Friday Round - Up

I've searched the world wide web over, and I'm bringin' you some linky love!

• Crunchy Domestic Goddess is having a great giveaway. Head on over for a chance to win your own bottle of the Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate from Shaklee.

• Pennies in My Pocket has an awesome giveaway for a year's worth of Dropps laundry detergent. I will be reviewing this detergent in an upcoming installment of Three R Thursday. Go Check it Out!
  

• Want to calculate how much money you can save by switching your light bulbs? OneBillionBulbs.com is educating people about the cost-saving and environmental benefits of replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs.

• I just picked up some CleanWell hand sanitizer at Target this week. It's the first one of its kind - using no alcohol or other harsh chemicals.

• I know switching to organic food can be overwhelming and expensive. Learn why these 5 items: milk, peanut butter, apples, potatoes and ketchup are great foods to start with.

February 22, 2008
February 15, 2008
Swango, Ideal Bite, A Green Ferret Mission, Consumer Consequences
February 8, 2008
Valentine's Edition
February 1, 2008
10 Ways to Deal with Blogger's Block, The Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics, The Lost Blog, Blogging Basics 101
January 25, 2008
31 Days to Becoming a Better Blogger, PaperBack Swap, Crunchy Chicken's Book Club

Three R Thursday - Organic Children's Clothing Part 2

If you read last week's "Three R Thursday" post, you know I'm crazy and hormonal in the process of figuring out the world of organic clothing. Based on what I discovered about conventional cotton production, I think it's important to invest in organic clothing (if possible) - and I do mean it is an investment!

After a week of searching the net and being on hold with more customer service departments than I care to mention, here's what I discovered. Last week I was optimistic and hoped to score the "green trifecta" of clothing -- certified organic, manufactured under fair trade practices and local. This proved to be a very tough challenge.

I discovered the following brands/companies are certified organic: Tadpoles at Target, George at Wal-Mart, Pottery Barn for Kids, BabyGap, and Hanna Andersson. For now, I don't think I can consider these companies under Fair Trade practices, but depending on your priorities, I think it is important to mention them because they are made from certified organic cotton. I think these are budget-friendly options for the basics (especially onesies that can get ruined easily). I think finding local organic clothing is going to be near impossible, but one can always hope. If you have information contrary to what I found, please let me know about it.

The following 5 companies are all certified organic and fair trade. The price point is based on one short sleeve onesie.

Price Point: $20
Summary: Speesees' mission is to be fun, fair and organic in their products and the way they conduct business. They are taking baby steps towards creating a more sustainable future for the animal, plant and human speesees on our children's planet.
Top pick: I love these colored animal kimonos.

Price Point: $15
Summary: Kate Quinn Organics features stylish apparel made from the finest 100% certified organic fabrics. They strive to care for the earth and its community without sacrificing fun and style.
Top Pick: For the style, price and colors, you can't beat this set of 7 onesies.


Price Point: $13
Summary: Under the Nile offers an alternative to conventional cotton apparel for infants and children. All products are made from 100% handpicked organic cotton that is grown exclusively in Egypt. Their dyeing process uses metal-free or vegetable dyes.
Top Pick: I love this basic collection of 24/7 items.

Under the Nile's site is very informative and contains great information on the importance of organic cotton.


Price Point: $21
Summary: Sage Creek Naturals is committed to providing families with organic cotton baby clothes and bedding. Their priority is to offer a line of organic cotton clothes that are stylish, affordable, safe and of course, soft! Sage Creek Naturals shares your concern for: the health of our loved ones and of our fragile environment, the quality of life and the value of products and services.
Top Pick: I love all the pieces in this bear collection.

Price Point: $21.95
Summary: Ecoland was started by a mother of two girls. Their first brand for babies, “Ecoland for Angel”, is made exclusively from the highest quality 100% organically grown cotton, which is certified by SKAL. All of their garments are sustainable processed and sewn in a sweatshop-free environment.
Top pick: It doesn't get much better than this shirt & pant set.

Thursday Thirteen #2 - Taglines

As I was redesigning my blog, I asked my husband for his suggestions for taglines. He is much more clever than I am. Although, he occasionally pokes fun at my "bloggy ways", he is my number one fan and a dedicated reader.

1. Knowing love and choosing life.
2. Every choice matters.
3. We don’t know all the answers, but we’re doing the research.
4. When life gives you lemons, find some organic pure cane sugar.
5. I’d always do the right thing, if it weren’t so darn expensive.
6. Thank God my husband works.
7. Trying not to poison our kids one day at a time.
8. God made me. God broke me. God healed me.
9. Trying to do the right thing.
10. Not your mother’s blog.
11. How do Co2 emissions affect the blogosphere?
12. Moms for a well-rounded blogosphere.
13. I asked the Lord for a road map. Now, if I could only read it.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

WFMW: Socks as Swiffers

I decided to stop fighting the "dirty-bottom sock war" and just go with it. Now, instead of wasting spending money on Swiffer disposable cloths, I just use a sock. You know the one . . . . the lonely sock that manages to survive its ride in the washing machine while its partner has disappeared into the laundry abyss.

