Tag: Made in the USA


Sep
2017

Getting Kids Ready for Bed with Brian the Pekingese

categories: Reviews

Go to sleep! Please?!

 

This is often how I feel at 7:30 pm each night. I love my kids, but the bedtime battles are rough. Some nights are better than others, and some nights are much, much worse…

After many trials and efforts there are a few things I have come to a conclusion on when it comes to bedtime for the Fox kids.

 

  1. Routine – Kids understand routine. If you do the same thing each night, the consistency assures them and gives them the comfort they desire. They can understand what is coming next and there is much less of a fight.
  2. Full Belly – I try to give my kids a snack and water before bedtime. This helps that oh-so-annoying “I am hungry/thirsty” excuse.
  3. Cozy PJ’s – The more comfortable my kids are while laying in bed, the better their sleep. If they have soft pajama’s on there is less twisting and squirming around to get in that perfect sleeping pose.
  4. Bathroom Trip – We have the kids try to use the toilet, wash their hands and brush their teeth right before bed.
  5. Stuffy and Story Time – My kids love stuffed animals. Like love them. They each choose a few stuffy’s (as we call them) to sleep with that night. This give them a sense of comfort and security. After we cuddle in we read 1 – 3 books depending on time, length of book and honestly, my mood!
  6. Prayers and Lights Out – After our story time is completed we pray to Jesus for our day we just had, all our friends and family and for the following day. This gives my kids the final nod of the day. The “the end” moment

 

 

Brian the Pekingese is a special yellow dog that has come into our hearts and helped aid in our bedtime habits.

Brian is a dog that helps get your child ready for bed some of the most important ways:

  • Pajama’s
  • Stuffed Animal
  • Bedtime Story

At Brian the Pekingese they know that children’s pajama’s should be worn by children, not made by them. Sadly, this is a reality of the world, but with Brian the Pekingese, you can rest assured that all their pajamas are made in the USA. Using no flame retardant chemicals and 100% organic cotton material, you can just feel the softness and love behind each pair of pajamas.

 

They offer both short sleeve/short sets and long sleeve/pant sets, so no matter the weather there is a perfect pair for your child. We love that they have boy, girl and gender neutral prints, so you can shop with man options.

 

The novel – you can purchase here – is a perfect easy to read bedtime (or daytime) story. “Sharing With Friends” showcases the topic of sharing using the main protagonist, Brian the Pekingese. When he sees a situation arise, he chooses to share and make a new friend. I love how straight forward and simple this book is. It has some of the best Children’s book illustrations I’ve seen which really helps bring it to life. It really makes the perfect gift for a young child. You can buy the book separate or as a package along with the stuffed animal of Brian the Pekingese.

 

Something Special – Recycle Your Brian the Pekingese Pj’s!

That’s right, when your child out grows their Brian the Pekingese pj’s, you have the option to mail them back (postage paid) and Brian the Pekingese will recycle the cotton.

 

 

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Our path may not work for all children, but the routine part is key. Let us know below what you do for your bedtime routine and if you have any bedtime suggestions.


Aug
2017

The Clean Beauty Revolution – Au Naturale Cosmetics

categories: Reviews

Have you heard about the Clean Beauty Revolution? Au Naturale is changing the way makeup is made, and it’s all for the better.

Ashley Prange, nuclear analyst, wanted to go au natural, but didn’t want to go without makeup. She kept having reactions and breakouts from makeup, but didn’t want to stop using it. So, she set out to create her own makeup.

“Her mission was to use exclusively healthy, natural & ethically sourced ingredients in order to develop a replacement for each and every product in her former beauty routine” – Au Naturale Website

Their Mission: The #CleanBeautyRevolution.

The Clean Beauty Revolution is what makes Au Naturale unlike many other natural cosmetics brands, that being said there are some really great natural cosmetics available such as Waterlilies And Company. From day one, each ingredient has been scrutinized before being included into a formulation, only those who are ethically sound, factually healthy & naturally sourced making the final cut. And from day one, the company has been determined to provide consumers with much more than a line of healthy products.

