Monday, June 1, 2009
$.99 Shipping Extends Through June!
It may be these hot summer-like temperatures causing me not to think straight, but since the $.99 shipping has been so well received, I have decided to extend the offer through the end of June! That means $.99 First-Class USPS Mail shipping (3-5 days) on all orders, no matter how big or small. Take advantage of this great deal while it lasts. I might just return to my senses next month! : )
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Recycled Cardboard Play - Take Two!
As you may remember, last month I attempted to recreate a darling cardboard kitchen set I found on the blog Forty-two Roads. Well, as that didn't quite turn out as I had hoped (my daughter told me the refrigerator looked more like a car and proceeded to turn it on its side, jump in and pretend to cruise along humming - vroom, vroom), I pretty much had abandoned the idea of transforming an old cardboard box into a useful play structure.
Low and behold, I ran across these recycled cardboard play structures at Green Party Goods. Below is their castle design.
There is also a Lemonade/Advice Stand, Teepee, Rocket, Dollhouse, Playhouse, Airplane and Chair set. You can personalize your particular model with paint or crayon. Quite amazing! While the price tags on these little beauties seems equally amazing ($95 for the castle), it may be the just the prompting I need to again put box cutter to box and try my hand at another cardboard transformation. You can never have too many box shaped cars ya know!
Low and behold, I ran across these recycled cardboard play structures at Green Party Goods. Below is their castle design.
There is also a Lemonade/Advice Stand, Teepee, Rocket, Dollhouse, Playhouse, Airplane and Chair set. You can personalize your particular model with paint or crayon. Quite amazing! While the price tags on these little beauties seems equally amazing ($95 for the castle), it may be the just the prompting I need to again put box cutter to box and try my hand at another cardboard transformation. You can never have too many box shaped cars ya know!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Earth-Friendly Tableware
Isn't it funny how once you learn a new word, or hear about a new product or place, it starts popping up everywhere? As I was reading the new June 2009 issue of Martha Stewart's LIVING magazine, I ran across some more cool biodegradable tableware made from leftover sugarcane stalks. After use, these inexpensive cups, plates and trays can go into the compost instead of the landfill! Green Home, an online retailer of the tableware, states that the "compostable cups will biodegrade within 30 days in a commercial composting facility, and within 90 days in a home composting system". Pretty cool!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Green Planet Parties
I just found this adorable online store - Green Planet Parties. They offer great "green" party supplies and ideas for any type of party. For baby showers, they sell adorable duck-shaped thank you cards that once planted will bloom flowers including: baby's breath, powder puff asters, and black eyed susan flowers!
For birthdays, they offer fabric party banners and goodie bags with treats for various age groups and party themes. In the 0-3yr group, there are wooden wands (perfect for any crafty little fairy princess party), bean bags (could incorporate this into a toss game and take-home treasure), eco-notebooks (use for a party scavenger hunt and take-home goodie), and much, much more!
While I plan to make the banner and goodie bags for my daughter's farm party, I am looking to purchase some of their "green" tableware. They offer 2 sizes of "Sugarcane Bagasse" plates that are made from pulp left over from the processing of sugar cane. These plates are biodegradable and compostable. I think they are pretty reasonably priced: 25-6" plates for $5.49 and 25-9" plates for $6.49.
They also offer "Earthens", made from dried leaves of the Areca palm tree as they naturally dry and fall. No trees were harvested to produce these plates, as well as no pesticides, color, wax, or dye was added during manufacturing. These plates are a little more expensive (25-7" plates for $12.95 and 25-9" for $14.95), but they come in various shades of cream and brown, and are truely unique to look at!
I will also have to get the beewax candles, just bee-cause!
For birthdays, they offer fabric party banners and goodie bags with treats for various age groups and party themes. In the 0-3yr group, there are wooden wands (perfect for any crafty little fairy princess party), bean bags (could incorporate this into a toss game and take-home treasure), eco-notebooks (use for a party scavenger hunt and take-home goodie), and much, much more!
While I plan to make the banner and goodie bags for my daughter's farm party, I am looking to purchase some of their "green" tableware. They offer 2 sizes of "Sugarcane Bagasse" plates that are made from pulp left over from the processing of sugar cane. These plates are biodegradable and compostable. I think they are pretty reasonably priced: 25-6" plates for $5.49 and 25-9" plates for $6.49.
They also offer "Earthens", made from dried leaves of the Areca palm tree as they naturally dry and fall. No trees were harvested to produce these plates, as well as no pesticides, color, wax, or dye was added during manufacturing. These plates are a little more expensive (25-7" plates for $12.95 and 25-9" for $14.95), but they come in various shades of cream and brown, and are truely unique to look at!
