Last year I posted about the formidable dangers of Halloween Costumes (yes, even nice Chasing Fireflies ones). In fact, most costumes – even those pretty faerie/princess/ballerina geddups that little girls practically sleep in – are doused in chemicals and neurotoxins such as lead. The costume jewelry/crowns/wands (anything shiny or sparkly) is even worse. Needless to say – huge Halloween buzz kill.

(My poor boys are going to be in these matching Edwardian sailor costumes this year….

I know, they will both grow up to be Goth and angry.)

So. As mums have been asking me about toxic costume alternatives, I have trolled about looking at all the ones on Etsy  to get an idea of whats available. The good news: its costume heaven. The better news: I have found that any of the talented designers/crafters on Etsy will substitute organic materials for a slight upcharge. The bad news: you really need to order soon’ish as these handmade delights tend to take 4-6 weeks.

My fave “costumes” on Etsy are these lovely coats that could be both a costume and, well…a coat. A very cool and fun coat.

That totally counts as a costume.

Though school bus yellow frightens me – your child will not be missed in this Lion coat. Perfect for foggy cars can’t see anything Fall.

Who doesn’t like a Panda?

The fox is my fave. (You know the ban has been lifted in the UK.)

A nice gray fox for ferocious girls!

These beautiful coats are straight of Grimms. You’ll be able to spot your child from a mile away in one of these – and they can wear their “costume” every day of Fall if they like. (I once babysat a child who wore his Superman Underoos, avec cape, EVERY DAY for at least a year. Wasn’t any stopping him. He’s a defense attorney today. A really, really young one….)

Anyway, Etsy is the perfect place for a green mama to order her lead free costumes. Just be sure to request organic materials – which shouldn’t add more than a few dollars to your order.

Trick or Treat!

Sources:

Organic fabrics.

Organic yarn.

Nickle & Lead free Zippers.

Organic felt. 

This 1960′s bassinet is a bit too MOD for me, but I know many a mama who would coo in delight. (A Nina Simone record scratching on in the non-smoke filled background.)

In that same room, I can imagine these lovely vintage blocks…

And in the other corner, this free of all evil things rocker…

It really is all so much easier today to create a greener nursery than it was even two years ago…..

All available from Etsy. A green and vintage mamas most addictive lunchtime peruse.

I know, I know. I rarely cover girl clothes or shoes (as they are so easy to find – and I am a boys mum). But these STUNNING baby shoes from Bobka Baby are too exquisite not to cover. If you know of anyone who is having a Spring or Summer wedding, and is lucky enough to have a wee lass in the ceremony, you MUST consider these darling organic slippers!

Are they not SO beautiful?! They are truly tiny works of art that any mum would wrap in tissue and keep forever.

Wisps of ribbon and a handful of silk or linen are sewn by fairies to make these little morsels of loveliness that will elicit as many “ooohhs” and “ahhhs” as the lass herself.

A perfect gift for the new mama, these shoes are a little piece of heaven.

I do wish boys shoes could be this sweet….

Growing up my favourite doll was a two foot high Holly Hobby Doll. I loved that damn thing, and had her until I was an adult and realized that mold was no laughing matter.

As Christmas is right around the corner, I thought that I’d begin to feature organic baby things that make great gifts, as it’s never too early to get the pressies sorted.

Etsy is every green mums best friend. The number of beautifully handmade organic baby bits and bobs on Etsy is staggering – and it’s the perfect place to find pressies that won’t be re-gifted at the next shower.

Looking for a gift for a preppy girlfriend, I came across these “Halfpint” worthy bonnets. Organic, perfect for sunny days, and so photogenic!

From Urban Baby Bonnets, these darling bonnets will be a treasured fave for any wee lass, and her proud (and theatrical), mama.

I mean honestly. Are they not SO sweet?!

A lovely, easy to ship, easy to size gift that everyone will love. Especially your favourite green mama.

(Cue soundtrack from Little House on the Prairie.)