What I love about Au Naturale is their huge variety of products and color options they provide. As of 2017 they offer:

Foundations/Concealers

Blushes/Highlighters/Bronzers

Eye Shadows/Eye Pencils

Lip Stains/Lip Glosses/Lipsticks Lip Pencils

Brushes

vegan, cruelty-free, paraben free, gluten free, sustainably made & ethically sourced.

hand made in their own lab in Green Bay, WI.

FREE domestic shipping on orders over $50

I tried 2 Au Naturale products, their Stain Matte Lip Stain and their Pure Powder Highlighter.

I loved how sleek the packaging and containers are for the makeup. I have seen and used several other ‘free’ makeups but nothing with such high quality materials and such beautiful design. I love knowing that these products are toxic free. Nothing unsavory is on my skin or absorbing into my body. I try to take care of my body, inside and out, so knowing that I am not harming myself is a huge sigh of relief. Keeping the skin youthful-looking and rejuvenated is the mission of women all over the world and, thankfully, there are many things on the market that can help them do this such as these beverly hills md products available online to try out for yourself to improve your overall skin health.

Au Naturale Lip Stain comes in 10 shades, giving all skin tones something to lean towards. I love pinks but also love purples. I have caucasian skin, but tan easily and get several shades darker for the summer and fall months. My lips seem to really fade to the background when I put on any shades that are too close to my natural skin and lip color. This is frustrating to me and causes me to have a hard time finding lipsticks that I can wear that boost my natural look. Even with a lip lift surgery to tighten the skin of the lips, Au Naturale Lip Stain adds that extra pop over color to heighten my look.  Using Au Naturale Lip Stain has been such a joy for me. I love how it stays on, gives my lips a natural looking color boost without being too overpowered. The Lip Stain does not fade into my lips making it look like I am not wearing anything but rather showcasing them in a fun and safe way.

The color I am using is “Purple Reign”

I have never used a highlighter before 2017. I tried one out a few months ago when I was trying out new makeup with my cousin and fell in love with the concept. A highlighter is typically used after your makeup is on and complete; it is the final step. It sets your work, adds a radiant illumination and a soft focus finish to your face and décolletage. Au Naturale has 3 Pure Powder Highlighter shades: begonia (pinky), Moondust (silverish) and Halcyon (goldish). I am using the Begonia.

This product sprays out in powdered form. You can spray directly on your face where you want to work it in, or you can spray onto your hand and collect with your application brush. Either way works. It is a very fine and delicate power, making it easy to apply and not ‘over do’ your face. Often times products like a highlighter can go on too heavy and make you look like you dumped the product on your face. Au Naturale’s Highlighter is so

Next time you want to try out some new beauty products head over to Au Naturale and dive into the Clean Beauty Revolution!

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Mar
2017

Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop

categories: Reviews

Finding a cloth alternative to your everyday paper products will not only save you money it will cut your carbon foot print.  Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop has a amazing selection high quality cloth products that are proudly made one at a time in the USA.

 Paperless Towels

Here’s some horrifying paper towel facts. 13 billion pounds of paper towels are used each year. That’s over 45 pounds of paper towels per person, per year. Paper towels are not recyclable since they don’t contain much fiber, making them purely waste. This waste adds up to 254 million tons of trash globally each year. These numbers alone should make you want to ditch paper towels and go paperless!

 

When I decided to make the switch to reusable products, paper towels and napkins were the first items I replaced. We use Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop Paperless Towels for everything, drying hands, mopping us spills and cleaning up my messy 19 month old after meals. As far as cleaning up messes, paperless towels are far superior to paper. I am able to clean the biggest of messes with one towel. Paperless Towels wont fall apart like paper towels do, these high quality towels will last you a long time. Simply wash and reuse!

Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop Paperless Towels are offered in Organic Cotton, Organic Cotton Birdseye, Unbleached Birdseye Cotton and White Cotton Birdseye. These Paperless Towels have a beautiful surged edging offered in a wide range of colors. You can easily coordinate with your kitchen colors or enjoy a rainbow assortment of colors. No longer will you have the eyesore of a roll of paper towels sitting on your counter.