I found ankle socks work best for the Swiffer mop head. Instead of the Swiffer Mitts, you can use a tube sock to dust - they're great to slip on your hand for getting the baseboards and stair banisters clean. I know socks don't have the "static effect" the Swiffer cloths do, but they still do a nice job of picking up dirt and dust. You can always buy a microfiber cloth and wrap it around the mop head instead. Most microfiber cloths can be washed multiple times and still maintain their charge.

I think this is a win-win situation all around. Socks are more eco-friendly than disposable cloths. When you are finished just throw them in the laundry to use again later. Chances are you have a lot of "single" socks you can re-purpose. Use a mixture of vinegar and warm water to clean hardwoods. You don't have to worry about toxins causing damage to your family's health or your floors!

Learn about more ways to "Hack Your Swiffer" at TreeHugger.

Click here for more great ideas from Works for Me Wednesday.

Tackle It Tuesday #7 - Family Picture Wall

I've been wanting to put up a gallery of pictures in our family room. I received these picture frames for Christmas. After several attempts at ordering the right sizes and ordering a few additional frames, we're ready to hang them!

I used the paper inside each frame to practice arrangements. I like things symmetrical . . . . this really bugs my husband.

This was my first arrangement:













Of course, he thought it was too symmetrical. I'm always willing to compromise. I tried again:













We're a little closer now. With a wonderful cooperative spirit on both our parts and a few tweaks . . . this is the finished product. Of course, if you've been following any of my "tackles" few things are ever 100% complete. I need to order pictures for the triple frame.

Guest Room Conversion Update

Before


Week 1


Week 2


Week 3


Week 4
No change this week in the room. However, I did order this bulletin board and these push pins from some great crafters at Etsy.

• Obviously, clear out the room. Everything from computer pieces to bike parts. I am told all these various parts will eventually turn into a bicycle. I made a little progress clearing things out but still have some work to do.
  

Still clearing out . . .

• Order window coverings. I ordered 3 of these from Target.
  
• Order bedding. I ordered this organic duvet and pillows for the bed. I also order this blanket. I have a thing for pillows: I ordered this one in the sandlewood, this one in the khaki, this one in the ivory, and this organic one. Told you I had a thing for pillows. Can you tell I am going for a natural/neutral look with this room.
• Order lamps. I decided to re-purpose lamps from another room so no need to order new ones. Never mind, I picked one up at Pier 1 for less than $30.
  
• Install window treatments.Two out of Three hung ain't bad!
• Buy comforter for duvet cover.
• Buy mattress - Bob is doing this tomorrow
  
• Come up with something for the walls. I found something I love - a little tribute to my husband. I figured if I won't let him have the real thing stored in here . . . .
  

Thanks to the 5 Minutes for Moms, Susan and Janice for hosting Tackle It Tuesday. Go and check out more Tackle It Tuesday participants.

Previous Tackle It Tuesday Posts:
Paperback Swap
Empty Shelves Syndrome
My Thoughts
Coat Closet

Best Shot Monday - Laundry Day!

Laundry Day

Working hard to keep my children entertained, contained, and in clean clothes.























You can see more Best Shot Mondays here.

Group Writing Project #1 - Favorite Family Product

Does Mommy Love It is hosting their first group writing project. The topic for this month is a favorite product our family can't live without.


If I weren't confident in my abilities as a mother, I would feel threatened by you. You spend uninterrupted hours with our children while they dream. A simple touch from you provides them with comfort and warmth. My children allow you to tame their raging tantrums and cuddle with them as they read their favorite books. You are definitely something our family couldn't live without. You are their blanket, blankie, or beck, depending on which child is asking for you.

Mind you, not just any blanket will do, it has to be a Baby Morgan Thermal Blanket created by the J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills. A blanket that is so soft - bound with two inches of nylon satin. This blanket was once widely available at our local JC Penneys in a variety of colors. In 2003, the J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills closed down causing a little panic attack for this mommy!

Morgan blankets are now a staple for our family. All of our children have had one and loved them dearly. The Baby Morgan blanket production was sold to Bright Future. It has been difficult to find them in our JC Penney. I stalk eBay and patiently wait for the right color to become available. Another baby is on the way so I am on the hunt once again . . . . this time for a green one!

Recently, I found this website that carries the original Baby Morgan Blanket. They'll even monogram it for you. The original is more expensive than the Bright Future one, but I can truly say these blankets last forever and can be washed over and over again.

One word of advice . . . if you decide to purchase one of these wonderful blankets stock up so you can rotate them and always have one on hand!