Nursery art can be dreadful. Though I love the idea of framed vintage children’s book pictures, sometimes a mum wants something more substantial and graphic.

These wonderful posters from HarperGrace on Etsy, are just the thing for a bit of POW! on the walls, without the twee animals or cherubic babies.

With lovely hints on how to be a good and happy little one, these posters are available in “nursery colors” that will befit any color scheme.

HarperGrace is just reason 7,890 that we love that Etsy.

Happy Tuesday!

This delightful store Pi’lo, makes gorgeous eco gifts for the romantic, including an alphabet and numbers book for baby that are so much more beautiful than the loud primary colour ones, and are far safer for nibbling.

Neutral enough for any nursery, and cool enough for a pregnant art director – Pi’lo books and, well, pillows…will be truly adored and saved after other things have been handed down, given away and tossed.

(For Anglophiles, they also make reusable “crackers” – which make brilliant party favours, with a “u”.)

Happy reading!

Generally, I am not a massive fan of mobiles.  Most mums have told me that they are ripped down as soon as Junior has the reach and strength, and that they are more in the way than anything.  And, to be honest, most look insipid.  So I didn’t get one.

Buuuuutttt….

Look how ethereal these are…

These light, worded creatures  would float like like poetry above your little ones head…

And they aren’t “cute” – as so many baby things are.  The perfect mobiles or garland for a more elegant nursery – especially for one that is fortunate enough to be in a house full of books….

All available from Royal Buffet, on that fantastic Etsy.

If  Little House on the Prairie was your favourite show growing up (and the fact that half-pint went running and whining down the street in every episode didn’t annoy you even at the tender age of twelve)….this post is for you.

Infusion is yet another darling Etsy shop that makes unique, none of your friends will have them, organic, sustainable, feel oh-so-good about them bits and bobs for baby and family.  These boots are delicious, and a fantastic gift for your most romantic Cancerian friend.  They should come with bloomers and a copy of Anne of Green Gables.

Honestly. Does your child not need a pair of these magical little boots immediately? My only lament is that they don’t come in my huge drag queen foot size.  I HEART them!

When creating your green nursery, you really should scour Etsy first, before buying anything.  Everyday more and more extraordinarily talented cottage artists are joining and selling their beautiful, organic wares through this virtual town fair.  And if you want to a give a gift that you know won’t be something she already has – Etsy is truly the best place to go.  Unless she’s a Taurus. And then a Savings Bond is your best best.

Have a great weekend!

Though I am trying Swaddlebees  (good lawd above they are soft), I know that many of my readers are GDiapers devotees. (Which means: exactly 4.)

This is for them.

This lovely lady on Etsy makes hemp (oh, so thirsty) liners/doublers that fit into GDiapers. I have heard marvelous things about them, so I thought that I would share. (They also fit her own line of 100% organic nappies, if you are interested.)  Why use hemp when GDiapers have flushable inserts? 

Well.

I’m a purist (I still use a fountain pen for social correspondence) – and GDiaper inserts contain polyacrylate for absorption.  I just don’t know that I trust anything that can absorb over 100x it’s weight in moisture. It’s also a hazardous (though only moderately) material, that you may not want your baby to ingest or inhale.  So – for the mom that began with the GDiaper, who may be moving ever greener on the sage continuum – these hemp inserts may be a great step in the verdant direction.

Though, as compared to Pampers or most Huggies, GDiapers are made of leaves.

Happy nappy!

If like me, you like one of a kind things - consider searching through Etsy.com for organic this’s and that’s.

I found this precious bear hat and booties on Etsy.  As well as this darling “tag” snuggle sized blanket.

Etsy has hundreds of hand carved yummy teethers….

baby bottle covers (for those of us that are using glass bottles)…

Baby slings in beautiful colours…

and toys…

So next time that you are “stuck” for a baby gift, or feel that your nursery is looking a slight bit “catalogue”, see if you can’t find something to delight at Etsy.