to store toys, blankets and books without compromising substance for style. The handles make it easy to transport around the house and into the car for a road trip. Made of canvas in several eye-catching colors, the Bin-Go is just another example of Skip Hops ingenuity when it comes to children's products and priced at $25, it makes a great gift for anyone.

Skip Hop: Day to Night Baby Log

For the new mama or mama to be, the Day to Night Baby Log is a great way to chart baby's progress and activities during the day, especially for anyone who is embarking on sleep training or concerned about how often their little one is feeding. The illuminated capsule with a built in timer allows for you to make your notes in the middle of the night without having to rely on a night light or lamp. It's a combination of technology and a simple log that gives new parents the best of both worlds when keeping track of feeding, sleeping and diaper changing schedules. Priced at $39, it's a great gift for any mom and another Skip Hop item that's soon to be a favorite. Visit www.skiphop.com to find a retailer near you.

Belle Baby Carrier

Toting a little can be a little unwieldy at times and some don't like being in a sling after they've become mobile. The Belle Baby Carrier is an ergonomically correct carrier that can accommdate toddlers up to 30 lbs comfortably. Designed by two dads (which makes them papa chic), Seth Murray and Mark LeBeau, these carriers are stylish, comforable and now eco-friendly with four new designs made of 100% organic cotton.

They're easy to throw into a diaper bag, simple to wear and are made in Colorado.  These sustainable carriers have become a favorite with celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts but are priced between $89.95-98.95 for anyone to enjoy.  To find a retailer near you, visit www.bellebabycarriers.com 

Boatman Geller Notepads

Boatman Geller notepads make writing notes fun again. Their whimsical designs paired with quality paper stock make these a great gift. They can be personalized with names or initials and really are a stationery staple. In the dreariest of winter days, a handwritten note goes a long way. Priced at $9.00, they're a well worth it item to keep at hand and a great excuse to put pen to paper rather than sending an email. Visit www.boatmangeller.com to find your nearest retailer.

YOTTA BARS

Looking for a nut-free granola snack that is tasty and healthy and the kids will like? Look no further! The Undercover Vegetable Company has developed YOTTA Bars which contain vegetables, no refined sugars and are both healthy and yummy.

The Undercover Vegetable Company was started by Timothy and Melissa Ewing who needed to find a way to infuse more vegetables into their family's diet when their children were young. They tried hiding pureed vegetables in their meals and baked goods but nothing quite worked until they came up with the Yotta Bar in their kitchen. Yotta Bars contain healthy ingredients, enough of them to meet the FDA's criteria of being labeled a "healthy food."

Base ingredients in a Yotta Bar (the italicized ingredients are what vary):

INGREDIENTS: Baby oats, brown rice syrup, honey, pear juice concentrate, dehydrated vegetables (peas, asparagus, broccoli, sweet potatoes, celery, green pepper, corn, spinach, parsley), crisp rice, rolled oats, evaporated cane juice, dried apples, natural flavors, canola oil.

There are three varieties to choose from:

• Apple Cinnamon
• Cherry
• Orange

   

All three flavors were DEVOURED by my picky three-year old (and his not so picky little brother) and were at hit with the parents I recruited to try them as well. The texture is perfect for a little one to handle—moist but not crumbly and they are the perfect size to throw in your diaper bag, school lunch or an adult lunch. They're Mama Chic, Papa Chic and Everyday Kid Chic as they're something everyone can agree on! A must have snack in everyone's pantry!

 

Yotta Bars are available at most Whole Foods Stores. For more information, visit www.undercoverveg.com.

Chic Simple Food Kickoff: FIRST JUICE

First Juice was started by a dad who got frustrated with having to dilute his daughters' juice and clean up the sticky mess juice boxes made when they were on the go. His solution, great tasting, organic juice for infants and children that contain 50% less sugar than the leading juice brand and are packed in reusable, BPA free plastic bottles. The 8oz size has a spill-proof sippy cup top that is perfect for little ones to manage, even in the car! Oh imagine being able to keep a few bottles in the car for road trips or those times when you've left the sippy cup at home and not have to worry about someone losing a straw or squeezing juice all over the backseat!

Currently, there are four different varieties to choose from:

• Apple & Carrot
• Peach & Purple Carrot
• Banana & Carrot
• Blueberry & Purple Carrot

Yes, you read that right! PURPLE CARROT! Purple carrots originated in ancient Persia. The orange carrots we see today were a cross breed of a pale yellow carrot and a red carrot by a Dutch scientist. since the national color of the Dutch, the scientist created this carrot to honor the House of Orange and the carrot became a royal vegetable!

