Greener Nests. Healthier Childhoods.

How many parents have been puzzled (if not somewhat annoyed) at seeing their progeny tear into a gift with absolute delight at the ripping of paper, only to remove the gift and after a cursory look and try, spend the next few hours playing with the box.

And how many of us (if not all) aren’t wondering how in the bloody ‘el our children have amassed this mountain of toys, when we have struggled to keep it all under control with a no-gift and/or green toy policy? My eldest is only 2 and I am already packing toys away that I will be placing on a Green Mama “Craigs List” type site (more on that early next year).

Well. Tired of tripping over, stepping on and otherwise running into the seemingly fertile toys in my house , I recently wondered if I mayn’t just wrap up a few toys that my son already owns and regift them to him for Christmas. Not because I’m cheap – but because my toe hurts from running into the seemingly endless recycled, European, eco, non-toxic painted shapes of wood that are strewn about my house. (Well, it used to be my house.)

Box Play to the rescue!

Box Play provides mama with a selection of wonderful stickers that will turn any box, from an egg or milk carton to cereal or shoe box (among others) into a fun toy! Even into a bowling set (above)!

These recycled eco stickers are affordable and brilliant in that they allow you to turn boxes into toys for a second life, before hitting the recycling bin.

Why shouldn’t the ever present toilet roll be turned into a rocket ship?

Box Play stickers are the perfect thing to pack when traveling for the holidays to turn cartons into toys when you arrive – sparing you from having to pack too many toys – using space that you need for those parkas and jumpers.

I love this company, and hope that they develop even more stickers. No one ever bruised a toe on an egg carton.

9 days ’til Santa!

Paige Lauren makes comfy basics for mums who don’t want their daughters to look too “princess” or sons too “rock and roll”.  The muted colors and soft shapes are perfect for Spring – which is what you should buy them for at the wonderful 50% sale prices on her site right now. These are the stocking stuffers that will make the stocking proud.

Cute organic loungewear can be difficult to find, which is why I love these.

You know that t-shirt that you’ll never get rid of though it has a few coffee stains and tiny holes? Yea. Thats what this stuff feels like.

And at these half off prices, Paige Lauren was worth getting on the “nice” list.

It won’t be long now….!

When I was complaining that my son didn’t like having his heart listened to at the doctors office, (which is funny as the doctor doesn’t like listening to me, poor thing), a friend suggested that I buy him a play stethoscope so that we could “practice” and it wouldn’t be so unusual when assaulted by the cold real thing.

I got my eldest this beautiful little doctor playset, which he adores. He now asks to listen to everyone’s heartbeat – even the “patient’ pups – and wants to give us all “shots” and take our temperature.  (As long as he doesn’t take CME credits sponsored by Merck, I’m happy.)

This is a great unisex gift idea (at less than $40), a wonderfully portable toy (very light and compact) and an effective de-sensitiser to all the “scary” bits at the doctors office. (I only recommend that you get rid of the play “pills” as a) pills should only be fun when your name is Judy Garland and b) they are a choking hazard to any younger sibs.)

Note: This set is not covered by insurance.

20 days and counting….

My son just celebrated his second birthday on an unseasonably  co-opertative November day. It was, quite honestly (except for the food), exactly what I dreamed. (Yes, anxious mums actually dream about these things.)

Let me preface the rest of this post by saying that I have never looked entirely forward to “baby” birthday parties. In truth, I have always tried to escape them when possible and only attempted one after seeing a few fellow mums pull off what I had thought was impossible: a birthday party that felt “grown-up” enough for adult, non-mum friends and yet dulcet enough for toddlers – looking like a proper birthday party in photos years hence. Their formula I copied shamelessly: Grownup venue + Balloons/bit of Whimsy + Booze = success.

I’ll begin with my fave part – and the thing the guests raved about: Balloons! I usually hate balloons – but these, from Geronimo Balloons – are divine and the children loved them. They also dressed up the grotto at the darling B&B where I had the fete – and made the whole even quite magical.

The balloons are 3 feet across and come with custom designed “tails”. I’ve kept the tails from mine for future use or to lend. They made a lovely rustling sound in the wind.

As the theme was “vintage travel”, I created little “suitcases” filled with “passports”, travel books, stickers and the like. The suitcases will (hopefully) be kept – making them greener than something more disposable. I covered the suitcases in stickers to give them a vintage feel.

As we are close to Christmas, I also placed little paint-them-yourself airplanes around a globe that could be used as Christmas ornaments - a favor that I hoped might remind the little ones of Alden years from now….