I will also have to get the beewax candles, just bee-cause!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Scavenger Hunt & Brain Storming
Update on the birthday party planning:
Well I have begun rounding-up items from around the house that we can use for the party. The actual idea for the outdoor "farmyard" party came from a bean bag throw game we have (shown below), so that is definitely going to be incorporated.
I am dividing the planning into 5 categories.
INVITES:
While there are plenty of adorable do-it-yourself invitation ideas out there, I decided on this barn-themed one (see below) from Evite.com. With an online invitation, there is no expense and no waste, so I am keeping to my earth-friendly promise! Also, guests can easily respond and I can quickly get a count of how many people are attending.
COST: $0
DECOR:
As it will be an outdoor party (weather permitting), I don't think I need much in the way of decor, but found a checkered table cloth which will be great for the food table. Other than that, a few balloons (I know balloons aren't eco-friendly, but are a must have for my child), and that's that.
COST: $
GAMES/ACTIVITIES:
My plan for this three-year-old birthday party is that there are no structured games. I plan to set up different "stations" for the kids to rotate around to and do what they please. The first of these games will be the farm-themed bean bag game. Since only 3 bean bags came with the game, I thought we could use some plastic Easter eggs (which we somehow end up with, though I only use real ones!!!) for additional objects for the kids to throw. We will pretend they are chicken eggs to keep with the farm-theme!
Will have to come up with some other games...
COST: $0
FOOD:
Will be spending money here. Thinking BBQ and someone else cooking!
COST: $$
GOODY BAGS & THANK YOUS:
Not sure what to do here yet. Need to research...
COST: $
Well I have begun rounding-up items from around the house that we can use for the party. The actual idea for the outdoor "farmyard" party came from a bean bag throw game we have (shown below), so that is definitely going to be incorporated.
I am dividing the planning into 5 categories.
INVITES:
While there are plenty of adorable do-it-yourself invitation ideas out there, I decided on this barn-themed one (see below) from Evite.com. With an online invitation, there is no expense and no waste, so I am keeping to my earth-friendly promise! Also, guests can easily respond and I can quickly get a count of how many people are attending.
COST: $0
DECOR:
As it will be an outdoor party (weather permitting), I don't think I need much in the way of decor, but found a checkered table cloth which will be great for the food table. Other than that, a few balloons (I know balloons aren't eco-friendly, but are a must have for my child), and that's that.
COST: $
GAMES/ACTIVITIES:
My plan for this three-year-old birthday party is that there are no structured games. I plan to set up different "stations" for the kids to rotate around to and do what they please. The first of these games will be the farm-themed bean bag game. Since only 3 bean bags came with the game, I thought we could use some plastic Easter eggs (which we somehow end up with, though I only use real ones!!!) for additional objects for the kids to throw. We will pretend they are chicken eggs to keep with the farm-theme!
Will have to come up with some other games...
COST: $0
FOOD:
Will be spending money here. Thinking BBQ and someone else cooking!
COST: $$
GOODY BAGS & THANK YOUS:
Not sure what to do here yet. Need to research...
COST: $
Friday, April 24, 2009
New Spring Dress and Toys!
Our new shipment of Under the Nile products arrived! Be sure to check out this season's adorable Organic Blossoms Bubble Dress and Organic Cotton Toys:
And we are STILL offering $.99 shipping until the end of May!
And we are STILL offering $.99 shipping until the end of May!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Birthday Count-down Begins!
So, I have begun working on ideas for my daughter's 3rd birthday party. Yes, I know she doesn't 3 until November (another 7 months), but with a baby due in early July, I am figuring my summer (and life) might start getting a little more hectic. Thus, I figured I'd use this time to start pre-planning for the birthday bash. Can't call me a procrastinator!!!
This will be her first "real" birthday party. Her 1st and 2nd birthdays were family-only events, but I think she is ready to have a party with friends this year. Since my daughter loves farm animals I am planning on a Farm themed party. I am also exploring ways to make a child's birthday party a little bit "greener". No paper plates or disposable plastic forks, and NO cheap plastic party favors!!! The plan is also to spend as little money as possible! Aside from food, I hope to make or re-purpose household items into party decorations and games, keeping my expenses to a minimum.
My first mission is to scavenge the house for usable items. I will let you know how that goes. Feel free to add your comments!
This will be her first "real" birthday party. Her 1st and 2nd birthdays were family-only events, but I think she is ready to have a party with friends this year. Since my daughter loves farm animals I am planning on a Farm themed party. I am also exploring ways to make a child's birthday party a little bit "greener". No paper plates or disposable plastic forks, and NO cheap plastic party favors!!! The plan is also to spend as little money as possible! Aside from food, I hope to make or re-purpose household items into party decorations and games, keeping my expenses to a minimum.
My first mission is to scavenge the house for usable items. I will let you know how that goes. Feel free to add your comments!
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