Now, more importantly, how does it taste? My taste testers devoured their juice quite happily and want to know when mom will be stocking up on it (in our case, stock piling and hiding it from the kids!). I personally thought all four flavors tasted great and I'm definitely a fan! Since this juice was invented by a dad, I have to add a new category: Papa Chic! It's also Eco-Chic and Everyday Kids Chic as well as Mama Chic since the company is run by a group of moms!

First Juice can be found at your local Whole Foods or Toys R'Us. To learn more about First Juice, visit their website at www.firstjuice.com.

 

 

 

Chic Simple Green: Naturally Clean

Along with my amazing Rickshaw Bagworks Diaper Bag were a few goodies (see review from 01/14 for exact list!) including Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide to Safe & Healthy, Non-Toxic Cleaning.  Now as everyone knows by now, Seventh Generation the leaders in non-toxic and eco friendly household products. And I am a HUGE fan, so much so that I buy their products in bulk. So I must admit, I was bit curious about this book and I was NOT disappointed.

Despite the brand name in the title, this book is not a promotion of Seventh Generation products. It is a very detailed and well written guide with a several chapters dedicated to creating a safer home for the little ones.  There are recipes for home made household cleaners and play dough. There is also a chapter that focuses on WHAT chemicals are dangerous and WHY and it is a resource guide/textbook all rolled into one.  For those looking to make their home a greener place, this is a MUST HAVE for your home library!

For more information, visit the publisher's website at New Society or check it out on Amazon.com as well.

Chic Simple Green: Wee Generation Diaper Bag

I love Seventh Generation products.  They’re eco-friendly, kid friendly and the perfect solution for anyone who wants to go green but isn’t ready to give up diapers, paper towels or other everyday household products.  Much to my delight, they’ve gotten even more baby friendly with their Wee Generation Diaper Bag, a collaboration between Seventh Generation and Rickshaw Bagworks in my hometown of San Francisco.

The bags are fabulously sized messenger bags made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and is completely PVC free.  In addition, the features of this bag make it great for travel, everyday use, and future use post-baby!

 

·         PVC-free waterproof, wipe-clean liner

·         Removable insulated feeding tote, changing tote and plush changing pad

·         Detachable insulated bottle holder and quick-access zip pouch

·         Large rear zip organizer pocket for on-the-go convenience

·         Dual front zip compartments with key tether

·         Velcro and magnetic closure as well as dual buckles

·         Deluxe adjustable comfort strap with quick release cam buckle

·         Stroller attachment straps

It also comes (while supplies last) with the following goodies:

·         Seventh Generation baby product vouchers

·         Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide to Safe and Healthy Non-Toxic Cleaning*

·         a Wee Generation baby T and healthy household tips from Healthy Child Healthy World

For anyone looking for a functional bag that is eco-chic, earthy chic, mama chic, and everyday chic, this is it!  In addition, 100% of the proceeds from this bag profits will be donated to Wee Generation non-profit partner.  Healthy Child Healthy World.

To purchase, visit www.weegeneration.org or www.rickshawbags.com.  MSRP $200.00.

You can also check out Rickshaw Bagworks’ Blog at http://rickshawbags.wordpress.com.

*Separate review on this book 01/16/09 (Friday).

 

Chic Simple Green: GREENGUARD Certified Products

Studies show that the air inside our homes and schools can be more toxic than the air outside. Everyday items can release hundreds of pollutants such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone and even biological allergens. Note VOC—volatile ORGANIC compound. Organic does not always equal good, better or healthy for that matter.

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is an independent non-profit organization that establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and buildings. One of their biggest concerns is the air quality in homes and schools since young children spend approximately 85% of their time indoors so they have established a separate certification program called GREENGUARD Children & Schools. All products that fall under this certification have been tested for their chemical emissions performance according to the California Department of Health Services Standard Practice. (California has some of the most stringent standards for building codes and emissions in the country.)

A list of everyday products that are GREENGUARD Certified:

VitalAir Air Purifying Filters
Lifekind Crib Mattresses
Naturepedic Organic Cotton Mattresses
BonaKemi Floor Cleaning Products
Lenovo Laptops and Monitors
Bernhardt Design Chairs
Q Collection Junior Cielo and Solare Cribs
AkzoNobel Freshaire Choice Paints
Benjamin Moore Aura and EcoSpec Paints
Sherwin Williams Dutch Boy and Harmony Paints
Wilsonart Sinks
Phifer Sheerweave Fabrics
Hunter Douglas Shades
Owens Corning Residential Building Insulation

FreshAire Choice Paint

When we painted the interior of our house a year ago, I insisted we use Benjamin Moore's Aura paint. We've gotten nothing but compliments on the colors we've used and we didn't have to sacrifice quality or spend a lot more to get a safer paint. Again, it goes to show that going green can be not only eco-chic but budget chic as well.

For more information about GREENGUARD, visit www.greenguard.org