The airplanes were tied with a ribbon that had the birthday “logo” on it.  At My Own Labels I created water bottle stickers, napkins, coasters and other tags featuring the logo for visual cohesion (and because my background is in adverting.)  I used the same image on the invitation stamps. (The invites were little wooden airplanes – but they became mangled en route – so I don’t recommend them.)

The logo itself…

Another little favor, again, one I intended to be kept, were little pilot hats…(very PanAm, methinks)…

Other mums, far more experienced than I, told me to have “activities” at the fete. I struggled to come up with toddler friendly “travel” themed activities – and settled on providing non-toxic markers and cardboard airships to color. For good measure, I also provided a cardboard castle. I know, so not within the theme…unless…people DO travel to see things like castles! (S-t-r-e-t-c-h.)

My son approving of the castle…

Recycled from last year and something I intend to use until my son decides it’s too silly or “done” – a banner that I ordered last year on Etsy.

Okay. Now we get to the bit that went horribly wrong. So. I ordered booze. Which went well (as it is wont to).

And I had a “candy jar” set up – though I filled the jars with organic fruit…

But the food. Well. I used a caterer that I wasn’t familiar with and…well…no one liked the food. Only the hummus seemed to have not earned me a “what the hell kinda food is this?!” Right. It was all vegan and organic – but…it failed miserably. I won’t mention the caterers name – as we all have off days – but there you are. Lesson: KNOW the caterers or do it yourself.

The food was served on Eco partyware and served with eco bamboo utensils – but – as you can see – not many plates were used. Ahem.

The “best” bit wasn’t green, but culinary redemption was had with the cake and cupcakes from Chicago’s favourite Sweet Mandy B’s. My poor son wasn’t allowed any – but who’s going to tell ‘im? I have fotos to prove there WAS a cake – and that’s the important thing. Will your friends make fun of you and grooooan when you won’t let junior partake of sugar? Yes. For a good half hour. But eventually the Veuve Cliquot kicks in….

I get a sugar rush just LOOKING at these…

Having a green party is easy and can look as elegant and non-ridiculous as a grown up cocktail party. You can minimize the waste and disposability of favors by making them special and something the children will actually keep, serving things are easy to find in recycled forms, the food can be organic, vegan AND yummy (I swear they aren’t mutually exclusive) and the activities or games should be plastic-less. And honestly – you MUST try Geronimo Balloons. They are biodegradable and too, too gorgeous.

My boy’s will both have green affairs again next year – but this time —- better food.

Happy Birthday, baby. x

SOURCES:

Balloons: Geronimo Balloons (Latex and biodegradable)

Venue: Villa D’Citta (Lincoln Park. Available for parties and a wonderful B&B. Mention The Green Stork for a 10% discount on rooms!)

Suitcases and Stickers: Paper Source

Wooden planes: Oriental Trading Company

Logo: Shutterstock

Labels, tags, other “branded” elements: My Own Labels 

Stamps: Zazzle

Cardboard toys and castle: Calafant

Eco party ware: Party City 

I just put my son’s birth announcements in the mail. And I have to say, I couldn’t be happier with them.

Just days before Saxon’s birth – I came across a blog that featured the above wedding suite for a destination wedding in Paris. And mon Dieu – I fell in love. I immediately called up Ceci New York, and asked (begged), for them to modify the invitations for a birth announcement. I wanted to nip here and tuck there and add a little ee cummings and could they please do it QUICKLY?!

Oui, oui and oui they answered.

And with that – my son’s gorgeous (sort of recycled) announcements were almost complete.

All I had to add was a rubber “wax” seal when they arrived.

Instead of a wedding date, the clever girls at Ceci had placed my son’s name and birthdate in the elaborate “crest”…

Announcement front…

And they replaced the wedding information with birth information…

I just added a few vintage stamps and voila! The perfect announcement for my newest wee one!

I have used several letterpress firms in the past – but Ceci is now my One and Only. They were quick, responsive and their work is stunning.

I know it’s greener to send a Paperless Post announcement – but you can’t really put one of those in a baby book for your grandchildren to see.

And I think these will at least make someone green with envy.

I try….

A dear friend of mine has painted her son’s room a wonderful, sartorial, moody gray. Think Wuthering Heights and foggy moors. Or Bond Street and pinstripes. (Or, my roots….)

Anyway.