Little Wipes

Little Wipes make a perfect eco-friendly alternative to baby wipes.  Baby wipes wreak environmental havoc since most contain plastic fibers that are not biodegradable. There is always the misconception that baby wipes are flushable. I would not recommend flushing any kind of baby wipe and risk clogging not only your toilet but the city’s sewer system. Baby wipes also contain so many preservatives and fragrances that I don’t feel comfortable touching my daughters sensitive skin. As a cloth diapering mama, it only makes sense to use cloth wipes.

Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop’s Little Wipes have so many uses. These wipes are extremely absorbent making them great wash cloths. Little Wipes also make great tissues, helping keep little noses from getting irritated from constant wiping. Little wipes are 8″x 8″ and are offered in Organic Cotton Bamboo Velour, White Birdseye Cotton, Organic Cotton and flannel.

Connect with Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop

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Caring for your Cloth items

Caring for your Paperless Towels and Little Wipes is simple. I wash my towels and wipes in cold/ warm water. I also avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheet to keep the fabric absorbent. Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop also suggests occasionally adding 1/4 cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle to prevent detergent build up and keep your towels soft.  My Little Wipes that I use as baby wipes get thrown in the wash along with my diaper laundry. Air dry your towels in the sun for it antibacterial and stain removing benefits or dry in your dryer.


Feb
2017

Thirsties Natural One Size All In One

categories: Reviews

Thirsties is a family owned company and takes great pride in the fact that all Thirsties products are USA made. Thirsties not only cares about what is best for your baby they care about your budget as well as their own carbon foot print. When I found out how “Green” Thirsties really is, I was beyond impressed!

  •  Thirsties warehouse is 100% powered by wind energy.
  •  All carbon created in the transport of Thirsties products is 100% offset by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
  • All fabric and components are sourced as locally as possible, thereby cutting down on unnecessary transportation (not from China).
  • All cutting and sewing is completed locally as well so as to keep transport fuel consumption to a minimum (not from China).
  • Retail product packaging is produced in the USA with wind energy from FSC-certified paperboard.
  • Reduce, reuse and recycle! Packaging materials are reused and recycled. Any new packaging is made from the highest postconsumer content available. Our new EcoEnclose Poly Mailers are 100% biodegradable and break down even in landfills!

To see more ways that Thirsties Baby is a super green business check out their What Makes Us Green page. Thirsties Green thinking makes me love their products even more.

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Natural One Size AIO

I can not say enough about how amazing the Thirsties Natural All In One is.  This diaper will grow with your baby and will fit 8 pounds to 40 pounds thanks to the 3 rise snap options as well as the 10 waist snaps. The Natural One Size AIO is also available in Hook and Loop.

Thirsties Natural One Size AIO has 11 layers of natural fibers. The body of the diaper itself has 3 layers of organic cotton with 2 soaker pads that attach to the front of the diaper add 8 layers of hemp/organic cotton. This all adds up to one super trim and extremely absorbent diaper.

Cloth diapering doesn’t get easier than using a All In One. No pockets to stuff or inserts to snap in. Thirsties Natural One Size AIO diapers are my go-to for cloth diapering outside of the house, not only is it trim on the baby it’s trim in the diaper bag and we all know how valuable that space can be. They are simple and straightforward which is great for my helpful husband on diaper laundry day. They are also my easiest diapers for babysitters or anyone not familiar with cloth.

Be sure to wash your Natural AIOs 3 times alone to rid the fabric of natural oils. After 8 washes you will achieve maximum absorbency of your diaper. I find Thirsties Natural One Size AIO easy to spray off since both inserts attach to the same end, making diaper laundry even easier. I always lay my diapers flat to dry and try to use the sun as mush as possible to remove stains and disinfect. I love that the natural fibers of my Thirsties diapers air dry soft, no need to use my dryer.

Check out Thirsties Cloth Diaper Care for all your washing and drying questions.

All that Thirsties has to offer:

Thirsties is a staple brand in the cloth diaper world and they have it all when it comes to diapers, from Newborn to One-Size, Hook and Loop to Snaps, AIOs to Pockets, Diaper covers and Duo Wraps in the brightest solid colors and amazing prints, you will be sure to find what you’re looking for. Thirsties is known for their superb trim fit, exceptional leak protection and the highest quality of fabric touching your babies sensitive skin. It’s hard to not be impressed with  Thirsties quality of cloth diapers along with their amazing business ethics and their never ending goal to be as green as possible.