I began to think about “non-nursery” colors and decorating – and how the sort of mum that wants an intelligent color on the wall, isn’t the sort of mum to slap “cute” nursery art on the same. No unicorns or flash card alphabet for her – no, Sir. But one can’t really frame a Fellini poster and put that up, can one? (Not until they are 8 1/2, at least….)

But what does work on elegant gray walls – is some of the very affordable vintage bits that I found at Agent Gallery Chicago – proving, once again, that vintage is a green mums best bet.

As an ardent Republican – I have always been fascinated by Communist propaganda. Plus – red looks fab against gray….

I’m also a great supporter of a strong military…

And I’ve always, but always wanted to go to Russia and slide around The Hermitage ( it seems that they make you wear hospital booties at the museum. Clever Ruskies.)

All of these pieces, as well as bits that may be more conventional – such as this little sign that would be darling in an “Aviation” themed room…

…are somehow banal enough for a baby room – but authentic and interesting enough to follow junior to his college dorm and first apartment.

Every city has blocks of fabulous vintage stores that are hiding treasure troves of dusty signs and “things” that will look brilliant on your nursery walls – as well on your bank statement.

And, of course, it’s the greenest way to decorate.

So lovely of you, really.

Happy November!

I paid full price for my UPPAbaby stroller – so I am ever so slightly annoyed to let you know that UPPAbaby strollers, available in 5 fabulous colors (I have the green, as above), are currently available on Zulily for almost $300 below retail.

Mamas – this is the “greenest” stroller on the market – and it handles the city like a Range Rover. So if you are shopping strollers right now – consider this your sign from above.

(That $300 should just about cover 2 nights of a night nurse so that you won’t have to be UPPA all night. Ahem.)

Just a quick note: Sagecreek Organics has a great sale on right now.

And Christmas IS sneaking up….

My friends and credit card company both know that my favourite shop in the city is Odile. One of the wonderful things about them (if you are fiscally responsible), was that they didn’t have an online store. That has changed. Which is fabulous…for my credit card company.

I have always been shocked that there are only two “gorgeous” European style children’s shops in fair and sophisticated Gotham: Odile and Bonpoint. I know that there are heaps of expats here – as I see them sauntering around the Viagra Triangle in Hermes scarves and salmon colored trousers in the summer – looking bored and unimpressed. There is also both a French AND British school here – by which all accounts are filled with little EU children. So why only TWO lovely shops? Je Ne Sais Pas.

Anyway. Better for the two contenders then. The lovely thing about Odile, is that in addition to the beautiful French and Italian brands that they carry – including Lanvin (ahem), they also carry two gorgeous organic brands: Victoria Christmas and Tane Organics. Stunning AND green. It’s too wonderful. You also won’t find more beautiful (non-tweed – for that RL is king), blazers anywhere in the city. Trust me. I’ve looked.

Here are two winter coats that I think are divine. For la piccolina that will grow up and do a summer in Florence….

For the Master that will grow up and do the Glorious Twelfth near Holyrood….

You won’t find these togs at Baby GAP.

And for the organic wee bit…

And these essentials that my boys loved…

And the shoes. Well. If you love shoes you’ll ADORE these riding boots that any young lass would be proud to canter about in…

And for your sons that will never know from velcro….

And the baby who will not grow up to be a vegan…

In celebration of their new website – Odile is running a %15 discount right now – so DO dash to the store – on or offline – to save a few Francs/Lira. (Yes, I KNOW they don’t exist anymore. Thank you.)

They also have Victoria Christmas on sale at the ‘mo – so you may want to stock up. It washes wonderfully and looks as beautiful for the spare as it did for the heir.

Odile is for the mama whose children have Babar, Madeline and “This is….” books.  The mama who can tell the difference between Berlosconi and Brunello. And the mama who wishes that she had a wee farmhouse in Tuscany, or tiny little flat in Paris…. Oui, mama. There IS a place for you in Gotham. And they are now online.

x

As soon as I wrote a post about how I don’t like graphics on my tees – I found the exception. I do LOVE a literary quote – and this company – “Books on Shirts” – does lovely quotes on organic shirts that aren’t horrifying. (As much as I love The Ramones – I think 2 year olds wearing a Ramones shirts look silly. An Ascot – well, thats lovely….)

Available for both little future Dorothy Parkers and Stephan Frys, these shirts will delight your friends that actually have books.

(We all know that we don’t have time for such indulgences. Sadly.)

Books on Shirts also has grown up shirts.  Matching literati. Now there’s a Halloween costume idea!

If only they had quotes from Auntie Mame…